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Tony Collins

Tony Collins

Sean Lock

Sean Lock plans a film about comedians

IT may be the stand-up version of selling coals to Newcastle, but comic Sean Lock is planning to unleash a movie about - you've guessed it, comedians. Read

Michael McIntyre, Glee Club, Birmingham

IT IS really hard not to like rising comedy star Michael McIntyre. Read

Chris Keates of the NASUWT.

Suffering in our schools, warns Birmingham union boss Chris Keates

A FORMER teachers union boss in Birmingham today warned of the growing problem of staff being harassed in the street, outside their homes and by new technology. Read

The stumps of axed trees at Aston University.

Anger over axed trees at Aston University

A BIRMINGHAM university has pledged to replace dozens of trees which were cut down to make way for a new development. Read

Freight train derailed at Gibb St, Deritend

Chaos as train derails

THOUSANDS of commuters faced rush hour delays today after a train derailed and smashed into a bridge in Birmingham, showering debris onto a car parked beneath it. Read

Parents angered over being turned down for Chilcote Primary School

Parents angry over school places

PARENTS in Birmingham are protesting after being refused places at their local primary school, even though their children already attend the school's nursery. Read

A piece of the ice that fell on Yardleys School.

Riddle of Birmingham school hit by flying ice

THE origin of a large chunk of "meteor" ice which crashed into a school playing field in Birmingham remains a mystery. Read

Teaching sisters Catherine and Mary McManus are a class act

SISTERS, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters as Catherine and Mary McManus. Read

Natasha Wood

Birmingham woman takes show to West End

A BIRMINGHAM actress is looking forward to making her West End debut after going from ’hosiery to Hollywood’ in the pursuit of success. Natasha Wood, aged 37, used to help out on her parents’ ladies underwear stall at the city’s Bull Ring Rag Market. Read

Jane Olner and Phil Hoare

Youth offenders restore 4x4 for Africa mission

YOUNG offenders in Birmingham are helping disadvantaged people in Africa after repairing a Land Rover. The budding mechanics who attend a vehicle repair project run by Birmingham City Council’s Youth Offending Team in Hockley, spent more than two years restoring the off-roader to its former glory. Read

Success as school rids 'failing' status

STAFF, pupils and parents are celebrating after their secondary school officially had its "failing" tag removed. Park Hall School in Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich, no longer requires special measures after making "significant improvement" since its previous inspection in 2005 and a follow-up monitoring visit by Government inspectors last June. Read

Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle, Dick, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

WHAT a carry on! This often captivating play provides a fascinating insight in to the Carry On comedy film "industry" that produced 31 movies between 1958 and 1978. Read

Parents alert for snatchers

A MAN seen acting suspiciously outside a Birmingham primary school sparked a child abduction scare, it was revealed today. Read

Out with the old Rep and in with the new

ONE of Birmingham's oldest theatres has closed for a programme of renovations to be carried out so it complies with the Disability Discrimination Act. Read

School begins to make the grade

A CANNOCK secondary school has officially shed its "must do better" tag after Government inspectors said it was making major progress. Read

Dante Samuels

65 millionth visitor at Birmingham museum

A MUSEUM has created its own piece of history by welcoming its 65th million visitor. Read

Blaze at Erdington flats

A TEENAGE girl was taken to hospital following a blaze at a Birmingham block of flats. Read

Girl hurt as home blazes

A TEENAGE girl was taken to hospital following a blaze at Birmingham flats. Read

Rula

Reality TV puts Rula's back up!

LEADING stage actress Rula Lenska is promising Birmingham theatregoers some "high brow" entertainment this weekend after bemoaning the state of television today. Read

Reiss Ives and his mum Paulette Revan

Parents launch school appeals

PARENTS in Birmingham have begun lining up appeals for their children's preferred secondary school after expressing anger and disappointment at the choices on offer from the city council. 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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