Birmingham Walk of Stars

The Birmingham Walk of Stars is an installation on the pedestrian pavement on Broad Street, Birmingham, England. It is of a similar style to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. It is funded by the Broad Street Business Improvement District (BID).

Criteria

The criteria for a person to have their star added to the walk include that they must have performed at one of Birmingham's major venues such as the International Convention Centre (ICC), National Indoor Arena (NIA), Symphony Hall and The REP theatre. They must also be originally from the area or have prominent links with Birmingham and the Midlands region. The walk honours the residents of the city who have made a significant contribution in the categories of music, television, film, radio, theatre, sport, business and literacy.

History

The idea for a Walk of Fame style tribute was first thought of by a local Birmingham man Garry Raybould, who then approached Steve Hewlett at the Broad Street Business Improvement District who developed the idea. The name Walk of Stars was created together with a brand and website developed by Birmingham design company 383 Project, www.walkofstars.co.uk quickly became very popular and was chosen by Radio 2 as 'Website of the Day' The first star to be honoured was Ozzy Osbourne on July 6, 2007. The event was held in Centenary Square and introduced by Elliot Webb from Birmingham's commercial radio station BRMB and the star was presented to Ozzy by Lord Mayor of Birmingham Randal Brew. [ [http://www.walkofstars.co.uk/?p=70 Ozzy's Coming Home - July 6th 2007 3pm - 4.30pm] ] [ [http://www.walkofstars.co.uk/?p=74 Ozzy Comes Home To Be Our First Star] ] [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6668385.stm Ozzy on home city's Walk of Stars] " - BBC News, 18 May 2007 (Accessed November 6, 2007)]

The Ozzy Osbourne presentation created £1.7M worth of worldwide publicity for the area. Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy's wife, recorded in her autobiography Survivor, 'Birmingham is Ozzy's hometown and he's always more nervous there than anywhere else, knowing that so many family and friends will be watching him. He's being honoured in Birmingham's brand new Walk of Fame - their very first invitee and I know it's going to be emotional for him.'

Comedian Jasper Carrott was the second person to have a star installed on Broad Street on September 15, 2007. The star was presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham during ArtsFest in front of a 10,000 strong crowd. [ [http://www.walkofstars.co.uk/?p=98 Jasper Carrott To Be The Next Star] ] [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6996570.stm Carrott on Brummie Walk of Stars] " - BBC News, 15 September 2007 (Accessed November 6, 2007)] In December 2007, Noddy Holder became the third inductee on the Walk of Stars which was presented to him on a canal boat, during the Broad Street Christmas Canal Boat Light Parade.

The stars were briefly fenced off following safety concerns on the polished stars. Leicestershire-based Charcon Specialist Products, who produced the stars, was consulted over the situation. [" [http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_headline=walk-of-stars-is-fenced-off&method=full&objectid=20013362&siteid=50002-name_page.html Walk of Stars is fenced off] " - Birmingham Mail, October 26 2007 (Accessed November 6, 2007)] In June 2008, Murray Walker will become the fourth person to be inducted in to the walk of stars.

A joint induction took place on 12 September 2008 for BBC Radio 4 series The Archers and cast member Norman Painting. [ [http://www.walkofstars.co.uk/?p=146 Norman Painting and The Archers To Be Honoured] ]

On 7 October 2008, the BBC announced that Julie Walters would be inducted. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/10/07/julie_walters_feature.shtml BBC Birmingham - Julie Walters]

tars honoured

Gallery

References

ee Also

*London Avenue of Stars.
*Hollywood Walk of Fame
*Anaheim Walk of Stars
*Palm Springs Walk of Stars

External links

* [http://www.walkofstars.co.uk/ Birmingham Walk of Stars]