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News

This page is dedicated to items of news that have caught my attention during the year.

Summer 2011 - my god daughter Anna has been studying at Aston University and in her first year lived in one of these towers - Lawrence Tower. It was a very emotional experience to watch the two towers at Aston University coming down - to share in the experience click here.

October 2011

As reported in the Birmingham Post screenwriter Adil Ray's new sitcom focuses on a businessman and his family who live in Sparkhill.Citizen Khan will become BBC1's first Asian sitcom and although it is set at the heart of a Birmingham community it will be made in-house at MediaCityUK in Salford. Mr Talwar who is chief executive of Punch Records said it was "tragic" it would not be filmed in the city. I am also disappointed as we have a wonderful bus tour - the Birmingham Tours Broadcasts Bus Tour which highlights all the wonderful programmes made in Birmingham - this show would have made a great addition to the script!

October 2011

My source of information - the Birmingham Post reported that a Birmingham businessman had been refused permission to demolish his derelict factory because of its important industrial history. Christopher Wray the owner of Christopher Wray Lighting said he had unsuccessfully tried to restore or sell the former brass fitting factory in Bartholemew Row, Eastside for years. The city's planning committee have refused application for demolition of the building and chairwoman of the conservation and heritage panel, Coun Paula Smith said "This is part of our heritage. Too often in the past we have allowed historic buildings to be demolished and they have been lost forever".

I have always liked this building especially with its juxtaposition to the modern black and white buildings of the masshouse development. I remember purchasing some lamps when it was open as Christopher Wray Lighting. I would love to see it occupied as a Made in Birmingham museum - my ultimate dream! and this also could work in Island House.

November 2011

I was very sorry to hear that the Great British Eatery at Five Ways had closed down - they served up the best fish and chips.

On the reverse I am really excited to hear that the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill including a Laurent Perrier Champagne bar has opened on the 25th floor of The Cube. I am looking forward to going after Christmas to check out the food and the spectacular views.

I was saddened to read about the closure of Tucker Fasteners. Our company Europa Translations Ltd did a lot of translation work for Tuckers in the past and it is always difficult to read about another manufacturing loss in the West Midlands.

December 2011

Did you love the bull in a jumper - I did!

February 2012

I am delighted that Ann Sumner Director of the Barber Institute has been appointed to take over the merger of the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Thinktank which will be known as the Birmingham Museums Trust. Both museums are undergoing redevelopment with a new science garden and Made in Birmingham exhibition being created at Thinktank and a new £9 million Birmingham History Galleries due to open at the BMAG later this year - fantastic news.