Birmingham 2nd Best??????

I've always wanted to write an article for one of the Sunday Newspaper entitled Birmingham, 2nd Best? to discuss why the countries 2nd city is marginalised on the pages that discuss great restaurants or cool hang out joints.  London is usually the main feature with mentions of Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow but never ever Birmingham.  But imagine my surprise when I start researching it and find out that in fact Birmingham is not the official 2nd city of England. There is no official 2nd city in this country.

However there is apparently a big debate as to the unofficial title between Birmingham and Manchester. Whilst Birmingham is the larger city by size and population Manchester want the title due to the arts and culture there.  What?????????  Seriously?   Well that's absolute rubbish, we have Michelin starred restaurants, too many museums to count, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Symphony Hall, the NIA, the NEC, the IKON gallery, classical architecture, modern innovative architecture etc, etc.  How much more culture do they want?

However I have now seen that The New Statesman website has ploughed into the debate so check out what they have to say.  http://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/2013/08/birmingham-or-manchester-which-britains-second-city

My problem with all this is people passing judgement who have never even been here and believe me I've heard it.  In fact on holiday last year I met a couple in a restaurant who asked where we were from when we said Birmingham they actually replied "oh dear never mind, I suppose someone has to be"  when I challenged them on what exactly about Birmingham offended them it turned out they'd never set foot in the place.  Now my question is why is it considered acceptable to bad mouth Birmingham?  Now you may think from everything I've said I think Brum is the best city in the whole country, well actually I'm much more realistic than that and I've been to most of the major cities.  So I like to think what I say about other cities whilst being my own opinion it is at least a considered and experienced opinion.  During my recent holiday I visited Newcastle for the first time and I must say it's a wonderful city, really beautiful, friendly and with so much to see, so if you are ever in the "desolate* North East" I encourage you to visit.

* I think desolate must mean 80% made of of areas of outstanding natural beauty?!?!?!?

Dates for the diary:

The Birmingham International Food Festival starts on 14th August until 26th August.  Well worth a visit there are stalls selling fresh breads, cheeses, meats etc and also hot food such as Paella, german sausages and curries.

By the way if you are a theatre buff Wicked is coming to the Hippodrome next July and tickets are already on sale.