Very interesting piece. The media has changed, which is inevitable I suppose - though a city really needs strong regional media for it's reputation and the strength of local democracy.
I remember the goldfish bowl. Local press seemed a lot more exciting in those days. And also the amazing noisy subterranean world of the original presses.
Something else that has changed: when I first started out there was a cluster of Birmingham correspondents around Albany House. All the main national newspapers had a Birmingham-based correspondent and we would meet every morning to decide which stories would be pushed. It gave Brum much more of a presence even though the media was still London-centric.
There were 2 rival agencies in News Team and Caters as well as the local PA team.
The Birmingham Post was also a good launch pad for a career in the nationals. There are quite a few names I see that I remember from their Birmingham days.
Interesting piece thanks. Highlighting an important part of Birmingham history and heritage. Not an area I know much about but you brought the newsroom to life .
I really enjoyed this article. The Mail was our only paper. Every day one of us would go to fetch it from the Newsagents. My Mom and Dad would read it first and then it would be passed onto us. I remember searching for what was on at the pictures as well as jobs. My brother always picked up the sports Argos. The smell of the paper and its touch was a visceral thing which I can sense now. Thanks for this.
Thank you Birmingham Dispatch, Up until this article the Birmingham mail & Sunday Mercury had left my memory, Dad would bring home a redtop from work but as kids it was our job to fetch the Birmingham Mail, The Sunday Mercury was always picked up by Dad, The Sports Argus is still talked about occasionally to our younger generation
Very interesting piece. The media has changed, which is inevitable I suppose - though a city really needs strong regional media for it's reputation and the strength of local democracy.
I remember the goldfish bowl. Local press seemed a lot more exciting in those days. And also the amazing noisy subterranean world of the original presses.
Something else that has changed: when I first started out there was a cluster of Birmingham correspondents around Albany House. All the main national newspapers had a Birmingham-based correspondent and we would meet every morning to decide which stories would be pushed. It gave Brum much more of a presence even though the media was still London-centric.
There were 2 rival agencies in News Team and Caters as well as the local PA team.
The Birmingham Post was also a good launch pad for a career in the nationals. There are quite a few names I see that I remember from their Birmingham days.
Interesting piece thanks. Highlighting an important part of Birmingham history and heritage. Not an area I know much about but you brought the newsroom to life .
I really enjoyed this article. The Mail was our only paper. Every day one of us would go to fetch it from the Newsagents. My Mom and Dad would read it first and then it would be passed onto us. I remember searching for what was on at the pictures as well as jobs. My brother always picked up the sports Argos. The smell of the paper and its touch was a visceral thing which I can sense now. Thanks for this.
Thank you Birmingham Dispatch, Up until this article the Birmingham mail & Sunday Mercury had left my memory, Dad would bring home a redtop from work but as kids it was our job to fetch the Birmingham Mail, The Sunday Mercury was always picked up by Dad, The Sports Argus is still talked about occasionally to our younger generation