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November 08 Kingy’s Weekend Footy RoundupWALSALL THE ONLY WINNERS30-11-2008As a Chilling Fog Shrouds In, Villa Notch a Goalless Draw Again; Albion Undeservedly Lose Away Again; Wolves v Birmingham in Battling Molineux Draw – With Only Walsall Victorious Over Swindon at the Bescot. morePOST OFFICE CLOSURES - DR BEECHING ALL OVER AGAIN?29-11-2008Brendan King Likens The Political and Top Management of Royal Mail and the Post Office as a parallel to the Beeching Rail Axing of 40 years ago. moreGet Out More.........................Gig News'FEELGOODS' AND 'ZEROS' AT THE ROBIN29-11-2008Dave Woodhall relives his post glam rock, late 70s, past and suggests the same for Stirrers this coming Saturday With a Great Night of Bilstonian R&B. moreSTASI STATE UNDER ALIAS SMITH AND BROWN?29-11-2008Brendan King is shocked and angry at the seemingly unwarranted arrest of Shadow Immigration Minister, Damian Green – and calls for a public inquiry as soon as possible. His view is that our society is becoming more like a police state every day. moreDave’s Villa BlogC’MON THE COTTAGERS AND BRING ON THE SLOVAKS!29-11-2008Dave Woodhall looks forward to two crucial home games in a week and is confident that it’ll be two wins to warm up the Villains fans for Christmas. moreGet Out More........................Things To Do For FreeCOSFORD (Nr WOLVERHAMPTON / TELFORD) RAF AIR MUSEUMBrendan King recommends a great free day out, for aircraft, etc., buffs and family in general. Something for all and for free. moreHATE CAMPAIGN FOR MEP AFTER BNP VIDEO28-11-2008West Midlands MEP Neena Gill has been subjected to a torrent of race hate abuse after posting an anti-BNP video on youtube. Despite the comments – or perhaps because of them – her film has broken into the site’s Top 20 politics videos. moreWOLVES LABOUR SLAMS SAVAGE TORY CUTS28-11-2008Wolverhampton’s Labour Party have reacted angrily to savage cuts proposed by the city’s ruling Conservative/Lib Dem partnership. Plans announced yesterday to save £41million would see care home closures, a further 150 job losses, the downgrading of five libraries and a massive reduction in youth services. moreGet Out More...................................Film/Music/EtcSEVEN INCH LISTINGS28-11-2008The latest bag of eclectica from Birmingham's pioneering 7" film dudes, including deadline dates for submission to next year's Flatpack Film Festival, plus some of the tastiest gigs and exhibitions. moreGet Out More................................Theatre ReviewSEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Alex, Brum)28-11-2008Voted the third most popular musical of all time by Radio 2 listeners, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ returns to the Alex just three years since Dave Willetts and Shona Lindsay played the leading roles of Adam and Milly. Terry Wills checks out the latest cast. moreKingy’s Wolves BlogBRING ON THE BLUES28-11-2008It's derby day at Molineux tomorrow, as Wolves take on Blues in the Championship's match of the day. Brendan King looks ahead. moreExclusiveBOTANICAL GARDENS CUT DOWN TO SIZE27-11-2008Birmingham’s iconic Botanical Gardens has been forced to make staff redundant as the recession starts to bite – although insiders claim that poor management rather than the credit crunch lies behind its worsening financial position. moreTESTING TIMES FOR ENGLAND AFTER MUMBAI MASSACRE27-11-2008As I write this, says Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg, the England and Wales Cricket Board are considering whether to abandon their tour of India following the slaughter of more than 100 people in Mumbai. I say “the show must go on.” moreGet Out More.............................Film ReviewWALTZ WITH BASHIR (18)27-11-2008This animation/documentary about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the early 80s has already attracted favourable criticism on our Forum – now Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg offers his two penn’orth. moreCABBIES RAGE ON YOUTUBE27-11-2008Angry cabbies locked out of this week’s consultation meeting with Birmingham City Council have posted their own youtube video of the incident. moreLaurence Inman’s BlogCOHEN FOR A SONG27-11-2008Leonard Cohen’s still on the road at the age of 74, and Laurence Inman relishes an old trouper. moreTerry’s Baggies BlogHIT THE PANIC BUTTON27-11-2008Six defeats in seven matches suggest the Baggies are heading straight back to the Championship. Despite the results, Terry Will defends manager Tony Mowbray. moreCONFESSIONS OF A BRUMMIE MUMMY (Part 14)27-11-2008Somone’s been saying it with roses. And it ain’t the Awful Wedded Husband… moreCOUNCIL "IGNORED WARNINGS" ABOUT CABBIE LOCKOUT26-11-2008Birmingham Council has been accused of ignoring warnings about the possibility of high turnout at a meeting to discuss crucial changes to licenses for private hire drivers – leading to hundreds being locked outside the meeting at Villa Park on Tuesday night. moreDoc Dave’s BlogAFGHANISTAN: NO TIME TO CUT AND RUN26-11-2008It’s emerged that Britain’s commitment to Iraq and Afghanistan has now cost a mind-boggling £13 billion. But although David Nicholl is opposed to one of those conflicts, he argues we must stay and finish the job in the other. moreSEVEN UP FOR WOLVES AS BLUES STAY SECOND26-11-2008Rampant Wolves racked up their seventh straight win to remain top of the Championship, defeating Sheffield United 3-1 – but Blues remained on their tails with a 2-1 win at home to Ipswich. The big question at St Andrews is “where were the fans”. moreTHE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNST26-11-2008While Britain's remaining car manufacturers are going cap in hand to the government, their German counterparts - BMW, Porsche, VW - are going from strength to strength. Colin Troth offers a controversial comparison of international engineering standards. moreBarbara’s BlogFANTASY ISLAND26-11-2008A new book highlighting the failures of the Blair legacy prompts Barbara Panvel to assess where we’ve gone wrong – and how we can put it right. moreStirrer CommentDEBT-BUSTING BUDGET LEAVES TORIES BANKRUPT25-11-2008The government’s pre-Budget report may have risked the nation’s long-term finances – but it’s the Conservatives who are looking politically bankrupt, writes Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg. moreVOYAGER EATS INTO MEALS ON WHEELS25-11-2008Birmingham City Council’s new Voyager payments system continues to cause concern – especially among some of the city’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens who rely on the local authority for meal on wheels and other vital services. morePROTEST KICKS OFF OVER ID CAMPAIGN25-11-2008Campaigners will be taking to the streets of Solihull tomorrow in protest at the first phase of the introduction of ID cards. They say migrants are being “scapegoated” by being first in the queue. moreGet Out More.............................Gig ReviewHERBIE HANCOCK (Symphony Hall, Birmingham)25-11-2008One of the true jazz greats came a-knockin’ a few days ago. Richard Lutz digs one of the finest shows he’s ever seen at Symphony Hall. moreJESSE JACKSON BACK IN BRUM25-11-2008U.S. civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson - who blazed the trail for Barack Obama’s election as President – is returning to Birmingham on Sunday to address the UK’s first Equanomics convention. moreBRB DANCES INTO CHINA25-11-2008Birmingham Royal Ballet is taking the city's name to China early in the New Year with dates in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. moreCHANNEL B FOR BIRMINGHAM, ANYONE?24-11-2008News that the BBC Trust has rejected plans for a massive expansion of local news services has been greeted with delight by local newspaper editors, but it leaves a gap that their owners are ill-equipped to fill. So once they’ve stopped popping the champagne corks, are they willing to back a dedicated TV channel for Birmingham? moreLABOUR SQUEEZES RICH TO HEAD OFF RECESSION24-11-2008After years of pandering to the super-rich, Gordon Brown’s government is poised to make the wealthy pay for bailing out the economy – a new tax rate of 45p is expected to help fund a reduction in VAT. The question is, will it work? moreJAG ASKS FOR BAILOUT24-11-2008Birmingham-based car maker Jaguar Land Rover is understood to have asked the government for a £1billion bailout to fend off the worst excesses of the recession. moreGet Out More.................................Gig NewsDAMO SUZUKI/PRAM (Hare & Hounds, Dec 5th)24-11-2008Here's a late contender for gig of the year from The Curate's Egg - wild improvising poet Damo Suzuki (once of Krautrock pioneers Can) teams up with Birmingham's top ambient terrorists Pram. That's not to mention the twitching lunatics of The Courtesy Group who recall the heyday of The Prefects. morePoet's CornerTIME OF THE SIGNS24-11-2008The Stirrer's poet laureate Brendan Hawthorn calls for the deforestation of extraneous signage from modern life. It's supposed to help - but ends up causing confusion. moreKingy’s Weekend Footy RoundupWOLVES THE ONLY WINNERS22-11-2008Villa earn a Man U draw and go 4th; Albion suffer a late 1 goal defeat at Stoke; Blues achieve a Friday turn-a round in S Wales; Wolves win for 6th time in a row and Saddlers take a heavy defeat to MK Dons. moreJACQUI SMITH STEALING CIVIL RIGHTS?22-11-2008Brendan King reflects of the performance of local MP and first woman Home Secretary after almost 18 months in office. His verdict is that Jacqui is our most repressive, flawed and arrogant Labour holder of this office. moreMick Temple’s BlogTHE KITCHEN CABINET22-11-2008The government’s latest big idea for tackling obesity is persuading fast food outlets to muck about with the ingredients of their best-loved dishes. Mick Temple finds it hard to swallow. moreGETTING AROUND - DECISIONS NEEDED ON TRANSPORT22-11-2008Public transport inadequate and poorly integrated within our region. A report highlights the problems. It’s time for more action and less words says Stirrer weekend editor Brendan King. moreHEMMING CLAIMS PROOF OF CHILD DEATH "COVER UP"21-11-2008Birmingham MP and family rights campaigner John Hemming claims an official report has vindicated his claims of a "cover up" over the number of abused children who've died despite investigations by social services. moreMINISTER’S INVITE TO STIRRER READERS21-11-2008West Midlands Minister Ian Austin has issued a personal invitation to Stirrer readers to attend a lecture next week in honour of Frank Foley – the British spy who helped Jews escape from Nazi Germany. Foley was honoured in a ceremony yesterday at the Foreign Office. moreCELEBRITY STOCKS AND SHARES21-11-2008The furore over John Sergeant's popularity on Strictly Come Dancing - despite the fact that he's got two left feet - has Lynne Hawthorne questioning why we vote on celebrity issues. moreGet Out More................................Gig NewsTOWN HALL/SYMPHONY HALL LISTINGS21-11-2008Man of the moment John Barrowman, guitar hero Jeff Beck, soul legend Geno Washington, X-Factor star Rhydian and folksy poet Pam Ayres are among the latest names added to the Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall schedules. Here are the latest dates. moreBUILDING TROUBLE FOR THE FUTURE20-11-2008Councils across the West Midlands are defying government plans to build more than half a million new homes across the region in less than 20 years. moreALLOT OF TROUBLE IN HANDSWORTH20-11-2008So what has happened to the playing fields and allotments promised when a new housing estate was built in Handsworth? Simon Baddeley has an update. moreLaurence Inman’s BlogTHE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SELF IMPORTANT20-11-2008There are writers. And then there are SELF IMPORTANT WRITERS. Laurence Inman spots the difference. moreBarbara's BlogTHE DAMAGE DONE20-11-2008Barbara Panvel offers a wide-ranging and passionate analysis of the forces which have led to social breakdown in Britain. moreKingy’s Wolves BlogWOLVES INTERNATIONAL20-11-2008During international week, Brendan King relflects on Wolves’ astonishing 11-player call up. moreJOBS ON THE LINE AS BNP OUTED19-11-2008Should the BNP members “outed” by the online publication of the party’s membership list fear for their jobs? Not according to Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg. moreNO GAIN, MORE PAIN FOR ALLOTMENTS CAMPAIGNERS19-11-2008Campaigners waiting for new playing fields and allotments in Handsworth are demanding to know when the “planning gain” they were promised in return for a new housing estate will finally be delivered. morePROSTITUTE BILL GOES OFF AT HALF COCK19-11-2008Has there been more ill-considered piece of legislation than the latest government plan to clamp down on prostitution? It will remain legal for men to buy sex – but only if the woman isn’t controlled by a pimp, or hasn’t been trafficked. moreRichard Lutz's BlogTHE BARACK HONEYMOON19-11-2008So how was it for you? Tired of him yet? Richard Lutz assesses when it will be all over for Obama. moreGet Out More.........................Music and ComedyGLEE CLUB LISTINGS (December)19-11-2008Cheeky chappie comic Richard Morton and fondly remembered 80s pop stars Swing Out Sister are among the December highlights at Birmingham's Glee Club. moreTerry’s Baggies BlogFIXTURE INDIGESTION19-11-2008Albion have got the Top Four out of the way – now it’s time for a few matches that, in theory, they can win. Terry Wills assesses the prospects. moreWHO KILLED ROGER COOK?18-11-2008Six years after his last telly series, Roger Cook has re-emerged – but only as an author. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg pays tribute to local telly great, and wonders who bumped him off. moreHEMMING CHILD ABUSE ENQUIRY CALL18-11-2008Following John Hemming's claims that the government is "hiding" details of the number of children dying from abuse, the Yardley MP has now written to the relevant parliamentary committee demanding a full enquiry. moreCOUNCIL EQUALITY BOSS "UNFIT FOR OFFICE" CLAIM18-11-2008Birmingham councillor Salma Yaqoob has questioned whether the city’s Head of Equalities Mushuq Ally is fit to hold office after he suggested that 95% of Muslim women don’t have a clue about what is going on in society. moreDoc Dave’s BlogGUANTANAMO TO CLOSE?18-11-2008Could some of the inmates of America’s notorious Cuban prison camp be allowed into the US as asylum seekers? Dr David Nicholl ponders an unlikely scenario. moreCONFESSIONS OF A BRUMMIE MUMMY – PART 1318-11-2008Is it the Sudafed going to Brummie Mummy’s head as she lies in bed recovering from a bad dose of flu? Or is she dreaming of another man? moreNO BUM DEAL18-11-2008We're so used to being told that the British are rubbish at customer service, we've all come to believe. But Stirrer webmaster Andy Goff has a different story to tell. moreCOAL OFF THE DOLE18-11-2008The Black Country’s coal mining heritage is being celebrated with an exhibition – featuring a major new installation – at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. moreHEMMING CLAIMS OFFICIAL COVER-UP AFTER BABY P17-11-2008In the aftermath of the death of Baby P whose plight was ignored by Haringey’s Social Services, Birmingham MP John Hemming claims the government is covering up similar incidents and is taking the “wrong children” into care. moreCAMPAIGN CONTINUES DESPITE KINIFE ATTACK17-11-2008Campaigners for more council housing in Birmingham are insisting they’ll continue with their protest – even though a key member was stabbed in the throat at the weekend. moreWALKOUT WOLVES STAR “NO REGRETS”17-11-2008In his first media interview for 25 years, former Wolves star Danny Hegan says he has “no regrets” about his constant walkouts from Molineux – although he wishes he hadn’t signed for the Albion. moreTOM’S THINKTANK JOBSWORTH CLASH17-11-2008West Bromwich MP Tom Watson has been telling a tale of woe after clashing with the jobsworths at Birmingham’s Thinktank science museum. morePoet’s CornerSOMEONE IS TAKING THE P17-11-2008Motorists hoping to support their local stores in Sandwell have just been handed a serious disincentive – the proposal to introduce charges in town centres where parking is currently free. Poet Brendan Hawthorne who lives in one of the areas affected (Wednesbury) wonders who’s taking the “p”. moreKingy’s Weekend Footy RoundupALBION THE ONLY LOSERS15-11-2008Villa, unexpectedly, win over Arsenal at the Emirates; Albion, expectedly, lose to Chelsea at the Hawthorns; Wolves just manage a win against the Saints; Birmingham recover to beat Charlton; and Walsall gain a vital 2-0 win away at Colchester. Kingy gives an opinion on our league team’s weekend action. moreTERRIFYING JUNGLE - BRUM IN A WHEELCHAIR!15-11-2008Brendan King, weekend editor, describes the terrors of wheeling up and down from New Street Station to the City Centre and challenges Brum Councillors / MPs in a wheelchair challenge. 3* Star Brum? Rubbish says Kingy. moreLOCKED OUT OF THE LOCK MUSEUM?15-11-2008Brendan King reports on the continuing debate concerning the likely loss of Willenhall’s Heritage Locksmith’s House and Workshop Museum. moreAXING AXON LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED14-11-2008While the politicians squabble over Wolverhampton Council’s decision to axe its partnership with IT consultants Axon – at a cost of £7million to taxpayers – vital questions remain unanswered. Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg reflects on the loose ends of a doomed deal. moreGet Out More.............................Dance ReviewEDWARD SCISSORHANDS (Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat)14-11-2008Matthew Bourne's interpretation of the classic Tim Burton movie has been packing 'em in at The Hipp. Terry Wills joins the admiring throng. moreMick Temple’s BlogQUESTION TIME14-11-2008By common consent, David Cameron wiped the floor with Gordon Brown during Prime Ministers Questions this week, when he raised the tragic death of Baby P. But Mick Temple questions the authenticity of the Tory leader's passion - and suggests that PMQs is little more than an elaborate pantomime. moreGet Out More..........................Gig News
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