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Jul 19

This 5 x 45 minute documentary tells the story of the affectionately known ‘ATVLand’ – the ATV Centre in Birmingham, from its beginnings to its ultimate closure in 1997 and beyond, celebrating some of the great programmes that came from the studios throughout its working life. The DVD includes a mix of rare archive footage, much of which has not been seen since broadcast, and interviews with those who worked at the centre including Jim Bowen, Barbara Bradbury, Reg Harcourt, Peter Harris, Diana Mather, Wendy Nelson, Jane Rossington, Debbie Shore, Chris Tarrant, Shaw Taylor, Gary Terzza, Bob Warman and Jo Wheeler PART ONE begins with a brief history of midlands broadcaster Associated Television (ATV) and its studio base in Aston, with anecdotes on some of the programmes produced there from those who were involved. The story then follows changes in the ITV system, leaving ATV in need of new premises for the age of colour broadcasting leading to the eventual opening of ATV Centre in 1970. PARTS TWO and THREE tell the story of the ATV Centre in operation throughout the 1970s, remembered by those who were involved and concentrating on the types of programmes made at the studios, including the regional output and various iconic shows, such as Crossroads, ATV Today, Tiswas and Miss ATV, with anecdotes from the interviewees. (via MACE | Media Archive for Central England |

“I maintain that Felt are by far the best band to ever come out of Birmingham.” — Tim Burgess On Loving Lawrence & Felt, “Birmingham’s Best Band”

“culturally aware Birmingham locals (yep, they do exist …).” —

Want to be het up about something of the day:

Cine-files: The Electric, Birmingham | Film | guardian.co.uk

Jul 18

Hell comes to Birmingham

Tom Lennon tells us about Captain Midlands:

“if Birmingham-based cinemagoers want a superhero they can really identify with then they’ll have to look elsewhere. Luckily, an ideal candidate already exists. His name? Captain Midlands. Yes, that sprawling and overpopulated metafictional monstrosity that is the Marvel Comics Universe actually contains a patriotic, shield-slinging, living legend of World War II who is also a Brummie. If the likes of Captains America and Britain are (in the language of the aviation industry) national flag-carriers, then Captain Midlands is a hyperlocal hero.”

(more at This is Captain Midlands | Tom Lennon’s Blog)

Jul 13

[video]

Jul 12

The Flyover Show 4

Jun 22

fuckyeahstirchley:

CoCoMad is coming soon. Since Stirchley annexed Cotteridge earlier this year this is now technically ours, though the patronising booze-free peacenicks of Bournville might disagree. All good Stirchillians are required to be in attendance to ensure they don’t get the wrong idea, if you know what I mean. Leave the shooters at home though. We don’t want to scare the kiddies.

Jun 21

Matt Crowe on accent (via Creative Review - Degree Shows 2011: Lincoln)

Jun 07

Snooze (aka Stirchley News), 1st edition, April 1984.

via fuckyeahstirchley:

Consultation on proposed changes to Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery’s delivery of services

Thier proposals:

To increase income generation – through extending charging for exhibitions, events and activities and increasing the use of our facilities for external hire
Temporary exhibitions, events and audience development programmes – we will maintain a full programme in our Gas Hall exhibition space, delivery of other programmes and activities will be dependent on available resources
Loans programme – we are proposing to reduce the number of loans we can make from our museum collections to other museums and galleries
A review of our picture library service – how we provide or licence use of images from our collections
Schools programme – we are committed to facilitate as many school visits as we can, but with reduced resources available, will need to review the number of taught sessions we can provide
General expenditure – we will look at all ways of reducing our expenditure with least impact on our services to visitors

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