Posts Tagged ‘ sport ’

What ‘culture’ do you do?

Brum is, as you’ll no doubt be aware, is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2013. The final bid has to be in in May and getting a full picture of what culture is for Birmingham is and important part of it. We’ve already had Cliff Richard and heavy metal ballet suggested — but what do people actually get up to? One idea to capture that is to let everyone contribute to a one day celebration of all Birmingham’s cultural activity. For 24 hours from midday on Friday 23rd April to midday on Saturday 24th anyone can blog anything cultural they’re doing on the bid website (it’ll be at http://birminghamculture.org/blog) — you contribute via email. Anything sent to blog@birminghamculture.org will make the site — pictures video or audio included. I think this is the opportunity to show all that stuff that’s going on that doesn’t usually get publicity — culture is a pretty wide thing; are you watching football and singing? In a book club, out doing some parkour? All three at the same time? From the grottiest punk gig to the, er, soppiest punk gig, it’d be good if someone was there and recording it in some...

Yardley tennis club fighting for survival

“This is among the four or five oldest clubs in the world and it would be a real shame if it were to be lost,” “The membership is down to ten people who try and play for an hour a week but the courts aren’t really even up to that. “Their membership just about covers the rent from the council but there is nothing for repairs. “Realistically, we need £80,000 to make it work and turn this back in to a great place for sport.”

Chaos At Halesowen Town

"When Morell Maison arrived at Southern League club Halesowen Town in 2007, he had high hopes for the club. Few, however, would have guessed that rather than being merely the manager of the club he was actually the owner, and fewer still would have even hazarded a guess at the absolute chaos that has engulfed the Midlands club over the last six months or so, a story which is now involving administration, a boycott of the club by supporters and even the involvement of the specialist fraud officers of the West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit."

Load of balls?

All the stars; Mike Whitby, Paul Tilsley, Martin Mullaney, Cameron Jerome and Martin Taylor and avid Blue nose, comedian Jasper Carrott. Former Villa player, Ian Taylor, current Villa defender Carlos Cuellar, arch Villans, Phil Etheridge lead singer of Birmingham based indie rock band The Twang, and Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer, Kit Holder. Birmingham City FC Ladies Team Centre Forward Cristina Torkilsden as well as Jabbar Khan manager of Lasan Indian Restaurant were out in Victoria square today to promote “backing Birmingham” as a host city for any potential 2018 World Cup in England. Um, like it wouldn’t be anyway? A World Cup requires — FIFA say —12 to 18 stadiums capable of seating at least 40,000 spectators each (England are going for 11 cities, 12 stadiums). Only one city is allowed more that one stadium — and we’re betting that’s London (come on, sure we are). So perhaps Birmingham might well be in with a shout — consider that there are only ten football grounds that would be able to host a World Cup were it tomorrow: Three – Wembley, Arsenal’s Emirates and Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge are in London, two are in Manchester, two are in Liverpool. Which actually...

I’m very impressed, on first glance, with the book Played in Birmingham ( from the Played in Britain series), it’s the history of Brum’s sporting venues — from works football pitches and local swimming baths to professional grounds. Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch! I’ll try to pick out some gems as I read it.

Dear Martin – an open letter

Martin Mullaney has taken over the position of City Council Cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture. That puts him in charge of swimming baths, football pitches, and even (in theory) Central Library. Whatever you may think of Cllr Mullaney, I personally like him but political people attract opinion, he’s an opportunity to have a fresh approach to all sorts of things. So here I present an open letter to our new cabinet member, to which you’re invited to add to (or argue with) in the comments — what should he be thinking of, who should he be talking to or listening to, what should he be doing? Dear Martin, I’m quite pleased to hear of your new appointment, a new broom has the opportunity to sweep that little bit harder and in different ways. As my local councillor I’ve always been impressed by your attitude to “getting on with” campaigning, your forthright manner, and even your honesty in admitting you’ve changed your views (on graffiti especially). These are qualities I think can make a contribution to leisure, sport and culture in Birmingham. Here’s a little bit of friendly advice from some people off of the internet. Please keep...

The soul of Aston Villa in 50 moments

"They were there when it all began and are still blazing a claret and blue trail 134 years later. Richard Whitehead selects 50 men and moments in the life story of Aston Villa " Beautiful article about the Villa, that even bluenoses should read.

Recent Comments

Archives

Is Brum Happy?

Birmingham's emotional wellbeing* on Saturday 11th of February 2012 07:23: 58.7 % (average)