Not dead yet, Paul – Saving Birmingham Library

Alan Clawley, on the warpath to save the John Madin designed library in Birmingham, is suspicious of the language being bandied about by journalists and politicians.

John Madin Calthorpe Estate Tour

Book early; only 20 places available on Alan Clawley’s walking introduction to some of John Madin’s residential and commercial work

Heritage – Who knows best?

The current concerns as to whether Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt was influenced by those with a financial interest in the outcome of his decision on BSkyB reminds Alan Clawley of the arguments used by Friends of the Central Library to challenge the decision that Hunt made not to list the Central Library.

Birth of a Library

Alan Clawley brings us a potted history of John Madin’s Central Library in Birmingham.

EIAs and bats in the belfry

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

Birmingham mayor: Alan Clawley on rhetoric

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

Alan Clawley asks: “can money buy style?”

Birmingham University’s Bramall Music Building under the spotlight.

Spinning professionals

Alan Clawley is learning to manage the disappointments his dealings with Birmingham City Council engender.

It’s MIPIM time again

Alan Clawley just wants clarity. But can he get it?

Gambles – must do better

Alan Clawley has some questions for Birmingham’s Central Library Chief Officer, Brian Gambles

What paradise will be like

Alan Clawley has seen Paradise and would prefer it stayed lost.

No plans to demolish brutalist library

Alan Clawley reveals that a Brutalist public library opened in 1977, the foundation stone of which was laid by Harold Wilson in 1975, is not facing demolition.

Birmingham: Drowning in strategies

Alan Clawley thinks It’s sometimes hard to believe, but, somewhere in the bowels of the City Council, our great city is being planned.

Light or wind? Does money talk?

Alan Clawley comes face to face with the realities of a ‘low carbon’ economy: “What’s in it for me?”

That’s close enough!

Supporters of the high-speed railway line are keen to bring London closer to Birmingham but Alan Clawley argues that it’s already close enough.

John Madin 1924-2012

Alan Clawley writes on the legacy left by Birmingham architect John Madin who died this month.

Investigative journalism now

Alan Clawley regrets the departure of Paul Dale from The Birmingham Post and wonders what the future holds.

Mediaeval memories

Birmingham’s German Market was a great success but Alan Clawley laments its setting.

Boxes within boxes

Alan Clawley’s review of the Stuart Whipps Exhibition– ‘Why Contribute to the Spread of Ugliness?’ at the Ikon Gallery until 5 February 2012

Who can we trust?

Alan Clawley is confused by the actions of Birmingham City Council and its elected officers.

A room with a view

Alan Clawley sees what he sees, but doesn’t necessarily like the view…..

Why borrow?

Alan Clawley asks; “How wise then was it for the Council to borrow money on a public library, a statutory service that would produce little or no income stream…”

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.

Up The Forum

Alan Clawley questions the openness of The Forum and reminds us ‘public’ spaces are becoming hard to find.

Birmingham Library: Moving house

Alan Clawley writes on the problems of moving home – when related to libraries shifting location.

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.

On mayors and other leaders

Alan Clawley considers what it might mean to have an elected mayor in Birmingham.

Birmingham’s ‘other’ Martin

Alan Clawley reveals a bit of history about one of Birmingham’s landmark buildings.

Birmingham’s John Madin designed library: Demolishing arguments

Alan Clawley continues to rebut the critics of the Birmingham Central Library that architect John Madin designed.

Always forward?

Alan Clawley has yet to discover how Birmingham’s City motto – Forward – came to be chosen.