Birmingham Mail (England) back issues from August 2008:
At 88mph, it'll soon be 1985! MOTORING: Glen goes Back to the Future with his own DeLorean.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: by Gurdip Thandi GREAT Scott! Engineer Glen Hale has gone Back To The Future to fulfil his motoring obsession. The 30-year-old from Walsall is the proud owner of a 97 per cent replica of the eye-catching DeLorean car used in the hit films starring Michael J ...
Sex row man left scarred.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... A WOMAN who threw a jug of boiling water over a man leaving him with permanent scarring because he refused to have sex has been put behind bars for 20 months. The man would not make love to 26-year-old Donna Rowley because he had no protection and she became extremely angry, ...
Eclipse is an event.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... MEMBERS of the public were invited to visit an observatory today to view a partial solar eclipse. The event was taking place this morning at Pendrell Hall, Codsall Wood, near Wolverhampton, with public viewing from 9.30am to midday. ...
Murray 'can be a winner'.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: Hancock TENNIS legend Goran Ivanisevic reckons British fans bear him no grudges despite famously ending home hopes of a long-awaited Wimbledon triumph. The amenable big-serving Croatian was perhaps fortunate to beat Tim Henman in a rain-affected semi-final at ...
Here's the crunch.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... WELCOME to Walsall, centre of the pork scratching world! At least, that is the view of celebrity chef Nigel Slater of the Black Country town. Slater (above) is full of praise for the tasty tit-bit - the kind of food you rarely buy for yourself ...
HANCOCK.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... HANCOCK was treated to a bit of impromptu musical accompaniment during a trip to the supermarket. Maybe the bing-bong tannoy operator was feeling the effects of the heat when ...
He who laughs last...(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... IT SEEMS there is still a place for friendly rivalry in the world of sport. Former cricket stars Allan Donald and Ashley Giles once again find themselves on the same side after being reunited at Warwickshire County Cricket Club when spinner Ashley, as Director of Cricket, took ...
You can watch, but you'll have to pay!(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... POLITICAL parties have struggled to make ends meet in these hard-pressed times. So now the Conservatives, who bring their annual conference to Birmingham this autumn, have come up with a creative money-spinner - fleece the media. Your average conference or major ...
Winds of change at school; EDUCATION: City OKs tallest turbines.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Catherine Lillington BIRMINGHAM'S tallest wind turbines can be installed at a Frankley secondary school, city council planners have agreed. The bid for the two 25-metre towers at Frankley Community High School, comes as fuel prices rocket and millions face ...
Loads of brass for band.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... POLICE in Wolverhampton have donated pounds 500 to the New Park Village Carousels Marching Jazz Band in a bid to get young people in the area involved over the summer. The band was presented with a cheque by officers from Heath Town police ...
From soccer lout to movie legend; ENTERTAINMENT: Premiere for no-punches-pulled biopic of hooligan.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Phil Vinter A HARD-HITTING film about notorious football hooligan Cass Pennant looks set to become a cult hit following its Midlands premiere in Birmingham. Stars of the British-made gritty flick enjoyed a red carpet champagne reception at Cineworld, in ...
Ex-lover is jailed for blackmail.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Ron Warrilow A MAN who threatened to cut the throats of his ex-girlfriend's family has been put behind bars for two-and-a-half years. Jamie McKeown, in an earlier incident, extorted pounds 500 from the father of the family after telling him he would smash ...
Planning go-ahead.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... PLANNING bosses have agreed a scheme to build a four-storey office block on a car park in the Jewellery Quarter. The building, in Caroline Street, will have seven office units ...
Sweep the board and win.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BRUMMIE board game fans could be in with the chance of winning a trip to Las Vegas to take part in the Monopoly World Championships. The makers of the ...
Refugee turns helper.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Adam Smith A SOMALI man who escaped his war-torn homeland in Africa to start a new life in Birmingham is now helping other refugees settle in. Osman Kanyare (pictured), aged 40, who works in Newtown as an outreach worker for Pertemps, helps deliver a range ...
Plaice for serving up memories; HERITAGE: Museum plea over old chippy.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steve Johnson THE Black Country Living Museum is fishing for family links to a chippy which stood in Dudley for decades. Officials at the Tipton Road site are hoping people will dish up tasty memories of Hobbs and Sons fish and chip shop, which stood in ...
Abduction bid men hunted.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... POLICE today appealed for help tracing two men who tried to abduct a 20-year-old woman in West Bromwich. At around 8.30pm on Saturday, May 11, the woman was walking through Forge Mill car park leading to Forge Lane, when a silver Peugeot 206 containing two men pulled up. ...
History man on move; END OF ERA: New pastures.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Poppy Brady POPULAR Birmingham history buff Peter Leather is heading for pastures new after decades of delving into the city's past. Peter, from Selly Oak, is leaving the University of Birmingham's Centre for Lifelong Learning for a new life in one of ...
Don't stop the carnival.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... ORGANISERS behind a Midland carnival are putting the finishing touches to this year's event. Bloxwich Carnival will be held at the King George V playing fields at Stafford Road, Bloxwich, tomorrow. It will start with a procession at ...
Police turning the screw after car park thefts.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Dale Williams POLICE in Smethwick are warning drivers to be wary following a spate of vehicle crimes in and around the Tollgate multi-storey car park near High Street. Officers have been patrolling the area on a regular basis to deter would-be thieves and ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BBC1 Would I Lie to You? (9.00pm) Michael Aspel, Dara O'Briain and David Mitchell attempt to hoodwink their opponents Big Brother host Davina McCall, Jason Manford and Lee Mack with absurd facts and plausible lies about themselves. Presented by Angus Deayton. ...
Planet of the apes; Movies SPACE CHIMPS (U) VERDICT: *****.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... AFTER the otherworldly pleasures of WALL-E and the high kicking lunacy of Kung Fu Panda, Kirk DeMicco's computer animated comedy is a crushing disappointment. As the snappy title intimates, there's plenty of monkey business in this outlandish adventure but the screenplay and the ...
Inside story of death-defying stunt; MAN ON A WIRE VERDICT: *****.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... ON August 7, 1974, high-wire performer Philippe Petit stunned the residents of lower Manhattan by seemingly walking on thin air between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. His daredevil exploits, accomplished with the help of accomplices on both buildings including lover ...
Racism victim turns to violence; CASS (18) VERDICT: *****.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... ADOPTED from Dr Barnardo's orphanage by 50-year-old white mother Doll Chambers (Linda Bassett) and her husband Cecil (Peter Wight), Cass (Verelle Roberts) is forced to endure racist abuse from his early days in the school playground. He gets into fights with the other children ...
New Kids are back on the block; POP.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: by DAN MORRISSEY I NEVER thought I'd actually be writing these words, but New Kids On The Block are back. It's been nearly 17 years since NKOTB (as fans call them) had a top ten single in the UK, one of 11 they had between 1989 and 1991. It was good whilst it ...
All Weller and good from the Modfather; Music.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Andy Welsh THOSE of a certain age would have first clapped eyes on Paul Weller performing debut single In The City on Top Of The Pops, aged just 18. That was 1977, and punk was in full swing. Noisy, skinny youths were everywhere, but there was something ...
Solo album brings double joy to fans.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... CURRENT album 22 Dreams has been hailed by many critics as Weller's finest solo album. It's a double album - a brave move in times when many commentators believe the 'album' format to be dead - and sees The Modfather, as he hates being called, experiment with free-form jazz, spoken-word, ...
From the Jam still pump out the hits.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... THE other two thirds of The Jam, Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler, are now touring together and play Birmingham Carling Academy on December 20. Performing as From The Jam, the tour was prompted by sold-out shows in Australia, Canada and the USA, and successful UK gigs last year. ...
Crooners cook up a treat for fans; Music Two legendary American singers are heading for the Midlands. MARTIN HUTCHINSON caught up with Al Martino, while ANDY COLEMAN previews Buddy Greco's final UK show.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: MARTIN HUTCHINSON HE IS known as a charismatic singer with a unique vocal style. As a singer, he has been at the top for over 50 years, and he is an actor too. He played Johnny Fontaine in the Academy Award winning film The Godfather and The Godfather - Part III. ...
King of swing gambles on venue.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... IT WILL be a case of 'first' and 'last' for veteran performer Buddy Greco next Friday. His show at Birmingham's Circus Casino will be his LAST British show. And it will also be his FIRST show at a UK casino. "I can't understand why more of my fellow artists from the ...
Local Heroes; THE E-GO'S.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... NAME: Tom Amphlett. AGE: 17. HOME: Sedgley, West Midlands. BAND: The E-Go's. OTHER MEMBERS: Dan Harris, James Amphlett, Andy Coleman and Mark Grigg. BAND HISTORY: The E-Go's are a five-piece Indie band from The Black Country. ...
Natty plays Unplugged.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... SINGER/SONGWRITER Natty will perform a special in-store acoustic set at HMV, High Street, Birmingham, at 5pm on August 6. ...
New album marks big change for kd; Music.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Andy Coleman WATERSHED is the name of kd lang's latest album - and her tour, which arrives at Birmingham Symphony Hall tonight, sees the 47-year-old Canadian singer at a watershed in her career. Not only has she self produced the album but she's also ...
An evening of great artists; Jazz.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Alan Cross BIRMINGHAM can be justly proud of being the home of the magnificent BBC Big Band who enter their second season of residency at The Town Hall with some great guest artists in the coming months. For the season opener, on Friday October 17, ...
Keeping an eye on the silver screen; Music.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Andy Coleman MUSIC fans could find themselves featured on the silver screen if they attend a show by a Birmingham band next week. Artistic collective 1 Eye are filming their gig at city club Oceana next Thursday, with the finished movie being premiered at ...
Brummie's musical twist on Cinderella.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... THE fairy tale Cinderella has inspired a new show to be staged in Birmingham. Neon features the intertwined stories of a young woman trying to find her place in life, a young man looking for love and an elderly woman with whom the future of the Neon cabaret bar is mysteriously ...
Weighing up changes to world.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BIRMINGHAM-based Stan's Cafe combine performance and art in their new show Of All The People In All The World. Created and directed by James Yarker, the theatre company takes over the former metal working factory of A E Harris at 110 Northwood Street in Hockley for the show ...
What a feeling for TV's Arlene! Theatre.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Diane Parkes CARLENE Phillips may be best known for her severe judgements on the hit television series Strictly Come Dancing but this summer she is back to her first love - choreography. Earlier this month she watched her latest show, Flashdance - The ...
New delivery of baby Ford.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... A NEW baby Ford is on the way 12 years after the original Ford Ka caused a stir with its funky looks. Due to make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, the new Ford Ka will join Ford's latest line up of distinctively-styled models. Hot on the heels of ...
Porsche has new roof with a view.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... PORSCHE has lifted the lid on the latest 911 Targa, which will be letting the sun shine in just in time for the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The German company says that the arrival of the new models heralds the fastestever model change in the long history of the ...
Sports tourer lays down gauntlet.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... LOOKING for a load lugging bargain? They don't come much better than Renault's all new Clio Sport Tourer. In the showrooms now, Renault's new compact estate offers 50 per cent more boot space than the Clio hatchback - but costs less than eight per cent more than its five door ...
Craftsmen get medal.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... THE body assembly team at Bentley Motors has been awarded a Gold Medal by the Institute of Sheet Metal Engineering in recognition of its advanced sheet metal engineering and production skills. The ISME was particularly impressed with the seamless joint on the ...
In the running for top award.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... SOLIHULL new media company Astute Media is celebrating after a client website was short-listed for a prestigious award at the motor industry's 'Oscars' last night (Wednesday, July 16). Trust Group UK, which operates ...
Road tax 'is stealth tax'.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... MORE than three quarters of AA members say that road tax is being used as a stealth tax. The AA president has written to the Chancellor requesting that the retrospective nature of Vehicle Excise Duty for cars registered between 2001-2006 should be scrapped. The ...
More car for less money!(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... PROTON is giving more for less, with a makeover for the GEN-2 hatchback and price cuts of up to pounds 1,000. The standard GEN-2 gets a new interior with red trim on the seats, doors and steering wheel plus a redesigned dashboard, handbrake and glovebox. The GLS model has a new ...
Cadillac CTS goes on sale next month.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... CADILLAC has announced prices for its new right-hand drive CTS sports saloon, which goes on sale here from September. The 2.8-litre V6 model will cost pounds 26,995 and the 3.6-litre V6 will be pounds 32,995. Both models will have rear wheel drive and a six-speed automatic ...
Design competition.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... FIAT UK has launched a nationwide design competition to find fun new ways to travel. The 'Smiles Per Hour' Design Competition is a search for budding inventors of tomorrow to design interesting and amusing ways to enjoy a journey from A to B. And the winner will be smiling with ...
24ft BFG ready to terrorise children; Amateur Stage.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By John Slim WORD has it that by the time the Big Friendly Giant, known to his intimates as BFG, arrives at Hall Green Little Theatre, he will be 24ft high. Imagination boggles a bit, but that's what they tell me. I have only seen this David Wood ...
Nancy runner-up comes to Cabaret; Theatre.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Diane Parkes WANNABE Nancy Samantha Banks may have missed out on Oliver! but she has been snapped up to play the part of Sally Bowles in the tour of Cabaret. Due to come to Birmingham Repertory Theatre next month, the I'd Do Anything finalist takes to the ...
Getting kinky in Oldbury.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... EDINBURGH Fringe comes to Oldbury when Death by Waxing theatre company brings its premiere of Satisfaction to the Repertory Theatre Studio prior to taking it to Scotland. Written by Sue Downing, the show features Sandra who, faced with a failing marriage, goes in search of ...
Doctor and the stripper.(Features)(Theater review)
Aug 01, 2008 ... ARRIVING from New York and the Edinburgh Fringe, The Great American Trailer Park Musical pulls into the Alexandra Theatre from August 26-30. When Pippi arrives ...
2-FOR-1 handmade burgers.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... WE'VE teamed up with Handmade Burger Company to offer readers two delicious burgers for the price of one at Brindleyplace, Birmingham, or Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull. Every burger is freshly made in the restaurants to order, is topped off with one of 30 speciality ...
Steve wins slot at Creamfields; Clubs.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Will Oliphant A BIRMINGHAM DJ will join the likes of Soulwax, Fat Boy Slim and Kasabian when he plays at Creamfields next month. DJ Get Carter - also known as Custard Factory promoter Steve Carter - will perform at the Residents Arena at the prestigious ...
Make a date with The Saturdays.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... FUTURE superstars The Saturdays, expected to top the charts with their debut single If This Is Love, will perform at Birmingham's Nightingale Club on August 9. Having just completed the Girls Aloud arena tour, the female fivesome, which includes former members of S Club Juniors, ...
House hero from Ibiza.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... INTERNATIONAL DJ Oliver Lang (pictured) is swapping his residency at Bora Bora in Ibiza for Birmingham tomorrow. The man Erick Morillo has deemed "the future hero of House" will take to the decks at the Q Club in Corporation Street. At the tender age of 18, and ...
Kate causing controversy in the States.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: BY DAN KELLY KATE Perry's new song might have been a No.1 in the US but for a lot of people it has snuck up from nowhere. I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It certainly did that for me - but across the pond the raunchy song has caused some controversy. ...
It's nice work if you can get it! Music.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Andy Coleman SOME guys have all the luck! Shortly before I was due to interview R'n'B sensation Taio Cruz his publicist rang to say our chat would have to be postponed because "Taio was stuck in the studio with the Sugababes" When I eventually catch up ...
Humdinger of a party for Carrott.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BIRMINGHAM comedian Jasper Carrott will be hosting his Rock With Laughter show at Ragley Hall in Alcester on August 9 - and he promises "a humdinger of a party". Joining him on stage, will be Dudley-born Lenny Henry, Jo Brand and musical delights will come from The Manfreds featuring the ...
Phoenix rise from the flames of Reef.(Features)(Sound recording review)
Aug 01, 2008 ... AFTER ten years of touring the world and making hit records two members of bluesy rockers Reef are now starting all over again. Singer Gary Stringer and bass player Jack Bessant have teamed up with drummer Nathan 'Tugg' Curran and guitarist Jonas Jalway to form Them Is Me - and ...
Where Brum's jokers played; A Walk In The Park GREET RECREATION GROUND, TYSELEY.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG HERE'S an open space with a lot going for it. Generally speaking, it's the one large area of greenery in a vast area of mostly terraced houses bordered by Shaftmoor Lane and the main roads of Fox Hollies, Warwick and Stratford. For the ...
Amble along canal to Peace Park; Urban Walk.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Mohini Howard SLOW Sunday was relaunced last weekend by Resurgence, an educational charitable trust working towards a better way of life and a more sustainable future. The concept promotes the idea of returning to the type of Sundays where people actually ...
FILM OF THE DAY; Hot Fuzz (Sky Movies Comedy, 8.00pm).(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Top London policeman Simon Pegg is relocated to a tranquil village where crime is nonexistent, and is teamed up with an overeager and witless new partner ....
PICK OF THE DAY; Live Test Cricket (Sky Sports 1, 10.30am).(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... England v South Africa. The Third Test reaches day three at Edgbaston, as the teams continue to battle it out for a potentially crucial victory. Dale Steyn has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom over the past year and is one of the finest fast bowlers in the sport at the moment. However, the ...
CATCH THE ACTION.(Features)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Live Football (Sky Sports 2, 5.00pm) Celtic v Tottenham Hotspur (Kick-off 5.30pm). Coverage of the friendly encounter at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, the opening match of the Feyenoord Jubilee tournament. Spurs have spent heavily in the transfer market for the second ...
Heat on as two planes grounded; AIRLINE: Passenger misery with double faults.(News)
Aug 01, 2008 ... PASSENGERS on Birmingham-bound flights were forced to board three different planes after the first two were hit by potentially dangerous faults. More than 70 people travelling on a Flybe connecting flight from Guernsey to Jersey were delayed for more than two hours while a ...