Strategy for Birmingham

J.R.R. Tolkien

Birmingham City Council has several objectives in their action plan for the above.  The overall aim of the Strategy is ... to provide an opportunity to celebrate and promote the life of J.R.R. Tolkien during his formative years in Birmingham and the impact that the environment (natural and built) and its people had on his subsequent writing.  This to be achieved through the following objectives:

• To recognise and confirm all buildings, locations and landscapes within Birmingham that have a known link with Tolkien and his life and/or writings and ensure their future.

• To develop and promote education and lifelong learning programmes, including literacy, drama, and creative writing that are based on the work of Tolkien and the natural and built landscapes that influenced him.

• To encourage all stakeholders, citizens and community groups to work together.

• To develop a high quality offering that is attractive to visitors and promotes the Tolkien connections to a wider audience.

• To contribute to the positive image of the City of Birmingham

• To identify and maximise funding opprtunities to support the development of a sustainable infrastructure.

Several aims have been already achieved including the declaration of The Shire Country Park, the setting up of the Birmingham Tolkien Group to promote plans for a Tolkien Centre, the annual celebration Weekends, and a Tolkien Trail leaflet and the creation of links with other establishments including the Oratory, King Edward's School and the Perrott's Folly Company.