'Humble advocate of the poor & oppressed'
Handsworth to unveil new mural for Benjamin Zephaniah
Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Tuesday briefing.
Buses are big in Birmingham and they’re taking centre stage as the West Midlands mayoral candidates rev up their campaigns — but who wants them to be privately run and who wants the public to be in control? Find out at the top of today’s Brum in brief. With headlines dominated by £760m Birmingham City Council equal pay bill — can we trust it or not? — we’ve also included a story on the fight to save libraries (which face funding cuts to pay this apparent figure).
Elsewhere, the late Benjamin Zephaniah will be honoured with a new mural in his birthplace of Handsworth, and Worcester has plans for a new arts venue in a historic location.
Stay dry — and until next time. Dan.
Brum in Brief
🚌On the buses: Bus franchising is a hot topic of the West Midlands mayoral election with candidates under pressure to pick a side: should buses be brought back under public control or not? Labour’s Richard Parker has already been explicit — he is definitely in favour. Liberal Democrat Sunny Virk says he would introduce franchising; the Green’s Siobhan Harper-Nunes says she would consider it and wants to “regulate” transport; while Reform UK’s Elaine Williams is firmly against. She says the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has no track record "of dealing with public services efficiently". Finally, Andy Street is keeping quiet, insisting he will wait until the results of a WMCA review due after the election. Bus franchising, which was recently brought in in Manchester, would mean the WMCA would decide bus routes, timetables, prices and standards though private companies would still own and run the buses. Full story here.
🖼️The people’s poet: Handsworth Park is set to unveil a mural dedicated to the roots and activism of Benjamin Zephaniah. Backed by the Zephaniah family, and created by internationally renowned artist Bunny Bread, an official ceremony to open the mural will take place at the Sons of Rest building in the park from 3pm on Sunday 14 April. Dawn Carr, local historian of Black History Arts & More (BHAM), said the work celebrates his links to the community and his humanity. “He was always humble and an advocate of the poor and oppressed,” she said.

📖Library lobby: On Saturday, Friends of Kings Heath organised a read-in across Birmingham’s libraries in a bid to save them from council cuts. With 25 libraries set to be shuttered, communities have banded together in order to sign petitions to save these hubs. Alternative proposals include lobbying the council to transfer the assets into community ownership and create a library trust. Full story with data on Brum library usage, here.
🏗️Creative Worcester unlocked: Worcester’s Scala and Corn Exchange buildings are set to be refurbished with funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund. Once completed, the buildings will become a new venue with three multi-use cultural spaces as well as a cafe. Redevelopment plans were undertaken in consultation with local creative organisations. City Council managing director David Blake said: “The planning committee’s decision is an important milestone on our journey to creating a venue that will attract new audiences and allow creative communities to thrive in our city.” All the details at a click.
🍕Slice n ice: For those at a weeknight loose end, tickets are still available for make-your-own cocktails and pizza classes at Edgbaton’s Smoke and Ash this evening. With info on everything from spirit production methods to how to make Neapolitan pizza, the evening is topped off with drinks and and a lesson on how to pick the perfect pizza toppings. Details here.
📷: From Friday 29 March, Coventry’s The Herbert opens its doors to a collection of British working-class photography, curated by well-known culture journalist Johny Pitts. It will celebrate work by practitioners who turn their gaze towards their communities and towards the wider world. Tickets are free, information here.