Nightclub murder trial concludes

Dear Patchers — Welcome to your midweek briefing. 

With the four-day bank holiday weekend fast approaching, The Dispatch has been keeping our finger on Birmingham's cultural pulse (not that we aren't doing this at all times anyway) to give you the listings you need to enjoy thoroughly well-deserved downtime. That is, if you are lucky enough to have Easter weekend off.

As such, we have some tasty treats in Codsall line up for you as well as all the important details on a night which pays homage to Brum’s rock venues of years past. Elsewhere, we have the latest on awards for Midlands culture, travel chaos (of course!) and the outcome of the trial for the heartbreaking 2022 Boxing Day nightclub killing. Plus, how police and faith leaders are coming together at Ramadan.

Take care. Dan.

Brum in Brief

⚖️Nightclub murder convictions: Two men have been found guilty of the 2022 Boxing Day nightclub murder of Cody Fisher. The ex-Birmingham City Academy player was stabbed to death at the Crane nightclub in Digbeth by Remy Gordon and Kami Carpenter. It was a revenge killing for an altercation in a Solihull club two days prior. The court case garnered national media attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the young age of the victim, who was just 23. Sentencing takes place next week. More details here.

🎞️Cinematic social media: The national Conservative Party has produced a very theatrical short film about Labour-run Birmingham City Council. “In life under Labour, the scales of justice are balanced by a force beyond mortal comprehension,” says the dramatic American voiceover in the style of a 1940s radio broadcaster, alongside black and white, rather dystopian footage of Brum. What do you think? Is it an accurate depiction of life in the second city?

🌕Hustings in the moonlight: Labour candidate Richard Parker's no-show at last night's Lunar Society mayoral hustings, despite reportedly half a dozen attempts to inform his office, disappointed audience members. It transpired Parker was at a Labour Friends of Bangladesh iftar instead, along with Police & Crime Commissioner Simon Foster. Neither did Labour send a stand-in, as Reform and the Lib Dems chose to. Questions covered topics including youth services, race equality, transport, skills and heritage, and sparks flew when Andy Street and Greens’ Siobhan Harper-Nunes disagreed over housing. The Lib Dems' Lee Dargue, filling in for Sunny Virk, raised chuckles by saying he thought he was the only driver on his street to obey the 20mph limit, and challenged the other speakers to condemn "disgusting racism" in their parties (Street, next to him, demurred).

👮Ramadan penalty notices: Police have moved over 300 cars and handed out almost 600 penalty notices for parking offences near Ramadan Street markets. Fines and action come after a partnership between faith leaders, the council and coppers promised to tackle the anti-social behaviour experienced during the Muslim holy month last year. "We haven’t seen any incidents [this year], [the scheme has] been welcomed by the local shopkeepers and the local residents and it’s been brilliant," said Aamer Chaudhry, from Small Heath’s Green Lane Masjid. Full story.

🎵Award for Cov culture: The founder of the Coventry Music Museum has been crowned VisitEngland's Tourism Superstar for 2024. Following a public vote, Pete Chambers got the nod for the gong as a result of his work in showing off Midlands musical heritage, including exhibits on The Selector and The Specials. VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said: “[Chambers] has created a magical place for music lovers to connect with the region's rich contribution to England's musical heritage.”

🚅Easter train pain: Cross-city line services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley will be severely disrupted due to major engineering works taking place just after Easter weekend. From 2 April to 5 April, a signal upgrade will commence alongside readying of overhead lines for summer heat. Full details on disruptions and replacement services here.

😋DDC does Codsall: Many in the Midlands know that Digbeth Dining Club showcases some of the best and most innovative food the region has to offer. This Friday they’re taking the show on the road to The Crown at Codsall with Beef on the Block, Only Jerkin and the West Midlands Chip Van as guests. Food is also available from the pub and you can head down from midday. Free entry. What an Easter treat.

👩‍🎤Rock venue homage: With many licking their lips at the prospect of a four-day weekend, The Dispatch have kept our ears to the ground for bank holiday fun. A night that grabbed our attention is Dissidence at Deadbeat in Stirchley, which the drinking hole’s Instagram page describes as a homage to some of Birmingham’s best-loved rock venues (Edwards No8, The Gallows, Costermongers). There will be grunge and indie aplenty. Details at a click.