Elmdon Manor Walled Garden is hidden away behind Solihull Moors Football Club and is accessed via Damson Parkway. The roads are busy with large transporters and trucks carrying cars and supplies to and from Jaguar Land Rover Solihull. The lane to the gardens is signposted for Elmdon Park and St Nicholas’ Church, Elmdon. It is an easy turn to miss.
The wall is becoming overgrown.Passing through the entrance.
Elmdon House was once a large stately home that fell into disrepair after the second world war and was eventually demolished in 1956. The walled garden was part of the estate, supplying produce to the house. Today, it is managed by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. The original walls of the kitchen garden still stand, although they are in a poor state of repair. Clearly marked paths guide you through the site, and the highlights include the old orchard within the ruined walls, the adjacent woodland, and a meadow that opens up within the trees close to the Moors football ground. The pond, often covered with algae in summer, is usually much clearer during the winter months.
Fruit on the trees.Fences overgrown.Colours on the treesApples galore
. The area is a haven for wildlife and also offers many photographic opportunities. I usually visit once or twice a year with my camera and always come away with a set of images. I begin in the walled garden, where in late summer the trees of the old orchard are heavy with fruit. This year the area is very dry. The woodland adjoining the garden is ancient, filled with trees that form striking patterns. Fallen trunks lean against others, creating natural corridors of light. The atmosphere is shaped not only by nature but also by human presence: the sounds of warehouse workers drift through the trees, and the noise from Solihull Moors’ training pitches carries across the reserve.
Twisted overgrown trees.The woodland trees.Apple trees in the old orchid
The sudden appearance of a meadow within the woodland brings an unexpected openness and is a peaceful spot to pause and reflect. My photographs capture the abundance of fruit, the tangle of overgrown vegetation, and the play of light within the woodland. They also record the contrast between nature and modern development, as the reserve sits cheek by jowl with metallic warehouses and floodlights. Such an oasis is a delight to visit with the bonus of being close to home.
The meadow in the sun.Berries are ripened in the meadow area.Football lights between the trees.
Someone mentioned they would like to see the pictures of Elmdon Manor in the wintertime. I do not have pictures yet but I do have a blog entry showing Solihull woodland in the snow.
Collecting artwork through my photography is one of my long-running projects. My interest in Luke Jerram’s work began during the pandemic, when BBC Midlands, was filming his large-scale artwork In Memoriam. The installation, set next to Aston Hall, was the subject of one of my earlier blogs. Briefly, Luke used blue and white hospital bed sheets to create a circular medical logo that stretched across a field. I was fortunate not only to meet him but also to talk with him about how this work came about and even to take his portrait photograph.
Helios residing in the gardens of Charterhouse
Since then, whenever one of Jerram’s installations has come to the West Midlands, I have made a point of visiting and photographing the artwork. I have seen Gaia at Millennium Point, the Museum of the Moon in Lichfield Cathedral, and more recently, Helios at the historic Charterhouse in Coventry.
Enjoying the spectacleThe earth and Helios compared.
The Charterhouse, a former medieval monastic house with a long and varied history, is now run by the National Trust. On a hot sunny afternoon in August, we visited the property to view Helios. Jerram’s works are displayed against differing backdrops which provide a dramatic contrast to the art. This glowing sphere of the sun was set within the walled gardens, an ideal setting, as my photographs show.
Helios in the Garden
My grandson Noah suggested we lie down beneath Helios. This gave me an unusual perspective, and some striking photographs. After capturing several images, I paused to simply take in the artwork. Suspended within its metal frame, the sphere revealed breathtaking details of the sun’s surface. The inclusion of a scaled Earth nearby reminded viewers of just how vast the sun truly is.
Dramatic blue skies behind Helios
The Charterhouse itself is a place of calm beauty, with its tiered gardens and excellent coffee shop, a welcome stop after exploring. I doubt Richard II, who laid its foundations, could ever have imagined the many ways the property would be used over the centuries.
Noah with his football sphere.
Now, having photographed In Memoriam, Gaia, Museum of the Moon, and Helios, my next goal is to view Mars when it visits the West Midlands. That will complete my personal photographic record of Luke Jerram’s planetary installations.
These are my previous entries on Luke Jerram’s artwork.
We visited Gaia by Luke Jerram is in Millennium Point, Birmingham. This is adjacent to the ThinkTank Museum where the children had so much fun after visiting Gaia. The earth is something to see when you get up close and personal. Luke Jerram created the artwork which is 1.8 million times smaller than the real earth. The double exposure created in camera is of my daughter Natasha. My title of the picture is “Lost in her own world”. Interestingly my grandchildren cannot remember the visit so I am glad I have the pictures to show their enjoyment on the day.
My grandchildren together with Gaia in the background.Lost in her own world. A double exposure of my daughter with Gaia.
IgersbirminghamUK organised a walk around Spaghetti Junction on a warm Saturday afternoon at the beginning of August. For this blog entry, I have 24 frames which is the number of a roll of film. These pictures were taken with either my iPhone or Fujifilm x100vi. The stories and sights under the motorway are always changing and always surprising. Enjoy this photo essay.
Figures
People move around the complex concrete structures. They look apologetic for their presence as the concrete really does enjoy its own company.
Figure in the subwayA walk home with the noise of cars above.
Cyclists
People move quickly on the towpath nobody wants to stay too long as they may get lost in the concrete.
Cyclist between the pillars.There is light in the dark that guides the cyclist.
Pillars
The main feature of the concrete structures is the pillars. Reaching to the sky they hold the roads in place. If the pillars disappear then there so will the roads.
Reaching for the skyThe height of the pillars dwarfs the people who dare wander next to them.The cathedral pillars of Salford circus.Gaps between the Pillars.
So easy to lose your way under the motorway.There is signage to help.Colourful signs break through the concrete monotones.A scrawled sign lets you know where you are.
Traces of humanity
There are examples that humans have passed through the area.
Real MagicBirmingham, EnglandA smashing time.Walk this way
Nature fights back
Nature is slowly eroding the concrete jungle. Trees and greenery have established themselves amongst the pillars.
Greenery lines the paths.Trees in the sunlight.Concrete vs nature standoff.
I hope you enjoyed this photo essay of my recent visits to Spaghetti Junction. If you ever have the chance to visit the area then do take up the opportunity. There are regular tours that take in Aston Reservoir and the more interesting parts of the canal network. The interchange does become very quiet at the weekends. During the week, there is construction activity focused on maintaining the pillars that are essential to holding the motorway network together. The highs and lows of a visit around the Gravelley Hill interchange are illustrated below. The highlights include the wonders of the construction and architecture. The lows are the faceless nature of the area which has areas that are not particularly inviting.
The classical view of the pillars lined up along the river Rea.Barbed wire and undistinguished areas of the Junction.
Are you wanting to read more about Spaghetti Junction then here are more of my visits about what lies beneath the M6. I recommend starting with this blog post that sets the scene for my photo essay.
The chance to stroll around Rugby Town with my camera was too good an opportunity to miss. Whilst the family were at the soft play premises in the town centre, I was able to take photographs on the streets.
Rugby Central looks quiet on a Sunday afternoon.
Rugby town centre reflects how many small to medium-sized towns are evolving. The heart of the town is becoming lifeless and losing its atmosphere. There are people in the numerous coffee shops, but there are also many empty and boarded-up shops. This was a Sunday afternoon and, besides those shopping at the local supermarket, only a few individuals were moving around.
The majesty of Regent Street.
There are parts of the town that still have a dignified look, such as Regent Street. Other parts of the town centre are very quiet. The main Rugby Central shopping area is largely empty, with few people around.
Coffee on the streets.
During my walk, I headed down to Caldecott Park to see the large life-sized rugby ball. I then followed the road to the aptly named “The Black Path” bridge, which crosses the main West Coast railway line. This is always a good place for photographs. It is a major pedestrian thoroughfare, yet the caged structure and general grime create an atmospheric setting that is ideal for street photography.
A Rugby ball statue in the park.A cyclist on the Black Path.Words of wisdom.
While my black and white photography may have painted a bleak picture, there were some touches of colour, particularly around the yarn bombing of trees and benches. There is still laughter, too, attempting to lift the downbeat feel of the town.
There is happiness on the streets of Rugby.
If you liked this view of Street Photography in Rugby then I have provided a link to blogs on Edinburgh and Digbeth, Birmingham.
The passing of Ozzy Osborne leaves a large imprint on the people of Birmingham. The band Black Sabbath are very much loved and their Birmingham origins are celebrated throughout the city. Back in 1974, I remember “Paranoid” blasting out loudly through the student common room speakers. I loved the Black Sabbath album covers which stood out from others at the time with their own distinctive take on the early seventies. Even as my musical tastes moved towards glam rock, punk and new wave, I still had fondness for the distinctive Tony Iommi guitar riffs from “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid”. Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne still connect with me especially as their influences are all around Birmingham.
The shrine to Ozzy outside the Crown pub on Station Street.
Getting caught up in the emotion around the city from the reunion concert and people gathering to honour Ozzy, I went in the day before his funeral to visit the notable Black Sabbath sites in the city and pay my respects.
The Crown pub, Station St.
My first stop was the Crown pub often known as the birthplace of legends. Many famous bands played there including the early Black Sabbath concerts. Closed since 2014, the building is now protected by its Grade II listed status although what the future will be is uncertain. The Crown has had a lick of paint and the boarded-up windows now have pictures of the band. A small shrine has taken shape below the picture of Ozzy. There are a few candles, flowers and fan messages set out. Pedestrians entering New Street rail station glance curiously at all the commotion.
Ozzy the Bull at New Street station.
Then there is Ozzy the Bull. Towering above the concourse of New Street Station, this animatronic sculpture was a massive success during the Commonwealth Games. Once forgotten, now restored, much like the man himself, Ozzy the Bull is a great symbol of the City.
Ozzy’s signature on the wall in Navigation Street.
Outside the front of the station, Navigation street has attracted the City’s attention where Mr Murals, a local artist has created a striking Black Sabbath mural. Along the wall facing the station are photorealistic spray can pictures of the four band members. The Black Sabbath logo looms large beside them. Less than a month ago, the group came to look at the murals and each signed their name against their picture. The signatures have been protected with Perspex glass. The length of the street has become another shrine for Ozzy with flowers lined up against the wall.
More floral tributes along the Black Sabbath mural.
The focus of the outpouring of grief for Ozzy was taking place at the Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street. In 2019, the city dedicated this space to the band with a bench featuring the faces of Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill. Now, the bench is transformed with flowers, tributes, hand-written notes, empty Jack Daniels bottles, and even a guitar. The tribute has taken over the pavement and security are required to keep a semblance of order. On the day of the funeral, this was the place where the hearse bearing Ozzy stopped and the family paid their respects. The news and pictures from the BBC and Rolling Stone magazine show how much he will be missed.
This is the day before the funeral at Black Sabbath Bridge.A guitar with inscription amongst the tributes.More details of the tributes.
Next I find myself in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Here a special tribute holds centre stage. The ” Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero” exhibition celebrates the lead singer’s astonishing career. Videos play on loop; photographs of his successful career adorn the walls. The many gold and platinum records are displayed. At the entrance, The civic book of condolence for Ozzy waits. I stood in the queue, looking up at all the artwork around waiting my turn to add my condolences.
The working class hero exhibition.
On my way home, I pass through Victoria Square where there is an exhibition of Black Sabbath with many posters arranged to tell the history of the band that will forever be associated with Birmingham.
The Black Sabbath poster board exhibition in Victoria Square.
Even at Selfridges, the modern temple of retail, screens shimmered with Black Sabbath’s images. Pictures of the band and Ozzy great you at the store entrance. A place is set aside to stand and watch a continual loop of the greatest Black Sabbath songs.
Tributes to Black Sabbath.A mini theatre inside the store.
There is much to take in and the legacy of Ozzy and Black Sabbath is celebrated on the streets. He is a hero not only of the working class but everyone who looks to make a better future for themselves. Ozzy with his charismatic personality will forever symbolise the City of Birmingham.
Ozzy at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. (picture from the Working class hero exhibition).
There are a few Ozzy images in my past blogs. See if you can spot one in this blog.
As readers will know, I regularly post oil and water pictures on my blog. I have completed a couple of sessions and now have a new set of pictures to share. The differences in these photos lie in the various backgrounds I have used. These backgrounds come from several sources, including magazines, children’s books, and abstract colour pictures that I have created in Photoshop.
The use of LED lights in the background has worked in this picture
I am also improving how I use the light source and am working to prevent the reflections that occasionally compromised the quality of previous photos. LED lights were used in some of the pictures. Although they mostly overpowered the images of the oil drops, though there was the occasional success. Switching to another brand of oil may have helped but, again I am unsure whether this is truly critical to the success of the pictures.
A colourful black hole.A background of some lips from a magazine cover was used for this picture.Compartments of colour.An exposed centre.
I use a spirit level app on my iPhone placed on the top to ensure the lens is at 90 degrees to the surface of the water. A large open aperture ensures that the maximum light is hitting the sensor. However, at f/2.8 your depth of field becomes narrow so focussing and positioning of the lens is critical to a sharp picture. Good technique helps reduce ISO noise and allows more information to be retained in the image which again will undergo cropping to get the desired photograph.
A cluster of moons around larger planets.
I hope you enjoy the current crop of pictures (pardon the pun).
Here are a few more oil and water pictures to enjoy.
As it happened, my car windscreen needed replacing in Nechells, so I had time to explore the canals. I headed for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and walked along it to the lock below Holborn Hill. Turning left, I arrived at Aston train station. It is a five-minute walk from there to Spaghetti Junction and then a short descent to the Tame Valley Canal.
The classic view of the Tame Valley Canal underneath the motorway.
Repairs are currently being carried out on the supports of the motorway, and there were many workers in and around the area. This made it relatively safe to stroll around. I stopped to view the art project run by Bill Drummond, former drummer of the KLF rock group and now an influential artist. He paints a line at regular intervals on the concrete walls opposite the towpath. The line currently displayed reads, “Are you lost yet?”
Directions on the tow path
Luckily, I knew exactly where I was on the canals, and I walked further along to take pictures of the motorway pillars reflected in the canal water. There is some rubbish around, but also many opportunities for interesting photographs.
Reflections and rubbish.Men at work.Ongoing repair work under the motorway.The old road and the M6 motorway.
Retracing my steps, I explored the junction where the Birmingham canals meet the Tame Valley Canal. This was also the site where most of the repair work was taking place. I then made my way to Aston Reservoir, accessing it just past a sports centre. The elevated sections of the motorway rise in the distance and overlook the water. I always find it amazing that speedboat races once took place on this small area of water.
Aston or sometimes known as Salford reservoir with the M6 link road to the Aston Expressway in the background.
I have visited the Junction several times before and here are some of my accounts of my previous visits.
I follow Imbue on Instagram and enjoy his thought-provoking artwork. Over the last few weeks, my Instagram feed went wild with notifications about his forthcoming exhibition. The images circulating included the Mona Lisa as viewed on mobile phones and a horse constructed from Amazon boxes. The exhibition was called ‘Lost All Meaning’, so I headed down to Digbeth to see the artwork. I do enjoy contemporary art. Having lived through the glam rock, punk and new romantic music movements, the album covers were always treasured. Imbue’s work captures much of that excitement and brings it right up to date.
The exhibition space for the Imbue artwork.
I arrived at the building on Floodgate Street and was immediately drawn to the walls where Imbue had arranged his work. A food and drinks machine was set up to dispense “faith healing” drugs. I bought a pack from the machine dispenser, and inside the blister pack, the tablets were arranged in the shape of a cross. This religious theme ran throughout the exhibition, with pieces such as The Fall of Man (UV print on a used MacBook lid) and McChurch, which, when cut out, resembles a McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The 100 Phones exhibit depicting the Mona Lisa was remarkable, though it makes me feel I really must go and see the actual Mona Lisa now!
Faithhealers make a cross.Mc Church which if brought allows you the option to but out and make a box.Close up of the 100 phones Mona Lisa.
Many of the prints were mounted on the wall and arranged in a 3-by-3 grid, including Leonardo da Vinci–inspired printed circuit boards with images of the Mona Lisa, Salvator Mundi, and Saint John the Baptist. Kids with Guns used shooting targets with added Mickey Mouse ears, a powerful indictment of the world’s current gun problems. Nearby was a bullet encased in a bottle, designed to be used in a 3D-printed gun.
Leonardo da Vinci seriesShooting targets for kids. A bullet for a 3D printed gun.
The theme of 3D printing ran through the exhibition, with the interplay of technology and everyday life presented not only to shock but also to make you think.
Liquidising Alexa which I have to admit is such a good idea.
Two large exhibits dominated the centre of the warehouse. The horse made from Amazon boxes must have stood 12 metres tall, as shown in the photos. Quite a few home deliveries were needed to construct this horse. To my mind, it resembled a Trojan Horse. Very fitting, as we bring Amazon boxes into our homes without a moment’s thought.
The Amazon Boxes Horse.
The other large exhibit was a veiled statue that Imbue had secretly scanned during a visit to the Louvre. The replica of Antonio Corradini’s Femme Voilée rotated in front of a bank of 3D printers. Small white statues were being printed and stored in a box, ready to be sold. This work raised many questions: how is it possible to scan such famous statues and then make them accessible to all? Did Imbue “steal” the statue from the Louvre, or is this simply how art will be shared in the future?
The veiled lady in front of a bank of 3D printing machines.A reflection of the veiled lady in the 3D printing window.The one that I want.
There were many other exhibits, too many to describe in detail. There are several accounts of the exhibition on the Internet each featuring their favoured artwork.
Personally, my favourite work was DNArk. I am currently watching a cheesy but entertaining TV series on the Syfy channel called The Ark, where the last of humanity is sent into space carrying the DNA of the animal world. Imbue’s artwork consists of a transparent boat with multiple rows of red vials representing DNA samples. It left me wondering: how are we going to preserve the world’s DNA if we keep destroying the environment?
DNArk
The bonus of the visit was meeting Imbue himself and taking his picture. He was open to conversation and happy to discuss his artwork and the ideas behind it. The exhibition only ran for a few days, but I will be on the lookout for his future work. Imbue has created artwork that resonates with today’s technology, cleverly weaving in references to past masters while exploring how we interact with the modern world. The role of religion seems to have morphed into technology, as people reinvent the world around them.
The artist, Imbue.
As a photographer, I appreciated how the exhibition was staged against the backdrop of an old industrial engineering workshop. The natural light from the ceiling windows and the texture of the walls provided the perfect setting for the artwork. As always, I used my X100VI for most of the pictures, whilst favouring my iPhone’s wide-angle lens for the overall views.
Lost all Meaning.
I found this exhibition space interesting as last year I was at the same place for the final day of the Floodgate an entertainment complex. As ever Digbeth changes and I have added my blog link below.
This year, the Real Confetti Company offered evening viewings of the Confetti Fields for the first time, and I signed up immediately. There is always a short window when the Confetti Fields at Wick, near Pershore, open to the public. The weather and the timing of the delphinium blooms have a significant influence on this.
The view from the top of the field looking down towards Bredon Hill.
Although the dates did not suit the family calendar during the day, the evening timing worked for me. On a warm June evening, I arrived at the fields two hours before sunset.
On top of the viewing platform.The Delphinium flowers
As always, the vibrant colours of the flowers, neatly arranged in colour zones, were quite magical. The evening opening meant the field was less busy, allowing time to take pictures without the usual distractions of people walking through the lanes and avenues. When I arrived, the light was excellent and really brought out the colours. I met up with fellow photographer Dave Wells, and we were able to compare notes as we took our pictures.
The wildflowers were spectacular.Colour contrasts in the field.
Unfortunately, a sunset never materialised. The sun disappeared behind clouds on the horizon, and rain arrived just as we were leaving. However, this did not dampen my enthusiasm for photographing the flowers. Enjoy the pictures—and I have provided links to previous visits to the Confetti Fields in 2023, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
The Golden Lion is a building with a long and varied history. Walk along the main path in Canon Hill Park, and you will soon come across it. The scaffolding surrounding the structure gives its location away. You then realise that it commands a striking view of the green space, the boating lake, and the MAC.
Hard Hats at the Ready.
The Golden Lion has served many purposes over the years, including being used as a living space, public house, and a cricket pavilion. Its original location was on Deritend High Street, but it was moved to Canon Hill Park in 1911. If you wish to learn more about its background, the Birmingham Conservation Trust (BCT) website is a good place to start.
The outside scaffolding.
This blog describes my hard hat tour of the Golden Lion, organised by the BCT. Irene from the Trust was our guide, and she explained that restoration work on the building would soon begin. Only a few tours were scheduled before work commenced, so this was a rare opportunity to see inside the structure before any changes took place.
Inside the Golden Lion, Ground Floor inspecting the ceiling.Looking at the walls.Looking up to the roof and the space where orignially there was a second floor.
Irene was full of enthusiasm. As she explained both the history and the upcoming plans for the building, it became clear how closely the two are connected. We donned our hard hats and entered. Since the windows were boarded up, we needed torches to see. We were warned about low ceilings—and spiders. The latter, we were told, were actually a good sign, as they indicated that bats had not nested in the building, which would have delayed the restoration.
Debris on the floor.
We explored the ground floor and then the first floor. Debris lay scattered on the floors, and shards of light pierced through cracks in the walls. Despite this, the building was remarkably dry and structurally intact. Small holes in the walls provided natural ventilation, allowing the building to dry out quickly after rain.
Window latch.Secrets in the wood.Markings on the door.
As we moved through the space, there were clear reminders of its previous uses as a cricket pavilion and a ranger’s office. These later modifications were visible on the interior walls. There were fittings for benches, and the windows had been fitted with modern locks and latches. Originally, the building had another floor, and the outlines of where it once stood could still be seen on the walls. Early records from the 1851 census report that up to 50 people once lived in and around the building when it stood in Deritend. This included the courtyard at the rear where there were 6 small (slum) dwellings
Going down the stairs
The visit was fascinating, and the history embedded in the walls came alive during our conversations. I am looking forward to seeing the Golden Lion restored and given a new lease of life. Thank you to the Birmingham Conservation Trust for organising the visit, and to Irene for being such an informative and enthusiastic guide. Finally a special thanks to Pat Rodwell for obtaining tickets.
If you are interested in exploring historical buildings around Birmingham which are a lot safer and accessible then I would recommend a visit to Selly Manor as my blog shows below.
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