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 RVSP here 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.  With additional thanks to:

Inspired by the Olympics? Have nothing planned for this afternoon? Dust your bike off and join us for a social beginners ride!

The last bike ride organised by Digbeth resident Val was a route including Sarehole Mill and was attended by 18 people. See some pictures below, along with some more information about today’s expedition!

Get out on your bike and have fun! Join us for a social ride and explore Digbeth.

It’s perfect for beginner and those that haven’t been out on their bike for a while. We’ll always ride at the pace of the slowest rider so no one is left behind.

It’s a good idea to bring some water and you may also want to bring a snack or you can buy refreshments so please bring some money. Wearing a helmet is advisable; if you don’t have one please do not to worry you can still take part. If you enjoy the bike ride and would like to come again perhaps you could look to buy one then.

Apologies for delay in adding details. I was waiting to check the weather forecast. Its not bad, so the canals should not be too muddy, and a picnic should be fun.

Plan therefore is a circular going to the canal via a few quiet roads in Lee Bank; along the Worcester and Birmingham canal to Kings Norton and then back along cycle route 5 through Cannon Hill Park and some more quiet roads to Digbeth.

Lets have a late season picnic in Kings Norton Park. I’ll provide some goodies – there is not a handy café.

Toilets in Cannon Hill Park, but afraid there are few elsewhere.

Parking usually okay on the streets of Digbeth on Saturdays.

Look forward to seeing you there!
Val Woodward

For more information, please check the Sky Ride website, but hurry, it sets off at 11:00!

When: Saturday 21st July, 13:00 onwards
Where: The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth, B12 OQH

Yard Talk is part of Bass Festival, and is the culmination of the first stage of Friction Arts’ Echoes project. Echoes aims to share and preserve stories from Digbeth and Highgate, leading to an exhibition in 2013.

Everyone is asked to bring a dish from home to share at Yard Talk; please also bring old photographs, film or audio recordings and Friction Arts will help you digitize these so you can keep them forever.

Come to The Edge to relax, share stories of work and play whilst enjoying Caribbean food and great music from local reggae DJs.

Friction Arts are always looking for people with interesting stories to tell about the area, if this is you, click here to get in touch!

When: Saturday 14th July, 12:00 – 17:00
Where: Warwick Bar, Fazeley Street, Digbeth

Just a reminder that Warwick Bar‘s Summer Fete is taking place tomorrow afternoon!

To mark their first year of activities, come and enjoy a free afternoon of arts, music and performance at Warwick Bar, whilst indulging in freshly cooked locally produced food and enjoying plenty of waterside entertainment.

Ikon’s Slow Boat, Grand Union and Edible Eastside are some of the well-respected tenants of Warwick Bar, who have been working with Digbeth Residents Association to promote the event market the event.

Click here to see the Warwick Bar Summer Fete Programme, along with a map and directions, or follow them on Twitter (hashtag #B5fete).

When: Sunday 1st July, 14:00-16:30
Where: Fazeley Studios, Fazeley Street, Digbeth
Tickets: £10

The online wine retailer, Naked Wines, is holding a wine tasting event at Fazeley Studios today.

Over 140 wines will be on offer, with the winemakers themselves pouring out their products and sharing their expertise with visitors.

Tickets are £10, redeemable against any orders made on the day. The tasting runs from 2pm to 4.30pm. For tickets and more information see the Naked Wines website.