Stalwart councillor who was a catalyst for city arts scene

Former deputy council leader dies aged 86

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Birmingham Labour councillor and deputy city leader who helped create the city’s flourishing arts and cultural scene.

Bryan Bird died last month aged 86.

Mr Bird chaired the council's leisure services committee for many years and helped develop new leisure centres, such as Cocks Moors Woods, in Kings Heath. He drove through the policy of ‘dual use’ school facilities, where school playing fields and sports centres were opened up for use by local communities outside school hours.

He also worked with Graham Vick, an internationally renowned opera director, who was establishing the City of Birmingham Touring Opera, taking opera to new audiences and involving communities in their production.

It launched in September 1987 with a production of ‘Falstaff’ at Cocks Moors Woods, and continues today as the Birmingham Opera Company.

He worked closely with the CBSO, the orchestra having been provided with a new concert hall as part of the International Convention Centre, and created the annual Fireworks Fantasia at Cannon Hill Park.