So come along and warm up with a Jalfrezi or a North Indian Garlic Chilli. Bay Leaf will be providing some nibbles for the Digbeth Summit on 16th February if you want to have a preview of what they offer.

Bay Leaf
The Green House
2 Gibb Street
Digbeth
B9 4AA

T: 0121 224 7700
E: info@bayleaf-restaurant.co.uk

To take advantage of this generous offer, simply book 24 hours in advance quoting HP20.  Please note that this offer is not valid on 14th February or in conjunction with any other offer.

I thought it was time for an update on the campaign to Save Island House (Facebook group link). As you know, there was a protest outside the building on Wednesday 1st February, which was featured in the Birmingham Mail. Photos taken at the protest by Alex Dean are above.

The group of local people working hard to Save Island House have since been busy emailing each other to organise further publicity and awareness raising activities and contacting owners Quintain Estates for updates.

Photo by Michael Westley

Then on Wednesday of this week the building was covered in ‘enviro wrap’, sparking fears that demolition may be imminent. After a great deal of activity from workmen on the building yesterday Julia Larden contacted Quintain to enquire about what was being done. This was their response:

‘…the team is proceeding with the element of the contract that would have to happen whether the building was eventually renovated or demolished. This involves the removal of the (dilapadated) interior. If renovation is the route that is chosen, then the interior will receive a new fit-out that is safe and up to the standard of whatever the purpose of the building is deemed to be.’

In the meantime we are awaiting the results of Quintain’s application for a Deed of Variation from the Section 111 legal agreement made in 2006, in which Quintain undertook to retain and refurbish Island House. This agreement is still in force. If you haven’t done so already, please register your objection to the Deed of Variation before 23rd February to help Save Island House!

The scheme was launched to accommodate Birmingham’s expanding elderly Chinese population. The age group ranges from 50 to 90, with one resident set to celebrate her 100th birthday in May. Most staff can speak in a number of Chinese dialects, the most popular being Cantonese and Hakka. A small number speak Mandarin.

Residents are treated to traditional cuisine, tai chi, Mah Jong and trips to Chinese supermarkets. Elaine Tang, older people’s service leader at Trident Reach, said: “Our residents make lots of friends here so they always have people to talk to, share a joke and play traditional Chinese games with. We all look forward to Chinese New Year – it is such an important celebration in our culture and we feel it is vital to keep the traditions alive.”

Digbeth is such a diverse area, so it’s fitting that we are the setting for such a unique project that really enriches people’s lives.

Regardless of what you call it or who it comes from, be it residents, local business owners or just visitors to Digbeth, one bone of contention that never goes away is litter. Rubbish is a problem in Digbeth; there aren’t enough bins in the area, not enough council scheduled street cleaning, and pathways along the canals seem to be often neglected.

I recently came across talking bins at Love Where You Live, and certainly think these would be great in Digbeth. Instead of talking, the bins could salute to the live music scene in Digbeth by playing tunes from local bands!

Even if talking bins are not the answer, more street cleaning and public amenities would certainly help our Digbeth’s litter problem.

One place thats always getting a fresh lick of paint is Digbeth in Birmingham.  Writers from all over come down to paint this diverse and eclectic part of the city.  Home of the Custard factory arts and media centre as well as a myriad of art and design companies pubs, clubs and places to eat Digbeth is now one of THE spots to paint in the Midlands.

We’re glad the blog rates Digbeth so highly! International artist Insa added to Digbeth’s street art repertoire this week by painting a huge mural at the Custard Factory (photo courtesy of [Princess] Gutter Floozy).

If street art is something that interests you, I’d highly recommend keeping an eye on the Floozy’s blog, which is updated every week or so. With ‘Welcome to Digbeth Bab!’ and now Insa’s mural, let’s hope this is a sign of more high-quality street art helping to entice people away from the city centre and into Digbeth.

Pamela Pinski, Secretary for DRA, said: “This grant will allow Digbeth Residents Association to become a more active group in the area, helping to bring about a feeling of community as well as cohesion between the various different and distinct groups who call Digbeth home. Digbeth Residents Association would like to thank the Reclaim Our Streets fund for this donation.”

Yvonne Palmer, Director – Operations & Programmes of Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation said: “We are delighted to be able to award this grant to Digbeth Residents Association, and to support them in the work they are doing in their community. The Foundation is all about supporting local people to find local solutions to local problems, by distributing money to people who really do and will make a difference for the future.”

To learn about other supporters of DRA, please click here.

The event to be held on 16th February at the Custard Factory, will bring together residents, business owners, voluntary sector agencies, developers and council staff to discuss the future of Digbeth. Digbeth residents strongly recognise the need to work in partnership with local businesses to make the area a destination rather than an exit out of Birmingham, and to influence its direction.

Students Michael Price and Brian Lobeda jumped at the opportunity to create a video to promote the Digbeth Summit. Michael said: “Hopefully, our animation will help to show people that Digbeth is just as important to the city as the other districts, and that its legacy should not be neglected.”

Brian said: “I have learned a lot about Digbeth, especially about the Custard Factory and the Ty.Phoo factory.”

DRA Chair Val Woodward said: “It’s great that so many of the diverse sectors in Digbeth are working together so constructively. We are keen to support creative arts students and their contributions to Digbeth as one of the two main cultural areas in Birmingham. Our logo was also designed by a BIAD student and we have always been delighted with the quality of their work.”

The video created by Michael and Brian is below. For more information about the Digbeth Summit please click here.

Tuesday, 7th February
Jazz at The Spotted Dog
Matt Ratcliffe Trio

The Spotted Dog hosts Jazz every Tuesday. Music starts at 9pm -  free entry with collection. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, 8th February
Adam & Eve
Lawrence Taylor

Friday, 10th February
Moseley Arms
PNW
The Benwahs

Friday, 10th February
Adam & Eve
Reverie

Opening Times are as follows:
Mon-Thur 12:00pm – 4:00am
Fri-Sun 12:00pm – 6:00am

A Main Hall, Private Rooms, VIP Private Rooms and an Arcade Room are all available. You can even book a Playstation 3 and/or Xbox!

As part of a special opening offer, hire is £5.50 per hour for a limited time only. To find out more, visit the Facebook Page.