Dear readers — a brief briefing today as we await the return of Kate here at The Dispatch, but a briefing all the same. And quite an exciting one, if we do say so…
At the weekend we published our flag injunction long-read, described by one astute reader as “an excellent article” which “brings together all the threads” (thanks to Martin). If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the hard sell. It contains:
- Exclusive details of meetings that have been taking place since March between the council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and a group of residents and local activists. . As one of the activists told us: “The injunction came about directly from a lobbying and advocacy group”.
- The full story of how Raise the Colours waged a campaign of intimidation against Stirchley residents over a full year (“When people ask me what’s wrong with the flags,” [a resident called] Paul says. “I lose my fucking mind. They’re coming to our neighbourhood, to our space, to harass, intimidate and attack us).
- Interviews with a range of West Midlands politicians, lawyers and residents, including Reform leader in Wolverhampton Celia Hibbert, who says of the flaggers: “Some of them might have a tasty character. But that doesn’t diminish my cultural attachment to the flag”.
Jack Walton
And please remember, stories like this one take a lot of reporting and research and offer a more in-depth look at the big Birmingham stories than you’ll find anywhere else. We’re so close now to 2,000 paying members, which would be an amazing milestone for us to hit. If you haven’t already, consider supporting us, you won't regret it.
A quick appeal to your good nature: A few weeks ago we appealed to you, our readers, for any gossip you had about the Gunmakers Arms, the city centre pub which for a very strange and thankfully brief interlude was run by the artist Mason Newman and his business partner Matt Burns. You came through in force! Loads of Dispatch readers got in touch with information and the story was such a success I’m told Mr Newman started calling us names on Instagram. So I come to you again cap in hand: any gossip, tips, juicy leads or similar about Birmingham, the West Midlands, businessmen, politicians, bars or quite literally anything, I want to hear it. Email me: don’t be shy.
The iconic Ideal Home Show is coming to Birmingham
Introducing next year's biggest opportunity for local businesses: one of the UK's largest and most influential audiences is coming to Brum. The Ideal Home Show has run for over 100 years, and has been the launchpad for the toaster, the microwave, and the vacuum cleaner.
Now it's time to give your products the same treatment. The organisers are looking for great West Midlands businesses who want to reach over 40,000 visitors with quality local goods including homeware, crafts, food and more.
If that's the transformative opportunity you've been looking for, then hit that button to book your space.
Interested in sponsoring The Dispatch? Get in touch.
Your Brum in Brief
🍺 The Tamworth Tap is as close to an official best pub in the UK as you’re likely to get. It’s won the best pub award (given out by CAMRA) a record three times now, including 2025 and 2023, and what a shock... it's been nominated to represent the West Midlands at this year's awards once again. We’d like to find out why? We’ve no doubt part of the reason is that it’s simply a very, very nice pub (look at the pictures, it's a beauty), but can any pub really stand so high among the rest? It almost seems greedy: Like a second rate European Football division which the same team wins 10 years on the bounce, or Luke Littler at the darts. What's the secret sauce? And how exactly are these awards given out? Any CAMRA-heads among the Dispatch readership please step forth. We’ll be waiting (with an ale in hand)....Contact Jack.
A beautiful pub...but is the Tamworth Tap getting greedy? Photo: Tamworth Tap.
This story is free to read - you just need to join our mailing list. And why wouldn't you? By becoming a Dispatch subscriber, you'll get our scoops, features, and insights, in your inbox, the second we hit publish. No card details required.
Already have an account? Sign In
