Gold Award For Brum’s Floral Trail
Over the last year you may have seen floral versions of a Mini on Victoria Square, Wallace and Gromit on Great Charles Street Queensway or a watch on New Street.
They are just three of 19 features on the Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail, which has just won Gold in the Urban Community category at the Heart of England In Bloom Regional Awards Ceremony.
The trail is linked to the bicentennial celebrations of the life of Matthew Boulton.
(via JewelleryQuarter.net)
Volunteers Needed for Birmingham Half Marathon
After last year's success, the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon returns for a second time on Sunday 11th October. Following feedback from last year, the route has changed so it now starts and ends in Birmingham city centre, at Centenary Square. The 13.1 mile run takes in well-known sights such as Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Cannon Hill Park and the Cadbury factory in Bournville village before returning to the city.
Volunteers are required in areas such as baggage supervision, event control, information assistants, media assistants, route marshals and even translators. For more information check out the Birmingham Half Marathon website or call 0121 464 0193.
More Violence in Brum – Ban EDL Protests Now
For the third time in three months violence erupted in Birmingham City Centre as a result of the English Defence League protests. The demonstrations, supposedly against "islamic fundamentalism" have instigated counter-demonstrations from Unite Against Fascism. On each occasion the "protests" have attracted both Islamophobes and young Asian lads, with both groups seemingly intent on causing trouble under the banner of free speech.
Yesterday members of the EDL were bussed in from around the country. As I blogged about here and here, leading Liberal Democrats and other leading city figures had called for the protest to be banned. It's now time for Mike Whitby to take a look at what went on in our city and ban these thugs.
West Midlands Police seem to be proclaiming yesterday as a success as violence was "limited" to certain pockets across the city centre away from the main shopping area.
That is outrageous.
The fact violence erupted at several locations in the city including Digbeth and New Street is not a good sign. It shows this went beyond any organised protest. Look at some of the photographs in the media such as the Daily Mail, which shows EDL supporters waving Israeli flags and a sign proclaiming "NO MORE MOSQUES". Rather makes a mockery of EDL's claim that they are a non-racist organisation.
The media coverage has brought shame to the city again and if we are not careful, we will get a reputation for tolerating racism. Momentum is a very dangerous thing - and right now Birmingham has it.
We need a ban on any further EDL protests - and we need it NOW.
UPDATE: You can now sign a petition calling on West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to ban future extremist "protests" in the city centre. Enough is enough.
Volunteering at Moseley Folk Festival
On Friday I had the pleasure of working on the Oxfam stall at the fourth Moseley Folk Festival at the beautiful Moseley Park. After a long day promoting the work of Oxfam and the Oxjam Music Festival, obtaining petition signatures and selling raffle tickets for a signed t-shirt, I got to enjoy some of the festival.
The highlight for me was the headliners Saint Etienne, who performed the whole of Fox Base Alpha before encoring with He's On The Phone. I also popped into the Real Ale tent for a couple of pints of Mad Goose. There's a very special atmosphere at Moseley Folk Festival helped by the limited capacity and family-friendly environment that some of the bigger festivals could learn from. The organisers did a fantastic job and by all accounts the rest of the weekend has gone well too. Good job all round!
EDL March To Go Ahead
The "anti Islamic extremism" protest from the English Defence League will go ahead as planned on Saturday on our city's streets, despite calls from Deputy Leader, Lib Dem Councillor Paul Tilsley to ban it. But plans for a "Birmingham United" concert backed by John Hemming MP amongst others have been cancelled after a lack of support from the Police and City Council.
Exact plans for the EDL march are unclear, although Police have been successful in restricting gatherings in the Bullring shopping area. Suggestions of a protest march around the Broad Street area have been discussed, as has a march to Lancaster Circus. What we do know is the EDL are bussing in people from all across the country.
Let's remind ourselves of the events of 8th August again. It concerns me that although families and children shopping in the Bullring will be protected from a potential repeat performance, the significant number of residents of the Broad Street area will not be.
Throw into the mix the England match means the Broad Street bars are likely to be packed - and all I can see is potential trouble.
See my previous post for why I think this protest should be banned.
Car Clamping in Birmingham
The battle against rogue car clampers in Birmingham took a step forward last week.
Four men were arrested following a fraud investigation into Car Clamping Securities (CCS) by the city's Trading Standards and West Midlands Police.
Trading standards had received over 56 complaints from residents, mainly that their cars had been towed away despite them paying to park. A tow truck owned by the firm was also seized in the operation, from Eyre Street in Ladywood.
Earlier this year the Liberal Democrats called for an end to clamping on private land and launched the website Ban Rogue Clampers.
Lib Dem Councillor Creates the Usain Bolti!
To celebrate Usain Bolt's record-breaking run and the announcement that Jamaica's Olympic team will train in the city, a Birmingham Lib Dem Councillor has created a very special curry.
Councillor Tanveer Choudrey of Punjab Paradise in Sparkbrook has created a green and yellow themed balti in Usain's honour - the Usain Bolti.
Helpers in the Sparkbrook by-election may be tempted, but as one Sunday Mercury reporter found out, the Usain Bolti contains an extremely strong pepper...
Ladywood Walks – Edgbaston Reservoir
Last month I said I would start posting up some interesting walks around Ladywood.
This weekend I went for a morning stroll around the nearby Edgbaston Reservoir. Built in 1827, the 70 acre site is a popular spot for birds, animals, sailing, rowing, jogging and dog-walking. It's a 1.75 mile walk around the water and some of the sights include:
- Perrott's Folly (perfect for Tolkien fans!)
- The Tower Ballroom
- Midland Sailing Club
- Birmingham Rowing Club
- Sea Cadets
- Birmingham Buddhist Vihara
You can start the walk from the Tower Ballroom car park by Reservoir Road (near Osler Street for the Buddhist Vihara), or on Gillott Road (near Selwyn Road) where there is a walkway down to the Reservoir.
Enjoy!
The Cube – Modern Masterpiece or White Elephant?
The final phase of The Mailbox development is nearing completion. Named The Cube, the mixed-use development will provide a new hotel, with more shops, offices, apartments, bars and restaurants around Birmingham's canal district.
Many residents have contacted me to say the look of the building is nothing like they expected and could turn out to be an embarrassing mistake.
It was a similar story when the Mailbox itself was constructed and of course when the silver disc covered Selfridges building opened. But in time, Brummies seem to have taken both to their hearts.
So take a look at the artists impression, followed by the actual construction of the Cube. What do you think?
The Cube - artists impression
The Cube - during construction, August 2009
Birmingham City Skyline
Here's a few snaps from the 31st floor of Cleveland Tower on Holloway Head.
Looking east, directly across Holloway Head at Beetham Tower, with New Street station and the Rotunda behind.
Looking north with the BT Tower and the Jewellery Quarter in the distance.
Looking north-west over the Mailbox and Centenary Square.
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