Saint George’s Day

Lord Mayor’s Blog 54
It was very good to be present at some of the celebrations in Birmingham for England’s patron Saint, Saint George. The main events in Birmingham took place at various locations on Saturday the 24th of April.
This year, we were particularly taken with the Anglo-Saxon village in Chamberlain Square and the excellent Saint George’s day concert at Symphony Hall in the evening. I also visited the Saint George’s day event at Highfield Hall in Hall Green.
Of course the actual Saint’s day was Friday 23rd of April, which points up the fact that Saint George’s day is not an official national holiday - as in my view it should be in England.
The 23rd of April 2010 marks both the death of St George in 303 and the 446th birthday of Shakespeare. Saint George’s day was first celebrated in England in 1222. After 788 years we should make a holiday out of this! More information from the Birmingham St. George's Day Association website.
By the way, there will be more dragon-related activity - of a rather different kind - at this year’s Middle-earth Weekend to be held at Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, on the weekend of May the 15th and 16th. This unique family event celebrates Birmingham’s close connection with JRR Tolkien who had a passionate interest in English mythology and latest details of the weekend can be obtained via the Shire Productions website

Who Done It?

Lord Mayor's Blog 53
Do you have what it takes to be an ace detective and solve a mysterious case of murder? Here is your opportunity to find out "who done it?"
The Lady Mayoress and I are hosting a Murder Mystery Night in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal. This one-off, very special event is taking place on Thursday 29th April at Highbury Hall, Birmingham.
This is an exceptional event, raising funds for charity whilst promising a thrilling evening for all. Tickets are priced at £20.00 per person which includes a 2 course meal and entertainment.
There is also a raffle on the night; the prizes include two tickets for an Inspector Morse tour of Oxford, a DVD of "Taggart" signed by all the cast and many more.
Tickets are limited. To book yours please contact the Lord Mayor’s Parlour on 0121 303 1999 or via email

Regimental Visit

Lord Mayor's Blog 52

I recently returned from a visit to the 26th Regiment, Royal Artillery at their base at Mansergh Barracks near Gutersloh in Germany. The Regiment of course has the freedom of the City of Birmingham that I had the pleasure of conferring last summer as per the first photo.
The visit included extensive briefings on the Regiment as a whole and its component batteries. There were also opportunities to view the latest electronic close combat trainer and to meet socially and individually with many of the troops.
The Regiment (the Midlands Gunners) draws many recruits from Birmingham and the West Midlands and it was very good to meet them - they are doing a great job.
The Regiment will be on exercises shortly in the Czech Republic and later in the year in Canada, where the vast exercise area is larger than Luxembourg! This prior to a second deployment in Afghanistan next year.
The visit also included an outing to Mohnesee and the photo shows the dam (one of the targets of the Dam Busters) as it is today.