You can approach Montague Street from Great Barr Street in Digbeth. It's near the Birmingham Central Bus Garage of National Express West Midlands, and the Grand Union Canal (Digbeth Branch).

The whole artwork was painted in several weeks by Mr Murals (Daniel Russell-Ahern).

PEAKY BLINDERS WELCOME HOME THIS IS YOUR CITY BY ORDER OF DIGBETH LOC. STUDIOS

PEAKY BLINDERS Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle) WELCOME HOME

Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle) 

THIS IS YOUR Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) CITY BY ORDER 

Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy)

OF DIGBETH Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) LOC. STUDIOS

Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy)

The full mural from right to left.

* Note they asked Mr Murals to repaint Ada as looking older. 

See also Jack Babington's photo blog.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Blitzen at Grand Central Birmingham

Comet in the Piccadilly Arcade

Donner in the Great Western Arcade (now at the Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market)

Cupid in the Great Western Arcade

Vixen in Cass Art on Corporation Street

Rudolph inside of Selfridges

Dancer in The Mailbox

Dasher at Ice Skate Birmingham in Centenary Square

Prancer at Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square

Photography by Elliott Brown

Island of Foam by Stephanie Lüning launched day four of the 2024 Birmingham Weekender programme. I found a spot near Selfridges on the upper blue balcony. And had to wait over half an hour before any foam was released. They also put various colours into it, asking kids "what's your favourite colour?". Was well worth the wait.

Was on the August Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024. The 12pm to 1pm session. But they started it before 12:30pm. 

Island of Foam by Stephanie Lüning invites audiences of all ages to play and move within a magical world of coloured foam, creating a sensory spectacle as the festival finale.

Outstanding artist Stephanie Lüning delves deep into the fascinating world of foam, unveiling a series of works that redefine the boundaries of art. Foam, often considered an everyday and overlooked material, is transformed by Lüning into a source of metaphysical insight. In Lüning’s works, foam is presented not only as a physical substance, but also as a carrier of a multitude of meanings. From urban landscapes to political movements and individual life stories, she skilfully interweaves the foam with complex themes to create a fascinating visual narrative.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 See my YouTube video clip of The Shakespeare Express - video link Shakespeare Express - 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe flies through Solihull Station.

That was about 13:18 on Sunday 21st July 2024 at Solihull Station platform 2 (I checked Real Time Trains before I headed out).

A 15 minute wait for my train to Birmingham Moor Street (13:35). The Dorridge to Stourbridge Junction service. I got to Birmingham Moor Street and saw steam behind the West Midlands Railway 172004 I had just got off. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was waiting at platform 1, as the WMR train to Stourbridge Junction had to go through the Snow Hill Tunnel first.

Once it had gone, was able to get a few photos of the steam locomotive at Birmingham Moor Street (I've previously photographed it at Birmingham Snow Hill and at the Tyseley Locomotive Works in the past).

Photography by Elliott Brown

Link to previous Shakespeare Express post:

Shakespeare Express 2022 and 2023

1. Great Western Arcade. Bobby by Jenny Leonard

2. Corporation Street. Groovy Bear-by by Caroline Daly

3. Grand Central. Luna & the Moon by Marnie Maurri

4. Piccadilly Arcade. Jester by Amanda Quellin

5. New Street (Victoria Square). Biodiversity Bear by Jodie Silverman

6. Mailbox Steps. We Are Bear-mingham by Ekaterina Sheath

7. John Bright Street. A Walk on the Wild Side by Rachel & Phillipa Corcutt

8. Station Street Steps (Birmingham New Street Station). Clarence the Climate Bear by Mary & Janice

9. Bullring (Rotunda Square). Mother Paw'd by Jessica Perrin

10. Selfridges. Spectrum by Christine Jopling

Photography by Elliott Brown

Birmingham, We're going on a Bear Hunt - Trail Map

Trail map created by Wild in Art and We're Going on a Bear Hunt in association with Central BID Birmingham

Friday 21st June 2024

With no sleep, we got the taxi to Birmingham Airport after 2am. The Ryanair check-in was self check-in with the hold luggage. Then up to security! No queues before the lifts. So when we got upstairs, the queues around security took around 40 minutes to clear before we reached Duty Free and the Departure Lounge. Our Ryanair flight to Santander Airport left shortly after 6am BST. For the Basque Country holiday (coach tours and walking trips around San Sebastian, Burgos, Bilbao, also Pamplona, and into France to Bayonne, and the La Rhune train, on one day). Mixed weather rain some days, sunshine others.

There is new West Midlands artwork near the gates, but found it hard to get without people in the way, so just at the time made an in camera panoramic.

After leaving the Departure Lounge for the Gate, it was sunrise (we left home in darkness in the taxi). Was TUI and KLM planes outside.

Heading to the gate, saw a Ryanair plane outside the window.

This was probably our flight to Santander.

After showing the boarding pass and passport to Ryanair staff (was a long queue, even for Non Priority), you head out down some stairs and outside, then heading to the rear door of the plane.

The morning sunrise from the plane window.

Here we are taking off with Ryanair Boeing 737 8200 over the City of Birmingham shortly after 6am BST.

In the distance is Birmingham City Centre.

Zooming in was a bit hard to focus, but could see the BT Tower and other landmarks as we headed up to the clouds.

The Library of Birmingham was the last thing I spotted before we left the Midlands.

The last major thing to see in Birmingham was an HS2 site at Washwood Heath.

Friday 28th June 2024

We left Bilbao in Spain in the coach before 6am CEST, to head back to Santander Airport. Raining again. The coach ride in the rain and darkness, we reach Santander Airport shortly after 7am CEST. Santander Airport is smaller and much quieter than Birmingham Airport, security didn't take as long to get through. The departures area only has one Duty Free shop and cafe. As I had to sit in the aisle seat, I couldn't get any window views from the Ryanair plane back to Birmingham. We landed just before 10:30am BST. Got this view of a Air France plane before heading to Arrivals, Passport Control and baggage claim.

By the time we left the airport with our luggage, it was just before 11am BST. The tent canopy things for the departure security queues were empty as we got a taxi back home.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Thank you to Paradise Birmingham for the invite on the 10th June 2024.

General views of Victoria Square over Birmingham Town Hall from the top of Three Chamberlain Square, including the Floozie in the Jacuzzi (River and Youth), the fountains and pools still flowing. Also scaffolding is up Waterloo House near Nandos.

Colmore Row as far as Newhall Street and Bennetts Hill has been completely relaid, with new bollards. The cones were still out at the time. I wonder if after this bit is done, if they will need to complete the rest between Victoria Square and Colmore Square past Cathedral Square (where the buses stop).

Waterloo Street is partially repaved, there is a lot left to do here near Adams and the Lost & Found. This also goes as far as Bennetts Hill.

New Street from Victoria Square to Rotunda Square is in urgent need of repaving. It was pedestrianised in the 1990s, and the bricks keep getting dug up and relaid. Plus some of the Metro paving near Corporation Street (dating to 2015-16) is all cracked and broken, and also needs fixing. This is all due to cars, vans and lorries driving up and down (deliveries, police etc).

Photography by Elliott Brown

Views of Chamberlain Square from Three Chamberlain Square

To the left is Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Council House. Plus the Council House extension, with 103 Colmore Row and the BT Tower behind.

Chamberlain Memorial below. The pair of pools look a bit dirty from up here.

Panoramic including Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square and beyond.

Birmingham Town Hall from above.

Two Chamberlain Square is next to Three Chamberlain Square. And One Chamberlain Square is behind.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Thank you to Paradise Birmingham for the invite! Go here for their Topping Out blog.

More photos in the Sky High Birmingham gallery. Includes views from other sides of Three Chamberlain Square.

BSA

BSA motorcycles were originally built in Small Heath, Birmingham.

BSA motorcycles near the cafe and gift shop.

BSA motorcyles in Hall 3.

1972 500cc Unity BSA in Hall 5.

BSA motorcycles in Hall 5.

650cc Vincent BSA - BMW beater in Hall 5.

Triumph

Triumph motorcycles were originally built in Coventry and then Meriden by Triumph Engineering Co Ltd.

Triumph 6T Thunderbird Motorcycle was just before the entrance to the museum, cafe and gift shop in the hall outside.

1942 500cc Triumph portable generator in Hall 2.

1951 500cc Triumph Tiger 100 in Hall 4.

1959 650cc Triumph T120 Bonneville and The Plank in Hall 4.

Triumph motorcycles in Hall 4.

Triumph Racing motorcycles in Hall 5.

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield motorcycles were orginally made in Redditch, Worcestershire.

The Royal Enfield in Hall 1.

1955 Royal Enfield Meteor 700cc Sectioned show model in Hall 3.

Royal Enfield motorcycles in Hall 4.

Royal Enfield motorcycles in Hall 5.

Norton

Norton originally built their motorcycles on Bradford Street in Digbeth, Birmingham.

1970 750cc Norton Streamliner and 1974 1700cc Gulf Norton.

1939 650cc Norton Big Four military outfit in Hall 2.

George Formby's Norton motorcycle and Banjo in Hall 4.

1972 John Player Norton F750 in Hall 4.

Norton motorcycles in Hall 4.

Norton Racing motorcycles in Hall 5.

Police motorcycles

Police motorcycles in Hall 2, made by Norton, BSA and others. The Indian from New York Police Department is the only non British motorcycle in the collection.

1958-60 Indian 700cc Police model, ex-New York Police Department in Hall 2.

1958 BSA Model A10 650cc Police Version in Hall 2.

Photography by Elliott Brown

More photos in the gallery.  Go visit yourself, details here at the National Motorcycle Museum. Tickets can be bought on arrival at the museum. There is also a cafe where you can have lunch and a coffee, and a gift shop.

From the visit to the Brisith Motor Museum on Sunday 5th May 2024.

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES (1981 - 1991, specials from 1996 - 2003)

1972 Reliant Regal Supervan 3

As driven by Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (David Jason) in the earlier series and episodes of Only Fools and Horses, with his brother Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst). It was used in the series from 1981. Under the Peckham Yellow paint, it appeared in Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean in blue paint, before a new owner restored it to the Trotter's livery. It was then lent to the BBC to star in the 1996 Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special.

1980 Ford Capri Ghia Mk III

As driven by Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (David Jason) in later episodes of Only Fools and Horses, with his brother Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst). Derek initially used the tatty yellow three-wheeled Reliant Regal Supervan, but in some later episodes he traded it for a rather lurid liem green Ford Capri, his brother Rodney called it the "Pratmobile". This is the Mark III used in later programmes, but they used the Mark II is some earlier episodes.

BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY (1985 - 1990)

1981 DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future Part II (1989)

This DeLorean time machine has the OUTATIME licence plate at the rear, plus the barcode licence plate from the movie. It probably came from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and probably relocated to the British Motor Museum after Back to the Future the Ride closed down. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) first showed up with the hover converted DeLorean at the end of Back to the Future (1985) to take Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) and Jennifer Parker (Claudia Wells, Part I and Elisabeth Shue, Part II and Part III) to 2015. As later seen in Back to the Future Part II (1989).

The Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses seen from above with the DeLorean from Back to the Future Part II. City Cab from Judge Dredd in front.

The Reliant Regal and DeLorean seen from ground level.

JUDGE DREDD (1995)

1995 Land Rover City Cab

A special Land Rover designed for the 1995 Judge Dredd starring Sylvester Stallone as Judge Dredd. Based on the British science fiction comic anthology, 2000AD. Set in the third millennium. Hidden underneath the fibre-glass body was the chassis of a 1970's Land Rover 101 inch military vehicle.

Seen from above with the Judge Dredd Land Rover City Cab was a Concept Land Rover. To me it looked like a Land Rover Defender as used in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) that starred Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, but perhaps not. Was also an 'ancient' looking stone tablet with it.

THUNDERBIRDS (2004)

2004 FAB 1 Thunderbirds movie Limousine

The Ford Thunderbird FAB 1 was from the live action adaption of Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, as directed by Star Trek's Jonathan Frakes. The car driven by Parker (Ron Cook) to chauffeur Lady Penelope (Sophia Myles) in the back. Created by Ford of Europe's design team. It also flew in the movie.

JAMES BOND 007 (1962 - 2021)

1998 Jaguar XKR 'James Bond' car from Die Another Day (2002)

This was the villain's car used in the film Die Another Day, the fourth and final movie to star Pierce Brosnan as James Bond (the 20th movie out of 25 official movies made to date). It was the car of Zao played by Rick Yune. It was equipped with a Gatling gun mounted centrally behind the seats with further armaments including missiles that fired through the front grille, rocket launchers in the doors and mortar bombs in the boot. Was filmed on location in Iceland in early 2002. The yellow BAD 1 licence plate was at the front, while the white one on the passenger seat. And also had Icelandic number plates.

AUSTIN POWERS TRILOGY (1997 - 2002)

2001 Jaguar XK8 - Union Jack Livery. Replica of Austin Powers car from Goldmember (2002)

This car was used by Jaguar as a press car, originally in blue. Later re-painted in the Union Jack colour scheme of the car used in the Austin Powers film "Goldmember", before being handed over to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. The first Austin Powers film was the International Man of Mystery in 1997, was a comedy spoof of classic spy thrillers. The second film the Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999 used a Jaguar E-type, while the third film Goldmember in 2002 used a Jaguar XK8 convertible.

SHAUN THE SHEEP (2007 - 2016, 2020 TO PRESENT)

2007 Land Rover Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep first appeared in the Wallace & Gromit short film A Close Shave in 1995. He later got his own TV series from Aardman Animations from 2007 onwards. The Farmer in the series drove a battered old Land Rover. This is a full size version, based on a 60 year old Land Rover Series I, to recreate the unique look of the Farmer's car.

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS SAGA (2001 TO PRESENT)

2017 Jaguar XE Project 8 from F9: The Fast Saga
A Development Version of the collector's edition 2019 Model Year Jaguar XE SV Project 8. It was built in September 2017. It was tested in April 2018 at the Goodwood Racing circuit. It was later selected to be used in the ninth instalment of the Fast & Furious franchise, F9: The Fast Saga (2021). It was later offered to be preserved by Jaguar Land Rover to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, and was later added to the collection in 2021.

Photography by Elliott Brown

It was the Early May Bank Holiday Weekend of 2024, on Saturday 4th May 2024 and Sunday May 2024, that the Gaydon Land Rover Show was held in a car park outside of the British Motor Museum. This visit was on the Sunday.

After showing our e-tickets (bought in advance for general admission and the show itself), the first cars nearby was a collection of Range Rover's.

There was also a club of Land Rover Series I.

A variety of special Land Rover's.

Land Rover 101 Forward Control

Range Rover Ambulance

Then you had a variety of modern Range Rovers, followed by Land Rover Series or Land Rover Defender's.

More Land Rover Series and Land Rover Defender's from various decades.

Some armoured military Land Rover Defender's.

The Solihull Land Rover Trust with flags, such as the Black Country flag, Union Jack, Lest We Forget and an emoji.

A purple Range Rover sandwiched between Land Rover Series cars.

One Ton Land Rover Register

Entertainment from My Favourite Things. The ladies are the UK No. 1 Vintage act. The all singing, all dancing trio. Singing classic hits from the 1920's to the 1950's.

Views of the show from the Jaguar Heritage Trust and Collection Centre.

Not Land Rover's here but a pair of Willys MB.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Three generations of British artists, designers and makers revolutionised the visual arts in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris and his circle and the men and women of the Arts and Crafts movement transformed art and design.

Selected from the city of Birmingham's outstanding collection, Victorian Radicals presents vibrant paintings and exquisite drawings alongside jewellery, glass, textiles and metalwork to explore their radical vision for art and society. Fresh from an award-winning tour of the US, Victorian Radicals is the first comprehensive showing of the city’s Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts collections in Birmingham for over five years. Discover the story of the Pre-Raphaelites themselves and their influence on artists and makers well into the twentieth century – especially in Birmingham itself. Paintings made by artists including Kate Bunce, Joseph Southall and Arthur Gaskin combined the poetry and intensity of the Pre-Raphaelites’ work with a distinctive identity all their own. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm. In the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Pre-book to guarantee entry. Alternatively you can buy tickets on arrival (subject to availability). This exhibition is organised by Birmingham Museums Trust and the American Federation of Arts. Supported by the Friends of Birmingham Museums.

Book your Victorian Radicals ticket(s) at the link and go. Adults from £11 (can be more with gift aid etc). Note that if you buy anything from the shop in the Gas Hall, it's card payments only (no cash). February to October 2024.

This visit on the 27th April 2024.

The Victorian Radicals signs outside of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as you pass through Chamberlain Square, and onto the part that was Edmund Street. Entrance at the Gas Hall. The rest of BM & AG remains closed for now.

Some general views of the Victorian Radicals inside of the Gas Hall.

Looking to the Future: New approaches to Victorian Art and Design at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

The First Industrial Nation. Mid-Victorian Art and Design

Various landscape paintings.

Gather the Rose of Love While Yet 'Tis Time, 1848. William Etty (1787-1849). Oil on canvas.

Work, 1859-63 Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) Oil on canvas.

The Long Engagement, c. 1854-59. Arthur Hughes (1832-1915). Oil on canvas.

Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine Rescuing Sylvia from Proteus), 1851. William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) Oil on canvas. Based on a play by William Shakespeare.

Portrait of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1882-83. William Holman Hunt (1827-1910). Oil on mahogany.

Portrait of John Everett Millais, 1853. Alexander Munro (1827-1910). Marble set in carved slate frame.

The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple, 1854-60. William Holman Hunt (1827-1910). Oil on canvas.

The Last of England, 1852-55. Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893). Oil on wood panel.

Medea, 1866-68. Frederick Sandys (1829-1904). Oil on composite wood panel with gold leaf.

La Donna della Finestra, 1881. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) Oil on canvas with underdrawing in chalk and graphite. Depicts Jane Morris as 'the lady at the window', unfinished, due to the artists death a year after it was started.

Morgan le Fay, 1864. Frederick Sandys (1829-1904). Oil on wood panel.

Beata Beatrix, begun 1877 (completed by Ford Madox Brown). Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882). Oil on canvas.

May Morning on Magdalen Tower, 1888-91. William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), artist and designer Guild of Handicraft (London), frame maker Oil on canvas in original copper frame.

Musica, c. 1895-97. Kate Elizabeth Bunce (1856-1927). Oil on canvas.

Beauty and the Beast, 1904. John Dickson Batten (1860-1932). Tempera on canvas.

Stained glass window: Dante and Beatrice II: The Wedding Feast, 1910 Florence Jane Camm (1874-1960), designer T. W. Camm & Co. (Smethwick, Birmingham), manufacturer.

Tracery light from the east window of Holy Trinity Church, Grazeley, 1849-50. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852) and John Hardman Powell (1827-1895), designers John Hardman & Co. (Birmingham), manufacturer Stained, painted, and leaded glass.

Stained glass panel: Saint George Slaying the Dragon, 1872 (designed c. 1862). Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), designer Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (London), manufacturer. Stained, painted and leaded glass.

Stained glass panel: Winter, c.1865 William Morris (1834-1896), designer Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (London), manufacturer. Stained, painted and leaded glass.

Stained Glass Panel: Saint Mark, 1883 (designed 1874) Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898), designer Thomas G. Bowman (1836-1917), glass painter Morris & Co. (Merton Abbey, London), manufacturer Stained, painted and leaded glass.

Pair of Stained Glass Panels: Sleepe after Toile, before 1905. Mary Jane Newill (1860-1947), designer and maker Stained, painted and leaded glass.

Day dress, с. 1865. Maker not recorded Silk, with black ribbon, braid and cord trim.

Another dress and a tunic.

Paolo and Francesca by Alexander Munro (1825–1871). Marble statue.

Chest: The Garden of the Hesperides, 1887-88. Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898), designer Charles Lumley (active 1887-89), cabinetmaker Osmund Weeks (active 1879-95), gesso moulder and gilder.

Bedcover, c. 1908. Mary Jane Newill (1860-1947). Linen embroidered with wool.

Carpet: 'Old Master', c. 1851. John Crossley & Sons (Halifax, West Yorkshire), manufacturer. Woven wool.

Wallpaper design: Jasmine. William Morris (1834-1896), designer, 1874. Graphite, red chalk, and watercolour on paper.

Floor tile, 1851. Minton & Co. (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire), manufacturer Earthenware, inlaid with coloured slips. Made for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, now newly imprinted (the 'Kelmscott Chaucer'), 1896. William Morris (1834-1896), Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) and co-workers at Kelmscott Press, designers and makers Kelmscott Press (London), printer Joseph Batchelor and Son (Little Chart, Kent), paper manufacturer Bound book with 87 woodcut illustrations on handmade paper.

Photography by Elliott Brown. Some captions from Birmingham Museums.

Handsworth Arts Trail

SS Journey

It was sculpted in 2017 by Luke Perry as part of the Handsworth Arts Trail. Near the large lake.

Here and Now bench

Commissioned for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Resembles a fairground waltzer car. Installed August 2023, artist was Tim Tolkien.

Here and Now figures

Commissioned for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Installed August 2023, artist was Tim Tolkien. Part of the same work as the Here and Now bench. Near a path opposite Handsworth Cricket Club.

Hands and Minds Speak

Located on an island within the small lake at Handsworth Park. It was sculpted in Lawson Oyekan and made in 2010.

The Pyramid Tower by Veranda Stories

Located half way between the Sons of Rest building and small lake / pond at Handsworth Park. It was by the visual artists Pauline Bailey & Ola Brown, of Veranda Stories. It had many mandala patterns, which was then laser cut. It was designed with the Women's Sewing Group and Saathi House. Made in 2017.

The Anchor

Located within the Handsworth Park Community Garden, near Holly Road. The artist was Katie Sturridge.  A symbol of the Birmingham Assay Office. Made in 2015.

The Sons of Rest Mosaic

Located next to the Handsworth Park Community Gardens. The artist wasClaire Cotterill. Based on stained glass windows found in the Sons of Rest building in Handsworth Park. The mosaic was made in honour of the centenary of the end of WW1 in 2018.

Handsworth Revolution: Steel Pulse

The large mural at the entrance to Handsworth Leisure Centre was commissioned as part of Punch Records’ BASS Festival’s celebration of 50 years of Reggae and coincided with National Album Day and Black History Month.

Benjamin Zephaniah mural

Located on a wall at the Sons of Rest Building in Handsworth Park. Mural in tribute to the late Benjamin Zephaniah (1958 - 2023), a Birmingham born poet. By I Create Not Destroy, aka Bunny Bread. It was unveiled on the 14th April 2024. Commissioned by the Black Heritage Walks Network (BHWN).

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

At least two of the painted bears can be still found in Handsworth Park, years after the trail had ended.

Sun Guardian Bear

It was created by Goosensi (Mat Barber) working with Friends of Handsworth Park and the Handsworth Community. In the Handsworth Park Community Garden.

Well Active Bear

It was created by Mark Copplestone and Jennie Saunders working with Birmingham Wellbeing Service. Seen outside of the Handsworth Wellbeing Centre. Also called Handsworth Leisure Centre.

Photography by Elliott Brown

I scanned in this leaflet I was handed with the 2024 open day dates at the Galton Valley Pumping Station in Smethwick. Held on the second Saturday of each month from April to October, 11am to 3pm (last admission at 2:30pm). Free entry.

I went on Saturday 13th April 2024. The next dates are as follows: 11th May, 8th June, 13th July, 10th August, 14th September and 12th October 2024. Thank you to The Friends of Galton Valley Pumping Station and Sandwell Museums.

Here's some of the usual outdoor views of the Galton Valley Pumping Station, that I retook, while I was in Smethwick again on Saturday 13th April 2024, similar to views I've taken before in the past. I approached from Smethwick Galton Bridge Station via the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline, you have to go up the steps to the BCN Old Mainline to go in the entrance, and see the volunteers.

The views on leaving the pumping station, from Brasshouse Lane over the old and new BCN canals, then over the footbridge that crosses Tollhouse Way.

A look around the inside of the Galton Valley Pumping Station in Smethwick. There was a Tangyes Birmingham engine on the upper floor.

Arthur Ross and several old signs on the floor here.

Into the next room then would be going downstairs.

A Fellows, Morton & Clayton narrowboat, registers at Birmingham, you could have a look inside, but not sure if there was room to climb on board.

Working life on the canals.

Down the bottom with large boiler engines.

On this wall A C Munford Engineer Colchester.

The back up more steps, one last look at the Tangyes Birmingham engine, before heading out.

Photography by Elliott Brown 

The Wizard of Oz at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 11th to 16th June 2024, starring Craig Revel Horwood as The Wicked Witch of the West.

The owners of Sidewalk did not expect to find Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on their building, on a pair of doors. It quickly got into the media, is it a Banksy? No. Who is it by? It is by Joe Lycett? We are not sure yet. Probably not by Disney B32. Perspex has been put over the artwork to protect it. There is also a pair of ruby red slippers on the phone line wire above Kent Street in the Gay Village (Southside BID).

Photography by Jack Babington | Pro Photography Pictures

You will find Dorothy is you make your way to Hurst Street in Southside, when you find Sidewalk, then turn onto Kent Street. She is on the doors. This visit during Storm Kathleen so it was trying to rain, and was a bit windy, like Dorothy flying away in the house from Kansas to the Land of Oz!

Photography by Elliott Brown | Ell R Brown 82

Go here for our post on Facebook: Dorothy FB. And on Instagram: Dorothy Insta.

This walk from Church Street to Ludgate Hill was on Easter Sunday, 31st March 2024 (starting from Coffee #1 Newhall Street and ending at St Paul's Square).

We start at the Colmore BID, from Church Street Square, the view to the rickety footbridge over Great Charles Street Queensway, the view up to Ludgate Hill, St Paul's Square and St Paul's in the Jewellery Quarter.

Prunus Cistena Purple leaf cherry blossom seen in Church Street Square. Next walk down Church Street, and enter the footbridge at Great Charles Street Queensway, via Britannia House.

Heading down Church Street, the Great Charles Street Footbridge is on the left. Up Ludgate Hill you can see the spire of St Paul's Church in St Paul's Square.

After crossing the footbridge, and walking past the construction sites on Ludgate Hill, you get to this classic view from St Paul's Square.

See Phyllis Nicklin's 1960s photo for a comparison of Ludgate Hill.

We have put together this 1960 and 2024 comparison of Ludgate Hill from St Paul's Square. Now seven bollards and a heritage lamppost instead of six bollards and a heritage lamppost. Plus two bins. And the pavement has been widened in the last 64 years.

The zoom in from St Paul's Square down Ludgate Hill shows you that Great Charles Street Queensway has split the city in half since it opened in the early 1970s. You can see Church Street Square on the other side in the Colmore BID, as well as the Hotel du Vin further up Church Street (the former Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital of 1883).

Head out to have a look at St Paul's Church with daffodils, then leave the Jewellery Quarter via Livery Street, walk down Constitution Hill and Old Snow Hill. No trams at St Paul's Tram Stop, but walk up the steps to St Chads Tram Stop, then walk past the Snowhill estate offices, and back to Snow Hill Station Square and Colmore Row.

Photography by Elliott Brown

The free pop-up artwork is called Our Beating Heart was created by Studio Vertigo. A Mirror ball installation lit up Birmingham city centre from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd March 2024, between 6:30pm and 10:30pm each night. Located in Snow Hill Station Square, outside of the Colmore Row entrance to Birmingham Snow Hill Station, and between 1 and 9 Colmore Row.

Lunchtime on Thursday 21st March 2024, a quick look at Our Beating Heart by Studio Vertigo. I popped out from work to get my lunch at Sainsbury's Local, then took a quick few shots on my phone camera.

A couple of crops of the above photos, wasn't sure if I was going to see it after dark, well not on the first two evenings. And missed an event on the launch evening (Jack Babington and Damien Walmsley got some photos that evening).

A last minute decision on Saturday evening of the 23rd March 2024, to get the train up to Birmingham Snow Hill to see Our Beating Heart. Wasn't there for long, just to get the photos below. Found it a bit hard to focus on the mirror ball heart. Walked around twice. There was a silent disco going on at the time, they had headphones on. With limited trains on the line, I headed back into the station to get a train home. These were around 7:45pm in the evening. They were playing music by the Pet Shop Boys.

Photography by Elliott Brown

A few days before the St Patrick's Day Parade, I went to the Custard Factory to get the painted billboard wall on Gibb Street. It was advertising Shanky's Whip for St Patrick's Day.

Before noon on Sunday 17th March 2024, St Patrick's Day. The parade was waiting at the top of Camp Hill. Bus routes including the 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6 and 50 were diverted from Camp Hill Circus, Bordesley Middleway, Coventry Road and onto the Digbeth High Street. Until 2019, the previous parades always used to use the Digbeth High Street (consisting of High Street Bordesley and High Street Dertiend). The 2020 and 2021 parades were cancelled due to the pandemic, then 2022 and 2023 due to the Eastside Metro extension works and other factors. But was decided for 2024 to use Bradford Street instead.

I was thinking of going up to level 4 of Edgbaston Street Car Park for a view of the parade, but an alarm at the Bull Ring Indoor Market stopped that idea. So headed back to the Bullring then into Selfridges, and over the Parametric Bridge for a view from level 8 of Moor Street Car Park (which I was going to do anyway). But in the end, felt better just to leave the car park on Park Street and walk to Bradford Street in Digbeth for some views of the parade close up. There was no view from the balcony at the Bullring near Selfridges.

The view from Bradford Street, beyond Rea Street, looking up to Camp Hill. Very crowded. But at least the parade was back.

I left Bradford Street, and walked onto Barford Street then started going up Cheapside. A look up Rea Street towards The Anchor, Birmingham Coach Station and The Digbeth Institute.

Continuing up Cheapside, the next road I popped up was Birchall Street, where you have a view of the Custard Factory (Devonshire House / Zellig Building). Modern flats on the right at Fabrick Square.

St Anne's Catholic Church could be seen from Alcester Street with an Irish flag. They held a service here that morning before the festivities began.

Also on Alcester Street near St Anne's Catholic Church was this stall selling Irish flags, hats and scarves.

Further up Cheapside is Rea Place, between new apartment buildings, Rea House and Kinvara Heights, towards Abacus on Bradford Street. Bit hard to see anything from here, so continued walking up the hill.

Now onto Moseley Road. The parade floats near A1 Clutches and Adam & Eve Evolve.

After Moseley Road, I then walked up Ravenhurst Street to Camp Hill, I did briefly look at one side from Lowe Street. The last parade floats on Camp Hill, as they were about to go onto Bradford Street. After this I walked around Bordesley Middleway, Coventry Street, Upper Trinity Street and Adderley Street, before getting a bus from the Digbeth High Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

FUNDER CITY THE DIGBETH FUN FAIR.

Danter Attractions is holding their fourth fun fair in Digbeth / Southside in four years, but the second year at Smithfield. It opened on the 14th March and is open daily until the 7th April 2024, during the Easter holidays period.

The same rides as before, some of which were last used at Ice Skate Birmingham. Others return from the last Digbeth Fun Fair, called at the time Beach @ Smithfield (July to August 2023).

The view from Digbeth near Enterprise Rent a Car, and the Eastside Metro extension (just before Alcester Street on the Digbeth High Street).

From Mill Lane near Birmingham Coach Station, towards Bradford Street. Buildings on right were demolished recently, Bullring Autocentre (Strictly MOT before that) and Sutton Florists (previously the Leather Company, and Fonz Leathers before that).

A carousel ride seen near Bradford Street.

Fun House

Birmingham Big Wheel returns again.

Funder City from 14th March to 7th April 2024 open day, Moat Lane City Centre, B5 5BD. Best to get the bus here (or train), don't go in your car!

Onto Moat Lane. The fun fair is where the concrete Moat Lane Car Park was until it was demolished a few years ago.

The Welcome entrance, it's been used at many fun fairs in Birmingham over the years, even one that was at the Curzon Street HS2 site back in 2010!

Upper Dean Street view, some demolition rubble.

And to the Bullring, up to the balcony near St Martin in the Bullring for one last view before going into the West Mall.

A few days later, and it was St Patrick's Day. View from the Bullring on the balcony behind Browns Birmingham.

A view from Moor Street Car Park level 8 through the safety barrier fence.

Funder City in full swing from Moat Lane, as I walked to check out the St Patrick's Day Parade on Bradford Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

St Paul's Tram Stop

This resembles jewellery, one of two tram stops in the Jewellery Quarter.

The Hawthorns Tram Stop

This resembles The Baggies aka West Bromwich Albion FC, who play nearby at The Hawthorns Stadium.

West Bromwich Central Tram Stop

This one resembles three springs.

Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall Tram Stop

This looks like lots of feet together in a wheel.

Dartmouth Street Tram Stop

This one resembles the Dartmouth Street Bridge in West Bromwich with the tram line going through it.

Dudley Street Guns Village Tram Stop

This resembles cannons and cannonballs in a circle.

Bilston Central Tram Stop

This one resembles the sun at the centre.

The Crescent Tram Stop

This one resembles the moon as a crescent forms during the month.

The Royal Tram Stop

This one resembles a butterfly.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Birmingham New Street to Rugeley Trent Valley line

In the years before Walsall to Rugeley Trent Valley was electrified, London Midland used the Class 170 DMU's from Birmingham New Street. Mostly going via Perry Barr or sometimes via Soho and Handsworth. Trains from Birmingham stopped at platform 1, while trains from Rugeley arrived at platform 2.

London Midland 170517 seen in 2014 at Walsall Station platform 1.

London Midland 170508 seen in 2014 at Walsall Station platform 2.

The line was electrified between 2017 and 2019, and by the time it opened, the line was run by new franchise operator West Midlands Railway. These Class 350 EMU's would also be used by London Northwestern Railway on the lines between Birmingham New Street and London Euston or to Liverpool Lime Street. Under West Midlands Railway the trains from Rugeley Trent Valley would go beyond Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International.

London Northwestern Railway 350 266 seen in 2021 at Walsall Station platform 2.

London Northwestern Railway 350 259 seen in 2023 at Walsall Station platform 1.

London Northwestern Railway 350 240 seen in 2023 at Walsall Station platform 2.

London Northwestern Railway 350409 seen in 2024 at Walsall Station platform 1.

London Northwestern Railway 350122 seen in 2024 at Walsall Station platform 1.

London Northwestern Railway 350409 seen in 2024 at Walsall Station platform 2.

Wolverhampton via Birmingham New Street to Walsall line

Trains on this line always usually go via Aston, Witton and Perry Barr, and terminate at platform 3. Until 2019, it was the only platform to be electrified. Under London Midland, they used the Class 323 EMU's on the line to and from Wolverhampton via Birmingham New Street.

 London Midland 323202 seen in 2016 at Walsall Station platform 3.

London Midland 323201 seen in 2016 at Walsall Station platform 3.

After West Midlands Railway took over in late 2017, they replaced the Class 323's on the line with the Class 350 EMU's.

London Northwestern Railway 350 106 seen in 2018 at Walsall Station platform 3.

From 2024 West Midlands Railway have started to introduce the new Class 730's on the line, but on my last visit to Walsall on a Sunday, they weren't running, so ended up going on the Class 350's instead (on the Birmingham New Street to Rugeley Trent Valley line). Although did travel to Smethwick Galton Bridge earlier, and caught a Class 350 to Birmingham New Street, and switched lines.

London Northwestern Railway 350 238 seen in 2024 at Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (low level) platform 4.

Soho EMU Depot

The only place to see the Class 730's not in service in the West Midlands is at the Soho EMU depot near the Soho Loop. You can also see them from the train. Some have come into service on the Wolverhampton to Walsall via Birmingham New Street line (but I'm not sure on what days). And they are due to enter service on the Cross City Line from April 2024.

West Midlands Railway 730 006 seen at Soho EMU Depot during 2023.

Train view of West Midlands Class 730's during 2023 from the train.

West Midlands Railway Class 323's and Class 730's seen at Soho EMU Depot from the train in 2024.

Photography by Elliott Brown

Borealis

BOREALIS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Borealis recreates one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena over cities around the world. It shifts our emotional experience of familiar urban landmarks and awakens a shared conscience by creating something magical - something that shouldn’t naturally be there. Borealis is about our ancestral communion with nature and our more recent compulsion to control it. As our planet’s climate breaks down, the question arises: will technology one day replace everything that nature currently provides for us?

Dan Acher's Borealis was held at the Bullring on St Martin's Walk above St Martin's Square (aka Central Street) from the 9th to 18th February 2024. Time started each evening at 5pm, ended each night at 9pm. Every evening attracted a big crowd looking at the artificial Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Personally I think they should have started it a month earlier, as between 5pm and 6pm, it's not that dark in February, although getting dark after sunset, which is getting a bit later each day now.

11th February 2024

First spotted one of the Borealis light towers from Edgbaston Street, after walking from Southside between buses.

12th February 2024

Nice sunset down St Martin's Walk to St Martin in the Bullring, at approx 4:50pm, so 10 minutes before Borealis was due to start. This day I didn't wait for the lights to turn on.

14th February 2024

This day, I waited the 5 minutes until 5pm for the multi-coloured lights to turn on, but was cloudy, and you don't really get the full Borealis effect at this time, but noticed the smoke machines going on.

16th February 2024

That evening was when I hoped to catch Borealis after dark, I even popped to Costa Coffee in Grand Central beforehand after work, but I got there at 5:30pm and it wasn't dark yet, but got the full effect, and not much to see from St Martin's Square below.

18th February 2024

The last evening, one more attempt, so got the bus up from home, then popped to Caffe Nero in Birmingham New Street Station (other coffee shops close at 5pm). Then got here for 6:30pm, and got a lot of photos of it, best I could, these are the best photos I took of Borealis.

Borealis is next scheduled to go to Australia in Adelaide. It goes around the world.

Photography by Elliott Brown

University Station, the new buildings at the West Gate of the University of Birmingham and at Vincent Drive was fully opened on Sunday 28th January 2024. With the ASLEF train driver strikes the following weekend (3rd and 4th February 2024), thought it was best to wait until the next weekend (10th and 11th February 2024) to come back and check out the buildings.

I got the 12:43 train from Longbridge to University, and to my suprise it was West Midlands Railway 323221 in the classic Regional Railways livery. I got to University shortly before 1pm on Sunday 11th February 2024.

The waiting room on platform 1, there is also a new waiting room on platform 2. Probably useful for passengers going with Cross Country on the line between Cardiff Central and Nottingham via Birmingham New Street (if not the Cross City Line, as trains are frequent during the week).

A look at the main concourse from platform level, toilets are to the right. Soon there will be an NHS facility to the left.

Tickets and information near the stairs, way out to the Medical School.

Up the steps from platform 1 concourse, there is seats to sit on near the lift.

View out of the window on the new bridge above the tracks, platform 1 on the right, platform 2 on the left. Towards the 1978 building, now exit only.

Steps down to the platform 2 concourse. Also a lift.

Exiting the station over the new footbridge to the University of Birmingham campus, with a view to Old Joe, it crosses the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

There is also an entrance to University Station from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath. I used to have to leave the canal via the steps to Westgate to get to the 1978 entrance.

To the right is a ramp for disabled passengers (wheelchairs etc) to use, or 45 steps down to the University campus.

Looking back at University Station from the new footbridge.

There is some unfinished areas near the footbridge, including in this view towards the canal and new station building.

This grassed area is currently all fenced off, awaiting completion, other than that the steps, ramp and bridge above are open.

Following the Westgate path towards the 1978 building, as we see the 2024 building alongside the canal. This was part of the site of Metchley Roman Fort.

Now heading to the new University Station building from the new path from Westgate.

It is well landscaped with lampposts and a grass lawn.

The station building is close to Vincent Drive. Bollards should prevent vehicles going beyond and parking where they shouldn't do.

One of the many new University Station signs at the station.

The University Station sign from Vincent Drive.

One last look at the station from the bridges on Pritchatts Road, heading to the North Gate of the University of Birmingham, as West Midlands Railway 323218 arrived at platform 2.

We hope you enjoyed our tour of the new University Station. Experience it yourself by buying your tickets at West Midlands Railway. We recommend using their app, which has a QR code ticket (once tickets purchased). But you can still buy tickets at the station of your choice (ticket machines or ticket office) such as Birmingham New Street. There is ticket gates at the station, on the platform level. Trains on the Cross City Line go between Redditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley.

Photography by Elliott Brown

CLFLion Dragon on Instagram.

The Choy Lee Fut Lion and Dragon Dance Team started the walk from The Mailbox on Royal Mail Street, then walked up Severn Street and Commercial Street to the steps up to The Mailbox Canalside.

Enjoy this series of 20 photos of the performance, or watch my YouTube video compilation above.

Photos and video by Elliott Brown

The first recorded evidence about Lady Wood was back in 1565. It was named after the Lady Wood which was located between Monument Road and the Ladywood Brook. It stretched from Portland Road to Spring Hill. The wood may have been the property of a church. The wood was long gone by the mid 16th century.

The Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line

The Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line was built through Ladywood between 1769 and 1772 by the canal engineer James Brindley.

The canal was straightened by Thomas Telford in the 19th century and this led to Brindley's sections being cut off as loops. Today we have the Icknield Port Loop and the Soho Loop within Ladywood (and the Oozells Loop in the City Centre).

The Birmingham to Wolverhampton Railway

The Birmingham to Wolverhampton Railway opened in 1852 and it passes through Ladywood. It is known as the Stour Valley Line. There used to be a station in Ladywood called Monument Lane. It opened in 1854, was renamed to Edgbaston shortly afterwards. Renamed back to Monument Lane in 1874. It was relocated in 1886 and it was closed down in 1958.

St John's Church Ladywood

The Church of St John is located on Monument Road near Ladywood Middleway. It is a Grade II listed building. Originally built in 1854 in the Gothic style (or Decorated style) by S. S. Teulon, the Church of St John the Evangelist was built on the site of Ladywood House, on land that was leased from King Edward VI School.  The famous Birmingham architect J. A. Chatwin built additions to the church in 1881. It was also called the Anglican Church of St John and St Peter.  The building material used was coursed red sandstone with ashlar dressings. The Church of St John the Evangelist became the Church of St John and St Peter in 2000.

Lench's Trust Almshouses

These Almshouses are on Ladywood Middleway near Five Ways. They were built in 1858 by J H Hornblower and Haylock in the Tudor style or Jacobean style. It is a Grade II listed building. It was built of red brick with stone dressings and tiled roofs. No 1 Hagley Road (Metropolitan House by John Madin) is seen behind to the left.  Broadway Plaza is to the right of this.  It was the site of the Children's Hospital until 1998).

Below is the view from the Hagley Road of the Lansdowne House during April 2016 with developer Seven Capital. No. 1 Hagley Road was also getting refurbished at the time. You could see Lench's Trust Almshouses from Hagley Road before The Lansdowne got built.

Ladywood Middleway view of Lench's Trust Almshouses, with The Lansdowne well under way behind. Seen during March 2018. A mixture of old and new architecture.

Here is another view of Lench's Trust Almshouses during November 2019. 

Spring Hill Library

Spring Hill Library is next to a large Tesco supermarket at Spring Hill on Summer Hill Road. Spring Hill Library is a Grade II* listed building built in 1893 by Martin and Chamberlain. It was built in the Gothic style with bright red bricks and terracotta dressings. 

Welcome to Ladywood

Prominently located on Ladywood Middleway is this sculpture of Charles Blondin, a French tightrope walker.

In September 1873 he came to Birmingham, and crossed Edgbaston Reservoir on a tightrope! The statue was made in 1992 and placed on Ladywood Middleway. It was sculpted by the artist Paul Richardson in 1993.

Broadway Plaza

The Birmingham Children's Hospital was on the Ladywood Middleway site from when it was built from 1910 to 1919, until they moved to Steelhouse Lane (the former Birmingham General Hospital) in 1998. Most of the hospital was demolished apart from the facade, and Broadway Plaza opened in 2003. It originally had a 12 screen cinema run by AMC, but Odeon took it over in 2012. It was transformed into the Odeon Luxe Cinema in 2018. There is also a bowling alley here. Originally BowlPlex, it is now the Hollywood Bowl. There is also a Travelodge hotel.

The architect of the Children's Hospital was F W Martin. At one point it was called the King Edward VII Memorial Children's Hospital. Only the facade was retained, the rest of the hospital was demolished. The facade became the entrance to the Broadway Casino, with Virgin Active to the left.

This memorial stone was laid in April 1913 by H.R.H. The Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll.

View below during December 2009 with Christmas stars up as Christmas decorations at Broadway Plaza.

An early evening shot below from December 2013 with Christmas lights on the facade of the former Children's Hospital at Broadway Plaza.

Kareo 6 Medical & Health Centre

Not much is known about this building. In the middle of the building is a Birmingham Forward coat of arms dated to 1934. Inscribed on it was Maternity & Child Welfare Centre. So that must of what it was originally built as back in the day.

Ladywood Community Fire Station

Ladywood Fire Station is located on Icknield Port Road in Ladywood. It is not far from Monument Road. West Midlands Fire Service serves all of Ladywood plus the City Centre West from this fire station. 

Ladywood Leisure Centre

The Ladywood Leisure Centre was opened in August 2019 on a site on Ladywood Middleway at the end of Monument Road. It replaced the old Ladywood Arts & Leisure Centre. The site was cleared by 2015 and it was built in 2019. It is similar in design to new leisure centres built in Northfield (2018) and in Stechford (2018).

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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