Early starts in photography are always exciting, but only once you have set things in motion. As soon as the alarm goes off, I am on a mission. This time, my destination was Chesterton Windmill to see its newly restored sails. Sunrise at the spring equinox made the occasion even more significant. Since the clocks had not yet gone forward, the start was not too early.
A proud windmill on the top of the hill.
Driving towards Chesterton, I noticed a lingering mist over the fields. On arrival, the scene was too good to pass up, so I pulled over, took out my camera, and captured the ethereal landscape. This was one of the first photographs of the windmill with its restored sails, and the conditions were perfect—a leading fence, mist-covered trees, and in the distance, the windmill’s sails standing proudly.
The start of the spring equinox
When I reached the top of the hill, the moon was still visible, adding to the atmosphere as I prepared for the arrival of the day. The sunrise was beautiful, and though there were no clouds, the first rays of sunlight made the trip worthwhile. As the sun rose higher, its light reflected off the white sails, making them shine brilliantly. I took several more photographs with both my camera and iPhone before heading home for breakfast.
The moon sits alongside the sails.
I plan to return in a few weeks, as the windmill holds a special place for our family, particularly during those bleak lockdown days.
I was absolutely thrilled to learn that the sails were finally going to be placed back on Chesterton Windmill. This Grade I listed building holds so many cherished memories from before lockdown—a place to explore, take photographs through the changing seasons, or simply enjoy the historic beauty of this iconic location. During lockdown, the windmill became a refuge, a meeting point for family while maintaining social distancing. As a lover of landscape photography, the windmill has featured in many of my pictures. In fact, the Chesterton Windmill is an iconic location for many landscape photographers and is high on the list of Instagram influencers’ favourite buildings.
This classical view of the windmill with leading lines from the fields will soon have the addition of windmill sails.
Then, in the spring of 2021, the sails were taken down. There was no notice, no explanation, and no indication of when they would return. For years, the windmill stood without them—dignified yet incomplete. Over time, many local people gave up hope that the sails would ever be restored.
Behind the scenes, however, Warwickshire County Council had commissioned the production of brand-new sails, carefully crafted to honour the windmill’s heritage. The company appointed for this task was Owlsworth Conservation, specialists in the preservation and repair of historic buildings. Behind the scenes of apparent inactivity, both the council and Owlsworth Conservation had been diligently working through the challenges that come with such a project.
When I received an email from my close friend John Bray with the news that the sails were being installed, I was, as I said at the beginning, absolutely thrilled.
The newly made sails lie to the side of the Windmill as the supporting stocks are put in place.
The day arrived, and I gathered my cameras and set off for the windmill. When we arrived, the site was buzzing with activity. The sails were being installed using traditional, handcrafted techniques—pulleys and ropes at the ready. The only concession to the modern day was the use of a motorised articulated boom. One of the stocks that will hold the sails was already in place. Over the course of the morning, the second stock was hoisted into position. Although the sails would not be attached until the following week, the cross-bar mechanism was now ready to accept them.
The craftsmanship is evident of the newly constructed sails (plus attached earthing metal tape.)
The team was happy to talk about the process and the dedication required to restore the windmill. The work demanded skill, patience, and perseverance. The weather was bright, with blue skies and white clouds, but it was bitterly cold. The previous day, the restoration had continued despite a wave of hailstones. Yet none of this dampened the enthusiasm of the men working on the windmill. A video of the work being done is on the BBC website
From above, the work aims to pull the second beam upwards.From below, all hands keep the beam ready as it is hoisted upwards.The cross bars are ready for the addition of the sails.Paul Millwright of Owlsworth Conservation with the windmill in the background.
I look forward to seeing the sails in place, and in the coming months, my family will visit to relive our treasured memories of this beloved landmark. This ancient monument has witnessed so much change over the centuries, standing tall through shifting landscapes and history itself. Now, as it regains the sails that define it as a windmill, it is once more ready to embrace whatever the future may bring.
The team includes members of Warwickshire county council and Owlsworth Conservation
I have included one of several blogs I have written about Chesterton Windmill. The blog featured was written in 2019 and shows how the windmill looked with sails prior to their breakage.
I encouraged my daughter and grandson to join me on a walk to see the HS2 works next to 16 Acre Wood. It’s now 2025, and it’s time for an update on my visits to the site. These visits began in 2021, and I’ve kept a diary documenting all the changes that have taken place over the years.
Over the hill and far awayHS2 signsNew bridges on the line.Concrete structures.Heavy machinery.The gate
We’ve had a lot of rain recently, and the walk reflected this as the footpath became quite muddy. When we reached the area, the first thing I noticed was the progress made with two bridges. A lot of concrete had been poured, resulting in two large structures. The special pond had also received some attention. The overgrown foliage had been cut back, and we were now able to see the water and grass more clearly. No trees have been planted around the pond yet, so it will be interesting to see how it fares over the coming summer.
Lots of numbersThe new pond.The pond is still looking on.Nature is always near.The wood is a lot thinner.
Walking around the site on the weekend meant there were no concerns about taking photographs, which was a nice bonus. However, it was a long walk which Noah was not so happy about!
Walking along the footpath.
This is an update on a continuing story on 16 Acre Wood and the intrusion of HS2. Feel free to read the my other entries starting with the one highlighted below.
The Birmingham Light Festival has brightened up the city as look to the end of winter. Light festivals have been held previously, and this year, the company Opus supplied 11 imaginative light installations. Although many other activities were taking place, the BBC was planning a feature on the lights. I tagged along with John Bray, and we systematically tracked down most of the installations. It was also an opportunity to try out my night lens filter for my Fujifilm X100vi which was a present by my daughters. I was eager to try it out.
‘The Roof of Stars’ lights up Thorp Street, and transforms the area around Birmingham Hippodrome’s Stage Door. It was fun trying to capture both the cars and the reflections of the stars. Near to the main entrance of the Hippodrome, there is a peace poem – the words are very much needed at present.
The Roof of StarsPeace Poem
‘The Light Door’ at New Street Station was very bright. There were also many people around and catching either a clear shot or getting one where they were interacting with the light was not straight forward. I soon realised that taking pictures of these light installations was going to be tricky due to their placement and the challenge of capturing the atmosphere of people interacting with the displays.
The light door
The Mailbox featured a fruit machine installation, “Positive spin”. My Fujifilm did not have the wide angle view and I should have reached for my iPhone for a wide angled view. As we walked towards Gas Street Basin and Centenary Square, we spotted a light boat passing by on its way to the Mailbox, allowing us to capture the scene at just the right moment. There were volunteers from the Canal and River Trust who had been involved with the lights on the narrow boat.
Positive SpinThe narrowboat of light arrives at the Mailbox
Centenary Square had two installations: “Dance on Lava” Floor is LAVA x Silent Disco and “Night Badminton.” People were having fun especially on the dance floor. The badminton installation had a purple shuttlecock which was difficult to follow against the city lights and the dark night sky. The people playing the game did not seem to mind.
Dance Floor is LavaNight Badmington
I was not disappointed with the last three installations we visited. The first was “Ideas happen here” in Newhall Square, where the fountains and water reflections provided plenty of opportunities for great pictures. Saint Paul’s Square had a bioluminescent fungus display in lights, offering numerous leading lines and a quieter setting that made it easier to capture images. The final installation was “Flux” in Snow Hill Square. Fortunately, I found a display board where I could rest my camera, allowing me to take a long exposure shot of the bars of light as they whirled around.
Ideas happen here.Mycelium networkFlux
The one I missed was Alright Bab but as this is a legacy installation, I have time on my side to take pictures of it. I returned on the Monday and took pictures of this iconic phrase.
Alright Bab.
Tracking down the light installations made for an super night of photography. I was pleased with how my lens filter performed, as it cut down on light pollution and allowed for very small apertures, resulting in some nice starbursts. Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner, but I always enjoy these light installations.
Here are my blog entries from previous light festivals in Birmingham to enjoy.
The Stratford-upon-Avon CanalLooking out over bridge 56Leading lines to the tree
This walk took us to the Edstone Viaduct, a spectacular canal aqueduct that runs over the Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon railway line. We made our way from The View across fields, down to the railway line, which had an unguarded crossing. Crossing this we arrived at the road and made our way to the viaduct. On the canal, a few narrowboats were moored, but as it was a cold February lunchtime, there was very little movement. I always like crossing the viaduct as the towpath is lower than the water level and so you have a different view of the canal.
Watch out for the trainsFollowing the path
The towpath and fields were extremely muddy, so having good walking boots was essential. The Warwickshire countryside is picturesque and gently rolling, and even on a grey day, it offers interesting places to visit. The pictures from this walk capture the beauty of the landscape, showcasing how this part of the world remains charming in all weather conditions.
If you enjoyed this entry in my blog then please read about my 4 churches bike ride around the Warwickshire Countryside. I also enclose a pdf from the View with a map and further details of my walk.
Details of Edstone Walk (copyright with the View, Wootton Warren)
The year may have started with plenty of rain, but that never stops me from hunting for reflections. I have a few favourite spots where I find good puddles, and here is a selection from the start of 2025.
Kingswood Junction after a very heavy downpour flooded the towpath.Taken with my Fujifilm x100vi of Gas Street Basin. There is smoke billowing out of one of the narrowboats.
Someone recently asked about my technique for taking such pictures. When capturing reflections, I use my iPhone, seeking out patches of water and anticipating how a reflection may appear. A key step is to get as low as possible to the puddle. This can be challenging, especially with particularly muddy puddles, like the one on Normandy Hill. One wrong step, and you could end up a muddy mess if you stumble into the water.
This reflection was taken from the surface of a very muddy puddle on Normandy Hill, Hillmorton, Rugby.
I position my phone so that the back lens is as close to the water as possible, just before autofocus engages. This creates a blurred background effect as the phone focuses on the nearest object. Since you are often crouching in muddy water while holding your phone, you must anticipate the outcome of your shot rather than seeing it perfectly in the moment. Using a larger camera—even a compact one—would be difficult in such conditions. Of course, larger cameras work well when photographing a lake beneath a mountain range, safely away from the water’s edge. However, the beauty of using a phone is its ability to capture reflections effortlessly during everyday walks. There are two pictures, in this gallery that have been taken with my Fujifilm x100v and I am still able to capture the magic of reflections.
Tow trains, one local, the other to London with the reflections framed by the footbridge.This contrast of colours of the blue hour and the warm lights is enhanced by the reflections. The picture was taken with my x100vi.
Having taken reflection photographs countless times, I now appreciate that the real skill lies in composition. It is about anticipating the possibilities that even a small puddle can offer.
Reflections at Selfridges with a blue theme. A favourite place for photographs.
Druids Heath is just a place I pass through—a shortcut home and a fast route that I have taken many times after events at the University of Birmingham or in Selly Oak and Bournville. Passing through the area, I often wondered about the mix of tower blocks and green spaces. I remember passing a lively pub, although its name always escaped me. My drive through would last around five minutes, ending at the Maypole and onto the bypass leading to the motorway back home.
Bell’s lane. the main thoroughfare passing through Druids Heath
Druids Heath remained an enigma until I stumbled upon a National Trust post which led me to the National Trust’s Back to Backs website. There was an advert for a walking tour of the area, linked to the slum clearance projects of the 1960s, such as the Back to Backs. Sparkling new estates had sprung up during that era, with Druids Heath at the forefront. My family came from Manchester, so I never learnt about the clearance of Birmingham’s slums. However, I did have University friends who lived in the Hume crescents in the late seventies. I have many stories of visiting Hulme when a student in Manchester.
Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors.
The walk around Druids Heath was organised by Jayne Murray, the resident artist of Place Prospectors. We gathered at the terminus of the number 50 bus, where Jayne introduced herself and handed out a set of postcards. Each postcard was to act as a signpost for our journey around the estate. The first depicted a map and a picture of the bus stop. As we began our walk, we found ourselves on the border of the city with the green fields of Bromsgrove and Worcestershire on the other side of the road. There was a stark contrast between the green countryside and the houses and towers of Druids Heath. The houses were built in units—some with garages and living quarters above, others resembling small terraces. Tower blocks punctuated the landscape, standing over the lower-raised houses. As we moved along, these towers became an ever-present feature, imposing themselves on the scenery.
A typical example of low level housing in Druids Heath.
Despite the low-grade litter scattered around the estate, it was clear that many residents took pride in their homes, adding personal touches to make the place welcoming. Jayne shared background details about the area, and the postcards were a clever prompt, allowing us to see how the estate had changed over the years. For example, the land along Bells Lane was once used for farming, and remnants of its agricultural past were still visible in the bushes that had once formed natural borders.
An example of the concrete architecture on the estate.Empty dustbins
We stopped at several landmarks, including the former pub called the Gladiator. Now I remember its name! Jayne explained that where there were once three pubs, there are now none, and she lamented the loss of the community spirit that disappeared with their closure. We also heard about the Dell; a large area of heathland once earmarked for development. A determined community fightback led to the cancellation of these plans, and the area is now a haven for wildlife.
The heathland of the Dell overshadowed by electricity pylons.
The final stages of the walk focused on the towers. Some have been demolished, while others stand empty, deemed unsuitable for habitation. Hillcroft House, for instance, stands vacant next to a row of shops—some are still in use, others abandoned. We passed two demolition sites: Heath House and Moundsley House. Both towers are now gone, leaving only grass in their place, with no new structures having yet been built. The library has since been replaced by the Druids Heath neighbourhood office and the youth club was still there. Using postcards with images of the towers mid-demolition, we aligned our photos to capture the present-day view, a poignant reminder of what once stood there.
The towers impose themselves over the undelating landscape.Leading lines to the towersHillcroft House stands emptyWelcome to Druids Heath.The site where Moundsley House once stood.
Jayne then led us up a hill to a green metal fence enclosing a large empty space. She recounted the story of Baverstock School, once a jewel in the estate’s crown. Built in 1969, its headteacher, Mr Perks, was dedicated to giving pupils the chance for a brighter future, and the school gained numerous accolades. However, after his retirement, the school’s fortunes declined, plagued by financial mismanagement and poor governance. It closed in 2017, with bulldozers arriving in 2020. The story saddened me, and I struggled to understand how such a vibrant institution could fall into ruin. Today, all that remains is an empty space, a postcard, and memories cherished by former staff and pupils.
There is nothing to show that Baverstock School once proudly stood here.
As we neared the end of our walk, a short footpath brought us to Kimpton Close, surrounded by three tower blocks: Saxelby, Kingswood, and Barretts Houses. Concrete buffers lay uprooted and scattered around the area. These buildings, now empty, await their fate. The 13-storey towers—used as a backdrop for the BBC drama series This Town, which explored the birth of ska in Coventry—stand as imposing relics of the past. I took many photographs, drawn to their photogenic yet haunting presence, and reflected on the families who once lived there. The setting sun seemed to know that their time was coming to an end.
The silhouettes of the three tower blocks against the setting sun.Looking up at Barretts House. Empty except for a few remnants of previous habitation.Graffiti writing on the entrance doors
Our final stop was a surprising landmark. Druids Heath is one of the highest points in Birmingham, and surrounded by the towers there was a trig point. Jayne joked that if we looked east, the next highest place would be the Ural Mountains. With the cold wind picking up on that late Saturday afternoon, I had no reason to doubt her.
The trig point in Druids Heath with the towers forming a backdrop to the landscape.
In our pack was artwork inspired by Druids Heath residents. The final postcard bore the words I am not going to panic, from the Moving Stories project. This artwork, by Jayne and Jean, one of the last residents of the Brookpiece tower block overlooking the trig point, depicted the long-reach of the proposed demolition. The tower was in the jaws of a pincer which outlined the area. There is a lot of concern and uncertainty about what is planned to be demolished and what will replace the present buildings.
We concluded our walk with a group photograph and I departed for home. Jayne and others headed to the Outpost Arts Centre for a screening of the film The Great British Housing Disaster. I later watched the film on YouTube, finding it a harrowing yet informative background to the building expansion in the sixties. The mismanagement and misplaced decision making from Government and building contractors remains a major problem to this day. Will the future lead to better things? That is a difficult question to answer based on past history of the buildings on Druids Heath.
Taken from the Instagram account of @jaynemurrayartisThe lights on Pound road
On my way back to the car, I passed the mural for Druids Heath by Mohammed Ali. The golden light of the setting sun enhanced its vibrant colours. The mural’s theme of safety and compassion reflected the community’s spirit and the hope for togetherness.
The artwork by Mohammed Ali symbolising the community spirit.
At the number 50 bus stop, where two buses waited, I was reminded of the first postcard Jayne had handed out. Back home, I looked through my pack again, matching my photographs with the postcards. I would encourage anyone to visit the Moving Stories website and read about the residents’ experiences of life on the Druids Heath estate. Their words—flooding, cold, damp, frustration, and loss of hope—paint a poignant picture of the challenges they faced.
The number 50 bus terminus.
Though Druids Heath was once just a shortcut on my way to Birmingham, this walk gave me a glimpse into its rich history, its struggles, and its community spirit. It is no longer simply a place I pass through but one I now understand more deeply.
Thank you to Jayne and the team that organised the walk around Druids Heath. Jayne was accompanied by Clare, who is an artist and former architect. Clare provided background information as to how the houses and towers were built. I found this to be an excellent follow on from my visit to the National Trust Back to Backs property. I have written a blog about my visit there and there is a link below. I shall be visiting the exhibition “Moving Stories” that links with the walking tour that I described in this blog.
I have also added a link to “The Great British housing disaster” which is essential viewing. The documentary unravels the mismanagement and poor quality control of the building industry in the 1960s. The people who bore the brunt of this disaster were ordinary people many of whom lost their lives when buildings collapsed or caught fire such as the Grenfell Tower fire.
The dull and gloomy weather over Christmas has led to several fog-drenched mornings, which have lingered throughout the day. For photographers, such conditions are ideal for adding atmosphere to compositions. I set off towards Baddesley Clinton, where the presence of the canal network generally guarantees fog. I drove to Hay Wood but stopped by the entrance to Baddesley Clinton on the way to take a picture of the tree-lined entrance. Another good spot is the public footpath on Netherwood Lane. Here, the line-up of trees with a hedge is the perfect location for a sunset picture in the summer. In the winter, the branches add different shapes to the landscape. The fog provided an eerie landscape.
Windows in the fog. (Footpath off Netherwood Lane, near to Baddesley Clinton.)Entrance to Baddesley Clinton with dog walker.
Hay Wood has featured in my blog over the years. There are several places in the woods that I like to visit. In spring, there is one area with a carpet of bluebells, and I wondered how it would look in the fog. I brought my tripod with me, and most of the pictures were taken using a long exposure setting, especially in the woods where the light was poor. There was some colour from the remaining leaves. The last few pictures show the oranges and greens of the wood.
Dancing Branches in the foggy landscape.Trees standing in the fog.Colours of winter in Hay WoodOrange and green colours in the woodland.
I am pleased that the pictures worked out because I got a flat tyre on the way back and had to wait two hours for the recovery man to arrive. However, I was soon back home editing the pictures. You will see that I varied my black-and-white treatments, either adding a high-key effect or using lots of contrast.
The Escape route, Hay Wood.
These are my settings for each of the pictures, tripod used where stated:-
The Escape Route f/11, 0.4s, ISO 100 – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod Windows in the fog. f/11, 0.3s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod Entrance to Baddesley Clinton F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi Dancing branches. f/11, 1s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm – Tripod Trees standing in the fog F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi Colours of winter F/5.6, 1/100, ISO 2000 – Fujifilm x100vi Orange and green F/11, 0.5s, ISO 125 – Fujifilm x100vi – Tripod
As I mentioned Hay Wood has featured before in my blog and the landscape is transformed in Spring
Like many people, I stayed indoors during Storm Darrargh. During the night the wind was intense and our local social media was full of posts about trees coming down. In the Midlands, we received a battering but this was nowhere near as severe as that experienced by those living on the west coast of the UK.
A tree blocks a footpath.
Sunday morning and I was up early for a walk with the dog. Knowle park has many old trees around the periphery and these had taken the brunt of the storm. I counted well into double figures the number of trees and large branches that had been thrown around not only across the park but also over some of the main roads. Solihull council had been very busy during the night and had already tidied up some of the worst damage that had affected the main roads.
A large tree uprooted in the park
These are just a few of the pictures I captured during my morning walk. After the storm, there was a beautiful sunrise which contrasted against the damage that had taken place the night before.
Sunrise after Storm Darragh.
Fortunately, there were only trees that had fallen. However, as you can see, one person’s car was not so fortunate.
A fallen tree has been cut up revealing damage to a parked car.
Knowle park has some amazing weather during the seasons and the following blog shows an August morning in 2020 after thunderstorms.
The shop designers at Selfridges Birmingham are always ahead of the game when Christmas arrives. Yes I know Christmas is arriving earlier and earlier each year. These pictures were taken on 4th November when we went in for a shopping expedition. I love the ground floor of Selfridges and the attention to detail is wonderful to see. Seeing the Christmas decorations reminds me of when I was growing up in Manchester as a young boy, my parents took me into Kendals department store on Deansgate. I was so excited to see the store’s decorations and the feeling of expectation of what Father Christmas may bring me.
The Selfridges’ Christmas TreeThe lights and the reflective spheres.
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When we visited, the first port of call was the ground floor to see the various shops all set up for Christmas. I enjoy seeing the Lego sets (yes the boy in me is still there), looking at the Christmas cards and this time checking out the extensive Jellycats stand. I also visited the White company as I know that is the place Sandy likes. I was planning ahead for her birthday and Christmas in the next few months.
Having a marmalade sandwich with Paddington.
We had brunch at the Medicine Bakery. Before Covid, I had a dental clinic at Boots every Monday. I used to spend an hour taking photographs before arriving at the Medicine Bakery for a coffee and a croissant. Then I hotfooted across town to Boots to start the day. Their pastries are wonderfully light and the filling is delicious. Just outside the café, Paddington was on a bench eating marmalade sandwiches. It would be rude not to have a picture of Siân and Mason with Paddington.
The Bull at Selfridges.
The Selfridges Bull, not to be confused with the Bullring bull, was sporting some splendid Christmas decorations. The rest of the shopping centre was also getting into the spirit of Christmas and I am sure that I will be back again several times over the festive period.
The Bull Ring shopping Centre is quiet on a Monday morning before the Christmas Shopping begins.
There will be many more blog posts before Christmas but if you wish to revisit Christmas 2023 then I have the following link for you to visit.
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