The Dispatch
@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
Birmingham's new quality newspaper: sending local stories to your inbox. Always looking for new writers & new stories.
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Our Christmas quiz is fast approaching! Make a team, test your general knowledge and ring in the festive season with The Dispatch.
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
Your Monday Briefing is out now, ft:
🌞Birmingham🤝Barcelona: why we should mimic the Spanish second city, according to lead commissioner
🐈⬛The cat saved in time for Christmas
🚮 Bin strikes won't hurt investment, claims mayor
📽️Things to do
📸Photo of the week
+ more
🌞Birmingham🤝Barcelona: why we should mimic the Spanish second city, according to lead commissioner
🐈⬛The cat saved in time for Christmas
🚮 Bin strikes won't hurt investment, claims mayor
📽️Things to do
📸Photo of the week
+ more
December 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Your Monday Briefing is out now, ft:
🌞Birmingham🤝Barcelona: why we should mimic the Spanish second city, according to lead commissioner
🐈⬛The cat saved in time for Christmas
🚮 Bin strikes won't hurt investment, claims mayor
📽️Things to do
📸Photo of the week
+ more
🌞Birmingham🤝Barcelona: why we should mimic the Spanish second city, according to lead commissioner
🐈⬛The cat saved in time for Christmas
🚮 Bin strikes won't hurt investment, claims mayor
📽️Things to do
📸Photo of the week
+ more
West End actor Andy premiered his take on Santa in the Noughties, at a Birmingham leisure complex famous for its stabbings.
20 years later and he's still donning the red suit, having witnessed tears, tantrums and even the odd Christmas miracle!
20 years later and he's still donning the red suit, having witnessed tears, tantrums and even the odd Christmas miracle!
December 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM
West End actor Andy premiered his take on Santa in the Noughties, at a Birmingham leisure complex famous for its stabbings.
20 years later and he's still donning the red suit, having witnessed tears, tantrums and even the odd Christmas miracle!
20 years later and he's still donning the red suit, having witnessed tears, tantrums and even the odd Christmas miracle!
The McDonalds ramp is an unexpectedly iconic spot in the city centre, beloved by frazzled shoppers, teenagers and bemused passers-by.
But what do we know about its grand history as the Exchange building?
But what do we know about its grand history as the Exchange building?
December 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The McDonalds ramp is an unexpectedly iconic spot in the city centre, beloved by frazzled shoppers, teenagers and bemused passers-by.
But what do we know about its grand history as the Exchange building?
But what do we know about its grand history as the Exchange building?
Your Monday Briefing is out NOW:
🤔Why has Sandwell cllr Sukhbir Singh Gill changed parties TWICE in quick succession?
🚨The bogus accountant jailed for visa scam
👮Craig Guildford hauled back to parliament on Maccabi fan ban row
📸Photo of the week
📰Our media picks
+more.
🤔Why has Sandwell cllr Sukhbir Singh Gill changed parties TWICE in quick succession?
🚨The bogus accountant jailed for visa scam
👮Craig Guildford hauled back to parliament on Maccabi fan ban row
📸Photo of the week
📰Our media picks
+more.
December 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Your Monday Briefing is out NOW:
🤔Why has Sandwell cllr Sukhbir Singh Gill changed parties TWICE in quick succession?
🚨The bogus accountant jailed for visa scam
👮Craig Guildford hauled back to parliament on Maccabi fan ban row
📸Photo of the week
📰Our media picks
+more.
🤔Why has Sandwell cllr Sukhbir Singh Gill changed parties TWICE in quick succession?
🚨The bogus accountant jailed for visa scam
👮Craig Guildford hauled back to parliament on Maccabi fan ban row
📸Photo of the week
📰Our media picks
+more.
The CBSO's audiences are on the mature side. In 30 years, most of the current attendees (to put it as politely as possible) will have bowed out of life.
Can the historic orchestra persuade young ppl that classical music is for them - and keep the show going?
Can the historic orchestra persuade young ppl that classical music is for them - and keep the show going?
December 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The CBSO's audiences are on the mature side. In 30 years, most of the current attendees (to put it as politely as possible) will have bowed out of life.
Can the historic orchestra persuade young ppl that classical music is for them - and keep the show going?
Can the historic orchestra persuade young ppl that classical music is for them - and keep the show going?
'Dirty' games and scathing letters - Birmingham City Council faces backlash for its approach to selling off parks.
December 3, 2025 at 10:07 AM
'Dirty' games and scathing letters - Birmingham City Council faces backlash for its approach to selling off parks.
Monday Briefing out now:
👮 West Midlands police to be grilled by parliamentary home affairs commitee over Maccabi Tel Aviv
🏗️ Smithfield archaeological work starts
🐕 Ayoub Khan MP recounts fatal run in with aggressive dog
+ more
👮 West Midlands police to be grilled by parliamentary home affairs commitee over Maccabi Tel Aviv
🏗️ Smithfield archaeological work starts
🐕 Ayoub Khan MP recounts fatal run in with aggressive dog
+ more
December 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Monday Briefing out now:
👮 West Midlands police to be grilled by parliamentary home affairs commitee over Maccabi Tel Aviv
🏗️ Smithfield archaeological work starts
🐕 Ayoub Khan MP recounts fatal run in with aggressive dog
+ more
👮 West Midlands police to be grilled by parliamentary home affairs commitee over Maccabi Tel Aviv
🏗️ Smithfield archaeological work starts
🐕 Ayoub Khan MP recounts fatal run in with aggressive dog
+ more
Reposted by The Dispatch
Eric spoke to Samuel McIlhagga at @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social for this brilliant article on the seminal Penda's Fen and its impact today.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/pendas-fen-r...
#pendasfen #birminghamdispatch #penda #pinfin #pinvin #worcestershire #midlands #midlandshorror #folkhorror
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/pendas-fen-r...
#pendasfen #birminghamdispatch #penda #pinfin #pinvin #worcestershire #midlands #midlandshorror #folkhorror
Penda’s Fen reinvents Mercia for the modern age
How an experimental British 1970s television play pioneered a folk horror revival
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Eric spoke to Samuel McIlhagga at @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social for this brilliant article on the seminal Penda's Fen and its impact today.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/pendas-fen-r...
#pendasfen #birminghamdispatch #penda #pinfin #pinvin #worcestershire #midlands #midlandshorror #folkhorror
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/pendas-fen-r...
#pendasfen #birminghamdispatch #penda #pinfin #pinvin #worcestershire #midlands #midlandshorror #folkhorror
Our Christmas quiz is fast approaching! Make a team, test your general knowledge and ring in the festive season with The Dispatch.
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
November 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Our Christmas quiz is fast approaching! Make a team, test your general knowledge and ring in the festive season with The Dispatch.
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
£100 prize up for grabs 💰
Monday Briefing out now:
⁉️AWOL cllr in Hall Green
🚨West Mids Police 'false intelligence' on Maccabi claims
🎲Cluedo comeback
+more
⁉️AWOL cllr in Hall Green
🚨West Mids Police 'false intelligence' on Maccabi claims
🎲Cluedo comeback
+more
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Monday Briefing out now:
⁉️AWOL cllr in Hall Green
🚨West Mids Police 'false intelligence' on Maccabi claims
🎲Cluedo comeback
+more
⁉️AWOL cllr in Hall Green
🚨West Mids Police 'false intelligence' on Maccabi claims
🎲Cluedo comeback
+more
'Good leaders don't have to be good people.'
In today's story, Ed King sits down with Birmingham Labour's chief whip cllr Ray Goodwin.
In today's story, Ed King sits down with Birmingham Labour's chief whip cllr Ray Goodwin.
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
'Good leaders don't have to be good people.'
In today's story, Ed King sits down with Birmingham Labour's chief whip cllr Ray Goodwin.
In today's story, Ed King sits down with Birmingham Labour's chief whip cllr Ray Goodwin.
A cluster of Birmingham academics have made a Birmingham university a leading institution for porn studies in the UK.
Who knew BCU was home to such a spicy discipline?
Who knew BCU was home to such a spicy discipline?
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
A cluster of Birmingham academics have made a Birmingham university a leading institution for porn studies in the UK.
Who knew BCU was home to such a spicy discipline?
Who knew BCU was home to such a spicy discipline?
Reposted by The Dispatch
Who knew, it wasn’t patriotism, it was money. And maybe a choice slot on GB News.
These amateurs learning that if you lie to a good journalist, they’ll just fact check you. Nice work @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
These amateurs learning that if you lie to a good journalist, they’ll just fact check you. Nice work @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Who knew, it wasn’t patriotism, it was money. And maybe a choice slot on GB News.
These amateurs learning that if you lie to a good journalist, they’ll just fact check you. Nice work @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
These amateurs learning that if you lie to a good journalist, they’ll just fact check you. Nice work @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by The Dispatch
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
Brilliant work from @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social and @manchestermill.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
Brilliant work from @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social and @manchestermill.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
Brilliant work from @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social and @manchestermill.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
Brilliant work from @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social and @manchestermill.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by The Dispatch
Once again, @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social are getting to the bottom of the people behind the flags. Go and subscribe if you haven't already
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Once again, @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social are getting to the bottom of the people behind the flags. Go and subscribe if you haven't already
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Data acquired by The Dispatch under freedom of information laws lays bare which assets have been sold since the council went bankrupt in September 2023. 💸
Over the last two years, a whopping 1,000 assets have been flogged for a total of nearly £230m. 🔨
Over the last two years, a whopping 1,000 assets have been flogged for a total of nearly £230m. 🔨
November 6, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Data acquired by The Dispatch under freedom of information laws lays bare which assets have been sold since the council went bankrupt in September 2023. 💸
Over the last two years, a whopping 1,000 assets have been flogged for a total of nearly £230m. 🔨
Over the last two years, a whopping 1,000 assets have been flogged for a total of nearly £230m. 🔨
Earlier this year, The Telegraph slammed Erdington with one local labelling it as 'on the verge of civil war'. What's the area really like?
October 29, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Earlier this year, The Telegraph slammed Erdington with one local labelling it as 'on the verge of civil war'. What's the area really like?
Reposted by The Dispatch
Absolutely fantastic story - highly recommend it
Today's story is about the mighty falling out between the lead singer and her former friends:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/au-pairs-agr...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/au-pairs-agr...
Au Pairs agreed to split everything equally. Now their frontwoman wants it all
Birmingham's post-punk auteurs were the poster band for equality, but 42-years later they're embroiled in a bitter row
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Absolutely fantastic story - highly recommend it
Reposted by The Dispatch
Great article on Jonathan Meades writing/ films about the West Midlands in @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/email/d4f083...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/email/d4f083...
Sunday Special: How Jonathan Meades chronicled the West Midlands
The Dispatch catches up with the creator of Birmingham: Heart By-pass, Severn Heaven and Worcestershire: Travels with Pevsner.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Great article on Jonathan Meades writing/ films about the West Midlands in @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/email/d4f083...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/email/d4f083...
Au Pairs were one of Birmingham's most iconic bands - beloved by the likes of Kurt Cobain.
42 years after they split, a bitter row has broken out among the members.
42 years after they split, a bitter row has broken out among the members.
October 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Au Pairs were one of Birmingham's most iconic bands - beloved by the likes of Kurt Cobain.
42 years after they split, a bitter row has broken out among the members.
42 years after they split, a bitter row has broken out among the members.
Recently released council accounts show Birmingham had hundreds of millions it could have used instead of going bankrupt & issuing extreme cuts, say 35 accountant researchers.
They're demanding an inquiry. Read the full story, in The Dispatch.
They're demanding an inquiry. Read the full story, in The Dispatch.
October 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Recently released council accounts show Birmingham had hundreds of millions it could have used instead of going bankrupt & issuing extreme cuts, say 35 accountant researchers.
They're demanding an inquiry. Read the full story, in The Dispatch.
They're demanding an inquiry. Read the full story, in The Dispatch.
Monday Briefing out now, incl:
⚽️Will Starmer overturn Maaccabi fan ban?
🇬🇧Flagger challenges local to boxing match in Stirchley at weekend demo
🎭The return of Margaret Thatcher - on stage
⚽️Will Starmer overturn Maaccabi fan ban?
🇬🇧Flagger challenges local to boxing match in Stirchley at weekend demo
🎭The return of Margaret Thatcher - on stage
October 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Monday Briefing out now, incl:
⚽️Will Starmer overturn Maaccabi fan ban?
🇬🇧Flagger challenges local to boxing match in Stirchley at weekend demo
🎭The return of Margaret Thatcher - on stage
⚽️Will Starmer overturn Maaccabi fan ban?
🇬🇧Flagger challenges local to boxing match in Stirchley at weekend demo
🎭The return of Margaret Thatcher - on stage
In 1806, a judge sentenced Philip Matsell to 'hang by the neck, until your body be dead, dead, dead'.
Matsell has gone down in history for murdering nightwatchman Robert Twyford. He is also known as the only man in Birmingham to face public execution.
But neither claim is true.
Matsell has gone down in history for murdering nightwatchman Robert Twyford. He is also known as the only man in Birmingham to face public execution.
But neither claim is true.
October 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
In 1806, a judge sentenced Philip Matsell to 'hang by the neck, until your body be dead, dead, dead'.
Matsell has gone down in history for murdering nightwatchman Robert Twyford. He is also known as the only man in Birmingham to face public execution.
But neither claim is true.
Matsell has gone down in history for murdering nightwatchman Robert Twyford. He is also known as the only man in Birmingham to face public execution.
But neither claim is true.
The battle for Moseley is on! Will the south Birmingham suburb's byelection be a bellweather for the breakdown of the two-party system, or a flash-in-the-pan? Find out in our lastest politics' edition 👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/let-the-batt...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/let-the-batt...
Let the battle for Moseley commence!
‘Well, who's being divisive?’
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The battle for Moseley is on! Will the south Birmingham suburb's byelection be a bellweather for the breakdown of the two-party system, or a flash-in-the-pan? Find out in our lastest politics' edition 👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/let-the-batt...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/let-the-batt...
Why doesn't Birmingham have a publishing sector? And what would it take to get one?
The tiny Emma Press, which is run from the Jewellery Quarter might show us the way. "We say ‘small press, big dreams," says the director James Trevelyan.
The tiny Emma Press, which is run from the Jewellery Quarter might show us the way. "We say ‘small press, big dreams," says the director James Trevelyan.
October 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Why doesn't Birmingham have a publishing sector? And what would it take to get one?
The tiny Emma Press, which is run from the Jewellery Quarter might show us the way. "We say ‘small press, big dreams," says the director James Trevelyan.
The tiny Emma Press, which is run from the Jewellery Quarter might show us the way. "We say ‘small press, big dreams," says the director James Trevelyan.