Commonwealth Games opening ceremony: what do we think?

I lived in Hockley. Back to back houses, bomb sites, factories,. Couldn’t wait to leave Brum when I was old enough but how I’ve come to love and appreciate it over the years. My dads family lived by The Garrison which was proper Peaky Blunders country and my local park was Black Patch Park where the gypsies lived and where Charlie Chaplin was supposedly born.

We turned over to another programme because of all the rapping then turned back in time to watch the flag being handed over, the Australian contributions and then surprise
- Ozzie!

DH asked who he was ?

I went into the kitchen to wash up and nearly missed Ozzie! I’m so proud to be a Brummie tonight.

Amazing Music! Ozzy can still cut it!!!

Not looking too steady on his feet though.

And Ozzy closing brilliant!

I know of Ladywood fiorentina. My mum was born on Kings Heath in 1910 and Peaky Blinders started in the same place and time so I was really interested to see that series.

We enjoyed it

Born in Ladywood, which to any non Brummie sounds rather nice.
In fact, back in 1951 it was a warren of back to back houses interspersed with factories and bomb sites. It was one of the most deprived areas of the city, gradually becoming more gentrified now.
I can trace my family's Brummie roots back almost 300 years. Not a drop of blue blood. I come from a long line of hard working peasantry.
I enjoyed the opening ceremony very much. I'm not a fan of watching sport but I hope everyone who does enjoys the event.

How interesting Monk08. I haven’t been back to my old home in Handsworth Wood since I was 11 and I’m 75 now ! I have looked up my old house though on Google Instant Streetview and felt very nostalgic. Yes Solihull is definitely up a notch or two/three/four ?. We moved to Stratford-upon Avon and I still return there occasionally. We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary there last October.

NanKate we lived in Handsworth Wood when we got married. DH was born by the blues ground so a blues fan naturally. I was born in Solihull so considered posh by DH.

I have already posted that it was me and not Lucca who made that comment about Camilla. Why don't people read the posts?

I am about 30 miles south of Birmingham and I felt very proud of the Opening Ceremony. All the young people involved, volunteers, the artistry and choreography involved, welcoming the teams into the stadium, the red arrows display and not least the marvellous bull.
Enjoyed the storyline telling Birmingham’s history.
It is a wonderful, diverse city.

Slightly off piste.

Anyone on here who was born and bred in B’ham, what specific area do you come from? Handsworth Wood for me. My dear late mum, who had delusions of grandeur, told me always to say to folk I came from Handsworth Wood, which she thought was a few notches up from Handsworth. ?

silvercollie

Lucca - what has being rich got anything to do with looking good or the 'Commonwealth Games'?

And Franbern was not being rude. But you were claiming that the Duchess of Cornwall was looking good because she is rich.

Excuse me I most certainly was not claiming that !

Franbern was telling us off for comments about Camilla clothes

I think you a) need to read the thread properly and b) apologise to me.

I thought it was absolutely wonderful. Good on you Birmingham.

On BBC breakfast this morning, Mike Bushell went inside the bull to see how it worked. He spoke to the creators of it, and they said that after an initial time in Birmingham, it will most probably be dismantled and melted down. Apparently not feasible to leave it out on display and to house it inside would mean it going to a museum that has hangar sized accommodation for it!! I would have thought that having it as a display in the centre, would mean the games would live on in people's minds..
Every comment I have seen about it has been very favourable as to its likeness and what it stands for, the people of Birmingham should have it as a constant reminder of the games.

Being a Brummie born and bred, i loved the opening ceremony.
No bull s..t just facts.
For those who have never visited Birminham,honestly its a lovely welcoming place to visit.
The museums and art galleries are a delight.
And a walk along the canals is a must.

I thought it was great.
Congratulations to Birmingham!

I enjoyed it. So much so, missed programme I meant to watch! Have saved a link of kayaking round Birmingham’s canals, which may never do. But it sounds a great way to see the city. Have a good games Brum!

Thought the bull was a masterstroke of concept and construction. Wonderful. The car display was pretty ingenious too. I've been to Birminhgham often. Grand place.

Loved the Bull - magical
Lenny Henry - ??

It was me who commented that she's looking good because she's rich, not Lucca.

Lucca - what has being rich got anything to do with looking good or the 'Commonwealth Games'?

And Franbern was not being rude. But you were claiming that the Duchess of Cornwall was looking good because she is rich.

I liked the Birmingham Bull but, other than that, it was a hot mess. Not a patch on the Olympic opening ceremony but its their games and they can do what they like.