'And with Top Gear, Countryfile, Gardeners’ World, Farming Today, Silver Street, and, more recently, Doctors already stopping production here, there’s less chance of CV-building work for locals, says Tracey Briggs.'

Could Birmingham be at risk of losing one of our cultural institutions? The Archers has been recorded here for the better part of a century, but the powers that be over at the Beeb are planning to make some "tough cuts". Read all about it at the link 🔗 birminghamdispatch.co.uk/don…

In your Monday briefing this week, we talk penguin flat-shares, LED pirates and more. Get it here: birminghamdispatch.co.uk/so-…

At Dispatch HQ, we're feeling pretty pleased with ourselves following the success of Thursday's event with Booker-nominated writer Luke Kennard, and the addition of our newest writer to the team.

So long, Storm Boelo. 🛬 Storm Boelo has taken more victims than just recycling bins this weekend, with a passenger plane seen veering off the runway and into the grass verge at Birmingham Airport (no one was harmed, thankfully).

'“No swearing, no sign language swearing, no symbols being thrown up” Corey Johnson purportedly tells fellow wrestlers at his shows, because “we don’t want anyone going to school Monday and putting their fingers up because they seen it at wrestling.”'

A live belly-shaving, orange mohawks, and a father throwing down his own son. The Dispatch went ringside to investigate Birmingham's varied independent wrestling scene - and its surprisingly wholesome core values. Click the link for the full article🤼 birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the…

Why is Birmimgham's Chinatown flourishing where others are failing? We spoke to some of Chinatown's key community figures to uncover why... and stumbled upon a minor power struggle too. Read all about it at the link below🥢 birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the…

Are you a Dispatch member with £3 spare and no plans on Thursday? Well, we're going to chat to Luke Kennard about his new book. There are only 11 tickets left! Don't miss out - it's not every day you get the chance to listen to a booker prize nominee. birminghamdispatch.co.uk/wha…

Also: 🚨Diane Donaldson is “incredulous” at Labour's response evidence of racism within Birmingham Reform. 📽️A video circulating online, young people clutching leaflets and charity mugs, warn people not to donate to the Birmingham organisation they are working for. Whats gone on?

“Vulnerable people used as cash cows” 🏘️ A BBC Panorama documentary is the latest expose of exploitative practises in the supported exempt accommodation sector. Today’s Monday Briefing discusses the Birmingham providers at the heart of the BBC investigation, airing tonight.

Online, the Chelmsley Wood Patriots have continued to deny any connection between the group and the repeated attacks on the house. They call the claims “fake news” and group leaders said she would “refuse to give them my energy.”

On Monday night a group attacked a property in Chelmsley Wood. The same thing happened on Tuesday night. And again on Wednesday night. The local masked vigilantes say it wasn't them. birminghamdispatch.co.uk/an-…

Read the full story here: birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-b…

The Dispatch has seen a letter, sent by two councillors to council leader Roger Harmer, accusing officers of failing to take basic measures to block the exploitative housing providers blighting the city. In response, Harmer has described their claims as “outrageous”.

Do you remember Jimmy Spices? Did you go there recently? What was the food like? Let us know in the comments. We went back recently and wrote an article all about it! birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the…

There are only a few members tickets left for next week's event! If you want to support a local writer and listen to him talk about his wicked Black Mirror-esque new book, get a seat whilst you can! You can grab a copy there. Tickets are £3 for members! birminghamdispatch.co.uk/wha…

"Jimmy’s has undoubtedly undergone a refresh in its latest iteration. For one thing, the plates are now 27 bloody pounds. For some reason, 10-year-old children are considered adults when it comes to paying. Gone are the deep reds and chilli-pepper adorned signage." 🌶️