Birmingham is a very favourite city of mine; every time I visit I discover something new and leave with great memories. Birmingham has a huge population of over a million people from every sort of background you could imagine which I’m sure contributes to its vibrant, positive, forward-looking culture. A bustling and busy place full of friendly and interesting people.
I don’t know what it is, but it is very attractive, at the back of the Symphony Hall, next to the canal
Although it was an important regional town from the twelfth century when it was granted a charter, and the famous bull ring was established, up until about four hundred years ago it was merely a town of local importance and significance. However, once the new developments of the Industrial Revolution began to gather momentum this was when Birmingham really came to the fore to be recognized internationally as one of the power-houses of late eighteenth century Britain, into the Victorian era, and through into the twentieth century.
Old and new
Industry and manufacturing world-class goods… the enterprise of the entrepreneurs, the labour of the working people, richness and wealth and struggles of those who worked in the factories and workshops, the social rise of those with the brains and muscle and strength of will through the old social structures, social mobility in a way which had never been possible before and the emergence of a new class whose success was not based on privilege and inherited wealth … it was inevitable that radicalism should flourish
The new library
The decline of industrial Britain may have rendered some of the old businesses and industries redundant and even obsolete in the modern world but that same spirit of endeavour maintains and Birmingham is a dynamic city, an exciting city with new growth, new vigour. People have settled here from all over the world bringing many new cultures and enterprises and spirit to the city and I love to visit.
It is a buzzing place, a vibrant place, an alive place! I can’t wait to go back, whatever prompts me to go, exhibition, concert, museum, gallery… I shall have a memorable time and come back with plenty of stories!
Lois Elsden 