 Friday, 4th Jan 2013 19:03 by Tim Whelan Just in case you want to converse with some of our visitors from Birmingham tomorrow, this is the lowdown on their wonderful city. Many people from other parts of the country think the West Midlands accent is one of Britain’s worst, and makes the local people sound a bit on the thick side. It’s probably no co-incidence that when ‘Auf Wiedersehn Pet’ hit our screens, the stupid character (ably played by Timothy Spall) was the one from Birmingham. Birmingham was only a medium-sized market town until the 18th century, but 1791 it was being hailed as "the first manufacturing town in the world", and it’s size dramatically increased during the Industrial Revolution. According to the 2011 census It is now the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,073,000. The city's name comes from the Old English BeormingahÄm, meaning the home or settlement of the Beormingas – suggesting that Birmingham was established in the 6th or early 7th century as the primary settlement of an Anglian tribal grouping of that name. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, however, the manor was one of the poorest and least populated in Warwickshire, valued at only 20 shillings. But the City’s fortunes began to change in the 16th century, as Birmingham's access to supplies of iron ore and coal meant that metalworking industries became established. Later a highly entrepreneurial economy of small, self-owned workshops developed and between 1760 and 1850 Birmingham residents registered over three times as many patents as those of any other British town or city. By the 1820s an extensive canal system had been constructed, and Birmingham now famously has more canals than Venice, though this is partly because it’s a much larger city than Venice. By the mid 19th century the natives were revolting, as Thomas Attwood and the Birmingham Political Union brought the country to the brink of civil war with their meetings on Newhall Hill in 1831 and 1832. These were the largest political assemblies Britain had ever seen up to that time, and led to Great Reform Act of 1832 Later John Bright to made Birmingham the platform for his successful campaign for the Second Reform Act of 1867, which extended voting rights to the urban working class. The area around the former Bull Ring has been a retail area since 1154 when Peter de Bermingham, obtained a Charter from King Henry II to open a market, and a covered market hall was built from 1833-5. However, the area suffered from extensive bombing during world war 2, and it was demolished to make way for a new concrete eyesore of a shopping centre, which was opened in 1964. Though it was considered modern at the time it had problems from the start, and by the end of the century the city decided that the only solution was to flatten it and start again. Demolition began in 2000, to make way for the half-decent modern shopping centre that now stands on that site. Now that Liverpool has named it’s airport after John Lennon, it’s been suggested that Birmingham could copy them by honouring a famous smackhead rock start of their very own. Soon the Brummies could be jetting off to their holidays from Ozzy Obsborne international airport. The city has of course produced numerous other artists of some repute, including as The Move and their 70s spin-offs Wizzard and ELO, as well The Spencer Davis Group, The Moody Blues, Traffic and the Duran Duran, UB40 and Dexy’s Midnight Runners. And, er, Napalm Death. The M6 passes to the north of the city centre on the Bromford Viaduct, which at 5,600 metres (18,400 ft) is the longest bridge in the United Kingdom. And on the trains, the city's main railway station, Birmingham New Street, is Britain’s busiest railway station outside London. And finally, let’s give thanks to Birmingham resident William McGregor, to whom we are all indebted for the creation of the Football League – the world's first league football competition –which he founded in 1888, though City fans won’t thank me for mentioning that he was a director of Aston Villa.
Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Blogs 31 bloggersSouthampton Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
