Are you ready to make some noise?
Members of the local business community, Westside BID and members of the public came together in Brindleyplace on Thursday 30th June to officially launch ‘The Big Whistle 2022’.
Central Square was awash with colourful whistles to celebrate the one month countdown to the opening of the 2022 Games being held in Birmingham.
Mark Gribben, who owns Ethos Flowers at Brindleyplace on Westside, had a dream which is now becoming a reality for The Big Whistle to take place at 2.22pm on Thursday 28 July.
Mark has already signed up the Brindleyplace team and Westside BID to help raising the profile, and popular radio DJ Ed James has agreed to lead the whistling on the day.
Over 500 whistles have already been kindly donated by J Hudson & Co (Acme Whistles) Limited, which were used at the launch, and more are available for the main event. Mark and the team hope that hundreds of whistles will be brought along by the public on the day of the event.
Mark, who set up Ethos Flowers 22 years ago, said: “The aim of The Big Whistle is to encourage the people of Birmingham, the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth, to come together at 2.22pm on 28 July 2022 for a ‘good old whistle’.
“Reflecting the inclusivity of The Games, The Big Whistle 2022 is an inclusive event, enabling people of all ages and abilities to get involved to help see in this momentous occasion.”
Mark explained that his idea was inspired by the success of ‘All the Bells’ which celebrated the start of the London Olympics in 2012, when Big Ben rang out for three minutes along with bells nationwide.
The Big Whistle is honouring Birmingham’s rich history of whistles, which started with local toolmaker Joseph Hudson in the late 19th century who became the largest manufacturer of whistles in the world.
Mark added: “We want as many people as possible to help us gain momentum via social media, encouraging schools, families and community groups to get involved.”
Matt Long, head of tenant engagement and placemaking at Brindleyplace, said: “Mark has come up with a fantastic idea to help us all welcome and celebrate the start of The Games here in Birmingham.
“This will be an inclusive and authentic way to help bring the Games to life and let the world know we are a city ready to welcome everyone this summer.”
The progress of the event can be viewed and engaged with on social media via #TheBigWhistle2022 and everyone is encouraged to come along to Central Square on the day if they can.
