Jane Haynes's Avatar

Jane Haynes

@janerockhouse

Journalist, Birmingham. Politics, social affairs, campaigns. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/jane-haynes/ Also Substack https://insidebirmingham.substack.com/ 07471025568 jane.haynes@reachplc.com

1,139
Followers
127
Following
132
Posts
14.08.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Jane Haynes @janerockhouse

Post image

At a “testing new material” gig by @garydelaney.bsky.social in #stourbridge and been called out for having a dirty laugh. How very dare you, man who snorts… 🐷 🤣

28.02.2026 21:17 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image Post image Post image Post image

Live at o2 institute Brum for tha brilliant Big Special Gans and GHGW - amazing atmosphere and superb tunes

21.02.2026 21:11 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Wow Mark, that’s amazing. Massive hat tip to you.

12.02.2026 15:07 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Post image

I’ve been trying to learn a new skill. Don’t laugh…but this is my first ever attempt at knitting, aged 58. It’s a start, right? #knitting #swatch

11.02.2026 08:35 👍 16 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0
Reform UK threatens
to cut funding for
Welsh university after
debating society bans
party from campus

Reform UK threatens to cut funding for Welsh university after debating society bans party from campus

want to go to Bangor University'
said nobody ever. Especially if Bangor
University is stripped of government
funding and student loan facilities by
@reformparty_uk Is that "in line with
your values,' poppets?

want to go to Bangor University' said nobody ever. Especially if Bangor University is stripped of government funding and student loan facilities by @reformparty_uk Is that "in line with your values,' poppets?

This is pretty menacing.

Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."

When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.

10.02.2026 08:53 👍 1095 🔁 509 💬 198 📌 123
Preview
PR firm probed over Labour Together investigating journalists Investigation into APCO Worldwide deepens questions for Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons

Labour's @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social written to General Sec Hollie Ridley for 3rd time calling for independent inquiry into Labour Together

"Keir Starmer yesterday promised a change of culture in the party. This will be an early test of that promise”
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/pr-firm-pr...

10.02.2026 10:38 👍 127 🔁 62 💬 2 📌 3

Bridget Bardot has died. Not a life for strangers to mourn, unless you think it’s okay to be homophobic and racist.

28.12.2025 12:44 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image Post image

With my amazing dad John on his 86th birthday. That he’s made it this far is testament to him and to my mum Ollie, who is his wind, sun and heart that keeps him looking forward and refuses to give in. All those column inches devoted to affairs and fakes - this is what real love looks like.

22.10.2025 23:12 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Just like Robert Jenrick, he might claim he was just articulating an observation - but his comment was loaded with racist undertones. Just like Jenrick he probably believed he was speaking to someone who shared his world view, both being white and all. I found it v unsettling

12.10.2025 17:00 👍 10 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

“Nice to see some white people.” He was round the corner and gone before I had chance to fathom and respond (forgive me for not doing better, I don’t think me shouting into the sky ‘you horrid racist twat’ was any use.) I honestly don’t think he would have said that out loud even a year ago?

12.10.2025 16:49 👍 11 🔁 1 💬 3 📌 0

Just back from a walk in Kinver woods and it was all going lovely - autumnal colours, mist in the valley, lots of friendly people out with kids and dogs. Then…a guy walked towards us with a little gang of daschunds. Being me, I said “what a cute little fam you’ve got”. He replied….

12.10.2025 16:39 👍 8 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 1
Preview
I visited the flags 'front line' and asked people what they really thought Some see pride, others see division - on Pershore Road opinions over the red and white flags couldn't be more different

Love this piece from my colleague @harryleach.bsky.social @birminghamlive.bsky.social from a visit to Stirchley which has been at the centre of flag debate - I asked people in Stirchley what they really think about the flags flying across Birmingham www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

12.10.2025 08:01 👍 6 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Four Birmingham Labour councillors quit Labour in stinging resignations The four were not selected during a Labour Party cull of candidates for the 2026 local election, causing anger and confusion.

Four Birmingham Labour councillors quit Labour in stinging resignations www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

05.10.2025 12:12 👍 7 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

Breaking - four Birmingham city councillors @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social quit Labour Party @brumlabour.bsky.social @teamlabouruk.bsky.social with stinging rebuke to local leaders and national party. I’m currently in London but have filed my copy to newsdesk and story appearing shortly.

05.10.2025 11:20 👍 19 🔁 10 💬 1 📌 0
Poster for Family Fun Day - 1-5 PM, Saturday, 6th September. #MayarYahiaSquare

Poster for Family Fun Day - 1-5 PM, Saturday, 6th September. #MayarYahiaSquare

This Saturday will see Birmingham a big step closer to the creation of #MayarYahiaSquare.

Supported by @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org, @sustrans.bsky.social, @bradford-street.bsky.social, and more.

Lots of activities for the whole family. Join us to show what this reclaimed public space can be!

01.09.2025 12:03 👍 7 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 1

Too many people are worried about saying ‘wrong thing’ rather than what they think I fear.

30.08.2025 13:57 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

So why aren’t your Labour colleagues calling it out as such?

30.08.2025 13:27 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Tuned in and immediately blown away by the amazing BS - saw them steal the show at Deershed last weekend and their energy was off the chart. @goldbergradio.bsky.social

02.08.2025 09:14 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Nice analysis Matt. I’ll check that out

16.07.2025 22:23 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image Post image

I went to see the premier of @sarahchaundler.bsky.social excellent & hard hitting film ‘City of Cars’ at the Mockingbird Cinema tonight. Followed by a discussion facilitated by @janerockhouse.bsky.social We all want safe roads, this film makes it clear why it is so important.

26.06.2025 21:22 👍 21 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 2

Thanks for flagging this Kerry.

11.06.2025 06:59 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I’m not in work now but photo was taken start of this week; can’t be 100% sure where

05.06.2025 19:33 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

These are incredible Kirsten!

02.06.2025 09:54 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Amazing pic Martin

02.06.2025 09:52 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Back Birmingham's live music scene or lose it - warning from Adrian Goldberg As he launches a new record label, Adrian Goldberg encouraged people across Birmingham to back local bands and venues

Support emerging talent and #grassroots venues - or risk losing them...

My piece with @janerockhouse.bsky.social @birminghamlive.bsky.social

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

31.05.2025 17:02 👍 9 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0

A fortnight ago a story I’d written was spiked for breaching an IPSO guideline. It’s frustrating to then see same story belatedly published elsewhere because the publisher either doesn’t know the guidelines or isn’t worried by them, knowing few complain. It’s a tricky path to navigate and maddening!

31.05.2025 13:10 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image

You inspired me to have a quick rootle thru my 45s (any excuse to stop cleaning) and this is the best I can offer. Not sure if any make your red/white/black criteria exactly.

31.05.2025 12:22 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Post image

Soundtrack to my Saturday chores is Birmingham band The Leaking Machine “Sound on Sound” - lovely, timeless sound - ‘memory lane is a cul de sac’ indeed.

31.05.2025 12:05 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
29.05.2025 07:05 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Iggy Pop dazzles but young talents steal show at Bearded Theory Festival Bearded Theory Festival Review: Female empowerment, political jibes and crazy cabaret make it about more than 'just the music' - though that was worth the entry fee alone

I loved escaping for four days to kick back with friends, no wi-fi, barely any contact with the outside world. If you've not checked out Bearded Theory Fest before, maybe next year, before it loses its intimate charm www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/rev...

28.05.2025 08:37 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0