HomeAuthorsNeil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Farewell to pub boss Jim

HUNDREDS of mourners were today meeting at Birmingham's oldest pub to raise a glass and say goodbye to the landlord of 13 years. Read

'Dirty tricks' election fury

POLITICAL fury erupted in Birmingham today as Labour activists were accused of 'dirty tricks' in the wake of the arrests of two Liberal Democrats in a new postal votes fraud inquiry. Read

Bouncers display a lighter touch

NIGHTCLUB bouncers on Birmingham's Golden Mile have ditched their intimidating black overcoats and bomber jackets for a friendly new image. Read

Council draws up mayor poll plans

PLANS for a possible mayoral election in Birmingham - to take place on Thursday, October 16, 2008 - are being drawn up by the city council's top lawyer. Read

'Blighted' estates to get boost

PEOPLE on Birmingham estates blighted by abandoned cars, neighbours from hell, vandalism, graffiti, rowdy teenage gangs and drunk and disorderly behaviour have been given a lifeline. Read

City in comic book coup

THE creator of cigar-chomping comic book and blockbuster film hero Hellboy is coming to Birmingham later this year. Read

Mahmood throws his hat in the ring

BIRMINGHAM'S first Muslim MP Khalid Mahmood today added his name to those considering standing for elected mayor of the city. Read

Man hurt in Brum shooting

A YOUNG man was seriously injured after being shot in a Birmingham street. Read

Hemming - I'll join the fight to be mayor

A BIRMINGHAM MP has announced he will stand for city mayor if the people of Birmingham decide to change the way they are governed. Read

Sandstorm! Now it's two beaches for Brum!

BIRMINGHAM is set for a battle of the beaches - with the great British seaside now coming to two city centre sites this summer. Read

Tory big guns stir up local indignation over Karren

BIRMINGHAM'S Conservatives are said to be miffed by revelations that David Cameron has been wooing Karren Brady to stand as mayoral candidate. Read

Karren has got what it takes!

A BIRMINGHAM MP today described Blues chief Karren Brady has having the right calibre to lead Brum as elected mayor. Read

Families in fear of street gangs

FAMILIES claim they are living in fear because a turf war has broken out between rival gangs living on a notorious Birmingham estate. Read

Labour chief's shock death

A SUTTON Coldfield magistrate and former Birmingham city councillor has died suddenly. Read

City's Tory MP backing poll appeal

BIRMINGHAM'S only Conservative MP has backed calls for a referendum on elected Mayors. Read

Family bowled over by success

A BIRMINGHAM family is following in the footsteps of their record-breaking teenage son by starting their very own bowls team. Read

Anger at 'lazy' police parking

TRAFFIC cops are routinely flouting the rules of the road when they park out-side a city centre police station. Read

As the petitions flood in, we ask - who could lead Birmingham?

IT is a dream job for someone big enough to cope with it. Read

Sacked councillor to fight for Labour seat

ONE of the six Labour councillors sacked in the inner city vote rigging scandal of 2004 hopes to bounce back at the polls next month. Read

Caring salon owners are in the pink

CANCER patients struggling to come to terms with the loss of their hair have been given their own dedicated salon - the first of its kind in Birmingham. Read

Author Profile

A local news reporter in the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and south Staffordshire area since 1995, Neil Elkes is the local government correspondent covering the activities of Birmingham CIty Council - Europe's largest local authority. An avid reader and collector of comics Neil is writing a column on this for the Birmingham Mail website.

Get involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.