And this morning the spectacular ‘Best of Birmingham’ display featuring a floral Mini car scooped a Gold Award at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society event.

Building on last year’s Silver Award, Birmingham City Council joined forces with Retail Birmingham to create the colourful display which features:

• Mini car
• Birmingham Town Hall
• The Bullring bull
• Canal barge and lock gates
• Selfridges

Movie legend Caine, who famously drove a Mini in classic film The Italian Job, headed for the display after seeing the floral version of the Birmingham-made motor on TV.

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture at Birmingham City Council said: “He saw the Mini and decided to come along for a closer look at our wonderful display.

“To follow that with a Gold award is fantastic. Birmingham has taken over a corner of Chelsea this week and yet again our team has made its mark on a world famous stage.

“With support from Retail Birmingham we’ve produced another spectacular display that will now add a splash of colour to the city centre and attracting visitors from across the UK.”

Jonathan Cheetham, Chair of Retail Birmingham and General Manager at The Pallasades shopping centre said: “Retail Birmingham is proud to be sponsoring such a wonderful display this year, showcasing the breadth of what Birmingham has to offer on an international stage. From our extensive shopping offer including over 1,000 stores, both big brand names and independents, across the city centre, to the entirely unique and historic Jewellery Quarter, we hope that visitors to the show are encouraged to visit our City to explore these icons for themselves.

“The spectacular result achieved at the show is testament to the hard work from Birmingham’s talented Parks team and we look forward to welcoming the display back to the city later in the summer where it will be displayed in its home surroundings in key areas of the city for all to enjoy during our busy summer of events.”

Birmingham’s award-winning display will remain on show at the Chelsea Flower Show from Tuesday 22 May to Saturday 26 May.

It will then be one of the star attractions at next month’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live show at the NEC before forming part of this summer’s Birmingham in Bloom display.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Images of the Best of Birmingham display can be downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghamnewsroom/sets/72157629664982774/

Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London, the Chelsea Flower Show attracts nearly 160,000 visitors each year and reaches millions more people through worldwide media coverage.

In 2011, Birmingham’s Plight of the Gorilla display secured a Silver Award, while 12 months earlier the council’s Road to Recovery garden received a Silver Flora Award.

For more information contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501

Related

Keep fit at your nearest leisure centre
http://bit.ly/dO68DN

Community Sports Events
http://www.birminghamourgames.co.uk/

Visit one of our wonderful parks
http://bit.ly/f2sFxF

Children’s Lives – An exhibition of children’s lives (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 24 – June 10

http://bit.ly/uDeP6H

Style Africa (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 31 – September 2
http://bit.ly/wqojCg

Tea Time Tours (Blakesley Hall)
April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/IkBWLL

International Dance Festival Birmingham
April 23 – May 19
http://bit.ly/8kVVnn

Guided Tour 2.30pm: ‘Power to the People’ with Hugh Heaven (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
May 19
http://bit.ly/Je1qRd

Middle-earth Weekend (Sarehole Mill)
May 19
http://bit.ly/HbyB3k

Family Summer Fun Run (Edgbaston Reservoir
May 19
http://bit.ly/Jr0Uu2

Bartley Green Ramble
May 20
http://bit.ly/mVhe3J

‘Pick up a Paintbrush’ – Beginners Short Course for Adults (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
May 19 – June 2
http://bit.ly/HWtaEU

Guided Tour 2.30pm: ‘The Staffordshire Hoard – Part 2 (recent developments and research) with Michelle McCormick (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
May 20
http://bit.ly/JpSetq

Behind the Scenes at the Museum: Studying the Staffordshire Hoard (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
May 20
http://bit.ly/JFiyPd

Signposts to Middle-earth (Sarehole Mill)

April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/Hv3BQ1

Staffordshire Hoard (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
July 24 2010 – December 31 2012
http://bit.ly/h9Gh44

Visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
http://tinyurl.com/nvmd8x

Visit the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
http://bit.ly/cyVnE0

Visit the mac
http://bit.ly/hbtw8d

Visit the Ikon Gallery
http://bit.ly/aOmyjV

Related

Aiming to build on last year’s Silver Award at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society event, Birmingham City Council has joined forces with Retail Birmingham to create a display entitled The Best of Birmingham.

The colourful display, which will go on to form part of this summer’s Birmingham in Bloom, will feature:

• Birmingham Town Hall
• The Bullring bull
• Canal barge and lock gates
• Selfridges
• Mini car

And the Birmingham team is heading south determined to fly the flag for Birmingham.

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture at Birmingham City Council said: “We have a proud record at Chelsea and this year’s display is one of our most spectacular yet.

“A lot of hard work goes into these displays and this year we’ve produced a miniature version of the city, so a corner of the world’s most famous flower show will be flying the flag for Birmingham.

“After Chelsea, the display will return to Birmingham, adding a touch of colour to the city centre and attracting visitors from across the UK.”

Staff are currently putting the finishing touches to the colourful display and the Chelsea Flower Show runs from Tuesday 22 May to Saturday 26 May.

Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London, the show attracts nearly 160,000 visitors each year and reaches millions more people through worldwide media coverage.

Birmingham’s Plight of the Gorilla display secured a Silver Award, while 12 months earlier the council’s Road to Recovery garden received a Silver Flora Award.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Artists’ impressions of the Best of Birmingham display can be downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghamnewsroom/sets/72157629664982774/

For more information contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501

Related

Birmingham City Council is providing plenty of information to help people prepare their celebrations on their website at birmingham.gov.uk/jubilee.  The page includes information on all aspects of organising a street party from how to request a road closure to what costs may be involved in organising an event.

As well as events taking place throughout the city, there will also be a Big Jubilee Lunch taking place in the grounds of St Philip’s Cathedral.  Other Big Jubilee Lunches will also be taking place in care homes throughout the city and at Aston Park and St Martin’s Church.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations include Lord Mayor’s Show, Birmingham Pride and the Young Readers Book Bash. The four day celebrations will also see vintage parades and nostalgic live music in Birmingham city centre and 1950’s themed entertainments at the annual Spring Festival in Cannon Hill Park.

Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Anita Ward said: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will give local communities the opportunity to get together with friends and neighbours to celebrate together with Big Jubilee Lunch street parties.  Birmingham City Council want to make sure that organisers have all the relevant information to hand in order ensure their parties go with a swing”

The Big Jubilee Lunch builds on the already popular ‘Big Lunch’ initiative which was created to bring neighbours and friends together for an annual celebration.  Now in its fourth year, the Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project and made possible thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund and partners MasterCard, EDF Energy and Kingsmill http://www.thebiglunch.com/

Ends

Media contact: Jason Lewis 0121 303 4266 jason.lewis@birmingham.gov.uk

Related

Leading Jamaican athletes, music stars and artists will join forces to celebrate the Caribbean island’s 50th anniversary of independence in a spectacular Birmingham concert this summer.

Just days before they head to London for the Olympic Games, Jamaica’s gold medal hopefuls will attend Jamaica’s 50th Cultural Extravaganza at the Symphony Hall on July 25.

Taking a break from the pre-Olympic training camp at the University of Birmingham, they will be entertained by a host of stars including Jamelia, Musical Youth and Jaki Graham.

The event is being hosted by the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK in association with Birmingham City Council, The Jamaican High Commission and The Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the Jamaican Athletic Administrative Association for sports development in Jamaica.

Tickets for the spectacular concert will cost £30 and performers on the night will include:

• Jamelia
• Musical Youth
• Jaki Graham
• Andy Hamilton
• Jimmy James
• Count Prince Miller
• Ifeoma Oboko
• Benjamin Zephaniah
• Carlton Curtis
• Skibu
• Brothers United in Christ Choir

Birmingham City Council Assistant Director for Sport and Events, Steve Hollingworth, said: “We’re looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence in style here in Birmingham and this promises to be a fantastic event.

“The line-up for the concert is still be finalised but we’ve already confirmed some top stars and, with top Jamaican athletes set to attend, I’m sure it will be a night to remember.”

Beverly Lindsay OBE, OD, Chairman, Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK, added: “On July 25th we will bring all the richness and vibrancy of Jamaican Culture to the Birmingham Symphony Hall to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Jamaica’s Independence and to celebrate our Athletes as they head for “Gold” in the London Olympic Games.

“We are proud to be directly associated with this event and we are very keen to encourage, individuals and organisations to give their full support as we aim to raise funds for the JAAAs -  building a secure future for young Jamaican Athletes.”

ENDS

For more information contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501

Related

Keep fit at your nearest leisure centre

http://bit.ly/dO68DN

Community Sports Events
http://www.birminghamourgames.co.uk/

Visit one of our wonderful parks
http://bit.ly/f2sFxF

Children’s Lives – An exhibition of children’s lives (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 24 – June 10

http://bit.ly/uDeP6H

Style Africa (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 31 – September 2
http://bit.ly/wqojCg

Tea Time Tours (Blakesley Hall)
April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/IkBWLL

International Dance Festival Birmingham
April 23 – May 19
http://bit.ly/8kVVnn

Guided Tour 2.30pm: ‘Introduction to the Pre-Raphaelites’ with James McCormick (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
April 28
http://bit.ly/Iz0JfA

Dodici Corde Concert (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
April 29
http://bit.ly/JgSyo6

Guided Tour 2.30pm: ‘The Staffordshire Hoard – Part 2′ with Michelle McCormick (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
April 29
http://bit.ly/Ibzqsa

Signposts to Middle-earth (Sarehole Mill)
April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/Hv3BQ1

Staffordshire Hoard (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)

July 24 2010 – December 31 2012
http://bit.ly/h9Gh44

Visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
http://tinyurl.com/nvmd8x

Visit the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
http://bit.ly/cyVnE0

Visit the mac
http://bit.ly/hbtw8d

Visit the Ikon Gallery
http://bit.ly/aOmyjV

Related

Keep fit at your nearest leisure centre

http://bit.ly/dO68DN

Community Sports Events
http://www.birminghamourgames.co.uk/

Visit one of our wonderful parks
http://bit.ly/f2sFxF

Children’s Lives – An exhibition of children’s lives (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 24 – June 10

http://bit.ly/uDeP6H

Style Africa (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
March 31 – September 2
http://bit.ly/wqojCg

Aston Easter Egg Hunt
April 1-14
http://bit.ly/IkBJIu

Tea Time Tours (Blakesley Hall)
April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/IkBWLL

Signposts to Middle-earth (Sarehole Mill)
April 1 – October 28
http://bit.ly/Hv3BQ1

Weoley Castle Day School
April 21
http://bit.ly/ICENSc

St George’s Day (Victoria Square)
April 21
http://bit.ly/HSvahz

Meet William Shakespeare (Blakesley Hall)
April 22
http://bit.ly/Ip1n0P

Vaisakhi (Handsworth Park)
April 22
http://bit.ly/I1OFaK

Guided Tour 2.30pm: ‘Tall Tales and Tittle Tattle’ with James McCormick (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
April 22
http://bit.ly/HQ0SwI

Talk by Dr Kevin Leahy: The Finding of the Hoard – the Early Days (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
April 22
http://bit.ly/wCIHgB

Staffordshire Hoard (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery)
July 24 2010 – December 31 2012
http://bit.ly/h9Gh44

Visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
http://tinyurl.com/nvmd8x

Visit the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
http://bit.ly/cyVnE0

Visit the mac
http://bit.ly/hbtw8d

Visit the Ikon Gallery
http://bit.ly/aOmyjV

Related

Keepers are hoping romance will be in the air as the latest arrivals at Birmingham Nature Centre meet their public – and each other – next week.

Red Pandas Ling Ling and Amba will move into a brand new enclosure at the popular centre on Monday 23 April.

And staff hope the couple will eventually mate as part of a captive breeding programme to save the Red Panda from extinction.

Found in India, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Laos, the Red Panda is an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 adults remaining across the world.

As a consequence, animal collections throughout Europe are co-operating to ensure there is a genetically healthy population of captive pandas.

Male Red Panda Ling Ling moved to Birmingham from Austria last year and is now ready to come out of quarantine.

Martin Van Wees, European co-ordinator of the captive breeding campaign, identified female Amba as a perfect mate. She has made the shorter journey from nearby Dudley Zoo.

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture at Birmingham City Council said: “Birmingham Nature Centre is one of the city’s real gems and is renowned for its work with some of the world’s most endangered species.

“I’m sure Ling Ling and Amba will be a huge hit with visitors to Birmingham Nature Centre and it’s fantastic that we can play a vital role in the conservation of such a beautiful animal.

“It would be great to think we could bolster the global population of this wonderful animal and maybe in time we’ll be hearing the sounds of tiny Red Panda cubs at Birmingham Nature Centre.”

ENDS

For more information contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501

Notes to editors

• Birmingham Nature Centre is home to a wide range of animals and reptiles from across the world, including some endangered species.
• The Nature Centre is now open all year round.
• Summer (commencing the first week of April) 10.00am – 5.00pm, last admission 4.00pm.
• Winter (commencing the last weekend of October) 10.00am – 4.00pm, last admission 3.00pm.
• The Red Panda, also called the ‘Fire Cat’, is a tree dwelling mammal, which looks like a raccoon, with its bushy tail and white and black markings across its face. Characterized by its red fur, the Red Panda looks very different from its larger relative the Giant Panda.
• The Red Panda is a rare animal and because of its reclusive arboreal nature and the difficult terrain in which it lives, accurate estimates of the Red Panda population are hard to arrive at. It is estimated that there are about 2,500 Red Pandas left in the wild.

Related

On Saturday 21 April, from 11am – 5pm, Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square will be filled with free, fun, family-style celebrations.  There’ll be a chance to see St George arrive on his trusty steed and enjoy traditional English food and local ale.

Visitors can browse through the English craft and farmers market and purchase souvenirs or savour traditional treats, including hog roasts and fish’n’chips.   Children can enjoy rides and free face painting plus the chance to see Dragon Quest, courtesy of Circo Rum Ba Ba who will bring their walkabout character along.

There are plenty of opportunities for all the family to be entertained throughout the day.

Victoria Square Stage will be where Moonrakers, one of Oxfordshire’s finest acoustic groups will perform Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English traditional and contemporary tunes and songs.

Whilst Chamberlain Square will be the place where crowds can watch the Knights of Middle England display their great swordsmanship skills. Visitors will be entertained by court jesters and Morris dancers, from the Jockey Men’s Morris Club, Earlsdon Morris Men and Glorishears of Brummage.

The Big Brum Buz will be running two, 30 minute free tours on the day, showing off the delights and landmarks of Birmingham.  The free tours start from Colmore Row / Waterloo Street at 1pm and again, at 2pm.

There will be a live compere on the main stage in Victoria Square, and there will be interactive games on the Big Screen for everyone to enjoy.

Sharon Lea, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture at Birmingham City Council said: “Birmingham City Council is proud to be organising these celebrations in recognition of England’s patron saint. The free family friendly activities and events complimented by the traditional markets and entertainment will present a wonderful opportunity for the city’s residents to join together to celebrate England’s fantastic heritage.”

Dave Ward, chairman of the Birmingham St George’s Day Association said: “I am very proud to be the chairman of the Birmingham St. George’s Day Association. Every year Birmingham stages the best St. George’s day celebration in the whole of England. Through this, and the schools bursary, the children of Birmingham are now aware of their English identity whatever their ethnic background.

We are delighted to see “Brummies”, of all colours and creeds, come together to celebrate this day. Please make sure you join us in Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square on Saturday 21 April, 11am to 5pm followed by the big concert at Symphony Hall 6-9pm.   Bring your flags and roses and be prepared to enjoy yourselves.

The St George’s Day Celebrations are organised by Birmingham City Council in partnership with Birmingham St George’s Day Association.  The Association is also organising the annual Celebrating England Concert at Symphony Hall in the evening.  For more information call 0121 303 3008 or go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/st-georg

ENDS

Media contact:
(Wednesday 18 April – Friday 20 April)
Maureen Howell on 0121 303 2805
maureen.howell@birmingham.gov.uk

(Saturday 21 April)
Carmel Girling or Jason Lewis on 07766923352
carmel.girling@birmingham.gov.uk or jason.lewis@birmingham.gov.uk

Related

The celebrations, which mark the Sikh nation’s collective birthday, start at 11am as two huge processions set off from Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in Hockley and Smethwick.

Led by five Sikhs in traditional dress they will be followed by thousands of other Sikhs from local congregations and at the head of each procession will be the Holy Scriptures of Revelation – referred to as the living Guru Granth Sahib.

Bringing a festive atmosphere to Handsworth Park, there will be live music, entertainment, Punjabi food and craft stalls. The traditional Langar – free vegetarian feast – will also be on offer.

As one of the largest outdoor Vaisakhi celebrations in the world, last year’s festival attracted over 90,000 people from the Midlands and beyond.  The event marks the formation of the Sikh nation or Khalsa Panth in 1699.  The five Sikhs leading each procession represent the original Panj Pyare (Beloved Ones) who were the first to join the Sikh order over 300 years ago.

Sharon Lea, Director of Environment and Culture for Birmingham City Council said:
“Birmingham’s vibrant Vaisakhi festival shows how people come together in the city to celebrate their cultural identity and is part of a calendar of diverse community events in the city.  The festival is free and everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations.”

Russell Atkinson, Managing Director for Lebara Mobile UK, said: “As one of the most symbolic dates in the Sikh Calendar, we are extremely proud to be one of the main sponsors of the hugely popular Vaisakhi Birmingham. Lebara Mobile’s success is built on its commitment to provide services which bring our customers closer to their friends, family and community.”

The event is alcohol free and no smoking, and visitors will not be allowed to bring dogs into the festival area.  Roads around the park will be closed for the day and residents in the local area have been sent a letter advising of the details.
For more information call 0121 303 3008 or go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/vaisakhi

ENDS

Media Contact:  jason_lewis@birmingham.gov.uk or 0121 303 4266/ 07766 923352

Related