Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.

Birmingham Heritage week is an exciting time in the calendar year for photographers. During this week, buildings open their doors allowing access to areas which are not normally open to the public.  Each year in September, I scan the list of venues that are opening their doors to the public and have a look at what is available.  The one that looked the most interesting this year was the “History Unboxed” open day at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre. Several people had visited the collection centre before and their Instagram posts gave a brief insight into what you could see in the Centre. Reading the Birmingham Museum website, they state that 80% of their collection is housed in the Centre.

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
The walkways reveal a treasure trove of interesting objects.

The Collection Centre is on an industrial site in Nechells Birmingham near to the railway line and the HS2 works.  The warehouse is set away from the street and when I arrived, volunteers were on hand to direct visitors.  I had walked to the centre from Snow Hill and was pleased that I did not bring my car as the on street parking was limited. At the entrance, there was a queue to enter the building as the event was proving to be very popular. Pre-booking was essential. Reached the welcome desk, a friendly face welcomed me. Steve aka “Mullerbiker” from the BritishTechNetwork, works at the Museum and he filled me in with what happens at the centre. All visitors were given a map showing the four areas of the museum. The first room is the main warehouse which is best described as an IKEA store for museums.  There were rows upon rows of items on display. The low light proved tricky for photography but with my Fujifilm x100v set at f/2 and 125s, I was able to get good detailed pictures.  My use of the manual focusing at this aperture is critical and most pictures turned out well.  The colour balance required constant adjustment as I moved through different levels of light.

I could post countless pictures of different items that I viewed. All were fascinating. The subjects ranged from Roman busts, fairground figures, fish and chip fryers, Chopper bikes and early computers.  The diverse nature of the exhibits does keep the attention and I have highlighted my favourite items.  The collections centre has an adjacent room that houses several cars and jet engines and other machinery.  All of them have a connection to Birmingham.  

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Part of the Car Collection

I enjoyed seeing the Queen Victoria statues that were once part of a re-imagining of the Queen Victoria Statue by Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke.  The five statues of Queen Victoria joined with the original statue on a boat were displayed in Victoria square during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival. The artist has donated the 5 mini statues to Birmingham Museum.

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Five Queen Vics

After looking through the main halls, there was a “meet the experts” room and the small objects collection hall.  The former had table demonstrations and I was captured by their photographer talking about interesting items.  The small objects collection held smaller items which were housed in rows of caged lockers. Behind the door of each locker there were items that once again were so varied that I can only begin to cover what was present.  There were Cadbury’s chocolate bars from a closed down shop, old cameras, shoes, clothes, lamps and much more.  

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Teddy Bear made in Birmingham.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Small objects collection.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Rescued from a sweet shop.

Returning to the main hall, I had another look at some of the items that I had missed. The picture of a dental chair is put after the picture of sweets as the dentist will have done a lot of work with patients who had eaten all those Fruit and Nut bars.

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
A dental chair.

The Sir Henry Moor statue looked incongruous. The figure was displayed on its back and was missing a foot. Then again, there was something different seeing the statue displayed in this manner. There are many more pictures and these are as random as I found them in the museum. All with a wonderful history and also each providing a story to the City of Birmingham.

incongruous
Moore on his back.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
A vintage fish and chip fryer.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Anyone lost their Mummy?
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
What time is it?
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Duke Box
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Today’s Top Tunes.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Van der Graff Generator.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
A vintage sink unit!
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Fairground Organ Figurines.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Not sure whose head this belongs to.

My final two objects are particularly interesting to me. The first is the statue of “Forward together” which was in Centenary Square and suffered an arsonist attack by a member of the public. I remember visiting the square not long after it was finished and viewing this artwork. The second is detail from the head armour of Ozzy the Bull from the Commonwealth Games in 2022. The armour was removed by women chain makers as a symbol of freeing themselves from enslavement. Written on the armour were words of enslavement. The head armour also contains the names of the 21 people killed when bombs were detonated in Birmingham pubs in 1974.

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
A model replica of “Forward together” that was attacked by an arsonist.
Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
Detail of the head armour with the names of those killed in the 1974 pub bombing.

My reflections on my visit to the Collections Centre is that there was just too much to take in.  The place is an excellent venue and will require several visits as it is so difficult to view all the items that are on view in one session.  I just have to go back again!

Birmingham Museums Collection Centre, Nechells, September 2023.
One of the aisles in the main warehouse of the Collection Centre.

Further information

Link to the Birmingham Museums Collections Centre with details of how to visit.

West Midlands Police Museum, IgersbirminghamUK Instameet,Birmingham, September, 2023.

IgersbirminghamUK have been busy during the year organising a range of Instameets. Following on from our visit to St Chad’s Cathedral, we were contacted by Alexander Beard, the Heritage Officer of the West Midlands Police Museum. Alexander offered us two Instameets at the former Lock up in Steelhouse Lane thus giving the photographers of IgersbirminghamUK a chance to see inside a popular museum venue. Having visited the WMPM on a previous occasion, I decided to focus on the details of the prison. Here are different views of doors, ceilings and the metal structures. I converted all the pictures to black and white. This gave some consistency to the pictures but also overcame the difficulties with managing the low light in the lock up. The museum is a must visit attraction and can be seen at many different levels as my pictures attempt to show.

West Midlands Police Museum, IgersbirminghamUK Instameet,Birmingham, September, 2023.
West Midlands Police Museum on Steelhouse Lane.
West Midlands Police Museum, IgersbirminghamUK Instameet,Birmingham, September, 2023.
Patterns in the Lock up
West Midlands Police Museum, IgersbirminghamUK Instameet,Birmingham, September, 2023.
A window in the lock up.

West Midlands Police Museum, IgersbirminghamUK Instameet,Birmingham, September, 2023.
The DNA cupboard.

A full account in colour of my last visit to the WMP museum is included below. I also made a study of the light in the museum on my Instagram pages. The WMPM pages are also fun to visit.

HiVis 2023 celebrating 50 years of HipHop, The Paintwork's, Digbeth.

The Printworks on Fazeley street was the venue for this year’s High Vis festival.  The event celebrated 50 years of HipHop bringing together Birmingham’s street artists and dancers.  I went along on the Saturday afternoon and many of the street artists were nearing the completion of their street art.  Printworks is on the other side of the railway bridge to HS2 and several artists were working underneath the bridge at the junction of New Canal street and Fazeley street.  Security personnel from HS2 were present and a little bemused by what was taking place.  The festival people were friendly and in good form chatting about the artwork and catching up with friends, some of whom were heading off to Birmingham City’s first home match of the season.  The street outside the Printworks was traffic free thanks to the HS2 works although many of the signs were caught up in paint spray.  

Street Art by Sioux_UK
Street Art by Tempo33
Street Caravan for the Festival.
Checking out the art work. (*)
The streetart style of Titlegrafitti
Pink is this year’s colour. (*)
Street Art tools
Street conversations in colour.

As with any street art, the colours are vibrant and the artwork eye catching.  Inside the yard there was a large grinning face of Tempo33 looking down on the street art.  Centre place was a caravan that was getting the Spray-paint treatment.  The walls inside the yard were taken up with different artwork.  Inside the building there was constant supply of HipHop music with dancers displaying their different skills.  If there are any credits missing then please let me know via my socials. I have added (*) where I am unsure of artists.

Amazing dance moves.
High kicks
The end of a battle.
HS2?
LARGE (*)
High Vis logo

All this activity was excellent for photography purposes and my Fujifilm x100v was put to good use.  Outside the camera was on aperture priority with the colour balance set at daylight.  For the hip hop dancing, I went for high ISO, f/5.6 and shutter speed 1/500.  The dancers were fun to capture, with the freeze frame pictures. Their expressions tell so many stories.  

Wall painting. (*)
Tempo33 in the yard.
The Printworks
Inside the Yard
Hi Vis Festival 50 years

This is my third documentation of the High Vis festival and I have included my blogs from the last two for further reading. Take a look at the two films made for the BBC by John Bray.
Birmingham High-Vis Festival returns to celebrate street culture
Street artists bring vibrant colours to Birmingham

Bicycle
Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023

Ozzy the bull is in his new home and his been revealed to his public. The journey has been long and eventful from the Opening Ceremony Success at the Commonwealth games to being moved to a car park while the City decided what to do with him. There was talk of Ozzy being dismantled after the games had finished. Now he sits in splendour welcoming passengers to New Street station and there will be many more years of Ozzy representing the City of Birmingham. These pictures show Ozzy in his new home. The interaction that Ozzy creates depends on whether you have time between trains to view him. Many people are in a rush to get to their train or just passing through the station to meet friends or go shopping. Whatever is happening around him, Ozzy will be a welcoming attraction for people visiting Birmingham for many years in the future.

Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023
People and Ozzy in New Street Station.
Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023
People are fascinated with Ozzy
Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023
Close up to Ozzy who moves his head, eyes and tails during the day.
Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023
Ozzy makes a wonderful addition to the station.
Ozzy the Bull, New Street Station, August, 2023
Ozzy towers above the passengers.

Ozzy was unveiled on 26th July 2023 and there is a BBC story on the official opening.

My blog and these pictures bring to an end my commentary on Ozzy and you may wish to follow the journey with the links below.

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Winning photograph Westside BID calendar 2023

Westside BID organised a celebratory evening around the photography competition for the 2023 calendar.  We all gathered at the Flapper Pub near Cambrian wharf where we met our fellow winners and local business people.  There were councillors from Birmingham City Council present as well.  The pictures were hung around the room and the MC interviewed each photographer in turn.  Then the food was served and there was a chance to meetest people.  The evening sun shone over the canal allowing us the chance to soak in the warmth.  The last few weeks have been very wet, so the sun was welcome.  There were interviews to be done and pictures to be taken.  My picture was the overall winner and is shown above, although any of the other ones could have won as well.  The two videos plus the story of the night provide a great memory of the event.  Thanks to Westside BID for the support of photography through the calendar. 

The Flapper Pub, Birmingham, 2023
A beautiful evening for the WestsideBIDS celebration evening

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St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023

St Chad’s Cathedral was the setting for an IgersbirminghamUK Instameet on a wet Saturday morning. Storm Antoni was passing through and the rain was non-stop.  I joked with the photographers that we had made the decision to go for the inside walkabout rather than taking pictures outside. The interior of the building is beautiful, and we had also arranged to view the extensive crypt below.  

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Caution IgersbirminghamUK photographers at work.

Our two guides were Marie Louise and Angela and as soon as the introductions were done, we were provided with the background information to the Cathedral. The Roman Catholic cathedral was designed by Pugin and is a fine example of the Gothic architecture revival in England. We were shown around both the crypt and the main interior of the Cathedral.  Both Marie Louise and Angela were informative and provided historical and contemporary information about the Cathedral.  They were also very welcoming and tolerant of 20 photographers taking pictures.

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Marie Louise and Angela our guides for the IgersbirminghamUK Instameet.

Here are a few of the interesting facts supplied by our guides.  Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was the architect at the forefront of the Gothic revival style in architecture.  Pugin was hired to assist in the Gothic design of the House of Commons and Big Ben.  John Hardman, was a close friend of Pugin, and the Hardman family are buried in the crypt.  The son of a button making family, John Hardman turned his skills to metal work and stained glass windows. He designed the clock face and manufactured the hands of Big Ben.  There are many more interesting facts about St Chad’s and both Marie Louise and Angela were happy to inform us of all the details.  I have taken their photograph with the backdrop of the Cathedral Altar behind them.

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
A view towards the Apse.

One of the most interesting stories is that the Cathedral was earmarked to be demolished but was saved by one vote at the Birmingham City Council meeting.  Many other Victorian buildings were demolished around the area to make way for the motor car.  Luckily there is a sensible view prevailing these days, and the area is under improvement.

The Crypt of St Chad’s Cathedral

The crypt is a secret treasure trove with a layout of several rooms with interesting designs around the altars.  Pugin collected various ornamental religious pieces on his travels, and these are held in the crypt.  My favourites are the two wooden angels that have soulful expressions. The tiled design and ornamental altar in the Hardman family crypt is another standout feature of the extensive crypt.  On display are the vestments worn by both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.  I was also fascinated by the large wooden door which provides the entrance to the crypt. A selection of my photographs are shown. I have many more and it was difficult to select the best pictures. For interest to any photographer reading this account, the majority of my pictures are taken with the iPhone13 which excels in low light. I did have my travel tripod with me which allowed some pictures to be taken with my Fujifilm x100v.

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
The large studded entrance door.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Details from the Hardman family crypt.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
The tiled walls and ceiling with a relief of Christ on the cross with the two thieves.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Angels
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Close up view of the angel’s face.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Colourful details of the paintwork.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
In this part of the crypt, the Cathedral Choir practice due to the excellent acoustics.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Vestments worn by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Birmingham in 1982
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Vestments worn by Pope Benedict XVI who visited Birmingham in September 2010
Pope Benedict XVI visited Birmingham on Sunday, September 19, 2010
Looking up at the details.
Pope Benedict XVI visited Birmingham on Sunday, September 19, 2010
Chairs and a picture of Christ on the cross.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Some beautiful work that is propped up against the crypt wall. There are so many treasures to see.
Pope Benedict XVI visited Birmingham on Sunday, September 19, 2010
Glass table reflections.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
More examples of pictures and artefacts each with a story.

The main Cathedral floor

The Instagrammers then moved up to the main Cathedral area which provided more photographic opportunities.   There is so much to take in and the Apse of St Chad’s Cathedral with the high altar is impressive to view.  There are colourful stained-glass windows flanking the high altar.  The apse was designed by Pugin and was part of his grand plan to emphasise the Gothic revival architecture of the Cathedral.  There were many small details to see and, on this visit, the guides pointed out to me the non-religious wood carvings on the rear seats in the Choir Stall.  These were fun to photograph.  You will see from my photographs the various parts of the cathedral and I know that I did not have time to view everything.  

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
The view towards the entrance and the organ.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
One of the detailed 3D depictions of the stations of the cross.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
The Bishop’s chair on the Altar.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Wood carving next to the Bishop’s chair.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Wood carvings on the Choir stall.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Candles
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Closer view of the organ and the loft behind.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Details.

The cathedral has so many stories and this is another one that I find fascinating.  In the diapered design of the transept ceiling, there is a tile that has the words Deo Gratias 22 Nov 1940.  This translates to thanks be to God. During World War II, incendiary devices were dropped and caused significant damage to buildings.  The old Coventry cathedral is an example of the devestating destruction.  At St Chad’s Cathedral, an incendiary device fell through the ceiling and exploded within the central heating pipes and the water subsequently put the fire out. Hence the miracle of St Chad’s.

St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Can you see the tile with the words Deo Gratias?
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
The roof of the Cathedral in Black and white. For an extra point can you see the tile with the words Deo Gratias?

There are many more stories about the Cathedral. These involve St Chad, the patron saint and how his relics were transported from his shrine in Lichfield. Cardinal Newman who was such an influential figure in Birmingham, gave sermons from the pulpit.  However, the best way to learn more about these stories and the Cathedral is to visit the building yourself.  My pictures in this blog which catalogue my view from the Instameet only show a part of what is on view..  

There are many more pictures taken by the talented photographers of Igersbirmingham UK and these may be found on Instagram by using the hashtag #igbUK_meet_stchads

Thank you to St Chad’s Cathedral for hosting us. Thank you to my fellow IgersbirminghamUK organisers, @NickyWarwickshire and @James_never_Jim and all the photographers who came along and supported the event.

For more information about St Chad’s please vist the following webpage

Welcome to St Chad’s Cathedral – Birmingham’s hidden jewel on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
Reflecting on a great IgersbirminghamUK Instameet.
St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham IgersbirminghamUK instameet, 2023
A different view of St Chad’s Cathedral.

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Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023

The Colmore Food Festival provides a great opportunity to sample food from some of the best restaurants in Birmingham.  I was determined to visit and sample the food at the festival.  There was one drawback, the rain.  Waking up on Saturday, the forecast was not good with the prospect of a soggy day ahead.  Motivating the family to go into Birmingham on such a wet day was not easy and the train strikes compounded the problem.  Once I had convinced everyone, we set off for the city centre.  Parking turned out to be straightforward and we made our way from New Street station to St Philips Cathedral.  The area around the Cathedral is known as Pigeon Park and in the northern quarter nearest to Snow Hill station, the Colmore Food Festival was set up and in full flow.  

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Enjoying the food on offer.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Queuing up for soft drinks
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Eating whilst sheltering from the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Lots of colours and tastes.

So was it worth the effort to get there?  The answer is Yes.  We enjoyed the festival.  There was so much to like.  The choice of food outlets was excellent and for the family we were split between Asha’s and Purnell’s.  We went for dishes from both and were not disappointed.  The food was well cooked and so tasty.  There was a chance to wash it down with a glass of Purity’s session IPA from Purecraft beer stall.  Once the main course was finished, we browsed the other stalls and kept going back to Miss Macaroons for dessert.  The brightly coloured meringue-based sandwich cookies were in many different flavours.  Our choice included the following Pistachio, Rhubarb and orange, strawberry, and caramel. There were many more there.  We all agree that the food stalls were excellent and I apologise that I cannot review more of what was on offer but there is only so much we could eat.

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
The Festival was well attended despite the rain.

My grandson was spoilt rotten.  He received a free spiderman face paint, free drawing materials, a book, and a balloon. He was very happy which also made mum and grandparents very pleased.  This was the detail that made the food festival a success for the family.  Not only was the food good but the children were well looked after.  The music was good as well even though dancing on the wet ground was a challenge.  Everyone was in a happy mood despite the rain.  I am already looking forward to next year’s food festival and I don’t think it will be a problem motivating the family to go whatever the weather.

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
A happy grandson with Spiderman faceprint.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Enjoying ourselves in the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Singing in the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Happy vibes.

I hope you enjoy the pictures which were all taken on my Fujifilm x100v.  The camera is weatherproofed which makes it ideal when the weather is wet.  I even had someone come up to me to ask about the camera as he liked the look of it so much. 

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Making sure we all enjoyed the day.

Finally a big thanks to Colmore Row Business District for organising the food festival.  I have provided a link to CBD and the food festival so you can make a note of the event for next year. 

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Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.

I enjoy a photographic walk with my Fujifilm x100v camera around the streets of Birmingham.  The early hours are best when few people are around and about.  This series of photographs begins at Eastside where the HS2 works are taking place.  Digbeth was next and I returned to Birmingham along the canal exiting again near to the HS2 works.  

Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Digging holes and barriers around HS2

What is there to tell you about my walk?  No surprises, as building in Birmingham has not finished and HS2 is still digging and putting up barriers.  I took a few pictures and was interested to see BBC midlands covering the HS2 disruption in the evening news.  Why is HS2 taking so long and why is there so much disruption?  I do get upset with the blasé way they are undertaking the HS2 works.  I am sure it will look wonderful when finished but is it worth the upheaval and time taken.    
The latest BBC item puts HS2 under the spotlight.

Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Curson street station awaits a HS2 upgrade.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
The empty Woodman pub awaits customers but when will they return?

Digbeth was quiet for a Monday morning and since the pandemic there is less footfall during business hours. The nightlife is always busy but there is a definite change in activity during the day.  My next observation is the encroachment of high rise living around Digbeth and the loss of character with the demolition and neglect of buildings.  

Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Micheal Jackson on a furniture shop door.

There are several brownfield sites around the area that will become large skyscrapers.  Other signs of change include the former Typhoo tea building which is starting to see activity around the relocation of the BBC to the building.  Change may not always be positive and one of my pictures is outside what was the DigBrew entrance.  Sadly this excellent brewery has ceased trading and artwork from the street artist Tempo33 marks the spot.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-66199790
Don’t go there.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
The former Typhoo building soon to become the BBC Midlands Headquaters.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-66199790
Don’t park here.

There is much chaotic colour around the streets of Digbeth and the morning sun brings out the light and shadows.  The canalside is another area in Digbeth that is changing with several buildings undergoing renovation.  How this change will progress will be interesting to document in future months. 

Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
I’m late for an important date. (street art Tempo33)
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Colours stuck to a wall in Digbeth.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Cryola’s wonderful street art is still attracting attention.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Standing in Liverpool Street looking up Fazeley Street.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
Birmingham Canal Navigation through Digbeth
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
The details under the Great Barr Street bridge.
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
The Fox mural by Annatomix still impresses
Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
View of the canal buildings with Birmingham in the background.

My final picture was taken on my iPhone as I went past the Selfridges building.  I went low and framed the iconic discs in the background.  I was in luck as a woman walked past although she was confused by what I was doing.  The picture turned out well but was also a reminder not to attract undue attention during my street photography.

Eastside and Digbeth, July 2023.
The Selfridges Crossing.

Returning to the HS2 theme then there are more stories about the construction on my blog.  I have been documenting 16 acre wood and the damage caused by HS2 around Balsall Common since 2020.  Here is my account of this part of the HS2.

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Ozzy the Bull arrives in New Street station, Birmingham. 2023

Since the Bull was unveiled in a spectacular showpiece at the Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2022, the Birmingham public haven fallen in love with him.  As soon as the opening ceremony was over, the Bull was brought to Centenary Square where thousands of people came to view him.  His popularity was immense, and this soon created a new problem.  What to do with Bully after the games had finished? There were many suggestions but no concrete solutions and before long the Bull was moved from the square to a lock up location in Ladywood.  There he stayed underneath a tarpaulin sheet as Birmingham leaders decided what to do with him.  The public learnt that a solution had been found but first the bull needed to be upgraded for his new location. Time moved on and then there was an announcement of a competition to find a name for the Bull.  After a public vote, the name Ozzy was selected.  We also learnt where he was to be housed.  In the large atrium of New Street Station.  Then in early July a space was set up followed by parts of Ozzy being delivered to the station over one night in July.  Commuters woke up the next day to see the construction of Ozzy. First the body, then the head and horns.

Ozzy the Bull arrives in New Street station, Birmingham. 2023
Ozzy is tall and stands with a sheet over his head.
Ozzy the Bull arrives in New Street station, Birmingham. 2023
People move around as normal while Ozzy waits to be unveiled.

Every photographer in Birmingham rushed to take pictures of Ozzy as he is being constructed.  When I visited the feet were still missing although the rest of Ozzy is pieced together.  I had forgotten the size of the Bull and the distinctive head is high into the Atrium.  Someone has placed a white sheet over the head of Ozzy. Brummies are unsure why this has been done as it is not possible with a single sheet to hide the identity of the bull.  However the sheet does give an air of mystery to the statue.  

Ozzy the Bull arrives in New Street station, Birmingham. 2023
You just wonder what all the fuss is about.
Ozzy the Bull arrives in New Street station, Birmingham. 2023
This picture provides an idea on how impressive Ozzy is.

Enjoy these pictures and stay tuned for the unveiling of Ozzy in all his glory later this month. You may also wish to see two of my earlier posts which chronicle the history of Ozzy the Bull.

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Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.

Maxstoke Castle is very distinctive built in red brick with all the requirements for being a castle on the checklist. There are walls and towers with a large moat circling the building. Inside there are living quarters and gardens. Maxstoke is said to be very unusual because the castle is still the same as when it was built in 1345.  During the English Civil War the castle was used as a garrison by the Parliamentary troops and did not sustain any damage.  Situated near to Coleshill in the green belt between Birmingham and Coventry, Maxstoke castle is now privately owned.  I learnt that there is a strong connection between Maxstoke and Packwood house which happened when there was a marriage between the two families in the 18th Century. Most of the information about the castle can be gleaned from the internet. However what really fascinated me was the majestic appearance of the castle and I was very keen to photograph the place.

Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Looking up at the front towers of the entrance.
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Detail of the house in the central courtyard
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Roses and windows

The castle opens up for one day a year for local charities which this year were the Coleshill Parish Church
restoration project and the National Gardens Scheme. The day was very hot and when we arrived, there were queues outside the entrance. We were advised to return in 20 minutes so we took time to stroll around nearby Shustoke reservoir. When we came back to the entrance, we were initially worried that we would not get in again but lucky the gates opened. The entrance to the castle is very photogenic as the trees lead you to the castle and the view opens up to show the grand architecture. I moved to the left and found a view which captured the reflections of the castle in the moat with the water lilies creating a foreground feature. Once we had stocked up with drinking water and cake, we began exploring. My grandson immediately noticed the damsel files and dragonflies darting around the edges of the moat. There was a lady painting the castle in watercolours and I am not sure how she kept her concentration with all the questions from passersby. Inside the castle, there was a chance to see the various treasures in the house but the queue was long and there will always be next year to prioritise this when visiting. Instead we wandered around the castle admiring the gardens and the views.

There were many people at the castle and there was an eye catching group of Seam Punks who were dressed in bright clothes. They just love having their photograph taken with the castle as a backdrop. I enjoyed the day even though the sun was strong creating difficult shadows for the camera.

Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
View of the moat
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Climbing roses on the castle walls.
They were more than happy to have their photographs taken with the castle as a backdrop.  I enjoyed the day even though the sun was strong creating difficult shadows for the camera.
Queues for the house tours.
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Noah holding a Steampunk ogre (pic by Katie Morgan)

On the way out, there was a display of MG cars from a local owners club. The two yellow MGs looked amazing although the others did not disappoint.

Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Noah, my grandson with Teddy Bear and a red MG.
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
MG sports car
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
MG sports car decked out with Union Jacks.

If you like my pictures and blog then keep a look out for the open day next year. The castle is worth visiting and as mentioned the entrance fee helps several local charities. As a family, we enjoyed the day and my grandson loved seeing the damsel flies, pretending to live in the castle and seeing the sports cars. He even got to hold one of the Steampunk ogres!

Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
Visitors to the castle.
Maxstoke Castle, Near Coleshill, June 2023.
The long entrance driveway to Maxstoke Castle.

You may wish to read my visit to Kenilworth Castle which is not so far away and owned by English Heritage.

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