5th April

10th April

11th April

17th April

21st April

1st May

15th May

All photography by Daniel Sturley

See more in the full Gallery here: One Centenary Way Construction Photography

King Edward VI Aston School

In 1883, 5 new Grammar Schools were founded as part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham. One of them was King Edward VI Aston School. Located on a site between Albert Road and Frederick Road, it also goes down Upper Thomas Street. Not far from two entrances to Aston Hall & Park. This is the only school from the 1883 creation to remain on the same site to this day. It became a boys only school in 1911, when the girls school was moved to Handsworth, forming King Edward VI Handsworth School. The school is for boys aged 11 to 18. The architect was J A Chatwin.

Another building was opened in 1963 called Douglas House (after a Victorian villa had had been on the same site). It has since been extended, and was named the Watcyn Thomas Wing, after a former Welsh Rugby International who taught at the school for 37 years. It was opened in 2008 by Bob Simpson, and Aston Old Edwardian (what former pupils are called).

I noticed some building work going on near Upper Thomas Street (May 2021).

 

The photo of King Edward VI Aston School below was taken in September 2003 by Wikimedia Commons user Mdsalih. I only ever once went into the school around 1993-94, looking at Grammar Schools. I never put Aston as a choice, but ended up at my local comprehensive school after failing the 11+.

 

All photos below are mine, taken on my most recent visit to Aston Hall & Park during May 2021.

Wasn't much to see from Upper Thomas Street, what with the building works, and double fences.

These views taken from Albert Road.

Suprisingly the building isn't even Grade II listed. I didn't see a sign saying King Edward VI Aston School.

Car parking from the residents of the houses opposite.

There is some modern houses built to the left of the school on Albert Road.

Heading onto Bevington Road, a quick look at Frederick Road. I once took this entrance to Aston Park about 5 years ago, although didn't really notice the school. The building below is probably Douglas House (of 1963), near the Aston Park Play Area.

The 1883 buildings by J A Chatwin seen from Frederick Road. More modern houses, and cars parked by local residents.

 

Look out soon for posts on King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools (Boys and Girls) and King Edward VI Five Ways School. Both schools which are no longer on their original sites. Camp Hill moved to Kings Heath, while Five Ways moved to Bartley Green.

See also my post on King Edward's School.

 

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

In Memoriam is a temporary artwork by artist Luke Jerram at Aston Hall & Park, for a couple of weeks in May 2021. They are made out of bed sheets, white and blue. In memory of those lost during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic, and in tribute to the NHS.

There is an NHS Covid-19 QR code to scan to check in while you are there and hand sanitiser.

Aston Hall opened at 11am, and I popped into the courtyard to have a coffee. After that a look around Lady Holte's Garden again. Nice decent spring like weather. Note that the actual hall itself is not open to the public at this time. A one way system into the courtyard (NHS Covid-19 QR codes to scan as you go in, and in the cafe).

 

 

Lady Holte's Garden

 

Bus: 65 or 67 to Lichfield Road (catch it from The Priory Queensway). Or 7 to Witton Road (catch it from Livery Street near Birmingham Snow Hill at Colmore Row).

Train to Aston or Witton station's (from Birmingham New Street).

Car parking is also available in Aston Park.

 

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

West Midlands Cycle Hire is already available in Coventry, Stourbridge, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton. The scheme will be coming to Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall soon. To use it, you need to download the Beryl cycle hire app from the App Store or Google Play. Use the app to unlock the bike. Ride it, later dock it, and lock it.

Use this link for the station map.

 

In Solihull Town Centre, there is 5 docking points.

1. Station Approach (near Solihull Station)
2. Station Road
3. Lode Lane (near Solihull Hospital)
4. High Street (near the Masons Arms)
5. Malvern & Brueton Park (not far from Park Road)

 

The only location I was aware of, was at the end of High Street in Solihull. Close to New Road and St Alphege's Church. Solihull Welcomes You! Safer, Stronger Solihull.

This docking point on the High Street is close to The Masons Arms.

As well as Hunters. Drury Lane to the left, leads to Mell Square.

 

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

A walk down Hagley Road and Broad Street on the morning of Thursday 29th April 2021. The third lockdown over the last four months meant I was unable to travel into the City Centre (other than by car). I did once pass this area in the car (as a passenger) going to and from Edgbaston Reservoir. But with lockdown restrictions being eased again, I'm able to ride trains and buses again. Got the no 1 to the Harborne Road terminus in Edgbaston, and walked down to Highfield Road (instead of taking the Morrisons shortcut). To get to the Hagley Road and walk towards Fifty4 Hagley Road.

 

Edgbaston Village

This is the site of what might be called Edgbaston Village Tram Stop, outside of Fifty4 Hagley Road (54 Hagley Rd).

There isn't much sign of a tram stop here, and they are still doing things around the tracks.

The site is just outside of Barclays Bank on the Hagley Road.

Heading to Starbucks Coffee for a drink, there is outdoor seating (not many tables and chairs).

I did initially sit at a table, but started to rain, so instead crossed over the road and continued on to Five Ways Island and Broad Street. Temporary traffic lights here.

 

Five Ways Tram Stop

Now on Broad Street, venues such as Cineworld and Pryzm have been closed since before the 2nd lockdown, and should be reopening by May 2021.

The crossover point on Broad Street near Pryzm, towards The Bank and The Mercian.

The other direction past Cineworld towards the Five Ways underpass, this leads to the Hagley Road in Edgbaston.

Bishopsgate Street, between Pryzm and Cineworld, has new paving. I look forward to going back to the cinema. For me it's been all Netflix and Amazon Prime Video over the 3rd lockdown.

The new Five Ways Tram Stop, with a view towards The Bank and The Mercian. Doesn't seem that long ago that you could get buses down here (more than 2 years ago now).

Map showing the further extensions that are being built, including to Brierley Hill, Wolverhampton Station and the Eastside extension.

Another look at Five Ways Tram Stop from Broad Street. In the direction of Five Ways Island.

 

Brindleyplace Tram Stop

Continuing on along Broad Street. It was very quiet in the morning. The odd person or cyclist heading down here.

Also the one person on a scooter. This was near The Bank and The Mercian.

Some poles have been installed for the overhead cables on Broad Street.

Approaching the site of Brindleyplace Tram Stop, I noticed the scaffolding on the left at Ten Brindleyplace, Willmott Dixon Interiors. Sainsbury's Local was open.

Brindleyplace Tram Stop was outside of Nine Brindleyplace and Free Radio.

Beyond Brindleyplace towards The Brasshouse and The Crown (Reflex The 80's Bar) and Coyote Ugly.

Outside of The Solomon Cutler Free House was parked several Colas Rail vans. I think they were doing something near Library Tram Stop.

Many of the Broad Street Walk of Stars were back on the pavement I noticed. Mostly the ones I've seen in the past.

 

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

December 2009

A couple of days before Christmas Eve 2009, I headed to Selly Oak with my then bridge camera. Caught the Worcester & Birmingham Canal from the Bristol Road for the first time. Snow and ice on the water. To the left is the Battery Park site (later to be developed into Selly Oak Shopping Park). On the right was the former site of the Winding Hole of the Lapal Canal. This was Selly Oak Junction. Dudley No. 2 Canal used to join here, and would head to the left of this point.

The Birmingham Super Hospital (later to be named Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham) and the Selly Oak Bypass were under construction at the time. The hospital would open in 2010, and the bypass in 2011 (under the name of Aston Webb Boulevard). On the other side of the Bristol Road is Selly Oak Station.

 

June 2011

Next to the Selly Oak Railway Bridge of 1931 on the Bristol Road, there also used to be this brick viaduct next to the existing Cross City Line. It was probably built in the 1870s, which resulted in two of the lime kilns that used to be on this site being levelled.

For many years, the area to the left was overgrown with trees or shrubs. Clearance of the land began in 2012, and the unused viaduct was demolished by 2015.

 

February 2013

A walk along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak towards the Ariel Aqueduct and University of Birmingham.

At the Bristol Road / Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal, you could at the time see some land clearance, and the old graffitied buildings remaining. The brick viaduct was still there. This view to the Selly Oak Railway Bridge of 1931.

The original winding hole of the Lapal Canal, used to be around here. Two more years and the abandoned brick viaduct would be demolished.

Up ahead, a sign on the wall for www.lapal.org. The current website is www.lapalcanal.co.uk

Not sure of the age of these derelict buildings, but they were all covered in graffiti and had broken windows.

Some of them had metal walls and roofs.

These two would be demolished in the following years to come.

The Cross City Line was behind, as well as the Selly Oak Electricity Substation building (near the Bournbrook Skate Park).

 

May 2015

The brick viaduct of the 1870s was demolished by 2015, and the hole site was cleared.

You can now see the Cross City Line viaduct from the Bristol Road in Selly Oak for the first time in years.

All the overgrowth was cut down, the derelict buildings demolished, as well as the removal of the unused viaduct.

 

June to October 2018

Construction of the new Selly Oak Shopping Park began in the autumn of 2017, and would be completed a year later in the autumn of 2018. This would include a new Sainsbury's store, as well as a Unite Students accommodation block. In June 2018, I saw this temporary builders footbridge crossing the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, from the Winding Hole site to the Shopping Park site.

Another look, but this time from the no 61 bus (top deck) on the Bristol Road, during October 2018. In a matter of weeks, the new Selly Oak Shopping Park and Sainsbury's would open to the public for the first time. A more permanent footbridge would be built at this site in 2020. And there would also be a new canal entrance built from the Bristol Road in 2019 as well.

 

August to October 2019

A new entrance and footbridge being built near the Bristol Road, Sainsbury's and Unite Students accommodation. Seen here during August 2019. Before then, you had to walk the long way around to the Selly Oak Shopping Park to Aston Webb Boulevard.

The new bridge would also be above the future tunnel of the Lapal Canal that would go under the new Sainsbury's in Selly Oak.

 

A visit to the Selly Oak Shopping Park during October 2019. The temporary footbridge from 2018 is gone.

The new footbridge over the entrance to the Lapal Canal was now open, and fully landscaped around the Unite Students accommodation. Winding Hole site on the far right all behind hoardings.

One day in the future, those who built and restore the Lapal Canal will have to dig up the surface below this new footbridge.

This is now a quick and easy route from the Bristol Road and Selly Oak Station to get to the Selly Oak Shopping Park. And more safer than the old canal entrance from Selly Oak (down The Dingle near a 2nd hand car showroom).

 

January to October 2020

First year of the pandemic. In January 2020 I went to Selly Oak to go into the new Sainsbury's. While there got these views. This area near the new footbridge at Bristol Road, next to the old bridge over the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

A West Midlands Railway Class 323 train on the Cross City Line, as work was under way at the Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal.

Blue hoardings on the left, as during 2020, the new permanent footbridge would be built at the site. Seems like plenty of activity at the time on the other side of the canal.

 

Views from the no 63 bus on the Bristol Road in Selly Oak, taken during February 2020. The footbridge over the start of the Lapal Canal near Sainsbury's at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

This would be the last time I would pass the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak before the first lockdown started about a month later. You can see the route of the Lapal Canal, that it will go in the future (after restoration). Part of the existing towpath would have to go, and people would have to cross over the footbridge.

 

After the first lockdown, restrictions were being eased by summer 2020. During August 2020, I walked a section of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, and saw the new footbridge under construction from the Selly Oak Shopping Park, to the Winding Hole site to the right.

Both sides had ramps and steps that the builders were installing here. The original pipe bridge and railway bridge were still behind.

The new ramps and steps on the Winding Hole side of the canal.

Saw a West Midlands Railway Class 170 train passing in orange and white. These trains are now in purple, before they are transferred onto East Midlands Railway.

The ramps and steps on the side of the canal near the Selly Oak Shopping Park.

General canal view of the new footbridge as of August 2020.

 

One more view of the new footbridge during October 2020, days before the 2nd lockdown began. This was from a Stirchley to Selly Oak canal walk that I did at the time. Wouldn't be back here again under after the 3rd lockdown restrictions were being eased during Spring 2021.

 

April 2021

The third lockdown from January 2021, meant I couldn't travel back to Selly Oak on public transport until April 2021. Got the train down to Bournville and walked up via Linden Road and Oak Tree Lane on the 24th April 2021. Walked down the Bristol Road, and got this view of the area as it is now. What a transformation!

It was completed in either late 2020 or early 2021. The grass on the right is where the winding hole of the Lapal Canal will be (once restored). But they will have to dig that all out.

Metal fence along the Bristol Road, as I headed down to the entrance.

There is bollards close to where the old viaduct used to end, until it was demolished more than 6 years ago.

This is the first time I think the area has been opened up to the public. From 1842 until 2000 it was the site to Goodman's, a successful builders merchant.

The area was also known as Whitehouse's Wharf. Selly Oak Junction opened here in 1798. The canal basin on this site was filled in during the 1940s. Sign in the middle all about the history and of the lime kilns that used to be here.

Heading to the footbridge, the ramps on the right, steps on the left.

Before going onto the ramps, saw this Cross Country Voyager train heading south over the Cross City Line viaduct bridges.

I went up half of the ramps, before going up the rest of the way up the steps.

The view from the top of the ramps. Hard to believe what a mess this site was a decade ago.

Crossing the footbridge to the Selly Oak Shopping Park. Sainsbury's on the left.

View from the footbridge, look how nice, clean and tidy the area is now. More work of course in the future for the Lapal Canal restoration. Will take a long time to reach Dudley again.

After a drink at Costa Coffee (sat on a bench outside of Sainsbury's). I headed back to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, to get a train back to Birmingham New Street from Selly Oak.

View of the winding hole site. Looks nice with the grass, but that will have to go when they dig down to restore it in the future.

One last look, before crossing Bristol Road, to get my train back to the City Centre. People with bikes can cycle all the way from here if they want to.

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

The site is being brought forward by Load Estates Ltd (Taylor Grange), with the aim of delivering a sustainably viable PRS (Private Rented Sector) development in three builds of 6, 11 & 25 storeys.

All three buildings will be grouped around courtyard gardens, providing high-quality landscaped amenity spaces.

Shared communal facilities, totalling 551sqm, will be prominent at ground floor level, each containing a reception area & lounge space; coupled with a games room, ‘WFH’ office space, gym, shared kitchen & dining areas.

Despite concerns raised that the development would impact heritage assets, they (officers & planning committee) concluded that ‘the public benefits of the scheme outweighed any harm identified.‘

The present site, which includes vacant unlisted 20th-century industrial premises, a substation, car park & a pair of semi-detached HMO dwellings, can now be safely demolished.

Despite the approval, removal of the vacant former Turner Machine Tools Building, a non-designated heritage asset, caused Historic England to voice deep concerns that the loss would further eliminate the area’s proud heritage. Councillors could not muster up a remark regarding its loss.

IMAGE: Turner Machine Tools/ Roger Marks, Flickr.

Once developed, apartments will range in size from 40- 80sqm and will see 146 one & 196 two-bedroom homes, created - providing a healthy mix of one, two, three & four-person accommodation.

16 of these apartments (4.7%) will be offered for affordable private rent—this is what the applicant can offer without rendering the development unviable.

To proceed, a S106 legal agreement will need to be agreed to secure these affordable homes into the scheme. 

BLUE-BRICKED 25 STOREY

The tallest block will feature a curved, blue-bricked 25 storey that will occupy a prominent corner facing onto both Princip Street & Lancaster Street. The others, at 6 & 11 storeys, will be predominately red-bricked.

Each block will provide activity at ground floor level and duplex units to enhance overlooking of the street frontages.

THE CHANGING FACE OF GQ

The cityscape around the area has changed significantly in recent years, helped by the publication of High Places document in 2003, with derelict sites around the canal and along Lancaster Street and Newtown Row continuing to be developed with residential & student accommodation—reaching upwards of 25 storeys.

All renderings are the property of Glancy Nicholls Architects.

The significant development has been brought forward by Lambert Smith Hampton & Holland Lloyd, on belhalf of City Realty.

Designed by Corstorphine + Wright, the site offers a golden opportunity to introduce a landmark office building to the area, whilst integrating Peace Gardens with a new passageway, connecting with the existing Chapmans Passageway.

This new landscaped route, designed by Fira, will dissect both builds and will provide a fluid link from Chapmans Passage, directly to the Peace Gardens, offering landscaping areas and seating for pedestrians and occupants en-route.

The larger of the two blocks will contain rooftop gardens at the upper level providing occupants with scenic views across the city.

Influenced in its materiality by the historic Grade II listed, Church of St. Thomas, it'll be constructed in buff brindle brick, with concrete faced columns and perforated panels.

The smaller block will feature glazed red brick, angled protruding windows and louvred panels - it has been designed to take into consideration the existing 93-99 Holloway Head, which will likely be converted as part of wider redevelopment plans.

A shared car park will be provided within the basement of the taller block, accessed off Marshall Street. It'll feature a range of lockers and showering facilities, alongside vertical cycle racks, 20 car parking & electric vehicle bays.

FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT PLOTS:

All images are the property of Corstorphine + Wright Architects

easyJet

EasyJet is a low cost airline with headquarters at London Luton Airport. They fly to routes all over Europe. The entire fleet was grounded when the Pandemic began in March 2020, but they have been flying again since that time. You can see them at Birmingham Airport, as well as taking off and landing there over the City.

 

The first time I flew on a plane was with EasyJet. But it was from East Midlands Airport to Rome back in June 2006 (15 years ago now!). Have not flown with them since.

 

EasyJet, November 2016

A bit of plane spotting at the Sheldon Country Park during November 2016. Caught this EasyJet Airbus A319-100 landing at Birmingham Airport on runway 15.

I saw it exit the runway and beginning to taxi back to the terminal building.

Distant car park to the far left, and the spire of St Peter's Church, Bickenhill.

There was so many cars in the car park behind the EasyJet plane. Car Park 5 is also a good area for spotting planes.

 

EasyJet, March 2017

By the spring, headed to the Sheldon Country Park again for another plane spotting session, this time in the sunshine. Saw this EasyJet Airbus A320-200 taxiing as it prepared to take off over runway 15.

Zooming in, the plane and the area around it looked all hazy on my camera, probably going well beyond optical zoom into digital zoom.

The plane was now on the runway about to take off over the Sheldon Country Park. It was heading from Birmingham to Geneva in Switzerland.

 

EasyJet, June 2017

Arriving on a Flybe plane at Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport in Lyon, France for a holiday around the historic Burgundy area, saw this EasyJet plane. It was a Airbus A319-100.

About a week later at the end of the holiday (around Burgundy) got this photo of this EasyJet plane. Another Airbus A319-100.

From the Flybe plane window I saw this EasyJet Airbus A320-200.

 

EasyJet, January 2018

Back in Birmingham, was waiting for a train at Stechford Station when I spotted this EasyJet Airbus A320-200 plane coming into land at Birmingham Airport. In the new livery, that I first saw at Lyon 6 months earlier.

 

EasyJet, February2018

One month on, was at platform 4 at Birmingham International Station, when I spotted this EasyJet Airbus A320-200 taking off from Birmingham Airport.

 

EasyJet, April 2018

Another EasyJet plane spotted from my walk to Catherine-de-Barnes in Solihull. This was during a Grand Union Canal walk from Solihull to Catherine-de-Barnes. Saw it from Hampton Lane. Was another Airbus A320-200.

 

EasyJet, July 2020

The first passenger plane that I spotted in the air, after almost 5 months of the 1st lockdown. Early on I saw a Jet2 plane from Fox Hollies Park (March 2020, days after the lockdown began). Then by July, had another walk to Langley Hall Park, and spotted this EasyJet Airbus A320-200 from Hall Green near the Fox Hollies Road. I'm not sure what kind of passengers would have been travelling with them.

 

EasyJet, April 2021

Not seen any passenger planes in the sky in ages. Now in the third lockdown. Spotted this EasyJet Airbus A321neo from the Sycamores Recreation Ground in the Kingfisher Country Park. International travel is currently not allowed (for holidays), so perhaps it's business people, or people flying to Northern Ireland? Hopefully with more restrictions being eased, International travel for holidays could be allowed again in the summer of 2021. Fingers crossed.

 

Look out in the future for posts on Jet2 and RyanAir.

 

If you are interested in more planes at Birmingham Airport posts click on the links below to view:

• Emirates Airbus A380
• British Airways
• Flybe Bombardier Dash 8 Q400
• Monarch
• BMI Baby
• Thomson to TUI
• Flybe Embraer
• Thomas Cook

 

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

New Blue Cycle Lane from Selly Oak Triangle along the Bristol Road

The work to extend the Selly Oak Bypass to the Bristol Road was completed at the end of 2020. A new blue cycle lane has been installed that runs down the side of the former Sainsbury's store (the plans for student flats were thankfully rejected).

 

Harborne Lane at Selly Oak Triangle

From Oak Tree Lane and Bristol Road in Selly Oak, you can see that traffic now goes in both directions, where as before it was one way. The ambulance was crossing from Oak Tree Lane to Harborne Lane.

The start of the new blue cycle lane at Selly Oak Triangle. Lots of new traffic lights and lampposts, no benches or trees at this point.

Part of the cycle lane comes from Harborne Lane.

 

Bristol Road towards Chapel Lane

There is a new bus lane that goes from Harborne Lane onto the Bristol Road. The bus stops have been moved to outside of the former Sainsbury's store.

Crossing over the bus lane. It all looks nice and new. Not sure if any cyclist has used it yet.

There is still trees growing in front of the former Sainsbury's store. Re-located bus stops on the right.

New young trees have been planted down here. Let's hope that they last and have a chance to grow.

Frankie & Benny's ahead at the Chapel Lane junction with the Bristol Road, sadly closed down in 2020 during the previous lockdowns.

 

Chapel Lane at the Bristol Road junction

At the Chapel Lane junction with the Bristol Road. Before this was one way, but it is now bi-directional as well. Speed limit of 20 mph. Former Frankie & Benny's restaurant on the right.

 

Bristol Road beyond Chapel Lane

No longer bus stop outside of the ex Frankie & Benny's. But there is some new cycle racks. TouchBase Pears up ahead on the right.

The pop up cycle lane that is now on the Bristol Road in Selly Oak near TouchBase Pears. Up ahead is the new Sainsbury's and Unite student accommodation at the Selly Oak Shopping Park.

 

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

Bartley Reservoir

You can get to Bartley Reservoir on the no 18 bus, that goes past Newman University, and can get off near Genners Lane. On Scotland Lane there is a picnic area and some car parking spaces. But you could also park a bit further down, close to King Edward VI Five Ways School. Other nearby bus routes include the 23.

My visits during December 2015 (by bus) and March 2021 (by car).

 

Bartley Reservoir, December 2015

Getting off the no 18 bus on Genners Lane in Bartley Green, I was eager to try out my then new bridge camera (which I'm still using today over 5 years later). Could see the retaining wall (or dam) at Bartley Reservoir on the left.

It was very windy at the time, so the water on Bartley Reservoir was a bit choppy due to Storm Desmond.

The direct view of the reservoir from Genners Lane. It was like the tide was coming in.

Between the retaining wall on Genners Lane and the water was a fence on the left. In the distance you can see Newman University.

Distant fields showing you that the reservoir is close to the countryside.

More of the same views of the reservoir as I walked up Genners Lane.

A bit of a zoom in to the fields to the back of the reservoir.

Halfway down there is a bench where you can sit and watch the reservoir. Bird watching perhaps, or on days when members of Bartley Sailing Club are out on the water?

The far end of the retaining wall (or dam).

It was very windy that day at Bartley Reservoir, this was to the north west corner.

One last look at the reservoir from the end of the retaining wall.

 

Small Tower at Bartley Reservoir

Saw this small tower from Genners Lane, behind it was Bartley Sailing Club. The gate was locked.

I would guess it would have something to do with the water coming from the Elan Valley in Wales.

Only Severn Trent staff can go down that bridge I would think.

The gate was locked, and was danger signs, also No swimming allowed.

 

Bartley Sailing Club 

I've yet to see any of the boats out on the reservoir, that day it was too windy due to Storm Desmond!

There is a sailing club house on the right.

Steps below the sailing club, and somewhere for members to climb into their boats (but not in this weather of course).

There was a lot of yachts on dry land.

From Genners Lane there was an open gate, and I could see some of the boats nearby.

 

Bartley Reservoir, March 2021

More than 5 years later, back to Bartley Reservoir, but by car this time. We went around Scotland Lane, and parked just beyond King Edward VI Five Ways School. Then walked along the road towards the Picnic Area. Where there would be some nice views of the reservoir.

A sign warning fly tippers. Sadly I saw a lot of rubbish and fly tipping alongside Scotland Lane at this point, even with CCTV camera's they are still doing it!

First view of Bartley Reservoir from near the picnic area.

There would be a path to head down in a short while.

Block of flats seen on the other side of the reservoir. The retaining wall (dam) and small tower seen to the far left.

There was a fence at the bottom of the field near the picnic area.

Zooming into some buoys, with gulls in the distance, they weren't close to the banks of the reservoir, just in the middle.

The general direction to Frankley Reservoir. At least one of the roads in this area was having roadworks, but you can't get to close to Frankley Reservoir on foot.

This tree at the picnic area, had things taped to it, some memorial to someone who passed away?

A zoom in to the small tower at the retaining wall (dam).

Leaving the picnic area behind, we walked back up Scotland Lane, how heading towards Senneleys Park. Saw this view between the trees.

From Scotland Lane, went down Field Lane, and got to Genners Lane. Went past King Edward VI Five Ways School and Newman University. Got to Bartley Sailing Club when I saw this boat with fangs on it!

A quick look at Bartley Reservoir from Genners Lane near the retaining wall (dam). Before heading up Cromwell Lane towards Senneleys Park.

It hasn't changed much in more than 5 years, other than the water was much calmer.

Still fences around the north west corner of the reservoir close to the retaining wall.

Areas for launching yachts and boats close to Bartley Sailing Club.

One last look at the retaining wall and Genners Lane, before walking up Cromwell Lane towards Senneleys Park.

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

Located within the highly sustainable Paradise Birmingham site, this original build to rent skyscraper will soar to 49 storeys tall (155m/ 510ft) and with it, will set a barometer for healthy, sustainable and quality new homes for the city.

The building will stand tall and proud as a signpost for the city, making the most of its location on the Birmingham ridge - a line of higher ground that stretches from Snow Hill to Five Ways along Colmore Row and Broad Street.

It'll provide 370 high-quality spacious one, two & three-bedroom apartments in a mixture of 218 one-bed (two persons), 144 two-bed (four persons) & 8 three-bedroom (six persons) units, with apartment sizes healthily ranging from 51.3- 115 sqm. 

PUREST FORM - A WORLD'S FIRST

Designed by Birmingham-based architects, Glenn Howells, with landscaping coming from global landscaping firm, Grant Associates, Octagon will feature eight identical facades - conveying the purest octagonal form, with the building's frame punctuated by large horizontal windows opening up apartments to panoramic views of the city. 

With Council House, Alpha Tower, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG), and the Grade-I listed, Town Hall, all within close distance, the 'light champagne' finished exterior will give off a warm tone to reflect its grandiose surroundings, and this will also be echoed in the Octagon's subtle backlit crown, too.

30 affordable rented units are included, equating to just over 8% of the total number of apartments.

AMENITIES, RETAIL & CYCLES

Profiting from a triple-height glazed base, lower & upper ground floors floorspace will be home to retail, amenity, leisure and residential entrance spaces.

Amenities will comprise dining/ café, lounge areas, live/work meeting space, and wellness hub/gym supporting opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles.

Crucially, the new vibrant space will open up to a landscaped courtyard within Paradise - ultimately driving footfall through the evolving development. 

Zero car parking spaces will be provided, however, four accessible spaces will be situated at ground level alongside an on-site cycle store containing 225 storage spaces.

A 550-space car park will be provided within the wider Paradise masterplan.

'PUBLIC BENEFITS'

The principle of development has been supported from the getgo, with the belief that Octagon is too good an opportunity to pass up on.

'Furthermore, the public benefits of the scheme demonstrably outweigh the less than substantial harm caused to the setting of nearby heritage assets. It is therefore considered that the development application is acceptable subject to completion of an s106 legal agreement and safeguarding conditions.' - Birmingham City Council Planning Officers.

DEMOLITION

77 Paradise Circus Queensway currently stands in the way of progression - this will be demolished and has been earmarked for a 2021 removal date once a contractor has been formally tendered & announced.

All renderings are the property of Glenn Howells Architects.

Digbeth Fun Fair opened on Monday 12th April 2021. In time for more restrictions being eased in the middle of Spring 2021. Just as people can go back to bars and restaurants (at the moment eating and drinking outside). The Fun Fair in Digbeth is located on wasteland at the corner of Moseley Street and Charles Henry Street (close to Highgate and towards Southside). You can approach it from the Custard Factory by walking up Birchall Street. It is also near Alcester Street, which connects you to Sherlock Street (if coming from Southside).

Due to the lockdowns and Tiered restrictions, Ice Skate Birmingham was cancelled in 2020 (it would have taken place around November 2020 to January 2021 at Centenary Square, but it didn't happen). Ice Skate Birmingham was based at Centenary Square until 2016, then at Eastside Green for 2017 and 2018, before moving back to Centenary Square in 2019.

So Digbeth Fun Fair is about 6 months later than the last Ice Skate Birmingham could have opened (but without the ice rink). Many of the rides here have featured at the previous events.

 

The approach from Birchall Street past The Market Tavern on Saturday 17th April 2021.

 

Digbeth Fun Fair seen at the corner of Charles Henry Street and Moseley Street.

 

The views below all taken from Charles Henry Street.

Wild Mouse was last seen at Ice Skate Birmingham on Eastside Green in 2017-18.

 

Welcome - I recall seeing this at a previous fun fair that was near Curzon Street Station in a car park about 10 years ago (now where the HS2 station will be built).

 

The Big Wheel and Sky Flyer. They were last seen in Centenary Square around 2019-20.

 

A ride called Extreme. View towards the Beetham Tower and Centre City Tower. 

 

Wild Mouse and The Big Wheel back together again.

 

Wild Mouse and the Sky Flyer.

 

The Big Wheel with the Wild Mouse and Sky Flyer.

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

Opening in 2023, the first phase will see the delivery of a 130,000 sq ft state-of-the-art office & research development building–positioned to the east of Aston Webb Boulevard and the west of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal–providing a high-quality cluster for health excellence, including biopharma, medtech, precision medicine and genomics.

Designed around the notion of an 'ordered bookshelf, it will become home to the University of Birmingham's Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA) for start-ups, providing incubation space, wet and dry labs, clean rooms, prototyping and maker space.

This will offer close, direct access to the University's clinical trials ecosystem and research capabilities, and will provide a flawless setting to scale ground-breaking innovations for rapid adoption into the healthcare system.

Support facilities will see a ground floor café space, events and meeting spaces, with a central green parkland & pond, a temporary surface level car park for 258, motorcycle parking for five & outdoor spaces for 60+ cycles.

Pedestrian & cycle links will, too, be formed, alongside the formation of a new spine road connection to the Queen Elizabeth Island roundabout.

BIRMINGHAM HEALTH INNOVATION CAMPUS

The 10-year masterplan is being brought forward between the University of Birmingham, as landowner, and Bruntwood SciTech, in partnership with Birmingham Health Partners (University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust & Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust). 

BHIC will become the regions only dedicated health and life sciences park, providing pioneering facilities within the heart of a cluster of healthcare excellence, bringing together researchers, clinicians, policy makers and industry to rapidly translate scientific and clinical insights into patient benefit and economic growth.

It is projected that up to 10,000 new jobs will be created, alongside the delivery of an extra (Plots 2-5) 700,000 sq ft state-of-the-art lab, office and incubation space acting as a catalyst for the growth of the Midlands’ life sciences sector.

PHASES 2-5

Five new buildings of up to eight storeys are reserved for future phases, with a 1333 space multi-storey car park (MSCP) integrated for good measure.

These builds could well see innovative health and life sciences businesses take up pre-lets or co-locate at the heart of the BHP ecosystem. The potential is enormous.

All images are the property of Sheppard Robson.

One Eastside will deliver three builds containing a 2, 16 (51m) & a 51 storey (155.145m) skyscraper on vacant brownfield land at the corner of Jennens Road and James Watt Queensway, comprising 667 one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a two-storey courtyard pavilion.

With its minimalist white fluted appearance, complete with deep reveals & modern yet classic grid design, Glancy Nicholls’ One Eastside design will immediately become the largest structure in the city, conquering top spot and knocking BT Tower (151m) - who’s held that mantle for over fifty years - off its perch and into second.

357 PRS one & 310 two-bedroom open-plan apartments will be provided, with sizes ranging from 38.2-71.36 sqm. Twenty apartments will be allocated for ‘affordable housing’ and these will be available at 20 per cent below local market value in perpetuity.

All three buildings, including the pavilion, will feature a high quality range of residential amenity in the form of co-working spaces, cafe/retail areas, meeting rooms, lounges, roof terrace, residents’ lounge, games room and private dining areas.

An expansive 3,200 square metre landscaped courtyard garden will be positioned between both towers, supporting yet more amenity space.

No car parking provision has been allocated given the location of the development; however, this will be mitigated with 132 secure cycle spaces.

The development was not without its objections. LaSalle Investment & The Victorian Society, once again, objected on the basis that the site would diminish key heritage buildings such as Curzon Street station, Methodist Central Hall and Victoria Law Courts - despite the former funding a building next door that dwarfs most of these.

Planning officers, recommending the scheme for approval before the committee meeting, accepted that, yes, a 51 storey would naturally harm one's surroundings but, with full objections & worries fully assessed, the substantial wider public benefits were considered to outweigh the harm from any such impacts.

PAVILION GYM: To be constructed in a ceramic green gloss metal with transparent and opaque glass.

One Eastside was approved 12-0.

All images are the property of Glancy Nicholls Architects & Fira Landscape.

The Kingfisher Country Park starts in Birmingham from the Coventry Road in Hay Mills. Not far from Small Heath and Haybarnes Circus. This is part of the Cole Valley Route that walkers and cyclists alike can use. Sadly as soon as we got here on Easter Sunday 2021 (Sunday 4th April 2021) I could see litter, rubbish and fly-tipping all over the place (it was not nice to see how people treat our City and wonderful open spaces).

The walk was through four recreation grounds that follow the River Cole.

Hay Barn Recreation Ground starts at the Coventry Road in Hay Mills and ends at Hob Moor Road.

Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground starts at Hob Moor Road and ends at Yardley Green Road in Bordesley Green.

Sycamores Recreation Ground starts at Yardley Green Road and ends at Bordesley Green East.

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground starts at Bordesley Green East and ends at Eastfield Road (you can see the West Coast Mainline to the far end with Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway trains going by).

 

Hay Barn Recreation Ground

Starting at the Coventry Road in Hay Mills, there is this map of the entire Kingfisher Country Park from Hay Mills towards Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. Sadly other maps like this in the country park had graffiti on them.

A Project Kingfisher sign showing signs of past vandalism. It mentions that riding off road bikes with City Council parkland is illegal. I later saw an idiot riding a petrol powered dirt bike around Bordesley Green Recreation Ground in circles, all over the grass. Plus last Christmas was idiots riding bikes in the part in Shard End.

Earlier we first had views of the River Cole from the Berkeley Play Park.

But was no footbridge to cross over the River Cole at this point, but later found a footbridge further up in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground.

From the Haymills Old Bridge dated 1903 on Coventry Road, with the River Cole below. A cyclist from Just Eat in orange stopped on the path on the left.

The correct form of bikes, a couple riding bicycles along the Cole Valley Route. This is how it should be done!

Daffodils to the left of the main path.

When we first got to the Kingfisher Country Park, we were near the Berkeley Play Park, and walked down to the Coventry Road. While on the Cole Valley Route in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground, spotted this footbridge over the River Cole which we later used as an exit from the park on the walk back to the car.

View of the footbridge over the River Cole. Which we crossed at the end of the walk heading back to the starting point on Berkeley Road.

Further on in the Hay Barn Recreation Ground is this open field, running towards Hob Moor Road.

The path continues alongside the River Cole towards Hob Moor Road.

Getting close to Hob Moor Road, the bridge is almost in view.

The Hob Moor Road Bridge over the River Cole.

 

Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground

Now at Hob Moor Road, and into the Newbridge Recreation Ground. Several wooden bollards here. Plus a fingerpost / direction sign on the Cole Valley Cycle Route along the River Cole. The name of the area comes from Newbridge Farm, which used to be located at this site near the river.

From here, you can cycle left to the City Centre and Small Heath, or right towards Stechford. (Note the sign has an extra "t" which is incorrect).

The path in Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground curves to the right, already signs of litter on both sides of the path!

The path heads straight towards Yardley Green Road.

Some green areas, so you have plenty of space for the 2 metre social distancing rule, while on your walk (to overtake some slow people).

Getting close to Yardley Green Road, the path curves to the left.

Bollards and another fingerpost at Yardley Green Road. Also a gate on the right where the lawn is.

Interesting bridge on Yardley Green Road to the right of here. With a separate pedestrian footbridge. Was quiet on the Easter Sunday, but I gather in normal times there could be a lot of cars driving down here.

 

Sycamores Recreation Ground

From Yardley Green Road in Bordesley Green, we next enter the Sycamores Recreation Ground. More bollards here. Sometimes the Kingfisher Country Park is also called Project Kingfisher.

Beyond the Project Kingfisher sign (missing fingerposts?) the path curves to the right, then beyond to the left.

Heading on the path in the Sycamores Recreation Ground, it now turns to the left before turning to the right.

A distant cyclist up ahead, the odd piece of litter on the lawn on both sides of the path.

Bordesley Green East is now in view, as the path curves to the left.

The River Cole is visible again on the right, as is the Bordesley Green East Bridge.

At Bordesley Green East, more bollards. This is a busy dual carriageway road. Turned right and headed to the pelican crossing traffic lights.

 

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground

Starting at Bordesley Green East, we enter the Bordesley Green Recreation Ground after crossing over at the lights. This area was the former site of Batchelors Farm.

Many families enjoying the sunshine and sitting on the lawn. Sadly the litter problem here was quite bad to see.

The path curves around the Recreation Ground. While here, kept seeing an idiot riding a dirt bike around the ground in circles. Tyre tracks were visible in the grass. Other signs of burnt out former off road bikes were along the path.

The path curves in an S shape as we passed these bushes to the right.

Not too visible here, but in the distance is the West Coast Mainline. Stechford Station is to the far right of here.

Bits of rubbish on both sides of the path, and sometimes on the path.

The path is good to walk on though, was even the odd dog walker and cyclist here.

Getting close to the end of the path, a man riding a bike in orange.

End of the path at Eastfield Road. Litter was really bad around here, plus graffiti on the wall on the right. Turned back from here towards Hay Mills.

 

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

See the full Crane Photography Gallery here: Crane Photography

5th September 2021

11th september 2021

19th Septmber 2021

27th September 2021

30th September 2020

4th October 2021

17th October 2021

5th November 2021

6th November 2021

1st November 2021

5th December 2021

10th January 2020

25th February 2021

28th February 2021

7th March 2021

16th March 2021

21st March 2021

30th March 2021

All photography by Daniel Sturley

See the full Crane Photography Gallery here: Crane Photography

 

 

 

For years, the shiny discs at Selfridges have been going missing, you might see the odd abseiling worker dangling down the side taking them down, or replacing them. But this process is taking ages. So finally something is being done about it. Scaffolding has been going up the last six months, a long with pink artwork by Osman Yousefzada called the Dogtooth Flower. As of April 2021, they still haven't finished putting it all up. The goal is for workers behind the scaffolding to take down all the discs, and replace them with new ones. Hopefully in time for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022. Good luck! The time is ticking down!

 

This photo below taken during March 2019. Men abseiling down Selfridges with blue bags, probably holding some of the discs.

 

 

16th November 2020

Heading back to the office in the middle of the second lockdown, got off the bus early and walked up Digbeth to see Selfridges with scaffolding going up.

At first the scaffolding only went up Park Street, and the windows were covered up to protect them.

No scaffolding on Moor Street at this point.

 

20th November 2020

Leaving the office just before 5pm GMT, headed down to St Martin's Square at the Bullring to check of the hoardings at Selfridges after dark.

About the same amount of scaffolding as 4 days earlier. Was also Christmas lights on Park Street.

As well as Christmas lights up Moor Street.

 

18th December 2020

On the bus in the evening heading home from work, spotted the first bit of pink hoardings artwork by Osman Yousefzada. Selfridges was claiming that they were still open as usual. At the time in Tier 3 restrictions.

 

24th December 2020

The Christmas Eve walk around the City Centre. Saw the same piece of pink artwork but in the daylight before getting the bus home. Would be the last time I would see it in 4 months. As the 3rd lockdown began a few weeks later early into January 2021.

 

3rd April 2021

View from the train pulling into Birmingham Moor Street Station. I would stay on until Jewellery Quarter Station. Couldn't travel in while "Stay at Home" during the 3rd lockdown. But once we changed to "Stay Local" I got my first train in months. From the Restored Chamberlain Clock in the Jewellery Quarter, on a walk to Selfridges.

Later after a walk around the City Centre, got to Upper Dean Street from Southside, got this view over the Bull Ring Open Market and St Martin's Church, with the Bull Ring Tavern on the right.

The views of the pink hoarding artwork up Park Street, starting from St Martin's Lane.

The corner of Park Street and Moor Street, near Moor Street Car Park, as a National Express West Midlands bus went past.

Onto Moor Street on the walk up to Birmingham Moor Street Station.

The No 50 NXWM Platinum bus. Not been on a bus in 4 months now.

Artwork information inside of the hoardings opposite. Osman Yousefzada created this artwork in conjunction with Selfridges and the IKON Gallery.

View from Birmingham Moor Street Station, platform 3. With two Chiltern Railways trains, 168 325 and 165021. Couldn't see any other views from the station, so walked around the one way system, and crossed the footbridge to get my train home.

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

The significant four-acre site - formerly of AE Harris and once home to James Watt - is being brought forward by a Galliard Homes & Apsley House Capital Joint Venture.

Designed & master-planned by Glenn Howells Architects, it will become a mixed-use destination containing 305 new homes–including lofts, townhouses and duplexes–and circa 100,000 sq ft of commercial, retail & affordable business space across 20 buildings between two and five storeys.

The JV follows in the footsteps of Timber Yard and Soho Wharf - both under construction - and the recently proposed Belgrave Middleway, with the intention of providing thousands of high-end homes in the city.

Ground breaking: Photo by Galliard/ Thebusinessdesk

Demolition: Stephen Giles/ March 2021

A chunk of the site’s heritage will be meticulously maintained - two of which are Grade II listed buildings (109 Northwood St & 199 Newhall Street), while redundant factory buildings, deemed as having no architectural merit, have already been demolished.

Northwood Street, partially closed to the public, will also be reopened to pedestrians for the first time in well over 20 years. A new street, called Harpers Hill, will be formed and will stretch from Newhall Street into the heart of the Jewellery Quarter.

A new public square will then be incorporated, animated by vibrant shops, bars and restaurants.

44 car parking spaces will be provided alongside space for circa. 326 cycles.

AE Harris had operated on the site since 1964 but now employs 37 people and only ever used a third of the site. They have since moved to Frankley, having accepted that modern manufacturing methods do not meet their requirements.

We'll be updating on a regular basis. Be sure to follow the project here (opens in same window), as well as on our social media channels listed below.

All renderings are the property of Glenn Howells Architects.

THE BIG EGG HUNT

VICTORIA SQUARE

FEBRUARY 2013

 

Coming to Central Birmingham in the last week of February 2013, was The Big Egg Hunt. A trail of 101 painted Easter Eggs. The trail went around all the major Cities in the UK, including Birmingham. And they would be auctioned off at the end of the trail for charity.

There was loads of Easter Eggs in Victoria Square, too many to take in one go, so I only took photos of a couple of them at the time. This view to the Council House.

 

Humpty Dumpty to the far left, a Lindt Gold Bunny on the right.

The charity was Action for Children. The trail was fun for kids and adults alike to see.

 

View of all the Big Eggs towards 130 Colmore Row, at the Colmore Row corner with Waterloo Street. This was the site from 1901 to 1970 of Galloway's Corner.

 

A Frugal Meal

Near the bottom of the steps at Victoria Square was this caricature of King George III eating a egg in a egg cup. A Frugal Meal by the artist Charlie Billingham. Lot No. 14.

 

Leafy Abstract

This green egg looked a bit like a dinosaur egg. Was near the bottom of the steps close to one of the Sphinx Guardians. Leafy Abstract by the artist Laura Morrison. Lot No. 41.

 

Humpty Dumpty

Careful that you don't knock Humpty Dumpty over or he'd break up into a million of pieces!

 

Lindt Gold Bunny

One of the Lindt Gold Bunny's in Victoria Square at the time.

 

Another Lindt Gold Bunny

A giant Lindt Gold Bunny surrounded by fences.

 

More Lindt Gold Bunny's

About four Lindt Gold Bunny's outside of the main entrance to the Council House, with Starbucks Coffee to the right.

 

Hope you had a nice Easter 2021 and Passover 5781.

 

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

Go straight to the main gallery: 103 Colmore Row Construction Photo Gallery

103 Colmore Row from Cathedral Square (3rd January 2021). Photography by Daniel Sturley

103 Colmore Row at dusk. (19th January 2021). Photography by Daniel Sturley

View from Tysley Station (2nd February 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

The fog hides the top of 103 Colmore Row (6th February 2021). Photography by Daniel Sturley

View from Oaklands Recreation Ground. (17th February 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

18th March 2021, 103 Colmore Row with a rainbow.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

View from Edgbaston (19th February 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

View from Edgbaston Reservoir (24th February 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

7th March 2021, 103 Colmore Row from Suffolk Street Queensway near the Mailbox.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

16th March 2021, 103 Colmore Row from Victoria Square.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

22nd March 2021, 103 Colmore Row at sunset.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

26th March 2021, Installation of the bolcony parapet glass.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

1st April 2021, 103 Colmore Row from Victoria Square.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

7th April 2021, 103 Colmore Row just before sunset.  Photography by Daniel Sturley

Click: 103 Colmore Row Construction Photo Gallery for more.

The Jewellery Quarter Chamberlain Clock via the JQ BID.

 

Previous Chamberlain Clock posts here:

• Jewellery Quarter Chamberlain Clock
• Removal of the Chamberlain Clock in the Jewellery Quarter

 

It was probably best that I was unable to travel up to the Jewellery Quarter over the weekend of the 20th and 21st March 2021. As at the time we were still under "Stay at Home" restrictions. This changed on Monday 29th March 2021 to "Stay Local". Working at home, I was unable to travel up to the Jewellery Quarter until the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. So got the train to Jewellery Quarter Station on Saturday 3rd April 2021 in the morning. For the start of a walk around the City Centre (which would end at Selfridges and Birmingham Moor Street Station).

 

A new sign about The Chamberlain Memorial Clock was installed close to The Golden Square and Vyse Street (just behind the Rose Villa Tavern). It's mentions Joseph Chamberlain's roll in what is now called The South Africa War (formerly The Second Boer War of 1899 -- 1902). Chamberlain's tour of South Africa led to this clock being erected near here in 1903. QR code on the sign, leads to the Chamberlain Clock website (link at the top of this article).

 

First view of the newly restored Chamberlain Clock from Vyse Street, on the walk from Jewellery Quarter Station. The other clock to the far right is at Three Brindleyplace. Jurys Inn was also visible from here.

 

It was now possible from Vyse Street to see the restored Chamberlain Clock with The Mercian and The Bank Tower 2. As well as the clocktower of Three Brindleyplace behind it. The Bank Tower 1 and Eleven Brindleyplace visible to the right.

 

View of the Chamberlain Clock, now working from Vyse Street, with Warstone Lane to the left and right. Frederick Street is straight ahead.

 

The clock was previously restored during 1989 - 90 by Octo Welding. This time from 2020 - 21 by Smith of Derby. Greggs at the Chamberlain Building to the left.

 

As well as repairing the internal mechanisms, Smith of Derby also repainted the clock and the plaques from 1903 and 1990. This view to the HSBC UK bank.

 

A close up zoom in of the clock. It looks amazing now. Lets hope it lasts more than 30 years before they have to restore it again.

 

Now looking from Frederick Street, with the Chamberlain Clock. Vyse Street is behind. Not far away is Warstone Lane Cemetery.

 

Heading down Frederick Street towards Newhall Hill, one more view of the clock. Since this lockdown began, Costa Coffee opened up a new coffee shop at 32 Frederick Street. Somewhere to stop for coffee in the future (when we can sit inside again, and not just have a takeaway).

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

Summer 2020

It was August 2020, and there was astroturf outside of Piccolino Italian Restaurant. Meanwhile there was green leaves on all the trees in Oozells Square.

It was a bit wet from the rain, and was more space to set up outdoor seating for Siamaiz Thai Restaurant. This was during Eat Out to Help Out (restaurants had only reopened that July).

 

Autumn 2020

It is now October 2020, and the outdoor seating on the astroturf for Piccolino and Siamaiz was still there. By then, all the leaves had turned brown, with leaf fall going on.

Sadly by the time November came around, the 2nd lockdown had began, and all restaurants had to close, and would remain closed throughout the winter, and into the 3rd lockdown. Still the trees looked nice at the time.

 

Winter 2020

Early evening in Oozells Square during December 2020. All the leaves had fallen, and the outdoor seating was gone. Just after the 2nd lockdown ended and we were in Tier 3 restrictions. Was heavily raining at the time.

The view towards the IKON Gallery, near the Pergola Sculpture by Paul de Monchaux (1998). The rain and the reflections adds to the scene after dark.

 

Spring 2021

Four months later at the beginning of April 2021 during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The famous cherry blossom is on the trees in Oozells Square. Was a handful of people about on the way I walked past here. Added to the view now is The Mercian.

All the restaurants here have been closed for about 6 months now. Hopefully they will be allowed to reopen soon. But first they will need to get the outdoor seating back out again. But the cherry blossom might be finished by then.

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

25th March

28th March

30th March

1st April

Photography by Daniel Sturley

Composed of two housing ideologies, the dwellings will be arranged in 8 terrace blocks running parallel to the canal and Rotton Park Street. Each will be equipped with terraces & will be centred on two spacious internally shared courtyards.

They include 29 two & three storey factory-built ‘Town Houses’—a build already used in earlier phases, and a new one for Port Loop: 69 two & three storey factory-built ‘Row Houses’—all designed by London architecture studio, shedKM.

Significantly, a new section of the canal towpath will be opened up - and this will form a major part of the newly landscaped public realm for both residents and the public to enjoy.

Around 110 new trees will be planted around courtyard areas and within proximity of the dwellings; 13 will be planted beside the canal towpath—with the area set to include new seating, hedges, and other landscaping works.

Town House allows residents to choose their own internal layout, the number of bedrooms, and room sizes; Row House will equally be as customisable but will be smaller, simpler and more affordable.

Around 10% of new homes across the site already provide affordable housing provision, including here, and with more to come. Each of the 98 dwellings will also be presented with a single car parking space alongside secure storage for two bicycles.

SNEAK PEAK OF TOWN HOUSE & ROW HOUSE: WIRRAL WATERS, BIRKENHEAD: 

Spanning 43-aces, this canal-side site, a mere 10-15 minute walk from the city centre, will soon offer up to 1,150 new homes, retail offerings, new stretches of unlocked canal towpath & leisure spaces.

Follow our social media channels for more updates!

All images are the property of shedKM & Urban Splash.