June 06
The Stirrer’s Mayoral Blog
30-06-2007
Carl Chinn's decision to back the Birmingham Mail's demand for a mayoral referendum will give fresh impetus to a campaign which has already attracted more than 5,000 certified signatures. >more
30-06-2007
The Stirrer recently had a rant about the “Gobstopper Gestapo” now in operation at Cineworld on Broad Street in Birmingham. They’re stopping customers taking in their own sweets and drinks. Broad Street manager Mike Olley hits back >more
30-06-2007
Birmingham’s camcorder councillor Martin Mullaney has been unearthing a curious nugget of local history in his latest video - highlighting a so-called “Angry Wall” at the home of Joseph Chamberlain. >more
Get Out More………………………………..Stuff to do
30-06-2007
Our old pals at Birmingham’s 7” Cinema have got a new home for their indie/DIY movie screenings, and no end of other tasty recommendations to keep you out of mischief over the summer including a DJ session in Kings Heath from Dexy's legend Kevin Rowlands. Here's what's really on. >more
30-06-2007
We tell ourselves that Birmingham is an international city. But do we believe it? Not really, reckons Dianne Benussi. And it’s time we did. >more
Stay in More……………………………………Music Review
30-06-2007
Ever eager to expand your musical horizons, The Stirrer’s musicologist Paul Samuels advises you to wrap your ears around a band who might just have heard a Joy Division track or too. There again, there may also be a link with Kiss. >more
EXCLUSIVE
29-06-2007
The Stirrer understands that Birmingham’s historic HP Sauce factory in Aston is due to be demolished on Monday, to make way for a new business park. >more
29-06-2007
Birmingham lawyer Sir Digby Jones has accepted a peerage under the Labour whip, and will become Minister for Trade Promotion, as part of Gordon Brown’s attempt to bring outsiders into government. Meanwhile Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne will take the newly created post of Minister for the West Midlands. >more
29-06-2007
The landlord of one of Birmingham’s best loved pubs has warned that the unique character of Digbeth will be destroyed after his premises were issued with a noise abatement order. >more
29-06-2007
Tony Blair's Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced she was stepping down on the day Gordon Brown became PM. Dr David Nicholl reckons she jumped before she was pushed, after his embarrassing questions revealed the truth about the government’s junior doctors recruitment scheme. >more
29-06-2007
Birmingham’s controversial beach in Chamberlain Square has attracted more critics after opening this week - with the city’s green lobby condemning the sponsors. >more
28-06-2007
New Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stunned MP's by appointing the Redditch MP Jacqui Smith asBritain's first female Home Secretary in his new cabinet announced this morning. >more
28-06-2007
Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby has challenged the new Prime Minister Gordon Brown to hand over more powers to local government. >more
28-06-2007
Would The Beatles ever have been such a big success if they'd been called something else? And would Laurence Inman now be a bloated rock star if his band had chosen a better moniker? Er, probably not. >more
28-06-2007
With many parts of the country still under flooding thanks to the unseasonal weather, will there now be a new impetus for measures to combat climate change? Barbara Panvel examines what's being done in the West Midlands. >more
28-06-2007
The developers behind the redevelopment of The Rotunda and Fort Dunlop in Birmingham has been selected for an even bigger challenge - the makeover of three rundown tower blocks in Perry Barr. >more
28-06-2007
Questions have been raised on this website about whether the consultation over the future of Birmingham's special schools is wide-ranging enough. The city's Childrens' Services have contacted us to ensure that as many people as possible are involved. >more
28-06-2007
As the Chancellor of the Exchequer morphs into a Prime Minister, The Ecologist's Cassandra columnist John Papworth wonders about the economy he - and the rest of us - have created. >more
27-06-2007
The controversial Public Arts Centre in West Bromwich had such poor financial management that £1 million in professional fees went unaccounted for - ultimately bringing the project down. That's the damning verdict of Sandwell councillors who reported last night. >more
27-06-2007
As Tony Blair prepares to quit parliament today, rumours are rife that he’s already got his next job lined up - as a Middle East Peace envoy. Mick Temple asks, “is satire dead?” >more
Get Out More………………………………Gig News
27-06-2007
One of the best acts from Down Under and Leeds’ finest are heading our way over the coming months. >more
27-06-2007
The British National Party’s attempt at creating its own trade union appears to have descended into farce - so much so that it’s stopped advertising the laughably named “Solidarity” on its official website. >more
26-06-2007
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell was at the ICC in Birmingham last night talking up Britain’s Olympic bid but so far she’s avoided questions on another drain on the public purse - her secret telly tax. >more
26-06-2007
One of Sandwell’s Conservative candidates at the last local election has quit the party - and joined Labour. His former leader has dismissed the defection as “sour grapes”. >more
26-06-2007
Make a date in your diary…Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg is hosting a post-show discussion after a screening of the hit documentary Taking Liberties next Monday. >more
26-06-2007
Never mind the dangers of MRSA or the recent round of redundancies, Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital is grappling with a new crisis…the onset of Japanese knotweed. >more
26-06-2007
It’s the hot topic of the day. Well, it is in Wednesbury where Lynn Hawthorne lives. What are we talking about? Wheelie bins, of course, which it now turns out are an accessory to crime. >more
25-06-2007
One of the Midlands most famous landmarks, The Belfry in Wishaw, is to be rebuilt with aim of becoming the Midlands only five star hotel. >more
25-06-2007
Birmingham’s Liberal Democrats are calling for a new investigation into allegations of vote rigging in the 2004 local council elections. >more
25-06-2007
Footballer, trade unionist, politician…the death of Derek Dougan sees the departure of one of the West Midlands most colourful sporting characters. >more
25-06-2007
A Birmingham media lecturer has been warned he faces the threat of bankruptcy and redundancies in his department by a record company boss who’s accusing him of promoting “hatred of the music industry”. >more
25-06-2007
Pete Millington’s son could one day be major soccer star…but although Dad is proud, there’s something worrying about the whole thing too. >more
Poets Corner
25-06-2007
From ever blander radio playlists to podcasts to audiences who never argue back, Brendan Hawthorne wonders if we’re all wrapped up in our own (cyber)space unable to have a decent argument anymore. >more
Exclusive
23-06-2007
Guess who owns the bus firm which is axing 25 bus routes in the Black Country next month? The same dedicated public transport operator which has just won the franchise to run local trains in the West Midlands. >more
23-06-2007
Blimey! Gordon Brown isn’t even in power yet, and Labour backbenchers are already getting restless. Two MP’s have put their name to a parliamentary motion slagging him of for inviting Paddy Ashdown to join the Cabinet. >more
23-06-2007
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the hospital"...AsDr David Nicholl reports, the sequel to thejunior doctor recruitment fiasco is that it's now the medicswho've beenleftneeding treatment. >more
23-06-2007
Watch out for the Gobstopper Gestapo! The Stirrer can reveal that one of Birmingham’s most popular multiplex cinemas has launched a crackdown on moviegoers taking in their own sweets and drinks. >more
Team Nice Blog
23-06-2007
Can you solve the problem of anti-social behaviour just by being courteous to people? The good folk at Team Nice think so. You can judge for yourself when they visit the Cotteridge Community Festival on July 7, but in the meantime here’s the latest blog by Pete Mariuki. >more
BLIND DAVE'S BLOG
23-06-2007
It's been a light week on the running front, allowing Blind Dave to get on with building the "penthouse" in back garden in West Brom. It's actually a wendy house cum greenhouse. Not bad for a bloke who can't see. >more
22-06-2007
The takeover of a football club in England’s third city wouldn’t normally trouble The Stirrer - but we’ll make an exception for the buyout of Manchester City by former Thai president Thaksin Shinawatra.>more
22-06-2007
Birmingham’s best known independent television production company Maverick has been bought out by London-based All3Media - but that might not be the bad news it appears to be.>more
22-06-2007
As the fallout continues from Gordon Brown’s remarkable offer of a cabinet position to Lord Ashdown, there’s chuntering in Westminster suggesting that Ming Campbell’s position as Lib Dem leader has been seriously weakened.>more
21-06-2007
Birmingham Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming has said that his former party leader Paddy Ashdown was right to turn down Gordon Brown’s offer of a post in the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary.>more
21-06-2007
The General Secretary of the Prison Governors Association has welcomed the early release scheme for convicts - but warns that unless the government resists new crime crackdowns, they’ll face the same problems again.>more
21-06-2007
The Stirrer’s campaign to get compulsory Sunday working on West Midlands’ railways moved a step closer to success today with the announcement of a new franchise holder.>more
21-06-2007
Good news days have been thin on the ground for Birmingham Airport lately so let’s raise a toast to their staff today - BIA has been named the best in Europe.>more
Exclusive
21-06-2007
Thousands of bus passengers in the Black Country face inconvenience, confusion and longer journeys next month when a local operator axes 25 routes.>more
21-06-2007
There are more questions than answers they say. Oh yeah? Well Laurence Inman wants a few of them answered.>more
21-06-2007
Can you believe that TV watchdogs have banned an advert advising us to “go work on an egg?” No? Nor can Mick Temple.>more
20-06-2007
The government has confirmed today that thousands of prisoners will be released early - just a week after we revealed that inmates from the West Midlands were being taken overnight to cells in London because of over-crowding.>more
20-06-2007
One of the most surreal experiences of my life came in the late-80’s when the Brummie Road end at the Albion broke out into a chant of: “There’s Only One Salman Rushdie”. I don’t honestly think many among that footy choir had read “Midnight’s Children” mind.>more
20-06-2007
This the 100th day in captivity of the journalist Alan Johnston after his kidnap in Gaza. Colleagues in the BBC and NUJ will be holding a vigil today - and you can too.>more
20-06-2007
The Stirrer brought you disturbing news at the weekend of a possible link between child refugees from Afghanistan living in Alum Rock and the Taliban. Sad to say, although we’ve now had a response from Birmingham Council, we’re none the wiser.>more
20-06-2007
The British government acting like a lapdog to the United States and ignoring the interests of its own people? Sadly, it’s not a new phenomenon. Barbara Panvel reports on a shameful episode in British history which still hasn’t been resolved.>more
Team Nice Blog (3)
20-06-2007
Team Nice are coming to Birmingham on July 7 to spread the word of, well, niceness. They reckon a revolution in courtesy and politness is more effective in changing social attitudes than a million ASBO’s. Here’s Peter Mariuki’s latest update.>more
20-06-2007
“Come on Vicar” says Lynne Hawthorne. “Let’s be having a bit of sincerity on the wedding day. For God’s sake”.>more
19-06-2007
Cadbury’s plans to lay off more than 5,500 workers worldwide- at least 10% of them in Britain - will send shivers down the spine of the Bournville workforce. And so they should, thanks to the activities of a ruthless American investor.>more
19-06-2007
Bernard Manning might not have been to everyone’s taste but The Stirrer can reveal that God actually thought he was quite funny. Our religious affairs correspondent Pete Millington has a hotline to Heaven. >more
19-06-2007
The recent row over BBC WM’s African Caribbean coverage has taken a new twist with the news that presenter Marverine Cole is quitting the station’s only programme dedicated to black audiences. >more
19-06-2007
The death of Bernard Manning, one of Britain’s most controversial comics, has been greeted with a mixture of sympathy from supporters and relief from his opponents. The Stirrer’s been getting views - including a comment from Syd Little. >more
19-06-2007
It might smack of shutting the departure gate after the 747 has taken to the skies, but 13 staff at Birmingham Airport have been sacked after a TV investigation revealed shocking lapses in security. Spot checks are also being being introduced to keep workers on their toes. >more
19-06-2007
Prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe and Hilary Thompson, head of the West Midlands Probation Service have been invited to a public meeting later this month in Kitts Green - the site of a controversial new probation HQ. Meanwhile, a protestor has telling The Stirrer why she’s opposed to it. >more
19-06-2007
The recent release of Jack Kervorkian, America’s so-called “Doctor Death” has re-ignited the debate about euthanasia. Barbara Panvel recently argued on The Stirrer that helping those in pain to peacefully pass away was the mark of a civilised society. Dr David Nicholl explains why so many doctors disagree. >more
Get Out More…………………..Film Review
19-06-2007
It's firmly established as The Stirrer's film of the year, but what do other readers making of Taking Liberties - the documentary that highlights our loss of liberties over a decade of Blairism? Dave Woodhall offers his view from the back row. >more
18-06-2007
200 years after the Britain abolished the slave trade, should we be apologising for it? Campaigners who met the Bishop of Birmingham yesterday are in no doubt. They’ve been parading through the city wearing T-shirts with the slogan: “So Sorry”. >more
18-06-2007
Birmingham MP and Euro expert Gisela Stuart has said there's an "overwhelming" need for a referendum on the new EU constitution - if any one of three key tests are met. >more
18-06-2007
As controversy rages about the future of Birmingham’s special schools, a MENCAP report published today throws fuel on the fire. It reveals widespread bullying of youngsters with learning disabilities. Jonathan Harris, whose son has special educational needs, says that the lesson is obvious. >more
Get Out More…………………..Gig News
18-06-2007
Hillbilly music meets punk and heavy metal. You know it makes sense. But just in case you haven’t been converted yet to the cotton pickin’ power of Hayseed Dixie, let Paul Samuels fill y’all in. >more
18-06-2007
Birmingham is about to embark on the brave new world of City Academies, where failing schools are reinvented with the help of big business and millionaire sponsors. Edward Cameron wonders what they’ll want in return. >more
Poets Corner
18-06-2007
A couple of days of rain seemed to bring the West Midlands to a standstill. Just like a couple of days of snow/hot weather/average temperatures are prone to do. The Stirrer’s resident poet Brendan Hawthorn wonders what will happen when global warming hits. >more
17-06-2007
Child refugees from Afghanistan who arrive in Birmingham are at risk of being groomed for terrorism - or at least that’s what The Guardian reckons. >more
16-06-2007
West Midlands Police are facing calls for an enquiry after no fewer than ten officers were called in to seperate a mother from her children who were being taken into care. A Birmingham councillor says the youngsters were subjected to “institutional abuse”. >more
16-06-2007
Marchers celebrating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery will be walking though Birmingham this weekend, and on Tuesday, you can join them in a rendition of “Amazing Grace”. In the meantime Audrey Miller has got some campaigning to do. >more
16-06-2007
Remember the war on terror? It temporarily seems to have slipped Tony Blair’s mind as he does another deal with Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator whose government has been associated with one of the worst atrocities committed on the British people. >more
Team Nice Blog (2)
16-06-2007
Team Nice - a London based group who just want to spread politeness and courtesy - are coming to Birmingham for the first time on July 7 for the Cotteridge Community Festival. In the meantime, member Peter Mariuki talks about a meeting with Brian Haw the anti-war protestor from Redditch. >more
16-06-2007
Jonathan Harris was among the parents who led a campaign to save Birmingham’s special schools earlier this year. Thanks to the protests, parents are now being listened to, but Jonathan remains sceptical about the process. >more
D Day Anniversary
16-06-2007
Sutton Coldfield sailor William “Lofty” Goff kept a handwritten diary of his exploits on HMS Scylla during World War Two. This is the final installment of his account of the D-Day landings which happened this week in 1944. >more
15-06-2007
Former Conservative minister Lord “Tarzan” Heseltine has piled the pressure on Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby be re-stating his demand for powerful mayors to run major cities. >more
15-06-2007
Tony Blair has apparently rejected plans for a new EU constitution which would hand over more powers from Westminster to Brussels - but The Stirrer warns: “He’s a slippery fish. Don’t take his words at face value”. >more
15-06-2007
Following Joe Holyoak’s sacking from the committee that advises Birmingham Council on planning and architecture, The Stirrer has been leaked an advance copy of the ad for his replacement. >more
15-06-2007
More protests are expected in Birmingham today against the “reconfiguration” of the National Blood Service - a move which could see the local office closed and half the national workforce
lose their jobs. >more
15-06-2007
Former Sandwell mayor Bill Archer has run into a storm of criticism for his suggestion - aired yesterday on The Stirrer - that a fellow councillor’spaternity leave was “unacceptable.” >more
15-06-2007
West Midlands footballis already buzzing with the possibility of new owners at Birmingham City, but now there’s growing background noise suggesting that West Bromwich Albion could be the next takeover targets. >more
15-06-2007
Heard about “Talk Like A Pirate Day” where people walk around going “Oooh Aaar?” and generally mimic ancient seafarers? Well now, The Stirrer is delighted to introduce you to Talk Like A Brummie Day. >more
Blind Dave’s Blog
15-06-2007
Don’t get too excited, but Blind Dave Heeley reckons he might have one or two major sponsors in the offing as he prepares for next year’s 7/7/7 marathon challenge. Find out how you can help at the end of his latest blog. >more
Exclusive
14-06-2007
The former Mayor of Sandwell has launched an astonishing attack on a fellow councillor for taking paternity leave following the birth of his second child. >more
New On Stirrer TV
14-06-2007
The latest release from Birmingham based Tindal Street publishing is on the shelves now - and it’s a real corker. "Little Moscow" is a dark collection of short stories by local lad Mick Scully. >more
Get out More...............................................Free tickets
14-06-2007
Birmingham's Botanical Gardens got the full Radio 4 treatment yesterday when it was featured on Gardeners' Question Time. The Gardens are celebrating their 175th birthday this year, and to celebrate, we've got five family tickets to give away. >more
Exclusive
14-06-2007
The Stirrer has discovered that overcrowded West Midlands jails put up the “No Vacancies” signs this week, with local prisoners having to be ferried to police cells in West London. >more
14-06-2007
How about replacing the Union Flag with a butcher's apron? Go on think about it? Laurence Inman sets out to provoke - just for a change - with his musings on a day for Britain. >more
14-06-2007
The EU is adopting the precautionary principle for commonly used chemicals. Barbara Panvel argues that it should be extended intoother areas of life. >more
D Day Anniversary
14-06-2007
It’s 25 years today since victory in the Falklands, but The Stirrer’s also remembering the anniversary of the D-Day Landings with a serialisation of the diary of William “Lofty” Goff - a Brummie sailor who served aboard HMS Scylla. Today, a glimpse of Winston Churchill. >more
Exclusive
14-06-2007
The former Mayor of Sandwell has launched an astonishing attack on a fellow councillor for taking paternity leave following the birth of his second child. >more
New On Stirrer TV
14-06-2007
The latest release from Birmingham based Tindal Street publishing is on the shelves now - and it’s a real corker. "Little Moscow" is a dark collection of short stories by local lad Mick Scully. >more
Get out More...............................................Free tickets
14-06-2007
Birmingham's Botanical Gardens got the full Radio 4 treatment yesterday when it was featured on Gardeners' Question Time. The Gardens are celebrating their 175th birthday this year, and to celebrate, we've got five family tickets to give away. >more
Exclusive
14-06-2007
The Stirrer has discovered that overcrowded West Midlands jails put up the “No Vacancies” signs this week, with local prisoners having to be ferried to police cells in West London. >more
14-06-2007
How about replacing the Union Flag with a butcher's apron? Go on think about it? Laurence Inman sets out to provoke - just for a change - with his musings on a day for Britain. >more
14-06-2007
The EU is adopting the precautionary principle for commonly used chemicals. Barbara Panvel argues that it should be extended intoother areas of life. >more
D Day Anniversary
14-06-2007
It’s 25 years today since victory in the Falklands, but The Stirrer’s also remembering the anniversary of the D-Day Landings with a serialisation of the diary of William “Lofty” Goff - a Brummie sailor who served aboard HMS Scylla. Today, a glimpse of Winston Churchill. >more
13-06-2007
The Stirrer is reeling from the news that one of Birmingham’s most respected architects has been booted off the committee which advises the council on conservation and heritage. Joe Holyoak has been given his marching orders for apparently having too much of an independent mind. >more
13-06-2007
Yuppies who’ve moved into Birmingham in pursuit of “city living” have already killed off one of the city’s finest musical institutions. Now they are out to get a nightclub and a fine traditional pub which have been there for years. >more
13-06-2007
The Jamaican police have admitted mistaking Bob Woolmer’s death by natural causes for murder. Will we now get an apology from BBC1’s Panorama which told us he’d been poisoned? Probably not, but the case highlights the growing danger of heavily publicised documentaries which don’t live up to their hype. >more
Mick Temple’s Blog
13-06-2007
While gun battles rage between rival Palestinian factions in Gaza, boycotting Israel has become all the rage in Britain. Journalists in the NUJ have voted not to buy the country’s goods, and now academics want to freeze out their colleges. >more
13-06-2007
Could it really be true that in their desperation to fin a buyer, Messrs Sullivan and Gold have put Birmingham City up for sale on an internet auction site. Pete Millington’s seen the evidence with his own eyes. >more
Team Nice Blog(1)
13-06-2007
The Stirrer recently revealed that London-based Team Nice are heading to Birmingham for the first time. They’ll be atthe Cotteridge Community Festival (CocoMad) in July spreading their message of politeness and courtesy. Nice people that they are, they’ve agreed to write a weekly blog too. >more
Get Out More……………………..Music Preview
13-06-2007
From leading names in the classical world to the bright young sparks of jazz, this year's Lichfield Festival features an impressive line-up. Top names include Philip Glass and the son of one of Hollywood's most famous leading men. Lisa Piddington reports. >more
12-06-2007
Latest rumours are that one of Birmingham City’s suitors is Britain’s richest man, Lakshmi Mittal. Wot - the same Laskshmi Mittal caught up in allegations of “slave labour” at the weekend? The very same. >more
12-06-2007
The venture capitalist who failed to buy the Longbridge car factory seven years ago is considering a bid for Land Rover and Jaguar - two West Midlands-based car firms being prepared for sale by their owner Ford. >more
12-06-2007
New equality laws promise to give women the right to breast-feed in public. But hold on a minute, it’s not exactly illegal at the moment - why is the government wasting time creating yet more unnecessary laws? >more
12-06-2007
Is the Birmingham Yardley MP John Hemming a secret Labour party sympathiser? The Stirrer has discovered that the city’s leading Liberal Democrat can cast a vote for Gordon Brown’s new deputy. >more
12-06-2007
“Not here…not yet”. That was blogger Dionne McCarthy’s reaction to the prospect of congestion charging in the West Midlands. It inspired Kevin Chapman to take a journey into the past. >more
Get Out More………………..7” Listings
12-06-2007
Seven Inch cinema, the West Midlands funkiest film folk, put together just about the best listing we know of cool pleasures around the region. Amongst other things, they tell us that the Cinephilia film store - a real Moseley institution - is no more. But don’t worry - as this lot proves, there’s still plenty that you can do around here. >more
12-06-2007
Sandwell resident Lynn Hawthorne went to Norfolk for a few days to get away from it all - only to find that there were the same kind of wheelie bin dilemmas that afflict her at home. Time, she says, for a national recycling strategy. >more
Maggie Jo's Fair Trade Blog
12-06-2007
Birmingham fair trade campaigner Maggie Jo St John has been updating us regularly over the past year from Nicaragua where she was teaching English to coffee growers. Well, now she’s back and, we’re delighted to say, still writing for The Stirrer. >more
D Day Anniversary
12-06-2007
Marking the anniversary of the D Day landings in 1944, The Stirrer presents the latest extract from the diary of William “Lofty” Goff, the father of our webmaster Andy, who took part in the invasion of France aboard the good ship “Scylla”. >more
11-06-2007
Lillington Grove in Shard End has been compared to a Third World slum prompting an emergency visit tomorrow from Birmingham’s cabinet member for housing John Lines. But guess what? Since his visit was announced there’s been a massive clean-up operation. >more
11-06-2007
Birmingham City have confirmed to the Stock Exchange today that a takeover could be in the offing - but beyond that, precise details are thin on the ground. >more
Get Out More………………….Film Review
11-06-2007
So how is a documentary highlighting the erosion of our freedom faring at the box office compared to Spiderman 3? Not too well, we suspect, but you can take our word for it - Taking Liberties is this summer’s real “must see” movie. >more
11-06-2007
Birmingham City are planning an emergency board meeting today, amid feverish speculation about a takeover bid by a Far East consortium. The Stirrer understands that a group of Indian investors have already been sniffing around the club. >more
11-06-2007
Union leaders are warning that plans to close the Express and Star’s final salary pension scheme at the end of July could lead to industrial action. >more
11-06-2007
Birmingham International Airport is considering legal action against “Tonight with Trevor McDonald” following last week’s undercoverinvestigation. >more
Get out More………………………..Gig Preview
11-06-2007
As if having The Stirrer’s seal of approval wasn’t enough, Sheffield’s answer to Johnny Cash has also caught the ear of our top musicologist Paul Samuels ahead of his autumn visit. It's aii the sideburns, apparently. >more
11-06-2007
Brendan Hawthorne, The Stirrer's resident poet, ponders on the design values of the 2012 Olympics logo launched last week >more
09-06-2007
An offer for the Birmingham Post and Mail is expected sometime next month, with completion due by September. The likeliest bidder is a private equity group, prompting union fears that more jobs will be cut. >more
09-06-2007
Yesterday, The Stirrer slammed world leaders gathered at the G8 summit for their failure to tackle climate change. Today Bob Geldof has done our workfor us, condemining as “a farce” their efforts to deal with Third World debt. >more
09-06-2007
The Stirrer’s intervention has ensured that free lockers will be maintained at a popular Birmingham swimming pool. Leisure centre bosses had threatened to make the charges compulsory. >more
09-06-2007
Stirrer blogger Damien Doran told us last week, how he'd witnessed first hand the disastrous preview of "Lord Of The Rings", which had to be cancelled after an actor got trapped in the stage machinery. Andy Goff can say "I Was There..." when the Berlin Wall came down. >more
09-06-2007
Most people seem to accept that if you want to end your own life because of a serious illness or injury, you should be able to do so. So why hasn’t anything been done about it asks Barbara Panvel? >more
09-06-2007
Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby has been chosen to head the Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country region - an unelected quango representing no fewer than eight local authorities and several other public bodies. >more
09-06-2007
It’s come to The Stirrer’s notice that down Wolverhampton way, there’s a new tune in town based on the Little Eva/Kylie classic. Not only that, but there are a few jokes doing the rounds about Albion’s Wembley play-off failure. Don't all laugh at once. >more
09-06-2007
Jerome Chen Bacchus dreams of becoming a chef - and at the age of 22, why shouldn’t he? He’s got his whole life ahead of him. But as Pete Millington discovers, it’s not Jerome’s learning difficulties that are holding him back, so much as other people’s attitudes. >more
09-06-2007
Dr David Nicholl reflects on the folk next door - who in his case include the father of a Guantanamo Bay detainee and a Birmingham handcuff maker. >more
09-06-2007
When we last heard from Brummie sailor William “Lofty” Goff, the action was hotting up as Allied Forces tried to make inroads into France while meeting stiff German resistance. Amid all the mayheam, he still manages to listen to Artie Shaw. >more
09-06-2007
Remember that shock horror, front page exclusive about the madman going around Sandwell General Hospital tampering with the oxygen cylinders and putting patients lives at risk? Er, it wasn’t true. >more
08-06-2007
At last it’s here…the long-awaited premiere of Taking Liberties, the movie which exposes how our freedoms are being taken from us and which has been dubbed “the British Fahrenheit 9/11”. It opens tonight at Cineworld in Birmingham and director Chris Atkins has been telling us all about it. >more
08-06-2007
Journalists at the Express and Star newspaper, already reeling from staff cutbacks, have today received confirmation that their final salary pension scheme is to close at the end of July. >more
08-06-2007
Successive governments stand accused of paying back-handers to senior Saudi officials to win multi-billion pound contracts for British Aerospace and secure hundreds of jobs in this country. >more
08-06-2007
Colourful Birmingham MP John Hemming has found himself a new role - as the unlikely champion of Britain’s bingo playing classes. >more
08-06-2007
So beneath the bluff and bluster and the stage management and the “hopeful signs” coming out of the G8 Summit in Germany, here’s the bottom line…world leaders have once again failed to agree on any meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gases. >more
08-06-2007
Dave Woodhall has got more than £5,000 to spend this morning after filling in a simple online form - and that was without really trying. >more
08-06-2007
The controversial Olympic logo unveiled this week hasn’t only got ordinary sports fans puzzled. Sir Alan Sugar is fuming at the design and has commissioned an alternative version. What’s more he’s given Pete Millington a sneak preview. >more
08-06-2007
Lynn Hawthorne's feeling sick, but there's no point going to her local GP. That's the cause of her complaint in the first place. >more
07-06-2007
Council workers across the West Midlands are facing a wake up call from their bosses. Sandwell is planning to privatise hundreds of jobs in its waste management and environmental services, while Birmingham is boasting of having sacked 500 lazy, incompetent or dishonest staff. >more
07-06-2007
One of our Message Board regulars - Chip Trip Janet - wanted to know why whenever there's disruption to the trams in Wolverhampton, services are forced to terminate miles from the city centre at Priestfield. The Stirrer has found the answer - and all down to an astonishing tale of incompetence. >more
07-06-2007
The company at the centre of Monday’s TV expose of lax security at Birmingham Airport has introduced a drugs and alcohol testing regime for its workers - and removed their local manager. >more
07-06-2007
Birmingham Deputy Leader Paul Tilsley has given The Stirrer an ear-bashing following our suggestion that the gravy train has just pulled into the city’s Council House. But another senior councillor reckons we were spot on. >more
07-06-2007
Laurence Inman was invited to The Stirrer’s highly select first birthday gathering at a secret location somewhere in the West Midlands last weekend. Only one thing spoiled his fun. >more
D Day Anniversary
07-06-2007
This week sees the anniversary of the D Day landings and our webmaster’s dad, William Goff, was part of - serving on HMS Scylla. When we left him yesterday, the British tanks were rolling onto the French beaches.>more
Get Out More…………………………………….Gallery Review
07-06-2007
Fifteen years ago, Compton Verney in South Warwickshire was a rundown relic of a bygone age. And then the Peter Moores Foundation bought it. Result? One of the best galleries in the country reckons Paula Elenor. >more
06-06-2007
Internet chat rooms are abuzz with rumours that former Villa chairman “Deadly” Doug Ellis could be about to take over West Bromwich Albion. The Stirrer assesses the tittle tattle. >more
Exclusive
06-06-2007
Birmingham Councillors last night ignored the advice of their own independent pay panel and voted to approve extra allowances for senior colleagues. The Panel has also been stripped of the right to select its own chairman and is warning that its role has been seriously undermined. >more
D Day Anniversary
Continuing the first hand account of William “Lofty” Goff who served on HMS Scylla during the D Day landings which happened this week in 1944. >more
06-06-2007
When The Stirrer received information suggesting that Birmingham came bottom of a national league for recycling our interest was naturally aroused. The story was true as well - but the current reality is altogether more interesting. >more
Mick Temple’s Blog
06-06-2007
Mick Temple - who’s a professor at that trendy Staffordshire University - ponders on the role of the political columnist. And wonders whether his own column inches measure up. >more
Get Out More..........................................................Gig Preview
06-06-2007
Source: Warner Bros
"Are we not men?" they asked. To which the frankly puzzled late 70s punters answered, "Er, we're not sure." We knew they were Devo though, and they were darlings of the briefly supersonic scene from Akron, Ohio. Remember that? Paul Samuels does >more
Poets Corner
06-06-2007
Stung by the news that Birmingham's entry for Miss Great Britain actually came from Stoke, The Stirrer's resident poet Brendan Hawthorne is moved to verse. >more
05-06-2007
The Stirrer urged caution before the transmission of last night’s “Tonight” programme, which investigated security failures at Birmingham Airport. Too many well-publicised documentaries fail to live up to their hype. So how did this one fare? >more
05-06-2007
One of Birmingham’s most popular leisure centres has been unwittingly used to promote a spiritual movement described by critics as a “totalitarian” cult. >more
05-06-2007
Popular BBC WM travel presenter Punam Verma is quitting the station and her hometown of Walsall for a TV career in Dubai. >more
05-06-2007
Tonight’s “Crimewatch” programme will feature an appeal for information from the parents of missing todddler Madeleine McCann - who’ve been criticised in some quarters for being “grief celebrities”. Their detractors are missing the point, says Ros Dodd. >more
D Day Anniversary
05-06-2007
As the anniversary of D Day looms, we’ve discovered the first hand account of a British sailor who took part in the invasion. William “Lofty” Goff is the father of our webmaster Andy Goff. Here’s the first extract of his contemporaneous diary. >more
05-06-2007
Eight men are due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court today (Tuesday 5 June) charged with offences in connection with the Lozells riot in October 2005. >more
05-06-2007
Fed up with the rudeness and aggression of modern life? You're not the only one. The Stirrer meets a woman on a mission. >more
05-06-2007
Next year, Dave Heeley from West Brom will run seven marathons in seven days and seven continents. In the meantime he has to put up with harrassment on the building site - and Aunty Mavis's cakes. >more
04-06-2007
Birmingham International Airport faces trial by television tonight when ITV’s “Tonight With Trevor McDonald” will air claims that security staff were sleeping on the job. But with such a publicity ambush before the event does the programme itself even matter? And will the airport’s response be heard amid the clamour? >more
04-06-2007
Wolverhampton’s attempted smash and grab raid on Birmingham’s controversial Big Screen isn’t necessary - the Black Country will soon be getting one of its own. >more
04-06-2007
Anyone who harboured hopes that Gordon Brown’s premiership might usher in a new era of liberalism can think again. His proposals to extend the 28 day detention period without trial come straight of the Tony Blair/John Reid school of authoritarianism. >more
04-06-2007
In January, The Stirrer investigated a new housing development next to Handsworth Park, where residents were still waiting for sports facilities promised as compensation for losing some allotments. That issue has been resolved, but as Simon Baddeley reports the developers are now planning a “minor amendment” with a major impact. >more
The Stirrer has discovered that the disruption of services on the Midland Metro - which will continue today - was caused bydental waste. >more
04-06-2007
Stirrer blogger Damien Doran can say “I was there… in the West End, last Wednesday, when the show DIDN’T go on. A preview performance of the musical Lord Of The Rings came to a premature end because an actor got his legs caught in the stage machinery. >more
02-06-2007
Birmingham’s £22 million lottery bid for a new city centre park at Eastside was finally submitted yesterday - but precise details of the proposal are being kept under wraps to ensure that we aren't seen as lobbying for the cash. >more
02-06-2007
The Stirrer understands that the couple who married last year in BRMB’s controversial “Two Strangers And A Wedding” promotion are to divorce - just like the previous couple. >more
02-06-2007
Few stories have generated more passion on this website than the new probation office in Kitts Green. Dave Woodhall sees a sinister side to the protests. >more
Get Out More……………………………..Puppet Preview
02-06-2007
This weekend, the kids have got no excuse for saying there’s nothing to do. The Dynamics 07 Puppet Festival has loadsa free shows on Saturday and Sunday - and a few you can pay for too. >more
02-06-2007
Nine branches of Kwik Save shut in the Black Country this week - in Dudley, Tipton, Cannock, Lichfield, West Brom, Smethwick, Blackheath and Wolvo. As Edward Cameron reports, Asda have seen their chance >more
02-06-2007
It looks Manchester has trumped Birmingham by becoming the second city after London to line itself up for a congestion charge. Dionne McCarthy wonders if we’ve had a lucky escape. >more
Get Out More………………………Music preview
02-06-2007
Players from the CBSO’s Berkeley Salon Ensemble will be ditching Symphony Hall for a night and heading to the Black Country town of Bilston. >more
01-06-2007
Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby famously claimed “it was the weekly rubbish collections wot won it” in the local council elections, but just try telling that to Selly Oak MP Lynne Jones. The binmen forgot to pick up her stinky refuse sack last week, and she wants to know why. It’s prompted her to ask a few other awkward questions too. >more
01-06-2007
The Stirrer has long campaigned against the peril of the pavement parkers, but now there’s a new motoring menace in our midst - the double yellow demons, who apparently break the law with impunity. >more
Get Out More………………………..Gig News
01-06-2007
Two intriguing shows coming up at Symphony Hall with dates for head Beach Boy Brian Wilson and ex-Japan Star David Sylvian. There’s disappointment for Only Ones fans though with news that their Wolverhampton gig is postponed. >more
Mick Temple's Blog
01-06-2007
What do you mean, you didn't stay up specially to watch the deputy Labour leadership debate on Newsnight? Tut, tut. Luckily for you, Mick Temple is a prof of politics at Staffordshire University, so he gets paid to do it. And don't worry - his report is more entertaining than the event. >more
Stay in More……………………………………TV review
01-06-2007
There are very few TV programmes worth making a date with - but series in, series out I’m there with The Apprentice. It’s in the finest BBC tradition. Great fun, but you learn plenty too. >more
01-06-2007
The G8 summit coming up in Germany once again holds out the hope of debt relief for some of the poorest people in the world. But hold on a minute - haven’t we been here before? We sure have. And that’s why Audrey Miller will be picking up her placard once again. >more
Get Out More………………..........Green Showcase
01-06-2007
Now that the football season’s over what are you going to do with all those Saturday afternoons? Well, we’ve got the first one sealed off. Malcolm Currie’s helped organise the Eco Show at the BMI in Margaret Street, Birmingham. >more |
This years Sounds In The Round series of open-air gigs at MAC in Edgbaston has one of it's finest ever line-ups, with Badly Drawn Boy, Hayseed Dixie, Ruby Turner and legendary Afro pioneer Kanda Bongo Man all due to appear.
This Saturday (9 June) it's HOMEFIRES ON TOUR,showcasing the best of left-field "quiet" music including NINA NASTASIA, RICHARD SWIFT, ADEM, and ELYSIAN QUARTET.
The Stirrer has two tickets to give away. Just tell us by Wednesday at noon which Birmingham park MAC is in. Email [email protected]
To book tickets and find out more about Sounds in the Round go to www.macarts.co.uk
THE STIRRER'S BLOG ROLL
GENERAL
birminghamitsnotshit
Home of Brummie of the Year and other funny stuff about where we live
createdinbirmingham
Local arts and related stuff
brumblog
Comprehensive aggregate of local arty and general sites
podnosh
Home ofcommunity podcasting with the Grassroots channel
To be continued...
Download the Birmingham Mail Mayoral referendum form >>> click
Friends of Birmingham Library “Back To The Modern Exhibition” online exhibition >>> click here
THE STIRRER'S WEMBLEY GALLERY
West Brom's hopes of making the Premier League have been dashed - but at least their fans got a first hand look at the new Wembley.
Check out The Stirrer's Wembley gallery >click here.
Just what the West Midlands needs - another giant supermarket. Residents in Shirley are fighting back against plans for a new Asda which will see precious parkland gobbled up, and couldthreatenthe local traders who havealready survived the onslaught of more than half a dozen large stores. Here's their story. >more
A TASTE OF SPAGHETTI - 4th EDITION NOW AVAILABLE
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. |
