Flame of faith to light city

BIRMINGHAM'S many different religious faiths will be brought together on New Year's Eve with the help of a special flame.

The Millennium Flame has been touring the country and arrived in the city carried by bearer Bruno Peak, OBE, and handed over to Lord Mayor Theresa Stewart.

At midday on New Year's Eve, it will be presented to the Birmingham Council of Faiths at a special free concert called Celebration 2000.

Local choirs

After the event, which features performances from local choirs and musicians, the flame will then begin a tour around places of worship in the city.

Coun Stewart said: 'The Millennium Flame symbolises peace, friendship, hope and unity.

'It is appropriate that it will be presented to the Council of Faiths at a concert celebrating the diversity of Birmingham's people.'

Celebration 2000 begins runs from 12-1.30pm on the day, and will take place in Centenary Square.

Performances will be from the Kosovan and Baha'i communities, along with drama from Birmingham's Christian Churches, and chanting from Bhuddists.

Also planned are contributions from the Council of Sikh Gudwaras, the Chinese and Hindu communities as well as the Newtown and Kol Kinor choirs.

In the last 12 months, the flame has been all around the country in a miner's lamp, because the original ceremony took place at a stadium built on a former colliery.