Zero Hours contracts – nothing new under the sun

Professor Roger Seifert, Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Wolverhampton, gives his opinion.

West Midlands: The next ‘Grand Designs’ hotspot?

The head of a boutique architects practice reckons that the West Midlands is well on its way to becoming the next big ‘Grand Designs’ hotspot.

The joy of trees

This week Laurence Inman is in an arboreal mood.

Memo to all sections in Department of Health

Laurence Inman has seen a secret memo and, in true Wikileaks fashion, reveals its contents just prior to his arrest.

What’s in a name?

Larry Inman ponders this whilst contemplating an outbreak of violence.

WW1 Centenary: A Proposal for a Children’s concert in Birmingham

Birmingham Press reader Dr Ron Dawson has sent a message aimed at schools and musicians across Birmingham.

In praise of Springsteen

Laurence Inman rather warms to New Jersey’s finest export.

Martin Longley’s New York Sounds

From tantric Buddhist interpretation to disco-funk humping, Martin Longley gets down in NYC clubland. And, er, a museum of Himalayan art.

Playing the blues

Blues talent Chantel McGregor talks to Dave Woodhall.

Remembering Elmdon

All the attention today is on the future of Birmingham International Airport but it’s interesting to reflect on its past when it was known just as Elmdon Airport, writes Alan Clawley.

Fry’s the limit

Laurence Inman on having it all yet having nothing and has some words of advice for Stephen Fry.

Streetwise

Laurence Inman has been studying the decline of the high street.

Special reunion to mark 50 years of Sutton Coldfield’s Arthur Terry School

Half a century has passed since they flicked rubbers at each other from their desks, but up to 250 of a Sutton Coldfield secondary school’s first pupils are to reunite to mark its 50th anniversary.

Birmingham City Council seeks local heroes

Birmingham City Council is on the hunt for local heroes who have made a real difference to the lives of people in Birmingham.

Better This Time? Afghanistan as the “Graveyard of Empires” 1979-2014

The 25th anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal announcement by the Soviet Union

The future’s not looking so good

Some people are just so off-message. Laurence Inman is one of those people.

Elvis has entered the building

Dave Woodhall talks to a singer who’s walking it like he talks it.

God and his botherers

Laurence Inman isn’t impressed by the missionary’s position

There’s only one…..

Dave Woodhall pays tribute to a very special footballer

Running scarred

Laurence Inman is a lot fitter than he looks. Certainly fit enough to assault his telly – again!

Rachael Barker crowned Miss Birmingham 2013

Psychology graduate Rachael Barker has been crowned as the new Miss Birmingham.

Pine would

Dave Woodhall talks to Courtney Pine ahead of the jazz legend’s Birmingham show at the weekend.

Food, Average to Glorious Food

Representatives of the food industry have been at the NEC this week at a series of trade shows. Steve Beauchampé sampled the atmosphere – and some of the wares!