New York sounds: axemen vibrations
Martin Longley spreadeth the word: the geetar is the true Satanic Lord in NYC…
Mad life crisis
Madness frontman Suggs talks to Richard Barber ahead of his upcoming solo tour.
A library is not just a building
Friends of the Central Library: “Save the building but we’re just as worried about what is happening to the service itself”, writes Alan Clawley.
PROFILE: City TV’s Debra Davis
Ros Dodd talked to City TV’s Debra Davis – Birmingham City Council’s former public affairs chief.
Up The Forum
Alan Clawley questions the openness of The Forum and reminds us ‘public’ spaces are becoming hard to find.
West Midlands charity delighted to receive International Peace Prize
The Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation 2011 has been awarded to Birmingham-based independent peace-building organisation
Detroit Jazz Festival
The London Jazz Festival may well be fully throbbing this weekend, but across the Atlantic in Detroit, there’s a gargantuan (and completely free-admission) alternative. All we have to do is pay the airfare, says Martin Longley…
New York Sounds: Oddroc Meets Improvokation
Martin Longley hobbles along the causeway that lies between extreme rock and abstract improvisation
Birmingham Library: Moving house
Alan Clawley writes on the problems of moving home – when related to libraries shifting location.
Come on girls, get pedalling!
British Cycling’s Breeze network has launched a nationwide campaign to close the growing gap between the number of men and women riding a bike for fun.
Directors debentures: a possible safety net
A business recovery specialist is offering added support aimed at directors to help them minimise their personal financial risks when investing in their own companies.
Graduate interns set up new art venture
Two interns who successfully completed their internship at The Public in West Bromwich have set up a new arts venture.
Search for a Scapegoat
Following on from the tragedy of the recent M5 crash, Dave Woodhall argues that prevention is better than cure.
The (Perfect) View from Over Here
Wolves fan Brendan King reports on his first visit to Molineux since disabled supporters were able to return during ground re-development
Making do
It’s not a very exciting slogan but ‘making do’ is probably what we will all be doing more of given the almost universal slowdown in economic growth.
Stechford youth worker awarded
The founder of a youth organisation based in Stechford has received national recognition for his contribution to the local community
Moseley Bog’s a winner
Ent wives may still be hard to find but Tolkien’s playground has benefited from a cash donation
A Special Talent
About which we talk to Specials bassist Horace Panter on art, teaching and not being Status Quo..
If I Don’t Know You, You Are Like Air
Peter Sampson sends one of his occasional observatory letters from Beijing
Birmingham’s ‘other’ Martin
Alan Clawley reveals a bit of history about one of Birmingham’s landmark buildings.
Escaping Britain? Pensioners beware
Half of all middle aged people in West Midlands consider retiring abroad
Relaxing in Northants
If you can relax and unwind in a “bustling” atmosphere, then Whittlebury Hall is the spa experience for you, says Ros Dodd.
The Good, the Mad and the Wild Frontier Revisited
Dave Woodhall talks to eighties icon Adam Ant ahead of his upcoming UK tour.
Birmingham man nails market gap
Something for smart-phone users to chew on
Study shows how donkeys help excluded children deal with aggression
Riding therapy with donkeys can create positive changes in young children excluded from primary school,says new study.
Stephen Merchant Stands Up
James Rampton interviews a man who is much more than Ricky Gervais’ sidekick.
Air Ambulance Open Day
At last – something worth visiting a motorway service station for.
Exclusive: Ashley Blake on life behind bars
Ros Dodd interviewed Ashley Blake shortly after his release from prison in 2010
Jail sentence “deeply unfair,” says ex-BBC man Ashley Blake
Former BBC television presenter Ashley Blake has spoken of his “deep sense of unfairness” at being handed a two-year jail sentence for “accidentally” wounding a teenager
The Birmingham Council myth machine
Here’s how the Council operates. First it decides what it wants to do. Then it fits the facts around its decision.