Crumbs From London’s Table

In the second of three articles about the ‘invisible middle’, Steve Beauchampé considers Birmingham’s involvement (or otherwise) in ‘the Great British summer’

“There is no such thing as alcoholism”, claims Laurence Inman

Only someone living on Mars for the last five years could fail to notice that alcohol consumption is increasing and that increased consumption (and availability) are leading to ever more serious problems.

Birmingham: Squeezed or invisible?

We’ve heard of the ‘squeezed middle’, but has Birmingham and the wider region become the ‘invisible middle’, at least to Westminster? Steve Beauchampé reports.

Steady as she goes

So far Villa’s close-season has been unspectacular. Which is what Dave Woodhall was hoping for.

Wasting Police Time

Dave Woodhall looks at last week’s dramatic Megabus incident.

Keep Right On to the End of the Woes

Andy Munro catches up with recent events at St Andrews

Screengrab: Before Butch

Richard Lutz asks: “Breathes there a man with soul so dead who hath never said: ‘Boy, I groove on Butch and Sundance’? I mean, what a film and, gulp, it’s more than 40 years old and still sharp as a tack.”

Tale of Two Barclays: What Price, Money?

Two big Barclays stories pound away at Richard Lutz like dual sledgehammers proving what a skewered maddeningly tilted world we live in.

A fishy tale

Tammy Facey went shopping for fish…. and became embroiled in the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Editor’s peaks

An occasional comment on things he’s too lazy to write about…..

Situation Still Vacant

Dave Woodhall on (the lack of) events at Villa Park.

Of Machiavelli, Murdoch and The Media

RICHARD LUTZ peers into a crystal ball to see how the Murdoch Saga might really be playing out behind the tattered scenery.

Gig Review: Elvis Costello and the Impostors

Elvis returns to the building. Steve Beauchampé reports…

We’ve Got Chris Hughton, the Ginger One (Was) Yours

Andy Munro with a message to Villa supporters.

The Manager Now Departing (Again)

For the third close-season in a row Villa will be looking for a new boss. Dave Woodhall reports.

It Was the Press Wot Wun It

Dave Woodhall on the mayoral verdict and the headline we’ve been dying to use since we started.

Helmand: Six Years On From the First Military Death…And What?

by Richard Lutz   In June 2006, Captain James Phillipson, died while rescuing ambushed colleagues in Helmand Province. He was Britain’s first combat casualty in that bleak part of Afghanistan. Today UK forces are still there, protecting, patrolling and fighting in this benighted patch of earth. And last week, The Ministry of Defence had the…

Let the festivities begin

Dave Woodhall reports on another Villa draw. Again.

EIAs and bats in the belfry

Alan Clawley on the limited value of Environment Impact Assessments on town planning

Blues ride the Blackpool Roller-Coaster

Andy Munro on the Championship playoffs so far

That Was The Week That Was

It’s been a rollercoaster week at the Hawthorns, witnessed by Terry Wills

The third question for the mayoral referendum

Birmingham Green Party coordinator Phil Simpson explains the question missing from Thursday’s referendum.

Biscuitmen crumble under Blues pressure

Blues’ league campaign ended on a high at St Andrews on Saturday. Andy Munro was there.

Footballers behaving appallingly

Dave Woodhall on what might prove a significant week at Villa Park.

Mayors – New Labour/Con Trick

Elected Mayors – a New Labour/Cameron fix, with precious little support from Birmingham councillors, reckons Steve Beauchampé

“Young people do have political power “, says National Youth Agency head

Don Stewart, the new Chair of the National Youth Agency, says George Galloway’s by-election victory shows young people do have political power and will not be afraid to use it

Birmingham mayor: No To A Mayor, No To The Status Quo

Voting ‘yes’ to an elected mayor on May 3rd isn’t the only way to bring about change.

Birmingham mayor: Alan Clawley on rhetoric

Alan Clawley reports back from the mayoral debate at Ort Cafe last night

Roy’s Regal Return

Terry Wills goes to Anfield and watches history being made.

Oh I Do Like to Be…

Andy Munro goes to Brighton with the Blues.