With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, excitement is really beginning to mount across Birmingham. This is our chance to shine - an opportunity to show the rest of the world what we already know - that ours is an amazing, vibrant, friendly and above all creative city.

And that creativity was proudly on display as our brilliant Poet Laureate Casey Bailey presented his updated love letter to the city - Dear Brum.

Launched in the Council House with just over a month to go to the Games, Casey's poem encapsulates what so many of us feel about Birmingham and this video set against a stunning backdrop of key landmarks is a real celebration of the city’s talent and diversity.

As Casey states:

A place with so much heritage, yet somehow in its prime

Just look at chamberlain square, clock tower rising in the air

And you don’t even have to stare for you to see that it’s our time

This is indeed our time and the largest event this city has ever staged is almost upon us.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to show the world what Birmingham is all about - our chance to positively promote the city on a global stage.

Personally, I love this city, it’s where I was born and it’s where I’ve lived my whole life. I spend much of my time talking up Birmingham, promoting our people and communities.

And, as we prepare to welcome athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth alongside over a million visitors to our region, I'm confident that Birmingham will shine - because I know the people of Birmingham will shine.

I know that our many friends from across the Commonwealth are going to fall in love with the city this summer and I'm confident, as I was from the very start, that in years to come, people will look back on the 2022 Commonwealth Games as THE moment when Birmingham - and the international image of Birmingham - changed for the better.

As you would expect from our Poet Laureate, he says it far better than I ever could...

Proud, that’s the way my city makes me feel

Loud, about achievements that you won’t believe are real.

This blog was published on 28 June.