THE majority of West Midlands schools are set to close next Wednesday as public sector workers stage a mass 24-hour strike over pension reform.
Teachers, teaching assistants, dinner ladies, nurses, hospital cleaners, care workers, binmen, PCSOs and lollipop people are joining the demonstration.
Marchers will go from Lionel Street in the Jewellery Quarter to the National Indoor Arena where a rally will be held. Roads will be closed as a result.
Up to 20 public sector unions are supporting the action.
The major teaching unions, the NASUWT, the NUT, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Association of Head Teachers are all set to stage walkouts closing schools and colleges. Many parents have already been warned of the school closures.
The strike is over the Government’s proposed reform of public sector pensions.
TUC general secretary Brenden Barber said: “Dedicated public sector workers take no pleasure in taking action next week, but the blame for this strike lies squarely with the government for failing to engage in serious talks until unions decided on a day of action.”
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/2011/11/26/majority-of-schools-to-close-on-public-sector-strike-day-97319-29844694/#ixzz1f045svPd
Monday 28 November 2011
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Historic Birmingham buildings to go under the hammer
A number of historic buildings in Birmingham are set to go under the hammer in December.
Aston Council House and Pype Hayes Hall are coming before CPBigwood’s next sale on December 8 in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa FC, starting at 11am.
Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “These are two outstanding public buildings from when Birmingham was in its pomp.
“They may both have seen better days but, with vision and regeneration zeal, they could once more prove tremendous assets to the city.”
Formerly used as a library and offices, it is locally Listed and consideration is currently being given to statutory Listing.
It is the second attempt to find a buyer for Pype Hayes Hall, 997 Chester Road, Erdington, which failed to sell at the last auction.
A 17th Century Grade II listed building, it was last used as offices.
There is a guide price of £350,000. Constructed in 1630 and known as the house of 13 Gables, a number of extensions were added in the 19th Century.
A section, formerly the stables, has fallen into disrepair. It is situated in a public park and its access is via the park entrance off the Chester Road.
Moseley Road Methodist Church, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, dating from the 1950s is also up for auction and has had significant standing in its community. On a site of 0.25 acres, it is thought it may have potential for alternative uses or redevelopment.
Equally stand-out is 9 Regent Street, part of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. It once formed part of a large former button factory occupying the whole of the corner site on Frederick Street, Regent Street and Vittoria Street.
The property has planning permission to change part of the ground floor from light industrial use to a café. Considered to have refurbishment potential, there is a guide price of £150,000-£175,000.
Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/11/22/historic-birmingham-buildings-to-go-under-the-hammer-65233-29816835/#ixzz1eQVxL3ZX
Aston Council House and Pype Hayes Hall are coming before CPBigwood’s next sale on December 8 in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa FC, starting at 11am.
Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “These are two outstanding public buildings from when Birmingham was in its pomp.
“They may both have seen better days but, with vision and regeneration zeal, they could once more prove tremendous assets to the city.”
Aston Council House, in Albert Road, Aston, is a substantial and imposing late 19th Century four-storey freehold office with a guide price of £195,000.
Formerly used as a library and offices, it is locally Listed and consideration is currently being given to statutory Listing.
It is the second attempt to find a buyer for Pype Hayes Hall, 997 Chester Road, Erdington, which failed to sell at the last auction.
A 17th Century Grade II listed building, it was last used as offices.
There is a guide price of £350,000. Constructed in 1630 and known as the house of 13 Gables, a number of extensions were added in the 19th Century.
A section, formerly the stables, has fallen into disrepair. It is situated in a public park and its access is via the park entrance off the Chester Road.
Moseley Road Methodist Church, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, dating from the 1950s is also up for auction and has had significant standing in its community. On a site of 0.25 acres, it is thought it may have potential for alternative uses or redevelopment.
Equally stand-out is 9 Regent Street, part of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. It once formed part of a large former button factory occupying the whole of the corner site on Frederick Street, Regent Street and Vittoria Street.
The property has planning permission to change part of the ground floor from light industrial use to a café. Considered to have refurbishment potential, there is a guide price of £150,000-£175,000.
Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/11/22/historic-birmingham-buildings-to-go-under-the-hammer-65233-29816835/#ixzz1eQVxL3ZX
Thursday 17 November 2011
Frankfurt and Jewellery Quarter markets open for business
Birmingham has once more been transformed into a little corner of Frankfurt after the traditional German market officially opened for business
Dozens of traders this week hit the streets selling their wares as well as warming winter refreshments for thousands of shoppers.
Stall worker Gloria Recio, said: “I really like the city, the people are friendly, they come after work and really enjoy having a gluhwein.”
The 44-year-old Spaniard, said: “My Christmas is here. There will be not one day off – so it’s a long Christmas, I promise.”
Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/11/16/frankfurt-and-jewellery-quarter-markets-open-for-business-65233-29793081/#ixzz1dxXNHtqs
Dozens of traders this week hit the streets selling their wares as well as warming winter refreshments for thousands of shoppers.
Stall worker Gloria Recio, said: “I really like the city, the people are friendly, they come after work and really enjoy having a gluhwein.”
The 44-year-old Spaniard, said: “My Christmas is here. There will be not one day off – so it’s a long Christmas, I promise.”
Marlis Loewenthal, from Frankfurt, who owns all the market’s alcohol and food stalls, is back in Birmingham for the 11th time this year.
Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/11/16/frankfurt-and-jewellery-quarter-markets-open-for-business-65233-29793081/#ixzz1dxXNHtqs
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Wordsley artist mingles words and pictures for his new show
AN artist from Wordsley is launching a new exhibition which mingles words and pictures with Black Country themes.
Robert Perry is launching a new exhibition featuring works based on a salvaged car engine as well as more familiar landscape images.
He has added an extra dimension to his latest works by adding newsprint to represent both commercial life in his home community and also the passage of time.
The engine is pictured in life-size to examine the history of top class engineering in the Midlands and its decline in recent years.
Although the new show, at the in the Birmingham's jewellery quarter, takes Robert Perry into new artistic territory, he is still showing works produced in his unique mobile studio which includes the "umpire's chair" - and elevated seat on the roof of his vehicle which gives the artist an elevated view the world.
Robert Perry is launching a new exhibition featuring works based on a salvaged car engine as well as more familiar landscape images.
He has added an extra dimension to his latest works by adding newsprint to represent both commercial life in his home community and also the passage of time.
The engine is pictured in life-size to examine the history of top class engineering in the Midlands and its decline in recent years.
Although the new show, at the in the Birmingham's jewellery quarter, takes Robert Perry into new artistic territory, he is still showing works produced in his unique mobile studio which includes the "umpire's chair" - and elevated seat on the roof of his vehicle which gives the artist an elevated view the world.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Plans for Jewellery Quarter drop in centre for drug addicts set to be approved
PLANS by the Jesus Army to open a drop-in centre for drug addicts, prostitutes and asylum seekers in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter are likely to be approved after police chiefs raised no objection.
The proposal to convert offices in Lionel Street into a church, meeting rooms and cafe resulted in objections from the owners of up-market bars, restaurants and hotels who fear their businesses will suffer from an increase in anti-social behaviour.
More than 250 residents and businesses signed petitions urging the city planning committee to throw the application out.
The protest was backed by the Jewellery Quarter Heritage and Regeneration Group which claims that “the Jesus Army will lead to unacceptable anti-social behaviour and an acceleration of crime”.
Residents were “worried and distressed” by the proposal, the group claimed.
Solicitors acting for the owners of Cornwall House offices in Lionel Street are threatening legal action against the council if the application is approved.
But a report by West Midlands Police raises no objections and stated that a similar Jesus Army outlet in Coventry has “generated hardly any offences”.
Planning committee members will be recommended to approve the drop-in centre at their next meeting.
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/10/31/plans-for-jewellery-quarter-drop-in-centre-for-drug-addicts-set-to-be-approved-97319-29688458/#ixzz1cSQfFl3n
The proposal to convert offices in Lionel Street into a church, meeting rooms and cafe resulted in objections from the owners of up-market bars, restaurants and hotels who fear their businesses will suffer from an increase in anti-social behaviour.
More than 250 residents and businesses signed petitions urging the city planning committee to throw the application out.
The protest was backed by the Jewellery Quarter Heritage and Regeneration Group which claims that “the Jesus Army will lead to unacceptable anti-social behaviour and an acceleration of crime”.
Residents were “worried and distressed” by the proposal, the group claimed.
Solicitors acting for the owners of Cornwall House offices in Lionel Street are threatening legal action against the council if the application is approved.
But a report by West Midlands Police raises no objections and stated that a similar Jesus Army outlet in Coventry has “generated hardly any offences”.
Planning committee members will be recommended to approve the drop-in centre at their next meeting.
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/10/31/plans-for-jewellery-quarter-drop-in-centre-for-drug-addicts-set-to-be-approved-97319-29688458/#ixzz1cSQfFl3n
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