B13 Magazine +BH B12 & KH B14 April 2023 Issue 539 LOCAL & VOCAL Since 1973 £2 Moseley Farmers’ Market: Winner of Best Farmers’ Market Award 2023 Moseley Farmers’ Market: Winner of Best Farmers’ Market Award 2023 Craig Pullen’s Newsdesk: Tongue in Cheek News The Stardust of Yesterday: Rob Cooksey of The Sea Urchins Moseley Society History Group Commemorating Anzac Day
2 EDITOR Mark Baxter ([email protected]) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sahel Vaezi [email protected] THE TEAM Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Maria Arroja Ferreira, Tipton, Debbie Aldous, Max Jalil, Martin Jeffers, Jobe Baker-Sullivan, Izzy Knowles, Alex Jenkins, Jenny Gwynne, Mitch Schofield CONTRIBUTORS Jerome Leavey, Craig Pullen, Aida Khakizadeh, Ian Binnie/Moseley Society History Group BUSINESS MANAGER Martin Jeffers SOCIAL MEDIA Maria Arroja Ferreira TREASURER Leanne Holloway ([email protected]) PROOFREADER Pam Rutter ADVERTISING Position Vacant DISTRIBUTION Izzy Knowles, Martin Jeffers BOARD David Isgrove (Chair) Stephanie Silk (Editorial) MAIL Moseley Publishing House Ltd.Moseley B13 Magazine, c/o: Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JP. ONLINE instagram.com/moseleyb13mag facebook. com/MoseleyB13Magazine twitter.com/ MoseleyB13Mag COMPANY SECRETARY Position Vacant LEGAL STUFF Moseley Publishing House Ltd is a non-profit voluntary run company based in England and Wales. Company No. 07786560. No part of this magazine may be reprduced, in whole or part, without express permission.. All material is believed to be correct at the time of going to print . COVER IMAGE Courtesy of David Isgrove Welcome to our April edition, an issue which is on the eve of the magazine’s 50th birthday next month! Rather appropriately, it’s a time of celebration with Moseley Farmers’ Market winning the Best UK Farmers’ Market for the fourth time, and David Isgrove getting the lifetime achievement award to boot (you can read about both in Newshound on pages 4-9 and a piece by Izzy Knowles in the centre pages). We also have local funnyman Craig Pullen introducing his Newsdesk to the magazine with a tongue in cheek look at what is happening in our area (14-15). Those half-century celebrations continue with our Moseley B13 Magazine at 50 series, which this month steps back in time to the late 1990s and remembers when Moseley was one of the coolest places in the country for music (22-24). And talking of the earlier years of the magazine, we publish a letter from Germany on page 31 and 32 which tells the tale of wager made after an afternoon drinking session in the Prince of Wales in 1973. Let’s just say it looks very close to becoming quite lucrative! Oh, and just to clarify after last month’s article on Riverside (food) Pantry, their phone number is 012 442 4484 and email address is Riverside-Church.org.uk . Have a Happy Easter! Get your party hats on and we’ll see you next month for a very special issue! Mark Baxter OUTLETS Farmers’ Market (Village Green) A and R News (320 Yardley Wood Road) Aiden McDonnell Hair (56 St Mary’s Row) Drinksville (23 Woodbridge Road) Greenhill Garage (89-91 Billesley Lane) Indigo Foods (50-52 St Mary’s Row) Maison Mayci (148 Alcester Road) Moseley Post Office (149 Alcester Road) Newslink (3 Alcester Road) One Stop (117 Billesley Lane) Oxfam Books and Music (101 Alcester Road) Palmyra (13 St Mary’s Row) , Stoney Lane O.A.K Superstore Ladypool Road 5 a day fruit and veg stall, Old Print Works (Moseley Road) Moseley Exchange (147-153 Alcester Road) WORDS FROM THE EDITOR MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE BH B12 & KH B14 / April 5
3 IN THIS ISSUE 4-9 Newshound 10 Tommy Quang’s world 11-13 The Stardust of yesterday, Rob Cooksey... 14-15 Craig Pullen’s Newsdesk 16-17 Moseley Farmers’ Market 19 Brum-E 20-21 Moseley Munch 22-24 Moseley B13 Magazine at 50 25 The Guide to April 26-27 Blossom Picnics in Birmingham 28-29 Moseley Society History Group 30-31 A Letter from Germany Would you like to volunteer for Moseley B13 Magazine? Are you passionate about your local area and would like to have a voice to communicate what’s going on? We are a long running community magazine and need writers to provide content of any kind (news, culture, interviews, sports, history, humour to name but a few areas). If you just have an interest in getting involved then we can find a role for you within the team! We need volunteers to help sell the magazine at Moseley Farmers’ Market on the last Saturday of the month. We also need local outlets to stock the magazine so please get in touch if you fit the bill. Finally, you can become a Friend of Moseley B13 Magazine for a whole year for just £30. You will receive all the magazines for 12 months and will be helping to support us into the future. If any of these areas are of interest to you then please email the Editor at: [email protected] Moseley B13 Magazine Needs You! 12 26 16
NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13 4 Balsall Heath Station set to re-open after 80 years Brighton Road (Balsall Heath) Station as it was. Picture Credit: “ Wikimedia Commons -Richm89, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0> Moor Street Station - the ultimate destination for the line Balsall Heath is to get a new railway station sited between Moseley and Birmingham city centre if long-term plans unveiled by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) are implemented. Balsall Heath is one of five proposed new stations featured on a long term “wish list” of new West Midlands stations compiled by the West Midlands Rail Executive, Transport for the West Midlands, and regional mayor Andy Street. Funding has already been granted to look into the proposed five new stations in more detail and to create a strong case for funding. At the present time, building work is currently underway with the construction of new stations at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road for a new stopping passenger service on the on line, commonly known as the Camp Hill line, running through the stations from New Street to Kings Norton. Balsall Heath is now proposed as another station to be re-opened on this line, though this is dependent on the construction of the Bordesley chords (formerly known as the Camp Hill chords), which would allow trains on this line to terminate at Moor Street Station rather than New Street Station at some future date. This means Balsall Heath station would not be re-opening at the same time as stations at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road which are scheduled to re-open at the end of 2023 and terminate at New Street Station. Balsall Heath Station re-opening would form part of longerterm (Moor Street terminus) plans for the line. Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and WMRE chair said: “New stations are taking shape across Birmingham and the Black Country - with diggers in the ground after our success in securing funding. Alongside these projects now underway, we’re turning our attention to the next set of stations.” This next set of stations includes Balsall Heath and a station at Coventry East (Binley) on the main line between Coventry and Rugby, as well as stations at Foleshill, Castle Bromwich and Tettenhall. Historians will know Balsall Heath once had a railway station with access from Brighton Road. The station opened in 1875. It closed in 1941 due to wartime economic measures along with the other passenger stations on the line - Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell, and never reopened after the second world war ended in 1945.
5 Moor Street Station - the ultimate destination for the line Moseley’s The Clean Kilo closes after 13 months “Our regained focus without having to worry about losses at the Moseley store will make The Clean Kilo Bournville & @kilozirobar Digbeth stronger and more resilient. Grocery deliveries will operate out of Bournville and will not be affected. So, you can continue to support us if you are able to! “Perhaps this was also an opportunity to free up time to think about family and look after ourselves too - a luxury that many small businesses owners, who have battled the last few years, won't have had. “The team have been absolutely fantastic and we are really pleased that we have not had to make anyone redundant. After Sunday, March 12, we’ll see you for your groceries in Bournville and for a drink in Digbeth! #zerowastebrum lives on and we will continue raising awareness and reducing waste in our beautiful city!” Moseley’s branch of The Clean Kilo, the zero-waste supermarket, has closed after just over a year trading at 11 St Mary’s Row. Breaking the sad news on Facebook a spokesperson for The Clean Kilo said: “We gave it all we had over the past 13 months, but we're sadly announcing the closure of The Clean Kilo Moseley on Sunday 12th March (Bournville remains OPEN!). “We've all seen the numerous well-established businesses closing within the last six months - awful to think we are almost getting used to this type of news. You don't need us to tell you, we all know if Covid hadn't happened, followed by a cost of living crisis that things could have been very different today for many people. But it did - so it's how the situation is managed that will shape how our economy will look on the other side. “What we have at the moment is a very broken system that we believe can only be fixed from the top. In a perfect world, money would be invested in the right areas. Education and health care would be up there of course, but help towards green and small businesses certainly wouldn’t go amiss. Otherwise, we are going to be left with a sea of corporate giants and complete gentrification. “We suspect other small businesses will also want to get out before the energy price cap phases out next month, amongst all the other increases... Consumer confidence in spending is low and it’s hardly surprising - so please don’t feel like you haven’t done enough to support us. The Clean Kilo’s Jeanette Wong and Tom Pell outside the Moseley store. NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13
The band was revealed as the Sunday headliner of this year's festival, joining Fat Freddy's Drop and Ezra Collective who will headline the Friday and Saturday nights respectively. Formed in 1973, KC and The Sunshine Band are known for hits like Get Down Tonight, Queen of Clubs, That's The Way (I Like It) and Please Don't Go. While they're known for their inclusion in the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, it's the Sunday night of Mostly that they're scheduled to thrill festival goers this year. They join the likes of Incognito, Norman Jay and Jamz Supernova, all of who are also performing on the Sunday. Other acts just confirmed for the event are Kokoroko, who will be in action on the Friday, Smoove 6 NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13 Line up For Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul The line-up for the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival has been revealed and 2023 is looking like another great weekend at Moseley Park & Pool. The festival, which takes place from July 7 to 9, will close out with a performance by KC and the Sunshine Band. Prepare to Shake Shake Shake (Shake Your Booty)! and Turrell, who make their fourth Mostly appearance on Saturday and BBC 6Music host Huey Morgan, who will spin a set up just KC and The Sunshine Band. The funk and disco legends appear on a line-up that also features Goldie, Jungle, Mr Scruff, Young Gun Silver Fox, and more. Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul is a no-camping festival and under 12s go free with a paying adult. Despite being a no-camping festival it is possible to hire a caravan. To check ticket prices and buy tickets visit the website: https://mostlyjazz.co.uk/
7 NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13 UB40 announce special ‘homecoming’ gig at Moseley Park & Pool Moseley pop icons UB40 are returning for a special anniversary gig titled “the homecoming” at Moseley Park & Pool on Sunday, August 27 (August Bank Holiday Sunday) celebrating 45 years of their chart-topping reggae music when they had more than 50 UK hit singles, including three number ones. The choice of Moseley Park & Pool is appropriate as Moseley is where UB40 were formed. Band members went to Moseley School of Art, rehearsed in a cellar on Trafalgar Road under Brian Travers and Earl Falconer's flats, and played their first ever live gig at nearby Kings Heath’s Hare and Hounds pub in 1979. One of their early subsequent gigs was upstairs at the Fighting Cocks. Their first album, Signing Off, was recorded in Moseley too, at producer Bob Lamb's house. The band’s name is based on the UB (Unemployment Benefit) 40 form given to the unemployed in the early 1980s. It is believed that some band members may have “signed on” at the Moseley Unemployment Benefit Office (UBO) where an out of work Newshound also signed on at the same time. The UBO was at the time located next to the Post Office in Alcester Road, Moseley. Tickets for the Moseley Park & Pool event are priced at £50 and as well as seeing UB40, concert goers will get to enjoy the sounds of Soul II Soul, The Mouse Outfit, DJ Don Letts and Freetown Collective. Friendly Fire Band and Young Culture Band will perform on the day too, showcasing Birmingham reggae and UB40's lasting impact on the city's music. There'll be food from award-winning street food vendors and craft beer on tap too. VIP tickets are available, which will cost you an extra £75, but that will give you early entry, access to the VIP bar and lounge, a drink on arrival and a limited edition T-shirt and print. It'll also give you access to a VIP screening of Labour of Love, featuring a Q&A hosted by Adil Ray Drummer Jimmy Brown added: "Moseley was always very bohemian - eccentric, arty, with some great pubs. A few of us would hang out at The Fighting Cocks - one of our first gigs was in the upstairs room there. For details of how to get tickets for the Moseley Park & Pool event visit: https://ub40.global/thehomecoming/ Halawaat Café, which will sell Middle Eastern-themed desserts, is set to open at 116 Alcester Road, next to the Prince of Wales pub, in a site which was occupied by Moseley Emporium for more than 25 years until 2021. In a LinkedIn posting, property manager Aqaddass Razak said the following about Halawaat and future plans for it: “Congrats to my wife on starting her new venture! Yes, it’s finally here! & we are so excited for it! Thank you to each and every one of you who has supported us to get here! Thank you Ryan Lynch for your help! We’ll be sharing more information with you soon. As we are expanding, we are also looking to expand our amazing team. “Baristas, Waiters, Waitresses & Kitchen Staff needed. If you would like to be part of our growing Halawaat journey, please email us your CV at halawaat@hotmail. com Halawaat Café coming to former Moseley Emporium site
8 NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13 Moseley voted Best UK Farmers’ Market for fourth time Moseley Farmers’ Market has won the ‘Best Farmers’ Market of the UK’ Award for the fourth time and market founder David Isgrove has been given a Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2023 prizes. Moseley Farmers’ Market has a long tradition of success in this contest. It was named the 2016, 2012 and 2009 Best UK Farmers’ Market of the Year in the Farm Retail Awards from FARMA (the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets’ Association), so 2023 is the fourth such award. The title of Best Farmers’ Market reflects a market’s dedication to providing its immediate community with a good range of quality, locally sourced food sold by knowledgeable producers. Moseley Farmers’ Market is run by a volunteer group as a Community Interest Company (CIC), meaning that any surplus generated from running the markets is ploughed back into other community projects. Between 2004 and 2010, it contributed almost £31,000 towards Christmas lights, Moseley in Bloom, church bells and a music event, amongst other local projects. Customers come in their hundreds to Moseley Farmers’ Market, which takes place on the last Saturday of the month, 9 am-2 pm, to buy from the 50-60 stalls, and to soak up the welcoming and convivial atmosphere. A tweet from Moseley Farmers’ Market paid tribute to market founder and ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ winner David Isgrove and his work: “David Isgrove has just been Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 Massive congratulations of 23 years - serving & supporting the Moseley community. And appreciating fresh, seasonal, local produce.” David Isgrove was also in a celebratory mood. He said: “ Wahooooo. We've just won the award of the best farmers' market of the UK .... for the fourth time. Well done Moseley. A brilliant achievement. Thanks to all who've helped in some way over the past years.”
9 NEWSHOUND Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter:@B13Newshound/ Instagram: @tiptonb13 Proclaimers top the bill at September’s Folk & Arts Festival Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is returning for 2023 from September 1 - 3. The family-friendly festival gives people the chance to enjoy a weekend of contemporary folk, arts and crafts in the grounds of Moseley Park & Pool. This will be the 17th festival and there will be a mixture of activities for all ages, together with big name headline performers and unsigned acts, giving festival goers the chance to spot the next big thing! It's an independently run festival, which makes it even more special. This year's festival takes place from Friday, September 1 to Sunday, September 3, 2023. Previous artists include legends like Jethro Tull, Supergrass, Billy Bragg, Jake Bugg, Don Mclean, The Monkees, Davy Graham, The Dubliners, Tinariwen, Johnny Marr, Richard Thompson, Saint Etienne, Incredible Sting Band, Pentangle, Laura Marling, Ian Campbell, and The Waterboys. This year’s line-up has been revealed, although more names are being added as the festival draws closer. The list of artists performing is correct at time of going to press and is as follows: Friday line-up; Squeeze; Blindboy; Gwenno; Elanor Moss; Crewdson and Cevanne. Saturday line-up: The Saw Doctors; Lou Sanders; Wild Rivers; Rajasthan Heritage; Brass Band; Tapir!; Chloe Foy. Sunday line-up: Wilco; The Proclaimers; Old Time Sailors; Angeline Morrison; Robin Ince; Circus Raj. Moseley Park & Pool is right in the heart of Moseley Village, a lush green oasis that’s just two miles from the city centre. The park lends itself perfectly to a festival setting due to its sloping ground creating a natural amphitheatre in front of a stunning lake. For tickets, go to https://moseleyfolk.co.uk/tickets/ Photo credit: Jonathon Holroyd (Thanks to Moseleyfolk) Photo caption: Folk & Arts festival-goers at Moseley Park & Pool
10 Tommy Quang’s World of Strange began in Moseley B13 Magazine… and is now in Viz magazine! Regular readers will probably remember the spoof feature ‘Tommy Quang’s World of Strange’ which featured in this magazine from 2020 until last year. The fictional paranormal researcher covered everything from the Billesley Bigfoot and Cannon Hill Park Lake Ness Monster (with slightly dodgy illustrative and photographic evidence) to Moseley’s attempt at a mission to Mars by shooting a shuttle off the tower of the Fighting Cocks with David Isgrove intended as the first person on the Red Planet (with David cooking up plans for a new farmers’ market on Mars)! Well, even if the Moseley shuttle never got off the launch pad, the character and feature have made the leap to a national magazine by making it into this month’s Viz magazine! The long running spoof adult comic contains Tommy Quang’s World of Strange on pages 34-35 of the April issue (no. 324) which should still be available when this edition of Moseley B13 Magazine hits the newsstands. The strange phenomena seems to have moved to Tyseley in the new Viz feature but we’re hoping Moseley and Billesley (where most of the odd events took place in Tommy’s Moseley B13 Magazine feature) will get a mention down the line!
11 'The Stardust of Yesterday, the Music of the Years Gone By': An interview with Rob Cooksey (Formerly of The Sea Urchins/Delta) Back in the 1980s, The Sea Urchins were a bunch of teenagers from West Bromwich who played a retro-guitar indie sound during a time when it was not the mainstream thing to do. Their debut 7” single ‘Pristine Christine’ (1987), had the privilege of being the first ever release on Sarah Records, the now-legendary home of Twee (based in Bristol). The band recorded some more singles before splitting in 1992 (and becoming Delta). In the same year, Sarah issued the compilation LP ‘Stardust’, containing all the sides recorded for the label. Forward 31 years and the American label 1972 has given ‘Stardust’ its first ever vinyl-only reissue. This was an opportunity to ask former band member, guitarist and songwriter Rob Cooksey, some questions about this underrated band from the West Midlands. How did this reissue happen? Did you contact 1972 or did they get in contact with you? John Foster from the label got in touch with me after he saw a review of my solo cd-r on Bliss/Aquamarine by somebody called Kim who’s been a fan of The Sea Urchins for a long time. He saw my email address on that site and it’s been a very good relationship since then. Listening to this new edition of the record, how do you feel the recordings sound? Do they hold up well? Very well I find – I was very impressed with our musicianship considering how old we were at the time. That sounded very good to me and surprisingly so. The whole LP I thought sounded very good, well mastered, and it was a joy to listen to in fact after all these years. What was it like to be an indie band on Sarah Records at the time? Did you feel part of any kind of scene? Not really part of the Sarah scene at all, in fact. Maybe very early on, but that soon changed quite quickly when we started to want to put feedback on our records and got a little bit raunchier in the sound. Certainly more rock influenced I think to what the music was, so inevitably that brought an end to the relationship for us and Sarah. But I think that we did make one last good record in ‘Morning Odyssey’, which has a good balance of sound. What exactly happened between the band and Sarah in regards to recording an album? Well, sadly we were never offered an album, which still is slightly perplexing, looking at it from this period, and ultimately very disappointing. There was a kind of divide starting to happen with the band and label in terms of style of music, which I don’t think they were particularly enamoured with in our direction. I don’t think we wanted to be super jangly forever and wanted to explore Photo credits: The Sea Urchins/Rob Cooksey
12 ,, other avenues of music and some that were a little bit heavier. There were other genres we liked that were beyond indie music that I think a lot of other bands maybe weren’t being influenced by. With the benefit of hindsight, what do you think could have helped the band last longer than they did? I do think a better record label than we had. We were with Cheree, very sympathetic in one sense to us, but ultimately not offering us an
13 LP again, when we did make a pretty darn good demo tape for them, of six songs. These will be coming out, all being well, on a 2LP anthology of all our studio recordings, including quite a few unreleased, in the next couple of years on 1972 records as a follow up to the reissue of Stardust. People can judge then whether we should have been allowed to make an LP at the time, based on those recordings. In regards to yourself Rob, since the end of The Sea Urchins, what have you done musically? Any current projects? Yeah, I've got a band called Mystic Village which has been going for the last couple of years and things are starting to move along nicely there. Just made a demo recording of some songs we've written and hoping to record our own cd this year on my own label as a limited edition cd-r, so we'll see what happens with that. We are also playing the Paris Popfest in September and likely to be playing a local show before we go. Final question for you - what kind of legacy do you think The Sea Urchins have left? As a legacy I think the music still stands up. As a recent review said, it was ‘indie music with a psychsmeared lens’. I think that’s probably our legacy, that we were making some darn good kind of pop singles that were undoubtedly influenced by a lot of great sixties music. I think that comes through. Jerome Leavey
14 Ah. Spring has sprung, and with it, the news agenda shifts; one’s focus moves from poorly parked vehicles on Chantrey Road which, during the winter months, to many, is a genuine concern. Montessori parents are unable to park their vehicles nearby, leaving their little darlings incapable of experiencing a supportive environment, let alone develop their real world skills. There are t he more pressing matters of drug deals taking place on Woodbridge Road, under the noses of the local constabulary, who, having finally twigged that there was a “grow on” opposite the Police Station, raided it as a result. Bravo. Flakes, the grand-dame of Moseley’s culinary scene is fully open, following their enforced closure after a fire caused by a short circuit in their flooded basement. In the same week, a fire tore through Lewis’s, which, at time of writing, remains closed, meaning that those looking for a full English/Indian breakfast fusion experience will, for now, need to look elsewhere. Voi, the operators of Birmingham’s e-scooter trial, have not had their two year contract renewed with Birmingham City Council, so their pink scooters are being removed and their operations closing in the city as a result. This controversial transport method being closed down is a blessing and a curse. If you’re the householder at the top of Salisbury Road who regularly had approximately 30 scooters parked (crashed) outside their house, it’s a blessing; if you’re a person about town, living in the centre of Moseley (me), who used the service responsibly, it’s a curse. Beryl bikes have been introduced into the village, with a parking station built outside the Boo Burgers premises (the demise of Boots The Chemist resulting in the moral decline of Moseley is a discussion for another day). The service is accessed via an app – download from beryl.cc . Electric and pedal powered bikes are available. Public service announcement: don’t try to pop a wheelie or any sick stunts on them; they’re very heavy. The Prince of Wales has undergone a refurbishment. Controversially, the Georgian doorway has been removed. The pub was long overdue a lick of paint, but as many long-standing features should have been retained where possible, in my view. The Fighting Cocks has a new name above the door, after the previous manager moved to Edinburgh, taking on a newly refurbished hostelry.
15 Happy to help with small garden & DIY projects. Mobile: 07849315649 / Email: handyman. [email protected] Melt has closed, unfortunately. The owners were up against it from the start, with their opening hours and licence conditions compromised by local environmentalists, who voiced concerns about the premises’ effect on local wildlife. I ate there a number of times and hopefully, Melt will re-emerge elsewhere soon. Pip Bradley, of Pip’s Hot Sauce fame, has set up Pip and Pals as a Community Interest Company, receiving funding from Birmingham Council to assist and mentor emerging new food businesses. Successful applicants will have access to a stall at Pip’s monthly Kings Heath Artisan Market on York Road. While we’re down there; Kings Heath ASDA has a recurring issue with carrier bag stock. I’ve heard that the manager has reduced carrier bag inventory as a cost saving exercise. I’m no retail • Domestic repairs • Plumbing • Decorating • Tiling • Odd jobs • Electrical • Joinery expert, but, if Tuesday’s absolute scenes were anything to go by, there will soon be a revolt. If anyone is shopping in ASDA, or anywhere else, take a tote. Finally, local community leader and shameless self-publicist Craig Pullen has reinvigorated his campaign to retrieve the mythical Russian Pearls from the murky depths of Moseley Pool. If anyone can assist him (me) with time, equipment, or moral support, please contact me on Facebook. That’s all from this month’s Craig Pullen’s Newsdesk. Keep your eyes open, your ears to the ground, and your basements dry. Craig Pullen
16 At the recent Farm Retail Association (FRA) awards, this year held in rural Devon, one would not have expected a Midlands City market to be dominating the ceremony. But that is exactly what happened when Moseley Farmers’ Market won ‘Best Farmers’ Market in the UK 2023’. This is the fourth time our market has won this prestigious award, the only market to have done so. But it wasn’t just the market that took pride of place. It was a real pleasure that the person who brought the market to Moseley, has led it and stuck with it from the beginning, Moseley’s David Isgrove, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his passion and commitment. Inspired and encouraged by his wife Linda, David set up Moseley Farmers’ Market in 2000. He had spent the previous two years winning over shopkeepers, residents and the council to the idea of holding a real farmers’ market in the suburb of a busy city. Moseley, with its small retail centre was struggling at that time to attract interest; shops were closing and footfall was falling. With the support of Moseley Forum, the first market with 12 stalls was held in August 2000. It quickly started to grow and by 2004 had 36 stalls and won the Birmingham Post Competition for the best farmers’ market in the Midlands out of 46 markets. In that year it became an FRA accredited farmers’ market, guaranteeing quality and locality. For the first time the market made a profit. In 2006 Moseley Farmers Market won Country Life Magazine’s favourite farmers’ market and in 2008 it became a Community Interest Company. By now our monthly market, still led by David and his small band of volunteers, with up to 60 stalls had put Moseley Village firmly on the map, so much so that our village was judged the best place for city living in the UK by The Sunday Times in 2015. The market went on to win FRA 'Best in UK' - in 2009, 2012 & 2016. In 2020 came the challenges of COVID but with help from the City Council the market managed to re-open in June that year with a one-way system, volunteer queue marshalls, and a reduced number of stalls. It was a sign of the determination of David and his team to support
17 the farmers and small stall holders that rely on the market to survive and also to bring some much-needed respite and normalcy to the community in providing an outdoor, safe space to shop. In 2021 the market was featured in two episodes of the BBC Farmers Country Showdown which resulted in visitors from as far as Wales, the Isle of Wight and the USA. However, it is the local community of Moseley, who come out to support us in all weathers, even when wind and rain has forced us to become a 'van market’, that has made the market the success it is today. Over the years the market has given back over £100,000 to the community in grants and projects. Without the market we would not have yearly Christmas Lights on the village green. It has contributed to local art works; the yearly floral displays; Moseley Alternative Giving Scheme which helps homeless and vulnerable people; Christmas Day lunches for isolated people; community events; paying for designs to improve the public realm (the design of Moseley Village Station approach was funded by the market); and dozens more projects. Small businesses who start by selling their homegrown or home-produced products at Moseley have developed to supply restaurants and supermarkets and many have won prestigious awards. The market attracts dozens of applicants a month. However, by continuing to keep its credentials as an FRA accredited market, it retains its reputation for locally produced quality food and drink in an atmospheric setting in our 'village in a city'. Being volunteer led we are able to encourage community stalls and start-ups by offering lower rates and trial periods. It is also a great place for people to learn skills such as event management and customer engagement through volunteering with us. In 2022 we added students from Moseley Secondary School to the team of volunteers. I have been a volunteer director of the market now for 10 years. In that time, I have witnessed first-hand the passion, the commitment, the pride and most of all the sheer hard work David puts into this market every single month. He is inspirational. 23 years ago, businesses in Moseley were worried that a monthly market would damage their trade. In 2023 it is the first thing many new businesses mention when I ask why they have chosen Moseley as a place to open. Our little 'village in a city' is now a destination and a lot of the reason for that is down to David Isgrove. Izzy Knowles Credit: Farm Retail Association Credit: Radley Russell
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19 We at Moseley B13 Magazine believe passionately in supporting local independent business people. It continues to be a challenging environment for small business owners everywhere, so now more than ever, it’s time to support our local entrepreneurs. Brum-E is a new business that installs electrical car charging points on your driveway. With all signs pointing to a future where the vast majority of us will be driving electric, it seems a good time to be offering such a service. I caught up with local Moseley business man, Patrick Pryce (owner of Moseley Autocentre) and now founder of Brum-E to tell us all about his new business. Pat, what inspired you to start Brum-E? As owner of Moseley Autocentre I can see the migration to electric cars first hand. A number of customers commented to me that the cost of fitting an EV charger at their homes was expensive and that they struggled to find a reliable installer. Just before Christmas one of my customers informed me that he was delighted his Tesla was coming early, but couldn’t get his charging point in time. I discussed this with my now business Partner Jason Holgate, and we decided we could do a better job of it and offer a fixed price and seven day installation guarantee. And Brum-E was born! Who is a typical customer? People who don’t like waiting and want to know exactly what they want to pay! Currently, we are mainly installing charging points for people with a drive in front of their house as it’s the most likely customer for an electrical car or van. We install mostly the standard domestic 7kw charger which means that you can charge your car overnight. A typical EV has a 50kw battery so that’s around seven hours from empty to full. With the government price guarantee of 34p per KWH, it should cost around £15 to charge your car. What is the feedback from your customer? They seem to love the fixed price of £999 – which applies to a Hydra Zodiac charger and a standard installation – and when we tell them we can install within a week it's just an added bonus. We have had great feedback so far on the quality of the charging points too – they look very smart. A final word for Moseley B13 Magazine readers? If you’re looking for someone you can trust, who better than a business related to your favourite MOT and servicing garage? You can call us or WhatsApp us on 07934 119449 and check out our website www.brum-e.co.uk Martin Jeffers Website: www.brum-e.co.uk Facebook: Brum-E Car Chargers Tel: 07934 119449 Email: [email protected]
20 Once March hits spring it feels like that light you can just nearly see at the end of the tunnel. The days get longer, we all shed our hibernation shells and we turn to eating crisper produce that mimics that change that is in the air. Artichokes, to me, are so essentially spring. If you find yourself in Spain or France around this time of year, they are offered by the bushel at a local market. I have often pondered how people came to discover their gorgeous meaty hearts amidst the thorny, protective exterior because they take a lot of work and care… and what are they? The most common artichoke is a variety of thistle that is cultivated as food. The edible part is flower buds prior to them blooming – as once they do bloom, they turn into a beautiful purple flower that would be too coarse to eat. It is thought that artichokes are one of the oldest foods known to humans. There are many references throughout history, one famously in Greek mythology; Zeus fell in love with the beautiful Cynara and made her a Goddess but then turned her into an artichoke after discovering she was lonely and would sneak away and visit her family. They are incredibly healthy, ranking number one amongst all vegetables for their antioxidant levels. In addition, one artichoke has the same amount of fibre as a cup of prunes. There are a few varieties of artichokes. The Jerusalem artichoke is not really an artichoke at all, it is the tuber portion of a sunflower and has a potato texture with a sweet flavour. Baby artichokes don’t have thorns and can be more easily prepared. However, aficionados prefer the more robust “Globe” artichokes as they contain a nuttier flavour. To prepare them the tips of the leaves need to be trimmed, stem broken down and then they must be cooked whether grilled, steamed, boiled or baked – to reveal its succulent inner. I personally love them with a little lemon and olive oil, but I also rejoice in canned artichokes as you can skip the work and toss them into pastas or dishes, and that will always take them to the next level. At the end of winter and the beginning of spring, we witness a rebirth. Little buds make their way through the cold to reveal breathtaking flowers for us to enjoy. And the artichoke is essentially a foodie metaphor for all of this. It is a bud - a historically timeless fruitful perennial, one that takes a bit of work but offers the gift of a beautiful (and delicious) heart. Crispy Creamy Chicken with Artichokes, Mushrooms & Oregano Recipe is for 2 For ease this recipe uses canned artichokes – they are left to bubble away in unctuous chicken fat and white wine so by the time they are dished out they are zippy and oh so delicious. Ingredients: 4 large chicken thighs, skin on bone in 1 400g can of artichokes, drained* 200g mushrooms (shitake, oyster or chestnut) quartered into similar sized pieces 1 Tbsp butter ½ Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp flour or corn flour 3 garlic cloves sliced 1 large shallot minced 240ml white wine 120ml cream 2 sprigs of fresh oregano (or thyme) plus ½ Tbsp of finely chopped oregano
21 Moseley Munch The Heart of the Choke around, then place the chicken skin side down in the pan and heat to medium. Cook undisturbed for about 12 minutes or until the skin turns golden crispy brown. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Place the chicken skin side up on the rack in the oven and work on your sauce. Using all the fat, place the artichokes in the pan and sauté for a couple of minutes until they start to turn a bit golden, add the wine and the oregano and let it simmer on high, reducing. In a separate pan add the butter on medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté until softened then add the garlic and sauté until it nearly starts to turn colour. Add the mushrooms and toss, sprinkle the flour over them, add some salt to them and continue to cook. When they seem as though they have absorbed all the butter, take some of the artichoke sauce (1-2 Tbsp) and spoon it into the mushrooms, tossing until they are perfectly cooked. The artichoke sauce should have a beautiful silky texture by now. Add the mushrooms back into your original pan and mix the vegetables together. Reduce heat to low and stir in the cream mixing and heating through. Plate the sauce and add the crispy chicken on top, serve alongside rice and salad. *I use artichokes they are typically packed in salt water but if yours aren’t feel free to salt to taste Jenny Gwynne. Jenny is The Salty Chilli. Find her at www. thesaltychilli.com and on Instagram @thesaltychilli References for this article have been taken from Spruce Eats, Wikipedia and National Geographic Take the chicken pieces out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes in advance of cooking, sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. When it’s time to cook, pat off any excess moisture with a piece of paper roll. Heat the oven to 200C and place a baking tray with a rack over the top of it in the oven. In a large cast iron pan add the oil and swirl
22 Moseley B13 Magazine at 50 Moseley and Cool Britannia in the 1990s In the run up to Moseley B13 Magazine’s 50th birthday next month we’re taking a look back at an archive article from a different decade in our history. This month it’s the turn of the 1990s when Moseley was among the coolest places in the country for music. ‘Moseley at the hub of Brit Cool?’ was published in the April 1999 issue of ‘birmingham 13’ (as the magazine was titled at the time). “In a recent article in The Times newspaper (February 27 1999), the Birmingham music scene was described as ‘the new centre of Brit cool’...and at the hub of the so-called Birmingham sound was Moseley” was how ‘Moseley at the hub of Brit Cool?’ began. Britpop had already reached its peak a couple of years earlier - Ocean Colour Scene were one of the era’s success stories with the 1996 album ‘Moseley Shoals’ - but the B13 area was riding the crest of the wave and offering something a little different by the end of the decade. “To think that Moseley is possibly the coolest place in Britain, may be a bit too much for many readers of this article. But let’s look at the evidence…” The piece continued to dissect the positive write-up from The Times. “Moseley is certainly the hub of Birmingham music scene, since so many bands live and socialise in the neighbouring areas of Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath. Of these bands there have gained international recognition: UB40, Bentley Rhythm Ace and Ocean Colour Scene. Even with this rich vein of music in the Birmingham suburbs the national newspapers have always concentrated their attention on London or Manchester bands. What is now turning their attention to Birmingham are four Moseley-based bands: Pram, Novak, Plone and Broadcast. These four bands represent a new style music that is beginning to emerge nationally: ‘Lo-fi’. Gone are the jangly guitars and ‘smart casual’ clothes of the Manchester scene, in come dowdy student clothes, junk shop keyboards and strange experimental musical instruments like ironing boards and children’s toys.” The electronic music scene around Moseley in the later 1990s is still highly respected and influential. The scene was known as ‘retro-futurism’ with bands further afield, such as Stereoland and St Etienne, also fitting into the sound and ethos (although it was predominantly a Birmingham scene). Broadcast - having worked and hung out at a video shop in Moseley - became the biggest of those local bands, gaining a cult audience around the world with some commercial success (the Broadcast song ‘The Book Lovers’ featured on the soundtrack to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997, and the band appeared live on Alternative Nation on MTV) and had famous fans in the shape of Paul Weller and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening. Sadly, Trish Keenan died in January 2011 aged only 42, from complications with pneumonia after contracting the swine flu virus H1N1 on tour in Australia. There is a beautiful short film of Moseley Folk Festival shot by Keenan on a Super 8 camera in 2007 and can be found on YouTube. The article listed other Moseley bands tipped for future greatness as: Ace, SIlver, Mink, Delta, BeatRoute, Sargent, Honeyman and Michael Valentine West, before asking “why does the Moseley area attract so many bands?” The various reasons included: “...members of other music groups already lived here, bedsit accommodation, excellent bus services to other venues, attractive peaceful area, friendly pubs…” The article reflected on the contradictions of the music scene in B13, something that has become even more apparent in the new century. “Considering Moseley has so many resident bands, it
23 seems strange that it only had one music venue: The Jug of Ale, Alcester Road. However, The Jug of Ale is a great success story. It was created as a music venue in 1992, at a time when the other pubs of Moseley were converting their function rooms into living accommodation. As a music venue it has continually supported local bands, even hosting Ocean Colour Scene's first ever gig. The pub has also been hosts to such pre-famous bands as The Verve, Super Furry Animals, Placebo, Baby Bird, Shed Seven, The Divine Comedy, Kula Shaker...and Oasis. A quick glance through the Melody Maker Illustrated Story of Oasis will show photographs of Oasis at the Jug of Ale in March 1994. “ The photo of Oasis in the Jug of Ale dressing room (toilet) was also published in the book Oasis: A Year on The Road by Paul Slattery. The piece further explored the attraction of the main venue for bands in Moseley at that point in time. “The reason behind the Jug of Ale’s success is three-fold: an excellent promoter, Arthur Tapp, who has a skilled ear in spotting quality bands; a professional and supportive pun staff and a brewery who are committed long term to live music at the Jug of Ale. At the Jug of Ale, Arthur Tapp has been organising the thrice weekly Catapult Club since 1992.
24 The money he earns comes only from receipts on the door, whilst the Jug of Ale makes profits at the bar counter. The emphasis is therefore on Arthur to maintain a high quality selection of bands to keep attracting the punters. Arthur, who lives in Moseley, is constantly on the search for new local bands. He says: ‘Moseley has been put on the map by the bands who have been nurtured here. It’s like a haven for chasing your dreams. You can come here and say “yeah, I’m going to be famous one day” without people laughing at you, because there’s overwhelming evidence to prove it can happen.’ If Moseley is the hub of Brit cool, then maybe it’s time to give Arthur Tapp and the Jug of Ale their deserved praise.” The Jug of Ale pub closed in 2008 and is now the Tipu Sultan restaurant. The Catapult Club has carried on at different venues including the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath; Dark Horse in Moseley; and The Victoria and 02 Academy in Birmingham city centre. Mark Baxter The article is taken from the birmingham 13/Moseley B13 Magazine archive and was published without mention of the specific writer. John Williams was editor at the time.
25 Music (all listed gigs are at the Hare and Hounds Debbie Does Birmingham: Bootleg Blondie on Thursday 6 April, 7:30pm A Certain Ratio on Wednesday 26 April, 7:30pm. Shonen Knife 40th Anniversary Tour on Thursday 27 April, 7:30pm Prince Party: DJs Celebrating the Life of Prince on Friday 28 April, 9pm The Guide to April: What’s On in Moseley, Balsall Heath and Kings Heath Check the Rhyme - A Night of 90s Hip Hop on Sunday 30 April, 9pm. Cinema Moseley at the Movies: Marvellous at St Mary’s Church, West Room, Moseley on Wednesday 5 April at 7pm. Benefit Kings Heath Food Bank Benefit at The Station pub, High Street, Kings Heath on Saturday 8 April, 2pm until late. Relaxation Monthly Deep Relaxation Soundbath at The Old Print Works on Sunday 16 April, 5pm. Easter Sung Eucharist at St Mary’s for Easter Sunday on Sunday, 9 April, 10am. Record Fairs Moseley Record Fair at All Services Club on 2 April, 12:00 Markets Kings Heath Farmers’ Market, Kings Heath Village Square on Saturday, Saturday 1 April, 9am2pm. Arts Market at MAC, Cannon Hill Park on Sunday 2 April, 11am5pm. Moseley Farmers’ Market, Moseley Village on 29 April, 9am2pm.
26 As Spring approaches, the entire city will be resplendent in pink cherry blossoms, and the National Trust wants to make the most of it! No.11 Arts is working alongside with National Trust to host a series of ‘Hanami’ styled blossom picnics in the suburbs of Birmingham, giving residents an excellent opportunity to enjoy blossom in a unique way. There will be a picnic hosted in Kings Heath Park, organised by Art Works Hall Green (which encompasses Moseley as well) and the date is to be confirmed. People can join the project by sharing pictures of blossom under the #BlossomWatch handle. In Japan, the tradition of Hanami (meaning: flower viewing) is the custom of ‘enjoying the transient beauty of flowers’. It is common to have outdoor parties, daytime and night and to visit parks to view the ‘sakura’ (Japanese word for Cherry Blossom). There are even songs dedicated just to the cherry tree that children sing every year. The practice is said to have started in the Nara period (710-794). Amazingly, Birmingham was once described historically as a ‘town ringed by blossom’, and was surrounded by gardens and orchards. New data released by the National Trust reveals in 1900 there were 186 hectares (ha) of orchards in the city – the equivalent of just over 11 Bullring shopping centres – compared to just 29ha today, with a further 0.5ha of modern orchards. The Blossom Project was also held last year along the Number 11 Bus Route, wherein residents of Birmingham were treated to entertainment by Britain’s Got Talent comedian Barbara Nice as they rode around the legendary bus route. Each Arts Forum also hosted satellite events, containing music, art, poetry and community wellbeing activities. We also asked Katy Wade, Project Manager for the project, about her personal opinion on the Blossom Together project. “I’ve always loved blossom. I’ve dragged my friends on many blossom walks and cycles over the years! This project has therefore given me the chance to combine my two favourite things – beautiful blossom and working with people – in a unique and creative way. I come from an arts and heritage background, and everyday I get the great joy of working with people to find ways to bring blossom to life physically and cul-
27 Founded in 1979 with the objective of “Caring for an historic area of Birmingham.” Please join The Moseley Society and help us to continue to care! £10 per year Household Membership To find out more and join us see https://moseley-society.org.uk/. turally, whether that is connecting our gardeners with school teachers to explain basic tree care, or working with local artists to share the joy of blossom through sculpture. As the project has developed my knowledge of the environmental significance of trees has increased, and I’ve also really appreciated the impact working on this project will have on our immediate environment, reducing carbon and encouraging pollinators like bees to the area. I also have felt a bit like Santa Claus - there is no better feeling in the world than being able to give people beautiful trees and see their joy and excitement at receiving them!” According to the National Trust press release: “This project is aimed to give communities more access to nature through the creation of green spaces and circles of blossom trees. the hope is these natural places will give people space for hope and reflection as we move forward from the pandemic and the chance to celebrate the beauty of spring year after year” Hilary McGrady, National Trust Director, said that: “our vision is for nature, beauty, and history for everyone. Our simple ambition with this project is to bring all these elements together in the creation of green, nature-rich havens in the very heart of urban areas that are also beautiful and inspiring spaces people can use.” Aida Khakizadeh/Ceol Agency To find out more about the Blossom Project, and to keep in touch with Arts Forum Hall Green (which serves Moseley), contact: [email protected] You can also contact National Trust directly regarding this project via: Birmingham-Blossom@nationaltrust. org.uk We try to c o n s e r v e and enhance Moseley’s heritage and enviroment by: * Monitoring local planning applications * Maintaining the 18th Century Dovecote, Garden and Icehouse * Opening the Dovecote and Icehouse from 1.00 - 4.00pm on Farmers’ Market days March - September * Actively researching Moseley’s History * Arranging a Programme of Talks and Events JOIN US!
28 Moseley Society History Group Commemorating Anzac Day with a new local walk The Gallipoli Campaign was a “sideshow” during World War One. The Allies, Britain and France, tried to knock Turkey, an ally of Germany, out of the war. Initially, it was meant to be just a naval attack, but this was unsuccessful. It became a much bigger land campaign. Over half a million men and a few women were sent to the peninsula, part of mainland Turkey, between March 1915 and January 1916. The campaign was an expensive failure. The Allies had over 250,000 casualties, of whom over 58,000 died, many from disease. The campaign is rightly remembered for the contribution of Australian and New Zealand troops. ANZAC Day is commemorated every year “down under”, on the anniversary of the first Allied landings. The vast majority of the troops involved were British, Irish or Indian. Many Birmingham soldiers were involved, either serving with the traditional regular regiments or as volunteers, answering Kitchener’s call or as part-time soldiers, such as the yeomanry, who agreed to serve overseas. Many of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers were born in the UK, some in Birmingham. Most of the dead were buried in cemeteries in Turkey or the Greek islands but are remembered on memorials in their own country. Some of the wounded who made it back to Britain sadly died. They are buried in this country. There are four men commemorated in Brandwood End cemetery who definitely served in Gallipoli and three Australians who died on the Western Front. They were all from Birmingham. Private Horace George Turner, 1st/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry: The Warwickshire Yeomanry were a long-standing cavalry regiment, made up of part-time volunteers. He died in Gallipoli. Private Charles Henry Cripps, 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment: he was wounded in Gallipoli but died in Northfield Ministry of Pensions (Military) Hospital Sapper Edwin Frederick Warth, Royal Naval Division: he was wounded at Gallipoli and died on 25th June 1915. He was buried at Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery. His name was added to the family grave. Private Alfred Harold Pane, 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment: Alfred joined up in 1914 aged only 17. He served in Gallipoli but survived. He was killed on 1st September 1918 elsewhere in the Middle East. The three Australians are: Walter Roland Todd, Australian Munition Worker: he died aged 39 on 13th December 1917. He was born in Birmingham, the son of George William and Margaret Ann Todd. Private William Ashley Vickery, 4th Btn Australian Infantry: the battalion served in Gallipoli and later on the Western Front. He died on 28th December 1920, aged 29. He was the husband of L. M. Vickery, of 22, Greenwood Avenue, Acocks Green. Private Ernest Barrett, 13th Btn Australian Infantry: the battalion also served in Gallipoli and the western Front. He died on 8th February 1921. He was born in Aston. ,, “ The Turner family monument in Brandwood End Cemetery, remembering Trooper Horace Turner who died of wounds in Gallipoli. “
29 We should also remember the 250,000 Turkish casualties. The Turkish forces defended their homeland bravely and suffered accordingly. The Turks did, of course, win and drove the Allies out. Nowadays the peninsula is peaceful and visitors from the former Allied countries are made very welcome. Ian Binnie To find out more about the Gallipoli campaign, see the Gallipoli Association website www.gallipoli-association.org. For more details on the individuals mentioned contact the Moseley Society History Group at [email protected] or Julia Griffin at friendsofbec@ gmail.com The Gallipoli Association is a study group that aims to keep the memory of the campaign alive. In conjunction with the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery and the Moseley History Group, we are organising a walking tour of the Gallipoli graves and monuments at the cemetery. This is on Saturday 22nd April, commencing at 11.00pm. The tour will last approximately an hour. Information will be given on each grave/monument, including the personal stories of each Gallipolian remembered. Please wear suitable footwear as the ground is uneven in parts. The tour is free but numbers are limited. To book a place email Ian Binnie on [email protected] ,, Photo: “ A stained glass window in St. Mary’s Church, commemorating Lt. Douglas Greenway who was killed in Gallipoli”
30 A Letter from Germany: I Was there at the Start of Moseley B13 Magazine… and I’m about to be Quids In! In May 1973 I was a volunteer helping to deliver the first issue of ‘birmingham 13’ to local households in Moseley. The newspaper was delivered free in the hope people would take up a subscription. The ‘paper was a church initiative and contained some interesting stories. Following the deliveries of birmingham 13, myself and the other member of the distribution team, Frank Haskins, popped to the Prince of Wales for a quick drink. During the pub chat and banter, I spoke with enthusiasm about the new ‘paper for B13 and how I felt it would keep being published for some time. Frank didn’t have high hopes and thought it would be lucky to see the year out. He said The Billesley Bugle, which began in 1972, had more of a chance of survival with its racy photo stories and ‘Ask Andrea’ agony aunt column. Perhaps it was the Babycham talking, but I argued it would go from strength to strength. Then something came over me and it wasn’t the pork scratchings. I said I was so confident about the future of birmingham 13 I was going to place a bet in the bookies on the high street. At first my plan was to see if I could place a wager on the ‘paper making it to 10 years of publication but by the time I got to the betting shop I’d decided (clearly the drink getting the better of me) to go for birmingham 13 making it to its 50th birthday! I was 26 at L the time so it was ridiculous to think of a point so far in the future, but I guess the couple of Snowball cocktails had clearly got the better of me. The staff at the betting shop initially asked me to leave, seeming a little uptight and saying I was “intoxicated”. I persevered with my bet and, after the manager looked into it, and perhaps to get me to leave, I was given 5000-1 on my 50p wager that birmingham 13 would survive for 50 years. I must admit to feeling a bit of a fool afterwards but I guess these things happen after a Snakebite
31 NEXT MONTH IN MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE! Moseley B13 Magazine is 50! We look back on 50 years since the magazine was first published in May 1973 and hear from some of those involved in creating the magazine. We continue our look at the different decades in the life of the magazine by jumping back in time and covering the stories and concerns we featured for the millennium issues, which ended in 1999 and continued into the new century. and several Cherry B’s. I met my future husband the following year - he was from Hamburg - and we moved to Germany in 1978. I forgot about my daft wager for a long time but, keeping in touch with friends from Moseley, I did hear that birmingham 13, renamed Moseley B13 Magazine at some point, was still going. I started to believe that there was a decent chance I would win my bet but was then sent a copy during the pandemic. The magazine featured a Moseley mascot dog from Italy named after a Black Country town, and a spoof paranormal researcher claiming King Arthur’s Round Table was buried beneath Bog Island. Of course I thought the magazine was doomed and my bet was lost. However, it’s now a hair’s breadth to the 50th anniversary of the magazine so unless something goes very, very, very wrong at the last minute, my wager is won. I am returning to Moseley in May to pick up my hefty winnings and plan to head back to the Prince of Wales for a celebration! And all the drinks will be on me! I’ll hope you’ll join me for a Cinzano or glass or two of Blue Nun and we can raise a glass to Moseley B13 Magazine at 50! Perhaps I’ll put a bet on the magazine making it to a 100! April Einswitz, Düsseldorf ,, ,, We’d also love to hear from our readers, past volunteers and anyone who has memories of Moseley B13 Magazine/Birmingham 13 over the years. Please email the editor at: [email protected] if you’d like to contribute to the big 50th birthday issue.