BIRMINGHAM POET DEDICATES LATEST VERSE TO LOCAL COMMUNITY

May 30 2006

A Birmingham poet is dedicating his latest verse to a local community hall, which helped him on the road to success. Birry, first performed his literary works at Phoenix Hall in Bordesley Village, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary.

"Staff at the community hall helped and supported me in the early days. I wanted to give something back to say thank you, so I have dedicated my latest poem to the Bordesley community." Said Birry.

'From a Land that time Forgot' will be performed by Birry and his group, Drumnation, at an event on 21st June, which will be held on the exact date that Phoenix Hall was opened by Government Minister, John Gummer in 1996.

Birry, has performed on stage, radio and television, working with young people, charity and voluntary groups. He has appeared on stage all over the world from the National Exhibition Centre to South Africa, at the Johannesburg Carnival.

The community hall has played a crucial role in supporting local families by providing playgroups, a before and after school club, senior citizens' lunch groups, Youth Club and Adult Education to name but a few.

Phoenix Hall in Bordesley Village, which ten years ago, was the UK's first new urban village, are part of a multi million pound regeneration programme in the Heartlands area. The regeneration was originally funded by the now defunct Heartlands Development Corporation and by Birmingham City Council. The community hall is managed by Bournville Village Trust and supported by the Bordesley Village Community Association.

Guests who attend the event will receive an official copy of the poem.