Here, John McMahon of Birmingham’s premier Irish magazine, An Craic, has very kindly written an article for us to bring us up to date with what happened at the EGM recently:

Having successfully arranged the previous two Festivals, the St Patrick’s board have now passed on the torch to new directors – synching with the torch bearing tradition of this the Olympic year. Not surprising then that the main focus for the parade on Sunday March 11 is Irish Sport, and it is with great pleasure that the leading lights of Irish sports men and women based in Birmingham have been asked to be this year’s flag bearers. If you’re a sportsperson with Irish connections – get in touch – for yourself, your sport or your team. We’d love your support at this years parade.

Preparations are well underway to continue the great tradition of the Birmingham St Patrick’s Parade and its supporting fringe events. The civic reception and launch this year will be at The Irish Centre on Friday March 9th. Set your clocks though to be bright and early at the main event – The Parade – Sunday March 11 at twelve noon. As ever the principal feature and focus is The Birmingham Irish and its surrounding communities – blending the traditional with the contemporary: floats and walking groups from the counties, traditional marching bands, GAA groups, dancing schools and the general weird and whacky of Parade day. ‘St PatRocks’ will continue the custom started several years ago of showcasing more contemporary local Irish bands whose members have Irish roots – this will be hosted at the HMV institute.

As with previous years anyone heading to Digbeth on parade day will be submersed in a sea of green and overwhelmed by the infectious sense of such a good natured and joyous occasion. Marvel at the parade – and then enjoy the Craic in many of Digbeth’s finest hostelries – many of which remain resolutely Irish in their devotion. Other fringe events leading up to St Patrick’s Day itself include an Irish Film night, Art installation, Race night, Irish Ale night, Irish literary event and Irish music nights.

We need You. As ever being a voluntary organisation we really do count on the support of individuals – so whether you can volunteer as a steward, are keen to enter a float or walk in the parade, are prepared to help raise sponsorship for us – do contact us. And if everyone can remember to throw a pound into the collection boxes – you will be doing your community proud.

St Patrick’s Festival 2012 starts with the civic reception and launch night on Friday 9th March at The Irish Centre. For tickets and details of the launch, parade and all St Patricks’ events – visit the website at stpatricksbirmingham.com.

Thanks John!

Do you know your films, music, art? Well this will be a fun night of trivia to test your knowledge!

To enter the quiz costs £10 per person, with a maximum of six people per team. All proceeds from the quiz will go to the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal. There will also be a raffle great prizes.

For more information, email merlinmason@blueyonder.co.uk or call 07790 753 012.

If you missed it, please click here to listen to the whole show, but you only have 5 days left to listen online!
DRA is mentioned in the news at 31 minutes in, and 39 (and a bit minutes) in Val is interviewed by Phil Upton.

Well done to Val and here’s to DRA gaining more local media coverage in future. Of course, we will keep you up to date with any information we hear about the St Patrick’s Day Festival 2012 as soon as we know about it.

To make sure you don’t miss out, click here to sign up to email alerts from mydigbeth.

Please listen in to hear Val discuss the St Patrick’s Festival!

Do you want the St Patrick’s Day Parade to go ahead this year?

If so, please attend this evening’s meeting!

Is the St Patrick’s Day Parade Important to you or your business?

The Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade is in jeopardy this year. There will be a meeting this week to explain the issues, and how the whole community needs to help to ensure it goes ahead.

Please attend if you can – make sure to invite friends, family and business acquaintances to the meeting too!

I was unaware that there is live Irish folk music at The Big Bulls Head on Thursday evenings until I popped in the Thursday before Christmas. Below is a little snippet of what we heard.

Irish ‘Filum Night’ at The Spotted Dog this Monday 12th December sees a screening of Juno and the Paycock, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1930 film of Sean O’Casey’s play. If you’re leaking money in the run-up to Christmas, this might serve as a useful lesson in tightening those purse strings and taking care of what’s really important!

During the Irish revolution, a family earns a big inheritance. They start leading a rich life forgetting what the most important values are… [IMDb]

Join us at 8pm in The Spotted Dog this Monday 12th December for free Filum, tea, buns and friendly chat!

The Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival and Parade 2012 will take place on Sunday 11th March 2012.

To keep updated about the plans for the festival, or to get involved (you don’t have to be Irish or a Digbeth-ite to volunteer), please visit the St Patrick’s website for more information.

There’s to be a night of dancing, proverb treasure hunts and a ceilidh band at The Spotted Dog pub next Wednesday 30th November from 7.30pm. Entry is free!