Birmingham Mailtag:,2008:/1732008-02-06T15:12:02ZMovable Type 3.31Brian's on the movetag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.378892008-02-06T15:10:51Z2008-02-06T15:12:02ZThought the seagulls had taken revenge? Well panic not because Brian has merely moved to a new blogging home. Click here to read more of Brian's blog entries. See you there!...Ross
here to read more of Brian's blog entries.
See you there!]]>
Busby Babes rememberedtag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.378192008-02-06T08:58:03Z2008-02-06T09:00:06ZIT SAYS much for the stature of Duncan Edwards and the other Busby Babes who died in the Munich air crash that, 50 years after the tragedy, they are still remembered with such sadness and reverence. These were extravagantly talented...Paul Fulford
IT SAYS much for the stature of Duncan Edwards and the other Busby Babes who died in the Munich air crash that, 50 years after the tragedy, they are still remembered with such sadness and reverence.
These were extravagantly talented young players, a truly golden generation taken from us before they had realised their full potential.
RIP, lads. You are still sorely missed.
Traffic free Birminghamtag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.378182008-02-06T08:56:32Z2008-02-06T08:57:50ZAS DRIVERS sit tapping their steering wheels in frustration while they sit in jams on Birmingham's congested roads, it is clear that something must be done to get our city moving again. Year after year more cars pour on to...Paul Fulford
AS DRIVERS sit tapping their steering wheels in frustration while they sit in jams on Birmingham's congested roads, it is clear that something must be done to get our city moving again.
Year after year more cars pour on to roads whose capacity is not infinite.
Small wonder the result is tailbacks which begin earlier and last later. Small wonder that our air is choked with fumes from cars standing still in long queues.
Widening our highways might seem like the sensible option, but think again.
Such schemes are costly, would mean the destruction of buildings or open space and, in any case, would simply encourage more vehicles on the road.
In such a situation radical solutions need to be considered and adopted.
Many hackles will be raised by today's suggestion – being debated in Brussels – of a completely-free city centre.
That is understandable when buses and trains do not provide a convenient and reliable alternative for many commuters.
Clearly more needs to be done to make public transport an option that will tempt motorists out of their cars when they want to travel into the city.
But, equally, drivers should realise that their journeys will become increasingly slow and wearisome unless we make some difficult choices.
One such choice may well be a city centre traffic ban.
Jaguar's big hopetag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.377012008-02-05T08:38:07Z2008-02-05T08:38:59ZDO NOT disregard Jaguar's glitzy launch of its new XF model in Monte Carlo merely as a junket. Hundreds of influential motoring journalists from around the world are being invited there over the next six weeks....Paul Fulford
DO NOT disregard Jaguar's glitzy launch of its new XF model in Monte Carlo merely as a junket.
Hundreds of influential motoring journalists from around the world are being invited there over the next six weeks.
Meanwhile, hundreds of dealers are being flown to Malaga to test drive the car.
Their support is crucial if the new car is to succeed – as we are sure it will.
Already there have been 8,000 orders placed worldwide. The car has excited the imagination of petrol-heads with a wad of spare cash burning a hole in their pocket.
Jaguar – an iconic car-maker whose success is vital to this region's prosperity – is doing the right thing by giving the XF a high-profile launch.
It is a gem.
Hero copstag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.377002008-02-05T08:36:13Z2008-02-05T08:37:42ZTRAFFIC cop Gavin Blease dismisses suggestions that he acted heroically as he wrestled with a gunman who had already opened fire. "I don't think it was anything exceptional," says Pc Blease, describing how the drama began after a routine decision...Paul Fulford
TRAFFIC cop Gavin Blease dismisses suggestions that he acted heroically as he wrestled with a gunman who had already opened fire.
"I don't think it was anything exceptional," says Pc Blease, describing how the drama began after a routine decision to question a man acting suspiciously.
"We approach people on these kinds of cold stops unarmed all the time. Knives are in abundance and guns are more prevalent, but it's just what police do."
In those words, he sums up eloquently why our police officers are heroes.
Day in, day out they put themselves in situations in which danger can appear suddenly and without warning.
Thankfully, guns are fired or knives are thrust in very few instances.
But police officers can never be sure that they will not face violence when they approach those they suspect may be up to no good.
And they do so to try to ensure that our streets are safe.
We owe a huge debt to Pc Blease, his colleague Pc Richard Cundy and everyone like them for putting their lives on the line for the rest of us.
Eco-towns rowtag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.375482008-02-04T09:01:19Z2008-02-04T09:02:54ZIF THIS country is serious about reducing the damage it causes to our world, the government's plans for a generation of eco-towns must proceed. We need to build homes, schools and workplaces that are environmentally friendly and encourage people to...Paul Fulford
IF THIS country is serious about reducing the damage it causes to our world, the government's plans for a generation of eco-towns must proceed.
We need to build homes, schools and workplaces that are environmentally friendly and encourage people to travel less or to use public transport.
Their location will, of course, be contentious because it is likely that most will be built in rural or semi-rural locations.
Such a site is at Long Marston in leafy Warwickshire where 300 local people marched in protest against the blueprint.
Their concerns deserve to be heard.
Planners need to consider whether the area has the facilities to cope with a large rise in population and whether it has the public transport links that would be needed.
But if these worries prove groundless, the eco-town should go ahead.
Protesters cannot be allowed to protect their own backyards at the expense of the planet.
Bus strike avertedtag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.375462008-02-04T08:59:36Z2008-02-04T09:01:05ZHARD work, goodwill and common sense have averted a strike by Travel West Midlands bus drivers. Thank heavens for that because such a stoppage would have caused mayhem – snarling up roads with extra cars and leading to widespread absenteeism...Paul Fulford
HARD work, goodwill and common sense have averted a strike by Travel West Midlands bus drivers.
Thank heavens for that because such a stoppage would have caused mayhem – snarling up roads with extra cars and leading to widespread absenteeism at workplaces across the region.
Youngsters would have struggled to get to schools, hospital appointments would have been missed and shopping trips would have been abandoned.
We congratulate union officials and TWM management for solving a pay dispute that threatened to cause massive disruption.
News of the settlement comes the day before Birmingham City Council's workforce is due to strike over wages.
Let hope that the single status row, too, can be solved by sensible negotiation.
Rhydian and Andy - Brummie starstag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.373752008-02-01T09:13:13Z2008-02-01T09:14:28ZTHEIR music could hardly be more different. Rhydian Roberts, just 24, is the new X-Factor singing sensation and Andy Hamilton, aged 89, is a jazz saxophonist with a pedigree stretching back many decades....Paul Fulford
THEIR music could hardly be more different.
Rhydian Roberts, just 24, is the new X-Factor singing sensation and Andy Hamilton, aged 89, is a jazz saxophonist with a pedigree stretching back many decades.
But the careers of both have blossomed right here in Birmingham so it is right that they should be awarded honorary degrees by Birmingham City University's acclaimed Conservatoire.
They represent the wealth of talent that flourishes here in Birmingham across the generations and across the the many communities that make up this city.
Congratulations to both performers on the honour.
Give peace a chancetag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.373742008-02-01T09:10:26Z2008-02-01T09:12:43ZFOR eight years its peace officers have patrolled Birmingham's troubled streets. The Haile Selassie Peace Foundation has calmed community tension, built bridges with the police and helped persuade jailed offenders to live law-abiding and valuable lives....Paul Fulford
FOR eight years its peace officers have patrolled Birmingham's troubled streets.
The Haile Selassie Peace Foundation has calmed community tension, built bridges with the police and helped persuade jailed offenders to live law-abiding and valuable lives.
Make no mistake: this organisation is a true 21st century Brummie success story.
The foundation has attracted headlines around the world and its methods have been copied in other countries. Only two years ago it scooped a national award, beating 80 other community groups.
Less than three years ago it was applauded for helping bring calm to Lozells after the riots that rocked the district.
But now this pioneering group faces closure because it has run out of cash.
Birmingham City Council must pull out all the stops to try to find ways of funding the foundation.
It would be a tragedy if the good work done over the past eight years was allowed to unravel through lack of official support.
Our potentially most volatile streets would become a little less safe. And that cannot be allowed to happen.
Graffiti gambletag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.372842008-01-31T09:34:41Z2008-01-31T09:36:04ZGRAFFITI blights neighbourhoods. Those daubings on walls, fences, bus shelters and park benches speak of an area in which youths roam after dark, free to deface and damage without fear of challenge....Paul Fulford
GRAFFITI blights neighbourhoods.
Those daubings on walls, fences, bus shelters and park benches speak of an area in which youths roam after dark, free to deface and damage without fear of challenge.
Some have artistic merit, its creators displaying skill and imagination.
But that is no excuse for those who treat other people's property as a canvas on which to exercise their craft.
Trouble is, graffiti is difficult to prevent because its perpetrators are hardly likely to pounce when others are around: they strike when they have no fear of being caught.
It is in this climate that Birmingham City Council is considering the establishment of designated zones in which graffiti will be tolerated.
That is a sensible compromise if spaces can be created so they will not offend local folk.
And, of course, if those who are responsible can be persuaded to restrict themselves to such sites.
Let us give this idea a try – and crack down hard on anyone who decides to brandish spray paint elsewhere.
The write stufftag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.371802008-01-30T08:53:46Z2008-01-30T08:54:42ZDO NOT be surprised that Birmingham author RJ Ellory has shot to fame with his book A Quiet Belief of Angels chosen by the Richard and Judy Book Club. This city has a fine and distinguished literary tradition which –...Paul Fulford
DO NOT be surprised that Birmingham author RJ Ellory has shot to fame with his book A Quiet Belief of Angels chosen by the Richard and Judy Book Club.
This city has a fine and distinguished literary tradition which – in typically Brummie fashion – has remained largely hidden.
Catherine O'Flynn, Clare Morrall and Jim Crace are local writers who have recently enjoyed a high profile.
Then there is Jonathan Coe, David Lodge and Benjamin Zephaniah.
JRR Tolkien spent much of his early life in Moseley and Edgbaston, Arthur Conan Doyle lived and worked in Aston and WH Auden grew up in Solihull until he was packed off to prep school.
Outsiders might poke fun at the way we speak, but we don't half write well!
Battling the superbugstag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.371792008-01-30T08:52:19Z2008-01-30T08:53:31ZIT IS too early to start celebrating success as Midlands hospitals battle against those dreadful infections MRSA and Clostridium difficule. But let us at least recognise the efforts of health managers, doctors, nurses and other staff in driving down the...Paul Fulford
IT IS too early to start celebrating success as Midlands hospitals battle against those dreadful infections MRSA and Clostridium difficule.
But let us at least recognise the efforts of health managers, doctors, nurses and other staff in driving down the number of cases over the past six months.
The fall may be small, but the move is in the right direction.
Now, with Midland hospital infection rates well above the national average, the challenge is to reduce the number of cases much more dramatically.
It is inexcusable that patients should pick up life-threatening and potentially disfiguring bugs when they are in hospital and at their most vulnerable.
Hospital hygiene – of buildings, equipment and staff – should be beyond reproach.
This battle will be won by vigilance, determination and good, old fashioned common sense.
MRSA and C.diff are formidable enemies, but they can be eradicated. And they must be.
Morgan - a reliable runnertag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.365342008-01-22T22:03:31Z2008-01-22T22:07:41ZWolves chairman Steve Morgan is probably not a vindictive sort, and lest we forget he remains a boyhood Liverpool fan, but even he could be forgiven a knowing smirk at events up on Anfield just at the moment. Morgan, who...Paul Berry
Wolves chairman Steve Morgan is probably not a vindictive sort, and lest we forget he remains a boyhood Liverpool fan, but even he could be forgiven a knowing smirk at events up on Anfield just at the moment.
Morgan, who of course has tried and failed to take over at Liverpool on several occasions in the past, was never really in the frame when it came to the ridiculous amounts of money thrown into the pot by American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
But as Morgan went on to point out when he took the reins at Molineux, this was not Gillett and Hicks’s wonga to spend.
It was all based largely on finance agreements, and such has since been the state of the markets that it appears the pair now need to sort out another re-financing agreement to safeguard their position.
Meanwhile the Dubai International Capital conglomerate, who were very much interested at the time Gillett and Hicks took the helm, are also now believed to be once more waiting in the wings to pounce on this current sign of weakness.
Steven Gerrard says it’s all taking its toll on the players, and Rafa Benitez can hardly be thinking life is going swimmingly after the owners admitting talking to Jurgen Klinsmann about possibly moving into his job.
What a farce!
So what has this got to do with Morgan and Wolves?
Not a fat lot other than Morgan, should he so wish, being able to stroll back into Anfield sporting both a knowing smile and a big “I told you so,” t-shirt.
But what it does indicate is how perhaps Wolves have struck lucky with a entrepreneur as prudent and business-savvy as their current owner.
Let’s face it, it’s not been a fantastic season at Molineux thus far.
A decent run when not playing well followed by a far from decent run when not playing well has left supporters – admittedly only those seemingly suffering from amnesia – questioning whether Mick McCarthy should remain as manager.
Morgan meanwhile has kept his calm, kept his counsel and kept his faith, not diverting from his preferred course to avoid becoming a “rent-a-quote” chairman whilst at the same time letting it be known he is more than happy to give McCarthy the time to turn things around.
Of course he won’t be happy with how events have transpired, and rest assured there will have been some ‘lively’ discussions behind the scenes with McCarthy, one of which is known to involve Wolves’ style of play.
There have also been murmurings about possible interference in the identity of transfer targets, but that’s all it’s been, murmurings.
Providing those sort of events are officially kept in-house, and providing Morgan keeps the pressure off McCarthy in the way that he has by remaining cool, calm and collected, the manager is given the freedom to be able to crack on with the job in hand.
And that can only be of benefit to everyone.
You haven’t heard any Wolves player echoing Gerrard’s words about any off-field tensions affecting gold and black performance.
There isn’t, and never will be, the slightest suggestion Morgan is going to potentially damage Wolves by operating beyond his means.
So while there is still a mighty long way for Morgan to achieve the promotion blueprint he has in place at Molineux, just maybe current events at Liverpool will show that the Merseysiders’ loss is to prove very much Wolves’ gain.
Bomber Browntag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.364192008-01-21T23:04:41Z2008-01-21T23:28:43ZBack in 2002, following Jeff Astle's death, Albion announced plans to honour the club's very own King by building gates in his honour, which now stand by the entrance to the East Stand car park. The Birmingham Mail proposed at...Chris Lepkowski
Back in 2002, following Jeff Astle's death, Albion announced plans to honour the club's very own King by building gates in his honour, which now stand by the entrance to the East Stand car park.
The Birmingham Mail proposed at the time that the club should rename each one of the four stands after club legends.
We suggested Tony Brown, Ronnie Allen, WG Richardson and Astle were the appropriate heroes. At the very least we called for the fans to be given a chance to vote for their chosen hero.
Albion's then regime liked but, ultimately, rejected the idea, offering the counter argument that the stands were an ideal hook for potential advertisers and could, as a result, generate revenue.
Six years on and there are renewed calls for 'Bomber' Brown - Mr West Bromwich Albion - to be honoured, as underlined by the overwhelming reaction from supporters to our very own Albion Legends supplement last week.
Albion fan Paul Hayward has now gone one better by putting pen to paper in honour of Albion's greatest ever goalscorer and record appearance holder.
Paul has kindly given the Birmingham Mail permission to reproduce his dedication to Bomber.
And we reckon it'll strike a chord with Albion fans everywhere, including the Legend himself.
Bobby Moore stands foot on ball at the head of Wembley way,
And Sir Matt surveys Old Trafford on a wet Manchester day,
A statue too for Shankly who’s been honoured by the Reds,
The greatest men remembered as football thoroughbreds.
There’s a sculpture too of Matthews, a legend up at Stoke,
A player who was knighted, just an ordinary bloke,
Even Wolverhampton’s got one; the great “Sir” Billy Wright,
He played for England many times (and a club that we don't like)
Have Albion got a player to match these football greats?
To deserve a Hawthorns’ statue standing by the Astle Gates,
Did we ever have a player, who for twenty years or more
Broke all appearance records, and never failed to score,
Who Baggies fans are proud to say “he played for us you know;
And I saw him play in blue and white all those years ago”
Yes we have an Albion player who surpassed the very best,
Topped the scoring charts one season beating Charlton, Law and Best,
And all this from midfield, not a striker out and out,
The greatest Albion goal scorer of that there is no doubt.
Who never left this club of ours when relegation came,
And continued his explosive goals as ever just the same,
Rarely missed a penalty, his blasts would burst the net,
The ball he hit at Hillsborough ain’t stopped rolling yet!
We have an Albion player, who won the FA cup,
And scored the all important goal to take the Albion up,
Then made his name all over again in Big Ron’s brilliant team,
Netting his reputation as our greatest goal machine.
Scored 2 against Valencia in a European match,
With a 70s perm and flailing tongue beneath his thick moustache,
The defining image of an Albion great, at the height of his success,
Let’s mount that image for all to see on a plinth of bronze no less.
His stats say 574 games and 218 goals scored,
Those stats deserve an honour, a lifelong club award,
For even now he’s scoring goals at every Albion game,
From the commentary (not the penalty) box, perhaps it’s not the same,
But it shows his love and support for the club after over forty years,
He’s lived and breathed the Albion, the good times and the tears,
What a journey it’s been since 62 - his debut at Ipswich Town,
Now it’s time we honoured our greatest player – Tony Bomber Brown.
With thanks to Paul.
Over to you now Albion. We tried six years ago - how about now?
Captain Marveltag:birminghammail.midlandsblogs.co.uk,2008://173.361472008-01-18T08:51:59Z2008-01-18T08:53:24ZTHERE but for the grace of God go all of us. Yesterday's narrowly averted disaster at Heathrow is a stark reminder of how often our lives are in the hands of others....Paul Fulford
THERE but for the grace of God go all of us.
Yesterday's narrowly averted disaster at Heathrow is a stark reminder of how often our lives are in the hands of others.
BA pilot Captain Peter Burkill has rightly been hailed a hero for the way he
glided his jet into Heathrow after its engines failed.
His and his crew's calm professionalism almost certainly saved hundreds of lives.
BA ground crew have said Capt Burkill deserves a medal "as big as a frying pan."
They are wrong.
Cool-headed Capt Burkill and his colleagues deserve medals as big as the Boeing he so brilliantly managed to land.