The search is on for the next poet laureate
Plus, Worcester gets a dash of colour
Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Wednesday briefing.
Fear not, your mid-week story will be winging its way into your inboxes this afternoon. For now, we have the latest on the evolving case of Wayne Brown, the first Black fire chief in the UK, and head of the service in the West Midlands, who sadly took his own life earlier this year. We wrote about Brown earlier this month, including details about the meetings that took place between senior fire officers in the days and hours before Brown’s suicide. The latest on an inquest into his death is in today’s briefing.
We also have notes on the application process to be the next Birmingham Poet Laureate, a pioneering study led by the University of Birmingham and a festival in south Birmingham. Read on to find out more.
Take care, and stay cool. Dan.
Brum in Brief
📕Are you the next Poet Laureate? If you’re a dab hand at writing verse and fancy being the face of Birmingham poetry over the next two years, then you can apply to be the next Poet Laureate. Applications are now open (closing at the end of August) with Writing West Midlands and Birmingham Libraries looking for someone who will be able to write poems about the city across their tenure, encourage the use of the libraries, and perform to the rest of us in the city. You can read all about the position here.
⚖️Wayne Brown inquest An inquest into the death of Wayne Brown, who was West Midlands Fire Service’s chief officer, will be held next year. Brown was found dead hours after he learned of an investigation into a CV fraud he was alleged to have committed. A pre-inquest review, held at Birmingham Coroner's Court on Tuesday, was told the inquest into his death would begin on 10 March 2025 and be held without a jury. The Dispatch looked into details surrounding Brown’s career and death earlier this year which you can read about here to understand the story in full.
🎨New Worcester palette: The city of Worcester has got its own new colour palette, thanks to a project run by the city’s business improvement district and Brum artist Stacey Barnfield. Barnfield creates collections of colours to represent different areas with the historic city getting its own Cathedral Stone, Elgar Bronze, Saucy Orange and Pear Black. These colours will adorn key locations such as Reindeer Court and The Shambles throughout the summer. Jennifer from travel agency ArrangeMYescape told the BBC it is “a real celebration of what Worcestershire is all about." More on the redecoration.
🩺First of its kind Brum study: A study by the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council’s Public Health division has found that sex workers’ health needs are largely not met with many facing stigma and feelings of being reduced to ‘one dimension’. Drawing on data from both Birmingham and across England, the study found that sex workers need better access to mental health support as well as support with drug and alcohol use. Caroline Bradbury-Jones, Professor of Gender Based Violence and Health in the School of Nursing and Midwifery said: “This is the first study of its kind to give a voice to sex workers about their needs when it comes to accessing healthcare.” All the details.
🎶Let’s go CoCoMAD: The annual Friends of Cotteridge Park festival is back in just a couple of weeks times. On the 6 July CoCoMad will have DJs, a full main stage lineup, immersive shows, circus workshops, woodland walks, and an after-party at Attic Brewery. The whole day is inclusive (and costs nothing) but any donations help keep the festival running every year. I’m personally looking forward to getting a beer on the tennis courts I learned to (badly) serve on when I was growing up. See you there. Full details.
🩰Gallery ballet: If you liked your mixed media to weave the line between classical art and dance then this Thursday you can head down to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see performances of dances from Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker while also enjoying the Victorian Radicals exhibition. Tickets are £30 and include a glass of wine or booze-free alternate. All the dance details.
Thank you for the CoCoMAD shout-out! Hopefully the weather holds out!
Of course the key skill for a Birmingham Poet Laureate is the ability to wave one’s hands from side to side with the first and second fingers extended whilst performing… :) :) :)