'I was going off like a crackerjack'

Plus the hidden histories of Key Hill Cemetery

Good morning readers — welcome to Tuesday’s Dispatch.

Below is your Brum in Brief that leads on an exciting new sporting event for the West Midlands. Also, a link to have your say on road safety in Birmingham.

Before that, thanks to one of our latest paying subscribers, Tobias, who left this little note that made us smile. We’ll be back tomorrow with our members-only article for the week. And if you haven’t subscribed in full yet, press the green button to make sure you receive it. Enjoy!

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Brum in Brief

🚴 The Commonwealth Games legacy fund has brought a new sporting event to the West Midlands — £390,000 has gone towards a breakdancing and BMX championships to be held in Wolverhampton in September. International director Olivier Pascal said: "We couldn't be more delighted to partner with Wolverhampton to deliver what promises to be a ground breaking Urban Sports schedule unlike anything ever seen before in the UK.”

✍️ Birmingham City Council has opened a public consultation on road safety as it sets about implementing a new harm reduction strategy to end deaths and serious injury on our roads. Give them your views at this online survey until 5 April.

👩‍⚕️ Health inequalities in Coventry have improved since it became a Marmot City. The 2010 Marmot review examined health inequalities across England and what could be done to reduce them. Coventry began working in partnership with the Institute of Health Equity at University College London to improve wellbeing and reduce disparities in health outcomes within the local population.

🚨 A police officer who was hit by a flare in the disorder outside Villa Park before the club’s match with Legia Warsaw on 1 December has said he is “eternally grateful” not to be seriously hurt. West Mercia PC Andy Forbes told the BBC: “I remember it as a Roman candle effect and these little orange flickers coming off it. I was going off like a crackerjack.”

🎨 Kids and their parents/guardians are welcome to paint a still life, play, and indulge in coffee and cake at Stryx Gallery in the Jewellery Quarter every Tuesday. The sessions are free and start at 12pm. Just make sure you are in the right place — Stryx has another venue in Digbeth.

🪦 Tickets are available now for a talk and tour of Key Hill Cemetery on Sunday. Uncover the hidden histories behind the gravestones including Joseph Chamberlain, Marie Bethel Beauclerc, and more. £8 admission. 2-3.45pm.

Our cover photo is by Elliott Brown/Flickr.