The protest shall take place in Centenary Square.
The duration of the protest will be no longer than 2 hours commencing no earlier than 1pm and ending no later than 3pm on 29 October.

A static protest will be taking place by supporters of the English Defence League, while a separate community event will also be held in the city simultaneously.

They continue,

The event, and any counter demonstration, will take place in Chamberlain Square.
The event will be no longer than three and a half hours commencing no earlier than 12.30pm and ending no later than 4pm, on 29 October.

As on previous occasions, police have no power to ban a static protest – in fact the right to protest peacefully is a sign of a healthy democracy and we have a positive duty to facilitate that right. Assistant chief constable Marcus Beale, who will lead the policing operation, said: “We have to balance the desires of those involved with the safety requirements for the event, and ultimately this has to take precedence.

“We want people to feel reassured and in response to community concerns, we will be staging a large-scale operation on the day to ensure that everyone who comes to the city centre, be it to take part in the protests, or to go about their day to day business, can do so in safety.

“West Midlands Police do not welcome this protest as we recognise that many people feel anxious about it being in the city so soon after the disturbances in August. Like them, we believe that our resources would be better placed in neighbourhoods tackling the crimes which matter most to local people.

“With that in mind, we urge people to go about their normal business and not allow the protest to affect them or undermine Birmingham’s reputation as a harmonious city with many different cultures living alongside each other in peace. The policing operation will strive to ensure it remains that way. Any criminal or public order offences will be robustly dealt with.”

If you are intending on visiting the city centre on Saturday, please bear these restrictions in mind and avoid the area entirely if at all possible. The last time the EDL were in town, acts of random violence and some vandalism occurred (although mostly undertaken by people purporting to be EDL supporters, other groups of people were also involved, possibly in retaliatory action.) No doubt police presence will be visible and high profile in order to curb any inflammatory actions.

A press release from this afternoon reports the following cordons are to be imposed upon the centre as a result of the protest:

[...] Access to Victoria Square will be restricted with police cordons in place around [Centenary] Square. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale, who is leading the policing operation, said: “We understand that the policing operation may cause some inconvenience to members of the public who intend to visit attractions around Victoria Square on Saturday, however the cordons are unavoidable.

“We apologise for any inconvenience the cordons may cause, however we have to balance the desires of everyone involved, with the safety requirements for the event, and ultimately this has to take precedence.”

Under Section 14 of the Public Order Act, conditions have been placed on both events, and organisers have been informed.

ACC Beale added: “We want people to feel reassured and in response to community concerns, we will be staging a large-scale operation on the day to ensure that everyone who comes to the city centre, be it to take part in the protests, or to go about their day to day business, can do so in safety.

“[...] We urge people to go about their normal business and not allow the protest to affect them or undermine Birmingham’s reputation as a harmonious city with many different cultures living alongside each other in peace. The policing operation will strive to ensure it remains that way. Any criminal or public order offences will be robustly dealt with.”

Maps of the defined protest areas follow.

Images courtesy and © Copyright West Midlands Police, used with permission.

The Public’s suffered from more than a little derision and criticism since it opened (“that big, hugely expensive building in the middle of West Brom which nobody bothers to go to” being heard when it first opened) but perhaps that’s being just a smidgen too cruel. It’s a good venue and exhibition space, receiving support and interest from people across the spectrum, and… Well, it’s nearby, isn’t it?

To their credit, the venue’s operators Sandwell City Council (plus exhibitors and event promoters) have continued to back the venue and their hard work (and cold hard cash) is paying dividends. Not only do we currently have the excellent Home of Metal exhibition – their Weekender, from the 1st to the 4th of September looks like a cracking little visit, particularly given we’re nestled in the very black heart of British Heavy Metal (home to the Heavy Metal Records record label no less!), there’s all kinds of fringe arts, culture and entertainment events on regular rotation.

Most recently, The Public’s announced a comedy showcase – culminating in ten comics being given ten minutes to perform in front of a heckling, drinking audience AND the winner taking home £100 in genu-wine Bank of England tenners. Pays the bar tab, if nothing else. The competition’s been called “Starter for Ten” – and also heralds the return (hurray!) of regular comedy nights at The Public into and through the autumn months. The winner of the competition gets to be the visiting comedians’ support gig – lesser men would be intimidated, but I KNOW there are some really funny comics in the Midlands. Perhaps I should get my arse over there to check this out.

Begin shameless quote from press release;

“The Public’s comedy showcase is a great way to celebrate the outstanding talent the region has to offer and will provide amateur comics a fantastic opportunity to perform alongside touring comedians.”

Linda Saunders, Managing Director of The Public

Comics wishing to enter the competition should email a promo video or links to online content to comedy@thepublic.com, together with an application form available from www.thepublic.com [the direct link is http://www.thepublic.com/events/calling-all-budding-comedians -- Chris].  Deadline for entries is Friday 26 August 2011.  For terms and conditions visit thepublic.com; for more info about events at The Public you can call 0121 533 7161.

Also, Soweto Kinch is back in town! 2011′s Flyover Show – the fourth instalment of what’s arguably one of the coolest urban gatherings in the Midlands – is going to be BIG. He’s only gone and booked some Wolverhampton unknown who goes by the name of “Goldie” to headline this year! Soweto explains:

How cool is that lineup! I’ll shamelessly quote from 69 Degrees, in case you haven’t already read:

Between Soho Road and Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, there’s the Hockley Flyover. Nothing too exciting about that, I bet you’re thinking. But on 20th August, below this generic grey stretch of road, will be transformed into an arena of creativity and will play host to some of the most iconic contributors to Black British and Urban Culture.

Drum & Bass legend Goldie and MOBO award winning UK rapper Akala, among others, are set to continue to defy stereotypes, featuring alongside graffiti artists, comedy acts, and theatre and dance work next month.

The fourth year of the free event promises to be thought provoking, challenging and entertaining, whilst proving that communities associated with negative headlines can stage the highest of artistic expression.

The Flyover Show 2011 will be held from 12:30 – 9pm on Saturday 20th August.

For more information and updates join them on Facebook or follow on Twitter. [Chris -- also follow @SowetoKinch!]
www.facebook.com/flyovershow

FLYER TIME! Click on it for the full-size version…

Given the weather we’ve already had this year it should be bloody brilliant. See you there then?

Of course, if it is all a bit much for you and you do you fancy a nap tomorrow, I suggest that at midday you hang around Victoria Square in the vicinity of the fountains (by the floozy in the jacuzzi). Why? …Well, why not?

Along with other events surrounding the date, the Town Hall’s actual 175th birthday – the 4th of October – is marked with what the Stirrer describes as “a free, fun packed day of music and dance for all the family and a truly carnival atmosphere.” And if it’s free, where’s the harm in popping along? I’ll most certainly be going to the Handel concert regardless – I love the Messiah. I was also lucky enough to be able to sing Handel’s Messiah in a choir (at the Royal Albert Hall no less!) a few years ago, and it was truly exhilarating. It’s almost as fun to just sit and watch! The concert’s scheduled to begin at 7pm, and tickets are available (either online or via 0121 780 3333) from the Town Hall Box Office priced between £5 and £40. But act fast, they’re almost completely sold out!

This year’s candidates are:

• Acorn Hospice
• Kidney Kids Appeal
• Birmingham YMCA
• The Conservation Trust
• SIFA Fireside Day Centre in Digbeth
• St Mary’s Hospice in Selly Oak

There’s more info on each of these charities on the Brum Twestival site.

Having had a good friend who died from advanced stage lung cancer spend his last weeks at the BSMH, I’m especially grateful to them for the wonderful care, attention and compassion they give to their residents and their families on a daily basis. They’re entirely funded by donations and the odd benefactor; to lose St. Mary’s Hospice - or indeed, any other Hospice – would be a tragic thing to happen and would drastically decrease the availability of quality palliative care in the West Midlands. Besides that, it would put an even greater strain on the NHS to provide the same level of extraordinary care.

So, please support your local Hospice – and indeed, support all of your local charities. If you can’t afford to donate to all of them at once, set up a rota system or donate to a number in turn, changing every couple of months. What’s £10 or £20 a month? It’s not much to you, but to them it means the world. Thank you

See you at the Twestival in September!

For some background info, including more on the culprits who set up the inaugural TLABD, head on over to TalkLikeABrummieDay.co.uk. There’s a section on the accent and even a quick ‘n dirty dictionary to help you get started. If you’re struggling to get started, whoohoo‘s had an English <-> Brummie translation service up on the web for a good few years now. There are other translators and dictionaries up on the web too, but if I gave you all the links that’d take half the fun out of finding them now, wouldn’t it?

If you fancy giving it a go, don’t forget to RSVP to the Facebook group too so we can see the trend spreading!

Marketing and promotion aside, they do raise some very valid points. In all my driving around the city, I’ve noticed that there is some truly hideous driving going on (from myself included) – lots of leaden right feet and late braking abounds in the City centre. Hopefully I’ll learn something useful from this to take away and help improve my driving skills.

I wonder how we can make all road users in Brum adopt slightly more sensible driving styles? It might help a bit with the awful congestion too…

This is the final day the BP guys are in Brum, moving on to reading at the end of this month. AutoCar’s already blogged about what they’re doing, and hopefully I’ll see some familiar faces when I head down to meet them.

Amongst others, the lineup includes:

• Soweto Kinch, Birmingham saxophonist and rapper
• Linton Kwesi Johnson
• Bashy
• Andy Hamilton
• Cleveland Watkiss

Click on the flyer to the left to see the full lineup. Not a bad list of artists for a concert taking place under one of Brum’s flyovers! LIke last year, it’s free to go, and it’s a lovely day outside today… So why not? Just head over to Hockley Circus, B18. The concert starts at 12:30 and ends at 21:00.

For those who were unaware, the Public Consultation for the planned £193m Birmingham Library  is halfway complete (it’s been running from the 20th of April and will end on the 22nd of May).

This is the last opportunity the general public will have to voice their opinions - you can contribute yours, so get going – there’s more info on the BCC web site. Likewise, they’re also running focus groups which you can participate in.

As local residents, it’s your Council Tax money they’re spending, so why not have your say?

Some blurb from the BCC web site;

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, has unveiled the design concepts for the new Library of Birmingham by the acclaimed Dutch architects Mecanoo.

The Library of Birmingham will be situated on Centenary Square between the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP) and Baskerville House. The project will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the city, creating 250 new jobs including 25 apprenticeships.

The library building will be joined to The REP at ground and mezzanine levels and will share the foyer, bars, restaurants and a new 300 seat theatre.

What bothers me the most (aside from the astounding cost, and the fact that this redevelopment isn’t really necessary) is that they’re going to be using the entire plot of land currently used as a car park – granted the multi-storey behind Baskerville House will still be there, but it’s always full in the daytime with commuters’ vehicles. When this Library is built, parking your car in the centre of Birmingham will become just that little bit more difficult.

Worst of all, as part of the redevelopment of the surrounding area, all but a few circles of grass will be removed and paved over wholesale – what happens to the water table, and why are the few remaining patches of green space in the middle of our city to be so neglected? There’s a lot to be said for being able to relax during your lunch breaks while sitting on a nice patch of grass in the warmer months.

The one good thing about this redevelopment taking place is that archaeologists from the UoB have unearthed some interesting finds just below the car park tarmac, including a “canal arm and factory remains.” From the site;

A previous desk-based assessment showed that the site was formerly within the vicinity of John Baskerville’s house in the 18th century, a canal, and was the later location of the Union Brassworks in the early-19th century, and Winfields Brass Works, one of the largest brassworks in Birmingham during the mid to late-19th century.

There’s a more detailed writeup (old link, obsolete) (with more photos and a video of an animated above- and below-ground virtual tour) on the University’s Archeology and Anthropology web site.

Related reading:

Library of Birmingham promotional web site
UoB: Cambridge Street, Birmingham
BCC: Concept designs for Brum Library
Birmingham Mail: first look at new Birmingham Library
BCC: BigCityPlan - The Core