Birmingham Dogs’ Home has applied for permission to move from it’s Digbeth home to a new purpose-built centre near Catherine-de-Barnes in Solihull.

General Manager Simon Price said: “The biggest problem is that we have zero exercise facilities. We have been fortunate to be supported by the public, but with additional fund-raising, we need to expand and relocate to new premises.”

Birmingham Dogs’ Home was founded in 1892 on land donated by the late Sir Alfred Gooch Bart on New Canal Street. Almost a century later, the New Bartholomew Street home was officially opened by the Duchess of York in 1987.

After more than 120 years, Birmingham Dogs’ Home is part of the fabric of Digbeth, and it will be a shame to see it go. To keep up to date with developments, follow Birmingham Dogs’ Home on Facebook or Twitter.

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Please see below for the latest update from the HS2 Community Forums team:

Dear Supporters,

Please see below for links to a letter from HS2 Ltd’s Director of External and Parliamentary Affairs, Clinton Leeks, and accompanying HS2 Ltd consultation leaflets:

HS2 Ltd Consultation Letter to Community Forum Members

HS2 Ltd Draft Environmental Statement Consultation Leaflet

HS2 Ltd Design Refinement Consultation Leaflet

Kind regards,

West Midlands Community & Stakeholder Engagement Team | High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd
community.forums@hs2.org.uk | http://www.hs2.org.uk

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When: Saturday 18th May, 8pm-6am
Where: The Rainbow Complex, Digbeth
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With outdoor stages and big sound systems, you can be sure that Reggae City will have Digbeth moving tonight!

Taking over the entire Rainbow Complex off Adderley Street, Reggae City aims to “bring the finest international roots, reggae and dub artists in the world, alongside the best of contemporary West Midlands and UK talent!”

The event will also explore the huge influence that reggae has had on today’s music scene, and genres such as jungle, dubstep, dub and hip-hop.

It’s therefore likely that things will be a little louder in Digbeth this evening; DRA appreciates our members’ understanding in keeping Digbeth vibrant.

​For more information, watch the video below, or visit the Reggae City website.

“See you on the dance floor!”

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When: Today! Friday 17th May, from 17:00
Where: Various locations in Digbeth

Digbeth is home to a growing number of galleries, art projects, studio groups and artists, hosting a fantastic range of exhibitions, talks, workshops and events.

This evening, the spaces, organisations and groups based in our little part of the city will open their doors for the first Art After Hours event, following the fashion of Art After Dark events at major galleries around the world. Taking part are:

• Grand Union
• Eastside Projects
• The Lombard Method
• VIVID Projects
• Stryx
• Vinyl at Edible Eastside
• MSFAC at The Edge

The full programme of events is included below. Enjoy!

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Our readers who visit Digbeth regularly will have noticed that the hoardings around the failed Connaught Square development (opposite the Coach Station) are looking rather worse for wear at the moment…

MT @ellrbrown: Bradford Street, #Digbeth – demolished site – panoramic flic.kr/p/ed2EkL some of the hoardings have fallen down!

— Digbeth is Good (@digbeth) April 21, 2013

A large proportion of the hoardings have fallen in last week’s strong winds, but before they fell, others may have noticed that the Welcome to Digbeth Bab mural had been washed away and painted over:

This will be replacing the “Welcome to #Digbeth bab” mural: twitter.com/Kagey_infohub/…. It’s definitely a shame to see it go! @kagey_infohub

— Digbeth Residents (@mydigbeth) April 14, 2013

The mural was welcoming and a positive reflection on Digbeth, particularly due to its proximity to Digbeth Coach Station. Now, the thousands of visitors passing through Digbeth by coach, bus or on foot are greeted with an uncared-for site and an advert for legal highs, which is not ideal.

These events have spurred Digbeth Residents Association and the original mural’s artist, Dan Newso, to work together on a new replacement mural for the site. Planning is still in the very early stages, but we will be sure to keep you informed of any major developments. In the meantime, DRA have requested the repair of the boards surrounding the site, and are looking into possible sources of funding.

Do get in touch and let us know what you think of this story: Do you miss the Welcome mural? Is replacing it a good idea? What would you like to see on the hoardings? Can you help with funding the idea?

Get in touch by email, Facebook or join the conversation on Twitter (#WTDB2).

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