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Birmingham Dance Festival 2008 click
The Stirrer interview with Sgt John Jones' mother click
Nigel Hastilow interview click
Stirrer TV interview with Robin Valk click
Michael Richardson reads an extract from his new book - Careless Talk click
and see The Stirrer interview click
The presentation for the VTP 200 - the most eye-catching building in Birmingham for years. click
Dave Heeley's mammoth marathon fund-raiser next year click
Manchester Disunited And Other Football Feuds click
"Little Moscow" is a dark collection of short stories by local lad Mick Scully. click
Paul Martin's debut animation - Cyst click
Labour deputy leadership contender John Cruddas launches his campaign at the Millennium Centre in Wednesbury. Click
Former Warwickshire all-rounder Paul Smith talks candidly to Stirrer TV about his book "Wasted" click
Keen as ever to give a leg up to local talent, The Stirrer is delighted to give you the chance to sample a couple of tracks recorded last October at the Alexandra Theatre by Caraway. click
Medal winning athlete Tanni Grey Thompson introduced a new line for wheelchair users and other disabled people. click
The Stirrer talks to the deputy chairman of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom click
Sylvia King is best known as the inspiration behind the controversial Public Arts Centre in West Bromwich. click
Bearwood writer Will Buckingham's debut novel "Cargo Fever" was launched recently - and you can see an interview and watch him reading it here. click
Vincent Hickey who spent 19 years in jail was talking in an exclusive interview with Stirrer TV. 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
MALLON - WHY BRUM NEEDS A MAYOR click
See Francis Maude and Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby talking about the deal now on Stirrer TV. click
 Fred Grove talks to The Stirrer about his battle to keep his house in the face of redevelopment. click
Watch Paul Martin's excellent animated film - William The Cog click
The Stirrer Interview with Selly Oak MP, Lynne Jones click
Personal Best - The story of Blind Dave click
The Stirrer interview with Cath O'Flynn click
The Stirrer talks to Ron Watts about starting The 100 Club in London 30 years ago click
The referee who was denied the chance to officiate in the Premier League by racism at the highest levels of the game. click
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MINISTER’S INVITE TO STIRRER READERS
21-11-2008
West Midlands Minister Ian Austin has issued a personal invitation to Stirrer readers to attend a lecture next week in honour of Frank Foley – the British spy who helped Jews escape from Nazi Germany. Foley was honoured in a ceremony yesterday at the Foreign Office. more
CELEBRITY STOCKS AND SHARES
21-11-2008
The furore over John Sergeant's popularity on Strictly Come Dancing - despite the fact that he's got two left feet - has Lynne Hawthorne questioning why we vote on celebrity issues. more
Get Out More................................Gig News
TOWN HALL/SYMPHONY HALL LISTINGS
21-11-2008
Man of the moment John Barrowman, guitar hero Jeff Beck, soul legend Geno Washington, X-Factor star Rhydian and folksy poet Pam Ayres are among the latest names added to the Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall schedules. Here are the latest dates. more
BUILDING TROUBLE FOR THE FUTURE
20-11-2008
Councils across the West Midlands are defying government plans to build more than half a million new homes across the region in less than 20 years. more
ALLOT OF TROUBLE IN HANDSWORTH
20-11-2008
So what has happened to the playing fields and allotments promised when a new housing estate was built in Handsworth? Simon Baddeley has an update. more
Laurence Inman’s Blog
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SELF IMPORTANT
20-11-2008
There are writers. And then there are SELF IMPORTANT WRITERS. Laurence Inman spots the difference. more
Barbara's Blog
THE DAMAGE DONE
20-11-2008
Barbara Panvel offers a wide-ranging and passionate analysis of the forces which have led to social breakdown in Britain. more
Kingy’s Wolves Blog
WOLVES INTERNATIONAL
20-11-2008
During international week, Brendan King relflects on Wolves’ astonishing 11-player call up. more
JOBS ON THE LINE AS BNP OUTED
19-11-2008
Should the BNP members “outed” by the online publication of the party’s membership list fear for their jobs? Not according to Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg. more
NO GAIN, MORE PAIN FOR ALLOTMENTS CAMPAIGNERS
19-11-2008
Campaigners waiting for new playing fields and allotments in Handsworth are demanding to know when the “planning gain” they were promised in return for a new housing estate will finally be delivered. more
PROSTITUTE BILL GOES OFF AT HALF COCK
19-11-2008
Has there been more ill-considered piece of legislation than the latest government plan to clamp down on prostitution? It will remain legal for men to buy sex – but only if the woman isn’t controlled by a pimp, or hasn’t been trafficked. more
Richard Lutz's Blog
THE BARACK HONEYMOON
19-11-2008
So how was it for you? Tired of him yet? Richard Lutz assesses when it will be all over for Obama. more
Get Out More.........................Music and Comedy
GLEE CLUB LISTINGS (December)
19-11-2008
Cheeky chappie comic Richard Morton and fondly remembered 80s pop stars Swing Out Sister are among the December highlights at Birmingham's Glee Club. more
Terry’s Baggies Blog
FIXTURE INDIGESTION
19-11-2008
Albion have got the Top Four out of the way – now it’s time for a few matches that, in theory, they can win. Terry Wills assesses the prospects. more
WHO KILLED ROGER COOK?
18-11-2008
Six years after his last telly series, Roger Cook has re-emerged – but only as an author. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg pays tribute to local telly great, and wonders who bumped him off. more
HEMMING CHILD ABUSE ENQUIRY CALL
18-11-2008
Following John Hemming's claims that the government is "hiding" details of the number of children dying from abuse, the Yardley MP has now written to the relevant parliamentary committee demanding a full enquiry. more
COUNCIL EQUALITY BOSS "UNFIT FOR OFFICE" CLAIM
18-11-2008
Birmingham councillor Salma Yaqoob has questioned whether the city’s Head of Equalities Mushuq Ally is fit to hold office after he suggested that 95% of Muslim women don’t have a clue about what is going on in society. more
Doc Dave’s Blog
GUANTANAMO TO CLOSE?
18-11-2008
Could some of the inmates of America’s notorious Cuban prison camp be allowed into the US as asylum seekers? Dr David Nicholl ponders an unlikely scenario. more
CONFESSIONS OF A BRUMMIE MUMMY – PART 13
18-11-2008
Is it the Sudafed going to Brummie Mummy’s head as she lies in bed recovering from a bad dose of flu? Or is she dreaming of another man? more
NO BUM DEAL
18-11-2008
We're so used to being told that the British are rubbish at customer service, we've all come to believe. But Stirrer webmaster Andy Goff has a different story to tell. more
COAL OFF THE DOLE
18-11-2008
The Black Country’s coal mining heritage is being celebrated with an exhibition – featuring a major new installation – at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. more
HEMMING CLAIMS OFFICIAL COVER-UP AFTER BABY P
17-11-2008
In the aftermath of the death of Baby P whose plight was ignored by Haringey’s Social Services, Birmingham MP John Hemming claims the government is covering up similar incidents and is taking the “wrong children” into care. more
CAMPAIGN CONTINUES DESPITE KINIFE ATTACK
17-11-2008
Campaigners for more council housing in Birmingham are insisting they’ll continue with their protest – even though a key member was stabbed in the throat at the weekend. more
WALKOUT WOLVES STAR “NO REGRETS”
17-11-2008
In his first media interview for 25 years, former Wolves star Danny Hegan says he has “no regrets” about his constant walkouts from Molineux – although he wishes he hadn’t signed for the Albion. more
TOM’S THINKTANK JOBSWORTH CLASH
17-11-2008
West Bromwich MP Tom Watson has been telling a tale of woe after clashing with the jobsworths at Birmingham’s Thinktank science museum. more
Poet’s Corner
SOMEONE IS TAKING THE P
17-11-2008
Motorists hoping to support their local stores in Sandwell have just been handed a serious disincentive – the proposal to introduce charges in town centres where parking is currently free. Poet Brendan Hawthorne who lives in one of the areas affected (Wednesbury) wonders who’s taking the “p”. more
Kingy’s Weekend Footy Roundup
ALBION THE ONLY LOSERS
15-11-2008
Villa, unexpectedly, win over Arsenal at the Emirates; Albion, expectedly, lose to Chelsea at the Hawthorns; Wolves just manage a win against the Saints; Birmingham recover to beat Charlton; and Walsall gain a vital 2-0 win away at Colchester. Kingy gives an opinion on our league team’s weekend action. more
TERRIFYING JUNGLE - BRUM IN A WHEELCHAIR!
15-11-2008
Brendan King, weekend editor, describes the terrors of wheeling up and down from New Street Station to the City Centre and challenges Brum Councillors / MPs in a wheelchair challenge. 3* Star Brum? Rubbish says Kingy. more
LOCKED OUT OF THE LOCK MUSEUM?
15-11-2008
Brendan King reports on the continuing debate concerning the likely loss of Willenhall’s Heritage Locksmith’s House and Workshop Museum. more
AXING AXON LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED
14-11-2008
While the politicians squabble over Wolverhampton Council’s decision to axe its partnership with IT consultants Axon – at a cost of £7million to taxpayers – vital questions remain unanswered. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg reflects on the loose ends of a doomed deal. more
Get Out More.............................Dance Review
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat)
14-11-2008
Matthew Bourne's interpretation of the classic Tim Burton movie has been packing 'em in at The Hipp. Terry Wills joins the admiring throng. more
Mick Temple’s Blog
QUESTION TIME
14-11-2008
By common consent, David Cameron wiped the floor with Gordon Brown during Prime Ministers Questions this week, when he raised the tragic death of Baby P. But Mick Temple questions the authenticity of the Tory leader's passion - and suggests that PMQs is little more than an elaborate pantomime. more
Get Out More..........................Gig News
NEW DATES - TOWN HALL/SYMPHONY HALL
14-11-2008
Ultravox, Neil Sedaka, Rob Brydon, Ed Byrne, Nick Lowe, and George Thorougood - a tasty half dozen new dates just released by Birmingham's Town Hall and Symphony Hall. more
BLACK COUNTRY'S FLAT PACK HOUSING REVOLUTION
14-11-2008
A new generation of eco friendly "flat pack" houses is being planned in Smethwick - and if the trial is successful, Sandwell taxpayers would save millions. What's more, it could create jobs in the borough too. more
Terry’s Baggies Blog
DOWN, DOWN?
14-11-2008
The Baggies have established a reputation as a yo yo club. And now, as Terry Wills observes, it looks like the Status Quo is being retained – Down, Down. more
Get Out More.................................Pub Discusion
PINTS OF VIEW (Merry Hill pub, Wolverhampton)
14-11-2008
t’s a simple concept – a few beers and the chance to quiz a local decision maker. Geoff Jellis tells us all about Pints of View. more
MP'S "CHANGE LAW" CALL ON ORGAN DONORS
13-11-2008
A Midlands MP has hinted that the government is considering changing the law on organ donors – putting the onus on objectors to opt out of a national scheme. The aim is to increase the number of body parts available for emergency transplants. more
CALL FOR BLACK COUNTRY HERO TO BE HONOURED
13-11-2008
Campaigners have launched a Downing Street petition calling on the government to honour Black Country Holocaust hero Frank Foley, who died 50 years ago. more
WEST MIDS DOLE QUEUES LENGTHEN – AGAIN!
13-11-2008
West Midlands dole queues predictably lengthened as the credit crunch and impending recession started to hit local businesses. Birmingham saw more than 2,000 extra claimants compared to this time last year – and the situation was even worse in the Black Country. more
Laurence Inman’s Blog
DON’T BARRACK OBAMA
13-11-2008
The new JFK? Laurence Inman finds himself believing the hype about the new US President. And discovering something awful about voice recognition. more
Get Out More...............................Theatre Review
ENJOY (Birmingham Rep, until November 15)
13-11-2008
The Birmingham Rep has enjoyed sell-outs every night this week for the revival of Alan Bennett’s 1980 play Enjoy. Paula Elenor found much to enjoy in Alison Steadman’s performance, but she is worried about attracting the attentions of “angry old women!” more
Barbara's Blog
A MEASLY PROBLEM
13-11-2008
Many parents remain unwilling to subject their children to the MMR vaccine following widely publicised health fears. Barbara Panvel understands the reservations. more
ANYONE FOR METALFEST?
12-11-2008
Now that those excellent folk at Capsule have started compiling a digital archive celebrating the West Midlands as “The Home of Metal”, is it time to enter the next phase and create our own full-on homegrown annual event celebrating this major music genre? Are you ready for Metalfest? more
CALL FOR BAN ON FACEBOOK FASCISTS
12-11-2008
In the wake of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, West Midlands Labour MEP Neena Gill has launched a blistering attack on the social networking site Facebook for hosting seven known fascist groups. more
GAUNT BRINGS BLACK COUNTRY TO BOOK
12-11-2008
A Black Country hotel has been identified as helping put the “Great” in Britain by top radio shock Jon Gaunt in his latest book. more
Get Out More...........................Gig News
VILEEVILS (Little Civic, 27/2/09)
12-11-2008
Ever wondered what happened to Black Country techno-grebos Pop Will Eat Itself? Well, two key members have re-emerged as Vileevils, and have a gig at the Little Civic in Wolverhampton to mark the release of their debut album in February. more
Kingy’s Wolves Blog
DREAM TEAM
12-11-2008
With Wolves storming away at the top of the Championship, Brendan King reflects on the players who’ve made a difference at Molineux. more
WOLVES AXON DECISION "THIS WEEK"
11-11-2008
Wolverhampton taxpayers will find out this week whether the city’s controversial business transformation scheme is going ahead – or whether £7million compensation will have to be paid to the consultants Axon. more
Get Out More.........................Gig Review
LAURA MARLING (Glee Club, 9/11/08)
11-11-2008
18-year old Mercury Music Prize nominee Laura Marling attracted another full house to the Glee Club’s excellent Sunday session. Steve Beauchampe sees the teenage dream. more
WHEN TO BLOW THE WHISTLE
11-11-2008
Birmingham Childrens Hospital has rejected claims that its standards of care are comparable to a third world country, following leaks from drisgruntled medics. Dr David Nicholl offers advice to whistleblowers. more
Get Out More................................Charity Do
ACORNS CHARITY NIGHT (Spotted Dog, Digbeth)
11-11-2008
Great pub, great cause. What more could you want? Oh, alright then. Landlord John Tighe is having his head shaved too. more
SQUATTERS MOVE TO EVADE EVICTION
10-11-2008
Squatters campaigning for more council housing in Birmingham have given bailiffs the slip – by moving to a new site 50 yards away. And they’ve denied claims that their trespass will cost taxpayers “thousands of pounds”. more
Richard Lutz’s Blog
OLD NEWS
10-11-2008
A recent encounter with weekend “news” has Richard Lutz wondering who calls the shots when it comes getting good publicity for major politicians and stars. more
DIGBETH PARTIES ON AS RECESSION LOOMS
10-11-2008
After the weekend of the Gigbeth Festival and Beats Not Bombs event at the Custard Factory, Josie LeBlond forsees a bright future for Digbeth – ironically provoked by the recession. more
QUESTION MARKS OVER NEW SCIENTOLOGY HQ
10-11-2008
Birmingham councillor and architectural historian Martin Mullaney does some digging into the proposed site of a new HQ for the Church of Scientology in Birmingham - in, Moseley. more
Poet's Corner
BENEATH THESE GUN-METAL SKIES OF MOURNING
10-11-2008
Brendan Hawthorne, the Stirrer's poet laureate, reflects on Remembrance Day. more
KINGY'S WEEKEND FOOTY ROUNDUP
09-11-2008
Wolves were our only local winners as our other league teams struggled disappointingly on a tempestuously rainy weekend. more
AXON. DEAD IN THE WOLVERHAMPTON WATER?
08-11-2008
Speculation has been mounting in the local media – including on the Stirrer message board – that the proposed ‘Transformation’ back-office-tie-up with Axon has been called off. Not true says Wolverhampton Council sources. more
Get out more...................Restaurant review
THE POLONIA AND THE COMEDIAN
08-11-2008
Brendan King recommends a good eating, drinking and music crawl around Great Bridge and Tipton, in the heart of the Black Country. more
NEW HOSPITAL FOR SMETHWICK?
08-11-2008
Dr Ken Taylor, consultant at City Hospital, serving West Birmingham and beyond, and spokesperson for the City Hospital Supporters Group, gives his reaction, exclusively to the Stirrer, to the granting by Sandwell Council Planning Dept, of outline planning permission for a new Hospital at Grove Lane Smethwick. more
HOUSING SQUAT "WILL COST THOUSANDS"
07-11-2008
Birmingham’s housing boss claims that squatters who’ve taken over a derelict Council-owned site have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage – cash that will have to come from his budget. He also says plans to redevelop the area being occupied only came to grief because of the credit crunch. more
Laurence Inman’s Blog
THE INSIDE STORY
07-11-2008
Laurence reveals all about his time in Winson Green nick. more
CONFESSIONS OF A BRUMMIE MUMMY – Part 12
07-11-2008
Brummie Mummy is torn between loyalty to her husband and the mysterious stranger she's met at the Book Club. First, though, she has to shrug off that damn cold. more
Last Night’s Footy
VILLA CHECK OUT OF PRAGUE WITH 3 POINTS
07-11-2008
John Carew’s jammy first half deflection secured three points for Villa in their latest UEFA Cup group match. more
Get Out More..........................Film Review
QUANTUM OF SOLACE (12A)
07-11-2008
The latest James Bond movie had the biggest grossing opening weekend of any movie released in Britain? But have we been suckered by the hype? Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg joins the popcorn queue. more
WORKHOUSE PAUPERS REMEMBERED
07-11-2008
Here's a story to touch your heart...news that a memorial is being unveiled in honour of thousands of paupers who died in a Black Country workhouse. more
For earlier articles please see The Stirrer Archive - click here
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THE STIRRER'S BLOG ROLL
birminghamitsnotshit
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Get Out More - Gig Guide
THE ROBIN 2, BILSTON
Updated listings.
A TASTE OF SPAGHETTI - Pete Millington is a one-man writing factory. Not content withregularoutput 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.
Check it out here
It's seriously good.
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