Number Nine ( The Gallery )

Number nine ( numbernine ) was established by Lee Benson in 1999. The business features upcoming and existing artists who specialise in art, glass, ceramics, sculpture and Rock Art. The website is continually updated with fresh material and artists.

The idea behind Number nine the gallery is to display art in a commerical environment. When you are next in Brindleyplace you might like to stop by and take a look. Anyone interested in fine and modern arts will find something to their taste here.

9 Brindleyplace, Birmingham. B1 2JA . Tel: 0121 643 9099

Website: http://www.numberninethegallery.com/

Norton Motorcycles

Norton is probably the most well known of British Motorcyles along with Triumph. Both marques have their birthplace in the West Midlands. Norton Motorcyles are loved and cherished by owners around the globe.

Norton's began in 1898 with James Lansdowne Norton producing chains for bicycles. The company was orginally based in Wolverhampton. It wasn't until 1902 that the first Norton Motorcycle was produced with a Belgian Clement Engine. Norton's achieved success due to its sale and production of motorcylces for the military. In Word War I Nortons even supplied the Russian Army.

By 1913 and trading under the name of Norton Motors Ltd, the company was already making a name for itself and winning presitigious races. Now based in Birmingham it was to produce world class motorcycles and break many racing records. Norton Motorcycles became a great success and famous at the Isle of Man TT races where it won consistently and every year from 1947 to 1954 was dominated by the Norton team.

James Norton died in 1925 and Norton went on to establish its brand and loyal following of enthusiasts. During the Second World War Nortons produced around 100,000 military machines. Norton was particularly successful in exporting to the USA where it now has a large loyal and faithful following.

Success at the Daytona and its domination in USA and Europe did not however prevent it from falling into financial difficulties as early as 1953 when it was sold to a company called Associated Motorcycle Ltd. Low production, rising costs and competition hindered Norton as it strived to make a profit.

A line of famous well known bikes followed and continued to do well on the track. The Navigator, Manxman, Dominator produced bigger and faster bikes. Poor sales forced Associated Motorcycle Ltd to sell out to a company called Manganese Bronze Holdings Ltd in 1964.

To avoid liquidation the company changed its name to NVT Engineering Ltd but was itself in liquidated in 1976 though still producing motorbikes until 1977. The last Commando finally rolled off the production line in Britain. Heavy imports of Japanese motorcycles, increased production costs, strikes of the seventies and shortage of funds finally forced Norton into defeat.

In 1987 Philippe Le Roux and investors formed Norton Group PLC and in 1988 the company started to produce again in Lichfield. In 1992 Nortons won the Isle of Man TT races once again. The F1 Norton was heralded as the 'Porsche of the Motorcyle world' by Le Roux who then swiftly departed from the company in 1991.

What happend afterwards is difficult to ascertain. Nortons faced an enquiry by the Department of Trade & Industry which investigated the activities of those involved with the Nortons Group. In 1993 ownership of the Norton name and brand ended up with a Canadian Company and merged with March Motors in 1998. They are now called Norton Motorcycles once again. With the decline of the British Motorcyle Industry the Norton Brand has seen many interuptions and hiccups in its production. The current website of Norton in the USA states:

Today, Norton has the consensus support of both the industry and the Norton faithful. The new company is committed to restoring the luster to the brand and carrying the Norton torch as if the original Norton Motorcycles were still in business today.

From the company website we here of the launch of a new Norton........

The Norton 952 Commando is the future. Originally designed and built from the ground up, this bike continues the Norton legacy of defined style and performance. Norton motorcycle enthusiasts will recognize the integrated styling of vintage Commandos with a touch of modern flair.

This modern roadster reflects the soul of the original machine. Classic sculptural forms are combined with raw functionalism, laying beautiful shapes over a structural frame and muscular motor; resulting in a visual language that is both sensual and purposeful. With a very narrow waist and curves in just the right places, the 952 is a bike that feels as good as it looks.

We wish them all the very best......

Northfield

Northfield was originally an an Anglo Saxon settlement in what was known as North Worcestershire. The Domesday Book describes Northfield as having a priest, seven villains, sixteen borders, six cottars, two serfs and a bondswoman. It was orginally called Nordfeld and did have its own church. Northfield was a farming village and Birmingham was expanding outwards. The turnpike road which is now the Bristol Road, started bringing increasing traffic to Northfield which helped sustain the few mills, farms and nail making industry of this lightly populated area.

The Birmingham to Gloucester railway line opened in 1870 and was to change forever the rural aspect of Northfield. Industry and people followed. The Cadbury brothers arrived en-masse at nearby Bournville providing new jobs and opportunities. Austin set up his factory in Northfield and car production began. Kalamazoo has been here since 1908.

Northfield today is a busy suburb of Birmingham. The Bristol road serves as a busy route in and out of the city. It actually passes right through the high street of Northfield. There is a shopping centre and a wide variety of well known high street names have shops in Northfield.

Norfolk House School

Norfolk Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 JPS.

Telephone: (0121) 454 7021 Fax: (0121) 454 7021

Norfolk House School Ltd is registered in England No. 898659
Registered Office: 4 Norfolk Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3PS.

Nightingales

The Nightingale Club is an established and well known club that can really claim credit to being the founder of the Gay Village in Birmingham. It opened its doors in Camp Hill in 1969.

This really is the top gay venue in the Midlands. It provides the very best in gay entertainment and everyone is made welcome.

The award winning Nightingales plays host to some of the best known names in dance music and has a wealth of experience in putting on the best shows and providing the best DJ's in the business.

Recently the club has been refurbished at a cost of £650,000 giving it a state of the art sound and light system. The club features regularly in the Pink Paper and draws visitors from all over the UK.

There is no other gay club in the Midlands that comes close in terms of the wow factor.

18 Kent Street, Birmingham, B5 6RD. Tel 0121 622 1718 

www.nightingaleclub.co.uk

Neville Chamberlain

Neville Chamberlain was born in 1869, the son of Joseph Chamberlain. He is best known for his Munich Pact treaty of peace with Adolph Hitler in 1938 and much criticised for placing his trust in this appeasement policy.

After the signing of the Munich Pact, he arrived in London announcing that he had secured peace in our time. Whatever our thoughts on Neville Chamberlain and his appeasement policy of the time it should be considered in some ways fortunate that an ill-prepared Britain was given more time to prepare for war which commenced in 1939 after Germany's invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Military support for Poland led Britain into the war in September. The military disaster in Norway forced Chamberlain to resign in May 1940 and he was succeeded by Winston Churchill. Neville Chamberlain died in 1940.

During his lifetime he had spent much of his time in business before becoming the Lord Mayor of Birmingham in 1915. In 1917 he was the director of National Service for conscription and subsequently elected to Parliament under the Conservatives. He served as chancellor of the exchequer twice and as minister of health.

Nelson's Statue

Right in the centre of Birmingham in the heart of the new Bull Ring shopping centre there stands a bronze statue dedicated to the memory of Horatio Nelson.

Now you could be forgiven for wondering why Nelson has been given pride of place in a city that is so far away from the sea. Surprisingly this was the very first publicly funded statue of Horatio Nelson, made entirely from donations from the people of Birmingham in 1809.

Nelson was a national hero remembered for his heroic battles against the French Navy and Napoleon. Nelson visited Birmingham in August 1802 where he received a warm welcome as huge crowds turned out to greet him.

The statue was unveiled on 25th October 1809 on the official Golden Jubilee of King George III

Nechells

Modern day Nechells is greatly different from the Nechells of earlier times. Nechells is situated on the North East of Birmingham city. Records show that there has been a community in Nechells for over 800 years.

Nechells became part of Birmingham in 1838 and expanded rapidly and is now an inner city suburb of Birmingham. Nechells has not been without its housing problems. Originally the local industry consisted of brass foundries, button factories and the making of guns and hardware products. There were many slum housing estates in the Nechells area which were replaced by the tower blocks of the 1960's. These are rapidly being demolished as the council strives to improve the quality of housing in the area.

There are many changes taking place in Nechells and being part of a redevelopment zone has helped the local community. Nechells is close to Saltley and Bordesley Village although they are separated as communities by railways, main roads and industrial estates. Perhaps the biggest most impressive new structure to be found at Nechells today is the Warner Village complex known as Star City.

Nature Centre

The Birmingham Nature Centre can be found situated on the Pershore Road not far from BBC Pebble Mill. Set back off the road it is easily missed. An oasis of calm adjoining Cannon Hill Park, this is a delightful inner city animal kingdom on your doorstep. It's only 2 miles from the city centre.

The centre strives to retain the original habitat of the animals and it expresses the importance of conservation. A place for young children to find out about animals, the Nature Centre is perched right along aside the River Lea. Six and a half acres and with a wide selection of domestic and wild animals.

Advertising itself as having 134 species of British and European wildlife, the centre allows free admission to children.

The Nature centre is home to otters, foxes, deer, owls, sheep, goats, wallaby, donkeys, pigs, polecats, chickens, rabbits, rodents, beavers, reptiles, porcupine, cats, waterfowl, lynx, and has a selection of wild flowers and birds.

Nature Centre, Pershore Road, Birmingham. B5 7RL

National Westminster House

103 Colmore Row or National Westminster House as it is often referred to, was previously owned by Nat West and eventually sold to the developer British Land.  The building is 23 storeys high and was designed by John Madin.

The first phase of construction began as early as 1969 but it was only in 1976 that the tower element of the complex was completed. Since 2003 the building has been empty.

In 2008, British Land submitted planning permission to replace the tower with a new office skyscraper of 160 metres in height.

Planning permission was granted for the demolition of the existing building and for a 35 storey office building with ground floor retail, financial and professional services and restaurant / cafe. The project is estimated to cost around £160 million. Around 2,500 jobs are expected to be created.

When complete this will be one of the tallest buildings on the Birmingham landscape.

Museum & Art Gallery

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery situated in Chamberlain Square is an appropriate setting for some of the world's finest examples of Pre-Raphaelite art. Opened in 1885, the museum houses prehistoric collections, birds and wildlife section, paintings and drawings, precious stones and jewellery, costumes, pottery and a varied collection of archaelogical material.

Very much a socially orientated museum the displays illustrate the ethnic make up of the City of Birmingham and citizens are invited to contribute their ideas and thoughts to the collection.

The museum is very pro active in its exhibitions and displays. The nearby Gas Hall has an impressive programme of events.

A visit to the Edwardian Tea Room is a must and the museum has its own shop which is operated by the National Trust. This is a wonderful museum and not to be rushed. Put aside plenty of time to browse round the galleries. There is no entrance charge though donations are accepted to assist in the upkeep of the museum. The museum has over a million visitors a year.

If you are looking for fine Art, the Barber Institute at the Birmingham University will be an important entry on your list of places to see.

Chamberlain Square, Birmingham. B3 3DH. Tel: 0121 303 2834

Moseley

Moseley borders on Kings Heath and is close to Cannon Hill Park. It is a residential suburb within two miles of the city centre. This used to be one of the most fashionable areas of Birmingham and property is still at a premium here depending on which part of Moseley you live in. Cannon Hill Park actually forms the boundary and Sparkhill is on its Eastern side. The original Moseley is still referred to as Moseley Village.

Moseley is quite diverse in its housing. There are some relatively deprived parts of Moseley and by contrast, leafy suburbs with fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian housing. The Alcester Road passes through Moseley and on to Kings Heath and this is a busy route in and out of the city. Traffic congestion can get quite bad here.

Moseley is close to good local amenities and Kings Heath is just a short distance away with its busy High Street and excellent shopping facilities. There is not much industry here and Moseley is more of a residential area than an industrial part of Birmingham.

Moseley Village, still known as 'the village' because it used to be a village on the outskirts of Birmingham, is home to the Moseley Dovecote which can be found by Moseley Hall Hospital on the Alcester Road. The dovecote used to be part of a large farm and has been saved from demolition and restored. It is open to the public some Sunday afternoons and is in the care of the Moseley Society.
Moseley is well served with parks and the MAC centre at Cannon Hill Park is well worth a visit.

There are regular events and exhibitions that take place there throughout the year. Other parks include those at the private Moseley Park, the gardens at Highbury Hall and the Moseley Bog.

Moor Street Station

Moor Street Station remained closed for a number of years, falling into dereliction and decay. However, at a cost of £11 million this Grade II listed building has been restored to its 1930's look and feel and is once again at the hub of the city rail network.

Originally built by the Great Western Railway it was first opened in 1909 to take pressure off the busy Snow Hill Station. The tunnel link between Snow Hill Station and Moor Street closed in 1968 which led to the rapid decline of Moor Street which became overgrown and disused with final closure in 1987.

Finally in 2002 Moor Street Station was renovated at a cost of £11 million and tastefully transformed into its current 1930's style station with reproduction lamps, shop fronts, clock and signage. The booking office and ticket office and the seating and fixtures and fittings all blend in with the overall theme and include shops and a cafe.

As Moor Street Station experiences increased volumes of trains and commuters, it's future seems secure for the medium to long term.

 

Missing Bar

Missing can be found in Bromsgrove Street in the centre of Birmingham's Gay Village. A friendly, lively cabaret pub on the corner of Hurst Street it is a popular and established venue where everyone is made welcome.

With a variety of events including games, good music and karaoke, Missing offers more than just camp entertainment although it does that well too.

Students night on Mondays and Bingo on Tuesdays with Cabaret at the weekends. A good starting point with a warm welcome this is probably one of the best and most relaxed of establishments for gay and straight visitors to the Chinese Quarter.

48 Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham, B5 6NU. Tel: 0121 622 4256

www.missingbar.co.uk

Millenium Point

The Think Tank is located at Millenium Point. It provides a perfect day out for all the family. Rather than just being a typical dull and dusty museum, this is a children's adventure park with ten themed galleries. Museums will never be the same again.

Children are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of activities and the displays are quite exciting and captivating for visitors young and old. Children and parents alike will enjoy the experience which includes some quite spectacular and more traditional museum pieces in the form of a Steam Train, a Spitfire World War II fighter plane and various machinery from the Industrial Revolution and Birmingham's historic past.

Millenium Point now benefits from a new state of the art planetarium and a 3-D IMAX Cinema. The panetarium is the UK's first purpose built digital planetarium and it's entertaining shows and activities are not to be missed if you are visiting Birmingham.

This really is a venue that is suitable for all ages. Whatever the weather, you can find something to do here. The IMAX cinema with its 3-D films and sensational acoustics will leave lasting memories. The planetarium provides a breathtaking look at the universe and the galaxy and the complex has numerous activities for schools.

You have to visit the thinktank just to say that you have been there! Strangely enough though it can be addictive and people find themselves returning regularly for more of the action.

Website:www.thinktank.ac/

Millennium Point , Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG

Matthew Boulton

Matthew Boulton was born in 1728, the son of a wealthy toy manufacturer in Snow Hill. This background and his father's success undoubtedly helped him in establishing his business and the success which he achieved.

At the age of seventeen he produced inlayed buckles and buttons of a type which he invented and exported to France. Matthew Boulton's father encouraged him to manage his already flourishing business and the concept behind the success was based upon the principle of building a business which would encompass the entire manufacturing process as well as the marketing. Most companies at the time would just specialise in their own area of expertise rather than attempt to run the entire process.

This required a move to larger premises at the Sarehole Mill in Hall Green in 1755. It was here that they produced sheet metal. After his father died in 1759 Matthew Boulton moved the business to Soho and nearer to the jewellery quarter. It was here that his ambitious plans were realised and the world famous Soho Manufactory was built at a huge cost of £10,000. Three storeys high with workshops, showrooms, offices and stores and with accommodation for its workers it was an impressive sight. At its completion in 1765 it was a major attraction and an icon of the Industrial might of the great manufacturing empire that he had created. Soho House which was near the site of the manufactory still stands and acts as a museum and testament to his achievements.

Matthew Boulton was a model employer in much the same way as George Cadbury. A visionary who found no shortage of workers, employing the best craftsman and staff and producing goods of quality at the right price.

Matthew Boulton and his association with the brilliant James Watt is well known. Boulton and Watt entered into a partnership in 1774 and are forever recorded in history as one of the most important partnerships of the Industrial Revolution. After extending the patent through parliament the condensing steam engine was operating within two years. With a monopoly secured the Watt engines became world renowned.

Not content with his achievements Matthew Boulton used modern manufacturing methods to revolutionise coinage. The quality and detail in the new coins encouraged the British Government to place an order for 45 million new penny and two penny pieces. Further orders followed, forgery was now much more difficult and coinage entered a new age.

Matthew Boulton died in 1809 and without his leadership and direction the business declined and the manufactory was demolished in 1848. Without doubt, Matthew Boulton was one of the leading Industrialists of his age.

Matalan

There are a number of Matalan stores around the West Midlands. They sell a wide range of clothing some of which is made specifcally for Matalan and some of which is branded.

With over 200 stores in the UK it has a loyal customer following. The original Matalan stores would be set up in retail parks out of town and would use a membership card for their select customers. The card is still used in stores although anyone can now apply.

Most stores are around 30,000 square feet and are generally separated into 4 main sections, women's clothing, men's clothing, children's clothing and homeware.

Matalan Stores offer excellent value for money. The more fashion concious will wince at the thought of wandering round a Matalan store but there are few places that can match it in terms of value.

Dartmouth Circus
Birmingham
B6 4BA
Tel: 0845 330 3330

Martineau Place

Martineau Place is a shopping centre in the heart of Birmingham. With over 30 retailers and covered outdoor areas the square within the complex is quite a pleasant experience. Within the shopping centre are several high street brand names as well as a number of independent traders.

It's city centre location means that it is very near the Bull Ring and other main shopping arcades. Entrances to Martineau Place are off Corporation Street, Union Street and Bull Street.

The complex was originally developed by Birmngham Alliance who sold the centre in 2004. Martineau Place is popular at lunchtimes and late afternoons due to the number of cafes and restaurants that can be found here around the sheltered square.

For more information visit their website at: www.martineauplace.co.uk

Lunar Society

Matthew Boulton always played an active role in society. He was involved with the establishment of the Birmingham Theatre and the development of the General Hospital. It is however the Lunar Society for which he is most famous outside of his career pursuits in business.

The eighteenth century was a time of change and intellectuals and gentlemen including ordinary men of the wealthier classes would organise talks and a host of clubs would allow the members the privelage of feasting and drinking whilst meeting with like minded people to discuss anything from scientific papers to philosophical topics.

The Lunar Society was one such club. It was not the only one to be called Lunar Society as several also existed outside Birmingham. The Birmingham Lunar Society was just more well known. The name has its origins in the fact that they met on a full moon. The better light ensured a higher attendance as generally the streets were unpoliced and very dark.

The Birmingham Lunar Society was very particular about who was allowed to be member. Pretty much an exclusive club it never had more than fourteen members. Each member was noted for their special area of expertise. Boulton was key to the Lunar Society, having invited his most learned friends and generally hosting the meetings at his residence at Soho House.

The society was formed around 1765 and brought geologists, chemists, scientists, engineers and theorists together to discuss new inventions and new ideas. The most frequent atttendees were Boulton, Watt, Murdock, Small, Withering and Priestley. Erasmus Darwin and Wedgewood all contributed to the ideas and visions that were shared at the Lunar Society.

The Lunar Society was held together through the keen interest of its members and to some extent the personal friendship that developed as a result. Matthew Boulton, born in 1728 and the son of toy manufacturer did not have a university education. However, history would dictate that he became one of the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution.

Longbridge

Longbridge owes its very existence to the car factory at Longbridge. Visitors to Longbridge cannot escape the maze of factories and flyovers across the main roads as they pass through. The Longbridge factory has a long and historical past as a major player of the UK car industry. Prior to 1894 there was only one house at Longbridge. It was an agricultural area outside of the city boundries. The building of the Longbridge car factory changed it beyond recognition.

The recent scare and the possibility of closure of the Longbridge plant shook the very foundations of this predominantly working class community. A national scandal in the making was finally overcome by common sense and the success of the Phoenix Consortium's bid to buy Rover from BMW. Had this not been successful the community of Longbridge would have been decimated by the closure of the Longbridge plant.

Sceptics proclaimed their opinion that Rover would fail within 12 months and that closure was inevitable. Mercifully this has not been the case and the Rover factory continues to produce quality cars and look towards the future. Lets hope it can put the turbulent years behind it. There are signs that the recent deal with 'Brilliance' of China could shape the future of the company and secure jobs both at Longbridge and for the West Midlands components industry.

Longbridge is located on the South West side of Birmingham city. Apart from the Longbridge plant it is mainly residential with pre war housing and more modern council properties. It is fairly close to Lickey Hills where local residents get the chance to look over the whole of Birmingham and the magnificent countryside views on the outskirts of the city. Lickey Hills is a popular destination for many Birmingham folk and most people from the city will be familiar with Longbridge having passed through it on route to Lickey Hills. 

Lloyds Bank

 On 1 August 1995, Cheltenham & Gloucester (C&G) joined the Lloyds Bank Group. Later the same year, on 28 December, Lloyds Bank Group merged with TSB Group to form Lloyds TSB Group plc, one of the largest forces in domestic banking.

In 1810, the Reverend Henry Duncan of Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire, set up a bank to help his poorest parishioners save for times of hardship. It was such a popular scheme that by 1818 there were 465 savings banks in Britain (including 182 in Scotland). The Trustee Savings Bank Association (TSBA) was established in 1887 to help the individual banks co-operate and to advise on matters of common concern.

The Central Trustee Savings Bank was set up in 1973 to provide the savings banks with a banking and clearing service. In 1975 it became a member of the London Bankers Clearing House. That same year, a reorganisation put 73 local institutions in place, and a later review reduced this again, to 16 regional savings banks.

There was considerable growth during the 1970s and 1980s as the range of services expanded and the number of depositors increased. To keep pace, another reorganisation was necessary and, in 1983, the remaining 16 savings banks gave up their individual identities to form TSB England and Wales, TSB Scotland, TSB Northern Ireland and TSB Channel Islands.

The 1985 TSB Act opened the way for the Group to restructure in preparation for its stock market flotation in 1986. The following year saw a network of estate agencies set up, the acquisition of Hill Samuel Bank and Target Life, and the launch of Speedlink, Britain’s first telephone banking system.

TSB England and Wales became TSB Bank plc in 1989 and the newly named TSB Bank Scotland plc and TSB Bank Northern Ireland plc became its subsidiaries that year. In 1991 Allied Irish Bank bought TSB Bank Northern Ireland and in 1992 TSB Bank Channel Islands became a subsidiary of TSB Bank

Lloyds TSB Group plc

In 1995, the merger between TSB and Lloyds Bank formed Lloyds TSB Group plc, one of the largest forces in domestic banking.

In September 1996, Lloyds Abbey Life became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lloyds TSB Group, and in 1997 Lloyds TSB Group acquired the consumer finance business, Losango, of Banco Multiplic SA (BMSA) in Brazil. 1998 saw the Group expand its New Zealand presence again with the acquisition of Countrywide Banking Corporation Ltd.

In June 1999, TSB and Lloyds Bank branches in England and Wales were re-branded Lloyds TSB. Branches in Scotland came under the new brand of Lloyds TSB Scotland, which now has 185 branches stretching from the Northern Isles to the Mull of Galloway.

Scottish Widows joined the Group on 3 March 2000. This combination created one of the UK’s largest providers of life, pensions and unit trust products.

On 1 September 2000, Lloyds TSB Group subsidiary, Lloyds UDT, acquired Chartered Trust Group Plc and ACL Autolease Holdings Limited, the UK consumer finance and contract hire subsidiaries of Standard Chartered Bank.

Most recently, on 1 August 2003, Lloyds TSB Group acquired the credit card and personal loan business of Goldfish Bank Limited.

Source Lloyds Media Centre

Lickey Hills

Lickey Hills is one of the regions oldest parks. An area of outstanding beauty this has long been a favourite destination for the citizens of Birmingham. The views from Beacon Hill across the city are outstanding. The park itself covers some 500 acres as well as having a golf course, bowls, tennis and putting green.

The visitor centre which was built in 1990 is a popular place for a rest and refreshments. It also has plenty of guide books and recommended walks to offer. Lickey Hills has over 500,000 visitors a year and it is an excellent adventure playground for the children. If snow falls the visitor centre is invaded by local children with their sledges and the hill on which the visitor centre stands makes a good and yet safe launch pad.

Lickey Hills is home to a variety of different habitats with over 380 species of flowering plants and a wide range of wildlife. The area became a designated Country Park in 1971.

Lickey Hills, Warren Lane, Rednal, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 447 7106

For more photographs of Lickey Hills click here

Akbars ( formerly Liberty's Night Club )

Liberty's has been a long established nightclub and restaurant on the Hagley Road for a number of years. It was owned by TGI Fridays which is situated right next door. Liberty's was always a little more sophisticated with its piano bar, lounge bar, and comfortable leather sofas.

This was a place to socialise as well as party. It was the place to be seen and it was generally frequented by the older crowd. A strictly over 21s policy was operated by the club.

Once the entertainment venue of the 'well to do', it is now destined to become an Indian restaurant. Numbers had generally declined over the last few years of its life and it closed in 2007 for the last time.

In 2009 the leasehold interest was sold to Akbar's a company with several Indian restaurants in the north. Liberty's is about to become their ninth restaurant.

Opening in October 2009, Akbar's will be able to hold private functions for up to 200 people and the restaurant is expected to have a capacity of  300 covers.

www.akbars.co.uk

Lenny Henry

Born in Dudley, Lenny Henry or Lenworth George Henry CBE, is a well known comedian, television presenter, and actor.

Lenny was born at Burton Road Hospital in 1958, the son of Jamaican parents. He attended the Blue Coat School in Dudley where he discovered his passion for history which still keeps him busy today.

Lenny Henry first appeared on TV on the New Faces talent show in 1976. He went on to become a comedian and accomplished impersonator.

Lenny Henry co-hosted Tiswas, has written and performed shows and acted in films. He also spent time as a DJ on BBC Radio 1. A genuine and very likeable character, Lenny Henry is unique and extremely versatile. Lenny is married to comedienne Dawn French.

Lenny Henry still performs in and around the West Midlands and is a regular face on British TV. In 2005 he appeared in the Jasper Carrott's "Rock with Laughter" show in Birmingham and still supports the BBC Red Nose Day fund raising events.

Without doubt Lenny Henry can be included in the list of Britain's best comedians.

www.lennyhenry.com

The Leasowes

The Leasowes is to be found situated in Halesowen on the southern edge of Birmingham. This 57 hectare park is a beautiful spot that used to be one of the most visited parks in the UK. It has a hidden past that makes it one of the most influential landscapes of the 18th century. It is listed on the English Heritage Register as a Grade 1 Park and Garden of special historic interest in England.

We have to go back to 1743 to understand the significance of this park. A poet by the name of William Shenstone created a garden from his farmland and changed the landscape to create a wooded valley with open grassland, streams and a lake. Shenstone was a poet and admitted to the fact that he made a poor farmer. However, using a very limited budget he transformed this landscape into a landscaped garden which he called ' ferme ornee', meaning ornamental farm.

The Leasowes thus became one of the first natural landscape gardens in England. Shenstone did not attempt to follow the formal designs of the Italian and French style gardens and enjoyed the rewards of his efforts in his own lifetime with large numbers of visitors appreciating the park and his particular style.

The park today has seen some restoration and care but over the years the garden has declined to an extent that it is now mainly overgrown and woodland. Currently, attempts are being made to return the landscape and gardens to its former glory.

For more photographs of The Leasowes click here

Queen Elizabeth Lawcourts

The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Newton Street.

The sculpture by Vincent Woropay is of James Watt ( 1993 ).

QE Law Courts, 1 Newton Street, Birmingham, B4 7NA. Tel: 0121 681 3300

Lapworth Museum

The Lapworth Museum is based at the University of Birmingham and has an extensive collection of fossils, minerals and rocks. Dating back to 1880 it is named after Charles Lapworth who was one of the most influential geologist of his time.

The museum is one of the most important geological museums in the UK. It houses a collection of graptolites, invertebrate fossils, the Holcroft collection of Silurian and Carboniferous invertebrates and the Pleistocene insect collection. It is also home to various mineral collections, fossils and early stone implements. The collections are from a variety of sources both in the Midlands, the UK and indeed the world.

Find out how the earth was formed and how it changed over time. Discover how life on earth evolved through the ages and what shaped the world as we know it today.

Opening times for the museum are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Check the website for weekend opening times or call them on 0121 414 7294.

Visit the website at : www.bham.ac.uk/EarthSciences/lapworth/

Frederick William Lanchester

Frederick William Lanchester lived, in a house designed by himself, at 128 Oxford Road, Moseley, from 1924 until his death in 1946. He is best known for designing and building the first British petrol driven four wheeled motor car (in 1895), and for his work on the theory of flight and design of aircraft.

This is described in two books on Aerial Flight (1907 and 1908) which led to laws which are still used in the design of aircraft. Lanchester's deduction of military combat rules (linear law and N-square law) have been developed for use in operational research and by the Japanese to describe competition and marketing.

Thanks go to the Moseley Local History Society for the provision of this information.

Ladywood

Ladywood is a typical example of the 60's and 70's urban Birmingham. It is located near Edgbaston and close to Hockley and the Jewellery Quarter. Whilst the regeneration of Birmingham city moves forward at an alarming pace with the Brindleyplace development and the new Shopping complex at Edgbaston, Ladywood has yet to benefit from the modernisation program.

The housing in this area varies considerably and this is still regarded as one of the more deprived areas of Birmingham city. It's neighbouring Edgbaston, by contrast is benefitting from urban regeneration and more modern facilities.

There are however some marked improvements. Several old tower blocks have been pulled down and modern housing now takes their place in this predominantly residential area of the city.

For further information about Ladywood with visual and written memories from local residents please visit: www.oldladywood.co.uk Thank you Jenny for bringing this one to our attention.

Kings Norton

The Green at Kings Norton has been the centre of activity in this medieval manor since the 15th century. Kings Norton used to be the property of the King along with Kings Heath as its name indicates. Visitors will be surprised to find this almost village like existence so close to the centre of Birmingham. Take a stroll down to Kings Norton Junction where you can see the split bridges and cottages of the canal system which joins the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.

The Village Green at Kings Norton has some interesting buildings nearby. St Nicholas Church is a wonderful piece of architecture that enhances the village green and which dates back to the fifteenth century. The Saracen's Head could tell a story or two and is also a dated building from the 15th century.

One of the oldest buildings is the old grammar school with its timbered section which actually remained open until the late 1800's. It is now used as a local community centre for historical interest groups and talks. Located in the grounds of the churchyard, the plaque on the wall is in memory of the local headmaster and reads: 'Thomas Hall B.D. Schoolmaster, Preacher, Bibliophile taught here from 1629 to 1662'.

If you fancy a spot of village life without leaving the city of Birmingham then take a trip to Kings Norton and have a wander around the local shops and the park and canal. It's a world apart from the city centre only a few miles away.

For more photographs of Kings Norton click here

Kings Heath Park

Kings Heath Park with its Green Flag status covers an area of 35 acres. It features large grass areas with season bedding plants and a range of attractive trees and shrubs. The pool area has been cleaned and restored to its former glory.

The Park Hose and Victorian Tea Rooms provide further interest and the park is also home to the Horticultural Training School. The BBC's Gardener's World used to be filmed here. There is a bowling green and play areas.

Kingsheath

Kings Heath is a busy and vibrant community with close proximity to the centre of Birmingham. Kings Heath used to be part of the Royal Manor of Kings Norton. As the name indicates, it was heathland made up of woods and open common land. It's main trade would have been in timber and in brick making, due to the suitability of the clay found in the area.

As Birmingham developed it was inevitable that Kings Heath would end up as a suburb of Birmingham. Wealthy industrialists and businessmen flocked to Kings Heath in the nineteenth century to enjoy the fresh air and countryside which would have been a welcome change from the grime and smoke of the cities foundries.

With the addition of a railway station in 1840 its popularity increased. It expanded rapidly. To cope with the growing population churches and schools were built and in 1886 the trams arrived. Many of Birmingham's old tram line sites can be found by the wide central reservations on main roads and Kings Heath is no exception. This is one of the reasons that Birmingham is such a green city, the tramways having long gone and the tree lined avenues providing a welcome sanctuary and calming experience amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.

As Kings Heath expanded and grew in importance it sought independence from Kings Norton to which is was aligned, only to be snapped up by Birmingham in 1911. Since then Kings Heath has become home to many students.

Kings Heath park provides an oasis of tranquility for local residents. It has excellent educational facilities, plenty of shops and local amenities and is a sought after location in which to live. The down side is the fact that Kings Heath High Street is a major main route in and out of Birmingham and to other localities so traffic congestion is quite a problem.

Jurys Inn

The Jurys Inn at 245 Broad Street used to be known as Chamberlain Tower prior to its conversion from offices to a hotel in 2001. A concrete structure of Brutalist architecture, it was completed in 1975.

The Jurys Inn is a 3 star hotel with 445 rooms, one of the largest hotels in Birmingham city centre. It's location puts it within easy walking distance of the ICC, the NIA, and the popular Broad Street and Brindleyplace.

Jubilee Centre

The Jubilee Centre is a large industrial building on the junction of Sherlock Street and Pershore Street close to the Chinese Quarter and within walking distance of the city centre. It was built in the 1930's.

The building is managed by the Midlands Industrial Association Ltd, a group which is registered as a Friendly Society and which reclaims derelict buildings and through refurbishment lets them out to
small to medium sized businesses.

The Jubilee Centre is home to several tenants and includes office space, storage, distribution and a metal fabricators on the ground floor. The interior of the building is rustic, indeed very basic, although efforts have been made to create interest on each open space landing by the introduction of  sculptures and paintings.

"The Works" gallery is housed here on the third floor and holds regular workshops, exhibition space and studios for artists.

This is not what you would call executive office space and the building itself is certainly not going to impress visitors but it is functional and depending on your requirement for business premises you would be hard pushed to find anywhere else as close to the city centre at these rental rates.

www.mialtd.co.uk