Heading over to Linden Road next for the Bournville Quaker Friends Meeting House. The free open day was held on Saturday 11th September 2021.

The Bournville Meeting was established in 1882 with the relocation of the Cadbury chocolate factory from central Birmingham, to their new site to the south of the city, it was re-named Bournville in 1879. Following the opening of the new factory in 1879, George Cadbury built a small number of houses for key workers close to the factory. The Bournville Village Trust was established in 1900. The purpose built Quaker Meeting House was built in 1905. Built to the designs of William Alexander Harvey.

Internal changes to the meeting room in 1935 included the removal of the rostrum; the replacement of a platform; and the removal of panelling within the arch of the south hall. An extension was made in 1960 for a children's room with a smaller library and cloakrooms by Selby Clewer, the chief architect of the Bournville Village Trust. The library was opened in 1988 to make a lobby area, and the main hall was re-roofed, internal front doors were added, and ancillary facilities were reconfigured.

Enter through the green doors.

Sanitise your hands if you wish.

As you go in there is a pair of black and white portrait photographs of Dame Elizabeth Cadbury (1858 - 1951) and her husband George Cadbury (1839 - 1922). Outside of the Friends Meeting House is a bronze bust of George, and his ashes were buried there after his death.

A plaque about a Cedar Tree planted outside on the 24th June 1948 by Elizabeth Mary Cadbury, in the year of her 90th birthday. This is now the tree wrapped with Christmas lights from November to January each year.

A magnificent space, it is a bit similar to Bournville Village Primary School (same architect William Alexander Harvey). Was exhibitions on the tables on both sides of the hall.

Roll of Memory, has some Cadbury names and of some other Quaker's who have passed away.

Organ and clock above the door.

Outside on the Cedar Tree was yarn bombing for "Quakers for Climate Justice".

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The final Bournville heritage visit was to Bournville Parish Church: St Francis of Assisi on Saturday 11th September 2021. Located on Linden Road, there was stalls with refreshments outside. Going in you have to sanitise your hands, and scan the NHS Covid-19 QR code in the app.

St Francis of Assisi Church was opened in 1925, about 3 years of the death of George Cadbury. The architect was William Alexander Harvey. George has always wanted an Anglican church in his model village, despite being a Quaker. The hall opened in 1913 during his lifetime. In 1966 the South Chapel was opened by Laurence and Joyce Cadbury in memory of their children, Julian, Anthea and Lindsay.

These exterior views taken on leaving via the door close to the road to Cadbury World.

Interesting sculpture, perhaps of St Francis of Assisi?

A look around the inside of St Francis of Assisi Church in Bournville. The same type of ceiling that William Alexander Harvey was known for.

The pulpit.

The alterpiece.

Next to that was the organ.

Stained glass window in memory of Lt. John Barclay R.N. Killed flying from H.M.S. Seahawk on the 11th March 1953, aged 24.

The South Chapel opened in 1966. For Laurence and Joyce Cadbury in memory of their children, Julian, Anthea and Lindsay in 1966 (who all sadly died young).

Alexander Lindsay Aitkin Turner (1927 - 1964) aged 37, Anthea Karen Turner (1936 - 1964) aged 28  and Julian St. John Cadbury (1926 - 1950) aged 24.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Catching the no 16 NXWM Platinum bus from Upper Dean Street near the Bull Ring Open Market to Hamstead Road in Handsworth, near the gates of Handsworth Park. Then just a short walk up to St Mary's Church, Handsworth. This Birmingham Heritage Week open day was held on Saturday 18th September 2021.

I've been waiting two years to get inside of this church, mainly for the memorials to James Watt, Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch.

The church has origins in the 12th and 13th centuries. Although what you see today is a complete rebuild from the 19th century. A Grade II* listed building. The 19th century rebuilding began in 1820. Architects who worked on the building in the 19th century include William Hollins in 1820, Thomas Rickman in 1826 (the South Chapel built in memory of James Watt), later J A Chatwin from 1876 to 1880.

More recently the roof was repaired during 2019 to 2020.

Tour of the interior of St Mary's Church, Handsworth

You enter the church from the side door from the churchyard.

Below these stained glass windows is information panels on James Watt and the Industrial Revolution (probably from the Birmingham Museums Trust).

Down here you will find the monuments to Matthew Boulton, William Murdoch (spelt Murdock) and Joseph Grice. The South Chapel on the right leads to the statue of James Watt.

The organ.

Two examples of stained glass windows at St Mary's Church, Handsworth.

The Pulpit.

A piano.

Somewhere to light candles. M Handsworth U. Plus a colourful cross to the right.

The lecturn, these resemble golden eagles.

Monuments

The marble statue of James Watt (1736 - 1819) is located in the South Chapel. It was sculpted by Francis Legatt Chantrey. This is currently the only place to see a statue of James Watt in Birmingham (the 1866 statue of James Watt formerly at Chamberlain Square by Alexander Munro has been in storage since 2015).

The Monument to Matthew Boulton (1728 - 1809) is by Flaxman.

The Monument to William Murdoch (spelt here as Murdock) (1754 - 1839) was also by Flaxman.

There is also a marble bust of William Murdoch in the cafe area (just behind a TV). A childrens book about James Watt was on the left.

Other memorials here include this one to Joseph Grice Esquire.

Also this memorial / monument to Sarah Russell, and later her husband John Russell.

Also to be found here are these tombs. Not sure who they were of though. A medieval armoured soldier. Below him is another one, plus a fire extinguisher!

There was also this tomb of a couple. Close to the area with the monuments to Boulton, Watt & Murdoch.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Although the Bournville Carillon was not open to the public on Saturday 11th September, you could hear it ringing when getting off the bus on Linden Road. However Bournville Village Primary School was open with an entrance on Woodbrooke Road.

You enter through the doors in the entrance hallway.

The main school hall was designed by William Alexander Harvey and is a truly magnificent space.

Just look at the stained glass window unveiled in 2006 on the centenary of the school opening in 1906. It was unveiled by HRH the Duke of Gloucester and is stunning!

Bournville Village Primary has some great values. 

There is a black and white photo portrait of the schools founder George Cadbury (1839 - 1922).

There was also a black and white portrait photo of his wife, Dame Elizabeth Cadbury (1858 - 1951). George married his second wife Elizabeth in 1888 and they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 1913. A tablet was placed in the main school hall in 1913 by the residents of Bournville to celebrate the occasion. Sadly George died in 1922, and Elizabeth was a widow for 29 years (until her own death in 1951).

Through some of the locked doors, you can see corridors to classrooms, and also see the classrooms from the main hall.

We hope you enjoyed our post.

More posts and features and a map of City Gems can be found at www.BirminghamGems.com. 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Between February and August 2021, the BT Tower in Birmingham on Lionel Street finally got the the new BT logos attached on both sides of the building.

The "T" on one side together with a circle was put up between February and March 2021. The "B" and the other "T" didn't go up until late August 2021.  This was due to nesting peregrine falcons.

The photography below was taken by Birmingham We Are's regular contributors Daniel Sturley and Elliott Brown.

6th February 2021

"Not for everyone" - workers spotted abseiling from the top of the BT Tower.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

24th February 2021

From Edgbaston Reservoir, it wasn't particularly clear to see what they were doing up on the BT Tower but you could spot the BT logo on Three Snowhill from this vantage point.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

2nd March 2021

Pins are put in place for the circle of the logo and the "T" of BT. The "B" pins can just be seen.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

21st March 2021

First blue circle of the logo and a "T" goes into place on one side of the building.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

3rd April 2021

View from the train going past Birmingham Snow Hill Station. This side of the building at the time had a complete blue circle, but only visible pins for the "BT" logo.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

17th April 2021

Still only a lone "T" can be seen from Hill Street near Birmingham New Street Station. With peregrine falcons nesting at the top, BT engineers couldn't return until late August.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

21st April 2021

A close up view from the bottom of the BT Tower from Lionel Street. It's a long way up.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

16th May 2021

Here's a view up the tower from Lionel Street in the Jewellery Quarter, near Ludgate Hill. It would be another three months before they got back up to finish the BT logos.

Photography by Elliott Brown..

21st June 2021

View of the BT Tower from St Paul's Square with St Paul's Church. At the time, this side of the BT Tower still just had the blue circle.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

14th July 2021

The view of the BT Tower from Ladywood Middleway. Still just the lone "T" from the Ladywood view.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

23rd July 2021

This view is as you come off the M6 motorway, Junction 6 at Spaghetti Junction  (Gravelly Hill Interchange) onto the Aston Expressway, A38(M).  On the skyline you could see The Mercian and the BT Tower (still without a visible "BT" at this point).

Photography by Elliott Brown.

27th July 2021

A view of the BT Tower from the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal near Ludgate Hill in the Jewellery Quarter.

Photography by Daniel Sturley..

7th August 2021

Scaffolding goes up at the top of the BT Tower and there is now visible ropes from there to the bottom of the tower. Work finally resumes to finish replacing the BT Tower's logo.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

13th August 2021

The Library of Birmingham reopens the Discovery Terrace (Level 3) and Secret Garden (Level 7) to visitors. It was now possible to see the BT Tower from both terraces. This view taken from the Secret Garden. The last time you would see the "T Tower" before the end of the month with Three Snowhill (which already had it's "BT" logos).

Photography by Elliott Brown.

30th August 2021

In the last weeks of August, engineers returned to the BT Tower to attach the remaining letters to both sides of the building. Some of the scaffolding above had also been removed. This view taken from Great Charles Street Queensway.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

4th September 2021

A quick late afternoon visit to the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham, just before closing provides an opportunity to capture the BT Tower again from up high, now with the completed new logo.

Photography by Elliott Brown.

11th September 2021

A view from the Isaac Tongue Junction in Northfield at Bell Hill. Near the A38 (Sir Herbert Austin Way and Bristol Road South) of The Bank (tower 2), The Mercian and the BT Tower. A distance of about 6 and a half miles for this photo. The new BT logo only visible on a zoom camera (not with the naked eye from that distance).

Photography by Elliott Brown.

We hope you enjoyed this post from Birmingham We Are.

See all our wonderful Birmingham Gems at www.BirminghamGems.com  

Let the Games Begin! Enter via the door at Centenary Square, to what used to be the Library Cafe at the Library of Birmingham.

As you can see Birmingham 2022 has taken over the space of the Library Cafe.

As well as the Mezzannine floor (which is above the Library Cafe space).

Commonwealth Games banners have been placed inside of the Library foyer area on the ground floor.

Head up the escalators to Level 2. Note that the you might have to walk up the escalator from Level's 1 to 2, or use the lifts.

Be at the Heart of it. If you are applying to be a volunteer, head this way to your interview. Good luck.

Information about the Legacy Programmes and the Queen's Baton Relay. The relay last went into Birmingham's Centenary Square during 2014 (ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games).

Meet the mascot, Perry the Bull.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Gratitude was an event held by Wild in Art in Chamberlain Square, at Paradise Birmingham, which ran from the 20th to 30th August 2021. It has now moved on to Manchester and will then move on to Edinburgh and London. It pays tribute to NHS staff and keyworkers during the pandemic.

There were 51 "Lockdown Oscars" displayed in Chamberlain Square close to the Chamberlain Memorial.

The display had mirrors around it and it was curated by creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.

The gallery below includes 22 photos taken at Gratitude Lockdown Oscars.  Enjoy!

'Gratitude' has now moved to St Peter's Square in Manchester.

In Autumn 2021, the sculptures will be auctioned with proceeds going to NHS Charities Together.

Wesleyan was one of the main sponsors of the event.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

To get to Sandwell Country Park

If you are travelling from outside Sandwell, catch the West Midlands Metro from Birmingham or Wolverhampton to West Bromwich Central. Alternatively catch the no 74 bus to West Bromwich Bus Station.

Note:  We recommend you buy a day ticket on the My Metro app before you travel.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Outside the station you could hire a West Midlands Cycle bike if you do not fancy walking.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Turn left onto the West Bromwich Ringway, then pass West Bromwich Bus Station. Turn right onto St Michael Street, continue onto New Street into the New Square shopping centre. Perhaps stop for coffee.

If you missed West Midlands Cycle Hire before, there is another docking point outside of Central St Michael's Sixth Form College.

West Midlands Cycle Hire at Central St Michael's Sixth Form College (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

Continue through New Square and turn left towards Cronehill Linkway Car Park. Next walk up Cronehills Linkway, stop at the lights and cross over the Cronehills Interchange Bridge.

Cronehills Interchange Bridge. Photography by Elliott Brown

Near The Expressway follow the path onto Sandwell Road North, then onto Taylors Lane and Woodward Street until you get to Dagger Lane.

Turn right onto Salters Lane and continue heading down to the gate.

Enter Sandwell Valley Country Park. 

At the gates, enter Sandwell Valley Country Park.

Salters Lane entrance to Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

Continue along Salters Lane through the park. The path/road here is a bit rough.

Along the way you will pass the fields of Sandwell Park Farm.

Sandwell Park Farm. Photography by Elliott Brown

You will then cross the first bridge over the M5 motorway.

Bridge over the M5 motorway at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

You are now on the other side of Sandwell Valley Country Park.

Now turn left onto Beacon Way and follow the path all the way around the Swan Pool.

Swan Pool at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

After you've gone around the Swan Pool, turn left which takes you back onto the main path /road towards Park Lane. You will pass the Priory Woods Local Nature Reserve.

At the end of this path, turn right alongside Park Lane, heading to the gate.

Note: If you want to leave the park here, you can, but there are no pavements on Park Lane.

Park Lane gate at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

Let's continue along the path towards the ruins of Sandwell Priory and Sandwell Hall.

They were built in the 12th century by William son of Guy de Offeni, Lord of the Manor of West Bromwich.

Located next to the 'Sand Well', a natural spring a short distance to the south from which the Priory gets its name, it was closed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525 during the Reformation, and later demolished.

It was excavated between 1982 and 1988.

Sandwell Priory Ruins at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

Next to the Priory is the ruins of Sandwell Hall. The land was bought by Lord Dartmouth in 1701, and in 1705 he demolished the existing buildings to build his house.

The Dartmouth's moved to Patshull near Wolverhampton in 1853, and Sandwell Hall had a variety of uses before it was demolished in 1928.

Remains of Sandwell Hall at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

After this, continue along the path, and then cross over the second bridge over the M5 motorway.

Alternatively if you have time, check out the Ice House Pool and Cascade Pool.

There is also another path that takes you back towards the Swan Pool.

Second bridge over the M5 motorway at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Photography by Elliott Brown

After the bridge, there is a path where you can take your exit towards Europa Avenue, or you can continue onto Dartmouth Park or Sandwell Park Farm.

The Europa Avenue exit goes past a Mercure Hotel near M5, Junction 1 and The Expressway.

Leaving Sandwell Valley Country Park at Europa Avenue. Photography by Elliott Brown

From Europa Avenue, take Beeches Road to Birmingham Road. If you want to catch a bus instead of the tram, the 74 stops on Birmingham Road.

Here you can either go down Roebuck Street or Roebuck Lane. Go onto Devereux Road, and get onto West Bromwich Parkway.

This is the end of the trail.  We hope you enjoyed it!

If you need a tram, follow the path to Kenrick Park Tram Stop. Look out for trams.

West Midlands Metro tram at West Bromwich Parkway. Photography by Elliott Brown

It shouldn't be too long to wait for a tram at Kenrick Park Tram Stop.

West Midlands Metro tram arriving at Kenrick Park Tram Stop. Photography by Elliott Brown

Kayaking from Gas Street Basin to Icknield Port Loop

Starting this brief canal walk from The Mailbox, on the 11th August 2021, I walked up to the end of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Worcester Bar, Gas Street Basin. On the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline side, I saw a couple of kayaks attached together, with a guide and several children in both of them.

The kayaks at the back near Gas Street Basin, heading into the Broad Street Tunnel.

It was now apparent that there was two pairs attached to kayaks. The first one I saw was going through the Broad Street Tunnel, while the second was was metres behind.

A Just Eat delivery man in orange on his bike. The pair of kayaks, children and their guides. It was time to duck as I walked under the tunnel.

View from the Broad Street Tunnel (where the head room was a bit higher at the Brindleyplace end). Both sets of kayaks were heading under the Brindleyplace and Brewmasters Bridges. With Utilita Arena Birmingham, The Malt House and the Brewmasters House nearby. Oh and the red Water Bus on the left was about to depart.

One last view as they headed under the Brewmasters Bridge, past The ICC Energy Centre. I would leave the Main Line via the Oozells Street Loop, heading to Brindleyplace. I assume that they were heading for the Roundhouse.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club

The Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club, also called Bournville Model Yacht & Powerboat Club, was founded in the year 1900 as the Bournville Model Yachting Club at Rowheath Park. By 1926, George Cadbury Jr (son of the late George Cadbury who died in 1922) commissioned an area of marshland on the now famous Bournville Village Trust, to be reclaimed, and a concrete pool of even depth was created. The surrounding park is called The Valley Parkway by Birmingham City Council. The club has their own Boat House on site, and regularly meet on Sunday mornings for model yachting, and Sunday afternoons for model power boating. They sometimes also meet on other days for model boating.

26th March 2017

That Sunday there was model RNLI  powerboats on Bournville Lake at The Valley Parkway.

4th October 2018

On a Thursday morning walk through The Valley Parkway, I only managed to get one photo of a model yacht in the lake. See the project gallery for more photos. They don't usually sail the model yachts on Thursday's. At weekends they regularly meet on Sunday mornings for model yachting, and on weekdays, they meet on Wednesday mornings, and sometimes Tuesday afternoons. It's the power boat sessions that meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

15th August 2021

A Sunday morning walk along Bournville Lane, to see if I could see any activity from the Bournville Model Yacht Club. Luckily, there was a whole bunch of them out at Bournville Lake, with a lot of model yachts, as you can see in the gallery below. The members seem to be mostly retired men and women.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Previous Sandwell Valley Country Park post from my visit of July 2017.

Sandwell Valley Country Park, 4th August 2021

It's been around two years since I last got off the tram at West Bromwich Central Tram Stop. And since then we have had the pandemic. By late July 2021, the Midland Metro Alliance closed the extension from Bull Street to Stephenson Street (so all stops to Library are closed until October 2021 for track relaying works). So I booked my day ticket in the My Metro app before I set out, and travelled to Bull Street Tram Stop.

I got the tram to West Bromwich Central, and after a coffee and toastie at Costa at New Square Shopping Centre, started walking towards Sandwell Valley Country Park (via the Cronehills Interchange Bridge which crosses The Expressway). I avoided Dartmouth Park, and got to Dagger Lane, and headed down Salters Lane to get into the park.

Sandwell Park Farm

Welcome to Sandwell Valley Country Park. Home to Sandwell Park Farm. This sign seen from Salters Lane. Sandwell Valley Children's Fun Fair is to the right.

I almost walked up the road to the car park, but instead got back on Salters Lane towards the gate and went through it into the park.

The path / road to walk on was quite rough. On the right saw a field full of cows.

These flowers growing in the field are Helicrysum arenarium, according to a scan of Google Lens on my phone.

Further down, another field was full of sheep.

The rough path continues on towards the first bridge that crosses over the M5 motorway.

Before I crossed the bridge, saw another path, this one runs around Hillhouse Farm

M5 bridge crossing no 1

The first bridge over the M5 motorway. It is a Weak Bridge, so only vehicles of 7.5T mgw or less. Assume it is used by lightweight farm or park vehicles?

The bridge rises over the M5 motorway as I walked towards the other half of the park.

A lot of traffic on the M5 below. Heading towards the end of the M5 and M6, Junction 8. Left lane, M6 south, right lanes, M6 north.

This view below towards M5, Junction 1 for West Bromwich. There was also a sign for Birmingham Park & Ride (either train or tram). If train then it probably means either The Hawthorns or Smethwick Galton Bridge.

Swan Pool

This is the largest lake at Sandwell Valley Country Park. It is called the Swan Pool (alternative names include Wasson or Warstone). Used for sailing. Home of ducks, geese and swans. Paths around the lake for walks, taking your dog for a walk. Also used by cyclists.

A walk around Swan Pool, along the paths in a clockwise direction.

Some swans in the lake, near decking used for fishing.

There was Canada geese in the lake as well as some Greylag geese.

After leaving Swan Pool, got a couple more photos from the path towards Park Lane, near the Priory Woods Local Nature Reserve.

Path from Park Lane

After leaving Swan Pool I was next heading towards Park Lane. I eventually got to this gate and crossed over, but couldn't see any pavements to safely walk to The Hawthorns, so instead followed the path towards the ruins instead.

Looking back to the Park Lane exit, behind me, I was approaching the ruins of both Sandwell Priory (closed 1525) and Sandwell Hall (demolished 1928).

Sandwell Priory Ruins

The remains of Sandwell Priory, a medieval Benedictine monastery, which was excavated between 1982 and 1988. Some of the finds are on display at a small museum at Sandwell Park Farm. It was built in the mid 12th century by William son of Guy de Offeni, Lord of the Manor of West Bromwich. It was located next to the 'Sand Well' a natural spring a short distance to the south from which the Priory gets its name. In the first couple of centuries there was probably hundreds of monks here, but by the second half of the 14th century, there was only about one or two monks at the priory. After a recovery in the 15th century, the numbers declined again by the time Cardinal Wolsey closed it in 1525. By this date there was only the Prior and one monk, and many buildings were in a poor state.

Sandwell Hall Ruins

Sandwell Hall was built in top of Sandwell Priory in 1705. The site was bought by Lord Dartmouth in 1701, and in 1705 he demolished most of the existing buildings to build a new house. It was built in brick and had towers on three corners. In the 19th century a portico supported by columns was added to the front of the hall, and the hall was extended to the west. The Dartmouth's moved to Patshull near Wolverhampton in 1853, and Sandwell Hall had a variety of uses before it was demolished in 1928.

M5 bridge crossing no 2

After seeing the ruins of both Sandwell Priory and Sandwell Hall, the path leads directly to another footbridge over the M5 motorway. Again a Weak Bridge for vehicles with 7.5T mgw.

I wasn't expecting to cross the M5 twice, as I originally thought of leaving the park at Park Lane (but no pavements).

Busy traffic on the M5 below. Was a 40 mph limit towards the junction with the M6.

Southbound towards Worcester and Bristol was fine, just northbound to the end of the M5 looked congested.

Exit to Europa Avenue

After crossing over the second M5 bridge, I left via the path towards Europa Avenue. Found a housing estate with various cul-de-sacs. The path emerged onto a cul-de-sac called St John's Close. Saw this Welcome sign.

Now on Europa Avenue, saw this Sandwell Valley Community Noticeboard next to a red post box.

Passing a Mercure Hotel, I took a route towards Kenrick Park Tram Stop, via Beeches Road, Birmingham Road, Roebuck Lane and Devereux Road. Found a path onto the West Bromwich Parkway, and Kenrick Park was a short walk away. The tram back had no free seats, so stood all the way back to Bull Street.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

15th March 2017

That day I spent about an hour plane spotting from the Sheldon Country Park, mainly to spot the Emirates plane. Turns out that lunchtime it was the Boeing 777-300ER taking off from runway 15. It was a glorious sunny blue sky day at the Birmingham / Solihull border. The Emirates Boeing 777 plane took off around 1:50pm during the day, bound for Dubai. At the time they were using the Airbus A380 plane in the evening instead.

6th August 2017

That time I spotted a Emirates Boeing 777 while walking through Boldmere in Sutton Coldfield (on The Big Sleuth trail). I was on the Boldmere High Street. In this case this Emirates plane was coming into land at Birmingham Airport from Dubai shortly before 12pm that day. Shortly after this I saw a Qatar Airways plane coming into land.

1st August 2021

I travelled by bus (the 11A changing in Acocks Green) to the Oaklands Recreation Ground in South Yardley, for another look at the City Skyline. First I saw a TUI plane taking off from Birmingham Airport, and before I left the park, I saw this Emirates Boeing 777 taking off for Dubai, just before 2:40pm in the afternoon. I think it's the first Emirates plane I've caught on camera since the pandemic began. Would be nice to see the Airbus A380 over the skies of Birmingham again.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

For the previous post go here: Osman Yousefzada's Dogtooth Flower at Selfridges

17th April 2021

Only a partial bit of pink artwork spotted on the Park Street side of Selfridges. Taken from the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside, near Curzon Street, overlooking the HS2 station site.

This view below taken in Digbeth from Milk Street, looking up Coventry Street, with the Rotunda seen above. Below is Moor Street Car Park.

This Digbeth view taken from Birchall Street, looking up Stone Yard, towards Birmingham Coach Station, near the Connaught Square development site.

27th May 2021

West Midlands Cycle Hire docking point seen on Park Street, opposite Selfridges. After this I went up the lift in Moor Street Car Park for the first time in ages.

The view from level 8 of Moor Street Car Park. The Park Street side of Selfridges.

Looking right towards the Parametric Bridge that connects Moor Street Car Park to Selfridges.

The view of Selfridges down Park Street, taken from the Parametric Bridge. The gaps have been filled in, so you can't really get your lens through much.

29th May 2021

A couple of days later and the standard view of Selfridges from the corner of Park Street and Moor Street. About halfway up, but yet to go over the top of the Parametric Bridge.

5th June 2021

The views heading down from St Martin's Walk into St Martin's Square at the Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham.

The screen on for the French Open, was still there for Wimbledon, and for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Vietnamese Street Kitchen is now open, where Handmade Burger Co used to be.

Selfridges near the entrance of Bullring Car Park, on Park Street.

The usual view from the Park Street and Moor Street corner, close to the entrance of Moor Street Car Park.

Heading up Moor Street to Birmingham Moor Street Station, several NXWM Platinum buses waiting opposite on the 50 (or 35).

The view of Selfridges from Birmingham Moor Street Station with the Chiltern Railways 168214 train waiting at platform 3. Rotunda on the right.

Now on platform 1 waiting to catch a train home, saw this view of the station with the Parametric Bridge. Still a long way to go at this point

13th June 2021

The view from Barford Street and Sherlock Street over the Smithfield development site. Near Southside. Pershore Street Car Park was getting demolished, Moat Lane Car Park is next for demolition.

21st June 2021

Blossom Bar was coming to the Bullring above St Martin's Square. Can barely see Selfridges from here.

It was open by the time we went into July.

4th July 2021

Ominious clouds above Selfridges from the usual Moor Street and Park Street corner view. I was walking to the Custard Factory in Digbeth. This was the last photo I took before it started heavily raining while in Digbeth (and I got drenched).

19th July 2021

The view from Moor Street Queensway, bus stop MS4. A bus advertising the new Warner Bros / DC movie The Suicide Squad passes Birmingham Moor Street Station, the view of Selfridges on Moor Street.

20th July 2021

On the no 50 NXWM Platinum bus heading towards the Bullring. This view of Selfridges, taken from the skyline view on Moseley Road, between Highgate and Digbeth. This view might be lost in the future, if the proposed building between Moseley Street and Cheapside gets built up here.

The 50 is now on Moat Lane, about to stop on St Martin's Lane near St Martin's Church and Park Street. I would get off the bus at the 50 terminus on Moor Street.

25th July 2021

I got off the bus early on High Street Bordesley, to walk up to Camp Hill. Got this view near Alcester Street of the Rotunda, 103 Colmore Row, Selfridges and the BT Tower. The self storage place has closed down I think.

Later walking back up Digbeth near the Beorma Quarter. The Prince's Trust is in the Digbeth Cold Storage building. I saw a no 97 bus passing the building.

Selfridges near the top of Digbeth. St Martin's Church on the left.

Selfridges from Digbeth and on Park Street at the pedestrian traffic lights. A no 50 NXWM Platinum bus goes by.

Later I got back on my bus at Moor Street Queensway (MS4), with another view of Birmingham Moor Street Station and pink Selfridges. The taxi rank outside.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

History of Roundhouse Birmingham

A crescent shaped Grade II* listed building, it was built for the Corporation of Birmingham from 1873 to 1874, to the designs of William Henry Ward (he also designed the Great Western Arcade). The two gatehouses facing the corner of Sheepcote Street and St Vincent Street were completed in 1885. It was originally named Corporation Wharf, as it was near the Birmingham Canal. It was also used as a large railway depot for the London and North Western Railway, on the Stour Valley Line.

The site was arranged to create a highly secure internal storage environment, for open air storage, horses and maintenance.

Pevsner describes it having a pair of picturesque Gothic lodges. And that inside was more of a semicircular range with a cartway running under it's centre to the canal. With evocative cobbled pavements.

The building was used by the City of Birmingham Engineers Department until the 1980s, when it became redundant and was sold. It was bought by British Waterways (now the Canal & River Trust) in 2001.

Unused for many years, other than part of it as a nursery school, the Canal & River Trust and the National Trust gained funding in 2017 for the restoration of the building, and to open it up to the public. It should have opened in 2020, but delays due to the pandemic, means it won't open now until at least late summer 2021.

Some of the earliest tours by narrowboat have started in late July 2021, during the summer heatwave.

2009

Some of my earliest photos of the Roundhouse, taken from the opposite towpath on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline, between the Sheepcote Street Bridge and St Vincent Street Bridge.

15th May 2009

At the time there was a lot of narrowboats moored up on both sides of the towpath next to the Roundhouse.

There was still a brick wall alongside the Roundhouse, part of it would be later removed when restoration works began years later.

2013

A look at the pair of gatehouses from the corner of Sheepcote Street and St Vincent Street, and the first look at the inside of the horseshoe courtyard for the first time. A few months later, I saw the Roundhouse close up from the towpath.

23rd February 2013

At the time the Roundhouse for for sale or to let, and the junction here was a bit different.

Signs on the gate "Warning Kingdom Security".

This is what the horseshoe courtyard looked like at the time, years before the restoration began.

18th May 2013

A look through the railings to the back of the Roundhouse. The former Fiddle & Bone pub on the right was derelict at the time, but would be restored and reopen a few years later.

2015

The Fiddle & Bone pub was restored and reopened, so time to look at the Roundhouse again from the canalside towpath.

26th December 2015

It was nice to see the Fiddle & Bone restored. They put out painted picnic benches at the time, and they sealed off the arches in the Roundhouse behind.

This area was all part of the Fiddle & Bone beer garden, at the back of the Roundhouse.

2017

A few years later, the Fiddle & Bone was renamed to The Distillery.

26th October 2017

By now, the Roundhouse was co-owned by the National Trust and Canal & River Trust, and within a few years would begin work to restore the building. Meanwhile I was having a look at The Distillery from the opposite side of the canal.

Two years after seeing The Distillery, the Roundhouse next door would start to get restored.

There is an entrance to the pub from the canalside, there was formerly one from the first floor on Sheepcote Street.

2019

During the BCN 250 celebrations, I noticed that work to restored the Roundhouse had begun.

2nd November 2019

There was a parade of narrowboats up and down the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline at the time for BCN 250, while the Roundhouse was under scaffolding.

Scaffolding up the right hand side of the Roundhouse, they were also replacing the old windows.

Now called Roundhouse Birmingham. The area out front was still a beer garden for The Distillery, but the picnic benches were no longer painted.

It should have been completed and reopened by 2020, but the pandemic resulted in it being delayed until 2021.

While at the time this was the beer garden of The Distillery, in future it would (probably) also act as the public entrance to Roundhouse Birmingham.

27th December 2019

One last update before the end of 2019, and before I heard about the coming virus. The pair of lodges were under scaffolding. Road layout had changed on St Vincent Street, near Sheepcote Street.

Part of the Roundhouse already had new windows on one side.

Window view of another window.

Similar window shot as the last one.

This area (below) had a temporary wooden hoarding in place. They would later install a window here. Probably an area for people to view the canal out of the Roundhouse?

2021

My first major photo update of the Roundhouse since the pandemic began, and in time for it opening to the public to the first time.

14th July 2021

Views of the Roundhouse from the Sheepcote Street Bridge. Including the Annatomix rustic horse street art.

The Distillery is on the right. Entrance from the canalside, they make Roundhouse Gin here.

The pair of Victorian lodges fully restored, at the corner of Sheepcote Street and St Vincent Street. Was a homeless man sitting close to the gate, so didn't want to get too close to him.

A zoom in beyond the gate to the horseshoe courtyard area.

20th July 2021

Views from the opposite side of the BCN Mainline canal, towards the Roundhouse. I walked past the Victoria narrowboat dropping off visitors, below the Sheepcote Street bridge.

Famed Birmingham street artist Annatomix was commissioned to paint this wall, she has painted a rustic horse.

Onto St Vincent Street, a view towards this gate, all fully restored, with new windows installed.

The horseshoe shaped courtyard, seen inside of the gate from the St Vincent Street corner with Sheepcote Street. Some of the bricks on the cobbled surface have been replaced.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Chamberlain Gardens, Ladywood

During 2020 and 2021, Birmingham City Council has installed new railings and gates at Chamberlain Gardens in Ladywood. The parkland is at the heart of a Council housing estate, many of the tower blocks here have been reclad in recent years.

I found at least four new gates, from Beaufort Road, at the Calthorpe Entrance, at Cawdor Crescent, is the Winfield Entrance. Further up Cawdor Crescent to Monument Road is Perrotts Entrance, and at the Monument Road corner with Ladywood Road is the Osler Entrance.

Chamberlain Gardens was first developed in the 1960s, and was named after the former Mayor of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain (1836 - 1914), he served three terms from 1873 to 1876, before he resigned the office when he got elected to Parliament.

2014

I first briefly went into Chamberlain Gardens back in October 2014. I was close to the corner of Monument Road and Ladywood Road at the time. This sign for Chamberlain Gardens, A Barclays Space for Sports.

It was very autumnal at the time, when I spotted this hut in the middle near the trees.

The roof was missing some tiles at the time. What was it used for in the past, a ticket kiosk, or somewhere to buy ice cream? Anyone know?

2021

Fast forward to July 2021, and it was time to check out Chamberlain Gardens. Last year I went to see Perrotts Folly and the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower again, but at the time decided to not pop into the park. There is now new gates that have been installed since I was last in the area.

Welcome to Chamberlain Gardens. This is the Calthorpe Entrance at Beaufort Road in Ladywood. It is near Kenrick House.

Passing Kenrick House from the Beaufort Road entrance into the park.

The Council has recently cut the grass here.

A look to the Chamberlain Gardens Playground.

Next to that was the Chamberlain Gardens Outdoor Gym Area.

Heading to Cawdor Crescent, to check out the next gate.

This is the Winfield Entrance at Cawdor Crescent.

Heading along Cawdor Crescent, double yellow lines, so no cars parked here.

View of the tennis and basketball courts from Cawdor Crescent.

Between Cawdor Crescent and Monument Road is the next gate, this is Perrotts Entrance. It is close to Perrotts Folly (which is on Reservoir Road). Although Noel Road is closer at this point.

Heading back into the park, there is a view here towards The Mercian.

Another look at the hut I saw all those years ago. The roof is now repaired by the looks of it, but it is still unused.

One of the paths seems to have been resurfaced here, maybe it is suitable for cyclists.

Now heading along the path near Monument Road towards Ladywood Road.

Nice reflection on the newly laid path of a tree.

The path curves around past the trees near Ladywood Road.

Out of the park one last time. This is the Osler Entrance at the corner of Ladywood Road and Monument Road.

From here, it was a short walk to Ladywood Middleway along Monument Road. It was very hot and sunny.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

On the trail between Digbeth and Kings Heath, if you are getting the no 50 National Express West Midlands Platinum bus (you can catch it from outside Selfridges on Moor Street in the City Centre). Heading past Highgate Park on Moseley Road, you will spot Stratford House. One of the oldest remaining buildings within the City Centre and within the middle ring road, dating to 1601 (last few years of Tudor and Elizabethan England).

Stratford House is located at 82 Stratford Place, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0HT. Since 2020 it has been the offices of Age UK Birmingham and Age UK Sandwell.

I personally think it could become a museum, run by the Birmingham Museums Trust, or the National Trust. With period furniture. The noise from the passing traffic on Highgate Middleway might causes issues though.

The history of Stratford House

The timber framed manor house was built in 1601 for Ambrose Rotton and his wife Bridget. It was originally part of a 20 acre farm that Ambrose owned. He farmed sheep, pigs, oxen and cows on the land.

In 1840, a goods yard was opened nearby at Camp Hill by the Midland Railway. The companies successor, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, in 1926 bought the house and wanted to demolish it. There was a public outcry and the house was saved.

There was further plans to demolish the house in the 1950s due to it dilapidated state. But it was bought by Ivor Adams in 1954 and it was saved. It has been a Grade II* listed building since 1952.

The following two images taken from the Birmingham Museums Trust Collection, Digital Image Resourse and are in the Public Domain and dates to the early 1950s. Under the Creative Commons Zero Licence (CCO).

Stratford House in 1950. Ink drawing by John L. Baker. Topographical view of Birmingham, from the Birmingham Museums Trust collection.

Old houses, Stratford Place, Birmingham in 1951. Watercolour. By Allen Edward Everitt. Topographical view of Birmingham, from the Birmingham Museums Trust collection.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the house was home to Network Records, one of the UK's exponents of Techno music.

Stratford House, 2010

By the late 2000s and early 2010s it was occupied by Birmingham Centre for Art Therapies (BCAT).

Stratford House on Stratford Place in 2010.

Stratford House, 2016

In 2014 it was a swingers club called the Tudor Lounge (who signed a 10 year lease with Birmingham City Council). This opened in January 2015, but by December 2015 there was a major fire here. The building was extensively restored during 2016.

Restoration of Stratford House during April 2016. Views from the no 50 bus.

Restoration of Stratford House during May 2016. Seen from the Moseley Road in Highgate.

Stratford House, 2018

By 2018, Stratford House was fully restored, and was available to let.

Stratford House fully restored as of April 2018

Stratford House, 2021

From 2020, the building is now home to Age UK Birmingham and Age UK Sandwell. In April 2021, Birmingham City Council approved plans for the road in front of Stratford House to be closed to create a Knott Garden. It lies within the Clean Air Zone. If you go onto Highgate Middleway, that is outside of the zone.

Stratford House at the end of June 2021.

Modern 21st Century photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

One of the oldest buildings in Birmingham, including within what is now the City Centre (as far as the middle ring road), is The Old Crown. They claim to date back to about 1368. For instance they celebrated their 649th birthday in 2017 with a ribbon on one of the doors.

So as of 2021 they are now 653 years old!

History of The Old Crown

The Old Crown was probably built sometime between the year 1450 and 1500 (in Medieval and early Tudor times). Some evidence dating back to 1492. A man visiting Birmingham in 1538 described the building as a "mansion house made of timber". It is thought that the building was originally built as the Guildhall and School of St. John, Deritend. In 1589 the building was bought by "John Dyckson, alias Bayleys". It remained in the Dixon family for the next 100 years. It may have began to be used as an inn from this time, especially in the years following the Spanish Armada, and gained the name "Crown".

Although later evidence suggests it was used as an inn by around 1626, and being called the Crowne by 1666. During 1643, the forces of Prince Rupert attacking Birmingham during the Civil War (on the way to fire his musket at the cockerel of the old St Martin's Church), there was some skirmishes near the inn.

The house was converted into two houses in 1684, and then into three by 1693. It remained three houses until the 19th century. Joshua Toulmin Smith saved the building in 1851, from demolition by the Corporation of Birmingham (who wanted to improve the street). The Corporation again proposed to knock it down in 1856 and 1862, but Smith saved it each time.

The following three Public Domain Dedication images taken from the Birmingham Museums Trust Collection.

An etching of the Old Crown Inn, Deritend, Birmingham, 1895-1900, by Samuel Henry Baker (d. 1909).

A watercolour painting by George Warren Blackham of the Old Crown Inn Deritend, Birmingham. Probably in the late 19th century.

An etching of the Old Crown Inn, Deritend, Birmingham by J. Alfred Swatkins. Possibly late 19th or early 20th century, with the old tram tracks.

High Street Deritend, outside of The Old Crown was widened and reopened by 1955. This included removing the old tram tracks, and the old cobbled road surface. Buildings opposite were demolished, and the Bull Ring Trading Estate was later built there (on the site of St. John's Church, Deritend, which was demolished in 1947, after suffering damage during the Second World War in 1940).

Two vintage photos taken by the late Phyllis Nicklin, who was a tutor in Geography in the former Department of Extramural Studies, University of Birmingham. They were originally digitised by BrumPic.

The Old Crown in Digbeth taken by Phyllis Nicklin (University of Birmingham). This was probably before the road was widened in the mid 1950s.

The Old Crown in Digbeth, taken in 1960 by Phyllis Nicklin (University of Birmingham). High Street Deritend had been widened in the 1950s.

The Old Crown was bought by the Brennan family in 1991. In the summer of 1994, they found an old well, while doing repairs, when they were clearing out the old sheds at the rear of the property, which at the time had been closed off for more than 100 years. The Brennan family reopened the pub in 1998.

The pub is a Grade II* listed building (since 1952) at 186, 187 and 188 High Street Deritend, and is on the corner of Heath Mill Lane. It is situated to the right of the Custard Factory.

As of the summer of 2021, roadworks are taking place down on the Digbeth High Street. This is to build the Eastside Metro Extension. Which will be starting properly from July 2021. The route will go past the HS2 Curzon Street Station. Work has also began to built a Sprint bus route towards Solihull and Coventry on the A45 (via the Small Heath Highway and Coventry Road). It could be ready in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Old Crown in the 21st Century

The following images of The Old Crown were taken during October 2009 by Elliott Brown. This was on the first day that I would take photos around the Digbeth area.

The Old Crown 1368.

The Beer Garden / car park at the back from Heath Mill Lane.

The Old Crown Coffee Club, seen from High Street Deritend during January 2014.

Irish flags and bunting up, at The Old Crown, during March 2014 for the St Patrick's Day Festival. The parade used to take place down the Digbeth High Street each March until 2019.

A red ribbon on The Old Crown during November 2016, getting ready for Christmas. This view taken from the bus.

The Old Crown during March 2017 for St Patrick's Day. Getting ready for The Father Ted's Lampa. The St Patrick's Fundraiser.

Seen in March 2018, with snow on the roof, was The Old Crown. Again getting ready for St Patrick's Day. The beer garden around the back, became the Guinness Village, to show the England vs Ireland Six Nations Rugby Union match on the TV. 

One year on, to March 2019. St Patrick's Day again at The Old Crown. This time it had signs on it for 13 Hop House Lager.

Passing The Old Crown in Digbeth on the no 4 bus during the middle of June 2021. This was during the Euro 2020 match between England and Croatia.

Modern 21st Century photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The problem with Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Kings Heath

While the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Kings Heath has been designed for pedestrians and cyclists. It has created issues for car drivers. Residents live on those streets, and how do they get their cars out? As a result, traffic is now always busy up and down the Kings Heath High Street, as well as Vicarage Road, due to so many streets being closed to motorists. Residents of Vicarage Road have signs in their windows, such as "We need clean air too!".

Yarn bombing on Springfield Road, Kings Heath

Over on Springfield Road (from Poplar Road, Valentine Road and Cambridge Road towards Brook Lane) the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. There is even speed bumps. But idiot car drivers continue to exceed this speed limit.

So local residents have been getting busy during the last lockdown, knitting, and yarn bombing lampposts and bollards up and down the road. As you will see in the examples below.

Photos taken on the afternoon of Sunday 27th June 2021. Starting from near Cambridge Road Methodist Church.

Instead of driving a car down here at 100 miles per hour, perhaps walk, or ride a bike? Or catch a bus? (note that riding private electronic scooters is illegal on roads or pavements, even in Kings Heath).

This is near the Outer Circle bus route 11. The 11A bus stop on Brook Lane near Moseley Golf Club, while the bus stop for the 11C is on Addison Road. The 35 and 50 are a short walk away on the High Street (walk via Valentine Road, Poplar Road, Heathfield Road, Institute Road or Addison Road).

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Olton Reservoir

Located near the Chiltern Mainline and the Warwick Road in Olton, Solihull is Olton Reservoir. From the road / pavement it is a bit hard to see. But if you catch a train with West Midlands Railway (or Chiltern Railways) between Olton and Solihull (or in the other direction), you might be able to see the reservoir through the railway bridge that crosses the Warwick Road.

History of Olton Reservoir

Olton Mere was constructed as a reservoir to act as a feeder for the Warwick and Birmingham Canal in 1799 (it became part of the Grand Union Canal from 1927 onwards, after being purchased by the Regents Canal Company). The Mere was formed from marshland fed by Folly Brook (now Hatchford Brook). The Mere was extended in 1834 to increase the capacity in order to supply up to 150 locks.

It is the largest of the few areas of open water in Solihull and supports a large number of waterfowl. The woodland surrounding the Mere has remained undisturbed for many years, providing an important habitat for plants and animals.

There is no public access to the Mere but there is a good view of the Mere from the trains travelling between Solihull and Olton. Sailing on the Mere started in 1899 when five residents of St Bernard’s Road leased the reservoir from the canal company. A club was formed for sailing, fishing and shooting, although shooting was suspended in 1926 owing to a shortage of wildfowl.

The reservoir is now privately owned by the Canal & River Trust, who in turn lease it to the Olton Mere Sailing Club.

Below is the satellite hybrid view of Olton Reservoir on Google Maps.

On my YouTube video above (in the introduction), recorded in early February 2017 on a London Midland Class 172 train from Acocks Green to Solihull. We pass Olton Reservoir from 2:20 to about 2:43.

Three video screenshots from that video. First screenshot passing over the Warwick Road Railway Bridge.

Second screenshot, a view of Olton Reservoir from the train.

The view continues, although it was sunny, and the sun was on that side of the train.

A more recent view of Olton Reservoir, taken from the train, back in April 2018 (over 3 years ago at the time of this post). Time time caught some yachts on the reservoir from the Olton Mere Sailing Club. This was taken from a Chiltern Railways Class 165 train (sitting in the Quiet Zone), on a train ride from Solihull to Birmingham Moor Street.

Warwick Road railway bridge, Olton

This is the railway bridge on the Warwick Road in Olton, Solihull where you can see Olton Reservoir. This view from June 2010, as a Chiltern Railways Class 168 Clubman train passed over it. You can see the reservoir from the train window. If it's clear and not too bright that is (or raining).

By October 2016, Network Rail had give the bridge a fresh lick of green paint, making it look as good as new.

Another look at the Warwick Road railway bridge in Olton during February 2021. Taken during a lockdown 3 walk to the Grand Union Canal and back home. If you are in a car, sorry you won't be able to spot the reservoir from down there. I didn't get a train again until April 2021 (after restrictions were eased). But not got a train between Solihull and Olton since sometime in 2020.

Photos and video taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Birmingham

Mostly in the City Centre and at the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston. Also in Sutton Coldfield.

Birmingham City Centre

Location: Digbeth, Birmingham, West Midlands. Opposite of Digbeth Police Station.

Location: Park Street, Birmingham, West Midlands. Near Selfridges.

Location: Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands. Between Primark and Birmingham Moor Street Station.

Location: Fore Street, Birmingham, West Midlands. Between Cannon Street and Corporation Street. Not far from Corporation Street Tram Stop.

Location: Paradise Street, Birmingham, West Midlands. At Town Hall Tram Stop and near Birmingham Town Hall and Victoria Square.

Location: Station Street, Birmingham, West Midlands. Below the Southside Steps of Birmingham New Street Station.

Location: Summer Row, Birmingham, West Midlands. Next to University College Birmingham. Seen from Paradise Circus Queensway.

Location: Bath Row, Birmingham, West Midlands. Opposite St Thomas' Peace Garden. Near Park Central and Lee Bank.

University of Birmingham

Location: Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands. Near the University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness Centre. Close to Edgbaston Park Road (also the South and East Gate of the University of Birmingham).

Location: Ring Road South, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands. Near the University of Birmingham School of Chemistry.

Location: New Fosse Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands. Between the University of Birmingham  (West Gate) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (and not far from University Station).

Sutton Coldfield

Location: Monmouth Drive, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands. Near the Boldmere Gate of Sutton Park.

Coventry

Location: Butts Road, Coventry, West Midlands. Near the Premier Inn Coventry City Centre (Earlsdon Park) and Albany Theatre.

Location: Corporation Street, Coventry, West Midlands. outside of a Coffee Shop called Shakeout.

Solihull

Location: High Street, Solihull. Close to Hunters and the Masons Arms public house.

Location: Station Approach, Solihull, West Midlands. Opposite of Solihull Station.

Location: Station Road, Solihull, West Midlands. Close to Indian Brewery.

Location: Lode Lane, Solihull, West Midlands. Close to Solihull Hospital.

Walsall

Location: Broadway North, Walsall, West Midlands. Outside of Walsall Arboretum.

Can riders remember to properly dock the bikes when they are finished. Don't just randomly leave them on a pavement nowhere near a dock. They have GPS trackers on them (I think).

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Walsall Arboretum

I got the train back to Walsall from Birmingham New Street. Starting from platform 4c, the train went via the Soho Loop Line (meaning it bypasses Perry Barr and Aston, and doesn't stop at Hamstead or Bescot Stadium as it was the train to Rugeley Trent Valley). The only stop before Walsall was Tame Bridge Parkway. From the station, it was around a 15 minute walk, via the High Street and Council House in Walsall. Then you have to cross the traffic lights at the busy junction of Broadway North with Littleton Street East. Which was also near Queen Mary's High School. Your first sight of the arboretum is the Arboretum Lodge.

History of Walsall Arboretum

The Arboretum was built on the site of Reynolds Hall, which was the home of the Persehouse family from the 16th century. By the 18th century the estate had been inherited by the Littleton family, who developed lime quarries in Walsall. By the 1840s, one of the quarries had been flooded, and was used by local people for bathing and skiing. The then Mayor of Walsall during 1844 drowned in the lake, by then known as Hatherton Lake. By the 1850s, the quarries was being surrounded by villas and Queen Mary's Grammar School.

The Walsall Arboretum and Lake Company was formed in 1870, and plans started to turn the estate into a park. Plans included the building of two lodges, a boat house and bandstand by the county surveyor Robert Griffiths. The Arboretum was laid out from 1872 and opened to paying customers by 1874. In the following decade the Arboretum Company ran into financial difficulties, and it was sold to the Town Council, who opened it up as a free public park in 1884.

There was a major refurbishment programme in the park from 2010 until 2015, this included restoring the buildings, the lakes etc, and building a new Visitor Centre. 

A bronze bust of Jerome K. Jerome, an author born in Walsall was unveiled in 2016, while a bronze statue of a horse was relocated to the park in 2017.

West Midlands Cycle Hire

Before entering the park, I spotted a new West Midlands Cycle Hire docking point on Broadway North, so checked that out first. At least two bikes were not properly in the dock.

Later after leaving the park, saw a man with a white van, loading some bikes into the van, and making sure the other bikes were properly in the dock. I did not find any other West Midlands Cycle Hire docks in Walsall on this visit.

The Arboretum Lodge

This is the main entrance to the park at the corner of Lichfield Street and Broadway North. Built in 1872, it was originally the subscription paid for entrance to the park, but has been free to enter here since the local Council bought the park in 1884. It is now near the busy traffic junction on the Walsall ring road. It has a distinctive clock tower.

As I entered, I saw the bronze bust of Jerome K. Jerome and a man riding one of the new West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes out of the park.

Bronze bust of Jerome K. Jerome

The Walsall born author of Three Men in a Boat, Jerome K. Jerome (1859 - 1927) was honoured with a bronze bust, close to The Arboretum Lodge. It was sculpted by local artist Phil Kelly, and was unveiled in June 2016. Jerome was a Freeman of the Borough of Walsall, and the Jerome K. Jerome Society lobbied for a sculpture to be made to recognise him, in the town of his birth.

Jerome K. Jerome was born on the 2nd May 1859 at Belsize House on Bradford Street in Walsall. The Grade II listed house used to be a museum from the 1980s until 2007-08. The Jerome K. Jerome Society is hoping to find a new home for the exhibits that used to be in the museum.

Hatherton Lake

Originally a quarry pit, it was later flooded, and by the middle of the 19th century it was a lake used for bathing and skiing. There is a boat house on one side (built 1874) and a Bandstand (built 1924) on the other side.

This view of Hatherton Lake towards the bandstand.

This view of Hatherton Lake towards the boat house.

Later found an upper path that led back to the lake, and got this view with a distinctive Victorian style lamppost.

Another view towards the boat house on the opposite side of the lake. Hard to believe it used to be a quarry pit until the mid 19th Century.

One more view from the benches viewing area on Broadway North of the lake. Noticed that there is no steps or ramp down to the park from up here, you have to enter via the lodge, or anther gate.

Boat House

The Boat House is the only Grade II listed building in the park, dating to 1874. Probably designed by the county surveyor Robert Griffiths. It is a timber-framed building with hipped tiled roofs and a raised lantern. It has cast-iron columns and a concrete base supports above the water level. It is on Hatherton Lake.

First saw the boat house going in a clockwise direction around the lake.

Later saw the boat house on the walk back to the lodge,  just after passing the poppy field, and from the opposite side of the lake. Hard to believe it was opened around 1874-75. Especially with all the modern alterations to it.

Bandstand

The present bandstand was erected in 1924, replacing a previous structure on the same site that was built in 1873, which was of the conventional octagonal form. It is near Hatherton Lake.

The first view of the bandstand from the opposite side of the lake, shortly after I first arrived in the park.

The second view going off the upper path, was an area where you could look down at the bandstand and the lake below.

Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre was opened in November 2015. The opening of the visitor centre was the culmination of the arboretum restoration programme, delivered 2010 - 2015. Within the new building is retained a former agricultural building that pre dates the park. The new centre was wrapped around this key historic feature.

On the left is the Industrial Garden featuring Fluffy the Oss.

Bronze horse statue of Fluffy the Oss

This statue of a bronze horse was originally commissioned by Walsall Council in the 1990s, and used to be outside of the Civic Centre. But due to vandalism, it was removed to storage. Years later it was restored to the condition it is in now, and installed in the Industrial Garden near the Visitor Centre at the Arboretum in 2017. It was originally sculpted by Marjan Wouda. The garden celebrates Walsall's industrial heritage and is situated by the site of the old limestone workings.

Fluffy the Oss is a feature of the Industrial Garden at Walsall Arboretum.

The Leckie Building

This building was built from 1902, and opened in 1904 as the Pavillion Refreshment Room. It was designed by H. E. Lavender, and was the focal point of the park. It closed down in 1931, but reopened in 1936 as the  Joseph Leckie Sons of Rest Social Club for older adults which it remains to this day.

First view from the path to the centre of the park, but was a pair of trees in the way of the view.

Later walking back to the lake and lodge, got a pair of rear views.

There was a stone dated 1902 at the back of The Leckie Building.

Ladies Bowl Pavillion

This was originally a refreshment pavillion built in 1934. It was called the Richard B Sutton shelter. It was built of Cotswold Stone under a tiled hipped roof, with a locally supported by circular section rustic stone columns. In 2003 it became the club house for the Ladies Bowls Club.

This was near the halfway point of the park, saw a Welcome to Walsall Arboretum sign / map, and then followed another path back towards the lodge and lake.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden was quite close to The Leckie Building. This was an upper path view of it.

There was these steps with railings down the middle and a semi circlular arch above.

Summer Poppy Field

The poppy field is quite a sight to see at Walsall Arboretum each summer. It is close to Broadway North and Arboretum Road, and not far from the bandstand.

I wasn't the only one to stop and take photos of this poppy field, even dog walkers stopped to take a look!

A macro zoom in to one of the poppies.

After I left the park, a look at the poppy field over the wall from Broadway North.

The best of the rest of the park

Having just passed the Arboretum Lodge, and bust of Jerome K. Jerome, I saw these flower beds to the right of the path.

The paths around the Arboretum. This one (below) was between Hatherton Lake (right) and the Deep Pond (left).

While I was checking out the Hatherton Lake, I also saw the small pool to the left of the path. This is also called the Deep Pond. Behind is the villas on Victoria Terrace, which indirectly led to the quarry here closing, and the land being landscaped as a arboretum / park.

After the Visitor Centre, the long path that runs past The Leckie Building. A lot of tree coverage here.

A view of the Hoar Brook that flows through the Arboretum. Didn't see much of it, other than this view.

Near an area called The Lion's Den. Briefly went off the main path to the left. Then back over the area with picnic benches near the Ladies Bowls Pavillion (on the right).

This path was after the halfway point of the park, and the start of the walk back to the lake and lodge. Lots of trees, after all this is an arboretum!

Some hills as the path goes around a curve, and more trees. Perhaps this landscape was carved out as the quarry, then later grassed over from the 1870s.

Now on the path that follows the wall (on the left) near Arboretum Road. Down below (to the right) is Hatherton Lake and the Hoar Brook.

Eventually the path goes back down towards the lake, as you can see here.

After I left the park I saw WM bus 6600. It was on the National Express West Midlands, Black Country Bus Rally from Walsall to Wolverhampton. This was the only bus I saw. It was on Broadway North crossing the lights onto Littleton Street East (the Walsall ring road). Click the link above for the photos.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

COVENTRY UK CITY OF CULTURE 2021

Transport to Coventry

If you are heading to Coventry from Birmingham, the fastest route is from Birmingham New Street Station to Coventry Station with Avanti West Coast. Their Class 390 Pendolino service towards London Euston only takes about 20 minutes (with one stop at Birmingham International). If you went with London Northwestern Railway in one of their Class 350 Desiro trains, the journey might be longer.

Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010 to Birmingham New Street. Welcome to Coventry. 12th June 2021.

If you go by bus, take the X1 on a National Express West Midlands Platinum bus. The journey would take at least an hour or more (depending on where you get on). The bus terminates at Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry (not far from the Coventry Transport Museum).

The X1 National Express West Midlands Platinum bus to Birmingham at Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station, 29th February 2020.

Coventry's BID for UK City of Culture 2021

In 2017, the City of Coventry bid to be the 2021 UK City of Culture. Coventry won the bid in December 2017. The other bidders were: Swansea, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland.

"We weren't sent to Coventry, we chose to come. Coventry is a city of welcome, a city of stories, a city of innovation and invention, a City of Culture".

I saw the sign below at the Friargate development, not far from Coventry Station during October 2017.

Thre was also this sign about Coventry's bid for UK City of Culture 2021. Seen in Broadgate, Coventry, behind the Lady Godiva statue. Was in the window of Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre. This was in March 2018, so Coventry by this point had won the bid around 3 months earlier.

End of February 2020, and I saw this sign about Coventry 2021 at Friargate near Coventry Station.

"We are UK City of Culture 2021". This way to the City Centre. Several weeks before the 1st lockdown, and over a year before Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 would begin. It ended up getting delayed until May 2021 in the end. What with the 3rd lockdown, and having to wait for restrictions to be eased again.

Cultural activities in Coventry City Centre, March 2018

On the 24th March 2018, over 3 months since Coventry officially won the bid to be UK City of Culture 2021, there was various street entertainment taking place at the time around Coventry City Centre.

Men in kilts with a ladder near West Orchards Shopping Centre on Smithford Way.

"My City 2048". Also seen on Smithford Way in Coventry. Coventry (UK) is twinned with Volgograd (Russia). And this art was part of the Young Artists' Exchange. 50 young people in Coventry and in Volgograd, Russia were asked to imagine how their cities might look in the year 2084 (when Coventry and Volgograd will have been twin cities for 140 years). This is the exhibition that they came up with.

Canteen advert at West Orchards Shopping Centre, on a four wheeled slow vehicle. This was near a fountain and the Upper Precinct. There was also some people around in orange outfits at the time.

Colourful banners at the Upper Precinct. On my most recent visit to Upper Precinct on the 12th June 2021, I noticed that this footbridge above has been removed. As has the escalators behind with the glass windows.

Finally we had the Bureau of Silly Ideas, making sensible use of silly. There was a moving cone. This was at Broadgate.

Return visit to Coventry, June 2021

I got the train down to Coventry to see a bit of Coventry 2021 on the 12th June 2021. After checking out new station building, took a long walk around until I got back into the City Centre via Spon Street. Got to see the ribbons at Broadgate and the rainbow arcade on Hertford Street. I may have missed other areas I wasn't aware of. Was my first time travelling back to Coventry since the pandemic began.

This banner on the Friargate hoardings, I later saw on the walk back towards Coventry Station. There is a Coventry 2021 app apparently.

Earlier I saw this Coventry 2021 sign in the windows of a former BHS store, I was heading from the Upper Precinct to the Lower Precinct for a stop at Caffe Nero.

While landscaping of the City Centre streets continues in Coventry, at the Upper Precinct is this new water jet fountains for kids to play in.

The previous footbridge and escalators that was here has been removed, as you can see in this view towards the Lower Precinct. There is still a lot to do in regards to the new paving.

The view from the other side, it's not just Centenary Square, Birmingham where kids can have fun in water in a public space, such as here in Coventry!

Hertford Street rainbow arcade

I'd previously seen photos by Damien Walmsley taken in here. You can see his post on his blog here: Coventry looking good in the sun. The rainbow arcade is on Hertford Street.

I kept looking up at the many colours on the roof.

I missed spotting the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 shop (on the left). I wasn't aware of it when I was there.

I popped up some steps that led to a car park, after some views I headed back the way I came.

One more view of the rainbow arcade before returning to Broadgate.

Ribbons at Broadgate

Approaching Broadgate from the Upper Precinct for my first view of the ribbons.

The sun was shing as cyclist rode past, and people sitting on the benches below the ribbons.

The ribbons with messages above the infamous Lady Godiva statue.

There was also Coventry 2021 sky blue banners around the square.

View from the back of the Lady Godiva statue. The Upper and Lower Precinct were to the right.

More shadows with a view of the ribbons towards the Upper and Lower Precinct. After this I headed to Hertford Street (see above).

Coming back from Hertford Street, now back in Broadgate towards Primark, and retracing my steps down the Upper Precinct.

I would have looked for more after leaving the Lower Precinct, but ended up walking back to Coventry Station to return to Birmingham. That and get a few more shots of the new red station building.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

WM Travel bus 6600

I was aware of National Express West Midlands having a vintage bus rally in the Black Country. This included their modern buses in the heritage liveries. This was on Saturday 19th June 2021.

Got the train up to Walsall Station, and walked to Walsall Arboretum. After a walk around the park, I exited from the Arboretum Lodge that I entered earier, I saw a vintage bus on Broadway North.

I quickly got some photos of it while it was at the traffic lights, but was a car in the way.

There was no time to wait for the car to move out of the way.

Was able to get one more shot of the bus with licence plate no: NOC 600R as it passed the lights. With route 39 on the rear. It was heading onto Littleton Street East. These roads are part of the Walsall ring road.

I'd previously seen the same bus (WM Travel 6600, NOC 600R) at the Yardley Wood Bus Garage open day, back in November 2018. When it was displaying as route 74 to Wednesbury via Wednesbury (The modern 74 bus route goes from Birmingham to Dudley via West Bromwich).

Look out for a Walsall Arboretum post coming soon!

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown