The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025

Baddesley Clinton staged the Twelve Days of Christmas with a difference. The story was told by twelve Snowmen who were placed in strategic positions around the National Trust property. I made the mistake of counting down the Twelve Days rather than starting at the first day and moving forward. I must remember this when I bring the grandchildren to visit!

The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
A cheeky grin from one of the snowmen.
The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
On the third day of Christmas….I find myself at Baddesley Clinton.

I set myself a photographic challenge: to capture images of the Snowmen and tell the story in a slightly different way. The Snowmen were very cooperative, and I had no trouble persuading them to pose for the camera, although they did struggle when it came to turning around.

The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
Someone is dancing on the Snowman.
The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
I love those legs they are eggcellent.

I wondered how the Snowmen would look against the beautiful gardens and the historic, grand moated house. To my pleasant surprise, the combination worked wonderfully, and the designs on the twelve Snowmen were beautifully painted. This artistic element was created by Wild on Art, who are always brilliant at imagining unique and engaging artwork. They have taken their Snowman to previous Christmas National Trust displays at Sheffield Park, and Knole Park.

The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
Look out – the swans are behind you.
The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
Here’s looking at you.

The exhibition is well worth a visit and a delight for both young and old. Just remember to follow the route the right way round, anticlockwise, otherwise you’ll find yourself counting down to the first day of Christmas. Although, that’s not such a bad idea either!

The snowmen at Baddesley Clinton, National Trust, 2025
I feel a little overdressed for the weather.

BTW not all the twelve snowmen are photographed so you will have to go and see them for yourself. The National Trust are excellent and creating magic at Christmas. Here is a blog about Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House when I visited the properties two years ago.

Signs on the HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.

Everywhere I look, there are signs.  There are warning signs, diversion signs, public right of way signs. They puncture the landscape, each one a reminder that HS2 is reshaping the countryside in ways both visible and invisible.

HS2 make sure you stay with the official footpath.
HS2 make sure you stay on the official footpath.

Since my last visit, the HS2 works have progressed. The path where the trains will run is now clearly defined, bridges have risen across the fields, and yet the disruption continues. Earthmovers, fences, and machinery still dominate what was once quiet farmland and woodland.

Signs on the HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
One of the major bridges on this part of the HS2 track. A sign indicates where to go.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Concrete pipes ready to be laid.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Metal fences protect the HS2 works.

As I walked along the public path, I met Tony and Louise, out for a weekend stroll. We chatted about the project.  Tony focussed on the endless metal fencing, the slow pace of construction, and the sense that someone, somewhere, must be profiting handsomely from all this upheaval. Then Bill passed by, shaking his head. He said that HS2 was β€œDisastrous for the countryside.” He told me how he’d recently brought his daughter to see the area near Sixteen Acre Wood, and how shocked she had been by the scale of the destruction.

The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Tony and Louise pictured by the steel HS2 fences.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Bill looking out on HS2 path that has destroyed the farmers field.

What strikes me most, though, is the sheer number of signs. They seem to compete with the landscape itself for attention. The public path winds past a tired-looking environmental pond.  Then further down there is the original pond still clinging to its place amid the diggers and debris. The woodland here is sparse.  Trees have been toppled, stripped back and scarred, but still they hang on waiting for the construction to finish.

The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Pedestrian lights control the construction traffic.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
Beware heavy plants.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
A new pond is out of bounds.

Walking across the path of the future train tracks.Β Β I took in the scene.Β Β The HS2 line is still dirt for now, awaiting concrete and steel. Machinery parts, pipes, fencing, and plastic weights litter the area. It is difficult to imagine what this place will look like when everything is complete.Β Β Will nature ever fully reclaim it?

The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
The high speed train track is just dirt and compacted soil. The tracks await.

Tony asked me what I thought of it all. His question caught me off guard. The truth is, I am somewhere in the middle rather like the metal fence that separates one side from the other. I am dismayed at how easily nature is cast aside, yet I cannot deny the appeal of improved transport and connectivity. Still, the pace and the cost weigh heavily on any sense of progress.

The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
An autumnal path leads to the HS2 works.
The HS2 path, 16 Acre Wood, Berkswell, November 2025.
A bleaker path takes you over the HS2 track.

Searching the internet, I came across a photograph online by Robin Stott titledΒ β€œA Family Walk by Sixteen Acre Wood” .

A family walk by 16 Acre Wood by Β© Copyright Robin Stott
A family walk by 16 Acre Wood by Β© Copyright Robin Stott

Taken in 2011, it shows a dark, dense woodland.  The scene is peaceful and the field is ploughed ready for planting. This is an image from another age.

Progress, it seems, may be efficient but it is rarely kind.

This is the latest in a long line of Blogs about the HS2 construction taking place around 16 Acre Wood near Berkswell. If you found this interesting then please read my last blog which will then lead you along to all the others on this subject.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025

I had been feeling a little jaded and in need of some new inspiration for my photography. To spark a fresh way of seeing, I decided to give myself a challenge: to photograph the Library of Birmingham without showing any books. It sounded simple, but it pushed me to look at the building differently and find views that have not already been captured a thousand times.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
Looking up at the patterns in the skylights.

The Library of Birmingham never fails to surprise me. Its striking architecture, spacious interiors, futuristic escalators and sweeping balconies all have a story to tell. Although it is, of course, a library filled with books, I wanted to focus on its atmosphere and design rather than what sits on the shelves.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
The sharp angles against the cloud filled sky.

Autumn had arrived and the leaves on the trees were a deep contrasting red colour. The outside gardens are a peaceful place to visit. Visitors to the library enjoy finding quiet spots to reflect and relax from the busy City below.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
The colours of Autumn against the backdrop of the library.
The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
Finding a quiet place to reflect and take time out.

For this project, I used three cameras: my Canon 5D Mark IV, my Fujifilm X100VI, and my iPhone. Each one encouraged a different way of seeing. The Canon, with its wide-angle lens, delivered crisp and detailed shots. The Fujifilm, which has a fixed 50 mm lens, performed beautifully in the softer light but required a slower, more considered approach. The iPhone proved surprisingly powerful when capturing reflections, as its lens can be placed right up against a surface to create playful and unexpected effects.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
A place to meet and look out over the square below.

This collection of photographs shares what I discovered on that visit. It is my attempt to show the Library of Birmingham from a new angle and to remind myself that inspiration often appears when you look at familiar places in unfamiliar ways.

The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
An example of the futuristic design of the interior.
The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
A reflective window to the outside world.
The Library of Birmingham, October 2025
Colour contrasts on the balcony.

This is not the first time that I have photographed the library and you may well enjoy this earlier account. Be warned a few library books creep into the pictures.

Knowle Park, Sunrise, September, 2025

This is my 500th blog post β€” a remarkable milestone in my blogging journey. I first began writing my blog on this website on 27th December 2016, although my experience with online storytelling stretches back much further. Since 2006, I ran a work blog for the School of Dentistry, and even before that, in the early nineties, I was exploring websites and digital storytelling. I have always enjoyed keeping a diary of photographs, recording important years and events alongside my images. Social media gave me the opportunity to bring words and photos together, sharing my personal blog reflections and photographic stories with a wider audience. Now, 500 posts later, I am still passionate about blogging.

My first post in December 2016 and included this reflection of one of the entrances to the then recently opened New Street station. I was very proud of this picture and is one of my trademark reflections. I still come here to take pictures as you can get many varied and interesting street photography views.

Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada, July 2019
Watching the sun set whilst sitting on the edge of Stanley Park

Post 100 – I was at a conference in Vancouver in July, 2019. On one of the evenings, I went out to Stanley Park and sat with many other local residents to see the Sun set. The experience was memorable and the picture does not fully convey the atmosphere of the evening.

Red post and telephone box in the snow
Red post and telephone box in the snow

Post 200 – January 2021 and we had lived through Covid19 but we were still in one of the many lockdowns. Luckily waking up one morning, I saw that it had snowed. My village, Knowle, is very photogenic and the red postbox and phonebox stand out against the white background.

Keys to the City, St Margaret’s Church, Ward End, Birmingham. August, 2022
The interior of St Margaret’s Church, Ward End, Birmingham.

Post 300 – The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a magical time and there was so much going on. There was an art project called “Keys to City” which open locks around Birmingham. I visited several venues with my key. This is St Margaret’s Church, Ward End, Birmingham. No longer a church, the place is a community centre. What was special about the Church were the stained glass windows which were created by pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones.

The Ringway Centre, update February 2024
A view along Smallsbrook Queensway.

Post 400 – The Ringway Centre which is to the right of the picture is earmarked to be demolished. There is opposition to this proposal and therefore the bulldozers are so far silent. The planners wish to take down what they say is a building with concrete sickness and replace it with new shiny residential towers. I am unsure if this is progress but we wait and see what the outcome will be.

Knowle Park, Sunrise, September, 2025
Knowle sunrise in September and featured on BBC Midlands today weather.
My picture on BBC Midlands today. September 2025.
My picture on BBC Midlands today – note the spelling of Solihull.

Post 500 – This is Knowle Park on a cold Tuesday morning in September. The figures walking along the path are entering the mist with the fiery sunrise beyond the trees. This was featured by Shafali Ozer on the BBC weathers. I always receive kind comments on social media when a picture is featured.

So we have reached 500 posts and I would like to thank James Kelly, who has been instrumental in setting up my website back in 2016. Little did we know back then that this blog would still be thriving 500 posts later. My very first post was aboutΒ Birmingham Gems, an annual calendar at that time featuring my photographs. That first image, the entrance to New Street Station with ceiling reflections creating a surreal scene,Β Β remains one of my proudest photographs.

Finally, thank you to all my readers over these 500 posts. Some of you may have joined for just one or two views, whilst others have followed the entire blogging journey. I appreciate every single reader.

Here is to many more blog posts, more photography inspiration, and perhaps even a few books drawn from the stories I have shared over the years.

Please check out James Kelly and his web site Burst of Fruit.

And check out more in my blog!

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham

Birmingham Heritage Week always reveals intriguing places to explore. Each year, the programme goes live at the end of summer, and tickets for the most popular destinations are quickly snapped up. For this year’s Birmingham Heritage week, I set my sights on two churches I had not previously visited, along with a guided walk in Birmingham.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The front entrance.

The first of these visits took me to the Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, a striking Orthodox church situated in Bournville. Renowned for its ornate ceilings and rich decoration, the church stands proudly on a hill overlooking the area. Arriving from Bristol Road, via the number 61 bus, I made the short walk uphill to the gates, where I was warmly welcomed by a member of the congregation.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The image of the Virgin Mary behind the alter.
The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
Close up details from the side alters.

Stepping inside, the splendour of the Byzantine design is immediately apparent. The ceiling is dominated by a powerful image of Christ, while the dome above the altar features a serene depiction of Mary. Stone pillars draw the eye across the space, emphasising the church’s harmonious proportions.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
Icons of the Madonna and Child.
The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The balcony with details at the back of the Church.

Unlike many Western churches, the Serbian Church has few seats. This open design is characteristic of Orthodox worship and allows visitors to move freely around.  I spent much time admiring the icons and intricate details on  the walls. The murals are painted in fresco, a technique where pigment is applied directly onto wet plaster, creating luminous images that glow in the light. I found myself mesmerised, pausing often to steady my concentration so that my photographs might capture even a fraction of the beauty that was before me.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
Candles light up the Church.

The exterior holds equal charm. In the gardens, a golden crucifix stands proudly, while the church’s architectural form blends gracefully with its leafy surroundings. Time was against me, and with the church busy that day, I was unable to explore or photograph the adjacent hallβ€”an omission I intend to rectify on a future visit.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The side entrance to the Church.
The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The imposing domes of the church against the sky.
The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
The crucifix in the gardens of the church.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar is a landmark building and a must see place on the Birmingham Heritage week schedule. The church rewards not only the photographer but also anyone with an interest in history, faith, or art. For those wishing to learn more, the church maintains a comprehensive website offering detailed background on its story and traditions. My own visit left a lasting impression long after I put down my camera. Enjoy the pictures.

The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, Birmingham Heritage Week, Bournville, Birmingham
Selective colour of the red carpet in the Church.

If you enjoyed this blog then please visit my other Birmingham Heritage visits that I have done over the years

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025

The newest addition to Paradise Birmingham, Three Chamberlain Square, is close to opening. This distinctive building sits next to the historic Town Hall and is stone’s throw from Victoria square. Its exterior design incorporates natural terracotta tones, giving a warm red ochre glow to the rows of vertical lines. Walking past the building, I often wondered what it would be like to look around inside and longed to visit the terrace on the top floor.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
Three Chamberlain Square.

I was therefore delighted when an invitation arrived from Core, the marketing team promoting Paradise Birmingham. They were hosting a special Photographers’ Event at Three Chamberlain Square to mark World Photography Day.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
The BT Tower framed by the red beams.

On a warm but initially cloudy afternoon, a collective of photographers gathered in Chamberlain Square near the new building. There were many familiar faces amongst the group, and we did not have to wait long before being taken into the foyer of Three Chamberlain Square. The entrance is impressive, with a large, open multipurpose area. After a short introduction, we went straight up to the ninth floor and the terrace.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
The Birmingham skyline

The terracotta design was an instant hit with the photographers, and we all had to be careful not to photobomb each other’s shots. The photographic talent among the group was very high, and I knew their images would be excellent. My own thought was, try something different, easier said than done when surrounded by such skilled photographers.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
Inside looking out.

Reaching the ninth floor, the sun broke through the clouds. Before stepping onto the terrace, I paused to capture the light as it streamed into the room. Then it was time for the terrace itself, which offered stunning views across the city. The red support beams provided a perfect frame for iconic landmarks. I was able to capture the Octagon, BT Tower, the Rotunda, 103 Colmore Row, and the Town Hall clock, each neatly framed by the beams. Using my telephoto lens I was able to capture the street scenes below.  The terrace was undoubtedly the highlight of the visit and will be an instant favourite for those working in the building.

We then moved down to the eighth floor to view the open-plan offices. I took several pictures, and while the space itself was impressive, my eyes kept drifting to the windows. People working there will certainly not be boredβ€”the passing trams and other activities below may prove to be quite a distraction.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
Colmore Row stories.

Although I had to leave before the full tour was over, the terrace remained the highlight of my photographic journey through the building. On my way back to the car, I captured a few final shots outside. What struck me most was the contrast of styles: the terracotta of Three Chamberlain Square set against the Roman revival elegance of the Town Hall, with the towering Octagon rising in the background.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
Different Styles

Birmingham looks splendid with its mix of bold new buildings complementing the city’s historic landmarks.  Thank you to Paradise Birmingham for allowing us to photograph this beautiful building.

Three Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, August 2025
Picture of me taken by Ell Brown on the terrace. Thanks Ell.

If you like tall buildings then I have highlighted more reading about my photographic visits on my blog.

Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025

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.

Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
The wall is becoming overgrown.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
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.

Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
Fruit on the trees.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
Fences overgrown.

.
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.

Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
Twisted overgrown trees.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
The woodland trees.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
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.

Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
The meadow in the sun.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
Berries are ripened in the meadow area.
Elmden Manor Walled Garden, Wildlife Trust, Solihull, 2025
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.

Helios, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025

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 artworkΒ 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, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
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 seenΒ GaiaΒ at Millennium Point, theΒ Museum of the MoonΒ in Lichfield Cathedral, and more recently,Β HeliosΒ at the historic Charterhouse in Coventry.

Helios, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
Enjoying the spectacle
Helios, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
The 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, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
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.

Helios, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
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.

Helios, Luke Jerram, Charterhouse, August 2025
Noah with his football sphere.

Now, having photographed In MemoriamGaiaMuseum 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.

My notes from my visit to Gaia in March 2022.

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.

Gaia, Millenium Point, Birmingham, March 2022
My grandchildren together with Gaia in the background.
Gaia, Millenium Point, Birmingham, March 2022
Lost in her own world. A double exposure of my daughter with Gaia.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025

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.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Figure in the subway
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
A 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.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Cyclist between the pillars.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
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.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Reaching for the sky
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
The height of the pillars dwarfs the people who dare wander next to them.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
The cathedral pillars of Salford circus.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Gaps between the Pillars.

Are you lost yet?

A line from the 25 paintings project by Bill Drummond.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
So easy to lose your way under the motorway.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
There is signage to help.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Colourful signs break through the concrete monotones.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
A scrawled sign lets you know where you are.

Traces of humanity

There are examples that humans have passed through the area.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Real Magic
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Birmingham, England
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
A smashing time.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Walk this way

Nature fights back

Nature is slowly eroding the concrete jungle. Trees and greenery have established themselves amongst the pillars.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Greenery lines the paths.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
Trees in the sunlight.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
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.

Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
The classical view of the pillars lined up along the river Rea.
Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham, August 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025

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 β€œParanoid” 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 β€œIron Man,” and β€œParanoid”. Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne still connect with me especially as their influences are all around Birmingham.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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 Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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 Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
This is the day before the funeral at Black Sabbath Bridge.
Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
A guitar with inscription amongst the tributes.
Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.

Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
Tributes to Black Sabbath.
Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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 Osborne, Black Sabbath, Birmingham, July 2025
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.