Three Spires Morris Dancers Barred from Lichfield Bower Festival Over Parade Dispute Friday, June 12, 2026 lichfield morris parade festival dispute exclusion threespires community tradition procession The Three Spires Morris dancers were unexpectedly excluded from this year’s Lichfield Bower festival parade following claims from festival organisers that the group caused delays by not adhering to instructions during the … Read More
Maypole Mayhem: Morris Dancers Barred from Beloved Midland Festival Sunday, June 7, 2026 lichfield bower morris tradition festival maypole dance heritage parade controversy The Lichfield Bower, a cherished Midland festival that signals the start of summer and dates back to the 12th century, became the scene of an unexpected controversy this year. A prominent group of morris dancers, known for … Read More
The 430-Year-Old West Midlands Pub That Opens Just a Few Times a Year Sunday, April 5, 2026 pub history willenhall bellinn westmidlands heritage veday tradition landmark rare Nestled in the heart of Willenhall, The Bell Inn stands as a remarkable testament to history, having served the community for over 430 years. This historic pub is not your typical watering hole—it opens its doors to the … Read More
Henna Artist Embraces Tradition as a Universal Art, Not Cultural Appropriation Saturday, March 21, 2026 henna mehndi culture tradition art birmingham community inclusivity eid appreciation “Henna is for everyone,” asserted 18-year-old Alisha Khan as she carefully traced elaborate designs on the back of my hand in the age-old art of mehndi. A Birmingham native, Alisha has been honing her henna skills … Read More
I Quit India for the UK – And Discovered a Backward Country Friday, March 13, 2026 immigration culture britain india multicultural upbringing birmingham tradition identity adaptation Rani Rawji, 56, from Handsworth Wood, vividly remembers her first day in the UK after relocating from Mumbai, India, in August 1988. For her, the journey wasn’t just a physical move but a deep cultural shock. Raised in the … Read More
The Y2K Panic That Sparked Birmingham’s 26-Year New Year’s Tradition Friday, January 30, 2026 y2k birmingham newyear lgbtq+ southside community tradition celebration pride events In 1982, pop icon Prince released the song “1999,” painting a vivid picture of purple skies and people fleeing apocalyptic destruction at the dawn of the new millennium. Over the next 17 years, this song sowed a lingering … Read More