A whole lotta bloggin going on....

Further to the list of Brummie blogs below, for a really really comprehensive list of Birmingham websites and blogs, check this out:

http://www.birminghamitsnotshit.co.uk/links

Distinctive Shropshire Potter Opens Studio!

Distinctive Shropshire potter, Elspeth Soper is holding a festive open studio event on Sunday November 29th from 10am – 3pm.


Elspeth moved to Shropshire during the early 80's and set up Willey Furnace Pottery in 1985.

From her "very basic but homely" pottery in the woods on the Willey estate near Broseley, Elspeth Soper creates distinctive and very individual pieces of practical pottery.

Elspeth, inspired by country pottery from England and Eastern Europe says "many of my designs result from when I kept chickens, ducks, geese and guinea fowl here at the pottery some ten years ago" says Elspeth, "until foxes came and steadily stole them away".

The aim at Willey Furnace Pottery is to produces functional, honest pottery which is distinctive and decorative. The earthenware is made out of red clay and is decorated using coloured slips (liquid clay) often built up in painted layers over a poured or dipped base colour. The pots are then raw-glazed using a transparent or a honey glaze and then fired in a gas kiln to around 1120C.

Elspeth continued "I pick out certain details of the final design before firing to emphasise particular elements, such as a bird's feathers or a fishes tail, these lines are called 'scraffito' which means to scratch in Italian". Working with earthly glaze colours such as soft blues, greys, muted terracotta's, ochre's and greens, Elspeth's finished pieces would sit happily in any home.

"A lot of work goes into organising an open studio event", Elspeth said, "the pottery gets a good clean and it's really exciting to set out all the of my wares, which looks glittery and bright after a good clean!" Elspeth continued "It is wonderful having an open day event, to be able to meet so many new people is fantastic".

Willey Furnace Pottery is at Barrow Road, Broseley. TF12 5JQ and will be well signposted on the day.

For more information please telephone Elspeth on 01952 885759 or mobile: 07790347007

e-mail: elspeth.wfpottery@hotmail.co.uk

Bromsgrove Folk Club

Catshill Social Club
Meadow Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove
8.15pm on the second and last thursday of each month

Forthcoming attractions at the "friendliest club in the Midlands"
Hosted by resident band FAIRFIELD

Nov 12th    Singin' and Suppin'

Nov 26th    Malfunction

Dec 10th    Christmas Party

Contact - Yvonne 01527 831577 or Bob 0121 476 5938
Contact bobcyn@aol.com to get on Mailing List
or log on to http://www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk/

Black Country Creative Advantage/ public art regneration event launch event

Anna Minton. GROUND CONTROL

Talk, Wednesday, 18 November 2009, 5-7pm

The Public, New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG

Free

Acclaimed journalist Anna Minton presents her book Ground Control. Fear and Happiness in the Twenty-First Century City (Penguin 2009), an in-depth exploration of the state of Britain today, revealing how untested urban planning is transforming not only our cities, but the very nature of public space, of citizenship and of trust. Has this 'regeneration' really made our lives better, or has it fuelled a housing crisis, and intensified social divisions?

black country creative advantage is a 2-year initiative of reflection and practice in public art of the Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation at the University of Wolverhampton in partnership with the community arts organisation Multistory and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We are grateful to ThePublic for hosting this event.

http://www.blackcountrycreativeadvantage.org/

t: 01902 51 85 07

Coleshill Drama Club - new production

Coleshill Drama Group – presents

‘The Old Couple’ – by Neil Simon.

Synopsis:

A female adaptation by Neil Simon of his own hit musical and film The Odd Couple, sees easy-going divorcee Olive Madison take in the neurotic and recently separated Florence Unger. Their weekly ‘girls trivial pursuit night’ with friends Mickey, Vera, Renee and Sylvie, everyone a gem…tests their friendships to the limit. Their chalk and cheese relationship is a comedy treasure trove, culminating in a hilarious and doomed double dinner date with the Spanish brothers Manolo and Jesus living upstairs. A thoroughly endearing tale of the triumph of female friendship over male folly.

The Cast:

Anne Bravey, Alexandra Liggins, Sue Wallace, Jenny Maisey, Donna Jardine, Emily Griffiths, Danny O’Hanlon and Alex Meeson are ably directed by Bill Liggins.

Venue Information & Tickets:

Coleshill Town Hall, High Street.
Weds 25th to Sat 28th November ’09: 7.30 p.m. prompt start

Tickets £8.00 each – Concession £6.00 each.
Tickets from: Coleshill Library, Parkfield Road or telephone: 01675 462485

Tickets available on door performance nights.

http://www.coleshilldrama.org.uk/

Some Local Blogs of Interest

The following list of Birmingham blogs appears at http://loblobrum.tumblr.com/page/1

Read the blog site reviews at the Local Blogging Birmingham pages above or click below to visit the websites and make your own mind up:

About Brum
http://aboutbrum.co.uk/

Acocks Green Focus Group
http://acocksgreenfocusgroup.org.uk/

Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum
http://acocks-green-neighbourhood-forum.org/

Be Vocal
http://bevocal.org.uk/

Birmingham B29
http://www.birminghamb29.com/

Birmingham It's Not Shit
http://www.birminghamitsnotshit.co.uk/

Brumblr
http://brumblr.co.uk/

Brum Live
http://www.brumlive.com/

Castle Bromwich Community Website
http://www.castlebromwich.net/

Created in Birmingham
http://www.createdinbirmingham.com/

Deirdre Alden's Blog
http://deirdrealden.blogspot.com/

Digbeth is Good
http://digbeth.org/

Eye on Moseley
http://www.eyeonmoseley.co.uk/

I am Acocks Green
http://iamag.wordpress.com/

It's Grim Up North Brum
http://northbrum.tumblr.com/

Life in Lozells
http://lozells.info/

Moseley Exchange
http://www.moseleyexchange.com/

My Jewellery Quarter
http://myjq.tumblr.com/

The Kings Heathen
http://kingsheathen.co.uk/

The Stirrer
http://www.thestirrer.co.uk/

Ubber Brum
http://uberbrum.blogspot.com/

We Love Moseley
http://welovemoseley.co.uk/

“Birmingham Irish I am I am.....” Paul O’Brien ‘Plastic’ ‘09

Birmingham born Singer Songwriter Paul O’Brien is back in Brum next month to celebrate his heritage.


Born to Irish parents in Ballsall Heath, Birmingham in ‘66 Paul O’Brien grew up “confused by two cultures...”. Feeling neither Irish nor English whilst growing up, Paul has often felt over his musical career the need to fit into one or other camp . However, after emigrating to Canada’s Pacific North West in ‘04 – O’Brien finally realised that he is both – he is “Birmingham Irish” and he will be back in Birmingham on November 29th at The Kitchen Garden Café to celebrate that fact.

Paul emigrated with his family, to Canada in Jan ‘04 – leaving behind his musical career forever – or so he thought , but O’Brien’s musical roots run deep ( he comes from a family of musicians) and his musicianship could not be denied . Meeting fellow Brit , Producer Joby Baker coupled with his new surroundings and his new insight into himself as a recent immigrant with the benefit that distance can sometimes bring, O’Brien had a life changing realisation “ ....it was so enlightening to finally realise who I am, now I can celebrate both the cultures I was raised in, they have both defined me.... and now here I am celebrating yet another culture as I learn about being a Canadian .” And a celebration is what Paul intends for his Birmingham show to be . He will be bringing his German band over especially for the gig’s with whom he recently completed a very successful German Tour in September. Renowned guitarist, Uli Kringler, Lars Hansen on Bass and Heinz Lichius on drums. Paul will be playing two gigs back to back so as not to disappoint his fans after his sell out show earlier this year at The Red Lion Folk Club. The first will start at 6.30 pm and the second at 9.15 pm – tickets are available at http://www.kitchengardencafe.co.uk/ or by calling 0121-443-4725.

2009 has been an amazing year for O’Brien – beginning with a 23 date tour in February of the UK and Ireland . Followed in March by signing to Stockfisch Records in Germany and recording his 3rd solo album in 4 years ‘Walk Back Home’ produced by renowned producer Gunter Pauler ( The Furey’s, Dick Gaughan, Delores Keane and Allan Taylor). After his busy summer schedule he was off to Germany again in September where he completed a very successful tour and began filming for a Blu-Ray DVD to be released in March ‘10 to co-inside with his next German Tour. October has seen Paul touring his home province of BC and now he is preparing to return to the UK for the month of November. His previous album ‘Plastic’ ‘08 was listed amongst three Top Ten Best New Album’s for ‘08 . Johnny Coppin’s ‘Folk Roots’ BBC Radio , Sheryl McKay ‘North by Northwest ‘ CBC Radio Canada and ‘Penguin Eggs’ folk music magazine Canada.

Recent reviews describe O’Brien as follows .......”Reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Rush, Cat Stevens, Allan Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor......(Wolfgang Geise, Rock Times) and “A working class poet (.....) with a knack for straightforward language held aloft by a sweet gift of melody....” (Robert Moyes, Boulevard Magazine). Paul O’Brien sings with anger and sorrow about the effects of ignorance and intolerance past and present, and with joy and gratitude about the natural beauty of his adopted home on Vancouver Island. He tells stories of family, of love lost and found, of the emigrant’s sense of alienation, the loneliness of leaving home and starting over in a strange place….and of irrepressible optimism and the excitement of new adventure. His honest, accessible songs capture the constant dance between past, present and future…the search for a sense of place and belonging that marks all our lives. Paul O’Brien’s material is a showcase for his compelling combination of emotional commitment and polished musicianship firmly establishing him as a talent to watch in the International folk/pop scene – making his forthcoming Birmingham gigs must-see dates for any live music fan’s 2009 diary!


Forthcoming Tour Dates:

November 5th Tump Folk Club, Coventry http://www.covfolk.co.uk/

November 6th Brewtown Folk Club, Burton-On-Trent http://www.brewtownfolkclub.co.uk/

November 12th Katie Fitzgeralds, Stourbridge http://www.katiefitzgeralds.co.uk/

November 13th The Chase Folk Club, Burntwood, Staffs http://www.chasefolkclub.co.uk/

November 14th Lowdham Village Hall, Nottinghamshire, http://www.warthogpromotions.co.uk/

November 15th Manor House Hotel,Holy Island, manor_house1@btconnect.com

November 18th Dunfermlie Folk Club, Dunfermline dunfermlinefolk@yahoo.co.uk

November 20th Green Dragon Inn, Hardraw, N.Yorks info@greendragonhardraw.com

November 21st Whitehart at Foulden, Thetford, Norfolk hartpub@yahoo.co.uk

November 22nd Cider Shed, Norwich, Norfolk http://www.theshednorwich.co.uk/

November 24th Future Inns, Bristol, www.futureinns.co.uk/bristoljazz

November 26th Eccleshall Folk Club, Eccleshall, Staffs dgaldred@tiscali.co.uk

November 29th (Two Shows) The Kitchen Garden Café, Kings Heath, Birmingham http://www.kitchengardencafe.co.uk/

French Market coming to Atherstone tomorrow!!

We have only just heard that the French market organisers have had a cancellation and want to come to Atherstone's Market Square this Sunday, 1st November. Could you give this a bit of a plug for us please?


Karen Barrow, Communications Officer

Website: http://www.northwarks.gov.uk/ 

Herefordshire Council to provide charge points for electric cars

Herefordshire Council is planning to introduce ‘juice points’ to enable the public to charge up electric vehicles, it was announced at the 350 Climate Change event in Hereford (Saturday 24 October).


Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for environment and strategic housing, said the council planned to install at least two ‘charge points’ in the city where electric car drivers could ‘fill up’. One of these is likely to be on the new ESG development and the other outside the council and primary care trust offices in Plough Lane, Hereford.

The charging points cost around £3,300 each and would be funded by the council, as part of a range of measures to encourage their use.

He was speaking as part of an international day of action on climate change at Hereford Town Hall, together with environmental experts debating Herefordshire’s response to the current global climate situation.

“Electric vehicles are gaining popularity and they are ideal for mixed city and rural driving,” he said. “Although capable of lower speeds than petrol and diesel models, they have comparable acceleration and produce zero tailpipe emissions. They are exempt from road fund tax, but Herefordshire Council wants to do more to make them more attractive for local people. I am particularly interested in making their support a feature of the city’s new retail and leisure development, which will be served with a wide range of other environmentally friendly measures, such as more cycle ways and foot paths, as well as a new public transport hub, to help cut down the amount of emmissions from transport”.

Transport provides nearly 29 per cent of Herefordshire’s carbon emissions, said Councillor Jarvis, who also wants to introduce a pool of electric vehicles to encourage employees to leave their own petrol and diesel driven cars at home. Staff coming to work on public transport would use the electric cars to drive between premises to attend meetings with residents or other staff.

Herefordshire Council has adopted an ambitious target to reduce carbon emissions per head of the population by 13.1 per cent by March 2011. It needs a cut of 1.2 tonnes per person from energy use in homes, transport and business. The target is more demanding than other targets, such as the 10:10 campaign to cut emissions by 10 per cent at the end of 2010.

Mapper Monday

Archives services to tackle cartography catalogue


Herefordshire Council is to catalogue its collection of large-scale maps of Herefordshire from the 1950s onwards to make them easier to work with for the growing number of people interested in local history.

The council’s archive service will use its annual stocktaking closure this year - running from Monday 23 November to Monday 11 December inclusive - to do this work, as well as improve amenities and resources, and develop work programmes for the service’s army of volunteers.

The temporary absence of researchers will also mean that numerous essential building works will be able to take place during the closure.

Chief archivist Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe said: “Our annual closure for stocktaking is an essential part of our calendar. It means that we can devote quality time to sizeable projects that would otherwise be left undone. Our map project this year will make an increasingly sought after resource available to the public.”

All telephone, email and postal enquiries will be answered as normal during the closure

Happy Halloween from Spaghetti Gazetti

The Chase Folk Club

Every Friday at
Bridge Cross Club
Bridge Cross Road, Chase Terrace, Burntwood, WS7 2BX
Tel 01543 670 416

November

Friday 6th    Dave Gibb    £5.00
Friday 13th  Paul O'Brien  £5.00
Friday 20th  Ken and Ruth Powell    £5.00
Friday 27th  Michael Chapman    £5.00

For more info call Barry Yates
Tel: 01543 271 269
Mobile: 07855800330

Email barry@chasefolkclub.co.uk
http://www.chasefolkclub.co.uk/

Banded About

Banded About


Sound It Out is part of a new Birmingham citywide programme called Banded About, which will be managed by a newly created consortium of leading Birmingham music organisations which has been awarded one of only five national DCSF Music Partnership Projects for 2009-2010 worth £200,000. The consortium includes Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Birmingham Jazz, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ex Cathedra and Town Hall Symphony Hall as well as Sound It Out, and all partners will be supported in the delivery of innovative programmes across High Schools and Primaries in Birmingham by Birmingham Music Services.

Young people from five clusters of Birmingham schools will benefit from a range of creative ensemble music making led by professional musicians working in partnership with their teachers. All of the young participants will also experience the live music performed in the City by each of the partner organisations and will give concerts of their own at some of Birmingham’s most internationally renowned venues.

The children and young people will all be between the ages of 9 and 13 and one of the project’s aims is to inspire primary school children to continue with their music making when they reach secondary school. Sound It Out will be working with Perry Beeches School and 3 feeder primary schools over the next year in this exciting project so watch this space for further details.

Initi8 – Band Development

Our fantastic Youth Advisory Board have secured over £100,000 from the Big Lottery’s Young People’s 2 fund to develop and deliver a 3 year long band development project called Initi8 in Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall which will be run by the young people themselves, with our support!

We are incredibly proud of the young people involved who have developed this project from scratch and we are looking forward to working with them to put the wheels in motion of getting Initi8 up and running. Exciting times ahead!

If you are aged 16-25 or know someone that is within this age group who would like to join our Youth Advisory Board, then please call 0121 772 8655 or email nicolabriggs@sounditout.co.uk.

FUTURE JOBS FUND (BIRMINGHAM)

T-centrix (training) Ltd and Urban Living (Birmingham & Sandwell) have created a unique working partnership to support the new B-Birmingham “Future Jobs Fund” scheme.


The scheme follows on from the announcement by the government of the £1.1 billion Future Jobs Fund specifically provided to provide funding for new jobs in Birmingham and a further eight regions across the country.

The T-centrix/Urban Living bid allows us to provide people aged between 18 and 24 to enter into mainstream employment for a period of 6-months, which will be fully supported by a wage subsidy (minimum wage) plus pre-employment training (To be agreed) for the duration of the placement.

In addition, the employer will be provided with the addition support of a placement mentor to create a direct link between the provider and T-centrix/Urban Living team to oversee and manage any issues which may occur.

This service is TOTALLY FREE to the placement provider as wages, PPE and training will be managed by the project management team

The Future Jobs Fund scheme is simply seeking to create links with employers and organizations from all sectors across the city, including public, private and voluntary in an effort to provide much needed employment opportunities, especially for young people and those coming from disadvantaged groups and deprived communities,

Our challenge is to create “real jobs” in interesting and socially worthwhile sectors across our community so people can get the skills and qualifications they need for jobs for the future. The FUTURE JOBS FUND will do just that, given the support of employers that express an interest in supporting the scheme and by becoming a stakeholder in the future of young people in Birmingham.

To participate in the scheme, please complete the attached “Jobs Application Form” and return to sid.oates@t-centrix.com you will then receive a call from one of our advisors in order to assist with the processing of your application.



Kindest regards


Sid Oates
Regional Manager – West Midlands
07534 901 724

Social Enterprise Coalition: Manifesto workshop

Dear members,


The upcoming election could well be the most important in a generation, and whatever the result, will affect the future of social enterprise. In order to ensure that social enterprise is high on the agenda of the next Government, the Coalition is producing a social enterprise manifesto.

We want the manifesto to reflect the issues you believe are the most important to social enterprise, and we would appreciate your input and participation. We will be hosting a series of workshops across the country where you can feed into our manifesto and discuss with us how we influence the political parties own manifestos.

Our next workshop will be in Birmingham, 3 November 2009,10.30 - 12.30 and we would like to see lots of local social enterprises there.

If you would like to attend, please register online: http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/manifesto-workshop-birmingham-3-november-2009.html

or contact: david.forsgate@socialenterprise.org.uk


James Yabut
Events Co-ordinator
Social Enterprise Coalition

Southbank House Black Prince Road London SE1 7SJ

t 020 7793 2525
f 020 7793 2326

Diversity Event

Dear Colleague,


Just a quick note to let you know about a free event that is taking place at The Public West Bromwich on Friday 20th November between 9.30 and 1pm.

'Out in The Black Country' - The REAL stories of LGBT employees and how any company can be more LGBT Friendly' Is a series of short case studies and presentations about real people.

The event includes speakers from Terrence Higgins Trust, Summit House Support, Gender Matters and Citizen Coaching and Counselling.

Join us for the free networking lunch and visit the stands by local support agencies. All delegates will also get a free resource pack to take away.

We are particularly keen to get as many local businesses involved as possible, so please forward this email to anyone you think could benefit from this day.
Diversity Week is supported by Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Employer Coalition

To book your place at this event visit the event website at

OutInTheBlackCountry.Com
      
or you can call us on 0800 021 7613 or e-mail anthony@citizencoaching.com to secure your place.


Martin Hogg

Counsellor and Coach, Citizen Coaching

ps Gender Matters have their own event running as part of Diversity Week on Tuesday 17th November

Contact 01902 744424 for more details.

Opportunities at Sound It Out

Practice-a-thon Music with Take it away’ is an interactive initiative that aims to raise money for children with cancer, by encouraging people to take part in a sponsored music practice or performance. It is an exciting new partnership between Arts Council England’s Take it away scheme and the children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Anyone can take part, whatever style of music they are in to, no matter what their age, instrument or playing ability is. You can join in on your own, or with your band or group - the idea is simply to have fun making music, and to raise money for a good cause at the same time.

To help you on your way, five exclusive music tutorials have been commissioned which you can download for free when you register. The exclusive tracks are Take That’s Back for Good, Motown classic Heard it Through The Grapevine, Snow Patrol’s hit single Run, legendary Oasis hit Wonderwall, and Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water.

The tracks have been produced by Show Me How To Play, a company that specialise in providing online music tutorials with the use of their unique ‘multiplayer’ software. The multiplayer enables you to learn the part for your instrument as well as seeing and hearing the parts played by rest of the band.

All tracks are suitable for beginner to intermediate level players and include parts for guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, first violin, second violin and cello – as well as the vocals. Players can also download the music score, and learn by watching the tracks being played by experienced musicians.

Music stars Russell Watson, Gary Barlow, Jamie Cullum, Nicola Benedetti, and rising star Dani Harmer (aka Tracy Beaker), are all backing the campaign. For more information and to sign up now go to www.clicsargent.org.uk/music and play your part in raising money for children with cancer.

Shine Programme from Sound It Out

Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families through the Youth Sector Development Fund, Shine is a city wide music programme aiming to engage with over 850 young people in five constituencies of Birmingham (Hall Green, Northfield, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield and Yardley).

Shine is an ambitious and exciting programme that will see music activity taking place on a weekly basis in an identified Youth/Community Centre in each constituency, and will provide a mix of masterclasses, industry specialist sessions, group music making and open mic opportunities.

We are teaming up with Birmingham Integrated Youth Support Service and a range of other local and citywide agencies to recruit young people in challenging circumstances and those who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).

We’re on target to have all 7 staff members and a range of musicians and specialist trainers appointed and in post by early November. We’re planning to start programme activity in mid November.

If you’d like any further detail about the programme please send enquiries to enquiries@sounditout.co.uk with Shine Programme in the subject line, or call 0121 772 8655

What's On at the Golden Cross, Ardens Grafton?

STOP PRESS...... Ian Parker will be here on the 12th November. A great and popular favourite...........not to be missed.


Come along on 31st October for a first fabulous GOURMET GAME NIGHT - With fantastic dishes like Venison, Quail, Wild Boar, Pigeon, Rabbit to give you a really lovely choice on the menu tonight. Check out our menus under the menu icon and do not forget book your table!!!

Christmas will soon be upon us and we are already gearing up for a busy December. The Christmas Day and Christmas Fayre menu's for lunches, dinners and parties is now available and can be now be downloaded online. Please see the Christmas 2009 or the menu icon.

Thursday nights are Songs and Steak Nights. Our famous steak nights are going great with some great acts. Superb local steaks from Freemans in Snitterfield that you can eat whilst enjoying some gentle acoustic vibes. See the Steak night icon for all the details.

Sunday Quiz is back!! Fun quiz for everyone, every sunday starting 4pm (£1 per person, teams of up to 8)

This beautiful 18th Century building has seen a few changes over the years. Pat and Steve took over the reigns October 05 and have given it lots of TLC along with a superb makeover for the patio.

We offer a superb selection of perfectly conditioned Cask Ales as well as fine wines, a wonderful atmosphere and a superb menu. In the winter enjoy our open fires and warm feeling. In the summer relax on our new patio or beer garden and just eat, drink and maybe make some new friends.

Pat, Steve, Debbie and the team will welcome you and ensure your stay is enjoyable whilst behind the scenes our four very talented chefs led by Jonathan take great pride in sourcing only the finest quality produce and prepare all of our food freshly on the premises.

All our menus are available throughout our Bar and Restaurant areas as well as our Patio & Gardens. We've have recently changed our menu! Please see the Menu icon for full details which you can download if you wish.

Opening Times;

Bar 12pm-3pm 5pm-11pm Monday - Thursday

12pm – 12am Friday and Saturday

12pm – 10.30pm Sunday

Food 12pm – 2.30pm 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday

12pm – 9pm Saturday

12pm – 8pm Sunday

The Golden Cross, Wixford Road, Ardens Grafton, Warwickshire B50 4LG Tel: (01789) 772420

BHAM HIPPODROME - CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR CALENDAR GIRLS

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR


CALENDAR GIRLS

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 February 2010


CALENDAR GIRLS has been the fastest selling tour ever and has triumphed in the West End. Now it’s coming to Birmingham Hippodrome for one week only from Monday 22 – Saturday 27 February 2010. The producers confirmed today that LYNDA BELLINGHAM will return having starred in the West End production. Starring alongside her will be GEMMA ATKINSON, JUDITH BARKER, DEBBIE CHAZEN, LETITIA DEAN and JAN HARVEY.

A group of ordinary women, members of a very ordinary Yorkshire WI, spark a global phenomenon by persuading one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! As interest snowballs, the CALENDAR GIRLS find themselves revealing more than they’d ever planned…

Most recently LYNDA BELLINGHAM appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and she continues to present ITV’s popular afternoon chat show Loose Women. Other credits include the long running series of OXO television ads and Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small.

GEMMA ATKINSON shot to fame playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks and she joins the tour of Calendar Girls direct from the West End production. JUDITH BARKER, one of the UK’s most versatile actresses can frequently be seen on our screens. She is, perhaps, best known as the upwardly mobile homewrecker Janet Reid on Coronation Street – a role she played for eight years. Seriously funny DEBBIE CHAZEN’s recent credits include Annie in the BBC comedy The Smoking Room and a whole host of comic creations in the BBC sketch show Tittybangbang.

LETITIA DEAN is best known as Sharon Watts in Eastenders, a role she played from the opening episode for over ten years. Since leaving the show she has continued to make regular appearances back in Walford Square. In 2007 she was a much loved contestant on Strictly Come Dancing making it through to the quarter final. JAN HARVEY played Jan Howard in the BBC’s long running Howard’s Way. Other television credits include the BBC action series Bugs as well as Babs Woods in Family Affairs.

TIM FIRTH has adapted the screenplay of his smash hit Miramax film for the stage. The film was released in 2003 and was an instant hit at the box office, becoming the number one grossing film in the UK on its release. Tim’s other credits include the films Blackball and Kinky Boots and the award winning Preston Front for the BBC. His theatre credits include the plays Neville’s Island, The Safari Party, The Flint Street Nativity and the Olivier Award winning musical Our House.

CALENDAR GIRLS is directed by Olivier Award winner HAMISH McCOLL. Hamish is probably best known as half of the double act THE RIGHT SIZE, who from 1988 created a unique style of comic theatre culminating in the smash hit The Play What I Wrote which won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. Other credits include director for French and Saunders’ farewell tour Still Alive and the screenplay for Mr Bean’s Holiday. Design is by ROB JONES whose recent credits include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium and Rock’n’Roll in London and New York. Costumes are by EMMA WILLAMS, lighting design is by MALCOLM RIPPETH, music by STEVE PARRY, sound design by JOHN LEONARD with casting by SARAH BIRD. CALENDAR GIRLS is produced by DAVID PUGH AND DAFYDD ROGERS.

CALENDAR GIRLS opens at Birmingham Hippodrome on 22 February – 27 February 2010. Perf times: Eves 7.30pm; Wed mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm. Book online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or telephone 0844 338 5000. Calls vary from 5p per min. Transaction charge 6% phone and counter 3% online.

Chris Beebee announces two new shows for 2010!!!

16/09/10 THE FORTUNES WITH ALAN LOVELL


Tickets: Price to be confirmed

17/12/10 BOOTLEG ABBA & NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE

Tickets: Price to be confirmed

For more info or to reserve seats e-mail Chris with your request.

Chris Beebee egomongoose@hotmail.co.uk


Beebee Productions
0121 749 5089

Former Digbeth Factory to host Verdi's 'Othello' with local cast of hundreds

OPERA LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE!

Birmingham Opera Company

Presents

Verdi’s Othello

Directed by Graham Vick

Conducted by Stephen Barlow

December 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 17 & 19, 2009 at 7.30pm

Argyle Works, Great Barr Street, Birmingham B9 4EX
(Entrance off Little Barr Street by Halfords)

Tickets £17.50 and £10 concessions
Box Office 08444 77 1000

From a Ladywood rubber factory in 2008 to a Digbeth former industrial plant this December, Birmingham Opera Company returns with another stunning site-specific production of Verdi’s Othello, directed by internationally acclaimed Artistic Director Graham Vick.

In the tradition of all Birmingham Opera Company productions, the professional cast headed by tenor Ronald Samm, who is the first ever black performer in a UK professional production of Othello, will be supported by a vast chorus, acting company and, for the first time a dance company and children’s choir, all drawn from the local community in the West Midlands. The Dance Company is being created as part of ‘People Dancing’, the 2012 Cultural Olympiad project and will go on to perform as part of a major commission for Birmingham Opera Company during Olympic year.

Numbering around 250 people of different ages, faiths, cultures, education and social background, the community company participates in a strict but fun timetable of regular rehearsals and workshops in the weeks leading up to the performances resulting in productions that consistently achieve critical acclaim and are often credited with ‘changing lives’ for those participating in them.

Also starring Keel Watson as Iago and Stephanie Corley as Desdemona, this new production of Verdi’s penultimate opera, created by Graham Vick for Birmingham Opera Company will deal head on with the issues of identity, assimilation, racism, jealousy, religion and wife-killing; all as ripe for exploration in contemporary Birmingham as they were for Shakespeare in the sixteenth century and Verdi in the nineteenth.

The last time Graham Vick directed Othello was for La Scala, Milan, with Riccardo Muti and Placido Domingo. Returning to Verdi’s masterpiece with Birmingham Opera Company could not be in a more contrasting space – Vick will create an Othello for our time, gritty and passionate, and the backdrop of sprawling factory site offers an extraordinary setting for the story.

The set design is by Samal Blak, a recent graduate from Central St Martin’s who is one of the finalists for this year’s prestigious Linbury Prize for theatre design who will be working with Graham Vick to realise the world of the opera in a Birmingham Opera Company signature ‘walkabout’ production.

Graham Vick is a major figure in international opera in demand as a director in the world’s major opera houses: his productions have been seen at La Scala, Milan; The Metropolitan Opera, New York, Maryinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Maggio Musicale, Florence and many more. His production of Falstaff opened the newly re-furbished Royal Opera House and between 1992 and 2000 he was Director of Productions at Glyndebourne. He is the founding Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera Company where his pioneering work to reach new audiences has attracted the attention of people and companies world-wide.

The cast for this new production: Ronald Samm as Othello, Keel Watson as Iago, Stephanie Corley as Desdemona, Joseph Guyton as Cassio, Antonia Sotgiu as Emilia, Adrian Dwyer as Roderigo, Robert Winsdale Anderson as Lontano and Byron Jackson as Montano.

Did you know……


● Othello is an adaptation of the Italian writer Cinthio's tale, "Un Capitano Moro" from his Gli Hecatommithi (1565), a collection of one hundred tales. In Cinthio’s crude tale, however, a Moorish soldier, convinced of his wife’s infidelity, enlists a comrade to help him bludgeon his wife to death with a sand-filled stocking! From this Shakespeare fashioned a timeless, universal tragedy of the human spirit destroyed by jealousy.

● Othello was Verdi's second to last opera and is considered by many to be his greatest.

● Verdi had decided to retire from writing operas, despite the fact he was easily the most popular, and possibly the wealthiest, composer in Italy during the time. He hadn’t written a major work in almost a decade since his last opera, Aida, had premiered.

● Verdi’s publisher, Giulio Ricordi, hatched a plan to coax the composer out of retirement to write another opera and knowing he was an admirer of Shakespeare’s dramatic works, attracted his interest with talk of writing Othello with librettist Arrigo Boito.

● Upon the completion of the Opera Otello, preparations for the initial performance were conducted in absolute secrecy and Verdi reserved the right to cancel the premiere up to the last minute.

● The opera was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887. Verdi took 20 curtain calls at its conclusion.

A case of bringing home the bacon by not bringing home the bacon?

If the current recession has left you scratching around to get your snout in the trough and back in the pink, here's a tale with a little twist to turn you back into a pig in clover. Where there's muck there's brass, as the saying goes, though in this case the opposite seems to be true. So is someone telling porkies or will this article leave you feeling as sick as a flying pig? 
  
Real letter sent to the UK Government…



NIGEL JOHNSON-HILL,
PARKFARM, MILLAND, LIPHOOK GU30 7JT


Rt Hon David Miliband MP
Secretary of State.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

16 July 2009


Dear Secretary of State,

My friend, who is in farming at the moment, recently received a cheque for £3,000 from the Rural Payments Agency for not rearing pigs.. I would now like to join the "not rearing pigs" business.

In your opinion, what is the best kind of farm not to rear pigs on, and which is the best breed of pigs not to rear? I want to be sure I approach this endeavour in keeping with all government policies, as dictated by the EU under the Common Agricultural Policy.

I would prefer not to rear bacon pigs, but if this is not the type you want not rearing, I will just as gladly not rear porkers. Are there any advantages in not rearing rare breeds such as Saddlebacks or Gloucester Old Spots, or are there too many people already not rearing these?

As I see it, the hardest part of this programme will be keeping an accurate record of how many pigs I haven't reared. Are there any Government or Local Authority courses on this?

My friend is very satisfied with this business. He has been rearing pigs for forty years or so, and the best he ever made on them was £1,422 in 1968. That is - until this year, when he received a cheque for not rearing any.

If I get £3,000 for not rearing 50 pigs, will I get £6,000 for not rearing 100? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 pigs not raised, which will mean about £240,000 for the first year. As I become more expert in not rearing pigs, I plan to be more ambitious, perhaps increasing to, say, 40,000 pigs not reared in my second year, for which I should expect about £2.4 million from your department. Incidentally, I wonder if I would be eligible to receive tradable carbon credits for all these pigs not producing harmful and polluting methane gases?

Another point: These pigs that I plan not to rear will not eat 2,000 tonnes of cereals. I understand that you also pay farmers for not growing crops. Will I qualify for payments for not growing cereals to not feed the pigs I don't rear?

I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send any information you have on that too. Please could you also include the current Defra advice on set aside fields? Can this be done on an e-commerce basis with virtual fields (of which I seem to have several thousand hectares)?

In view of the above you will realise that I will be totally unemployed, and will therefore qualify for unemployment benefits. I shall of course be voting for your party at the next general election.


Yours faithfully,


Nigel Johnson-Hill

Coming up at Newhampton Arts Centre in November

SEA FIELDS

Sat 7th November

"Intelligent, complex tracks …. frantic guitars, atmospheric sound, strong lyrical content and most importantly passion! This is the kind of sound you wish Morrissey was making these days!"

"Sea Fields bless us with a chilling Smiths-Ian pop that you can have a good gin-induced cry to …this is rousing, pulling you back-from the-brink-brilliance" THE FLY

“Atmospheric, dramatic, penetrating guitar pop with big hooks”

Steve Lamacq BBC Radio 6

• Doors 7:30pm

• Tickets: £5

• www.myspace.com/seafieldsuk


Tukazon, Little Fury & Barry’s Attic

Sat 21st November 7.30pm

Tukazon most recently supported Blur on their comeback tour.

Barry's Attic and Little Fury complete a line up of the freshest indie/electro/ska/pop in town.

£5 on the door; £3.50 in advance

 www.myspace.com/newhamptonartscentre

Songwriters’ Evening

Sun 22nd November from 5pm

Wind down the weekend with the best acoustic music around, featuring: Rich Batsford, Matt Anderson, Brains for Breakfast, Chris Matthews, Rob Lane plus more tbc

• £2.50 on the door

• www.myspace.com/newhamptonartscentre

John Etheridge & Kit Holmes

Sat 28th November 7.30pm

An outstanding opportunity to hear world class jazz, blues, folk & African grooves from two outstanding guitarists. John Etheridge, one of the world’s greatest guitarists, has played alongside Stefan Grappelli, Pat Metheney and John Williams. His special guest is rising singer/songwriter and guitar star Kit Holmes. “An absolute delight” The Observer. (www.johnetheridge.com)

Pre-show Guitar Masterclass/workshop 5.45-6.30pm

Expert tips and advice. Bring an acoustic guitar to take part or simply listen and learn. (All welcome. Min age 10)

• Concert £12 / £11 conc

• Guitar Workshop:£5

• Concert & Workshop £14/£13 conc

• Booking recommended


Albert Rd Players and The Discoverers

11th Dec

Programme to be announced


Beauty and the Beast

Saturday 19th December 2pm & 4pm

Zip Theatre returns with all the fun of a traditional pantomime with their own original twist. Beauty and the Beast will keep all the family entertained with colourful sets and costumes and Zip’s customary energy and zest.

• Tickets: £6; £4 concs; Family £18

• See http://www.ziptheatre.co.uk/

• Booking recommended

St-art - Festive Family Workshop

Tues 22nd December 10.30am

Make something decorative for the festive season in our family workshop - ideal for young children.

• Cost: £1.50 per child (50p conc)

• Booking recommended

More information from http://www.newhamptonarts.com/

Anyone in the Birmingham area interested in possible eco-artist-workshops?

Hi,


There is a fairly new eco-centre in Northfield, in south Birmingham, that currently does things like sewing workshops, recycling, renewable energy, eco-tots mornings etc. Having spoken to one of the organisers, I said I would send out a feeler amongst the artists on the applecart list to see if anyone would be interested in doing possible art workshops/sessions or whatever, possibly doing stuff like reusing/recycling paper pulp & canvas etc, making natural paint pigments etc. I think it would purely be voluntary, and you would probably have to come up with some ideas/a proposal to put to them, with regards to helping set something up and/or running it, but it would be good experience and you never know what it may lead to if they take the idea on.

If you are interested then please let me know and then I can get back to them & pass on contact info etc...

Cheers,

Tim
 
tim@applecart.org

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS

Wednesday 18th November 2009


10:00am – 2:00pm


Equalities & Diversity Division, Congreve House
3 Congreve Passage, Birmingham B3 3DA

Whether you are thinking about, starting or running a business, let us help you turn your passion into profits?

Well you can’t afford to miss this free and informal workshop aimed at providing the tools and resources needed to access finance, promote and run your own business. Delivered by expert advisors, entrepreneurs and speakers these workshops will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to run your own business.

For more information, and to register your interest at these £FREE events please call
020 8575 0533 / 07956 902 487 or email info@letstalkbusiness.biz

Refreshments Provided!

Newtown Baths to re-open

Newtown Baths will re-open to the public early next year after funding was secured for vital restoration and repairs.


And plans for a new pool will be incorporated in the second phase of Birmingham City Council’s ambitious community pools programme.

Newtown Pool has been closed since May when repairs revealed asbestos in the ceiling and roof.

Now, following extensive structural surveys, the £140,000 project to safely remove the asbestos and provide new structural supports has been given the go-ahead.

Cllr Martin Mullaney, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture, said: “Re-opening this pool is a major boost and this terrific news clearly demonstrates our commitment to community pools here in Birmingham.

“We have an ambitious long-term goal for new community pools across the city but we know the importance of keeping existing facilities open in the meantime.

“I’ve worked closely with my cabinet colleague Cllr Ayoub Khan to secure funding for the repair work and further down the line we can look at plans for a new pool.”

Cllr Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Local Services and Community Safety, added: “This is a vital facility for the people of Aston, so I’m delighted the pool will re-open early next year.”

“Use fireworks safely and considerately” – Safer Herefordshire advises

The Safer Herefordshire Partnership is urging anyone using fireworks to be aware of the dangers of firework misuse and to follow the firework code.

Not everyone enjoys fireworks in the same way and it is timely to remember that irresponsible use of fireworks can pose a danger to people and property. Fireworks can scare people, especially the elderly and small children, and can frighten animals which should be kept indoors, if at all possible.

Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: “We want people to enjoy fireworks but to ensure they keep themselves and any vulnerable people safe by following simple rules and then we can all enjoy this time of year.

“We would also urge people to be careful when planning bonfires and not to put materials on them that will not burn or could create toxic fumes,” he added.

Top tips for a safe fireworks night are:

1) Only buy fireworks that meet the British Standard - BS 7114

2) Only allow adults to light or hold fireworks

3) Never return to a lit firework, even if it looks like it has done out

4) Stand well back when watching fireworks

5) Keep pets indoors

6) Never give sparklers to children who are under five years old and make sure they put them out in

buckets of water.



It is an offence under the Explosives Act for anyone to throw or set off fireworks in a public place, and the police can issue on the spot fines of up to £5,000. In addition the Fireworks Regulations 2004 make it an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.

Anyone planning to use fireworks should also remember the curfew times, set by the Government, which prevents firework use between 11pm and 7am, and anyone who breaches this could be liable to a £5,000 fine.

Safer Herefordshire Partnership is made up of local agencies working together to make Herefordshire an even safer place to live and visit. Details may be found at www.herefordshre.gov.uk/community_and_living/1306.asp

Further information on the firework code can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks

Vidar's latest Theatre Review - East is East

Review of audio described performance of East is East at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Thursday 15 October – from Vidar Hjardeng

East is East written by Ayub Khan-Din is a very warm hearted and hilarious tale of what happens when 2 cultures clash within a single family. The owner of a Salford fish and chip shop, George Khan, is set on bringing his family up in the traditional manner, but the other members of his family have entirely different ideas! Although set in the early 1970’s it is arguable that almost 40 years on, questions of identity for a British Islamic family – specifically those of a religious and cultural nature – have possibly never been as relevant as they are today.

Having listened to the pre-show notes on the CD sent out beforehand ( also available on the website) I had a good idea of what to expect when describers Julia Grundy and Janet Jackson, along with Community Engagement Officer, Selene Burn, took us on stage for the pre-show touch tour. We were shown the 2 principle locations of the Khans’ home with its outdoor coal bunker, as well as their fish and chip shop which was slid in when required. We also learned of a 3rd location for a canal scene with a metal bridge and the use of lighting to simulate the rippling water. I’m happy to report that there were a large number of VIPs with their companions and all of us had the great pleasure of meeting some of the cast who joined the describers in telling us about the set. Actors including Belinda Lang (who plays Mrs Khan) mingled with our group showing us their costumes and generally talking about their roles in the play. All credit to Selene and the team at the Rep for encouraging cast members to take part in these touch tours especially when they happen between a matinee and an evening performance. Meeting some of the actors certainly made us feel like VIPs in every way.

Although there was a lot of dialogue, with some very strong language, Julia and Janet still had a lot to describe in terms of onstage action – which included quite a lot of violence – and their timing was as perfect as ever! The show I saw played to a full house and, having been premiered at the rep in 1996 it was obviously a popular choice to bring back this autumn.

The next audio-described productions at the Birmingham Rep will be Steinbeck’s powerful drama The Grapes of Wrath , on the evening of Wednesday 28 October, and information on tickets, how to book headsets and places on the touch tours, can be obtained from the box office on 0121 236 4455.

Shaping the Future of Diabetes Services in Herefordshire

Do you have diabetes, or know someone who does? Are you interested in diabetes services for adults in Herefordshire? If so, NHS Herefordshire wants to hear from you.


Informal meetings are being held across the county in a bid to help improve the way services are being developed for the future.

Paul Edwards, Associate Director of Integrated Commissioning for NHS Herefordshire said, “We want to hear from those who have accessed the diabetes service in Herefordshire and listen to their real life experiences – both good and bad. They are the people who can really help to inform the way we shape the service for the future.”

The meetings are being held as follows:

4th November, WRVS Centre, Hereford

5th November, Talbot Hotel, Leominster

9th November, Ross Community Hospital

All the meetings will start at 6.30pm prompt, with registration and refreshments available from 6pm.

Anyone interested in attending is asked to confirm their attendance by calling Jacinta Meighan-Davies on 01432 383767 or emailing jacinta.meighan-davies@herefordpct.nhs.uk

Willenhall Folk and Acoustic Club

Every Monday at 8.30 pm

Free entry for Performers' Nights
but please support the raffle

The Brown Jug, Sandbeds Road (A462)
Willenhall WV12 4EY

November 9th  Brian oldham with support  £4.00

December 7th  Christmas Party with The Laners

For information please contact:

Gwyneth mobile: 07826 726 848
gwyn.theo@btinternet.com

Happy Halloween from Spaghetti Gazetti

It's trick or treat season once again and what better way to celebrate on Spaghetti Gazetti than a few local ghost stories. Here's a few tales of Brummie spooks and ghouls to get you in the fright-time mood for the forthcoming weekend:

Aston Hall:

Aston Hall is haunted by a number of ghosts, the most famous of which is Elizabeth Holte, the owner’s daughter who was shut up in the top floor rooms for 16 years by her father for not marrying his choice of suitor. A former housekeeper named Mrs Walker also frequently appears in the hall, often sitting in her favourite chair and the Hall is also said to be haunted by Dick, who was Sir Thomas Holte's kitchen scullion.

Barr Beacon:

The hill at Barr Beacon is said to have been the ancient site of Druid sacrifices and witnesses claim to have seen ghostly processions of Druids slowly traversing the hill in single file.

Birmingham Rep hire department:

The hire department of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in Oozle Street is the haunt of a lady who is said to be fond of costumes.

Birmingham Town Hall:

Here resides the ghost of a Victorian gentleman who is associated with a strange atmosphere.

City Hospital:

The ghost of a nurse named Mary is said to befriend patients though rarely makes herself known to nurses.


Birmingham Women's Hospital:

My own mother, Joan Millington, swears to the fact that one night one of her colleagues saw a ghostly Roman soldier standing in the staff rest room. What this lady did not know until informed afterwards by her colleagues was that the site of the Queen Elizabeth hospital was once the location of the Metchley Roman Garrison some two thousand years ago.


Regional Round-up

But ghosts aren't confined to Birmingham by any means. Here's a quick round-up of haunted places around the West Midlands.


Blithfield Hall near Rugeley

Blithfield has two ghosts. A man dressed in dark clothing was once seen staring at the floor. He was also idly rubbing an unusual ring on a finger of his left hand, but 'faded away' as he was approached. The other ghost is that of a woman 'with a long frock, with what looks like a grey mackintosh over it and a flat straw bonnet', she walks near some azalea bushes in the eastern sector of the garden. You've been warned... keep off the grass!

Dudley Castle

A delightful place in the daytime whilst folk are feeding the sealions, but at night time Dudley Castle is haunted by the ghost of the dreaded black monk. But hey...uncover him and you may discover it's the fair ground operator after all kids!!

Gate House Theatre, Stafford

Featured on Derek Acorah's second Ghost Towns television series, Mr Acorah detected the spirit of a woman named Victoria who fell down the stairs of the theatre and died. Mr Acorah's production team succeded in 'sending on' the spirit by rescuing her from her fall - I wonder if they used a spectral trampoline?

Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire

Is haunted by a Royalist horseman and a screaming woman. Typical upper classes if you ask me!

Harvington Hall

A tudor mansion near Kidderminster haunted by Mistress Hicks who, in 1710, was accused of causing rain to ruin her enemies' harvest and of causing them to vomit urine. She was hanged at a crossroads close to Harvington Hall as was common practice because the cross formed at the intersection of two roads was meant to prevent an executed witch from returning from the grave. In the case of Mistress Hicks this did not work and her ghost is often seen walking in the grounds of Harvington Hall. They plainly didn't consult the latest copy of Witch Magazine then?

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Avoid Kenilworth Castle after dark... unless you want to meet up with the white lady who sits at a window in the gatehouse. In day-light hours of course it's the olde car park attendant with his peaked-cap and bum-bag!

Lilleshall Abbey, Shropshire

References to ghostly activity at this ruined Shropshire Abbey date back at least 100 years. Reported activity includes the sound of chanting monks, shrieking, and footsteps. If that's not scary enough for you then how's about the elderly monk seen in the Abbey ruins? "Yikes! Let's get outta here Scooby!!"

Ludlow Castle

Haunted by Marion La Bruyere, who loved an enemy of the castle's lord and threw herself off the wall of the castle when he betrayed her... and that my friends is how bungee jumping was first invented!

Old Post Office Hotel, Shrewsbury

Featured on Derek Acorah's first Ghost Towns television series, Mr Acorah claims that a poor young woman was strangled here and her body dragged down to the local river. Hotel staff confirmed that noises heard by Derek's production crew were similar to those heard by staff and guests - every 18-30s happy hour weekend no doubt.

Parade Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

Featured on Derek Acorah's first Ghost Towns series, the everyday looking Parade Shopping Centre stands on the former site of an old hospital which Mr Acorah claimed that the site is haunted by a nurse named Molly Evans and one of her patients. These days the Parade in Shrewsbury is generally frequented by the strange apparritions of intimidating young men wearing hoods ...designer trainers, shell suit trousers with the waistband worn halfway down the buttocks, medalions made from stolen motor car badges, etc. 

Smethwick Swimming Pool

Staff at Smethwick Swimming Baths claim it to be the world's most haunted swimming pool. Over the years the spooky underground subway system beneath it's pool has been used for many different things including an air raid shelter and morgue. The ghosts of Smethwick include a small girl, an American airman and a ghostly cleaning lady. Funny how they haven't mentioned the old witch who blows her blood chilling whistle at you when you're trying to dive-bomb your mates.



St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry

Not far from Coventry Cathedral is the olde Guildhall of St Mary's, the site of a 'plethora of alleged spooky activity including black, shadowy figures, light activity and the movement of objects'. St Mary's Guildhall once served as the centre of King Henry VI's court during the Wars of the Roses and as a prison to Mary, Queen of Scots. William Shakespeare is thought to have staged his plays here. But did any of these events of the distant past leave this spectral trail of spooky vibrations or was it all down to The Specials with their hit about Coventry city centre at night time, Ghost Town?

Stokesay Castle

Was that the sound of thunder? No it was the terrible ghosts of two giant brothers searching for the lost key to their treasure chest! It reminds me of when I went to see Pat Roach fighting Big Daddy at West Brom Town Hall!

Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle has the ghost of a woman. She is occasionally witnessed on the narrow, rather gloomy, staircase leading to the Tower Room and in the room itself. Strange moans and indistinguishable `whisperings` have been heard and recorded. The phantom appears as `the vague shape of a woman in a white dress and dark grey shoes. In the words of Bernard Manning "oh I? That's my mother-in-law you're describing there pal!"

Warwick Castle

Haunted by Sir Fulke Greville. His grisly murder was committed by his once faithful manservant. That'll teach him not pay his service tip then won't it, the miserable old trout!

Wenlock Priory

Watch out for the spooky spectre of a nun who was slaughtered by Danish invaders. No class those flippin' Scandinavians - if it moved they whacked it with an axe.

Some spooky links:

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/links.html  

http://www.haunted-britain.com/



Do you know of any other local ghost stories in the West Midlands? Email them in for our Halloween Special Weekend - editorialgazette@googlemail.com

"Yikes! I'm outta here Scooby!"

Pleasure piers of the English south coast

The Millington family have just returned from a few days on the English south coast during half term and what wonderful late October weather we have been lucky enough to enjoy. In fact yesterday in Bournemouth was probably a warmer day than any we had back in June or July. During our short autumnal sojourn we visited two of the delightful pleasure piers which typify Victorian British seaside towns, firstly Bournemouth and then a drive up the coast to Eastbourne today. Here are a few panoramic shots I took whilst down in Bournemouth and Eastbourne.

Click on any of the images to see a larger close-up of the view.

Sea front at Eastbourne to east of the pier

East side of the pier at Eastbourne

Sea front at Bournemouth (east side of pier)

On the pier at Eastbourne

Sea front at Bournemouth (west side of pier)

Sea front at Eastbourne (west side of pier)

About Pleasure Piers

Whilst piers (or raised walkways over water) have been constructed around the world for many centuries for very practical purposes such as for mooring boats and for fishing from, the first pleasure piers were built in England during the 19th century.

Although a pier can sometimes act as a break-water, it is generally different from a jetty which is more specifically constructed to protect the coastline or a harbour, etc., from tides and currents. In America, the term pier is often used as an alternative word for the British word 'dock' - a construction from which ships and boats can be loaded and off-loaded.

However...

The earliest pleasure piers in Britian were at Ryde on the Isle of Wight (built 1813/4), Leith (1821) and Brighton (1823).

With the the introduction of railways during the Victorian era, people from the urban areas such as London, Birmingham and Manchester were enabled to visit the coast in large numbers and mass tourism to seaside resorts had thus begun.

Piers were initially constructed to enable promenading tourists to view the sea during all periods of tidal range, but soon they started to include amusements, attractions and theatres, some had more than one deck and the earliest piers were made of wood. The first pier to be supported by an iron structure was Margate Jetty built in 1855.

Eastbourne Pier was built between 1866 and 1872. The pier has a camera obscura housed in a domed tower which dates back to Victorian times and is one of the oldest in the world. Eastbourne Pier is a Grade 2* listed building valued at £5 million which has a renovated tea room, sea food and clothes kiosks, two bars, an amusement arcade and a nightclub capable of holding 900 people.

The first Bournemouth Pier was officially opened in 1861, replacing an earlier wooden jetty built in 1856. The new pier was opened with great pomp and ceremony, including a 21 gun salute. The pier, which cost the Bournemouth Board of Commissioners £3,418 to construct, suffered damage from wood worm and storms and eventually had to be completely demolished and rebuilt in 1880. Two extensions, in 1894 and 1909 respectively, took the pier's overall length to more than 1000ft (304.8m).

The longest pleasure pier in the world is at Southend-on-sea, Essex which extends 2,158 metres (1.34 miles) into the Thames estuary and the resort with most piers in Britain is Blackpool, which has three piers.

Live Gig at The Flapper

CTRL LIVE curated by Gallows


Invasion, Shapes, Soni-Quella

The Flapper, Birmingham

Thursday, October 29th.


Get ready to rock with three of Gallows' top new UK bands.

Gallows
Invasion, Shapes and Soni-Quella.

A line up chosen by Gallows as part of the CTRL project run by Topman Control

More information at Topman Control
http://www.myspace.com/topmanctrl

Or follow this link to buy tickets:

http://www.seetickets.com/see/price.asp?code=420634&userid={D8477AEA-D6D5-461C-B61D-3059832FBFB0}&filler1=see&filler2=art-srch

WHAT IS Topman CTRL?

We've always supported new music, now we're going one step further to get you closer to some of the most exciting bands around.Topman CTRL is a brand new concept in UK music, which invites a different act each month to take charge – giving you complete access to their musical world through a dedicated blog.Getting right inside the artists' heads, we’ll be pulling out all the music, films, places, books and other hidden gems that make up a great band. With an exclusive CTRL gig – curated by the controllers themselves – taking place each month, in a different venue throughout the country.

In the words of Joe from Metronomy: "Topman CTRL is a great chance for me to go out and see some bands that I really like. The best part is that I also get to force people to hear the music that has influenced me, or at least force them to read about my influences. I plan to be in everyone's face for a month.

"We'll also be seeing you at the festivals with CTRL stages at Brighton's The Great Escape and the Underage Festival at London's Victoria Park in the summer.

An unmissable online and live experience for anyone who cares about new music, friend Topman CTRL and we'll keep you switched on to the latest updates.....

http://www.myspace.com/topmanctrl

Order! Order!

A Parliamentary Miscellany


ROBERT ROGERS

Published on 26 October 2009 in hardback at £12.99

The perfect gift for anyone interested in politics and history

With its mixture of politics, history, conflict and oratory, as well as many traditions and peculiarities and a host of larger-than-life characters, Parliament has provided a host of fascinating facts and interesting stories through the years. Here for the first time is the definitive miscellany.

Robert Rogers takes us on an insider’s tour of this extraordinary institution. He explains everything from what’s in the Dispatch Boxes to the origin of the Clock chimes. Discover what ferret is used for, where the peregrine falcons nest, and what Churchill thought about broadcasting the Commons. What happened when Disraeli spoke for first time in Parliament? How much did Lloyd George charge for a knighthood? Which way does the Speaker vote when the numbers are equal? It’s all here.

Entertaining and humorous, there is something of interest for everyone in this fascinating and informative collection

Robert Rogers is the Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons and Director-General of its Department of Chamber and Committee Services. He is co-author of How Parliament Works, now in its sixth edition.

Available from all reputable bookshops.





Editor's note:

Robert Rogers is the recently retired Chairman of the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, he is a keen parish organist and a resident of Herefordshire.

8 hours in a coach well worth it!

We got ourselves a convoy - Villa coaches line up outside the Stadium of Light

My two sons and I travelled to the north east last night to watch Aston Villa take on Sunderland in the Carling Cup and what a night it turned out to be with a spectacular goal keeping performance by Villa goalie Brad Guzan who saved a penalty in the game and then went on to save another three penalties in the shoot out after extra time.

It was great to be part of the 30 coach convoy which went up to Sunderland with free travel courtesy of Randy Lerner. A gesture which meant that Villa supporters outsung the home fans and turned a very substantial part of the Stadium of Light into a mini Holte End. It was great to see so many families, female supporters, older people and disabled supporters make the journey too - dispelling the stereotype that away fans are just working class beer fuelled able bodied young men.

As always the people of Sunderland were warm and friendly and even though we beat them I think they appreciated the turn out! Well worth 8 hours spent going up and down a dark motorway on a coach - Randy could have flown us to the States in about the same time.

Doll collector’s dream at children’s hospice shop

Group picture: Christine Maslin (right) with Acorns’ Yardley manager Nichola Moylan (centre) with Acorns volunteer Tammy O’Neill (left) with nephew James O’Neill, aged two and mum Lynda O’Neill (standing at back)

The Acorns Children's Hospice shop in Yardley has proved to be a goldmine for a local doll collector.

Christine Maslin, a collector of porcelain dolls, has made regular trips to her local children’s hospice shop over the last five years after finding it to be a great source of items to support her hobby.

Christine, herself of Yardley, has collected hundreds of dolls, all bought second-hand from the Acorns Yardley shop, and she praised the local store for helping with her interest.

Christine said: “I started buying these dolls five years ago after I spotted a collection of Dresden china dolls in the Acorns shop, and it’s just taken off from there. They have a brilliant selection and they call me the ‘Doll Lady’! I’ve got a mixture of Christmassy and vinyl ones, and I’ll even rescue dolls that have been thrown out and re-dress them. I’ve filled most of our house! I’d recommend Acorns shops for collectors of things unusual as you never know what you might find, and it all helps support a really worthwhile local cause.”

Regional shop manager Lindy Welch said: “We’re delighted that our Yardley shop is proving to be a goldmine for Christine’s hobby. We do our best to stock our shops with lots of diverse items that collectors may be on the hunt for, as well as really good quality clothing for all the family, books, music, kitchenware and household goods. People are snapping up excellent bargains!”

Acorns Children's Hospice this year celebrates 21 years of nursing care and support for local children who have life limiting or life threatening illnesses and their families. The charity, that becomes a lifeline to local families with services including: short breaks, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, family support and bereavement care, relies on donations for over 80% of its income.

To find out more about Acorns shops, or to help the charity visit: http://www.acorns.org.uk/ or call: 0845 120 6892.