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Former Warwickshire all-rounder Paul Smith talks candidly to Stirrer TV about his book "Wasted" click
Medal winning athlete Tanni Grey Thompson introduced a new line for wheelchair users and other disabled people. click
Watch the Stirrer's interviews with Gary Taylor click here and John Madin click here
Rageh Omaar explains why Bush and Blair were good for Bin Laden click
Fred Grove talks to The Stirrer about his battle to keep his house in the face of redevelopment. click
The Stirrer talks to Ron Watts about starting The 100 Club in London 30 years ago click
Excuse our breathless enthusiasm, but we've just seen the presentation for the VTP 200 - the most eye-catching building in Birmingham for years. And yes, it's got us excited. See for yourself why it's got us all aquiver more
Exclusive
VIGILANCE WARNING TO KIDS AFTER "ABDUCTION" THREAT
09-02-2010
Pupils at the King Edward’s Foundation schools in Birmingham are being urged to be vigilant following a spate of reported abduction attempts - and The Stirrer understands that youngsters elsewhere in the city have also been targets. more
BRUM ACCOUNTS GET "YELLOW CARD"
09-02-2010
Don’t say we told you, but The Stirrer understands that the District Auditor is about to sign off Birmingham Council’s accounts for 2008/09 and apparently they will be “qualified” – in football terms that's effectively a “yellow card” calling into question the local authority’s financial competence. more
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
09-02-2010
Controversial or not, the proposed Library of Birmingham will house some welcome new additions to the city’s cultural life. One such example will be an enthralling collection of historic film. more
Kingy’s Wolves Blog
SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY 1
09-02-2010
Two very different sides of the same Sunday afternoon St Andrews coin. The first comes from Wolves fan Brendan King. more
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
09-02-2010
Not all rundown areas are beyond redemption. The Stirrer has learned of further good news for what was once a problem estate, and there are hopes that further investment will benefit one of Birmingham’s biggest eyesores. more
THREE GOOD REASONS TO KEEP THE LIBRARY
09-02-2010
Local papers have been publishing drawings of what Paradise Circus would look like if Birmingham's Central Library was demolished - but Alan Clawley insists the current building is an asset to the city. Here he explains why. more
WHITBY TAKES THE MICHAEL OUT OF MAYOR
09-02-2010
Not for the first time, Mike Whitby’s desire for the limelight appears to have eclipsed Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, with the Council leader taking centre stage during last week’s celebrations at the ICC to mark the 60th anniversary of the Republic of India. more
Andy’s Blues Blog
SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY 2
09-02-2010
And the second version of events at St Andrews on Sunday, from our Blues blogger Andy Munro. more
LAST WEEK’S NEWS TODAY
09-02-2010
In its circulation war with the Birmingham Mail, the Express and Star has taken to using the sneering strapline “Today’s News Today”. If only that was true. more
UNION BLAST AT COUNCIL "CONSULTANCY CULTURE"
08-02-2010
Union officials have hit out at Birmingham City Council’s “consultancy culture” following The Stirrer’s revelation that two retired local authority officials have been re-hired at top rates of pay by the department which is simultaneously planning hundreds of job losses. more
NEW CADBURY BOSS AVOIDS JOBS PLEDGE
08-02-2010
Cadbury’s workers will judge their new owners by their actions, not their deeds, but in her first major interview since the takeover, Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld has re-asserted her belief in the company’s Birmingham base – at the same time as shying away from any pledge on jobs. more
Get Out More................................Film Review
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
08-02-2010
After the huge leap forward in digital and 3D technology over recent years, this is a “back to basics” Disney cartoon, boasting old school, hand-drawn animation. Yet for all that, Adrian Goldberg finds its lacking in the company’s traditional sparkle. more
WOLVES-WALSALL TRAIN DUE FOR DECISION
08-02-2010
Rail passengers in the Black Country will have their fingers crossed today when the local transport authority debates a motion to re-instate the rail link between Wolverhampton to Walsall which was axed last year. more
Stay In More.........................TV Review
TOP TELLY
08-02-2010
On TV these days, we are blessed with two (count ‘em,…two) brilliant dissections of our island. And, wow, are they different, says Richard Lutz. more
The Stirrer’s Pub Crawls
HALL GREEN
08-02-2010
Just when you thought that it was impossible to manage a full-on crawl in the Brummie ‘burbs, here’s a heartwarming tales of (mostly) busy boozers. more
CAN YOU DIG IT?
08-02-2010
Birmingham Council’s spin department has moved into overdrive with a new publication delivered with local newspapers called Soul Of The City. Remarkably, it fails to document the local authority’s shameful role in trying to suck the soul from the city, and close down some of the region’s funkiest nightlife. more
Andy’s Blues Blog
GARDENER LEAVE
08-02-2010
Yesterday’s 2-1 win against Wolves leaves Blues in a comfortable mid-table berth, but what are their chances of pushing on? Andy Munro assesses the comings and going of the transfer window. more
SUBURBS FOR SALE
06-02-2010
Residents in Harborne and Quinton fear that a much valued community resource, the Martineau Centre, is being secretly run down by the City Council in preparation for a sale. Ruth Hunt and Pete Millington say facilities in the suburbs shouldn’t be sacrificed for flagship inner city developments. more
Get Out More..............Review
YESTERDAY – BIRMINGHAM REP
06-02-2010
Richard Lutz has his socks knocked off at the British Dance Edition festival at The Rep more
EVERY BOY’S DREAM
06-02-2010
Following yesterday’s comments from Richard Lutz about the remorseless nature of American college sport comes news that a similar tale has struck a chord with the literary fraternity. And we’re happy to claim a link to it. more
DROMEY VIES FOR SIMON SEAT
05-02-2010
Sion Simon’s baffling decision to stand down as an MP has attracted a queue of admirers for his Erdington constituency including one, as yet unmentioned, big hitter – union boss and Labour party treasurer Jack Dromey a.k.a. Mr Harriet Harman. more
CONTROVERSIAL BRISTOL SCHOOLS BOSS IS NEW BRUM RECRUIT
05-02-2010
The Stirrer can reveal that Birmingham Council has hired a controversial education officer accused to telling schools not to sack bullies – as more details emerge of the Gravy Train still rolling through the Children, Young People and Families department where 1300 jobs are threatened. more
GONE PAINTBALLIN’
05-02-2010
Done Dublin? Bored with Barcelona? ‘Ad it with Amsterdam? If you’re looking for a stag weekend with a difference it seems the next boom town is a bit closer to home. more
Richard Lutz’s Blog
NOT SO SUPERBOWL
05-02-2010
Richard Lutz gets ready for the Super Bowl despite hating the system that gave it birth. more
FEELING PARKY
05-02-2010
Could Birmingham Council’s parks reorganisation leave the city without the professional expertise needed to comply with the law? It certainly looks like it. more
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
05-02-2010
Not content with living large on expenses, our elected representatives have come up with another little ruse to piss off voters - automated email filters that prevent voters corresponding with them on the big issues of the day. Which is something of a problem if, like Audrey Miller, you want to engage them with something really important. more
RETURN OF THE MAC
05-02-2010
The region has definitely missed the Midlands Arts Centre since it closed for refurbishment in April 2008. Finally, the date for its re-opening has been announced. more
THE STIRRER’S FIVE FOR THE WEEKEND
05-02-2010
Here’s our guide to the best shows in the region over the weekend. more
Terry’s Baggies Blog
OH I DO LIKE TO BE......
05-02-2010
Blackpool in February to is a trip to test the most foolhardy of souls. And that includes Terry Wills. more
POLICE PROBE WOLVO “RIOT” THREAT
04-02-2010
Police in Wolverhampton are investigating a councillor’s threat that funding cuts to the city’s African-Caribbean Resource Centre would lead to riots. Sandra Samuels is also being reported to the local government standards board. more
HEMMING APOLOGY CALL AS BROWN "TAKES THE PISS"
04-02-2010
Outspoken Yardley MP John Hemming has called on Gordon Brown to apologise for “taking the piss” out of Brummie bus users. Hemming was angry after being mocked for raising the issue of the Number 41 route at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday. more
POOL PLAN HITS CHOPPY WATERS
04-02-2010
Sparkhill residents last night unanimously rejected proposals for a privately funded swimming pool on the Moseley School site in Springfield Road. Steve Beauchampé reports on a highly charged meeting. more
Get Out More.....................Gig Preview
ROCKIN’ ROBIN
04-02-2010
Two vastly different bands tread the boards of the Robin 2 this week. Seventies rockers Nazareth will be followed by eighties fashion victims Sigue Sigue Sputnik, but thankfully not on the same night. more
AFTER SION SIMON - ERDINGTON RUNNERS AND RIDERS
04-02-2010
Sion Simon’s surprise decision to stand down as Erdington MP opens up an intriguing race to replace him as Labour candidate at the next election. Runners and riders include a local councilor who previously missed out in controversial circumstances, a top union official and – surprise packet, this – a telly historian. more
Doc Dave's Blog
BODIES REVEALED - IN DA HOUSE
04-02-2010
The controversial “Bodies Revealed” exhibition may have left own at the end of the last week- but as Stirrer blogger Dr David Nicholl (who broke the story) reveals) the debate isn’t over. Last week, Dr Richard Taylor, MP raised the matter in the House of Commons and Doc Dave spoke to Premier Exhibitions about allegations made by a whistleblower. more
OI GORDON - WHAT ABOUT CANADA'S HOME CHILDREN?
04-02-2010
The campaign to win an apology for the thousands of "home children" exported from Britain to lives of forced labour in Australia has enjoyed considerable success - but as we've noted before, the kids shipped off to Canada still remain largely ignored. Here's campaigner John Willoughby's passonate letter sent last month to Gordon Brown. more
MAKE GOK STOP
04-02-2010
West Bromwich residents have got the chance to make sure their town gets on the telly courtesy of fashion makeover icon Gok Wan. But be quick about it. more
Kingy’s Wolves Blog
THE UNHAPPY WANDERER
04-02-2010
Back to pessimism for our Wolves blogger Brendan King as a creditable draw against Liverpool was followed by two dropped points, FA Cup defeat and no more signings. He’s not best pleased. more
VILLA PLAYER TOUTS FINAL TICKETS
03-02-2010
Villa youngster Nathan Baker has been caught selling tickets for the League Cup final to his friends on Facebook. The 18 year-old, currently on loan at Lincoln, was charging £200 a time – but will now not be able to attend the match. more
Exclusive
“BIGGER” LIBRARY GETS THAT SHRINKING FEELING
03-02-2010
Birmingham’s new Central Library was going to be “15% bigger than originally planned” boasted Council leader Mike Whitby recently – but what, we wondered, did that mean? Campaigner Alan Clawley finds that size isn’t everything. more
BLACK COUNTRY POST JOB FEARS
03-02-2010
The legacy of outgoing Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier is ever lengthening queues in the nation’s shrinking collection of post offices – not to mention job insecurity for dozens of workers at a Black Country sorting office. more
Peter Sampson’s Beijing Blog
WHEN I THINK OF ENGLAND
03-02-2010
Peter Sampson is currently living in China and he is perhaps able to look on the country he left behind from a better perspective than commentators back in England are able to. more
LEISURE BOSS ENTERS THE LION’S DEN
03-02-2010
Birmingham leisure supremo Martin Mullaney has agreed to enter the “lion’s den” tonight and attend a public meeting over the future of Sparkhill Swimming Baths – just days after withdrawing from the event. more
SIMON HAS A MAYOR OVER RESIGNATION
03-02-2010
How can you tell if a politician is lying? His lips are moving. Who can blame the public for having such a cynical attitude to their elected representatives when the likes of Sion Simon insist they are staying in parliament – only to announce they are standing down little more than three weeks later. more
CUTS, CUTS...AND CONSULTANTS
03-02-2010
Curious news reaches the Stirrer’s ears about Birmingham Council’s Childrens, Young People and Families Department which is already reeling from 1300 potential job losses. It seems that more cuts are imminent – yet for senior officers, the gravy train rolls on. more
Stirrer Comment
SHORT ALSO HAS BLOOD ON HER HANDS
03-02-2010
Ladywood MP Clare Short claims she was “misled” by Tony Blair in the run-up to the war in Iraq – but how come her colleague Robin Cook saw through the former PM a full two months earlier? more
Get Out More.........................Show Previews
LAUGHS WITH WOLVES
03-02-2010
Proof that comedy comes in many forms comes with two very different shows that have been announced for the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton. Slapstick humour from Circus Hilarious and award-winning comedian Sean Hughes both appear within a few days of each other. more
PAPAL FALLABILITY
03-02-2010
It seems likely that Pope Benedict will be visiting the West Midlands during his UK visit this year. Dave Woodhall wonders whether this will be such a good idea. more
CADBURY COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR END TO FACTORY SELL-OFFS
02-02-2010
Cadbury workers are heading to London today seeking reassurances over jobs and investment from new owners Kraft - but local councillor Nigel Dawkins warns that the only way to protect British companies in future will be to change the law. He says we have to backtrack on the “everything’s for sale” culture. more
THE LANGUAGE OF SUCCESS
02-02-2010
Are Birmingham pupils being held back by social deprivation and the lack of English as a first language? “Yes,” says a leading city education official - but one Stirrer reader disagrees, and they’ve got the figures to prove it. more
AN OLD WORLD RECORD
02-02-2010
Dave Woodhall harks back to a golden age when the summers were warmer, beer was thruppence a pint and a new breakthrough in aural pleasure was going to last forever. more
Get Out More..........................Gig News
CANDI STATON
02-02-2010
After a terrific show last year at Birmingham Town Hall, soul legend Candi Staton returns to the West Midlands in April for a gig at The Robin in Bilston. more
BUS STOPPED : BRASSED OFF
02-02-2010
Residents in two Birmingham suburbs last night turned up by the bus-load to a public meeting to protest against the withdrawal of a bus route, only to find the meeting abandoned as the venue as too small. Kevin Chapman reports. more
CAT STUCK UP TREE
02-02-2010
The Stirrer wouldn’t normally trouble you with a “cat up tree” story, but in this instance we’ll make an exception – because it calls into question the responsiveness of the Fire Service and the RSPCA. more
WOLVES PUSH WHEELCHAIRS FORWARD
02-02-2010
The campaign to get a fair deal for disabled Wolves supporters who lost their parking spaces this season jumped from The Stirrer to Radio Five Live – and finally secured a promise of consultation from the club’s Communications Officer Matt Grayson. Now, as Brendan King reports, the club has been as good as its word. more
IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT
02-02-2010
It may still be winter but in our hearts we’re looking ahead to the festival season, and one intriguing new prospect has already caught our eye. more
Get Out More.........................Previews
TOWN HALL AND SYMPHONY HALL NEWS
02-02-2010
A second show by Crowded House, a fancy dress salsa ball and a chance to go bear hunting are the latest attractions explained away by the venues’ PR man Lyle Bignon. more
BECAUSE WE CAN
02-02-2010
Amnesty International have released details of a crackdown on anti-government protestors in Iran. Here’s what you can do to help their situation. more
REEVES DOES THE BUSINESS WITH NEW LAUNCH
02-02-2010
“This ain’t no back bedroom pop-up operation. It’s a serious business with serious revenues” promises former Birmingham Post editor Marc Reeves commenting on his new role running the West Midlands operation of thebusinessdesk.com - a dedicated business website for the region. more
A WAYNE BRIDGE TOO FAR
01-02-2010
There are few things more comical than the sight of the English tabloid media in full moralistic hue and cry – but if the News of the World gets it’s way and forces the resignation of England football captain John Terry, there’s a real danger the country will be unable to field anything more than a five a side team in this year’s World Cup Finals. more
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF" CALL TO MULLANEY AFTER POOL LEAK
01-02-2010
Campaigners fighting for the reopening of Sparkhill Baths in Birmingham are calling on the Cabinet Member for Sport Martin Mullaney to explain himself at a public meeting on Wednesday after it emerged on The Stirrer that the Council is considering a private finance initiative for the scheme. Mullaney has withdrawn after apparently promising to attend. more
Andy’s Blues Blog
NOT HARRY’S GAME
01-02-2010
Blues bounced back from defeat at Chelsea with a well-earned late equaliser at home to Spurs on Saturday. Andy Munro was at St Andrews to witness it. more
REG'S APOLOGY CALL AFTER CANADA NEAR MISS
01-02-2010
Birmingham Councillor Reg Corns has revealed how he narrowly avoided being shipped off to a far flung part of the British Empire when he was placed in a city children’s home at the age of 9. The “near miss” inspired his campaign on behalf of the thousands of Canadian Home Children sent from the UK without their family’s knowledge – and he’s now demanding a government apology on their behalf. more
PARKS TRIMMED TOO FAR
01-02-2010
Park users in Birmingham have responded angrily to plans to cut costs by reducing the number of wardens and rangers. They warn that it “undermines one of the city’s premiere resources”. more
Dave’s Villa Blog
OPENING A SECOND FRONT
01-02-2010
Dave Woodhall is watching the Villa make steady progress and wondering about renewing his passport. more
RED HOT AND BRUMMIE
01-02-2010
Before he found world-wide fame as a Stirrer blogger, Andy Munro was best known for being the leading authority on Birmingham’s balti restaurants. Not before time, he’s now turning his hand to promoting them once more. more
Get Out More.....................Gig Review
HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT
LEAMINGTON ASSEMBLY ROOMS
01-02-2010
Mark Gunton recently went along to see some of the twentieth century’s greatest social commentators. He didn’t wear oven gloves, or a football shirt. more
A TASTE OF SPAGHETTI - Pete Millington is a one-man writing factory. Not content with regular output for The Stirrer, he's found time to pull together the latest edition of his excellent magazine Spaghetti Gazetti, dedicated to local life and culture.
Midlands movie director Mark Locke has just finished his new video with Artsfest headliners Athlete and he can't wait to share it with Stirrer readers - especially as the proceeds go to the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Click
Stirrer Podcast
PERFECT UNPOP
Former Balsall Heath resident Derek Hammond is responsible for the summer’s “must have” retro compilation CD...podcast
Fred Grove talks to The Stirrer about his battle to keep his house in the face of redevelopment. 
