More Bits and Bobs about Birmingham 13.10.11

30. The city’s growth has meant that many major roads and New Street station operate over capacity at peak times.
31. The city is often referred to as the birthplace of heavy metal with bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest coming from the area.
32. 1970’s saw the rise of reggae and ska in the city with bands such as UB40 and Steel Pulse expounding racial unity with politically leftist lyrics and multiracial line-ups, mirroring social currents in Birmingham.
33. Duran Duran are from Birmingham.
34. Birmingham is home to Symphony Hall, NIA AND HMV Institute to name a few music venues in the city.
35. Theatres include; The Repertory Theatre, The Alexandra Theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome.
36. J.R.R. Tolkien was brought up in Birmingham, with many locations in the city being inspiration for various scenes in The Lord of the Rings.
37. Birmingham’s role as a manufacturing and printing centre has supported strong local traditions of graphic design and product design.
38. Birmingham is home to many festivals including; St Georges day, Comedy festival and the International Dance Festival.
39. There are 1’946 listed buildings in Birmingham.
40. Traces of medieval Birmingham can be seen in the oldest churches, notably the original parish church, St Martin in the Bull Ring.
41. There is an extensive tower block demolition and renovation programme.
42. Highrise development has slowed since the late 1970’s and mainly in recent years because of enforcements imposed by the civil aviation authority.
43. Birmingham is a major transport hub on the motorway, rail, and canal networks.
44. Birmingham is home to probably the best known motorway junction in the UK, the spaghetti junction.
45. National Express UK headquarters are located in Birmingham.
46. Birmingham airport is the 6th busiest by passenger traffic in the UK, and the second busiest outside the London area.
47. Birmingham New Street is used by over 40.1 million people annually, making it the busiest outside London.
48. Canalside regeneration schemes such as Brindley Place have turned the canals into tourist attractions.
49. The range of Universities and colleges means there are over 65,000 higher education students in Birmingham.
50. Although the Christianity remains the largest religion within the city (59%), the city’s religious profile is highly diverse.
51. The football league – the world’s first league football competition – was founded by a Birmingham resident and Aston Villa director William Mcgreegor.
52. The modern game of tennis was developed between 1859 and 1865 by Harry Gem and his friend Augurio Perera at Perera’s house in Edgbaston.
53. Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis society remains the oldest tennis club in the world.
54. Birmingham was the first city to be named National City of Sport by the Sports Council.
55. The city is home to two of the oldest professional football teams; Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC.
56. The Alexander Stadium will be the headquarters of UK athletics from October 2011.
57. The Birmingham wholesale markets remain the largest combined wholesale food markets in the country.
58. The oldest inn in Birmingham is the Old Crown in Deritend (Circa 1450)
59. Wing Yip’s headquarters is in Nechells.
60. The Balti was invented in the city.
61. Famous food brands that originated in the city include; Typhoo tea, Bird’s Custard, Cadbury’s chocolate and HP sauce.
62. The Electric Cinema is the oldest working cinema in the UK.
63. Local inventions and noteable firsts include; gas lighting and brylcreem.
64. The world’s first Odeon cinema opened in Birmingham in 1930.
65. Britain’s first ever 4 wheel petrol driven car was made in Birmingham by Fredrick Lancaster in 1985.