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Tony Collins

Tony Collins

Mary Black @ Symphony Hall

ABSENCE clearly makes the heart grow fonder. Read

Thatcher comment is pulled

A STUDENT motion calling for a party to celebrate the eventual death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was withdrawn today following a storm of protest. Read

Parade launch for kids service

CHILDREN in an inner-city area of Birmingham were given a colourful introduction to a new range of vital services. Read

Student leader in Thatcher party row

A BIRMINGHAM student leader today sparked outrage by calling for a celebration party to mark the eventual death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Read

Students in fees plea to Blair

CITY students have made a direct plea to Tony Blair protesting at increases in their tuition fees. Read

MPs slam city leaders over casino snub

THE blame for the region's failure in the Las Vegas-style super-casino race was today laid squarely at the door of city leaders. Read

'Cruelty' head quits school

THE head teacher of a city nursery school has resigned two years after she was suspended amid allegations of child cruelty. Read

HP Sauce's biggest fan packs a punch

HEINZ had better watch out if it still plans to close the HP sauce factory in Birmingham. Read

Twins promoted at the double

MIDLAND twins James and Andrew Lucas have done most things together during their action-packed 25 years. Read

War crimes film to get city premiere

A HARD-HITTING documentary exploring war crimes and torture is to receive its UK premiere at a city university. Read

All pupils to take citizenship classes

A GOVERNMENT minister today reassured the community that all British pupils would have to take new citizenship classes in schools. Read

Students hit out at staff boycott

STUDENTS at Aston University are spearheading a grass roots protest against the disruption caused by lecturers who are boycotting exam marking in a dispute over pay. Read

Nathaniel shares the spotlight with stars

SHOWBIZ legends Ben Elton and Rod Stewart will be sharing the spotlight with unknown Birmingham actor Nathaniel Morrison when a new musical comes to the city. Read

Cops hunt trio over Alisha fire death

MURDER squad detectives are still hunting three men in connection with the death of a six-year-old Birmingham girl in a house fire. Read

Teacher in child porn shame

A FORMER teacher from Birmingham has admitted downloading child pornography. Read

Students hatch bird from rescued egg

PUPILS at a city school displayed extraordinary thinking when they came across a vandalised bird's nest in their local park. Read

Gay fury at 'killjoy' booze ban

THE organiser of Birmingham's Gay Pride festival has accused the city council of "ruining the spirit" of the event by bringing in tough new drinking restrictions. Read

Steeleye Span @ Alexandra Theatre

MORE than 30 years after first fronting Steeleye, Maddy Prior's vocal talents show no signs of waning. Read

Puccini for your pooch!

IF you ever imagined your dog winning Crufts, but it lacked the pedigree to pull it off, then canine stardom could still beckon. Read

Driver trapped under runaway mower

THE driver of a mobile grass cutter was trapped underneath his machine today after it rolled down a steep embankment while he was mowing the playing fields at a city school. Read

Author Profile

Tony Collins joined the Birmingham Mail in 1980.After working in a couple of the Mail's district offices, he became Education Correspondent in 1994. Being regarded as something of a Groucho Marx lookalike, it is no surprise that he is also the Mail's 'Mr Comedy', responsible for interviews with many of our top comics.

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