So, if you clicked through to here you’re most likely wondering what the hell this site is all about. Well, it’s the result of an idea borne forth from a twentysomething Uni student’s head (that’d be me, hello, my name is Christopher Woods). The idea? To create a site showcasing all the best (and worst) that Birmingham has to offer, and to offer a little bit of personal insight along the way as I live in the city, go exploring, find its nooks and crannies and suchlike.
Many cities (Birmingham included) have gotten a bad rap over the years, mainly because of the way they were in the past, their architecture, misguided attempts by then-controlling powers-that-be to ‘futurise’ them (now there’s a new word for you)… But as any city-dweller will tell you, whatever other peoples’ impressions of a city, they’re most likely inaccurate or outright wrong. My aim, through the medium of photography, sound and (if I can get my mitts on the right gear) video, is to show Birmingham as it actually is, bit by bit, piece by piece, from the perspective of someone who lives and studies in it on a daily basis.
As I develop the necessary momentum to properly get cracking on this site, I hope to have written entries, interviews with people, and podcasts, each one focusing on one aspect of Birmingham - be it the people living in it, its architecture, its history… There’s always something new to discover, someone new who has stories to share. Sometimes it’s just plain interesting finding out more about something, like an old building you might see every day as you commute on public transport but would never otherwise pay much attention to. I’m going to try and build up a picture of how and why Birmingham is as it is today - a great city, a diverse city and a wonderful place to live.
So there we have it - my mission statement. Are you ready to find out more about The Second City?
