Although on the 19th of December 2009, the Times ran an article headed The Times Christmas Walks: the best urban walks – from architectural landmarks and naval heritage to pop history, government and ghosts, who needs the countryside when our cities have so much to offer?

Birmingham

Birmingham Tours offers the best walking guides in the city. An hour long tour of the city takes in the Victorian canals and the landmark 21st century Selfridges building. Another walk explores the city’s Jewellery Quarter, an area with a glittering past and a thriving present.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/walks/article6961588.ece

Thank you the Times!

Carl Chinn Radio Show Sunday 3rd January 2010

Carl Chinn very kindly invited me on his radio show to kick start the year which was fantastic and I really appreciate his support for the Big Brum Buz. In conjunction with pub poet Dave Baggott we managed to discuss a wide and varied range of topics reading the newspapers. Starting with the security issue at airports, to the price of Lego at an all time high and finishing with Alnwick needing a face lift. Dave mentioned that he had done a poem in conjunction with ABC Brewery and I mentioned that I would really like to do a brewery tour – maybe one day reaching the dizzy heights of Guiness. This year it would be great to launch the bus with Carl Chinn – let’s see what happens.

Monday 11th January 2010

Dave Baggott sent me a poem – a big THANK YOU

A Brum Buz Journey

Along Colmore Row, into Birmingham the Big Brum Buz does enter,
early morning spring sun smiling over the old,
yet new cathedral donned centre.
Meanwhile, later in Digbeth, St.Patrick's Day celebrations will be under way,
a drop of what does you good the order of the day!

Through the Jewellery Quarter it now does proceed,
where in a font of craftsmanship,
newly engaged's search for their perfect need.
Through hot summer weather, they will not falter,
as this open top bus will not let you wilter.

Birmingham’s Golden Mile the next destination.
Oh, what a venue to visit, a source
of much friendly consternation,
but whatever your fancy or weather this autumn,
on this bus, with a downstairs as well you won’t need a coat on.

Finally, out of the city a tearful farewell,
Along the Pershore road, snow dusted
trees make this city look swell.
Relaxed and refreshed, from not having to drive,
we finally pass the cricket ground where English cricket does thrive.

The bus has been booked to do a private guided tour of the city for the Institute of Energy Research and Policy, University of Birmingham on Saturday 16th January.

On Saturday 13th February the bus the bus took part in the Chinese New Year Festival of the Tiger at Mell Square, Solihull. As you can see it looked fantastic in its Chinese costume.

On Sunday 21st February the Big Brum Buz took part in the BRMB road show at Aston Villa to support the team on their way to Wembley – a cracking result that day.

Both in February when the weather was very cold two of my favourite things to date this year have been the school trips for Christ the King Catholic Primary School and Hodge Hill Primary School – below are two of the letters I received from the children.

“I want to say thank you for organising our trip on the Big Brum Buz. It was really exciting when we went on top of the Buzz. Although it was cold I still enjoyed it. The best part I enjoyed was when we went past the huge Buildings that I have never seen before. We looked at the iron man and sketched the iron man. We saw the law courts and some police cars some builders working on some buildings” – Husna, 23rd March 2010, Hodge Hill Primary School.

“I am writing to express my gratitude to you for the exciting excursion that you organised for us. Although it was cold it was still the experience of a lifetime. When I saw the bus I felt full of glee happily, I rushed up to the top of the bus. As the bus started I looked around the air was like a panoramic view just sitting up in the sky. I saw millennium point, law courts, jewelry courts (golden mine) and Victoria square. We saw a lot of unique Victorian architecture also I learnt that it was terracotta in colour. I would like to say that I really liked the wonderful experience. I would like to go on the big brum buz again - yours sincerely Iraj 23rd March 2010, Hodge Hill Primary School.

On Sunday 14th March when the bus was dressed in green we were part of the St Patrick’s Day Parade with a hairdo of a samba band dancing to the beat of Irish feet. To see 80,000 people enjoying the spectacle was absolutely amazing.

A tour of Birmingham to promote the Birmingham City of Culture Bid 2013 on the 17th of March - the real St Patricks Day included a trip to Edgbaston Reservoir. Immortalised in the famous statue on Ladywood Middleway, Charles Blondin crossed the Reservoir on a tightrope on 6th September 1873.

Birmingham Rotary club have booked the bus for an evening tour on Friday 23rd April before enjoying a fish and chip supper on the canal!

On a very warm sunny day on Saturday 24th April the Big Brum Buz in conjunction with Johnsons Coaches was launched again for the second year of operation. At the start of the day sitting in comfort on my mobile phone I was interviewed by Mollie Green of Radio WM – how relaxed was that! At 10.30 Ian Jelf the Chairman of the Heart of England Blue Badge Guide Association performed at his best and delighted everyone who joined us on the tour. Afterwards the Hotel du Vin provided a fabulous drinks and canapé reception and I would like to extend my thanks to them for their generosity in supporting the bus. Thanks go to Ian, all the Friends of the Big Brum Buz and to Phil Pemble of PPDG who took on the role of photographer. Later that day Diana Perowne was the guide for the free half hour taster tours which took place as part of the St George’s Day Festival and I am very grateful to Joanne Malin of Radio WM who was the broadcaster on the day in Victoria Square. Finally, the 3pm tour finished up beautifully with Morris dancers in full regalia on top of the bus – a really great start to the year.

Listen to my Mollie Green interview

Wednesday 16th June 2010

The Big Brum Buz went to Liverpool to help everyone take part in the judging for the City of Culture 2010 bid. It looked absolutely splendid branded with the Birmingham City of Culture logo and I was extremely proud to be involved.

To see what happened on the day check out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZbU8zkezCU

Newspaper coverage in the Birmingham Mail - Brum Bus on Road to Culture Final

Monday 5th July 2010

You want to make a difference to your wedding day – try the Big Brum Open Top Buz

Thursday 8th July 2010

Check out the photos from the High School Prom to beat all High School Proms! – photos courtesy of Jamie Cooke

Friday 9th July 2010

A tour of Birmingham for the international conference organised by the Brian Faul Foundation

Thursday 15th July 2010

The Birmingham Ethnic Education & Advisory Service organised a fabulous trip around Birmingham for a group of Bengali ladies learning English. Many of the ladies from Lozells some of whom had not been into the city centre thoroughly enjoyed their bird’s eye view of the city.

Friday 23rd July 2010

The judges for the Birmingham in Bloom competition checked out the fabulous flower displays in Birmingham – I know we will win.

Saturday 7th August 2010

The Lord & Lady Mayoress and guests were very kind to come and enjoy a tour on the Big Brum Buz – the sun shone all the way.

Sunday 29th August 2010

The bus provides free tickets as prizes for all kinds of charity events and a very special tour of Birmingham took place for families involved with the Leukaemia Care Charity.