When: Monday 12th November, doors open 19:00, show starts at 20:00
Where: Suki10c, Bordesley Street/Meriden Street, Digbeth

Digbeth residents have all been invited to a night of free stand up comedy at Suki10c, organised by Fat Penguin Comedy Club.

This brand new night features a hand-picked selection of some of the very best up-and-coming comedy acts from around the Midlands, including:

• Darren Harriott
• Harriet Dyer
• Freddie Farrell
• Jon Pearson
• Aaron Twichen
• Andy McBurney

This really is a fantastic line up of comics and entrance is absolutely free! The show starts at 20:00, but please bring your friends and come early.

Digbeth Residents Association’s (DRA) recent Regeneration in Digbeth and HS2 event was a resounding success, but don’t take our word for it. Before the event, the story was featured on the Birmingham Mail website, and since, DRA have featured on Rail News, live on BBC WM Radio and even on BBC News!

An attendance of over 100 people was recorded at our meeting on the 8th October; evidently the subject struck a chord with many people who are passionate about Digbeth and its future. Many attendees have already given their feedback (included below), but we’d love to hear from you too. Please comment on this post, or get in touch by email, Facebook or Twitter.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters, Bay Leaf, Custard Factory, Nisa Local, and Sbragias, without whom this event would not have been possible. Equally vital was the support and time put into the event by our resident volunteers, including Michael Butler, John Gordon, Karolina Kosciuch and Lisa Zdravkovic. Thank you for all your help!

The speakers’ presentations are included below for reference. Further information, including videos and a recording of Digbeth Residents Association’s appearance on BBC WM Radio on Tuesday 9th October, will be made available as soon as possible, so please ensure to check back regularly.

The next open meeting of Digbeth Residents Association will take place on Monday 10th December 2012, at 18:00, and will include a discussion on the future of the Birmingham Wholesale Market. Further details will be publicised in due course, but for now, do put this date in your diary.

Regeneration in Digbeth 08.10.12

CONGRATULATIONS on a very successful event. Very good sessions.
Sandra Hall, Co-Director, Friction Arts

Congrats to you all. Thought last night’s event was really good, well-paced and good food!
Richard Trengrouse, South and City College

Just thought I would say how impressed I was by the organisation and content of the meeting. People need to make sure that the unique history and architecture of Digbeth is preserved so that it remains a great place to live and work.
Andy Sheppard, Tenant Participation Officer, Birmingham City Council

Thank you for the ‘Regeneration in Digbeth’ evening. I found the speakers interesting and informative.
Ruth Robinson, MISC.arts org. England

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to present on HS2 to Digbeth’s communities. I found the meeting to be very enjoyable and extremely well organised and have made some very useful contacts which I am following up; a credit to all involved in the group.
Jonathan Lord, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd

I found the meeting very interesting and useful. The DRA did a great job pulling it together and the level of attendance demonstrated just what a good job you did.
Keith Simpson, Birmingham Wholesale Fresh Produce Association

I have been attending meetings about the regeneration of Digbeth for the last twenty years and the meeting on the 8th of October 2012 was the best I have been to this far. The quality of the speakers and the interaction with the participants was excellent.
We all have a voice and by joining forces and representing DRA means we will be heard.
Michael Dadra, Owner of Nisa Local

It was fantastic to see the audience, interest and community turn out grow in numbers. Let’s hope this continues. Thank you to all behind the DRA who work so hard and care for our community.
Lisa Zdravkovic, Birse Civils

I thoroughly enjoyed the event.
John Wells, Institute of Consulting

I would like to congratulate you one more time. It was great event and I am very happy that I could be part of it.
Karolina Kosciuch, Polish Expats Association

The event went extremely well with many types of professionals in attendance. Well done and thank you.
Damon Hillan, CIMA

When: Monday 8th October 2012, 18:00-19:00
Where: The Penthouse, Zellig Building, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
(Upon entering the Custard Factory on Gibb Street, turn into the Zellig Building near to Urban Village Vintage. Walk towards the ‘white sticks’ sculpture to find the lifts, the Penthouse is on the 4th floor.)

Residents, local businesses and not-for-profit organisations are invited to attend an event to engage with Birmingham City Council, HS2 and National Express on the theme of Regeneration in Digbeth. Digbeth Residents Association wants to help ensure the successful regeneration of Digbeth with the development of long-term sustainable growth.

The following speakers have been confirmed:

• Mark Barrow, Strategic Director of Development, Birmingham City Council
• Jonathan Lord, Community & Stakeholder Advisor – West Midlands, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd
• Jack Kelly, External Communications Manager, National Express
• Yvonne Mosquito, Councillor, Birmingham City Council

We will be discussing the effects of the Enterprise Zone and HS2 on the area, and how Birmingham City Council, HS2 and National Express could support economic growth in Digbeth.

Please RSVP here by 1st of October for catering purposes.

Our supporters Bay Leaf Restaurant have offered all attendees a three course meal for only £9.95, along with a free glass of wine (or J20) when dining after this event. Bay Leaf will also be providing snacks during the event. With additional thanks to:

When: 25th-27th October, 11:00 – 23:00
Where: Second City Suite, Sherlock Street, Digbeth, B5 6LT

Birmingham CAMRA will be holding this year’s Birmingham Beer Festival in Digbeth, and we are delighted to report that Digbeth Residents Association (DRA) has been chosen as this year’s designated charity.

As well as benefiting from unused beer tokens, DRA will be running the cloakroom at the event, so make sure to come along to support the festival and residents of Digbeth at the same time!

The Birmingham Beer Festival has certainly evolved over the years, moving from Aston Students’ Guild to the Second City Suite in 2010. The 2011 Beer Festival surpassed all expectations with 4854 people in attendance, and this year with over 220 real ales and more than 60 real ciders/perries available, together we hope to welcome even more people through the doors!

Birmingham CAMRA need as many volunteers as possible to help with the festival; if you can spare any time, please complete a staffing form available on the website.

DRA looks forward to seeing lots of visitors to the Brum Beer Fest 2012. For more information and to stay in the know with the festival, please visit Facebook or follow @brumbeerfest on Twitter.

When: Tuesday 24th July, 17:30-21:00
Where: Leaving from the Spotted Dog in Digbeth at 17:30

Digbeth resident Val Woodward is organising another fun and easy bike ride next week!

Eat, drink and chat at the Black Eagle in Hockley after cycling along the canals, returning to Digbeth before dark. The route is approximately 9 miles, and all adults are welcome to join in! Simply turn up at the Spotted Dog by 17:30 or canal-side outside NIA just before 6pm.

Please contact Val beforehand if you would like to try arranging the borrowing of a bike for you. More information on the Facebook event page.