The fight is on to save Redbrick!

Plus: Bodybuilding greats descend on Birmingham

Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Tuesday briefing.

There’s some cheer in today’s brief with notes on Brummie Crufts winners and an update on a famous blockbuster superstar arriving in Birmingham this weekend. (Clue: it isn’t Tom Cruise, as much as I do hope he returns).

We’ve also been contacted about a fundraiser that is very well worth contributing to if you have the means. The University of Birmingham’s Redbrick newspaper has been going for 87 years but it doesn’t receive funding from the uni or the students’ union (unlike The Mancunion in Manchester). Redbrick is at risk of collapsing and the budding reporters want to raise £2,000 to keep going. Here’s the link for more info.

There are now well over 500 of us with paying subs — 508 to be exact — amongst the 12,750 subscribers receiving updates for free. Top work everyone. If you haven’t yet, please do consider clicking subscribe below and becoming a paid member. You’re supporting our mission to keep Birmingham up-to-date with the journalism and feature writing it sorely deserves. 

Till next time. Dan.

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Brum in Brief

🚕SEND cuts appeals: As detailed in the i, parents are set to appeal against plans to stop 16-18-year SEND pupils from accessing council-funded taxi and minibuses to take them to and from school and college. With the change taking place in September, parents have vowed to spend the next six months fighting. All the details here.

🐩Best in show: Last week The Dispatch shared data on just how much Midlanders love their dogs so we’re fairly certain that many of you will want to know what happened at the international dog show Crufts, hosted last weekend at the NEC. The top prize was given to a cancer-surviving pooch but a Brummie father and daughter team also won a category with their dog, too. All the doggy drama, here.

☪️Ramadan police promise: After tensions rose between Birmingham’s Muslim community and police during 2023’s Islamic holy month — culminating in clashes between police and locals in Small Heath — forces have said they will work with community groups and mosques to ensure everyone is looked after during Ramadan this year. Chief Inspector Haroon Chughtai said he wanted people to observe the holy month of Ramadan peacefully and respectfully. “Our priority is always to keep families, friends and communities safe," he said. More information on the BBC.

🚆Train pain for Wolves: A landslip in Wellington has closed an important line between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, causing further pain for much-beleaguered rail users. Fixing the issue is expected to take until the end of the month, impacting Avanti, West Midlands and Transport for Wales services. All details on alternate routes and how to use pre-bought tickets here.

🎤Pop pros: The Drifters are the longest-running singing group in pop history, having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed for the US president. This weekend they’ll be performing hits such as ‘Saturday Night At the Movies’ and ‘You’re More Than a Number’ at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. I once saw the Drifters at the Royal Albert Hall and it was fab. Further good news: the show is wheelchair accessible. All the show notes at a click.

💪I’ll be back: For bodybuilding and fitness fans, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates will all be at the NEC this weekend at the Arnold Sports bodybuilding competition and expo. There are bodybuilding and strong-man competitions, as well as the chance to meet with legends of the industry (including the Terminator star himself). Tickets here.

A young Arnie. Photo by: Wikicommons.