In a world where the internet connects us all, there's a certain magic about diving into the heart of our towns, discovering their unique quirks and hidden gems. Sarah Morgans, our incredible Heart of the Midlands Community has put in so much work to bring Internet Done Properly to all of the below towns and connecting with communities.
Erdington
Erdington has been around for a long time, even before the Romans! The streets hold secrets from ancient times, like Chester Road, one of the oldest roads in the area. Plus, the bricks for many houses were made right here until World War II. Ever heard of Six Ways? It's said to be the oldest traffic roundabout in the UK. And, Erdington was a hot spot for rock and roll in the 60s, with a club called Mothers where Pink Floyd played live.
Redditch
Redditch used to be the world's hotspot for making needles and fishing gear back in the 19th century (more than 90% of the world’s needles were made in Redditch). Earlier this year, we sponsored the very first roundabout in Redditch by Salters Lane/Brockhill Drive. Have you spotted it? Some of the cool facts about Redditch: Harry Styles and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin were born here! Redditch even made a motorbike in World War II that could be dropped by parachute, which was called the Flying Flea.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is most famous for one thing: Shakespeare! He was born and buried here, making it a must-visit for literature lovers. But, there's more to it than that! Kylie Minogue once poured pints at a pub here, and the town's oldest pub, The Garrick Inn, has some ghostly tales to tell. Plus, it's home to the UK's biggest butterfly farm – how cool is that?
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is known as The Royal Town because a king gave it a special title back in the day. It's a town with deep roots, boasting ancient Roman roads and some seriously fancy homes. And if you're into sports, you'd be thrilled to know they recently hosted a big triathlon! Plus, did you know Sutton Coldfield was the first place outside London to broadcast TV? And let's not forget that Sutton Coldfield has produced some notable TV personalities, such as Cat Deeley and Emma Willis!