Social historian in the spotlight at Birmingham Press Club event

Social historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE will be under the spotlight as Press Club chairman Llewela Bailey puts the questions in the latest of a series of events featuring “Brum’s Finest.”

Styled as “An Evening With”, the event is being organised by Digbeth Dining Club, in association with Birmingham Press Club, and takes place at Hockley Social Club, 60 Hampton Street, B19 3LU, on Thursday, 1 February, commencing at 8pm.

Carl, who has a national reputation as a writer, teacher and public speaker, and is a leading expert on the social history of Birmingham, is the author of 35 books.

They include studies of working-class housing, urban working-class life, manufacturing Birmingham, the Black Country, illegal bookmaking (Carl was himself an off-course bookie), and ethnic minorities, He is also the co-author of Birmingham: The Workshop of the World – and has penned books exploring the true history of Birmingham’s Peaky Blinders gangs.

Llewela said: “Throughout his successful career Carl has been a staunch champion of Birmingham and the West Midlands and, as you can imagine, he has a treasure-chest of fascinating stories to tell. I am sure we are in for a very interesting evening.”

Although the event starts at 8 pm, street food and drinks will be available from 5 pm.

Tickets will cost just £10 each, payable at the door or by going on to the Hockley Social Club website.

Under 18s are allowed for free when accompanied by an adult ticket-holder. The night will be informal and table bookings are not required.