Birmingham, UK – Fabulous Brum and the Brummies
The National Prejudice Against Birmingham Is Not Shared by Tourists
Jun 5, 2009
Birmingham, second largest city in the United Kingdom, is affectionately known as Brum by the locals, who also refer to themselves as Brummies. This much-maligned city has a distinctive ethos and much to be proud of, as Brummie historian and radio personality, Dr Carl Chinn makes clear in his speaking circuit engagements. The author was present on 4 June 2009 for fundraiser “A Night with Carl Chinn” at All Saints Church, King’s Heath, Birmingham and is indebted to Dr Chinn’s entertaining presentation for much of the information in this article. Birmingham is a vibrant city with a great cultural presence and has much to offer the tourist.
The Origin of the term Brummy or Brummie for natives of Birmingham
Brummagem is a local dialect variant for the name Birmingham, dating back to the Middle Ages, and apparently stems from Bromich Ham. The name Brummagem prevailed for a time during the Industrial Revolution and became associated with a range of cheap, second-rate goods.
The name and ill-fame spread around the world and, to this day, in rural Australia, a new item that fails to work, is called a ‘Brummy’ [author’s experience]. Dr Chinn believes that wealthy industrialists such as Matthew Boulton, suffering from the bad reputation earned by second-rate shoddy manufacturers, worked to clean up the city’s bad name and may well have promoted the name Birmingham to overcome prejudice against the older dialect name of Brummagem. Nevertheless, the short form Brum is used freely by local residents and to be a Brummie is a matter of pride.
A National Prejudice Against Birmingham
The Telegraph (29 July 2008) reported that a survey conducted in 2008 revealed that 99% of Britons would rather speak with any regional accent other than the Birmingham accent. Dr Chinn told his audience at “A Night With Carl Chinn” that the BBC gets complaints about his Brummie voice when he broadcasts.
Dr Chinn suggests that the prejudice against the Brummie voice is merely an extension of a long-held prejudice against the city – one which even results in TV shows typecasting villains, the stupid and uncultured with Brummie accents.
On 3 May 2009, Gail Adams, a senior government official, opened a major conference by telling the 150 delegates that she was not surprised to find the city ‘still stinking of urine’. The Chester Chronicle (4 May 2009) reports that Mrs Adams later called it an “icebreaker’ and ‘a joke’. The joke did not go down well with the civic fathers who are trying to promote Brum as a place for investment and tourism. Carl Chinn saw it as another example of ‘the national prejudice against Birmingham’.
This soured vision of Birmingham probably originated in the 19th Century when it was the noisy, dirty ‘engine room of the Industrial Revolution’, a sprawling, crowded city wracked with poverty. Any tourist can vouch that Birmingham has changed somewhat since the 19th Century!
Birmingham – City of Culture
As a backlash against this poverty and the de-humanised living conditions for the working class poor, Dr Chinn asserts, evangelizing preachers such as John Wesley began to challenge wealthy church-goers to live the Gospel and aid the poor. The demand was to lift the poor physically, spiritually and intellectually – and the response was spectacular.
Historical Development of Cultural Institutions in Birmingham
The Town Hall opened in 1834 as a music and lecture hall for the people. TheBirmingham City website states proudly that conductors and musicians who have performed in the Town Hall include Mendelssohn, Elgar, Menuhin, and Rachmaninoff.
Over time, money raised by subscription built a fine museum and art gallery housing one of the best British collections of Pre-Raphaelite art. Public recreation spaces were gifted to the people. The most profound move, Carl Chinn believes, was the development of the free library system, giving the working class poor ready access to knowledge and ideas.
A Tourist Eye View of Birmingham
The cultural legacy of the past is there in abundance to be enjoyed by the visitor. The Art Gallery and Museum, much expanded, is one of the best in the country. The city has its own symphony orchestra, plus a chamber orchestra and a non-professional philharmonic orchestra. Outer suburb Walsall has a symphony orchestra and Jazz big band orchestra. The arts are thriving and a variety of music festivals, especially jazz and folk, occur throughout the year.
A visit to the Information Office near New Street Railway Station will show the visitor that he or she is spoiled for choice. Every week there is a wide selection of music venues, live theatre, top-name acts and musicals.
Shopping and dining are excellent. Attractions include the National Sealife Centre, the Dudley Zoo, various fine historical houses and, of course, the canals that run through the town.
Should any tourist be planning a British itinerary, ignore the possible sneers from the rest of Britain and go see the best of Britain. Birmingham and the delightfully – accented Brummies are well worth a visit.
 |
 |
 |
 |
