Misplaced Pages

Birmingham: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 12:58, 3 June 2005 editBrumburger (talk | contribs)257 editsm Restore improvements← Previous edit Revision as of 13:27, 3 June 2005 edit undo195.92.67.208 (talk) Andy Mabbett (sorry Brumburger) why have you just reverted every single one of my additions that you previously deleted and claimed it as a minor edit, are u trying to cover up your vandalsim?Next edit →
Line 41: Line 41:
The city is commonly known by its nickname ''']''' (from the local name ]), and its people as '''Brummies'''. Birmingham is home to the distinctive ] accent and dialect. The city is commonly known by its nickname ''']''' (from the local name ]), and its people as '''Brummies'''. Birmingham is home to the distinctive ] accent and dialect.


Birmingham is is the second most ethnically and culturally diverse city, with large populations from the ], ] and ]. Birmingham is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the UK. Along with large populations from the ] and ], Birmingham is home to a large traditional ] community. The city hosts the second largest ] parade in Europe.after ], while Birmingham's ] restaurants produce some of the finest Indian cuisine in the UK.

About 22 million people visit Birmingham every year and in 2004 the city was named the second best place to shop in England after the ] . Its top attractions include ], ], ], ] Building, ] World, ] Trail , ], and the ].

Birmingham has 35 miles (60 km) of ]s within the city boundaries, of which most are navigable; the canals were once the lifeblood of the city's industries during the ] but are now used mainly for pleasure. It is often quoted that Birmingham has more miles of canal than ]. This is in fact true (Venice has 26 miles) although Birmingham is much larger than Venice .


==History== ==History==
Line 184: Line 188:
Birmingham has been awarded the title '''National City of Sport''' by the ]. Birmingham has been awarded the title '''National City of Sport''' by the ].


==Food & drink== ==Culture and arts==
''Main article: ]''


''Main article: ]''
Birmingham based ] included ], ] and ]. ] is currently the only brewery of any significant size.


==Popular music==
Many fine Victorian pubs and bars can still be found across the city. The oldest inn in Birmingham is the ] in ] (circa ]). The ] (]), is also in Digbeth.


]]]
Famous food brands from Birmingham include ], ]), ], ] cocoa, ] chocolate, and ].
Rock, Reggae and Dance


From the 1950s, Birmingham had a vibrant ] music scene with bands such as ], this gave rise in the following decade to the ] era featuring early progressive rock and ]bands such as The ], ], ] (whose song "Caroline" was used as the signature tune for the influential Pirate Radio station ]), ], ], ], The ], ] (whose "Flowers in the Rain" was the first track played on ] when it began in 1967.) and ] (members of the last two going on to form The ]).
The ] food empire first began in the city and now has its headquarters in the ].
The city is often cited as the birthplace of ] in the late 1960s with ], ], ] and ] of ] beginning their musical careers in the city. In this era ] declared the venue ] in ], where ] recorded part of ] and Traffic staged their debut gig, to be the world's number one rock venue (this was re-enforced in an interview with ])
Birmingham-based tape recorder company, Bradmatic Ltd helped develop and manufacture the ]. Over the next 15 years, the mellotron had a major impact on ] music and is a trademark sound of the era's progressive bands.


In the 1970s, Birmingham's large ] population contributed to the popularity of ], with ]'s ground-breaking album ] leading the way. Later ], ], the first truly mixed-race UK ] band, and ] found commercial success, as did ] bands such as ] who drew their influences from Jamaican ska music. Artistes from the city continue to contribute to reggae in the UK such as ] MC Chesire Cat who rapped on the ] album 'Rhythm and Stealth'.
In 1945 Abdul Aziz opened a cafe shop selling ] and ] in Steelhouse Lane. This later became The Darjeeling, the first Indian restaurant in Birmingham. The ] was invented in the city and has since received much gastronomic acclaim for the 'Balti Belt' of restaurants in the ], ] and ] areas.
]]]
]. As the 1980s arrived, the ] played a significant role in rock music in the city, particularly in the case of ] supergroup Duran Duran. ], ] and the ] also emanated from the city's music scene at this time. Later in the decade, ] music, a blend of ] and heavy metal, was pioneered in the city by ], whilst the ] sub-genre of ] was centred on such West Midlands bands as ], ] and The ]. The ], ], ], ], ], and ] were other notable rock bands founded in the city and its surrounding area in this period.


In the same period, Birmingham also enjoyed a thriving ], ] and ] scene (see ]) with a pirate radio station called 'Fresh F.M.' which broadcast from the city. The station played hip hop and breakdance records and inspired a rap crew called Jump who released two records, 'We Come to Jam' and 'Feel It', as early as 1985. The city went on to embrace ] (see ]) supported by local figures such as the late ], ] and ] some of the UK's most influential dance nights evolved such as ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The city's cultural diversity also contributed to the blend of ] and ] pioneered by ] in Handsworth. Many varieties of electronic and dance music continue to cross-fertilise in the city with acts such as ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
The city boasts two ]s. Simpson's and Jessica's, both in ].


Successful Birmingham singer/songwriters and musicians include ], ], ] (of ]), ], ] (who formed ]), ] (of ]), ], ] singer ], ] of The ], ], ] (of ]), ] and ] the last two being close friends of ]. Winwood played on 5 Hendrix LP's and Hendrix first heard "]" by ] at a party he was invited to by Mason, he decided to record his own version the same night with Mason playing acoustic guitar.
The ] ] takes place at The ] and is Britain's biggest food event.


] is popular in the city. The ] takes place annually and is the largest of its kind in the UK. Some of the city's jazz musicians include ] and ]. ] owns and runs the ] in St Pauls square.
==Culture and arts==


] is Birmingham's largest music festival, at ], where up to 30,000 revellers of all ages enjoy popular chart music.
''Main article: ]''


Some of Birmingham's rock, dance, reggae and indie music venues large and small include The ] (NIA), ], the ]'s Indoor Arena, ], the ], ], ] (Midlands Arts Centre), the ], the ], the ] and the ].
===Popular music===


Birmingham Central Fire Station hosts the Band of The West Midlands Fire Service. This is a concert and marching band, celebrating its 20th anniversairy in 2004. This great band consists of about 50 musicians from the area and they play at many events including the huge St Georges Day parade in West Bromwich, which in 2005 attracted crowds of over 20,000. They also played at the memorial serivce in Ypres, Belgium, in October 2004.
]]]


===Classical music===
Although its music scene is not as famous as those of ] or ], Birmingham has had a vibrant and varied musical history over the last half-century.


The internationally-renowned ]'s home venue is ], where it gives frequent performances. The equally world-renowned ] also resides in the city as does the world's oldest vocational dance school, ].
In the ] the "]" era featured ] and early ] bands such as the ], ], ] and ].


The ] took place from 1784 - 1912 and was considered the grandest of its kind throughout Britain. Music was written for the festival by ], ], ], ], ] and most notably ], who wrote four of his most famous choral pieces for Birmingham.
In the ] members of the Move and the Moody Blues formed the ] and ]. The city is often cited as the birthplace of ], with ], ], and ]'s ] and ] all coming from Birmingham. The 1970s also saw the rise of ] in the city, with ] and later on ] and ]. Singer-songwriter ] had many hits during this decade.


] was born in Alma Street, Aston on 9 August, 1875, the son of a teacher at the Vittoria School of Art, Ketèlbey attended the Trinity College of Music, where he beat the runner-up, ], for a musical scholarship.
The ] brought ], possibly the most successful ] group, and ], and the ] the ]. Recent years have also seen a successful ], and chart success for Mike Skinner (a.k.a. ]).


Birmingham's other city- centre music venues include The ] (NIA), CBSO Centre, ] Hall (ABH) at ] and the ],currently closed for refurbishment, which played host to many classical and popular music performances from the late ].
] is popular in the city, and the annual ] is the largest of its kind in the UK.


===Literature===
], a popular chart music event, is Birmingham's largest music festival.


Ever since the 1850s Birmingham's ] had become the world's centre for the steel pens and steel nibs trade, employing thousands of people, and pioneering craftsmanship, manufacturing processes and employment opportunities for women. The availability of affordable pens enabled the development of education and literacy throughout the world.
===Classical music===


Many famous literary figures have been associated with Birmingham:
The internationally-renowned ]'s home venue is ], where it gives frequent performances. The equally world-renowned ] also resides in the city as does the world's oldest vocational dance school, ].


*] lived in ] from about Spring 1879 - early 1882 and many of his works include references to people or places he knew there.
The ] took place from 1784 - 1912 and was considered the grandest of its kind throughout Britain. Music was written for the festival by ], ], ], ], ] and most notably ], who wrote four of his most famous choral pieces for Birmingham.
*] or "The Lady in Pink" was born in ] July 9th 1901. The family home was on Cartland Road, Kings Heath.
*] novelist and author of ], ], ] and ] was born in nearby ] and lived in Edgbaston until he was eight years old.
*Arthur Henry Ward who was born in Birmingham wrote the ] thrillers under the pseudonym of ].
*] grew up in Harborne, Birmingham, and his epic poem ''Letter to Lord Byron'' meditates on the landscapes of the Birmingham-Wolverhampton rail line.
*] was born & raised in Birmingham, and was a significant poet as well as a politician.
*] is a famous black ] from ] who tackles predudice, poverty and injustice.
*] gave readings in ] and was the sixteenth President of The Birmingham and Midland Institute.
*'']'' author ] spent most of his childhood in the Birmingham area, and his work is much influenced by his time there his parents also came from Birmingham.
*]'s crime novels are set in present-day Birmingham.
*] was a Brummie ], ], ], and producer for the ] he also worked as a war corresponden for the ]. Cottrell later became the editor of the ] (1965).
*] lived in Birmingham for some time, during which he wrote stories including '']'' and '']''. ''Bracebridge Hall, or, The Humorists, A Medley'' is based on ].
*] was a famous poet, born in the city in 1881 Guest later moved to America.
*In October 2000 ] became the fifth Poet Laureate for Birmingham.
*] was born in Birmingham and is well known for her many works and holds a place in the ].
*] made some of the greatest edits to the ].
*] 1723-1815, moved from Derby to Birmingham at a young age and became well know in the region as a poet and documented the history of the region in many books.
*] born and raised in Birmingham which is the setting of two of his novels ''The Rotters' Club'' and ''The Closed Circle''.


The city entertains an online community for readers and writers as well as literary publishers such as ], the city also hosts ].
] was born in Alma Street, Aston on ] ], the son of a teacher at the Vittoria School of Art, Ketèlbey attended the Trinity College of Music, where he beat the runner-up, ], for a musical scholarship.


===Food & drink===
Birmingham's other city- centre music venues include The ] (NIA), CBSO Centre, ] Hall (ABH) at ] and the ],currently closed for refurbishment, which played host to many classical and popular music performances from the late ].

''Main article: ]''

Birmingham based ] included ], ] and ]. ] is currently the only brewery of any significant size.

Many fine Victorian pubs and bars can still be found across the city. The oldest inn in Birmingham is the ] in ] (circa ]). The ] (]), is also in Digbeth.

Famous food brands from Birmingham include ], ]), ], ] cocoa, ] chocolate, and ].

The ] food empire first began in the city and now has its headquarters in the ].

In 1945 Abdul Aziz opened a cafe shop selling ] and ] in Steelhouse Lane. This later became The Darjeeling, the first Indian restaurant in Birmingham. The ] was invented in the city and has since received much gastronomic acclaim for the 'Balti Belt' of restaurants in the ], ] and ] areas.

The city boasts two ]s. Simpson's and Jessica's, both in ].

The ] ] takes place at The ] and is Britain's biggest food event.


===Theatre=== ===Theatre===


Theatre critic ] was born and educated in Birmingham. ] is possibly Brums most famous character linked to the Theatrical scene.

Birmingham Amateur Dramatic Federation ran from 1926-28.


There are many theatres in Birmingham. The four largest professional theatres are the ] ("the Alex"), ] ("The Rep"), the ] and the ]. The Mac and Drum arts centres also host many professional plays. There are many theatres in Birmingham. The four largest professional theatres are the ] ("the Alex"), ] ("The Rep"), the ] and the ]. The Mac and Drum arts centres also host many professional plays.
The actors in the long-running ] serial '']'' live in and around Birmingham, where the supposedly rural programme is recorded.


The ] teams with the ] annually to present an series of quirky performances from local and national companies. The ] teams with the ] annually to present an series of quirky performances from local and national companies.

===Comedy===

*Birmingham and the West Midlands have generated some very famous comedians that have based much of their content on the city and region, some of these include: ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].
*The local evening newspaper sponsors an annual autumn comedy festival in the city.
*The ] and ] are both prominent comedy venues. The ] also hosts series of monthly comedy sessions as does the ].


===Visual art=== ===Visual art===


====History==== '''History:'''


An "Academy of Arts" was organised in 1814, and an exhibition of paintings took place in Union Passage that year. A School of Design, or "Society of Arts," was started Feb. 7, 1821; Sir Robert Lawley (the first Lord Wenlock) presenting a valuable collection of casts from ] sculpture. The first exhibition was held in 1826, in a building on New Street. The "Society of Artists" commenced in 1826, when several gentlemen withdrew from the School of Design. An "Academy of Arts" was organised in 1814, and an exhibition of paintings took place in Union Passage that year. A School of Design, or "Society of Arts," was started Feb. 7, 1821; Sir Robert Lawley (the first Lord Wenlock) presenting a valuable collection of casts from ] sculpture. The first exhibition was held in 1826, in a building on New Street. The "Society of Artists" commenced in 1826, when several gentlemen withdrew from the School of Design.
Line 257: Line 307:
The ] was an important centre for alternative comic art in the late 1970s. The ] was an important centre for alternative comic art in the late 1970s.


Contemporary African Caribbean artists and photographers who have exhibited internationally include ], ] and the late ]. Contemporary African Caribbean artists and photographers who have exhibited internationally include ], ] and the late ]


] (or "spraycan art") culture appeared in the early 1980s, with the area featuring in ] documentary '']''. Graffitti art competitions are still regularly held. ] (or "spraycan art") culture appeared in the early 1980s, with the area featuring in ] documentary '']''. Graffitti art competitions are still regularly held.


====Current galleries==== '''Current galleries:'''


*] ~ houses one of the largest collections of ] art in the world. Its Water Hall gallery displays modern art. *] ~ ''houses one of the largest collections of ] art in the world.''
*] ~ declared 'Gallery of the Year' by the Good Britain Guide 2004. *] ~ ''declared 'Gallery of the Year' by the Good Britain Guide 2004.''
*] ~ housed in a ] former school in ] and showcases ]. *] ~ ''housed in a ] former school in ] and showcases ].''
*] *]
*] ~ located inside the ]. *] ~ ''located inside the ].''
*] gallery ~ ''displays a regular showcase of modern art which includes local artists and others sometimes from the city's own extensive collection.''
*]' New Gallery ~ in ] shows local artists.
*] ~ ''online art gallery representing filmaker and artist ].''
*] ~ now one of the largest media and arts villages in Europe, with exhibitions and modern ] and water features.
*] ~ ''in ] also shows local artists.''
*] ~ hosts ] performances, concerts, literature and poetry showcases, courses, film screenings and small art exhibitions.
*] ~ ''now one of the largest media and arts villages in Europe, with exhibitions and modern ] and water features.''
*] ~ features the work of ], ] and ] contemporary artists.
*] ~ ''hosts ] performances, concerts, literature and poetry showcases, courses, film screenings and small art exhibitions.''
*] ~ a large complex of studios for artists and designers, based in the ] in ].
*] ~ situated in the ] development and showcases and sells local modern artist. *] ~ ''features works of ], ] and ] contemporary artists.''
*] ~ ''a large complex of studios for artists and designers, based in the ] in ].''
*] ball park ~ ''home to many graffiti murals that change on a regular basis. Other graffiti art can be seen across the city on disused buildings and canal tow-paths as well as subways.''
*] ~ ''situated in the ] development and showcases and sells local modern artist.''


There are a variety of other small and private galleries in the city such as ]. There are a variety of other small and private galleries in the city such as ].


] is an annual citywide event which utilises many venues. ] is an annual citywide event which incorporates many venues and public squares, the events celebrate the West Midland art scene.


===Festivals and shows=== ===Festivals and shows===


Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a ] party. The ] is a military show that has taken place in the city for several years. The currently biennial ]- style ] was originally the ''Handsworth Carnival'', held in Handsworth Park from ], but now takes place in Perry Barr Park. ] takes place in Birmingham's gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year. Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a ] party and the third largest ] parade in the world, after ] and ].


The ] is a military show that has taken place in the city for several years. The currently biennial ]- style ] was originally the ''Handsworth Carnival'', held in Handsworth Park from ], but now takes place in Perry Barr Park. ] takes place in Birmingham's gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year.
The city's largest single-day event is its ] parade (Europe's second largest, after Dublin's).


===Film and media=== ===Film and media===
In 1742 Aris's Gazette was established as Birmingham's first newspaper.

] was invented by Brummie, ] (1813-90) in Birmingham, this was later developed into ].

The ] on Station street is the oldest working Cinema in the UK and was once reputedly a haunt of ].

] (born 13 December 1881 or 1885) was an actor, film star, director and script writer, primarily in the days of ]s. He was born in Birmingham. He worked for ]'s Stock Company and played supporting roles in many of Chaplin's films, and working as his assistant director.

In the 1920's ] opened his first Odeon cinema in the UK in ]. By 1930 the Odeon chain was a household name and still thrives today.

The ] was set up in 1930.


] is a name given to the film industry in Birmingham. The ] recently won a ] Award for their short film 'Soul Boy'. ] also contributes to the city's drama and dance tallent.
Birmingham is unusual in supporting two local newspapers - the ] and the ] - as well as the ].


The ] takes place annually at various ] venues. It highlights local talent as well as a wide spectrum of international productions.
The ] on Station street is the oldest working cinema in the UK, and ] opened his first Odeon cinema in ] during the ]. The ] takes place annually, and the ] recently won a ] award for their short film 'Soul Boy'.


*Local newspapers include The ], ] and ] .
The ] has a regional headquarters in the ], and many T.V. and radio programes are produced in the city including the long running radio soap '']''.
*The ] have had a regional headquarters in the ] for many decades, many T.V. and radio programes are produced in the city including the long running ] radio soap.
*] had their headquarters in Birmingham for many years recording T.V shows in the city. ] later took the place of ITV and had their headquarters in Birmingham for many years.
Local radio stations include ], ], ] and ], and ], Birmingham's first dedicated ] station. ] is a ] station, playing mainly reggae.
*The more recent ] have recently moved their headquarters from Nottingham to Birmingham.
*Local legal radio stations include ], ], ] and ], and ], Birmingham's first dedicated ] station.
*The city also plays host to one of oldest ] (or ]) stations in the UK, in the form of ], which began in the early ] and mainly plays reggae.


==Science and invention== ==Science and invention==

Revision as of 13:27, 3 June 2005

This article is about the city in England. See also other places called Birmingham.
File:Birmingham (UK) skyline - Centenary Square 700.jpg
The city from above Centenary Square. (Alternative View)
City of Birmingham
Birmingham
Shown within the West Midlands
Geography
Status: Metropolitan borough,
city (1889)
Region: West Midlands
Ceremonial county: West Midlands
Area:
- Total		 Ranked 169th
267.77 km²
ONS code: 00CN
Demographics
Population:
- Total (2003 est.)
- Density		 Ranked 1st
992,050
3,705 / km²
Ethnicity:
(2001 census)		 70.4% White
2.9% Mixed
19.5% Asian
6.1% Black
1.2% Chinese or Other
Politics
Birmingham City Council
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/
Leadership: Leader & cabinet
Executive: Conservative & Lib Dem

Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in The West Midlands county of England. It is the second largest city in the UK and is regarded by many as England's "second city". It has a population of 992,100 (2003 estimate).

The city is at the centre of a large metropolitan area including, but not limited to, a large part of the county in which it sits.

The city is commonly known by its nickname Brum (from the local name Brummagem), and its people as Brummies. Birmingham is home to the distinctive Brummie accent and dialect.

Birmingham is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the UK. Along with large populations from the Caribbean and Indian subcontinent, Birmingham is home to a large traditional Irish community. The city hosts the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in Europe.after Dublin, while Birmingham's Balti restaurants produce some of the finest Indian cuisine in the UK.

About 22 million people visit Birmingham every year and in 2004 the city was named the second best place to shop in England after the West End of London . Its top attractions include Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Millennium Point, Bull Ring, Selfridges Building, Cadbury World, Tolkien Trail , Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the National Sea Life Centre.

Birmingham has 35 miles (60 km) of canals within the city boundaries, of which most are navigable; the canals were once the lifeblood of the city's industries during the Industrial Revolution but are now used mainly for pleasure. It is often quoted that Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice. This is in fact true (Venice has 26 miles) although Birmingham is much larger than Venice .

History

Main articles: History of Birmingham and Birmingham military history

The Birmingham area was occupied in Roman times, with several military roads and a large fort. Birmingham started life as a small Anglo-Saxon hamlet in the dark ages. It was first recorded in written documents by the Domesday Book of 1086 as a small village.

From the 12th century onwards Birmingham developed into a market centre, and by the 17th century it had become an important manufacturing town with a reputation for producing small arms. Birmingham manufacturers supplied Oliver Cromwell's forces with much of their weaponry during the English Civil War. Gun manufacture in the city pre-dates 1689, and from the development of the flintlock pistol to arms supply for the Napoleonic Wars and American Civil War Birmingham became the foremost arms producer in the world by some one million items over its nearest rival, London, and was employing a few thousand people who in the main worked within a definite area, known as the Gun Quarter.

During the Industrial Revolution from the mid 18th century onwards, because of abundant nearby sources of coal and iron ore and a skilled workforce, Birmingham grew into a major industrial centre. Birmingham became a centre of the British canal and later railway networks in the early 19th century.

Canals in central Birmingham

In Victorian times, the population of the city grew rapidly to well over half a million and Birmingham became the second largest population centre in Britain, it became known as the "City of a thousand trades" due to the wide variety of manufacturing industries located there. Birmingham gained city status in 1889.

Birmingham suffered heavy bomb damage during World War II, and partly as a result of this the city-centre was extensively re-developed during the 1950s and 1960s with many concrete office buildings, ring-roads, and now much-derided pedestrian subways. As a result, Birmingham gained a reputation for ugliness and was frequently described as a "concrete jungle".

However, in recent years the city centre has been extensively renovated and restored with the construction of new squares, the restoration of old streets, buildings and canals, the removal of much-derided pedestrian subways, and the demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the Bull Ring shopping centre, which now includes the architecturally unique Selfridges building.

Economy

File:New Street Birmingham 700.jpg
New Street in central Birmingham

Main articles: Economy of Birmingham, Birmingham transport history

Birmingham is an important manufacturing and engineering centre, employing over 100,000 people in industry and contributing billions of pounds to the national economy. Over 25% of UK exports originate in the greater Birmingham area. The Steam Engine was developed to a great extent by James Watt in the city, and historically the largest manufacturers in the city have been associated with the Steam, Electric and Petrol transport and power industries. The city's present day products include: motor vehicles, vehicle components and accessories, weapons, electrical equipment, plastics, machine tools, chemicals, food, jewellery and glass. Birmingham was home to two major car factories: MG Rover in Longbridge and Jaguar in Castle Bromwich. However, the future for manufacturing at Longbridge looks bleak, as MG Rover went into administration in 2005, resulting in the plant being mothballed and the loss of 6,000 jobs at the site, plus more in the supply chain.

The Jewellery Quarter is the largest concentration of dedicated jewellers in Europe. One third of the jewellery manufactured in the UK is made within one mile of Birmingham city centre. Until 2003, coins for circulation were manufactured in the Jewellery Quarter at the Birmingham Mint, the oldest independent mint in the world, which continues to produce commemorative coins and medals.

In recent years Birmingham's economy has diversified into service industries, retailing and tourism, which are now the main employers in the city. Scientific research (including research into nanotechnology at the University of Birmingham) is expanding in the city.

Over 500 law firms exist in the city, and Birmingham is Europe's second largest insurance market. The city attracts over 40% of the UK's total conference trade. Two of Britain's "big four" banks were founded in Birmingham. Lloyds Bank (now Lloyds TSB) began in Birmingham in 1765 and the Midland Bank (now part of HSBC) opened in Union Street in August 1836.

During the Industrial Revolution many factories, foundries and businesses prospered in the Gun Quarter and Jewellery Quarter, with watchmakers, goldsmiths, attorneys, physicians, surgeons, Breweries, apothecaries, metallurgists, chemists, Bicycle and Automobile manufacturers also prospering. The city's workmen designed and constructed railway carriages, steam engines, and even – unusually for somewhere so far from the sea – ships, which were made as pre-fabricated sections, then assembled at the coast.

Numerous inventors emerged from these different professions, and the city's skilled workforce and infrastructure encouraged other inventors and businessmen from across the world to set up shop in the city. (See Inventors and Inventions).

Other famous brands from the "city of a thousand trades" include Bakelite, Bird's Custard, Brylcreem, BSA, Cadbury chocolate, Chad Valley toys, Halfords, HP Sauce, Typhoo Tea and Valor.

Tourism and conference hosting now play an important role in the city's economy. Millions of people visit Birmingham every year, and in 2004 the city was named the second best place to shop in England after the West End of London . Top attractions include Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Millennium Point, Bull Ring, Selfridges Building, Cadbury World, Tolkien Trail , Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the National Sea Life Centre.

See also: More details about the Birmingham economy

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Birmingham

City of Birmingham Council House, with Dhruva Mistry's 'The River' in the foreground (commonly known as 'the floozie in the jacuzzi')

Although Birmingham has existed as a settlement for over a thousand years, today's city is overwhelmingly a product of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries as the real growth of the city began with the Industrial Revolution. Consequently relatively few buildings survive from its earlier history.

Traces of medieval Birmingham can be seen in the city's oldest churches, notably Birmingham's original parish church, St Martin's in the Bullring. A church has stood on the site since at least the 12th century. The current building (begun around 1290) was extensively re-built in the 1870s retaining some original walls and foundations. A few other buildings from the medieval and Tudor periods survive, among them "The Old Crown" public house in Digbeth, the 15th century "Saracen's Head" public house and Old Grammar School in Kings Norton and Blakesley Hall in Yardley.

The city began to grow rapidly in Georgian times and a number of buildings survive from this period. Among them are St Philip's Cathedral, originally built as a parish church, St Paul's Church in the largely Georgian St Paul's Square, Soho House in Handsworth, the home of Matthew Boulton, and Perrott's Folly in Ladywood (which is said to have later inspired J. R. R. Tolkien).

The Victorian era saw an extensive building programme right across the city. Major public buildings such as the Town Hall, the Law Courts, the Council House (see picture) and the Museum & Art Gallery were constructed, many under the auspices of Joseph Chamberlain's reforming mayoralty. The characteristic materials of Victorian Birmingham are red brick and terracotta, and many fine Victorian buildings have been retained on New Street and Corporation Street in the city centre. Across the wider city, the need to house the industrial workers who flocked here gave rise to miles of redbrick streets and terraces, many of back-to-back houses, some of which were later to become inner-city slums.

The new Selfridges building

Continued population growth in the interwar period, saw vast estates of semi-detached houses being built on greenfield land in outlying parts of the city such as Kingstanding and Weoley Castle, but the coming of World War II and the Blitz claimed many lives and many beautiful buildings too. However, the destruction that took place in post-war Birmingham was also extensive: dozens of fine Victorian buildings like the intricate glass-roofed Birmingham New Street Station, and the old Central Library, were raized in the 1950s and 1960s and replaced with modernist concrete buildings. In inner-city areas too, much Victorian housing was redeveloped and existing communities were relocated to tower block estates like Castle Vale.

The planning decisions of the post-war years were to have a profound effect on the image of Birmingham in subsequent decades, with the mix of ring roads, shopping malls and tower blocks often referred to as a 'concrete jungle'. In more recent years, Birmingham has learnt from what many see as the mistakes of the 1960s and instituted the largest tower block demolition and renovation programmes anywhere in Europe. There has been a lot of new building in the city centre in recent years, including the award-winning Future Systems' Selfridges building, an irregularly-shaped structure covered in thousands of reflective discs (see picture), the Brindleyplace development and the Millennium Point science and technology centre.

Politics

Main article Government of Birmingham

Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in the UK with, following a reorganisation of boundaries in June 2004, 120 councillors representing just under one million people, in 40 wards.

After the election of 10 June 2004, there is no overall control, with the 120 seats being divided between the Labour, (53 councillors), Conservative (39) and Liberal Democrat ("Lib-Dem", 28) parties.

There is a Conservative/ Lib-Dem coalition, with Conservative group leader Mike Whitby as Leader of the council and Lib-Dem group leader Paul Tilsley as Deputy Leader.

Birmingham's eleven constituencies are represented in the House of Commons by one Conservative, one Liberal Democrat, and 9 Labour MPs.

Birmingham is also the seat of the Government Office for the West Midlands region.

Places of interest

Chamberlain Square

Famous residents

Neville Chamberlain, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Ozzy Osbourne are amongst the many famous names associated with Birmingham.

For a full list see Famous people from Birmingham.

Transport

See main article: Transport in Birmingham

Due in part to its location in central England, Birmingham is a major transport hub, of both road rail and air travel.

Birmingham is served by a number of major roads, including the M6 motorway, the M40, the M5, the M42 motorway and the M6 Toll.

The City's number 11A and 11C outer circle bus routes are the longest urban bus routes in Europe.

Birmingham is at the centre of the national rail network. The city's main station is Birmingham New Street, and there is also Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street. Trams on the Midland Metro light railway system run between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Birmingham is served by Birmingham International Airport, which has flights to all over Europe and to New York. The airport is served by the railway network at Birmingham International railway station.

Birmingham has 35 miles (60 km) of canals within the city boundaries, of which most are navigable; the canals were once the lifeblood of the city's industries during the Industrial Revolution but are now used mainly for pleasure. It is often quoted that Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice. This is in fact true (Venice has 26 miles) although Birmingham is much larger than Venice .

Education

Main article: Education in Birmingham

King Edward's School is located in Edgbaston. Birmingham also has three universities: The University of Birmingham, Aston University and The University of Central England (UCE, formerly Birmingham Polytechnic). The UCE has asked Aston to consider a merger. The Birmingham Conservatoire, now part of the UCE, was established over 100 years ago and is recognised as one of the major national colleges of music which focuses on performance and composition.

Birmingham School of Acting offers two fully funded higher education courses and also offers a range of part time, summer schools and short courses for adults and children.

Elmhurst School for Dance is the oldest vocational dance Schools in the UK. After recently relocating from London to Edgbaston the school has teamed up with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The city also hosts many 'Urban Workshops' for modern music including street level DJ mixing tuition and dance hosted by many experienced musicians from ground roots enteprises like for instance Punch Records in New Town.

Mansfield College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, was founded (under the name of Spring Hill College) in Birmingham but later moved to Oxford with the relaxation of non-conformists in 1886.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Birmingham

A cricket club was in existence in Birmingham as early as 1745, and today the city is home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club whose ground at Edgbaston is also a venue for international test matches. International athletics meetings take place at the open-air Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, which is also the base of the Birchfield Harriers athletic club, which numbers many Olympic medallists among its past and present members. The National Indoor Arena (NIA) meanwhile is a major indoor athletics stadium and in 2003 hosted the 9th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics. The NIA also hosts events in many other sports, such as the World Indoor Badminton Championships.

The first ever game of lawn tennis was played in Edgbaston in 1859 by Major Thomas Henry Gem and Batista Pereira, both residents of the city, and international tennis is still played at Edgbaston's Priory Club.

The city is home to two of the UK's oldest professional football teams: Aston Villa (1874) and Birmingham City (1875), both of whom currently play in the Premier League. The world's first professional football league was founded at a meeting in Aston on March 22 1885 under the auspices of William McGregor, a director of Aston Villa.

Rugby union, basketball, boxing, hockey, and greyhound racing are all played professionally in the city.

Birmingham has been awarded the title National City of Sport by the Sports Council.

Culture and arts

Main article: Arts in Birmingham

Popular music

Black Sabbath

Rock, Reggae and Dance

From the 1950s, Birmingham had a vibrant rock music scene with bands such as Billy King and the Nightriders, this gave rise in the following decade to the Brum Beat era featuring early progressive rock and bluesbands such as The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, The Fortunes (whose song "Caroline" was used as the signature tune for the influential Pirate Radio station Radio Caroline), The Rockin Berries, The Honeycombes, Wizzard, The Idle Race, The Move (whose "Flowers in the Rain" was the first track played on Radio 1 when it began in 1967.) and The Moody Blues (members of the last two going on to form The Electric Light Orchestra). The city is often cited as the birthplace of heavy metal music in the late 1960s with Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Robert Plant and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin beginning their musical careers in the city. In this era Billboard magazine declared the venue Mothers in Erdington, where Pink Floyd recorded part of Ummagumma and Traffic staged their debut gig, to be the world's number one rock venue (this was re-enforced in an interview with John Peel) Birmingham-based tape recorder company, Bradmatic Ltd helped develop and manufacture the mellotron. Over the next 15 years, the mellotron had a major impact on rock music and is a trademark sound of the era's progressive bands.

In the 1970s, Birmingham's large West Indian population contributed to the popularity of reggae, with Steel Pulse's ground-breaking album Handsworth Revolution leading the way. Later Musical Youth, UB40, the first truly mixed-race UK dub reggae band, and Pato Banton found commercial success, as did 2 Tone bands such as The Beat who drew their influences from Jamaican ska music. Artistes from the city continue to contribute to reggae in the UK such as Rasta MC Chesire Cat who rapped on the Leftfield album 'Rhythm and Stealth'.

File:DuranDuran UK PressKit 1981.jpg
Duran Duran

Duran Duran. As the 1980s arrived, the Rum Runner nightclub played a significant role in rock music in the city, particularly in the case of New Romantic supergroup Duran Duran. Dexys Midnight Runners, Stephen "Tintin" Duffy and the The Bureau also emanated from the city's music scene at this time. Later in the decade, Grindcore music, a blend of punk and heavy metal, was pioneered in the city by Napalm Death, whilst the grebo sub-genre of indie rock was centred on such West Midlands bands as Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and The WonderStuff. The Charlatans, Birdland, Dodgy, Denim, The Lilac Time, and Ocean Colour Scene were other notable rock bands founded in the city and its surrounding area in this period.

In the same period, Birmingham also enjoyed a thriving electro, graffiti art and hip hop scene (see Birmingham Hip Hop scene) with a pirate radio station called 'Fresh F.M.' which broadcast from the city. The station played hip hop and breakdance records and inspired a rap crew called Jump who released two records, 'We Come to Jam' and 'Feel It', as early as 1985. The city went on to embrace house music (see Birmingham Dance music scene) supported by local figures such as the late Tony De Vit, Steve Lawler and Scott Bond some of the UK's most influential dance nights evolved such as Miss Moneypenny's, Wobble, Gods Kitchen, Gatecrasher, Sundissential, Atomic Jam and C.R.E.A.M.. The city's cultural diversity also contributed to the blend of bhangra and ragga pioneered by Apache Indian in Handsworth. Many varieties of electronic and dance music continue to cross-fertilise in the city with acts such as Bentley Rhythm Ace, The Streets, Rockers Hi-Fi, The Editors, Surgeon, Mistys Big Adventure, and Broadcast.

Successful Birmingham singer/songwriters and musicians include Joan Armatrading, Steve Gibbons, Mike Kellie (of Spooky Tooth), Jeff Lynne, Phil Lynott (who formed Thin Lizzy), Carl Palmer (of Emerson Lake and Palmer), Roy Wood, R&B singer Jamelia, Kelli Dayton of The Sneaker Pimps, Nick Mason, Martin Barre (of Jethro Tull), Steve Winwood and Dave Mason the last two being close friends of Jimi Hendrix. Winwood played on 5 Hendrix LP's and Hendrix first heard "All Along The Watchtower" by Bob Dylan at a party he was invited to by Mason, he decided to record his own version the same night with Mason playing acoustic guitar.

Jazz is popular in the city. The Birmingham International Jazz Festival takes place annually and is the largest of its kind in the UK. Some of the city's jazz musicians include Soweto Kinch and King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys. Jules Holland owns and runs the Jam House in St Pauls square.

Party in the Park is Birmingham's largest music festival, at Cannon Hill Park, where up to 30,000 revellers of all ages enjoy popular chart music.

Some of Birmingham's rock, dance, reggae and indie music venues large and small include The National Indoor Arena (NIA), Carling Academy Birmingham, the National Exhibition Centre's Indoor Arena, Scruffy Murphy's, the Custard Factory, Edward's No. 8, mac (Midlands Arts Centre), the Drum Arts Centre, the Jug of Ale, the Jam House and the Hibernian.

Birmingham Central Fire Station hosts the Band of The West Midlands Fire Service. This is a concert and marching band, celebrating its 20th anniversairy in 2004. This great band consists of about 50 musicians from the area and they play at many events including the huge St Georges Day parade in West Bromwich, which in 2005 attracted crowds of over 20,000. They also played at the memorial serivce in Ypres, Belgium, in October 2004.

Classical music

The internationally-renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's home venue is Symphony Hall, where it gives frequent performances. The equally world-renowned Birmingham Royal Ballet also resides in the city as does the world's oldest vocational dance school, Elmhurst School for Dance.

The Birmingham Triennial Music Festival took place from 1784 - 1912 and was considered the grandest of its kind throughout Britain. Music was written for the festival by Mendelssohn, Gounod, Sullivan, Dvorak, Bantock and most notably Elgar, who wrote four of his most famous choral pieces for Birmingham.

Albert William Ketèlbey was born in Alma Street, Aston on 9 August, 1875, the son of a teacher at the Vittoria School of Art, Ketèlbey attended the Trinity College of Music, where he beat the runner-up, Gustav Holst, for a musical scholarship.

Birmingham's other city- centre music venues include The National Indoor Arena (NIA), CBSO Centre, Adrian Boult Hall (ABH) at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Birmingham Town Hall,currently closed for refurbishment, which played host to many classical and popular music performances from the late 1800s.

Literature

Ever since the 1850s Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter had become the world's centre for the steel pens and steel nibs trade, employing thousands of people, and pioneering craftsmanship, manufacturing processes and employment opportunities for women. The availability of affordable pens enabled the development of education and literacy throughout the world.

Many famous literary figures have been associated with Birmingham:

The city entertains an online community for readers and writers as well as literary publishers such as Tindal Street Press, the city also hosts The Young Book Reader UK festival.

Food & drink

Main article: Food & drink in Birmingham

Birmingham based Breweries included Ansells, Davenports and Mitchells & Butlers. Aston Manor Brewery is currently the only brewery of any significant size.

Many fine Victorian pubs and bars can still be found across the city. The oldest inn in Birmingham is the Old Crown in Digbeth (circa 1450). The Anchor Inn (1797), is also in Digbeth.

Famous food brands from Birmingham include Typhoo tea, Birds custard), Blue Bird Toffee, Bournville cocoa, Cadbury chocolate, and HP Sauce.

The Wing Yip food empire first began in the city and now has its headquarters in the Chinese Quarter.

In 1945 Abdul Aziz opened a cafe shop selling curry and rice in Steelhouse Lane. This later became The Darjeeling, the first Indian restaurant in Birmingham. The Balti was invented in the city and has since received much gastronomic acclaim for the 'Balti Belt' of restaurants in the Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Ladywood areas.

The city boasts two Michelin stars. Simpson's and Jessica's, both in Edgbaston.

The BBC Good Food Show takes place at The National Exhibition Centre and is Britain's biggest food event.

Theatre

Kenneth Peacock Tynan is possibly Brums most famous character linked to the Theatrical scene.

Birmingham Amateur Dramatic Federation ran from 1926-28.

There are many theatres in Birmingham. The four largest professional theatres are the Alexandra Theatre ("the Alex"), Birmingham Repertory Theatre ("The Rep"), the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Old Rep. The Mac and Drum arts centres also host many professional plays. The actors in the long-running Radio 4 serial The Archers live in and around Birmingham, where the supposedly rural programme is recorded.

The Fierce Festival teams with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre annually to present an series of quirky performances from local and national companies.

Comedy

Visual art

History:

An "Academy of Arts" was organised in 1814, and an exhibition of paintings took place in Union Passage that year. A School of Design, or "Society of Arts," was started Feb. 7, 1821; Sir Robert Lawley (the first Lord Wenlock) presenting a valuable collection of casts from Grecian sculpture. The first exhibition was held in 1826, in a building on New Street. The "Society of Artists" commenced in 1826, when several gentlemen withdrew from the School of Design.

The first Ballot for pictures to be chosen from the Annual Exhibition of Local Artists took place in 1835

The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Birmingham has one one of the largest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world at The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Edward Burne-Jones was born in Birmingham, spent his first twenty years in the city, and later became the president of the Birmingham Society of Artists.

David Cox (artist) was a famous Birmingham watercolour artist and President of the Associated Artists in Water Colour in 1810.

David Bomberg's first well known works date from the 1910s. They are rather complex geometric compositions built over relatively traditional subjects, and typically use a limited number of striking colours with humans being turned into simple, angular shapes, some have likened these works to 70's New York Graffiti (aka Bombing). Bomberg travelled France where he met Modigliani and Picasso.

The Birmingham Surrealists were prominent in the city's arts in the early and mid 20th century.

The Birmingham Arts Lab was an important centre for alternative comic art in the late 1970s.

Contemporary African Caribbean artists and photographers who have exhibited internationally include Pogus Caesar, Keith Piper and the late Donald Rodney

Graffiti (or "spraycan art") culture appeared in the early 1980s, with the area featuring in Channel 4 documentary Bombing. Graffitti art competitions are still regularly held.

Current galleries:

There are a variety of other small and private galleries in the city such as Harborne Gallery.

Birmingham Arts Fest is an annual citywide event which incorporates many venues and public squares, the events celebrate the West Midland art scene.

Festivals and shows

Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a St. George's Day party and the third largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, after New York City and Dublin.

The Birmingham Tattoo is a military show that has taken place in the city for several years. The currently biennial Caribbean- style Birmingham International Carnival was originally the Handsworth Carnival, held in Handsworth Park from 1984, but now takes place in Perry Barr Park. Birmingham Pride takes place in Birmingham's gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year.

Film and media

In 1742 Aris's Gazette was established as Birmingham's first newspaper.

Celluloid was invented by Brummie, Alexander Parkes (1813-90) in Birmingham, this was later developed into Photographic film.

The Electric Cinema on Station street is the oldest working Cinema in the UK and was once reputedly a haunt of George Bernard Shaw.

Albert Austin (born 13 December 1881 or 1885) was an actor, film star, director and script writer, primarily in the days of silent movies. He was born in Birmingham. He worked for Charlie Chaplin's Stock Company and played supporting roles in many of Chaplin's films, and working as his assistant director.

In the 1920's Oscar Deutsch opened his first Odeon cinema in the UK in Perry Barr. By 1930 the Odeon chain was a household name and still thrives today.

The Birmingham Film Society was set up in 1930.

Brummiewood is a name given to the film industry in Birmingham. The Birmingham School of Acting recently won a Royal Television Society Award for their short film 'Soul Boy'. Moseley dance centre also contributes to the city's drama and dance tallent.

The Birmingham Film Festival takes place annually at various Broad Street venues. It highlights local talent as well as a wide spectrum of international productions.

Science and invention

Main article: Science and invention in Birmingham

The city's long history of industrial innovation has led to a wealth of invention and discovery, mainly in the areas of engineering and applied science. Local inventions and notable firsts include: gas lighting, roller skate wheels, the Baskerville Font, questionnaires, Custard powder, foam rubber, the Heat-Indicator and Fire Alarm, the first British patent for windscreen wipers, Brylcreem, the magnetron (the core component in the development of radar), the UK electroplating industry, the first ever use of radiography in an operation, and the first ever hole-in-the heart operation in England (performed at Birmingham Children's Hospital).

Some of the city's more groundbreaking scientists and inventors are:

Partner cities

(Partner cities are akin to twin towns)

See also

External links

Districts of the West Midlands Region
Herefordshire
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Worcestershire
Flag of Birmingham Government of Birmingham
Birmingham UK parliamentary constituencies (left) and city council wards
Edgbaston
Erdington
Hall Green
Hodge Hill
Ladywood
Northfield
Perry Barr
Selly Oak
Sutton Coldfield
Yardley
Categories: