Communities Together

Deputy Lord Mayor’s Blog 14

Along with the big set piece events that the Lord Mayor or his deputies attend are the much smaller local cultural and family festivals that are put on by local communities in many parts of the city. In this connection as Deputy Lord Mayor I recently had the pleasure of attending two of these - the Springfield Cultural Festival and the Bromford and Firs Fun Day.
The Springfield event drew the rain as well as the local population but spirits were by no means dampened! The festival, which is now in its ninth year, is a great example of a fun event made possible by the community working together, and involving volunteers, Councillors, support services and local residents. All join in an event that shows that people from all communities can work together, raise funds for charity and enjoy themselves together - and maybe sometimes even get wet together! But the sun always shines on Springfield one way or another!
The Firs and Bromford Fun Day was a bit luckier with the weather - at least when I was there. Family occasions such as this are an important part of community life - and indeed are a sign of a lively community. It is tremendous news that the Lottery fund has given a major award to the Firs and Bromford Estate and the community association, our outstanding housing officers and all involved are to be congratulated. When communities pull together, so much can be achieved.

Our Great Museums

Deputy Lord Mayor’s Blog 13

Birmingham’s Museum and Art Gallery are world class attractions at the cultural heart of the city and are drawing in many visitors from home and abroad. The total number of visits went up from 866,904 in 2008/9 to 1,095,683 in 2009/10 - an increase of over 26%.
The Staffordshire Hoard was responsible for part of the increase, with 40,000 visits when it was first shown last year and thousands more week by week since the second display came back in the spring.
But even allowing for the Staffordshire Hoard the results are impressive. They are a result of a series of interesting exhibitions which have been well advertised. It shows what can be achieved with inspired and dedicated staff.
As for the latest exhibitions, I’m told that the current dinosaur exhibition in the Gas Hall “T Rex - The Killer Question” is really good and recommended for families with young children. It has lifelike and animatronic models of T Rex and other dinosaurs. I look forward to seeing this exhibition myself, being a lifelong dinosaur enthusiast! The exhibition runs until the 5th of September.
You can find out more about all the exhibitions at Birmingham’s Museum’s and Art Gallery by visiting the website at www.bmag.org.uk/events
Museums right throughout the city are also a great success. In my own part of Birmingham, Hall Green, we have in Sarehole Mill the premier heritage attraction on the South side of the city, complete with watermill, displays, and strong Tolkien connections (the basis of the mill in Hobbiton - Tolkien lived just across the road) - and a very nice tea room. Well worth a visit, laden with history and legend - guaranteed dinosaur free but there may be a reference to the odd dragon!

The National Children’s Orchestra

Deputy Lord Mayor’s Blog 12

On Saturday evening we had the great pleasure of attending a concert at Birmingham Town Hall. Not so very unusual you may think. But what made this different was that none of the musicians was over thirteen and some were much younger.
The standard was sensational. If you closed your eyes you would never have thought this was not an adult orchestra. There was an immense depth of talent and we were much inspired by the great outlook for classical music all this implies and of which the NCO will be an important part.
Our thanks to the young musicians and to the charity, families and volunteers who brought this event to fruition. They are helping to create and sustain a love of music not only in those who make it but in those of us fortunate enough to enjoy the performances.
Despite best endeavours at publicity, the NCO remain something of a hidden gem. I certainly hope that word will spread and that many more concerts such as Saturday’s in the Town Hall can be given for all to enjoy.

Jamaican Nationals' Concert

Deputy Lord Mayor's Blog 11

At the weekend we were delighted to be able to attend a concert at the Adrian Boult Hall given by the University Singers of the West Indies. This was organised by Birmingham’s Association of Jamaica Nationals around the occasion of the 48th year of Jamaican Independence. The singers gave a scintillating performance of immense range from solemn religious music to lively folk songs.
The press coverage of Jamaican matters is invariably biased towards the negative. There is a very great deal of which to be proud and many people working hard in the community making major contributions and striving to present a more balanced and positive image. We greatly enjoyed the concert as we do all occasions with Birmingham’s Jamaican community.
During the past year or so I have worked regularly with one of the community’s most prominent members, Beverly Lindsay, on charity and community matters who recently received an invitation to a Royal Garden Party. Our second photo shows Beverly and guest outside the palace. These are great occasions which I had the privilege of enjoying while in office last year.

Mela at the Mill

Deputy Lord Mayor’s Blog 10

We recently had the pleasure of attending the annual Mela held at the recreation ground by Sarehole Mill. This is one of several, all-community events of its kind in Birmingham and there was a very pleasant atmosphere – especially in the tea tent as shown in the photo!

One distinctive feature of Hall Green Mela is that the opportunity is taken to present awards to people who have contributed a lot to the local community through voluntary service and I was delighted to present these well deserved awards in recognition. There was also an impressive talent competition for young people ranging from song and dance through to poetry and it was good to talk to the competitors.

So a very good day enjoyed by everyone – just what Melas are all about.

Queen Alexandra College

Deputy Lord Mayor’s Blog 9

Over the past year or so I’ve had the pleasure of visiting and interacting with Birmingham’s Queen Alexandra College which provides training for people with limited or no vision along with other disabilities. The College does absolutely outstanding work and I recently had the pleasure of attending the QAC family day held at the college and at which qualifications were announced and awards made.
The first photograph is of the audience at the ceremony. I cannot overstate the value of this work and the dedication of the staff and volunteers and the determination, commitment and success of the students. Yesterday I paid a follow-up visit to the ‘Sight Village’ which was held at the New Bingley Hall in Hockley.
This is an exhibition of the very latest aids, adaptations, devices, software and support for blind people and those with limited vision. I met exhibitors from the UK and Europe and from as far afield as Oregon in the United States. There has been amazing progress in recent years and research and development continues apace. This international event is organised by QAC and is a credit to the college – and indeed to Birmingham.
On a personal note I had the great pleasure of meeting again someone I had not seen for 48 years since we were both at University together. Roger Hinds now runs a very successful social enterprise making available, free of charge, software that makes it much easier to read on screen material. While attempting the impossible of catching up on almost five decades, Roger and I were also thinking of ways that we can make the software more easily accessible to people in Birmingham.
I also had a chance to have my picture taken at a photography project – again for people with very limited sight. I am shown here with Vicky from the ‘Look’ team - and optional snakes!
Good luck to all concerned and thank you to Queen Alexandra College for all that it does.

Wheelchair Basketball

Deputy Lord Mayor's Blog 8

The City of Birmingham is proud to be hosting the wheelchair basketball championships of the world for 2010. As Deputy Lord Mayor I had the privilege of delivering the official welcome at the opening ceremony at the National Indoor Arena.
There was a splendid display by dancers and skaters from in and around Birmingham and a parade of the athletes from the countries taking part. The Deputy lady Mayoress and I stayed on for the first match of the championships which featured the Great Britain women’s team against the Netherlands. Our photo shows the teams lining up at the start of the match.
This was an exciting game in what is a fast and fluid sport. Although participants usually have a disability you don’t need to be disabled to enjoy playing the game.
The opening game was very, very close with Great Britain taking an early lead and sustaining it until the second half. However, there must have been a particularly effective pep talk by the Netherlands coach as the lead was clawed back and in a nail-biting finish the Netherlands eventually came out the winners by 39 to 38. It couldn’t have been closer.
All praise to the competitors, the organisers, the volunteers and city council officers for making the opening day such a great success for the sport and for the city.