Swings & Roundabouts

Dave Woodhall on Villa and a special birthday.

DriveSafe backs Birmingham plans for 20mph speed limit

Clarification also sought that limits will be enforced.

Metro: Road to Nowhere

Bringing trams on to Birmingham’s streets is manifestly the wrong policy, says Steve Beauchampé .

Screengrab: Upriver with Bogie and La Hep

Richard Lutz dips into the week’s tv schedules and points to the best movie on your flatscreen.

Old and new?

Alan Clawley talks about new architecture in an old way.

Spectacular family fireworks at Blists Hill Victorian Town

Get set for a Guy Fawkes spectacular.

Half-term fun at Warwick Arts Centre

How to avoid hearing “I’m boooorrrred.”

Mary Berry tells all.

The queen of British baking talks ahead of her visit to the NEC.

The Drum goes to Parliament

Invitation for Aston-based centre.

Local history fair for Moseley

Find out more about your past at the weekend.

Review: Richard The Second

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford on Avon

Until 16th Nov

from RICHARD LUTZ

HSBC invites West Midlands companies to enter Global Connections competition

Opportunity for new entrepreneurs.

Local MP backs campaign giving voice to people supported by benefits

Public support for benefits ‘safety net’.

Leading charities for blind host community fun day

Crowds visit and take part in charity works.

Visual artists given boost with return of initiative

New Art West Midlands promotes new talent.

The Elston Files

We publish today a harrowing tale of woe as Sir Howard Elston – Financial Advisor to the Stars – explains how he struck a compromise to retreat from the brink of cliche to settle a debt to pull himself together and return to normal, escaping the hell of fiscal neuroses.