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New series starts on BBC2 this Thursday (30th April) called "The Game" Set in 1970s London, it was actually filmed in Birmingham. Trouble is, I lose track of the plot 'cause I'm more interested in the location shots!

One of my relatives tells me my dad lied about his age and went off to join up in WW1 as a Drummer Boy. She said my gran was really upset, but rellie wasn't sure if gran stopped him or he went in anyway. Thing is, dad was born in 1903 so would have been very young at the outbreak of war - but I...

Can anyone with access to WW1 records see if they can find John Anderton, born 1881 We think he was in either the Royal Staffs or Warwickshire Regt. but can't find any war records/medal cards etc. Many thanks. Charlie

Michael Portillo's Great British Railway Journeys @ 6.30pm BBC2 tomorrow (Tuesday) travels to Birmingham and talks about it being the pen making capital of the world, as well as talking about a notorious 19th century murder. The following night (same time) he's in Dudley I think. Worth a look...

Is anyone watching "Line of Duty" on Tuesdays BBC2? It's filmed around Broad Street, the police station is actually the old TSB Bank. It's a good TV "gritty cop drama" in itself (so far; episode 2 on Tuesday) but it's good to play 'spot the location' as well!

Could anyone do a lookup for a James Roach/Roache/Roche (not sure of spelling) who lived - I'm told - in River Street, Birmingham in 1901. That's all the information I have, sorry...it's for a friend who's writing a family history but can't find her grandfather on the census records, and sadly...

Just started reading "All The Days of Our Lives" the new book by Annie Murray (since I'm in my sickbed)! I've read a few of hers (all based in Birmingham) but in the acknowledgements of this one she lists the Birmingham History Forum and the Birmingham Heartlands Society? Mind you - I expect...

There's a new series starting on BBC1 @ (I think) 7.00pm on Sunday 14th August, looking at Britain's Heritage. They come to Birmingham in one section, looking at a silversmith's factory - and I'm assuming this will be J.Evans in Albion Street. Worth a look anyway.

Did anyone see Julia Bradbury's Canal Walks on BBC4 last night? She walked from Birmingham Gas Street to Worcester. Only half an hour...and should have been longer..but interesting. I'm sure it's repeated sometime this week, but can't remember when!

There's a programme on BBC2 tonight - Ian Hislop "Do Gooders". Apparently, he walks along the canal at Water Street Birmingham, and talks about George Dawson (buried at Key Hill). Might be worth a look.

This has been out for some time, but I've only just caught up with it. "That's Another Story" the autobiography of Julie Walters follows her childhood at Bishopton Road, Smethwick (Bearwood), through to St. Pauls RC School in Edgbaston, Holly Lodge Grammar School, nursing at the QE and the...

My dad's brother, Joseph Charlesworth, was married in December 1931. According to records, his new bride was Lily Lennon or Fazakarley. Why would she have two names listed?

Interesting article on Birmingham Gangs in the 19thc in todays Sunday Mercury. Don't know how to send links (I'm sure someone else will), but Google "Sunday Mercury Birmingham Gangs" to view.

Some (not very good, sorry) photos from the press cuttings of Bernard Porter. Church lane cottages, Handsworth. (These photos unfortunately lost)

From a letter printed in the Birmingham Weekly Post, Friday December 11th 1937 - Mr. B.A. Porter: "....part of an advertisement that appeared in a publication of 1849, concerning "the great Midland Metropolis of Birmingham" CONCERT HALL, RODNEY INN, COLESHILL STREET, BIRMINGHAM. PROPRIETOR...

Not very good photographs I'm afraid, had to photograph them from a book of cuttings by Bernard A. Porter F.R.I.B.A., writing in the late 1930s/early 1940s: ....Building started on Hamstead Hall in 1775, instigated by George Birch, a descendant by marriage from the Wryley family, lords of the...

"A History of the World - Unlocking the Midlands" : Chris Tarrant presents a programme explaining how James Brindley's invention of the narrow lock transformed the Midlands, opening it up to the world and turning Birmingham into the country's second city. Should be worth a look.

Taken from the scrapbook of Mr. Bernard A. Porter, who wrote to and for the Birmingham Post and Journal. This dated Wednesday July 22nd 1936: "This fine old house, now in the course of demolition owing to a road-making and house-building scheme, is situated in Rocky Lane in the present district...

From Mr. B.A. Porter's scrap book, dated Feb. 9th 1940: "This Old Meeting House was built on the site of the one burnt down in the riots of 1791. Probably its most famous minister was the Rev. Hugh Hutton. He published (in 1830) a small volume of 'Poetical Pieces', chiefly of a devotional...

A friend told me yesterday that the road through The Flat (Lodge Road) was originally built of wooden blocks with tar poured over them. When they were taken up for a "proper" road to be laid, people came with prams and sledges to take away the wooden blocks for firewood (my friend was one of them).