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All posts are shown in chronological order.

Co-ops

The Woodland Games 2024

I had played with The Artefact House Band in the 2023 edition of the Woodland Games. It was great fun, and I was overjoyed to have the same opportunity in

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Co-ops

Supporting Birmingham Pride

On Saturday May the 25th I had the joy of supporting Birmingham Pride with Central Co-0p. Central Co-op has supported Birmingham Pride for a number of years, and I’ve attended

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Society

Artefact’s Christmas Purgatory

An Artefact introduction I am a member of Artefact, a workers Co-op based in Stirchley. Until recently Artefact had an art gallery/ performance space on Stirchley High Street. This closed

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Co-ops

Central Co-op Men’s Voices event

On November the 14th 2023, I participated in Central Co-op’s Men’s Voices Event. This event was about giving men an opportunity to talk and take part in activities that affect

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Co-ops

The Woodland Games 2023

An introduction to the Woodland Games September the 9th 2023 saw the second iteration of the Woodland Games; a nature based, family sports day at the Hazelwell Park in Stirchley

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Society

Wellington Quiz Art Round

Inspired by me joining the Art Co-op Artefact in Stirchley this edition of the creative round is about creating a piece of art. The art can be in whatever form

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Co-ops

Digbeth Community Garden

Digging Holes Yesterday I cycled  to Digbeth Community Garden to help out. Stalwart Adam was joined by Fabio and me. We dug holes. As we dug these holes, I listened

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Campaigning

York Road Pedestrianisation

Shaz visits York Road to see how a few bollards, planters and seating have turned a road from a car park to a public space that lots of people can enjoy.

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Campaigning

Selly Oak Cycle Infrastructure

I’ve written before about the A38 Bus lane between Selly Oak and Northfield. I performed a dramatic U turn in my thoughts about it. I went from being anti the

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Campaigning

The Tyseley Incinerator

A brief history It is a not well known fact that Birmingham has an incinerator located in Tyseley. What an incinerator does is take waste and burn it to produce

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Campaigning

A local low traffic neighbourhood.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are now being implemented all across the country. They have existed for decades in various forms, but have found themselves in the spotlight

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Society

My favourite tree

Shaz picks his favourite set of trees for Birmingham Friend’s of the Earth’s “More Trees please!” Campaign

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Society

#SpeakingOut

Tom Pratt and Shaz Rahman explore the #SpeakingOut scandal that has rocked professional wrestling

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All Topical Posts

All posts are shown in chronological order.

Co-ops

The Woodland Games 2024

I had played with The Artefact House Band in the 2023 edition of the Woodland Games. It was great fun, and I was overjoyed to

Campaigning

Fairtrade Quiz Design Round 15.9.2024

The opening round of the Fairtrade Quiz will be to design a Fairtrade product and supply chain. You can pick any product, such as chocolate,

Society

Wellington Creative Round 23.6.2024

The sporting summer is with us. We have Euro 2024 at the moment with plenty more sport on the way, including Wimbledon, and the Olympics.

Co-ops

Supporting Birmingham Pride

On Saturday May the 25th I had the joy of supporting Birmingham Pride with Central Co-0p. Central Co-op has supported Birmingham Pride for a number

Society

Wellington Quiz Creative Round 26.5.2024

Create your own election manifesto   Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised everybody, including his own party, by calling a General Election for Thursday the

Society

Artefact’s Christmas Purgatory

An Artefact introduction I am a member of Artefact, a workers Co-op based in Stirchley. Until recently Artefact had an art gallery/ performance space on

Campaigning

Warm Homes Day of Action in Northfield

My Background I am a resident of Northfield Constituency in South West Birmingham. I have been working in the energy efficiency sector for the past

Co-ops

Central Co-op Men’s Voices event

On November the 14th 2023, I participated in Central Co-op’s Men’s Voices Event. This event was about giving men an opportunity to talk and take

Society

Wellington Quiz Creative Round 10.12.2023

Design Your Own Video Game   The trailer of much-anticipated GTA 6 was finally officially released after it was leaked. If you enjoy video games,

Co-ops

The Woodland Games 2023

An introduction to the Woodland Games September the 9th 2023 saw the second iteration of the Woodland Games; a nature based, family sports day at

Society

Wellington Quiz Art Round 12.11.2023

As we all know, the German Christmas Market is back… but if you were given the chance to design your own market or fair, what

Society

Wellington Quiz Details 23.7.2023

For this weeks creative round please explain the meaning of life. This could be in word form, picture form, or interpretive dance. What is the

Society

Wellington Quiz Art Round

Inspired by me joining the Art Co-op Artefact in Stirchley this edition of the creative round is about creating a piece of art. The art

Co-ops

Digbeth Community Garden

Digging Holes Yesterday I cycled  to Digbeth Community Garden to help out. Stalwart Adam was joined by Fabio and me. We dug holes. As we

Society

Details for Wellington Quiz 6.3.2022

Opening round    Rather than a picture round. The opening round is a creative round. You have to design a political party. A name for

Co-ops

Just Film Festival

Birmingham Film Co-op held an online film festival with an in person awards ceremony at the Warehouse Cafe

Campaigning

York Road Pedestrianisation

Shaz visits York Road to see how a few bollards, planters and seating have turned a road from a car park to a public space that lots of people can enjoy.

Campaigning

Kings Heath Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN)

Birmingham and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have become a controversial topic in Birmingham over the past six months. There were LTN’s in

Campaigning

Selly Oak Cycle Infrastructure

I’ve written before about the A38 Bus lane between Selly Oak and Northfield. I performed a dramatic U turn in my thoughts about it. I

Campaigning

The Tyseley Incinerator

A brief history It is a not well known fact that Birmingham has an incinerator located in Tyseley. What an incinerator does is take waste

Campaigning

Consultation on the hierarchy of road users

More Consultation Fun! There is currently a live government consultation about changes to the Highway Code. These changes are designed to help those deemed to

Campaigning

A local low traffic neighbourhood.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are now being implemented all across the country. They have existed for decades in various forms, but have

Society

Reading an Energy Performance Certificate

What is an EPC? In my day job I complete Energy Performance Certificates. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property.

Society

My favourite tree

Shaz picks his favourite set of trees for Birmingham Friend’s of the Earth’s “More Trees please!” Campaign

Society

Gardening update

Shaz writes about his recent gardening activities.

Society

Buying my home

Shaz writes about his home buying experience.

Co-ops

My Co-op History

Shaz writes about his near ten years of experience in the Co-op movement

Society

#SpeakingOut

Tom Pratt and Shaz Rahman explore the #SpeakingOut scandal that has rocked professional wrestling

Campaigning

Cycling post Covid 19

Shaz asks about what is happening with cycling currently and what may happen post Covid 19

Campaigning

The face of austerity

My walk through a train station I regularly use trains in Birmingham. I live a 15 minute walk from a train station. Birmingham New Street

Campaigning

The A38 and A41 cycle paths

Back in 2013 and 2014 I led an air pollution and cycling campaign for Birmingham Friends of the Earth. It took four years for segregated, high quality cycle infrastructure to be installed. This article is about how campaign wins aren’t always achieved in the way envisaged.

Society

5 Energy Saving tips to reduce energy usage

Almost 6 years ago I posted this energy efficiency blog post about reducing energy use. Whilst 6 years have passed the information remains relevant. So here are my top 5 Energy Saving tips to reduce energy usage.

Society

A better way to carbon offset

In this article Shaz explores carbon offsetting as a concept and looks at a better way to limit the environmental damage of flying. He argues that being an active citizen is the best way to carbon offset.