August 07
END OF LINE FOR GRAND CENTRAL?31-08-2007Plans for a £350 million redevelopment of Birmingham's Eastside won't just create new offices and apartments - they'll kill off hopes of a major new rail interchange in the city, leaving the controversial New Street Gateway project as the only game in town. >moreVIKING HELL31-08-2007Calls for apologies for slavery have led to some lively exchanges on our Message Board. Now we've been sent this contribution. Tasteless satire? Or an on the spot observation? You decide. >moreGet Out More ............................Gig PreviewTHE UNDERTONES (Robin, Bilston. 20 Sept)31-08-2007Hmmm. "Middle Aged Kicks" don't sound quite as thrilling as their teenage counterparts, but that's the best The Undertones are offering these days. Paul Samuels .... >moreMick Temple's BlogTONY WHO?31-08-2007It's Princess Diana's tenth anniversary service today. What chance Tony Blair being remembered with such affection. Er, not much, reckons Mick Temple. It seems we've forgotten him already. >moreGet Out More..................................................Film NewsELECTRIC CINEMA LISTINGS31-08-2007Ian McEwan's 'Atonement,' 'The Simpsons', a re-release of the Bond classic 'Goldfinger' and Daft Punk's Electroma... just a few of the highlights in the coming month at the Electric Cinema in Station Street, Birmingham. >moreExclusiveMIDAS TOUCH DESERTS LOCAL BAND IN HYPING ROW30-08-2007Up n'coming Black Country band Midas have been robbed of their chance of enjoying their first hit record in a row over alleged "hyping". >morePRISON OFFICERS STRIKE BLOW FOR BETTER PAY30-08-2007Striking prison officers at HMP Birmingham and other jails around the country went back to work last night after the High Court ruled their action unlawful. Their union will now enter talks tomorrow with Justice Secretary Jack Straw. >moreGOVERNMENT STICKS TO GUNS ON MILITARY HOSPITAL30-08-2007The government has rejected calls for a dedicated military hospital to replace the treatment of injured soldiers at Selly Oak. That's despite a 30,000 signature petition supported by the Midlands based Military Families Support Group. >moreJUG OF ALE SINGS THE BLUES30-08-2007The landlady of a well loved Birmingham music pub, which has played host to the likes of Oasis and David Gray, has denied rumours that it's been sold to a developer. But Anne Garside who runs the Jug of Ale in Moseley admits the venue faces an uncertain future. >moreMULLANEY MAKES MARK IN GRAFFITI PARK30-08-2007Birmingham' camcorder councillor Martin Mullaney is back on the screen again...this time highlighting a spate of arrests for graffiti offences at Selly Oak's "pocket park". He believes it should remain as an unofficial tolerance zone. >morePENTHOUSE AND PAVEMENT30-08-2007Regular Stirrer readers will know that there a few things that exercise Laurence Inman more than the state of the pavements in Kings Heath and Moseley. Some residents have been blessed with beautiful flagstones. But only some. >moreTHESE POOLISH THINGS30-08-2007Well, well, well...the story of Birmingham's Olympic Swimming Pool has surfaced once again, with the claim that Advantage West Midlands have purchased the old Aston Villa Leisure Centre as a possible venue. Let The Stirrer tell you...there's not a chance. >moreCUTTING THE CARBON ON MUCKLOW 'ILL30-08-2007A walk raising awareness about climate change reached Halesowen yesterday on it's way through the West Midlands. Pete Millington took the snap, and got the lowdown. >moreExclusiveBRUM'S "APPALLING" UNEMPLOYMENT29-08-2007Shocking figures unearthed by The Stirrer show that Birmingham has the three constituencies with the worst unemployment in the UK. Meriden MP and Tory Party chairman Caroline Spelman said that she was "appalled" by the news. >moreDamien Doran's Baseball BlogDAMIEN WEARS RED SOX29-08-2007Birmingham's only Oldham Athletic fan Damien Doran understandably craves glamour and excitement in his sporting life, so he's headed off to Boston this week to indulge his other great sporting passion - rounders. Or as the Yanks call it, baseball. >moreAFTER RHYS29-08-2007The shooting of 11-year old Rhys Jones has led to a serious examination of what's going wrong with British society. Rhys' mum and dad have said "the parents are to blame", but Barbara Panvel has a few ideas of her own. >moreFRANCE'S BEST KEPT SECRET29-08-2007The Stirrer's been collecting your best and worst holiday destinations over the summer. David Nicholl nominates a favourite. >moreBLACK COUNTRY BANK HOLIDAY29-08-2007Not content with publishing the marvelous Spaghetti Gazetti (see the latest edition here) Pete Millington spent the Bank Holiday snapping the Black Country Living Museum. His pictures include the NAC theatre group performing Gabriel's Hounds by David Calcutt. It's all in sepia for added effect. To view his pix click hereMilitary Families BlogFALLEN SOLDIERS KITS GO MISSING28-08-2007As if it wasn't bad enough losing a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan, can you imagine being told that all of the mementos of home kept in your loved one's kit bag had been stolen? Military mum Carol Jones - whose son John Jones died in the service of his country - has a disturbing tale. >moreBIRMINGHAM'S APOLOGY FOR SLAVERY28-08-2007Former Birmingham Council cabinet member John Tyrrell has answered Jesse Jackson's call for an apology for slavery - by issuing his own. >moreOPIUM FOR THE MASSES28-08-2007Quite what the British and other international military forces are achieving in Afghanistan is somewhat hazy this morning. Is it because of the fog of war - or the clouds of opium smoke? >morePREZZA - BALLAST OR BLUFFER?28-08-2007Labour MP Stephen Pound has described John Prescott as the "ballast" of the party during the Blair years. Which can surely only be an unflattering reference to Prezza's waistline. >moreGet Out More...............................Gig ReviewONLY ONES/JOHN COOPER CLARKE (Wulfrun Hall, Sunday)28-08-2007After more than a quarter of a century apart legendary New Wavers reform on the back of a mobile phone ad - but would the Only Ones be any more than a freakshow nostalgia act? And has Johnny Clarke got any new poems yet? >moreCallum O'Connell's Blues BlogFROM THE RAMS TO THE BULLS28-08-2007Blues take on Hereford United in the second round of the Carling Cup tonight, buoyed by their first Premier League win of the season against Derby County. >moreCENSORSHIP AND THE STIRRER27-08-2007The debate on our Message Board following Jesse Jackson's visit to Birmingham last week prompts the question - how far should The Stirrer censor its content? >moreBRITISH TEENAGERS, DIGBY PARK AND ME27-08-2007Revelations about Britain's gang culture in the wake of the shooting of 11-year old Rhys Jones have generated another round of hand-wringing about how we raise our kids. Birmingham Councillor Martin Mullaney offers a distinctive perspective on bringing up youngsters. >moreRail Special 1TRAINS OFF THE RAILS - AGAIN27-08-2007Birmingham city centre was gridlocked over the Bank Holiday weekend as the demolition of a bridge above the Queensway tunnel caused several road closures. So a great chance to let the train take the strain. Chance would be a fine thing. >moreRail Special 2LOCAL STATIONS NAMED AND SHAMED27-08-2007Three West Midlands rail stations have been "named and shamed" in a national survey aimed at encouraging more people to use public transport. >moreTerry's Baggies BlogRETURN TO ROBSON27-08-2007Albion's new manager Tony Mowbray had the chance on Saturday to pit his wits against his predecessor Bryan Robson, now in charge at Sheffield United. It ended Old Boss 1 New Boss 0. >morePoet's CornerIN THE LINE OF FRIENDLY FIRE27-08-2007They say the pen is mightier than the sword. Not if you've got the Americans on your side. The Stirrer's poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne reflects on the death of three British troops bombed to death in Afghanistan by their allies. >moreMAXIE BLASTS LOCAL MEDIA OVER JACKSON VISIT25-08-2007The man who brought Jesse Jackson to Handsworth - Maxie Hayles of Birmingham Racial Awareness Monitoring Unit - has hit out at the local media for ignoring his organisation. >moreGet Out More.........................Drinking (Hic!)WINEFEST (Victoria Square, until Monday)Just three more days left of Birmingham's annual outdoor piss-up under the baleful gaze of Queen Victoria - and now the sunshine's here, you'd be mad to miss it. >moreNEW PEACE MARCH FOR BIRMINGHAM25-08-2007Birmingham's black community is leading a peace march in Aston next Saturday (September 1) calling for renewed efforts to combat inner city gun crime. >moreSHANNONED OUT25-08-2007It's not enough that the kids will soon be back at school writing about "what I did on my holidays". Nope. Pete Millington wants to get in on the act as well. Ah, go on then. In fact, go on go on go on go on >moreWHAT WAS LOST WINS ANOTHER NOMINATION25-08-2007Brummie novelist and Midlands Arts Centre ticket seller Cath O' Flynn has received another plaudit for her first novel “What Was Lost?" which is based at a Merry Hill-style shopping centre. >moreNEWROUTE FOR BUSES25-08-2007The Stirrer reported earlier this week that Travel West Midlands is planning refunds for passengers caught up in bus delays, and that a new generation of sleek double deckers is on its way. Terry Wills is preparing for a long wait. >moreBIG SCREEN BLOW FOR BEEB24-08-2007BBC Birmingham's hopes of moving their big screen from Chamberlain Square to Victoria Square have suffered a blow after the city's planning committee deferred their application. >moreJesse Jackson 1"THE LINE OF SLAVERY IS NOT BROKEN": JACKSON24-08-2007"The line of slavery" has not been broken. Those are the chilling words of US civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson who was in Handsworth last night launching a new pressure group designed to bring economic equality to Britain's ethnic minorities. >moreJesse Jackson 2PRAISE FOR "MOTIVATOR" JACKSON24-08-2007The man who brought Jesse Jackson to Birmingham has been telling The Stirrer he's "honoured" to have played host to such an eminent visitor - and says he's a "motivator" with a message for all races. >moreCOUNCIL STAFF "DON'T UNDERSTAND" PAY REVIEW24-08-2007Results of a MORI poll show that a majority of Birmingham Council's 55,000 workers still haven't been won over by dramatic changes to their pay and working conditions. >moreFORCED ADOPTION CAMPAIGN ON RADIO 424-08-2007The campaign by Birmingham MP John Hemming against forced adoption - featured extensively on The Stirrer - gets a national airing tomorrow on BBC Radio 4. >moreBOXING CLEVER OVER FOOD24-08-2007The Stirrer's good food truffle hound Barbara Panvel explores more ways to ensure quality ingredients in your kitchen. This week, organic veg boxes. >moreFARE DEAL OVER LATE BUSES23-08-2007Passengers of West Midlands' buses will be eligible for refunds if their services arrive late under a scheme announced today. If The Stirrer's experience is anything to go by, that could cause bankruptcy. >more11 YEAR OLD SHOT DEAD23-08-2007The grim news that an 11-year old boy was shot dead in a Liverpool car park last night will chill the heart of every parent this morning - and of every feeling human being. Rhys Jones was shot through the neck while playing football with two friends. >moreUNIONS TURN SCREW FOR EU REFERENDUM23-08-2007Gordon Brown has re-affirmed his refusal to hold a referendum over the new EU Treaty - despite calls from leading trade unions for Labour to honour a pledge made in the party's election manifesto. >moreTHE WEMBLEY WAY23-08-2007Did you see it then? A surprisingly lively friendly between England and Germany lived up to its prime time BBC1 billing, but once again our new "national" stadium failed to impress even the armchair supporters. >moreGet Out More..................................Music PreviewBOB DYLAN SINGS THE BLUES (MAC, September 13)23-07-2007As a collector of the unusual, The Stirrer's eye has been caught by an intriguing evening of music, film and poetry celebrating one of pop's greatest wordsmiths. >moreLAURENCE INMAN DIES AT WEDDING23-08-2007Some years ago The Stirrer's favourite droll comic Laurence Inman was actually booked to play for a "happy couple" and their guests. Needless to say, they weren't happy for long. And that wasn't just because they'd hired "the Bill Hicks of Kings Heath" for the reception. >moreMESSAGE FROM NO. 10 - "KEEP ON CAMPAIGNING"23-08-2007Third World anti debt campaigner Audrey Miller reports on a recent trip from the West Midlands to Downing Street - and an encouraging meeting with Gordon Brown. >more"JOBS FOR LIFE" - BIRMINGHAM COUNCIL'S VIEW23-08-2007The Stirrer recently reported that Birmingham Council staff have "jobs for life" - contradicting claims elsewhere that up to 1,000 workers will lose their jobs under a new Business Transformation Programme. Cllr Alan Rudge, the Cabinet Member responsible, sets the record straight. >moreHUMAN RIGHTS....AND WRONGS22-08-2007There are few less edifying sights than the British gutter press in full cry....and the furore over the Human Rights Act and the Italian-born killer of London head-teacher Philip Lawrence is a typical example of how low they can go. >moreSUNDAY TRAIN GO SLOW22-08-2007Our long-running campaign to ensure the West Midlands has a proper Sunday rail service looks no nearer a successful conclusion, after it emerged that any deal will have to wait until the new franchise operator is in position. >moreVILLA FANS TO BACK BLUES?22-08-2007The Stirrer is calling on all West Midlands football fans to sign a Downing Street petition and get behind Birmingham City's bid for a new stadium....even Villa supporters. >moreCITY HOSPITAL IN CAMERON A&E ROW22-08-2007Birmingham's City Hospital has been caught up in the political row over NHS cuts after Conservative leader David Cameron mistakenly claimed that its A&E department is being closed. It's not.....but it could be seriously downgraded. >moreHUMAN RIGHTS AMNESTY FOR THE STIRRER22-08-2007Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg has been signed up to host a day long conference for Amnesty International in Birmingham. Under the headline "Stand Up For Human Rights", it will explore the government's response to the threat of terrorism. >moreAGE RAGE22-08-2007We've got age discrimination laws in this country, but as Lynn Hawthorne observes that doesn't seem to have done much to restrict our national obsession with youth. Don't they know "there's many a good tune played on a old fiddle?" >moreA MAN OF GOOD DEEDES22-08-2007Professor Mick Temple pays tribute to a journalist whose passing represents the death of a different age of journalism - and of politics too. >moreCITY HOSPITAL A&E: NEW EVIDENCE AGAINST CUTS21-08-2007New research published today has bolstered campaigners' claims that downgrading the A&E department at City Hospital in Birmingham will lead to more deaths. >moreJACKSON SELLS OUT BIRMINGHAM GIG21-08-2007More than 600 tickets have been snapped up for an appearance by American Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Birmingham on Thursday night. The event, at Handsworth's Cannon Street Baptist Church, is now sold out. >moreGOOD NEWS AT LAST FOR CAMERON21-08-2007Tory leader David Cameron is returning to the West Midlands today as he bids to revive his flagging political fortunes. He's looking for a bad news story - but we've found some good news for him. Whoops! >moreARMY'S PARCEL FORCE TAKES UP ARMS FOR HOSPITAL21-08-2007Royal Mail has caved in to pressure and agreed to provide a free parcel service for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Campaigners included the Midlands based Military Families Support Group, and now founder Carol Jones explains their next objective - a dedicated hospital for injured troops instead of Selly Oak. >moreCallum O'Connell's Blues BlogCREATIVE BLUES21-08-2007With Carson Yeung's takeover still a couple of months away, Blues aren't in any position to start splashing the cash ahead of the transfer window closing. But, says Callum O' Connell, that's exactly what they need to do. >moreJOURNEY TO NANJING21-08-2007Birmingham teachers Luke and Sarah Pinney and their two daughters Hannah (9) and Chloe (6) are swapping life in their home city for a 12 month stint working in China. Their destination - Nanjing. Here's the first of their regular blogs on what promises to be the trip of a lifetime. >moreWHERE'S THE NEW BOYS?21-08-2007Martin O'Neill's transfer strategy has left plenty of Villa fans puzzled, including our blogger Dave Woodhall. Despite that, spirits are high in the claret and blue camp. >moreUN TO INVESTIGATE UK FORCED ADOPTION20-08-2007The Stirrer can reveal that the United Nations Human Rights Committee is to investigate Britain's record on forced adoption, following a campaign by Birmingham MP John Hemming who chairs the Families For Justice pressure group. >moreBOOS FOR HUGHES20-08-2007Former West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes is released from prison today after serving only half his sentence for causing death by dangerous driving. Damien Doran, who supports his new club Oldham Athletic, ponders a fan's dilemma. >moreHEATHROW: CLIMATE CAMP TURNS UP THE HEAT20-08-2007Never mind what unsympathetic hacks have been telling you about the Heathrow Climate Change camp. The Stirrer can give you a first hand account from inside the compound courtesy of West Midlands based environmental campaigner Mike Jackson. >moreDATE SET FOR STIRRER'S DIGBETH SUMMIT20-08-2007The date of the first Stirrer Summit - discussing the future of Digbeth - has been announced. >moreWILCO (Carling Academy, November 4)20-08-2007It's a big claim, but they're the band credited with founding alt.country...Paul Samuels reckons you shouldn't miss Wilco. >moreTerry's Baggies BlogPRESTON PLUNDERED20-08-2007Recycled teenager Terry Wills reflects on a positive start to Albion's home campaign in the Coca Cola Championship.>morePoet's CornerNEGATIVE ASSET20-008-2007Miserable bosses cause unhappy workers. It's a statement of the bleedin' obvious which has recently been backed up by research. Brendan Hawthorne doesn't need the academic study. He's been there. >moreTHE ROOF COMES IN AT WEST BROMWICH MAGISTRATES COURT18-08-2007Audacious thieves have stolen lead from the roof of West Bromwich Magistrates court. >moreGet out more.............political eventTHE AGE OF THE MINIMUM WAGE17-08-2007It may be of surprise for Stirrer readers to know that the origins of the government's policy to create a National Minimum wage, lie in an industrial dispute in the Black Country dating back nearly 90 years. >moreTHE SANDWELL SHOW MUST GO ON17-08-2007After an outcry at the cancellation of the Sandwell show reported on the Stirrer on Monday, council chiefs have today declared that the show will go on - in a scaled-down version at a different location. >moreTODAY WEDNESBURY, TOMORROW HOLLYWOOD17-08-2007Wednesbury lass, Anna Higgs, is making a name for herself as a talented young producer in the film industry, less than a year from graduating from film school. Next week, two of her short films are being screened at the prestigious Edinburgh Film Festival. >moreTHE KING IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE KING17-08-2007Eunice Fitch can remember exactly where she was exactly 30 years ago. She was in bed, though she knew something terrible had happened when her husband failed to bring her a cup of tea the next morning. >moreGet out more...............Gig PreviewVAN MORRISON AT THE CIVIC17-08-2007The grumpiest man in music is coming to Wolverhampton on Friday 2nd November >moreWHY UNDERAGE DRINKING IN AUGUST IS A BAD IDEA16-08-2007I feel sorry for Chief Constable Fahy of Cheshire police. He's raised legitimate and serious concerns about teenage boozing getting out of control and has ended up in the middle of a street fight between rival gangs of politicians. >moreLIVING OFF THE LAND16-08-2007Allotments are back in fashion. Barbara Panvel investigates why this year's must-have is a lottie. >moreMIND THE GAP AND YOU MIGHT GET THE PART16-08-2007Laurence Inman on why day dreaming is good for the soul. >moreHAVE WHEELS, WILL TRAVEL - TO HELL AND BACK16-08-2007Made in the Midlands, transported to Cyprus, pitched into war and surrounded by raging forest fires, one British-made car is still going strong 30 years on, reports Ros Dodd. >moreSANDWELL BNP COUNCILLOR SIMON SMITH "PURGED FROM THE BNP"15-08-2007
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