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Intriguing stories from across the UK. Series 2: The Toxic Waste Scandal. Shocking events that ripped through a steelworks community in Corby, told by the people whose lives were irreversibly changed. Series 1: The Pub Bombings. The impact of two Birmingham pub bombs in a 50 year evolving story that's affected countless people.

  1. Welcome to The Pub Bombings

    11/01/2024

    Welcome to The Pub Bombings

    Exploring the impact of two Birmingham pub bombs in a 50 year evolving story that's affected countless people. The series looks into who bombed Birmingham and asks why no one has been rightfully brought to justice. It also positions the bombings in the wider context of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. On a journey from the streets of 1970s Birmingham to modern day Belfast and Dublin, we hear from family members of victims, the Birmingham Six, their families and the city at large. The series also features one of the men accused of the bombings.

    3 min
  2. 1. A Night Like Any Other

    11/03/2024

    1. A Night Like Any Other

    Thursday 21 November 1974 was a normal night in Birmingham city centre until two city-centre pub bombs were detonated. We hear the story of the night from those who were there and the families of some of the 21 people killed.

    23 min
  3. 2. Panic on the Streets

    11/03/2024

    2. Panic on the Streets

    The story of the blasts told by those first on the scene. Emergency services crew and local reporters describe the aftermath of two city-centre pub bombings in Birmingham that killed 21 people.

    24 min
  4. 3. The Birmingham Six (Official Version)

    11/03/2024

    3. The Birmingham Six (Official Version)

    Explore how the police tracked down and arrested the men who later became known at the Birmingham Six. BBC reporter Michael Buerk talks about covering their high-profile trial and convictions. We also hear how Birmingham’s sizeable Irish population were treated in the days and months following the bomb attacks.

    23 min
  5. 4. The Birmingham Six (Their Version)

    11/03/2024

    4. The Birmingham Six (Their Version)

    Paddy Hill and Billy Power, two of the Six, talk frankly about their treatment in police custody and court. The official side of story doesn’t match up with what the Birmingham Six experienced.

    24 min
  6. 5. The Real Bombers

    11/03/2024

    5. The Real Bombers

    The Birmingham Six had each been sentenced to 21 life sentences. They were writing letters for support but getting no reaction and all hope was lost that they would be freed. Their story reached journalist and former MP Chris Mullin who set out not just to prove their innocence, but to also find out who actually did.

    36 min
  7. 6. The Nightmare Begins Again

    11/03/2024

    6. The Nightmare Begins Again

    Exploring the impact of The Birmingham Six's release which opened up old wounds for some of the victims’ families. The investigation was reopened in 1991 and shut again in 1994 with no further movement until Julie Hambleton, whose sister had died in the bombs, started a campaign for justice.

    17 min
  8. 7. Dance with the Devil

    11/11/2024

    7. Dance with the Devil

    After a lot of frustration, Julie Hambleton, whose sister had died in the bombs, and the families of other victims secure an inquest with help from an unexpected source.

    20 min
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About

Intriguing stories from across the UK. Series 2: The Toxic Waste Scandal. Shocking events that ripped through a steelworks community in Corby, told by the people whose lives were irreversibly changed. Series 1: The Pub Bombings. The impact of two Birmingham pub bombs in a 50 year evolving story that's affected countless people.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Local Radio
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    In Detail...

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