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Our first spin doctor

A Birmingham industrialist was one of the first to mechanise the cotton-spinning process - but was almost forgotten, writes Chris Upton.Read

Half-term days out

* Birmingham’s newest and biggest cinema will be opening for the first time during the half term holiday – and its operators are hoping you won’t believe your eyes.Read

Labour of love starts to bear fruit

Tom Oliver makes cider with a whole lotta love, writes Richard McComb.Read

The height of fame

Jinny Bunford stood out in a crowd and her towering frame and flowing locks were the source of much interest, writes Chris Upton.Read

Lee Child is reaching for new heights

Like his fictional hero Jack Reacher, best selling author Lee Child is tall and has a sturdy jaw – but is that where the similarity ends? Lorne Jackson meets him.Read

Pleasure of the park in Solihull

Graham Young explores a Solihull park which looks like new again after a £1million makeover.Read

Go geek to get chic

A new style guide takes the hassle out of grooming and fashion for the average man, finds Jon Perks.Read

Hand-crafted idealism

The Cotswold’s charm is due in no small part to the skilled artisans of Birmingham, writes Chris Upton.Read

Review: Birmingham Book Festival

Paul Ashton is paid to say “No”.Read

Born of frustration

Fed up with the poor choice of clothes to wear while pregnant, Moseley mum Amanda Rees took matters into her own hands and launched a new range herself. Zoe Chamberlain reports.Read

Leamington Spa town's long-held links with the Polish community

Chris Upton finds that the region's Polish community is not a new development.Read

Paul Ashton wants to be dazzled

Lorne Jackson meets the man responsible for finding the next generation of star writers for the BBC.Read

Will Self gets more than a walk-on part at Birmingham Book Festival

Author Will Self is on his way to the Birmingham Book Festival, but he won't be walking, he tells Lorne Jackson.Read

The autumn glow of the West Midlands countryside

The National Trust is encouraging more people to enjoy the great outdoors. Vicky Farncombe reports.Read

William Salt Library is a Staffordshire treasure

One man's passion to record the history of Staffordshire lives on to this very day, writes Chris Upton.Read

Bee conservation project launched at The Belfry golf club

The Belfry, the UK headquarters of the PGA, has just taken delivery of 30,000 honey bees, establishing a permanent colony in the hope of providing honey for breakfasts and afternoon teas. Read

A glimpse into the past at Ironbridge

One of the wonders of the industrial age is celebrating a quarter of a century as a World Heritage Site. Victoria Farncombe reports.Read

From South Africa to Staffordshire and an author's life for Candi Miller

Author Candi Miller has found inspiration in all sorts of strange and dangerous situations – not least the oppressive nature of her birth country, South Africa, writes Lorne Jackson.Read

A very English tea party, straight out of Worcestershire

Zoe Chamberlain meets a mother of two who turned her love of a cuppa into a business.Read

How Warwick Priory was moved to Virginia

Warwick's Priory is nowhere to be found in the town - but a reminder of the building does still exist in a surprising location, writes Chris Upton.Read