April 2009BROWN LOSES FIGHT WITH GURKHAS30-04-2009The populist campaign to support the right of the Gurkhas to stay in Britain has delivered a bloody nose to Gordon Brown – but it also masks a deep and disturbing racism writes Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg. moreLDV RUNS OUT OF ROAD30-04-2009Around 850 workers will lose their jobs following the decision by Birmingham van maker LDV to seek administration. The city’s Chamber of Commerce warns that a further 3000 posts are in jeopardy in the supply chain, and calls it a “resounding blow”. moreGet Out More................................Film NewsELECTRIC CINEMA LISTINGS30-04-2009Here's the lowdown from Birmingham's indie cinema, featuring a clutch of films recently reviewed on The Stirrer...Let The Right One In, In The Loop and State of Play. moreLaurence Inman’s BlogLOST IN DYLANCHOLY30-04-2009The Great White Wonder is doing his stuff in Birmingham tonight. Laurence Inman won’t be there. moreMOST WANTED30-04-2009Crime fighting stories aren’t The Stirrer’s usual meat and drink, but we’ll happily make an exception for this fella. Described by the cops as “one of the country’s most wanted criminals”, he’s known to hang out in Birmingham. moreGet Out More..............................Gig NewsWORLD UNLIMITED LISTINGS30-04-2009The West Midlands rootsiest promoters are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with shows featuring Billy Bragg in Wolverhampton and The Handsome Family in Brum. All that, and the Wychwood Festival too. moreAPORKALYSPSE NOW29-04-2009The West Midlands first case of swine flu has been confirmed in Redditch after a woman returned to the region from holiday in Mexico - she's now in isolation at home and responding well to treatment. Five close contacts have been treated with anti viral drugs. moreExclusiveIRON CURTAIN LABOUR "LACKS DEMOCRACY"29-04-2009The one Labour member who rebelled against the “Iron Curtain” style election in Lozells and East Handsworth has been telling The Stirrer why she refused to support a poll with just one candidate. And she warns that the party – which has now launched an investigation - “lacks democracy”. morePOST AND MAIL STAFF HACKED OFF29-04-2009Hacks at the Birmingham Post and Mail are anxiously awaiting the outcome of today’s Trinity Mirror board meeting at Fort Dunlop, following the sacking of their MD Steve Brown. Staff fear that this will herald a further round of cutbacks. moreSCRUTINY? IS IT APRIL FOOL’S DAY?29-04-2009In a “check it isn’t April Fools Day” moment, the chair of Wolverhampton Council’s scrutiny board Richard Whitehouse has called on members of the public to suggest future topics for discussion. What’s the point, when he’ll side with the Tories anyway? moreTerry’s Baggies BlogNOT SO KEANE TO MEET YOU29-04-2009Albion travel to Spurs on Saturday in good heart after beating Sunderland – but as Terry Wills points out, they’ll be greeted by one of their least favourite opponents. moreAlan Clawley’s BlogWILL THE LIBRARY BE LISTED?29-04-2009In his latest personal blog, Friends of the Central Library campaigner Alan Clawley reckons John Madin’s 1973 Brutalist classic will be listed. And he wonders why the building designed to replace it is so devoid of detail. moreTHE IRON CURTAIN DESCENDS ON HANDSWORTH28-04-2009Labour’s selection battle for the council seat of Lozells and East Handsworth has already generated a racism row involving former Birmingham Lord Mayor Mahmood Hussain. Now we’ve discovered another curious twist in the tale, which evokes echoes of elections behind the old Iron Curtain. moreBEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY?28-04-2009Squatters from Justice Not Crisis are planning a formal complaint against West Midlands Police after being evicted from Birmingham’s Beechwood Hotel. They claim officers in riot gear abused their powers and assaulted one of their members. moreA MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH28-04-2009Bill Shankly’s over used quotation has it that “football isn’t a matter of life and death…it’s much more important than that”. Utter nonsense of course. But as Sibyl Ruth discovers, snooker lives up to Shanks’s billing. moreGet Out More...............................Film NewsIN THE LOOP28-04-2009A second take on Armando Ianucci’s political satire… this time from Richard Lutz. moreMIND YOUR LANGUAGE OVER WOLVESTOCK U-TURN28-04-2009Wolverhampton’s ruling Conservative-Lib Dem alliance has done a u-turn over its unpopular plan to introduce charges for the Wolvestock music festival – and is now coming under pressure to re-introduce funding for Asian language classes. morePARK LIFE28-04-2009Lynn Hawthorne has written before about Sandwell Council’s intention to introduce car parking across the borough’s six towns. Since the plans were rubber-stamped last week, she’s joined the resistance movement … moreSEEING US FOR WHAT WE ARE28-04-2009The prospect of lighting up Spaghetti Junction so that it becomes a nocturnal landmark seems to have been around for ages, but it got a new lease of life last week. Duncan Miller wonders why. moreGet Out More..............................Music ReviewRUSSELL WATSON (Symphony Hall)28-04-2009Touring again after suffering a brain tumour, Russell Watson is wowing audiences once more, including Terry Wills at Symphony Hall. moreEX LORD MAYOR IN RACISM ROW27-04-2009Former Birmingham Lord Mayor Mahmood Hussain has denied telling a potential Labour candidate that he couldn’t support her because she was “white and Jewish”. moreYAQOOB CONDEMNS “TERROR” DEPORTATIONS27-04-2009Birmingham Councillor Salma Yaqoob – who is now the leader the national Respect Party – has joined the chorus of condemnation about 11 Pakistani students arrested and then released after a so-called “terror plot”. All those taken into custody now face deportation. moreGet Out More..........................Gig NewsLILY ALLEN (NIA, 24/11/09)27-04-2009Self confessed “weapon of mass consumption” Lily Allen charges into town for her first NIA gig on later this year – and tickets go on sale this Friday. moreAndy's Blues BlogPREPARING FOR THE HIGHLAND FLING27-04-2009Saturday’s disappointment at St Andrews left Blues agonisingly close to the Premier League, and they could still go up on Sunday at Reading. Yet Andy Munro is already preparing for “the Hghland fling” on manager Alex McLeish. moreGet Out More.........................Gig ReviewTHE SPECIALS (Birmingham Academy, Saturday)27-04-2009One of the West Midlands finest pop acts returned to Birmingham on Saturday – Philip Parkin was among the ecstatic and sweat soaked crowd. moreDoc Dave’s BlogI WANT YOUR BRAIN27-04-2009Birmingham neurologist Dr David Nicholl is on the hunt for your vital organ. moreRichard Lutz’s BlogSCREEN BREAK27-04-2009There's a major announcement due tomorrow about the sharing of local news material between BBC and ITV. Former Central producer Richard Lutz sees a caring, sharing stitch up of viewers interests. moreCONFESSIONS OF A BRUMMIE MUMMY (Part 26)27-04-2009Brummie Mummy is considering returning to teaching and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Anything rather than addressing her “almost” affair. moreDave Woodhall’s Boxing BlogDON AND DUSTED27-04-2009Brummie Don Broadhurst successfully defended his Commonwealth title at Wolves Civic at the weekend, with a hard-fought victory against Ghana’s finest, Asamoah Wilson. Dave Woodhall reports from ringside. moreRIOT OR WRONG?25-04-2009West Midlands Police have denied claims that cops in riot shields stormed Birmingham’s Beechwood Hotel to evict squatters from the Justice Not Crisis campaign group. moreJERICHO HELPS KNOCK DOWN BARRIERS25-04-2009The Jericho Foundation is an independent charity based in Birmingham which has a hands-on approach to helping individuals get the skills and experience to get and keep work. It has a reputation as a leading organisation in the field of social enterprise. moreGet Out More.........................Film ReviewIN THE LOOP25-04-2009The big screen version of television satire “The Thick Of It” has plenty of laugh out loud moments. But Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg reckons it falls just short of classic status. moreOUR FRAGILE HISTORIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT25-04-2009Colin Troth writes... There appears to be quite an interest in the historic built environment by our Stirrer contributors. It's clear it is ever vulnerable to developers and unsympathetic owners alike. moreAUSTIN NOT BOSTIN'25-04-2009Ian Austin is the Labour MP for Dudley North and Gordon Brown’s former PPS. Late last year, when he was appointed West Midlands Regional Minister and told the Birmingham Post “I won’t be the Government’s man in the West Midlands, but the West Midlands’ man in the Government”, did anyone seriously believe him? Weekend editor, Dominic Fisher examines his role in the latest postcode-not-a-lottery decision. moreThe Stirrer’s Talk-In Radio Blog (9)MOVE OVER DARLING25-04-2009There’s a lazy cliché that people aren’t interested in politics these days, but when a Budget has been announced it’s a different matter. As Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg observes this isn’t necessarily good news for Alastair Darling. morePOLITICS CENTRAL25-04-2009City Branch is the political organisation for young professionals in and around Birmingham City Centre. Although part of the Conservative Party, City Branch is open to everyone, including non-party members. If you’re interested in politics, current affairs and the future of Birmingham, then City Branch is for you. Weekend editor, Dominic Fisher reports from the last event. moreBreaking NewsJNC SQUATTERS PEACEFULLY EVICTED24-04-2009Members of the Birmingham housing campaign group Justice Not Crisis have been peacefully evicted this morning from Beechwood Hotel in Edgbaston following the arrival of a team of bailiffs. moreBEARS SCALE DOWN EDGBASTON PLANS24-04-2009Warwickshire County Cricket Club have slashed the size of their proposed Edgbaston redevelopment in a desperate bid to win public support. Birmingham councillors deferred the application last week in the face of a huge backlash from the local community. moreTORIES "LOVE BUS LANES" - EXCEPT IN BRUM24-04-2009Environmental campaigners have slated plans by Conservative-led Birmingham Council to abolish a bus priority lane on Tyburn Road in Erdington. They say it runs counter to party policy which is to “love” bus lanes. moreKingy's Wolves BlogCHAMPIONS24-04-2009Two game to go, and Wolves are already promoted to the Premiership. Wolves blogger Brendan King relects on a day of celebration at Molineux. moreGet Out More..........................Theatre PreviewHOME OF THE WRIGGLER24-04-2009Birmingham-based drama group Stans Café return this weekend with their latest production, Home Of The Wriggler – the follow-up to their internationally acclaimed “rice” show, Of All Of The People In The World. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg catches up with director James Yarker. morePENSION POWER24-04-2009Imagine if our pension pots were used to power major projects from which we all enjoyed a benefit, rather than being thrown into the casino of the Stock Exchange. Barbara Panvel outlines a vision. moreTerry’s Baggies BlogSAME AGAIN AT CITY24-04-2009Albion go into this weekend’s game against Sunderland with manager Tony Mowbray just about the only person refusing to accept the inevitable. Terry Wills ponders another typical Baggies away day. moreA STUDY IN TERROR23-04-2009Released without charge after nearly two weeks police interrogation over an alleged terror plot, nearly a dozen Pakistani students are now being further detained by immigration officials pending deportation as ‘a threat to national security’. Legitimate incarceration or just the State trying to cover it’s back asks Steve Beauchampe? moreHATE CRIME VICTIMS TURNED AWAY23-04-2009Hate crime victims in Birmingham are being turned away by the organisation set up to help them following a City Council decision to axe its funding. BRAMU chairman Maxie Hayles says they simply can’t afford to take on any new cases. moreGet Out More.........................Theatre ReviewWEST SIDE STORY23-04-2009This classic is at the Hippodrome until May 2nd in this 50th anniversary production. Terry Wills compares it to the original which he saw in the West End. moreTHERE'S THE DOOR...23-04-2009Dozens of elderly people and adults with learning difficulties were given notice to quit their homes yesterday, when Wolverhampton councillors agreed to shut two care centres “on the nod.” moreLaurence Inman’s BlogFOR ENGLAND AND ST GEORGE23-04-2009This being April 23rd. we’re celebrating St George’s Day – or at least some of us are. Laurence Inman wonders why. moreWOMEN AGAINST THE TIDE23-04-2009Kim Brom’s recent decision to stand down early from her seat on Birmingham Council made her the fifth female Labour councillor in the city to quit. Despite that, the party is still attracting more women than their rivals. moreWHITBY’S BRAVE FACE ON REGION SNUB23-04-2009Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby is putting a brave face on the government’s Budget Day snub to the West Midlands, which as been left out of a pilot scheme to hand over greater powers to the regions. more“GRIDLOCK” LIVES UP TO HIS NAME22-04-2009Birmingham’s Transport boss Len “Gridlock” Gregory has lived up to his nickname – by finally putting the bus priority lane on the A38 in Erdington out its misery. But an experimental car share lane in Castle Bromwich has been given an extra 12 months to prove its worth. moreJNC ON HIGH ALERT AFTER ROOFTOP PROTEST22-04-2009Squatters from the social housing group Justice Not Crisis were on high alert this morning after a series of rooftop protests helped prevent their eviction from Beechwood Hotel in Edgbaston and a house nearby on Pershore Road. moreRichard Lutz’s BlogWHY ISRAEL GOT MULLAH’D22-04-2009President Ahmadinejad provoked an international row with his condemnation of Israel at the UN this week. Richard Lutz traces the roots of his country’s anger. moreGet Out More.............................Gig NewsBLUR, FRANZ FERDINAND FOR WOLVES CIVIC22-04-2009Tickets go on sale this Friday for two guaranteed sell-out shows at Wolves Civic – Blur and Franz Ferdinand. moreDave Woodhall’s Boxing BlogBROADHURST V WILSON22-04-2009Dave Woodhall marks your card for a night of first class fisticuffs at Wolves Civic on Friday. Top of the bill – Brummie super flyweight Don Broadhurst who defends his Commonwealth title. morePoet's CornerTHIS MISERLY ACT22-04-2009Free parking has been abolished in Wednesbury town centre, courtesy of Sandwell Council. Local resident Brendan Hawthorne counts the cost. moreWOMENS’ LABOUR PAINS21-04-2009Kim Brom’s decision to step down from the backbenches on Birmingham City Council – as revealed on The Stirrer Forum yesterday – marks the fifth departure of a female councillor from Labour’s ranks in recent weeks. Some going for a group committed to equality. moreJNC SQUATTERS PROMISE EVICTION RESISTANCE21-04-2009Squatters from Justice Not Crisis are promising to resist this morning's planned evictions from the Beechwood Hotel in Birmingham, and four properties they occupy close to Edgbaston Cricket Ground. They are even planning a rooftop protest at the Beechwood. more“YARD OF ALE” SUNK21-04-2009Gregarious Wolverhampton Cabinet member Jonathan “Yard of Ale” Yardley is standing down following The Stirrer’s revelations about his non-attendance at Council meetings. moreDoc Dave's BlogDON'T BE VAGUE - SEND 'EM TO THE HAGUE21-04-2009President Obama has lifted the veil on his predecessor's legitimisation of torture - and while critics say he hasn't gone far enough, David Nicholl argues that this is only the start. moreTHE THEATRE OF OPERATIONS21-04-2009Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital is home to a centre of excellence for treating soldiers injured in combat - giving Andy Goff a chance to witness shattered limbs and damaged lives at first hand. moreCHAMBER'S WAGE CUT21-04-2009How’s this for an indicator of the severity of the downturn? At a time of cuts, cuts and more cuts, even the organisation established to lobby on behalf of Birmingham businesses is slashing workers wages. moreCHAMBER SUPPORTS "UNVIABLE" EDGBASTON SCHEME20-04-2009Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has thrown its weight behind the redevelopment of Edgbaston as a test match venue – despite reports suggesting it may not be viable. moreNICK GRIFFIN, ST GEORGE AND ME20-04-2009BNP leader Nick Griffin turned up at yesterday’s controversial St George’s Day Parade in West Bromwich. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg, who compered the event, gives a personal response. moreSUNDAY TIMES ACCUSED OF BALLS UP20-04-2009Claims that Education Minister Ed Balls ran “smear unit” from inside Downing Street have been slated as “inaccurate, nonsensical and offensive” by Cabinet colleague and Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne. moreGOOD GOLLY MIKE OLLEY20-04-2009The manager of Birmingham’s Broad Street entertainment zone did his best to keep the nation amused last night with his appearance on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me. Former Labour councillor Mike Olley’s culinary speciality was warming cheese in his pockets. moreAndy’s Blues BlogA BIT OF A DO20-04-2009Just before Blues upped the ante on their promotion bid with a 2-0 win at Watford, the players joined the fans for their annual awards night. Andy Munro blagged a ticket, if only to see who Karren Brady was keeping an eye on… morePoet's CornerTHE BLACK COUNTRY BALLAD OF ST GEORGE20-04-2009Stirrer poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne and friends will be performing dialect words, verse and song on Thursday, at The Brittania Inn, 18 Rowley Regis, B65 9AT. In the meantime, here's his St George's Day special. moreCLEAN BILL OF HEALTH18-04-2009Sandwell Council’s good-natured leader Bill Thomas calls to say that “like Mark Twain, reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” But the Labour veteran refused to deny our claim that he’s planning to step down from politics next year. moreThe Stirrer’s Talk-In Radio Blog (8)UNHAPPY ANNIVERSARY18-04-2009Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg reflects on the week’s biggest phone-in topic on his show at Talksport Towers – the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Tragedy.moreJACQUI'S "STEEP LEARNING CURVE"17-04-2009Redditch MP Jacqui Smith has found an unlikely ally in her bid to keep her job as Home Secretary – maverick Labour backbencher Austin Mitchell. He said, “Give the girl a chance, she’s on a steep learning curve”. moreCHALLENGE TOP OF THE BILL IN SANDWELL17-04-2009Concerned colleagues of hospitalised Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas are wondering how much longer he can stay in office given his current poor state of health. The possibility of a leadership challenge as early as May is now being considered. moreGet Out More...........................Film NewsFIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING17-04-2009Catch it while you can. This is a terrific thriller based on the real life story of IRA bomber Martin McGartland who was “turned” by British security services in the 1980s. moreAndy’s Blues BlogTHE TICKLY BIT17-04-2009Could Andy Munro’s 98-year old mum add some much needed pace to Blues back line. He reckons so. moreGet Out More..............................Public MeetingAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL EVENT17-04-2009Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell and Amnesty spokesman Simon Ware will be on hand for a Q&A tonight in Sutton Coldfield to mark the 60th Anniversary of The UN Declaration of Human Rights. moreKingy's Woves BlogTHREE POINTS AWAY....17-04-2009With Wolves just one win away from a return to the Premier League, Brendan King reflects on manager Mick McCarthy's curious psychology. moreST GEORGE SLAYS SANDWELL DRAGON16-04-2009The paperwork's been sorted, the bureaucratic hurdles have been overcome...and after a local campaign that went national, the determined folk of the Stone Cross St George's Association will finally have their parade in West Bromwich this Sunday. morePM'S APPOINTMENT WITH CENTRAL LIBRARY16-04-2009BBC Radio 4 makes one of its occasional forays into Birmingham with a feature today on the city’s new £193 million central library. Meanwhile a film capturing the excitement of John Madin’s existing 1973 library, which now faces demolition, is available on DVD. moreLaurence Inman’s BlogIT’S ALL AT THE CO-OP – NOW!16-04-2009Laurence Inman has had one or two run-ins with the banks. Can’t think why. moreBarbara’s BlogONLY HEAR FOR THE SMEAR?16-04-2009The resignation of Damian McBride over “smeargate” has Barbara Panvel pondering the role of Downing Street’s “special advisors”. moreGet Out More.........................Gig NewsWROTE UNDER OPEN MIC16-04-2009Wrote under is a loose collective of singers, poets, and performers working in a supportive environment and their latest open mic is this Sunday (April 19) at the Adam & Eve in Bradford Street, Digbeth. moreTWENTY YEARS OF HURT15-04-2009If you read no other account of the Hillsborough Tragedy, which happened 20 years ago today, make you sure you don't miss this one by Dave Woodhall. Passionate, clear and angry, it tells you all you need to know. moreWATSON SUES OVER “SMEAR CAMPAIGN”15-04-2009West Brom MP Tom Watson is going on the offensive after being hounded by the national press over his alleged links to a proposed anti-Tory smear campaign. Watson is now suing the Mail On Sunday and the Daily Mail for claiming that he was copied into emails sent by disgraced Labour spin doctor Damian McBride. moreMULLANEY SUSPENSION OVER TRAM TRESPASS15-04-2009Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Mullaney is beginning a month long suspension today after refusing to apologise for trespassing on an historic tram depot in Birmingham. moreGet Out More.............................Film NewsDISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL15-04-2009Wolverhampton's Disability Film Festival returns to Light House next week, bringing work from regional, national and international disabled filmmakers to the big screen. moreTerry’s Baggies BlogIF ONLY…15-04-2009A good performance at Pompey has Terry Wills wondering what might have been for the Albion. moreFLEET STREET FAILS SMEAR TEST14-04-2009There’s nothing quite like the sight of the British tabloids in frenzied pursuit of their prey – but have the papers gone too far in pursuit of West Brom MP Tom Watson? The Stirrer presents compelling evidence. moreTHE STIRRER’S FOOD AND DRINK NOTES (1)14-04-2009There are loads of great boozers, restaurants and caffs in the West Midlands. The Stirrer tucks in with the first in an occasional series. moreGet Out More.................................Gig NewsTOWN HALL/SYMPHONY HALL LISTINGS14-04-2009Top comic Rob Brydon of “Gavin and Stacey” fame heads to Symphony Hall in October. Here’s the full list of new announcements from the Town Hall/Symphony Hall box offices. moreExclusive BLOGGER DALE ADMITS WATSON BLUNDER13-04-2009Blogger Iain Dale has admitted he got it wrong when he claimed that West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson was included in email correspondence proposing a smear campaign against senior Conservatives – a suggestion which has been picked up by several national newspapers. moreExclusive WATSON: “I FEEL SMEARED”13-04-2009West Bromwich MP and occasional Stirrer blogger Tom Watson says he feels “smeared” after being caught up in the email row which has already cost Labour spin doctor Damien McBride his job. moreWHO PLANS BIRMINGHAM?13-04-2009Birmingham has a Big City Plan which outlines the future development on the city. But as Alan Clawley observes, the devil is in the detail. moreGet Out More....................Film Review13-04-2009LET THE RIGHT ONE INOr as it’s known in it’s native Sweden, Låt Den Rätte Komma In. Paula Elenor feels the chill of an unusual and creepy horror flick. moreMartin Longley's Music Blog
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