EDITOR'S CHOICE

It seems strange to be finally arriving at the first warmth of spring with the knowledge that many of us will have to withdraw into a type of hibernation. Even Hollywood star and Aston Villa fan Tom Hanks is having to endure self-isolation (this is no time for jokes, Bluenoses). How can we cope with the restrictions of four walls as the sun begins to shine at what should be the celebration of Easter? Here’s my guide to a very Moseley selfisolation... There’s always the books we never get around to reading (you all claim to have read the complete works of The Lord of the Rings as Tolkien-territory residents, but have you really...?) so this could be your opportunity to race through them. Did you know that Jonathan Coe’s The Rotters’ Club includes Moseley in its vision of 1970s Birmingham? The book appears to hold the record for the longest sentence in the English language (13,955 words) and ME, MYSELF AND I: A GUIDE TO SELF-ISOLATION its recent sequel Middle England follows the same set of characters through Trump and Brexit. If you’re looking for something brand new, the memoir Broken Greek by music journalist Peter Paphides is getting rave reviews. The memoir details Paphides’s life growing up above family chip shops in Acocks Green and Olton, and his obsession with music. Peter also remembers signing a petition to save Moseley Bog but does admit to initially believing it to be a campaign to preserve a toilet. Paphides is married to fellow Midlander and journalist Caitlin Moran. Moran’s semi-autobiographical sitcom Raised by Wolves also remembers a childhood in the region, but it was reimagined in modern times. Peter will be at Moseley Folk & Arts Festival as part of the promotion for Broken Greek. On the subject of Moseley Folk Festival, you could always download and get to know some of the artists featured in

To complement the beautiful music, the saying “Andrà tutto bene” is something the Italians have repeated during their darkest hour. The English translation is “everything will be fine”, and these are good words to remember while we are enduring difficult and uncertain times.

Mark Baxter

this year’s line-up. The festival includes local legends The Wonder Stuff, Stephen Duffy and The Nightingales, and I highly rate Dana Gavanski, The Staves and Gruff Rhys. The Waterboys are also a fantastic headliner but I’m left forever connecting the band’s The Whole of the Moon with Graham’s Norton’s annoying and hyperactive priest Noel Furlong in Father Ted. With so much live music having to be cancelled, it’s crucial to support artists by purchasing their work. Music reminds me of those glorious scenes of self- isolating Italians, appearing positively connected and in harmony with their neighbours, singing and playing instruments on balconies. Sadly, I don’t think we can expect the same in this country but as we are a suburb full of musicians, perhaps we can have window and garden gigs and fill B13 with the sound of ukuleles and singing...? However you reach out to others, whether it’s through the medium of music or whatever it is you have to give, please be kind and supportive (if you are able to do so based on your circumstances).