Birmingham’s hidden legacy: Local author unveils a family saga of industry, betrayal and resilience

At the centre of this compelling tale is the Seller & Son precision engineering firm, a cornerstone of the Aston community since its incorporation in 1854. This was more than just a business; it was the lifeblood of Sara's family, a symbol of their aspirations, an anchor of stability and, at times, a heavy burden to bear.

Sara's story is steeped in a complex family legacy. Her mother, the rightful heir and daughter of the company’s founders, lived with the harsh realities of a male-dominated world. The firm passed to Sara’s grandfather and then to her father. This redirected the family’s trajectory in an already rapidly changing world, contributing to the evolving landscape of Birmingham’s economy.

The family's struggles continued into the late 20th century as they faced a notorious rival family determined to undermine their hard-earned business, reminiscent of the Peaky Blinders. Persistent threats and acts of intimidation gradually eroded their sense of security, casting a long shadow over their daily lives and intensifying tensions within the family and the business.

Those external pressures culminated in a painful betrayal, which drove a wedge between the family, leaving Sara estranged from her two older brothers for years and supporting her parents, traumatised by stress and grief. This fictionalised retelling explores the collision of outside attack and inside treachery on ordinary Birmingham people

Throughout this devastating experience, Sara’s parents swore that they would write the story. Her father recorded hand-written notes but never found the heart to re-tell it. It was only after the passing of both her parents that a flicker of hope emerged. During a painful personal journey to heal the past, Sara discovered a hidden treasure - a collection of handwritten records tucked away in the attic, personal papers she had once contemplated burning. These documents became a moral compass, igniting a promise made to her parents thirty years previously: to uncover and share the truth of their family’s tumultuous past.

The story is intricately linked to the very streets of Birmingham, from the Dudley Tunnel to the Jewellery Quarter’s Warstone Lane and the familiar corners of Lozells where childhood memories were forged. These locations are not just backdrops; they are the lifeblood of a narrative woven from loyalty and loss, embodying the indomitable spirit of a family that has weathered countless storms together.

As Sara shares her family's trials through her writing, she captures the essence of ordinary people confronting extraordinary challenges. With sequels on the horizon, she is dedicated to preserving her family’s legacy for future generations. She describes writing the book as “an emotional and cathartic journey”, one that allowed her to heal the trials of her family and the devastating loss of a business that had meant everything to her parents. “It’s a story of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges reflected in every city,” Sara added. “Through writing the story, I am questioning what a legacy is? Rather than being something you leave behind, could it be something from which you free others?”

The story explores Birmingham's working-class roots, highlighting its industrial revolution history and the people who powered it. Through personal narratives, it maps the city's streets and workshops, showcasing our human enduring strength and resilience.

Sara is currently hard at work on the second book in the trilogy, which will carry the family saga from 1900 into post-war Britain.

‘A Legacy Forged’ is available now on Amazon, Waterstones and local bookstores.

For more information about Sara Fox and her work, visit sarafoxauthor.com.