December 2007

FESTIVE GREETINGS FROM COUNCIL – “YOU’RE FIRED!”

31-12-2007

Thousands of council workers in Birmingham have been sent the Christmas present they were dreading – a letter warning they’ll be sacked if they refuse new terms and conditions imposed by their bosses. One employee with more than 15 years service has been telling The Stirrer how it’s affected her. more

Military Families Blog

MINISTRY OF OFFENCE

31-12-2007

The Ministry of Defence has upset forces families by cashing in on charities who want to raise cash for injured veterans. Carol Jones goes on the offensive. more

HONOUR AT LAST FOR FALLEN COPPER

31-12-2007

The Stirrer’s campaign to secure to a monument to fallen West Midlands police officer Mick Swindells is finally bearing fruit. A memorial stone to Mick, who was stabbed to death in 2004 on a canal towpath in Birmingham is currently being made. more

Terry’s Baggies Blog

“WE ARE TOP O’ THE LEAGUE”

31-12-2007

It’s certainly been a merry Christmas for Baggies supporters, with nine goals scored and just one conceded in two games at The Hawthorns. Albion are now three points clear at the top of the Championship, allowing Terry Wills to contemplate a happy New Year. more

Get Out More......................................Theatre Review

RICHARD II (The Courtyard Theatre, RST, Stratford-upon-Avon)

31-12-2007

Paula Elenor has been privileged to witness all eight of the Shakespeare History Plays currently being performed in Stratford by the RSC. Here’s her verdict of the final performance in the cycle, Richard II. more

SEX ON THE WARD

29-12-2007

Remember when New labour promised to do away with the indignity of male and female hospital patients sharing the same ward? So does Barbara Panvel, and she’s furious that they’ve quietly dropped that commitment. more

Blind Dave 777 Countdown..............................100 Days To Go

SICK OF BEING SICK

29-12-2007

There are now just 100 days to go before West Brom’s Blind Dave Heeley attempts to become the first disabled runner to complete seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. But as the countdown begins, our hero is on his sick bed. more

Dave Woodhall’s Villa Blog

VILLA LOOKING FOR BRUCIE BONUS

29-12-2007

After a rip-roaring 4-4 draw at Chelsea, Villa move into the New Year period with a game against Steve Bruce’s Wigan side. Dave Woodhall can’t decide if the glass is half-full or half-empty. more

Martin Longley's New York Music Blog

ODDBALL COUNTRY, UNDERBELLY CABARET, INTENSOID ROCK N' ROLL, SHOWBIZ SURF, ALL-NITE SENEGAL, NEW ORLEANS PUMPING: IN NEW YORK [PART 8142].

29-12-2007

Yes, it's Longley's latest round-up of music action in the Rotten Apple. Terry Allen, Ute Lemper, Jad Fair, Bonerama and more catch his gimlet eye. more

COMMUNITY IN MOURNING AS BHUTTO SLAUGHTERED

28-12-2007

The murder of Benazir Bhutto has left Birmingham’s Pakistani community in mourning. One city councillor said she was a “political icon” whose death could spark civil war in the country. more

NON JOBS – OR NON STORY?

28-12-2007

Right-wing pressure group the Taxpayers Alliance has had a pop at two West Midlands councils with its latest annual survey of so-called “non-jobs.” Posts in Sandwell and Birmingham are both held up for ridicule – although on closer examination, it’s hard to see why. more

Laurence Inman’s Blog

ON GROWING UP

28-12-2007

In which Laurence is reminded that there’s nothing cooler than being in a really loud rock band. more

Get Out More......................................Panto Review

ALADDIN (Birmingham Hippodrome)

28-12-2007

It’s our second review of The Hippo’s Xmas panto. Does that mean it’s twice as good as anything else around this festive season? Terry Wills thinks so. more

Exclusive Stirrer Podcast

WHITBY WELCOMES WORKERS PAY CHALLENGE

27-12-2007

Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby is actively encouraging disgruntled workers to launch a challenge over their new pay and conditions. In a wide-ranging interview for The Stirrer podcast, he also described the current debate over a mayoral referendum as “puerile”. more

“TEN THOUSAND NEW JOBS AT LONGBRIDGE” PLAN

27-12-2007

Plans to create 10,000 new jobs on the former MG Rover site in Longbridge have been unveiled today. The aim is to bring hi-tech business to the area, and also build 1,400 new homes in eco-communities. more

The Stirrer Xmas Movie
EAT IN (Mark Locke)

25-12-2007

Fed up of turkey already? Then let Tamworth film-maker Mark Locke entice you to a Christmas curry with a difference. But be warned - his debut short won't be to everyone's taste. more

Xmas Poem (1)

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

25-12-2007

The Stirrer’s poet laureate Brendan Hawthorne offers a note of festive cheer from the heart of the Black Country. more

Xmas Poem (2)
MISTLETOE AND CRIME

25-12-2007

Think of a well-known Cliff Richard song. The transpose it to Smiths Wood, a rundown part of North Solihull, where one of the local chavs has put together this little ditty. more

XMAS IN BIRMINGHAM – TWO SHOOTINGS, ONE DEAD

24-12-2007

Two shootings in Birmingham in the space of four days have left one man dead and another in a serious condition. As we approach the anniversary of the deaths of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare, these incidents are a stark reminder that gun crime remains an ever-present threat on our city streets. more

BRUM BAND SCOOPS C4 BAND TITLE

24-12-2007

It was X Factor with street cred…Channel 4’s “mobileAct” competition for unsigned bands – and it’s been won by Birmingham’s Envy & Other Sins who have landed themselves a recording conract as a result. more

DEATH OF THE DEATH PENALTY?

24-12-2007

Stirrer blogger Dr David Nicholl goes all Mystic Meg on us, and makes a few educated guesses about what will happen in the next 12 months - including the abolition of the death penalty in the US. more

Terry’s Baggies Blog

WHY, WHY, WHY DELILAH?

24-12-2007

There's a saying that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. For any Albion fan add a third – defeat at Stoke City, where The Baggies haven't won for quarter of a century. Terry Wills watches the game which robs Albion of top spot in the Championship. more

Callum's Blues Blog

THE PLAYERS WE NEED

24-12-2007

After a 3-0 drubbing by Gary Megson's Bolton, Blues have slipped to within one point of the relegation zone. Callum O'Connell goes talent spotting to identify the three players they need in the transfer window. more

The Stirrer Cancer Campaign

CHRISTMAS CANCER DRUG JOY FOR LORRAINE

22-12-2007

Black Country cancer victim Lorraine Knight has got the Christmas present she’s been dreaming of for months – a prescription for a revolutionary drug that could prolong her life by several months. more

Get Out More..........................Panto Review

ALADDIN (Birmingham Hippodrome, until Jan 27)

22-12-2007

Get ready for Bogglevision, mega underpants and John Barrowman says Pete Millington, who took his five year old daughter Alice along to enjoy the fun. more

BLACK COUNTRY SLATED AGAIN (YAWN!)

21-12-2007

The Black Country has come under attack (again) in a new book which describes the “depressing industrial squalor” in the area around the Oak House in West Bromwich. more

PATIENTS COME UNSTUCK AT SELLY OAK

21-12-2007

Patients trying to leave an out of hours surgery at Birmingham’s Selly Oak hospital have been locked in by dodgy doors – leaving them with no means of escape in an emergency. more

SULLIVAN TO REINVEST IN BLUES – BUT FOR HOW LONG?

21-12-2007

Can we take David Sullivan seriously as co-owner of Birmingham City? Just a few months ago the club’s PLC chairman was willing to sell the club to a Hong Kong businessman – now he’s pledging to increase his stake claiming “renewed enthusiasm”. more

CLAMPERS PUT BLOCK ON STUDENT’S ESCAPE ROUTE

21-12-2007

Greedy clampers have hit a new low by making Birmingham student Nicola Platts a prisoner in her own car after she mistakenly parked in an “illegal” bay. Nicola, from Great Barr, claims her exit route was blocked by a van driver who forced her to stay until his colleagues arrived. more

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

21-12-2007

Ah yes, it's Christmas. In which it's claimed that the forces of multiculturalism are scaring off Christians from enjoying their traditional festivities. "Bah, humbug" says Richard Nevin. more

SANDWELL JOINS THE CHRISTMAS CLAMPDOWN ON BOOZE

21-12-2007

The government’s Christmas clampdown on booze – which prompted a “civil disobedience pub crawl” by Birmingham MP John Hemming – is now spreading to Sandwell. Not content with spying on customers and issuing fines to pissed-up customers, police in the Black Country borough will be using undercover filming as well. more

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY COULD CLOSE

20-12-2007

Birmingham Opera Company faces a bleak future after discovering that it’s Arts Council funding is being axed – despite staging a recent production of La Traviata at the NIA which won national and international acclaim. more

Get Out More........................................................Gig News

JOHN COOPER CLARKE (Tonight, Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath)

20-12-2007

Paul Samuels previews the legendary Manc stick insect and punk poet laureate. more

RUDGE BLASTS UNION’S “FALSE IMPRESSION” OVER SINGLE STATUS

20-12-2007

Alan Rudge, the councillor in charge of Birmingham’s controversial pay and grading/single status review, can’t be accused of lacking the stomach for a fight. He’s argued his corner on this website against Labour leader Sir Albert Bore and now takes up the cudgels against the trade unions. more

GUANTANAMO PRISONERS FREE - TO GO TO PRISON

20-12-2007

Three inmates at Guantanamo Bay were freed yesterday and returned to Britain - where two of them were promptly arrested. Birmingham civil rights activist Dr David Nicholl who has been campaigning for one the captives muses on a curious day for justice. more

Get Out More...........................................Gig Review
THE POGUES (Carling Academy)

20-12-2007

The Stirrer confesses that he once spent seven eighths of a Pogues gig in the bar next door, despite having a ticket for the show - an act which would surely have won the approval of the band. Richard Nevin manages to stay the right side of sober for the band's return to Brum. more

ARNIE CLEARS A DATE FOR BLIND DAVE

20-12-2007

West Brom marathon runner Blind Dave Heeley could receive a special greeting when he attempts the Los Angeles leg of his 7/7/7 marathon attempt – California governor and Hollywood movie star Arnie Schwarzenegger is hoping to sound the starting gun. more

The Stirrer Recommends…

CHARLES HAZLEWOOD (Radio 2, Wednesday nights)

20-12-2007

Fed up of all that computer generated pop pap clogging up the airwaves? Sick of hearing shows presented by wage slaves who hate the music they play but haven’t got the bollocks to walk out of the door? Good! Then you’ll probably enjoy Charles Hazlewood. more

WHAT DO CLINTONS KNOW THAT WE DON'T?

20-12-2007

Has the card shop Clintons got some inside info about a threatened strike by Birmingham's bin men? Check out this card spotted yesterday in their city centre store. more

TEACHERS COURT IN THE ACT (Part Two)

20-12-2007

The astonishing true story of a teacher who quit her job and who now has a stain on her career record because of an apparently innocent lunch at the seaside. As told by Laurence Inman. more

Get Out More......................................Gig News

EXTRA DATES FOR EVANS, DIAMOND

20-12-2007

Evergreen vocalist Neil Diamond and comedy star Lee Evans have both added extra dates to their forthcoming Birmingham shows. Evans is now booked for four nights at the NIA. more

HEALTH WATCHDOG SLAMS “SNEAKY A&E CLOSURE

19-12-2007

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has been accused of “sneaking out” an announcement about the decision to close the A&E surgery at City Hospital on Dudley Road, in the hope that it would neuter protest. more

MOSELEY ROAD BATHS – THE TWO POOL OPTION

19-12-2007

As The Stirrer revealed earlier this week, the secret report into the future of Birmingham's MoseleyRoad swimmingbaths recommendsa couple of options - one of which involves the closure of the smaller pool, and itsconversion to a more generalcommunity use. That's if thebuilding survives at all. Steve Beauchampe says it must be saved - and with both pools intact. more

LADYBIRD BOOKS ARE BACK...

19-12-2007

...just in time for Christmas. Suitably updated for a modern audience of course.Feast your eyes on this thoroughly modern selection of childrens' tales. more

CAMERON’S DODGY DONATION EXPOSED

18-12-2007

Fresh from lambasting Labour over the David Abrahams fiasco, Tory leader David Cameron has got a couple of dodgy donations of his own to deal with today. His local party in Oxfordshire broke electoral rules by taking cash from non-UK voters. more

Exclusive

BRUM XMAS MARKET PASSES TWO MILLION MARK

18-12-2007

The Stirrer was on the receiving end of a cheery call last night from Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby who wanted to share the news that the city’s Christmas Market has already passed the two million visitor threshold – a 40% rise on last year’s attendance. more

Secret Birmingham (1)

OFFICERS GAGGED ON TYBURN ROAD BUS LANE

18-12-2007

The controversial suspension of Birmingham’s Tyburn Road bus lane has split the public almost 50/50 – but in another outbreak of official secrecy/control freakery taxpayers are being denied the chance to know what council officers think should happen next. more

Secret Birmingham (2)

COUNCIL "WON’T COUNT" WORKERS PAY INFO DEMANDS

18-12-2007

The Stirrer reported recently that Birmingham Council workers have been forced to submit Freedom Of Information applications to find out how their new pay deal has been assessed. Staff have now been told that the local authority is refusing to count how many of these requests have been made. more

NEW SOCIAL NETWORK LAUNCHED

18-12-2007

The Stirrer is delighted to offer readers the chance to join an exciting new web-based social network. Facebook – eat your heart out! more

WEARING A TWOTOO TO HELP THE HOMELESS

18-12-2007

Birmingham graphic designer is encouraging people to wear a TwoToo this winter – with a new fashion label designed to help the city's homeless. Pete Millington reports. more

DOES THE BLACK COUNTRY ONLY HAVE FAMOUS FOOTY STARS?

18-12-2007

Former Wolves and England winger Norman Deeley who died in September is in line for a New Year honour - by having playing fields in his home town of Wednesbury named after him. The accolade is richly deserved, but it begs the question – are football stars the only heroes worth celebrating in the Black Country? more

FROM BALI TO BRUM: BUILDING A NEW FUTURE FOR LIBRARY

18-12-2007

After last weekend’s conference in Bali, climate change is high on the agenda once again. Barbara Panvel brings the issue back home with an assessment of the impact of a new Birmingham library on global warming. more

Get Out More..............................Music Preview

NOTELETS (CBSO Centre)

18-12-2007

Want to get your pre-school kids interested in watching live music and finding out how sounds are made? Then you’ve come to the right place, reckons Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg. more

Moseley Road Baths Leak

MOSELEY ROAD BATHS REPAIR £23 MILLION

17-12-2007

The Stirrer can reveal that a secret Council report into the future of the Edwardian baths at Moseley Road in Balsall Heath sets out two options for repair – one costing £20 million, the other £23 million. more

BASRA WITHDRAWAL: “WE’VE ACHIEVED NOTHING”

17-12-2007

Carol Jones – the mother of one of 174 British troops killed in Iraq since the invasion in 2003 – said the withdrawal from Basra and the handover to local forces has come “three years too late”. The occupation, she claims, has “achieved nothing”. more

TREES AXED ON OLD HOSPITAL SITE "NOT VALUABLE"

17-12-2007

Birmingham Council has admitted ignoring the advice of its own planning officers who recommended that tree preservation orders should be issued in the grounds of an old hospital in Bordesley Green.  Trees are now being chopped down on the site, but officials insist these are "not valuable". more

TEACHERS’ WATCHDOG HITS BACK IN DISCIPLINE ROW

17-12-2007

Stirrer blogger Laurence Inman is unimpressed by what he’s seen of the General Teaching Council, the disciplinary body responsible for maintaining the profession’s disciplinary standards. Alan Meyrick, the GTC’s registrar hits back. more

Terry’s Baggies Blog

DREAMING OF THE PREMIERSHIP

17-12-2007

Terry Wills went to bed on Saturday night dreaming Albion had played some great football and gone top of the league. Then he woke up on Sunday morning to realise it hadn’t been en a dream after all. more

THEY DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THEY USED TO

17-12-2007

Message Board insults have been flying following Carl Chinn's listing of his Xmas Top Ten. But Richard Nevin notes that the charts are now being flooded by old-time festive tunes. more

Callum’s Blues Blog

MCLEISH OFF THE LEASH

17-12-2007

Alex McLeish was greeted by virtual full house for his first game in charge of Blues who remain above the relegation zone after picking up a valuable point against Reading.Callum O'Connell reports on the new mood of positivity around St Andrews more

Poet’s Corner

A DOG IS FOR LIFE

17-12-2007

Do people still buy their kids dogs for Christmas? It seems so, all too often with predictable results. Brendan Hawthorne on the present with no future. more

TREES A CROWD AT CONTROVERSIAL HOSPITAL

15-12-2007

The Stirrer has discovered that plans for a controversial psychiatric centre in Bordesley Green were opposed by a Birmingham Council planning officer because too many mature trees would be destroyed. But “lack of time” means that no preservation orders have been issued, and now residents say that trees are being hacked down anyway. more

“60%” OF COUNCIL STAFF REJECT SINGLE STATUS CONTRACTS

15-12-2007

Rumours circulating among well-placed sources at Birmingham City Council suggest that up to 60% of staff who’ve returned their revised contracts have rejected new terms and conditions. more

IN DEFENCE OF SPAGHETTI JUNCTION

15-12-2007

Can Birmingham's concrete masterpiece really be that scary for motorists who don't live in the West Midlands? Apparently so. Pete Millington drives to the defence of our own several pillars of wisdom. more

A HAPPY HEATHEN CHRISTMAS

15-12-2007

Christmas not what it was? According to Mick Temple it never has been. Not that he's complaining. more

SANTA CLAUS – THE MUSICAL (The Alex, until Dec 30)

15-12-2007

Animals threatened by climate change! Not in Birmingham. They’re alive and well and starring at The Alex’s Christmas spectacular. Terry Wills tells us more....

UK “WORSE THAN APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA” FOR MENTAL HEALTH

15-12-2007

It’s been claimed that black psychiatric patients get worse treatment in Britain than in apartheid era South Africa. A new book by Wolverhampton writer David Burke delves into the African-Caribbean experience of mental health. more

Martin Longley's Music Blog
JAZZ SOUNDS: NEW YORK (Part 158)

15-12-2007

Our non-native New Yorker Martin Longley checks out the hottest grooves on the world's premier jazz scene. more

FABIO CAPELLO AND A LOAD OF JOHN BULL

14-12-2007

England decide to appoint an Italian as the national team’s new football manager – and local self-publicist Ray Egan (aka John Bull) muscles in on the act by parading in front of the FA’s HQ in London. Come on, Ray, do us a favour and find something useful to protest about. more

Exclusive

COUNCIL STAFF FREEDOM FROM INFORMATION

14-12-2007

Birmingham City Council staff wanting to appeal against their new contracts are having to issue Freedom of Information requests to find out precisely how their pay has been worked out. more

WAITROSE LANDS FAIR DEAL AWARD

14-12-2007

Upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose is the latest to be granted a “Fair Deal” award in recognition of the price they offer dairy farmers for milk. Other large stores have been accused of ripping off producers, but here’s an example of a retailer doing the decent thing. more

Get Out More................................Gig Review

SLADE (The Robin, Bilston, Weds)

14-12-2007

Noddy Holder was incorporated in Broad Street’s Walk Of Stars last Sunday, but he doesn’t perform with the band these days. Original members Dave Hill and Don Powell are still there though, and Dave Woodhall enjoys the party atmosphere at their Black Country homecoming. more

Military Families Blog

MEETING THE MINISTER

14-12-2007

On Wednesday, Stirrer blogger Carol Jones met defence Minister Des Browne - after a wait of two years. Top of the agenda? Equipping British troops with poorly protected Land Rover "snatch vehicles". more

Get Out More......Art Exhibition

THE MOON REFLECTED (Ikon, until Jan 20, 2008)

14-12-2007

Modern art gallery shows off work from bloke who was born 190 years ago shocker. But as Paula Elenor discovers, Utagawa Hiroshige still feels contemporary. more

Exclusive

SHREDDED HEAT

13-12-2007

Confidential police documents awaiting shredding have been left unattended on the pavement outside Steelhouse Lane Police station in Birmingham City Centre. Simon Gray goes undercover with words and pix. more

COME ON RAY, LET’S SEE THE MOSELEY ROAD BATHS REPORT

13-12-2007

Following news that Birmingham’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Ray Hassall has criticised the “barminess” of restoring the Edwardian swimming pool on Moseley Road, The Stirrer is throwing down a challenge to him. Let’s see the consultants report on which your comments are based for ourselves. more

BRUM GETS PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

13-12-2007

Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby is making a real song and dance about the city’s latest attraction – a new performing arts academy in Eastside. more

BRUM "SECOND WORST" CITY FOR DOLE QUEUES

13-12-2007

Birmingham’s unemployment rate is the second highest of any major city in the country – despite a small decrease over the last month. It's more than twice as high as the UK average, while in some parts of the city almost one in four adults is out of work. more

CHINNY’S XMAS TOP TEN

13-12-2007

Local historian Carl Chinn opens the bidding with his fave festive tunes. Are there any good ones he’s missed? more

TATA TO HUMAN RIGHTS?

13-12-2007

West Midlands car companies Jaguar and Land Rover could soon be bought out by Indian motor manufacturer Tata - a company which, as Barbara Panvel reports, has a questionable human rights record in its own back yard. more

TEACHERS COURT IN THE ACT

13-12-2007

Laurence Inman on the "kangaroo court" that sits in judgement on teachers. more

BLACK COUNTRY MISSES OUT ON £50 MILLION

12-12-2007

The Black Country has lost out in the £50 million regeneration competition organised by ITV and the National Lottery. Viewers voted instead to support Sustrans, whose new national cycle route will include Birmingham’s Sutton Park. more

POLICE ANGER AT JACQUI SMITH “DECEIT”

12-12-2007

The chair of West Midlands Police Federation has been describing the “anger and disappointment” felt by rank and file officers about their new pay deal. Paul Tonks, who’ll be meeting with colleagues in emergency session in London today, accused Home Secretary Jacqui Smith of “deceit”. more

BEEB BIG SCREEN CONSOLATION FOR LOSS OF RADIO 2

12-12-2007

The BBC has handed Birmingham a consolation to make up for the loss of Radio 2 overnight programming – the city will become the headquarters of the national Big Screen programme. more

Chasetown 1

SCHOLARS WIN CAUSES HOOLIGAN HEADACHE

12-12-2007

Chasetown’s desire to play their historic FA Cup Third Round tie at home is giving the police a hooligan headache…as it could mean visiting fans from Cardiff and Millwall arriving in the West Midlands at the same time. more

Chasetown 2

CHASETOWN – BIGGEST BATTLE LOOMING

12-12-2007

After last night’s historic FA Cup win against Port Vale, Chasetown FC are facing up to another vital battle – and it’s not against their 3rd Round opponents Cardiff City. They’ve got an even more important clash looming with Lichfield Council’s planning department. more

Get Out More........................................Gig News

NEIL DIAMOND (NEC, June 10 2008)

12-12-2007

Neil Diamond heads back to Britain for his first shows in almost four years – and there’s a date at the NEC. Tickets go on sale this Friday. more

HEMMING “CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE” PUB CRAWL ON RADIO 4

12-12-2007

Birmingham MP John Hemming has highlights from his “civil disobedience” pub crawl broadcast on BBC Radio 4 today – but his stance is criticised by a city councillor who warns that alcohol-inspired disorder is on the increase as a result of the recent Licensing Act. more

JOHN BARROWMAN: “WHY BE A CELEBRITY ASSHOLE?”

12-12-2007

One of the brightest new telly stars of recent times – John Barrowman of Dr Who and Torchwood fame – will be camping it up over Christmas at The Hippodrome when he stars in the annual panto Aladdin. Terry Wills joins the press scrum, and hears him embrace his celeb status. more

Get out more..............................Concert Preview

XMAS CONCERT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (Birmingham Cathedral, 15/12/07)

12-12-2007

This Saturday, Birmingham city centre stores will be humming with shoppers desperate to get their hands on must-have Christmas presents. But as Ros Dodd reports, St Philip’s Cathedral will also be humming – rather more tunefully – as it plays host to a Christmas Concert for Human Rights. more

Exclusive

RADIO 2 QUITS BRUM

11-12-2007

BBC Birmingham staff are reeling from the news that Radio 2 is pulling the plug on its overnight broadcasts from the Mailbox and returning to London. As the Corporation prepares to invest heavily in Manchester, it confirms The Stirrer’s suspicion that it sees the Second City as a broadcasting backwater. more

CADBURY’S AD MILKS AWARD

11-12-2007

After months of turmoil Birmingham chocolate maker Cadbury’s at last has something to celebrate – their promo for Dairy Milk featuring a gorilla playing a Phil Collins song has been named TV ad of the year. more

AWM "THINKS BRUM DOES DOESN’T EXIST"

11-12-2007

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has hit back at claims by a Birmingham councillor that it "behaves as though the city doesn’t exist". more

BYRNE: "NEW STREET REVAMP COMING IN NEW YEAR"

11-12-2007

West Midlands Minister Liam Byrne has told The Stirrer he expects the long awaited revamp of Birmingham New Street station to be finally given the go-ahead early in the New Year - and he's also responded to an article about his Hodge Hill constituency posted on this website yesterday. more

Get Out More......................................Gig News

MARTI PELLOW (Town Hall, 10/11 April 2008)

11-12-2007

Marti’s band Wet Wet Wet were originally championed by the godfather of alternative rock John Peel. Strange but true. Dunno how many Peel fans will be queuing up for these rare solo gigs, but tickets go on sale this morning at 10am. more

Exclusive

CENTRAL LIBRARY “OF NO ARCHITECTURAL MERIT”

11-12-2007

Leaked documents seen by The Stirrer show that Birmingham Council regards the Central Library as having “no architectural merit” – even though it has been hailed as a “masterpiece” by one leading expert. more

Exclusive

AMBULANCE “DIFFICULTIES” GETTING PATIENTS TO HOSPITAL

10-12-2007

Patients calling ambulances in the West Midlands are being warned they face lengthy delays in being taken to hospital because – in a classic understatement - the service is “currently experiencing some difficulties.” What’s more, even on arrival at A&E, there’s no guarantee they’ll be found a bed. more

A Challenge For Mick Laverty

BETWEEN ALUM ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

10-12-2007

New AWM Chief Exec Mick Laverty will be launching a new Innovation Centre on the old MG Rover site at Longbridge today, with West Midlands Minister and Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne. I wonder if they’ll be discussing this open letter to Laverty from Stirrer reader David Parker. more

A SENSE OF RELEASE

10-12-2007

It emerged over the weekend that four UK residents are finally to be released from Guantanamo Bay - but a fifth will remain in detention and face trial. Anti-Guantanamo campaigner Dr David Nicholl says the affair leaves plenty of questions unanswered. more

BNP IMPLODES AS TWO EXPELLED

10-12-2007

Fresh from a hammering in the Princes End by-election last week, the BNP appears to be imploding, following the expulsion of two senior members. more

Poet's Corner
A THOROUGHLY MODERN OFFICE

10-12-2007

Aah, Christmas. The time of year when you get together with that colleague you've always fancied in the stationery cupboard and tell the boss what you really think of him. Chance would be a fine thing, muses Brendan Hawthorne. more

Get Out More…………………………….Theatre Review

PERSIAN REVOLUTION (Birmingham Rep, The Door)

10-12-2007

Iran is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world, not least by George Bush who insists they remain a global threat even though his own intelligence services say they haven’t been developing nuclear weapons for years. Paula Elenor assesses a dramatised account of the birth of this troubled nation. more

Terry’s Baggies Blog

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

10-12-2007

Surprisingly beaten at home by Coventry, before pulling off their shock win at Leicester. It’s been a curious few days for the Baggies reports Terry Wills. more

Exclusive

FOUNTAIN LANDLORD DEMANDS PROBE ON “HOMOPHOBIC” RAID

08-12-2007

The landlord of The Fountain in Birmingham’s gay village is calling on the Chief Constable of the West Midlands to investigate the false reports of drug dealing in his pub which led to a police raid and a review of his licence. He believes the tip off was “homophobic” and “malicious”. more

FRIENDS COME ROUND TO THE HOUSE

08-12-2007

Oh what it is to have friends in high places. One applicant for a house extension at Birmingham City Council this week had the personal backing of a local councillor and his MP – who even turned up in person to support the bid. more

Get Out More.........................................................Gig Preview

EELS (Birmingham Town Hall, 26/2/08)

08-12-2007

If it's happy you want, you've come to the wrong place. Eels singer E dwells in the darkest caverns of the human psyche. Yet for all that, The Stirrer's Dr Music Paul Samuels finds reasons to be cheerful. more

DEEP SECRETS OF MOSELEY ROAD POOL

08-12-2007

The Stirrer wants to know - along with local councillors and campaigners for Moseley Road baths in Balsall Heath - why a consultants report about the future of the pools still hasn't been published, even though we were promised it in the Autumn. What have the Council got to hide? In the absence of the official version, here's a vision for the future by Russ Spring, chair of Friends of Moseley Road baths. more

LANGUAGE PROBLEM FOR BRUM MIGRANTS

08-12-2007

Dozens of migrants desperate to become British citizens after settling in Birmingham have had their hopes dashed by the mysterious collapse of a Hockley-based language school, writes The Stirrer in this week’s Birmingham Mail column. more

07-12-2007

In the wake of last night’s Labour by-election victory in Princes End, a senior Sandwell councillor has said “the tide is turning” against the BNP which was beaten back into third place. But he admitted the far-right party had enjoyed success in the area because people felt let down by conventional politicians. more

CAMERON v WHITBY

07-12-2007

There’s gratitude for you. Mike Whitby delivers the prize scalp of Birmingham into the hands of the Conservative party – and is unceremoniously knifed in the back by his own party leader. That’s The Stirrer’s take on the row over a critical report into how the city is run. more

HAVE YOU SEEN HIS CHOPPER?

07-12-2007

Apologies if you’ve seen this story before…but we’ve only just come across it (so to speak). It is in astonishingly bad taste, so you have been warned, but it’s true. more

“NEW BRINDLEY PLACE” LOOMS IN DIGBETH

07-12-2007

The developer who’s just won planning approval for more than 600 apartments and a ten-storey hotel with a “sky bar” in Digbeth has spoken of his desire to create “a new Brindley Place” in the area. more

THE MAN WITH £350 MILLION TO SPEND

07-12-2007

The man who’s just been handed the job of spending £350 million of public money in the West Midlands every year has been defending his organisation’s record. Talking exclusively to The Stirrer, the new boss of AWM Mick Laverty says many major projects are about to come on stream. more

Mick Temple's Blog

....AND THROW AWAY THE KEY

07-12-2007

In the row about prison overcrowding, Mick Temple looks for the missing dimension - the victims of crime. Blimey, is he angling for a contract with The Sun? more

Get Out More..............................................................Gig News

TOWN HALL AND SYMPHONY HALL

07-12-2007

David Essex tickets go on sale today, Jason Donovan fans will have to wait until tomorrow. And Buddy Guy's available now. more

WILL BRUM BELL BE SILENCED?

07-12-2007

An irksome Bell will fall silent at the end of this week in Birmingham - or at least that's what paranoid councillors will be hoping. Here his editor Steve Dyson pays tribute. more

ANOTHER BLOW FOR ECP AS COUNCILLOR QUITS BOARD

06-12-2007

Birmingham Councillor Salma Yaqoob has dramatically quit as a board member of the Enterprising Communities Programme – exposed on The Stirrer for its shoddy management of a £14 million inner city regeneration scheme. She claims the public have been excluded from meetings and that critics have been threatened with disciplinary action for speaking out. more

BLACK COUNTRY UP FOR £50 MILLION - TONIGHT

06-12-2007

Tonight’s the night when the Black Country gets to strut its stuff in front of a national TV audience …and tries to win a £50 million lottery prize. more

SMITH WANTS ANOTHER FORTNIGHT WITHOUT TRIAL

06-12-2007

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is calling for an extension to the amount of time the government can lock up terrorists suspect without charge to 42 days – a fortnight longer than the current 28 days. more

Get Out More....................................Concert News

CBSO LISTINGS (December-February)

06-12-2007

Sakari Oramo’s reign as the CBSO’s Musical Director is coming to an end, but there’s plenty to enjoy in his closing months with popular classics including Elgar and Holst. Shows aren’t just restricted to Brum either – there are performances at Malvern and Wolverhampton. Oh, and in February, the chance to sing at Symphony Hall. more

HEMMING CHALLENGES DOCS AFTER SOUTHALL STRUCK OFF

06-12-2007

Now that notorious paediatrician Dr David Southall has been struck off for falsely accusing a grieving mum of murder, Birmingham MP John Hemming is challenging medics to a debate about how their evidence is used in court proceedings to take children from their families. more

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION

06-12-2007

We tell ourselves that at least we don’t live in a country where a misnamed teddy bear and a word in the wrong ear can land you in clink. But as Laurence Inman has been hearing, in the classroom, the world of sneaks and snoops is alive and well. more

"CRANFORD" PIC FOUND IN WEDNESBURY

06-12-2007

Just as the BBC’s latest costume drama “Cranford” is wowing the nation, Wednesbury Art Gallery has discovered a rare drawing by the artist who illustrated the original Elizabeth Gaskill novels on which the telly series is based. more

SAMUELS CASE RAISED – THEN DROPPED – AT COUNCIL

05-12-2007

The victimisation of Paul Samuels – unfairly sacked and racially discriminated against by Birmingham City Council – was briefly raised at yesterday’s full Council meeting. But discussion was promptly squelched by Chief Legal Officer Mirza Ahmad whose department is implicated in the case. more

Exclusive

“CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SHOULD HAVE QUIT” – DAVID OWEN

05-12-2007

Former Health Minister Lord David Owen has described the confusion over a new recruitment scheme for junior doctors’ earlier this year as “a monumental foul up” and says the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson should have stood down. more

THE STIRRER DOES IT DOGGIE STYLE

05-12-2007

Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg is back on prime time telly tonight, with a return to his old stomping ground Watchdog. The consumer show has picked up on a long-running campaign to persuade Birmingham City Council to put up clearer notices about parking restrictions. more

ALADDIN COMPETITION TICKET WINNER

05-12-2007

As many of you correctly told us, the star of the Hippodrome's wonderful Xmas panto is that lovely camp American bloke, John Barrowan. Yes, but who got the tickets. Go on, tell us... more

IN DEFENCE OF DEFENCE

05-12-2007

Des Browne offered grovelling apologies yesterday when a Board Of Inquiry ruled that 14 servicemen were killed on a Nimrod jet in Afghanistan because the RAF had been cutting corners on safety. It's not the first time lives have been compromised on cost grounds, observes Barbara Panvel, yet even now government departments are rowing over cuts worth £15billion to the Defence budget. more

BRITAIN’S TWO MOST BORING MEN HEAD TO BRUM

05-12-2007

The two most boring men in Britain – whoops, sorry, the Liberal Democrat contenders Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne - are heading to Birmingham today for the final hustings before party members awake from their slumbers and actually cast a vote. more

FIVE WAYS TRADERS FIGHT CHAINSTORE MASSACRE

05-12-2007

Traders in Birmingham’s Five Ways Shopping Centre claim they’re the victim of “dirty tricks” by the pension trust for the Mars company who want to close down their businesses – even though a redevelopment of the site hasn’t yet won planning permission. more

Get Out More..................................Gig Review

HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT (The Robin, Bilston,Mon)

05-12-2007

Pulp and the Arctic Monkeys both learned a trick or two from these (wrong side of the) Mersey scallies. Steve Beauchampe admires the wordplay, Mary Sweeney gets the pix. more

HEMMING BOOED OFF IN COUNCIL WORKERS DEMO

04-12-2007

Birmingham councillor (and Yardley MP) John Hemming was booed off stage today at a protest against new pay and conditions attended by hundreds of Council workers. more

Brum Council Racism Case 1

MIRZA AHMAD AND THE £200,000 QUESTION

04-12-2007

On this site yesterday, we raised questions about the true cost of Birmingham Council defending itself against former employee Paul Samuels – a victim of local authority racism. The city’s Chief Legal officer Mirza Ahmad replies. more

Brum Council Racism Case 2

THE QUALITY OF MIRZA

04-12-2007

Birmingham Council’s Chief Legal Officer Mirza Ahmed is in the Stirrer spotlight because of his involvement in the case of Paul Samuels – a worker who was unfairly dismissed, and subject to both racism and victimisation. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg offers a personal view of Ahmad’s – and the Council’s - response. more

AN ARRESTING STORY FROM GUANTANAMO BAY

04-12-2007

It's an amazing tale - the US prison chaplain who was helping inmates in the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay but then became a prisoner there himself. His name is James J Yee, and as Dr David Nicholl reveals, he's heading to Birmingham this week where you can hear him tell his story in his own words. more

Get Out More.........................................................7” Listings

XMAS GHOST STORIES, JOHN COOPER CLARKE AND MORE

04-12-2007

The Stirrer’s favourite listings come courtesy of the Seven Inch film folk and this month encompasses a night of ghost stories and a performance by the unmissable John Cooper Clarke at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath. more

AT £10 MILLION – IS THERE ANY SUCH THING AS BAD PUBLICITY?

04-12-2007

Birmingham City Council lavishes in excess of £10 million a year on publicity, more than any other local authority in the country, according to the Taxpayers Alliance. Dudley and Wolverhampton are also comparatively big spenders – although The Stirrer has a few quibbles with the TPA’s own PR machine. more

STIRRER POET LAUREATE SLIDES TO SUCCESS

04-12-2007

The Stirrer's Poet Laureate Brendan Hawthorne launched his latest poetry collection Slide, to an appreciative audience in Wednesbury on Saturday night. His missus Lynn Hawthorne was among the throng. more

Brum Council Racism Case

COUNCILLORS URGED TO QUERY COSTS IN SAMUELS CASE

03-12-2007

Councillors in Birmingham are being urged to query the local authority’s legal costs in the case of Paul Samuels – an employee who was unfairly dismissed, victimised and subject to racial discrimination. more

SPOTTED DOG LANDLORD TAKES “BRUMMIE OF THE YEAR”.

03-12-2007

Spotted Dog landlord John Tighe has won the coveted Brummie of the Year Award in honour of his efforts to Keep Digbeth vibrant – a campaign that kicked off on The Stirrer. more

FAILED BUYOUT SAVES 65 JOBS AT POST AND MAIL

03-12-2007

The Stirrer has discovered that 65 jobs would have been axed if the planned management buyout the Birmingham Post and Mail group had gone ahead. Workers would also have faced the closure of the final salary pension scheme. more

HEMMING RISKS FINE ON “CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE” PUB CRAWL

03-12-2007

Birmingham MP John Hemming sank four and a half pints on Friday night – all in the name of liberty. Hemming was exercising his right to get squiffy after hearing that West Midlands Police are planning a Christmas crackdown by spying on drunks in pubs and issuing on the spot fines. more

Callum's Blues Blog

FLIPPIN ‘ECK. BLUES ‘DO’ SPURS

03-12-2007

Seb Larsson’s late wonder-goal gave “Big ‘Eck” Alex McLeish a dream debut as Blues manager. Callum O’Connell welcomes the new arrival in the St Andrews dugout. more

ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID

03-12-2007

No, you haven’t been smoking a herbal cigarette…Christine Ohurugu really has been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year despite being suspended for missing three drugs tests. And, as Richard Nevin observes, she’ll be lining up among the familiar collection of losers. more

Terry’s Baggies Blog

IF ONLY.....

03-12-2007

Albion couldn’t quite climb the summit of the Championship on Saturday, but they’ll take comfort from another home defeat for the leaders Watford. Terry Wills sums up a mixed weekend for the Baggies. more

Get Out More...............................................Exhibition Review

THE NAKED PORTRAIT (Compton Verney, until 9 December)

03-12-2007

Phwoooar! Gerrem Off! Warwickshire’s world class gallery explores the naked truth of the human form…and Paula Elenor gets an eyeful. more

The Stirrer Podcast

MORE PC’s…LESS PC POLICING

01-12-2007

In this week’s podcast, Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg casts an acid eye over this weeks Tackling Gun Gang Day. Did the well publicised police action means that dangerous weapons were left on the street longer than necessary? more

FAMILY TICKET FOR ALADDIN AT THE HIPPODROME

01-12-2007

The Stirrer has a “family ticket” on offer for the Hippodrome’s panto Aladdin – and it couldn’t be simpler to enter our competition. more

HARD DONE BY HARDEN’S

01-12-2007

Restaurant-goers bible Harden’s slated the food offer in the West Midlands this week. Here Tracey Saunders from Marketing Birmingham wonders if their reviewers got waylaid somewhere on the M6. more

Dave Woodhall’s Villa Blog

BRING ON THE ARSENAL

01-12-2007

Four wins in a row? That’s Villa’s best form this century. Dave Woodhall is looking forward optimistically to the visit of Arsenal. more

HEAVEN KNOWS HE’S MISERABLE NOW

01-12-2007

He once draped himself in the Union Flag and sang about a “Bengali in Platforms”. Now, as Richard Nevin reports, Morrissey’s been playing with right-wing fire again. more

LAZIER THAN YOW

01-12-2007

Oh no. Birmingham’s trailing behind Manchester in another league table. Pete Millington has the latest tale of woe. more

REGENERATION? OR NEW GENERATION?

01-12-2007

The creation of Birmingham's new city centre is at odds with the Council's declared intention of being sustainable, argues Peter Beck. more

BUSH TURNING JAPANESE

01-12-2007

We’ve commented before that although the US has been reviled for failing to sign up to the Kyoto Treaty on climate change, it’s record on Co2 emissions is arguably better than that of some of the nations who have put pen to paper. Robert Higginson examines the latest evidence. more