Ellen King

Government and Politics geek. Local government policy wonk. INLOGOV alum. Jo Cox Women in Leadership graduate.

[I Choose Birmingham @ichoosemag]

Remember there are those who grimace when they hear the city being spoken ill of but perhaps don't have the time nor the inclination to point a few things out.

That we have one of the five major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, for example, and the busiest single theatre in the country. That we have the UK's first ever purpose-built repertory theatre, one of the most thrilling conductors on Earth steering one of the best symphony orchestras and a citizenship that is fighting tooth and nail to save the oldest working cinema. We have two of the best street food venues in the land, Michelin stars and the first and only non-London Indian restaurant to win not just one star, but two.

The best gin bar in Britain and, coincidentally, one of the best bars in the country. The funniest and friendliest people you could ever want to meet. Almost 600 parks, 14 square miles of greenery, more than any other equivalent sized European city.

The single best square half a mile of Indian subcontinental food. Two of the very best urban music festivals for miles and miles around. A gay village and a Chinese Quarter that mesh into the same outstanding suburb. The largest independent museums trust in the United Kingdom. An internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue that takes more risks than any gallery I experienced in 13 years in the capital. One of the most bohemian districts known to man and a hotbed for street art.

Lycett.

The only Baths in the country built before 1914 to have continuously hosted swimming since opening. Europe's largest concentration of jewellery traders and designers. An official gayborhood alongside the likes of The Castro, San Francisco and The Marais in Paris.The longest-established of Britain's building-based theatre companies and one of its most consistently innovative.

Hammond.

The first music school to be established in England outside London and still one of the best. Bonehead! One of the best athletics stadiums in the country and the largest facility of its kind in the UK. The National Sea Life Centre. The National Exhibition Centre. The National Indoor Arena and long memories.

The social, cultural, financial and commercial centre of the Midlands.The largest public library in the United Kingdom and the largest regional library in Europe.

Britain's most important Shakespeare collection. The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork yet found, anywhere, ever. Works by Constable, Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Monet, Turner, Bacon, Rubens, Degas, Renoir, Botticelli, Van Dyck, Gauguin, Whistler and countless more — all free to see.

The first building to be purpose-built for the study of art history in the United Kingdom. One of the world's largest coin collections. Symphony Hall — the finest acoustics in the country. Snobs. Still. Somehow. Mr Egg. Still. Somehow. Cat Deeley!

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@THTorguk @RichardAngell What wonderful news! Congratulations, Richard

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@jesstud @wearenewlocal @adamjlent Congratulations! You will ace it x

[Richard Angell 🇺🇦 @RichardAngell]

We're looking for a new person to be appointed to the @THTorguk Board of Trustees.

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 12 May 2024. Interviews will follow. It is a volunteer role, but reasonable expenses will be covered.

https://t.co/vY7pvVYuQD

[Scope @scope]

Ableist assumptions can become reality by creating barriers for disabled people.

It's time to change perspective 👓

📹 "Assume I can. So maybe I will."

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@SoVeryBritish @amyjpotts

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

Also buzzing, what a day! It was such a privilege to learn from sector experts and we all came away feeling energised and excited for the next stages. Thank you @jesstud @wearenewlocal @Jasonlowther @INLOGOV @LocalTrust. I can’t wait to turn today’s ideas into action.

[@jesstud.bsky.social @jesstud]

Buzzing from a great day with the team at @WestLindseyDC including a workshop on community power alongside contributions from @Jasonlowther @LocalTrust. A very fun part of my job, to share & learn more about #communitypower in practice.

[Bassetlaw Council @BassetlawDC]

Former Leaders become Aldermen

Bassetlaw District Council has recognised the commitment and service of two of its former leaders with the title of Honorary Alderman.

Read the full story on the Latest News section of our website: https://t.co/2lyqa96TWv

[Tom Knowles @tkbeynon]

There’s this guy on TikTok who does nursery rhymes in the style of his favourite bands and the production standards are insane. This Mumford and Sons style rendition of You Are My Sunshine is genuinely as good as a song they would release

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@revkatebottley “Breathe out, so I can breathe you in. Hold you in.”

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@josierones 💚

[Simon Greaves @Simon__Greaves]

Brilliant news that Bassetlaw has been chosen as the site for the UK’s world leading STEP programme. Billions of inward investment and Tens of thousands of high paid, high skilled new jobs. I backed the project from day 1, and delighted that Bassetlaw has rightly been selected.

[Bassetlaw Food Bank @BassetlawB]

Our shortages list this week is:

🐟️ 🥣 🍓 😻 👶 🥛

- Tinned tuna
- Porridge sachets
- Jam
- Dry cat food
- Disinfectant
- Super + tampons
- Size 6 nappies
- 1 pint long life milk

Please retweet!

#bassetlawfoodbank #foodbank #bassetlaw #shortageslist #needslist #thankyou

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@Dippididooda @Nice_Matin @F3cotedazur Yes, we are in Biot and heard it too

[Joe Lycett @joelycett]

Never seen my city like it. So sad it’s over. Come see us some time! You’d be very welcome, bab. #Birmigham2022

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

@CFO_Nottsfire Thank you to you and your team for everything you are doing

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

❤️

[BAB ABOUT TOWN @Bababouttown]

Well this is pretty incredible to see....
Walking past people saying "I wouldn't think to go to Birmingham but my god its wonderful" and people shouting "Big up Brum" and all I can heat is constant praise for this City and I'm absolutely loving it. About bloody time.

[Lionesses @Lionesses]

WE ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS! 🤩🏆

[Ellen King @ellenjuliaking]

Proud and homesick in equal measure. So excited to see Brum on the world stage!

[Birmingham 2022 @birminghamcg22]

🤫 @joelycett

🤣🤣

#B2022 is ALMOST HERE!

Watch the Opening Ceremony coverage from 8pm on @BBCOne and iPlayer!

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

If you read one thing this year, please let it be this post by @Joanna__Hardy. It is without a shadow of the doubt the best thing that's ever appeared on this blog. It is just stupendously, heartbreakingly, achingly brilliant.

https://t.co/IdNJPDwH3v