I didn't know bowls were part of the games: http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/leamington-named-as-part-of-birmingham-s-2022-commonwealth-games-bid-1-8108301

Until I saw it on TV last night, I didn't know Leamington had such a big bowls pitch.

Handbags have been drawn: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41162662

I'm just listening to a report on Midlands Today. Apparently, Birmingham's won the right to bid for the games. The gentleman (didn't get his name) seems really happy, and was talking about getting funding from across the region.

I wonder how long it will be before our local councils get an invoice for their 'contribution' towards the games?

Yes, I picked up on that as well. Birmingham wants to bid, Birmingham ought be picking up the bill, not distributing it round the wider area.

BUT, we did say this type of thing would happen under the 'Greater Birmingham' scheme that all of our councils so blindly signed up to.

But it'll be for the good of the Greater West Midlands! (haha!)

Not an auspicious start: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/blow-region-birmingham-commonwealth-games-13726547

This hasn't been officially announced yet, but the news that the Commonwealth Games in coming to the Midlands has been leaked: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/breaking-news-leamington-to-host-commonwealth-games-bowls-events-in-2022-1-8299244

A nice boost in these economically difficult times: https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/firms-urged-to-bid-for-145million-commonwealth-games-contracts-20598/

A fancy way of saying they'll be putting signposts up; no doubt Warwick District Council will be charged a pretty penny for it:https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/people/preparations-underway-create-wayfinding-scheme-visitors-and-tourists-leamington-ahead-commonwealth-games-2022-3110087

Some of the schedules have been released: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/people/schedule-announced-for-birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games-bowls-competitions-and-cycling-road-races-in-leamington-and-warwick-3154720

The way things are going, though, the Olympic Games may end up clashing with the Commonwealth Games!

A chance to register for ticket allocations: https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/exclusive-access-to-birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games-tickets-for-people-living-in-leamington-warwick-kenilworh-and-rugby-among-others-in-the-west-midlands-3315352

Commemorative coins & stamps are due to be released for the games: https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/commemorative-coins-and-stamps-to-mark-the-birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games-36451/

More tickets are going on sale: https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/get-set-for-the-commonwealth-games-with-more-tickets-released/

Not sure if I get the feeling that things aren't going too well here?

There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of publicity concerning the games. Perhaps the news channels are just too fixated on everyone dying!!