The Stirrer

Self promotion is a phrase that doesn't exist my dictionary - I'm being ironic there, before someone comments.

Anyway here's an interview of Carl Chinn and myself during yesterday St Patrick's Day Parade. The interview is by Nicky Getgood, who runs the Digbeth is Good website - see http://digbeth.org/

This interview is fascinating in two respects:

1) it shows the incredible depth of knowledge of Carl Chinn. As a keen local historian, I am constantly amazed by the amount of local history knowledge that Carl knows
2) this was recorded on a mobile phone - honest, the picture and sound quality is really impressive.

Carl "knows his stuff" there's no doubt about that; and not just "West Mids./Warks./Worcs./Staffs/ Stuff"

Yep. Legend.

Throughly nice chap too. Gave up his seat at Manic Organic for my little one last year.

A truly great brummy.

lets just get the Carl Chinn love in over !!

agree with all that what has been said about Carl and should add his dad as well

met them a few times through Villa things and you get it passion, honesty and intergrity.

Couldd ask for nothing more

That was a great bit of Utube MM ...great to see so much passion.

Mr Chinn's brummie accent on the wane? Shame as it took him years to work it up.

Hi Martin

Glad you liked it. Not had a chance to post it on http://digbeth.org yet but should do later today.

It was actually recorded on a small video recorder device called a Flip - more info about them here: http://www.theflip.com/

Neat little things, ain't they?

Cheers, Nicky

Carl Chinn undoubtedly knows his history. But forgive me if i say I do not want him to be Mayor of Birmingham.

Never met the man. But a real historian (that is one who spends his time doing research and teaching students rather than writing popular books and making media appearances) who I know well and greatly respect is quite disparaging about Prof Chinn's academic record.

Sorry write up...cannot see.

Indeed. Surprised he has a place at a proper uni. He More Ed Doolan than Simon Schama. In fact I find the fact that he's as the 'face of Birmingham' a tad embarrassing.

Are you seriously suggesting that Carl CHINN is not particularly well clued up on the social and economic history of the local area?

If so can I nominate the above posting for another new category, lets call it "Stupidest Posting of The Week"

I'm sure Prof Chinn knows all about why Acock's Green is called that and where the borders of Yardley Wood run. Unfortunately for him anybody can know trivial facts like that; it is not quite enough to earn a professorial chair at a leading university. I don't pretend to be a historian, but my understanding is that what matters is not the mundane facts, but their interpretation - what does it mean for the big picture? My friend has written the history on several aspects of Birmingham history, incidentally, so he knows a bit about it too, just he isn't such a self-publicist.



That would be quite a feat for cakewalk, given (s)he has so few posts and that accolade is so hotly contested.

I'm sure he is 'clued up'. However I do not think he is a serious academic.

Chinn did a feature on Radio 4 a few years ago. The thrust of it, as I remember, was that illegal bookmakers offered some sort of social service and were pillars of the community.

What was his dad's occupation again?

Exactly what I was trying to say.

Indeed - I was a tad lazy and did not read the whole of your post. Apologies.

No, I was complimenting yourself on your succinctness.