Greetings,
As the older contributors to these pages will no doubt be aware, the 21st November will mark the 40th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. There are moves afoot among Blues fans to try to persuade our club to mark terrible events of that night with some form of commemoration before the start of the match against Forest on 29th November.
I know you have a home match against Southampton coming up and you may wish to do something similar.
If you're supportive, I'm not sure who the best point of contact at your club would be, but Blues fans are contacting the club's customer service manager. I've pasted in the email I sent to Blues below; feel free to copy and paste:
Dear ___________
I understand that Birmingham City FC are looking into the possibility of marking the 40th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings later this month. You will no doubt be aware that the two pub bombings, which took place on 21st November 1974, killed 21 innocent people and injured another 182 and remains one of the worst terrorist atrocities to hit mainland Britain.
As a supporter of the club, I would like to add my own name to those you may have already received requesting such a commemoration and would ask that the club give serious consideration to marking the event in an appropriate manner before the start of the match against Nottingham Forest..
Yours sincerely
Birmingham Pub bombings: 40 years on
posted on 10/11/14
Did they do anything for the 5th, 10th, 15th...35th anniverssaries?
If not, why the 40th?
posted on 10/11/14
Fair point.
There has been a renewed campaign in Brum over the past couple of years to get the investigation into the bombings re-opened, much to the displeasure of the authorities (and in the face of at worst,a lot apathy or at least a lack of awareness, on the part of Brummies, it has to be said).
I suspect the impetus is coming from that. It's as much an attempt to raise awareness of that as to commemorate the tragedy. It was,after all -apart from the London bombings of 2005 -the worst act of terrorism (i.e. killing the most people) to take place in this country and to date it doesn't appear that justice has been done despite the authorities apparantly knowling who committed the crimes.
The families have been asking for a re-opening of the case since the freeing of the Birmingham six, 25 years or so ago. While I can see the logic in your question, I, personally, support this at this time.
Were this crime committed in Mancheter, or Liverpool and no-one brought to justice, I doubt the authorities would have got off so lightly.
posted on 10/11/14
I agree Den but do agree also why hasn't anything been done sooner.
Were this crime committed in Manchester, or Liverpool and no-one brought to justice, I doubt the authorities would have got off so lightly
Doubt too much will come of it sadly the worlds more interested in Kim Kardashian and Simon Cowell
posted on 10/11/14
One of the most terrifying nights my mother has ever experienced.
I was in a hospital following fairly major surgery (considering I was barely 3 months old) with my mother by my side.
She recounts the screaming, the constant blaring sirens and the panic amongst the hospital staff at the time.
They picked the wrong city though.
Someone knows who did it and I'm confident they were suitably discouraged from trying again - especially considering it was pretty much a failure.
Questionable now as to whether the perps are still alive.
If they are, they can be found and have justice suitably applied.
Go get 'em I say.
posted on 12/11/14
Got to agree with both Andy Gray and TFAV. Someone does know who did it, and people in Birmingham's Irish community suffered backlash at the time. I used to drink in the Tavern in the Town and the Mulberry Bush quite regularly when I was a student back then, but I'm just not sure how effective our clubs' actions might be now, but I suppose any conscious act has to be good.
posted on 12/11/14
Aries
I think Den's post is top notch but on the other hand being as cynical as I am now I fear people don't really care
posted on 16/11/14
Wasn't that the Hickys who were framed and then later let off?
On another note,shame Famous Aston Vile's early lobotomy so obviously failed!
posted on 16/11/14
There will be no inquest - the 75 year D-Notice cannot be revoked.
The reasons for the 75 year rule are political and a matter of national security. One only has to look at the antics of Ted Heath and Lord Mountbatten to know why this is so.
Both the Monarchy and Parliament would be overthrown if ever the MSM were allowed to report the truth. It will never happen.
posted on 16/11/14
http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/cia-mossad-mi5-and-kincora-boys-home.html?m=1
Something to chew on.