I’m a 68-year-old Brummie and I’ve never loved this city more than I do now

The 68-year-old, who has lived and worked in or around Birmingham for more than 40 years, said she has always admired Birmingham’s “openness to change”.

She has urged locals to see the extraordinary mix of heritage and modernity that stands before them in plain sight.

It comes after once again many national surveys, articles and studies on Birmingham, which are often developed by groups outside the city, more often than not portray the city in a negative light.

The mother-of-four, who for many years worked at the Chad Valley Toy Company on Bradford Street in Digbeth and later in a company on the 16th floor of the Rotunda, has witnessed first hand the city evolve over the years of her life.

She welcomes the modern buildings and the diversity of all different ethnic groups that make the city a thriving place to be.

“I tire of reading negativity voiced by people who chose to move away, the constant complaining about the loss of old buildings that most people never used that became unsuitable for modern use,” she explained.

“If people take there time to look up and open their eyes - the history is still there in plain site, also if they look down the city is amazingly litter free.”

The grandmother said: “I have always loved the city but never more than now. I still travel in at least twice a month generally driving but last week by train. I have never felt personally at risk.

“Our next planned visit into the city centre is to pay our respects for the 50th anniversary of the Pub Bombings next week.”

Jayne is mother to Ruth, Sarah, Luke and Abigail and grandmother to Elsie, Lylah and another little on arriving next month.

She added: “I've always applauded Birmingham’s openness to change , it has never been easier to navigate the city and am excited by the new move for people to live and work in the city. The Jewellery Quarter is being revitalised by young people choosing to live there.”

Jayne hails the city for being her home as over the ups and downs of her life - including her favourite era in the early 70s and the music scene.

Aged 40 , Jayne returned to University and retrained as a nurse, working for a long period as a community nurse specialising in end of life care

She was married to Bruce for 37 years, he was the organist at St Paul's church Hampstead for over 40 years but she was sadly widowed aged 57 in 2011.

She added: “I met Phil in 2017 we have a shared love of live music and agree that Birmingham was a great place to be with the scene we had in the early 70s.

“We married following lock down in the Shakespeare Memorial room on the roof of what we consider to be the beautiful new library, the Commonwealth games were on and Ozzy stood sentry outside.

“This city is incredibly diverse, it’s amazing. I've always had black and Asian friends and neighbours - everyone has something to add to our continuing story.”

Did you enjoy reading Jayne’s story and want to share your own thoughts? BirminghamWorld wants to speak to you as part of our #LoveYour campaign about what you think about this city. Get in touch at [email protected].

Keep up to date on the latest news stories, football news, as well as what’s going on in and around Birmingham with our free newsletter.