Love letter to Birmingham unveiled at University station

A popular poem celebrating the life, culture and community of Birmingham has been unveiled on the walls of one of the West Midlands’ busiest railway stations.

Titled ‘Dear Brum’, the poem was written by Casey Bailey as a ‘love letter’ to the city.

The installation, which was led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with Casey and West Midlands Railway, has been unveiled at the new-look University station.

The installation has taken pride of place in the new station building which opened in January following a multi-million pound upgrade to cater for growing passenger numbers. University welcomes millions of passengers every year.

Casey, a former Birmingham Poet Laureate, said: “When I wrote this poem, I wanted it to reach the people of Birmingham and people who were coming to Birmingham. Seeing it on the wall at university station takes that to a whole new level. It’s amazing.”

The artwork at the station features the first five lines of the inspirational 45-line poem, with a QR code available for passengers to scan to find out more and read the full verse.

Zoe Hodgins, area station manager for West Midlands Railway, said: “As a rail operator, communities are at the heart of our business and this artwork is designed to celebrate all the people who make Birmingham unique at our newest railway station.

“With the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the doorstep, the station is one of the busiest on our network which makes it the perfect place for this celebration.”

Clare Mullett, head of research and cultural collections at the University of Birmingham, said: "We are a civic university, and working together with our community and making connections is fundamental to what we do.

"Collaborating with important artists from our own city, like Casey Bailey, helps us to welcome people through University station and onto a beautiful campus that is filled with art, museums and wonderful free things to do."

For more information about the art installation, click here.

Pictured: Casey Bailey with the "Dear Brum" art installation at University station in Birmingham