To Coyne A Phrase

One day Mike Prince will come

PRINCE, for those who don’t know, is the former ATV presenter who is one of those behind the launch of new regional TV station Big Centre TV, which kicks off a week on Saturday.

Kaleidoscope, the company behind the station, has brought in some well-known local faces including former Central TV journalist Bob Hall on news and former Evening Mail journo Lisa Smith on sport.

There’s also a bit of a golden oldie feel with ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton lined up for a chat show and rumours of the likes of Ed ‘Stewport’ Stewart and Pete Murray – who is now 89 – getting involved.

Critics have pounced on its programming plans and to be truthful coverage of Canadian ice hockey and bowls and a motoring show called Land Rover Live would seem to have a limited appeal while hopefully rumours of a Crossroads revival are just that.

But we wish them well – apart from when they get involved in business news of course – and a regional channel, as opposed to a regional news/features programme such as Midlands Today, is an interesting concept.

The important thing is that after years of promises it is finally here and Prince and his colleagues should be congratulated for that.

After a two year struggle the company that had previously held the licence for a local TV channel entered administration in August and Prince and co’s Kaleidoscope was awarded the contract by Ofcom. They have achieved a lot in a short amount of time.

I, like many journalists around town, have my doubts about whether there is demand for a regional channel and whether there will be much interest from viewers and advertisers in programmes made on a shoestring but let’s wait and see.

Now, has anyone got a number for Benny and Miss Diane?

Emergency drumming service required

BIRMINGHAM’S premier charity band, the Demons of Tune, are on the lookout for a new drummer following the sad news that their legendary skinsman John Van Boolen (or JVB as he is known to his adoring fans) is hanging up his sticks due to other commitments. 

The band is comprised of members of the Birmingham professional community – bankers, lawyers accountants etc – and have helped raised more than £250,000 for various local charities over the last 15 years. 

JVB was instrumental (excuse the pun) in the band getting to that number – most recently selling out the Jam House on a wet Wednesday night in November, raising thousands for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and MacMillan.

His former band members say he will be sadly missed but there is an opportunity for someone new to get involved.

So if you’re a great drummer, and ideally you work in the Birmingham professional community, this may be for you. 

If you fancy playing at packed venues for good causes, and if you are happy to do it for kicks and curry, please drop the band an email at beerandcurry@demonsoftune.net.

The diary of a football fan (part 107)

BLACK Country PR dynamo Russ Cockburn’s trials and tribulations in following his beloved Wolves continue.

Given a lift to far-flung Norwich last weekend, he was 20 miles outside the city famous for its cathedral and its mustard when the driver seemed to have a moment of madness and in attempting to steer his new Renault Megane into a lay-by at 70mph ended up in a ditch. Fortunately, no one was hurt but the car could no longer be driven and will cost more than £7,000 to put right.

After the game it was onto the phones to get things sorted out and eventually Russ and co got a lift back to the Wolverhampton area on the breakdown truck with the car.

He eventually arrived back at his swanky Albrighton manor house at 3.45am.

And of course to add insult to injury Wolves lost 2-0!

At least he’s got a home game to look forward to on Saturday. Surely he can’t get into trouble there can he?

Have a great weekend.