Birmingham Post

Word reaches me of a momentous decision by Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude, which may have interesting repercussions in Birmingham.
It is reported that Maude, keen to promote the Tories' new green credentials, has decided to abandon the chauffeur-driven gas-guzzling limo provided for his use by Central Office. Not quite the right image in these more enlightened times, old boy.

Disturbing news from the camp of The Enemy, one of the many Midland bands currently being groomed for fame.

The band's guitarist, Andy Hopkins, ended up in hospital last week, apparently due to a spiked drink – or so he says.

Most men, if they are honest, loathe taking tough decisions and would rather indulge in avoidance therapy.
We know it will only make it harder in the long run, that the decision will have to be taken, but we still cling to the hope that whatever it is might just go away.
Well, it won’t go away any longer, not for me. It has been going on for years now and has been the cause of bitter family friction.

I was browsing the Law Review supplement of an unmentionable national newspaper last week when I noticed the claim that there are now over 200 City lawyers in London earning more than £1 million a year.

Writing a column after returning from holiday is one of the trickiest feats of the year.
It may not match the cognitive challenges faced by brain surgeons, fighter pilots or High Court judges following a sojourn in the Caribbean, but for a humble hack it is nonetheless a tough call.

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby is clearly enjoying the lifestyle of a big civic boss, with or without his chauffeur-driven Jag.
When the X-type was off the road earlier this year and with important business to attend to, Whitby did the sensible thing and booked a private hire car. But what was the "business" that required a trip to Manchester?

When Stoford Living's development manager Phil McConnachie accepted an offer from colleague Jon Andrews to be "shown the ropes", little did he realise it would involve bobbing about in a boat.
For seasoned sailor Jon, who runs Stoford Living, the residential arm of Stoford Developments, had invited the office out for a sail on his 32ft yacht Sundowner.

Po-faced Birmingham student favourites Editors had to cut short their gig in Cologne last Wednesday night when armed place stormed the venue and ordered them to stop playing because they were playing "excessively loud".

Britain's not got talent. At least it hasn't if the TV show masquerading as a showcase of the nation's best talent is anything to go by.
You may have missed the programme. I wish I had, and I only saw it for ten minutes on Saturday night. Oh, and 20 seconds on Sunday.

Members of the Birmingham Licensing Committee, having shown their competence by approving a communications exam for taxi drivers based on school tests for five-year-olds, have latched on to an altogether more difficult subject.
It appears that many Birmingham massage parlours are not exactly what they seem.

Birmingham's best new band, Shady Bard, are currently all over the giant MTV channel but don't expect to see their name writ large.

Rejoice, rejoice! Summer's here, it's lashing down, Wimbledon is under way - and there isn't a cat in hell's chance of a Brit winning.

"Sven-Goran Eriksson could be named Manchester City’s new manager within the next 24 hours. It is understood the former England coach is poised to sign a lucrative contract at Eastlands."
So reported the Press Association at 6.25pm yesterday evening.

(something i've thought about doing on several drunken occasions)

The opening ceremony for the Chamberlain Square beach was held in the Shakespeare Memorial Room, in order to escape from the inclement weather.
Iron Angle has acquired the text of a speech given by Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby: