Congratulations, Andy

I’m not in favour of the honours system and all that royal patronage nonsense, but if ever anyone deserved some sort of recognition it is Andy Hamilton, who has been awarded some sort of gong in the New Year’s honours list for his services to jazz music.
Andy settled in Birmingham nearly 60 years ago and he will be 90 next year. He still plays saxophone with his band the Blue Notes every other week at the Corks club in my Ward and he works tirelessly encouraging youngsters in the area to play jazz. Despite the fact that he seems to be almost routinely overlooked by the organisers of the Birmingham Jazz festival he is widely respected and I’m sure we’ll be raising a glass or two with the great man next Thursday.
Oh, and congratulations are also apparently due for Julie Walters, who has also been doled out something in the honours list, and was actually born in our Ward too. She was awarded the much more prestigious ‘Freedom of the Borough of Sandwell’ a couple of years ago (although I don’t think she has taken up the privilege of driving her sheep through the thoroughfares of West Bromwich yet).