Service info: click
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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A Stirrer Campaign
BRUM HAILS CLAMPING VICTORY
05-07-2008
Birmingham Council’s Trading Standards boss is signing The Stirrer’s petition to make car clamping illegal. The news comes just 24 hours after his department hailed a major victory by securing its first conviction against a clamper in the city. more
"KILLER" ASBESTOS TILES CLOSE SPARKHILL POOL
05-07-2008
The Stirrer can reveal that Birmingham’s Sparkhill Baths was closed yesterday because of fears that loose asbestos ceiling tiles could fall, killing swimmers and staff. It will stay shut indefinitely. more
Mick Temple’s Blog
FROM BLUE TO GREY
05-07-2008
It’s time for the Tories to court one of the least fashionable but most important sectors of the electorate argues Mick Temple. more
Get Out More................................Gig News
DEBASHISH BHATTACARYA (Wolverhampton Arena)
05-07-2007
The Indian slide guitar maestro Debashish Bhattacharya is heading for the West Midlands on July 12 as part of a world tour. Martin Longley caught up opening night gig at the National Centre For Early Music in York. more
MP’S “SNOUTS IN THE TROUGH”?
04-07-2008
News that MPs have vowed to retain their annual £24 second homes allowance and maintain the “John Lewis” list has prompted accusations in the media that MPs are “keeping their snouts in the trough”. On the airwaves of Talksport, Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg finds the charge is readily echoed by the public. more
"COMPULSORY SEX EDUCATION FOR KIDS” CALL
04-07-2008
Birmingham-based sex clinic Brook is calling for sex education to be made compulsory primary pupils – and wants children in every secondary school to have access to contraception without their parents’ knowledge. more
The Stirrer in the Birmingham Mail
FIFTEEN SACKED IN ASTONBROOK "SMEAR"
04-07-2008
UNION officials have condemned the "scandalous" sacking of 15 workers at Birmingham's troubled Astonbrook Housing Association, which is at the centre of a fraud investigation. more
"THIRD WAY NO WAY" SAYS LIBRARY CAMPAIGNER
04-07-2008
The chief campaigner against the demolition of Birmingham Central Library has distanced himself from calls for the Culture Secretary to delay a decision on listing the building. Alan Clawley warns this would allow it to deteriorate even further. more
Get Out More....................................Gig News
EXTRA DATES FOR WONDER, COOGAN
Massive demand has led to extra dates for Alan Partridge funnyman Steve Coogan and Motown legend Steve Wonder – and tickets for both go on sale today. more
Get Out More.............................................Festival Review
BELPER MUSIC FESTIVAL
04-06-2008
While Glastonbury was hogging the headlines and taking up screen time, Simon Gray was hanging out with the folkies at Belper Rugby Club in Derbyshire.more
SOURCEY TODAY ALLOWS MINISTER TO SLUR DOCS
04-07-2008
Stirrer blogger and Birmingham consultant Dr David Nicholl has lodged a formal complaint about the BBC’s “scurrilous” news programme ... more
Stirrer TV Exclusive
FANS BOYCOTT CALL AS COLLY KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN
03-07-2008
Stan Collymore is calling for a fans boycott of Premier League matches to force soccer bosses to cut prices. The former Villa and Wolves striker wants £20 tickets to be made available for every game - and warns a walkout might be the only way to achieve it. more
LABOUR'S THIRD WAY FOR CENTRAL LIBRARY
03-07-2008
As Culture Secretary Margaret Hodge ponders the future of Birmingham's Central Library - to list or not to list - Stirrer reader John Lish offers a Third Way. Should appeal to New Labour sensibilities you would have thought. Here's his letter to the Minister. more
NEC NAME CHANGE AS COUNCIL LOANS £25 MILLION
03-07-2008
Birmingham City Council is lending £25 million to the NEC Arena to fund a major upgrade which will see the venue changing its name. From the autumn, it will become known as the LG Arena in honour of the global electronics giant. more
Get Out More...............................Film/Events
SEVEN INCH LISTINGS
03-07-2008
Films, music and more in the latest listings from the people who bring you the Flatpack Festival. Watch out for a reading by award winning author Cath O'Flynn and the Supersonic Festival. more
SPACEY FILLER
03-07-2008
Blogger Dave Harte was pleasantly surprised when Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey started praising Birmingham's film output. But the actor's enthusiasm wasn't all it seemed. more
Laurence Inman’s Blog
DEAD POETS SOCIETY
03-07-2008
Another illuminating glimpse into the world of Inman. His weird hobby involves photographs and graveyards. more
Martin Mullaney Podcast
BOB LAMB
03-07-2008
Birmingham is full of unsung heroes and interesting folk, each with their own stories that help shape the history of this great city. Armed with little more than a portable recorder and his scooter, Martin Mullaney travels the suburbs interviewing its residents - this time musical icon Bob Lamb. more
Get Out More.................................Gig News
BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL/SYMPHONY HALL
02-07-2008
New releases from the Town Hall/Symphony Hall axis in Brum include a date for soulful Pop Idol winner Will Young, classical crossover queen Hayley Westenra, “swing punk” pioneers The Puppini Sisters, and Indian sarod player Amjad Ali Khan. more
£62 REBATE "NOT GUARANTEED" ADMIT WOLVES TORIES
02-07-2008
Wolverhampton’s Conservative leader Neville “Granpa” Patten has been forced to admit for the first time that his party might be unable to fulfil its election pledge of a £62 Council Tax rebate. more
SLAP ON WRIST FOR SEVERN TRENT
02-07-2008
Birmingham-based Severn Trent Water has been fined just £2million for lying to the regulator Ofwat – no more than a slap on the wrist for a company which made profits last year of more than £250 million. more
FEISTY SHABANA DEFENDS LADYWOOD POLL
02-07-2008
If Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Ladywood Shabana Mahmood has been scarred by ongoing the row over her selection, she’s doing a good job of hiding it. The 27-year old sounds bright, confident – and just a tad feisty. more
OVERCOMING GREEN FATIGUE [2]
02-07-2008
Earlier this month, as part of the climate change festival, people were invited to an open day at John Newson’s Victorian house, which although it was built in 1884 is a model of modern day sustainability. Barbara Panvel pops round for a cuppa. more
Joy’s Peru Blog
ALMOST THERE…
02-07-2008
Former Birmingham PR girl Joy Stefanicki has left her glamorous job in New York to help victims in a Peruvian city which was 80% flattened in last year’s earthquake . And now her destination is almost in sight. more
Get Out More............Gig News
WOLVES CIVIC LISTINGS
02-07-2008
Sigur Ros, Elbow, The Feeling and Puppetry of The Penis have all been added in the last week at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall/Little Civic complex complex. Here's the listing for the next few months. more (pdf file)
WOLVO TRAFFIC CHAOS AS RED ROUTE CONFIRMED
01-07-2008
Plans by Wolverhampton’s ruling Conservative/Lib Dem alliance to scrap the city’s Red Route were thrown into confusion last night when councillors recommended that the congestion-busting scheme should be kept. more
TWO THOUSAND DRINK TO LIFE SAVING PROJECT
01-07-2008
More than 2,000 people have signed up to the Facebook group set up by a Midlands blogger aimed to encouraging Coca Cola to use their global distribution network to save lives in Africa. more
DEMO THREAT OVER LADYWOOD SELECTION
01-07-2008
Labour activists campaigning for a re-run of the party’s hotly contested Ladywood parliamentary selection are threatening to march on Birmingham Council House unless there’s an enquiry into the poll. more
Doc Dave's Blog
THE NHS AT 60 - "BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW"
01-07-2008
As the NHS reaches pensionable age this week, Health Minister Lord Darzi is attempting to breathe new life into the system, with a new patients charter. Dr David Nicholl offers an insiders view of the Health Service at 60. more
Martin Longley's Global Sounds
NEW YORK (Part 51)
01-07-2008
Longley's latest foray into the Big Apple's musical netherworld sees him taking in Paul Simon, Asha Bhosle, Etran Finatawa, Hassan Hakmoun, Karsh Kale, and Gao Hong. more
RON’S MOVIE TEASER
01-07-2008
Brummie author and Stirrer regular Ron Dawson could soon have his hit novel The Last Viking turned into a major movie – local film producers Infinite Wisdom have optioned it, and we’ve got an exclusive preview of the “teaser” they’re using to raise the readies. more
THE PUBLIC GETS DOWN TO WORK…WELL, ALMOST
30-06-2008
West Brom’s £52 million art gallery The Public finally opened its doors to the public this weekend – but although an estimated 10,000 visitors flocked to a free two-day festival, there was disappointment that the main attraction still wasn’t working. more
Stirrer TV
PUBLIC’S “OPEN DOOR” PLEDGE TO COMMUNITY
30-06-2008
Arts organisations and community groups in the Black Country have been given an “open door” pledge by the bosses at West Brom’s newly opened Public Art Gallery. Bookings director Carol Creasey is calling on members of local groups to come forward and dictate the venue's agenda. more
Stirrer TV
PUBLIC BOSS HAILS “BIG NEW MOMENT” FOR BLACK COUNTRY
30-06-2008
The Director the Public Art Gallery in West Bromwich has described the building’s opening as “a big new moment” for the Black Country. more
Stirrer TV
THE PUBLIC ON THE PUBLIC
30-06-2008
We’re not pretending this is any way comprehensive, but here’s the reaction of one West Brom woman and her grandson to the opening of The Public. more
ACE Dance South Africa Blog (2)
ARRIVING IN GRAHAMSTOWN
30-06-2008
Digbeth-based dance troupe ACE are currently representing Birmingham at South Africa’s Grahamstown Festival. Tour booker Megan Nelsey fights off the jet lag to send the latest despatch. more
Poet's Corner
UP THE HOSPITAL CHARTS
30-06-2008
Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review of the NHS out today suggests hospital's publish their death rates - news which moves Brendan Hawthorne to verse. Make up your own Alan Freeman "Pick Of The Pops" music. more
POLICE AUTHORITY REJECTS GAY COMPLAINT
28-06-2008
West Midlands Police Authority have been accused of failing in their duty after refusing to take action against the officer responsible for the Green Lane mosque fiasco. Once again allegations of homophobia have been raised against the Force. more
TROUBLE BREWS FOR UNION-BUSTING $TARBUCK$
28-06-2008
Campaigners are planning a protest outside the Birmingham New Street branch of Starbucks next Saturday, July 5, in protest at the company’s sacking of union organisers in Spain and the United States. Doug Fielding Smith has more.
Where Are They Now?
GEOFF HUMPAGE
28-06-2008
Former Warwickshire all-rounder Paul Smith tracks down an old Bears favourite - hard-hitting wicket-keeper and batsman Geoff Humpage who courted controversy by taking part in a tour to apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. more
Mick Temple's Blog
QUEEN GORDON
28-06-2008
Gordon Brown celebrated his first anniversary in No 10 by contemplating Labour's catastrophic by-election thrashing in Henley. Never mind. Mick Temple's already got the Prime Mnister's future career mapped out. more
Get Out More ................................Gig News
SIGUR ROS (Wolves Civic)
28-06-2008
The four-piece Reykjavik outfit described as 'part Spiritualised and part Enya with the immense epic sonic vistas of God Speed You Black Emperor' turn out at Wolves Civic on November 4. more
HEAVY METAL CRIME SPREE ROCKS BLACK COUNTRY
27-06-2008
From stolen manhole covers to knocked off copper wiring…the rising demand for metal has sparked a deadly crime wave which has the Black Country as its epicentre. Now West Bromwich MP Tom Watson has come up with a simple solution to the problem. more
NEWSNIGHT SPELLS GOODNIGHT FOR SPELMAN
27-06-2008
The future of Conservative Chair Caroline Spelman is hanging in the balance after the BBC’s Newsnight programme made further revelations about payments to her nanny. It’s also emerged that Tory backbenchers are calling for the Meriden MP’s dismissal. more
STRAW RACE AGAINST TIME ON WITNESSES
27-06-2008
Justice Secretary Jack Straw faces a race against time after pledging to strengthen the law allowing anonymous witnesses to give evidence in serious trials. Straw has to get new legislation through the Commons before the recess on July 22. more
AN ASTON TOUR
27-06-2008
It’s one of Birmingham’s oldest suburbs, and as Dave Woodhall discovers it’s got loads more to offer than grim newspaper headlines and a Premiership football team. more
Get Out More................................Music News
RICH BATSFORD’S MUSIC BY CANDLELIGHT
27-06-2008
Occasional Stirrer blogger Rich Batsford lays down some beautiful Michael Nyman-style piano, and you can catch him in a rare local appearance next Tuesday, July 1, in the evocative surroundings of Moseley’s St Mary’s church. more
Library 1
ARCHITECTS PLAN FOR LIBRARY JOB
27-06-2008
While campaigners battle to preserve John Madin’s 1970s Central Library in Birmingham, seven distinguished architects are already drawing up plans for a replacement building in Centenary Square – and we can whet your appetite with a glimpse of what they've already achieved... more
Library 2
PARADISE PLAN “JUST EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES”
27-06-2008
Birmingham Council argues that unless the Central Library is demolished, plans to redevelop Paradise Circus will be stymied. But Alan Clawley, who wants the 1973 building preserved, reckons city leaders are wearing the Emperor’s New Clothes. more
Library 3
MULLANEY UNVEILS NEW BRUM “TATE MODERN” PIC
27-06-2008
Birmingham councillor Martin Mullaney has unveiled the latest version of his radical “Tate Modern” plan for Birmingham Central Library. more
STRAW PROMISES MAHMOOD ACTION ON WITNESSES
26-06-2008
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has promised Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood that he’ll tighten the law to ensure that witnesses in high-profile cases are able to remain anonymous. Straw will make a statement in the Commons today. more
LIBRARY CAMPAIGNERS FIGHTING BACK
26-06-2008
Campaigners trying to save Birmingham’s Central Library are hitting back at the City Council’s lobbying campaign against the building’s possible listing by organising their own letter writing protest. more
TRIBUTE AT LAST TO FALLEN OFFICER
26-06-2008
Fallen West Midlands police officer DC Mick Swindells will finally receive a memorial after a long-running campaign by Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg to get his sacrifice recognised. more
WALSALL SNOOPERS CALLED TO ACCOUNT
26-06-2006
Walsall Council is being asked to reveal the full details of its snooping record after admitting it used a law designed to combat terrorism to spy on staff. more
Laurence Inman’s Blog
THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING
26-06-2008
Really. It’s all here. Well apart from how to get rid of an unwanted car. more
OVERCOMING GREEN FATIGUE (1)
26-06-2008
In the first of a series of inspirational stories about West Midlands eco-pioneers, Barbara Panvel visits Hall Green in Birmingham. more
WEATHER WITH YOU
26-06-2008
Want to know when the sun's going to shine over the next few months? Diane Benussi has the answers. more
BRUM LAWYER SLAMS ANONYMOUS WITNESS SCHEME
25-06-2008
Suspected killers – including the four men jailed for murdering Aston teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare – shouldn’t be convicted on the basis of anonymous evidence says a leading Birmingham lawyer. more
OVER TO THE PUBLIC
25-06-2008
Ahead of this weekend's free opening festival, The Public Art Gallery in West Bromwich opened its doors to the press pack for a preview yesterday. Sandwell resident and Stirrer poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne joined the throng. more
LIBRARY 1
CAMPAIGNERS WELCOME "TATE MODERN" LIBRARY PLAN
25-06-2008
Central Library campaigner Alan Clawley has welcomed radical proposals raised by Birmingham councillor Martin Mullaney on The Stirrer Forum which would see the building saved and converted into a modern art gallery along the lines of the Tate Modern. more
Library 2
"PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL" LIBRARY MEMO LEAKED
25-06-2008
The Stirrer can reveal that desperate Birmingham Council bosses are secretly writing to key decision makers in the city calling on them to support the demolition of the Central Library. more
Ace Dance South Africa Blog
GEARING UP FOR GRAHAMSTOWN
25-06-2008
Digbeth-based dance troupe ACE are representing Birmingham at South Africa’s Grahamstown Festival this week. Here’s tour booker Megan Nelsey’s opening blog. more
ALDEN: PROTEST NOW TO SAVE POST OFFICES NEXT YEAR
25-06-2008
Birmingham councillor and post office campaigner Deirdre Alden admits that protests against the closure of 26 branches will mostly fail – but she insists it’s vital to lay down a marker against more cuts next year. more
CITIZENS DEMAND PLANNING SAY AS GOV'T PREPARES NEW POWERS
25-06-2008
As MPs prepare to discuss proposals today allowing the government to ride roughshod over local opinion and force through major new developments, research released by Friends of the Earth shows that nine out of ten people want a say over significant changes in their local area. more
Get Out More........................................Gig Listing
The Robin, Bilston
25-06-2008
The latest listing from the Black Country’s finest venue includes some terrific gigs – and we don’t just mean The Stirrer’s audience with Blind Dave Heeley on September 14. more
STIRRER READERS INVITED TO GLAMOROUS FILM BASH
25-06-2008
Birmingham film-maker Brendan O’Neill is calling on Stirrer readers to support his dream of making a £100,000 movie based around the city’s inner ring road. more
COUNCIL JOINS BATTLE AGAINST P.O. CLOSURES
24-06-2008
Birmingham City Council will unveil plans later today to fight the closure of 24 Post Offices in the city, adding to a cross party alliance against the plan. A total of 56 P.O.’s will be shut across the region. more
MIND THE GAP AS HEALTH INEQUALITY WIDENS
24-06-2008
Birmingham and Walsall are among the worst parts of the country for infant deaths according to national “health maps” published today. Sandwell and Dudley have some of the lowest rates of breast feeding. more
Get Out More................................Gig News
AL GREEN (NIA, October 28)
24-06-2008
Soul legend Al Green has announced a return to Birmingham with a show at the NIA in October...just fifteen months after his last appearance. The Stirrer’s Dr Music Paul Samuels pays homage. more
"LOSER" DUTTON SAVAGED OVER LIBRARY
24-06-2008
Birmingham’s planning chief Clive Dutton is on the receiving end of a stinging attack today by Alan Clawley, the Friends of the Central Library campaigner. Dutton reacted angrily to a recommendation by English Heritage that it should be listed, and here’s Clawley’s response. more
THE GUANTANAMO DOCTOR
24-06-2008
There has been much criticism of the US military doctors in the treatment of detainees in Guantanamo and other secret prisons. What has not been told – until now – is that amongst the prisoners is a doctor who has now been detained without charge for 6 and half years. David Nicholl has more
Sammy's Music Blog
THE ZUTONS
24-06-2008
They're playing Cannock Chase in June and have a stonking new album out. They also wrote one of Amy Winehouse's greatest hits. What's not to like? Not a lot decides Paul Samuels. more
GIGBETH’S CLARE TAKES NATIONAL GONG
24-06-2008
Well done to Gigbeth founder Clare Edwards who scooped the British Council’s Young Music Entrepreneur Award for 2008. more
For earlier articles please see The Stirrer Archive - click here
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THE STIRRER'S BLOG ROLL
birminghamitsnotshit
createdinbirmingham
brumblog
podnosh
radicalpress.co.uk
birmingham101gigs
Friends of Birmingham Library "Back To The Modern Exhibition" online exhibition click here
Get Out More - Gig Guide
THE ROBIN 2, BILSTON
Updated listings.
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 could threaten the local traders who have already survived the onslaught of more than half a dozen large stores. Here's their story. more
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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