Knowle is 750 years old and what an excellent reason to have a party to celebrate the occasion.
I have lived in Knowle for over 40 years, which means I have been here for approximately 5% of the village’s life. There have been many changes over the years, but it still retains the quiet charm of an English village.
Residents and visitors arriving for the 750th party.Local residents enjoying the sunshine and the party atmosphere.Knowle Library was one of the many buildings open for the celebrations.
Kim is the face of Visit Knowle and was the lead organiser of the festivities, which took place on a Sunday in June, just before the heatwave. The High Street was closed to traffic, allowing artisan stalls and local interest groups to take over the space. Lyons, the butchers, hosted a BBQ, and dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, were in attendance.
Kim Hulse, Co Founder of Visit Knowle.Elderberry Blacks is decked out in flags.Eric Lyons supplying a constant supply of hot dogs for the party.A member of the Revels drama group in recruiting mode.
When I arrived, the birthday party was in full swing. My grandson had heard about a game that involved throwing footballs into a toilet. He found the challenge difficult and, after six attempts, had still not managed to land a football in the loo. How do you pick yourself up after that? With a hot dog from the Lyons BBQ, of course.
Throwing the football into the loo.Enjoying the tasty food from Eric Lyons.
The High Street was full of people, with not a car in sight. My favourite stall was the football prints display, although there were many others worthy of mention. I was particularly keen to climb the tower at Knowle Church. I had previously visited the bell-ringing room but had never made it to the very top. After negotiating the narrow stairs, the magnificent view was a wonderful reward.
Looking up to the top of the Church.View from the top of Knowle church
As I looked out across the Warwickshire landscape, I could almost hear The Who singing, “I Can See for Miles.”Unfortunately, I could not see my own house because of the many trees surrounding the village. By this time, I had lost track of my daughter and grandson, so I wandered down the High Street to see what else was happening.
Chris Loughran, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands and a representative from the sea scouts.Even more street food on offer on the High Street.Football memorabilia.
As I approached the Ale Rooms, Viola and Slow Records, I was in for a pleasant surprise. Playing in the window of Slow Records were Chipsum Gravy a lively three-piece high octane punk rock band who were not only rattling the windows but also rocking the High Street.
Chipsum Gravy rocking Slow Records.Rattling windows and Chipsum Gravy
I know there was much more to take part in, and I did not have time to explore the precinct or visit many of the buildings that were open to the public, such as the library and the church. From what I did see, Knowle was enjoying a wonderful birthday celebration, and both residents and visitors were clearly having a great day.
Ducks cooling down in the water.
Well done to everyone who helped organise the event, and I look forward to the 751st birthday party next year!
Dudley is well known for attractions such as Dudley Zoo and Castle and the Black Country Living Museum, so I was keen to explore the town further. An opportunity came when a street photography walk led by Matt Wakefield and organised by Igers Birmingham UK took place.
The start of Dudley High Street.
Starting off at Cousins Furniture Store, Matt led us around the streets of Dudley. He is an excellent host for a photographic walk. His distinctive appearance of grey beard, baseball cap, and reflective glasses lets you know he is a man of the streets. After introductions by the Igers Birmingham UK team, we set off.
It’s that man of the Streets of Dudley. Matt himself.
The first stop was a boarded-up pub that provided a great focus for our photography. This was followed by the distinctive iron bridge over Duncan Edwards Way. Following the newly laid tram tracks along Castle Hill, we passed the zoo and headed up towards the High Street. All the while, we could see Dudley Castle looking down on us.
A closed pub was our first port of call.The iron bridge in Dudley.MOT anyone?Dudley is known for the Zoo.
A group of photographers always looks conspicuous, and I attracted interest from people in Sofi’s Plaice, a local fish and chip shop. The owner, Kikis, beckoned me over and we chatted. He kindly allowed me to take his portrait and then proudly informed me that his was the best fish and chip shop in the West Midlands. We enjoyed the banter that followed, and I promised to return.
Kikis and Lyndsey in Sofi’s Plaice.
Matt guided us around Dudley town centre, which is quietly impressive, with old buildings mixed amongst the new. There were many architectural highlights. Some buildings had been thoughtfully repurposed, while others had unfortunately been left empty. Nevertheless, the town has real character. Matt kept us on our toes, sharing interesting facts and pointing out photographic opportunities as we made a large circle around the town.
Window ShoppingOlder Dudley architecture.Inside the arcade.Architecture of Dudley.
We eventually reached the High Street, where Matt surprised us with a special visit to Prospect House, formerly the Cooperative Emporium. Opened in 1939 by the Midlands Cooperative Society, it was once their flagship department store. After decades of decline and closure during the 1980s, the building is now a community support centre with ambitions to restore it to its former glory. The exterior has already been beautifully restored in its original Art Deco style, although there is still much work to do inside.
Contrasting styles.
Matt is clearly a man with good contacts, and we were met by the building manager, who led us through the store and up a grand staircase onto the roof. Photographers love a rooftop viewpoint, and this one was superb. Earlier rain had left puddles across the surface, creating wonderful reflections. We spent a happy hour photographing the Black Country skyline, experimenting with puddle reflections, and capturing closer views of Dudley Parish Church.
I do like a good reflection.Street scenes from above.
Everyone enjoyed themselves, and the rooftop visit became one of the highlights of the walk. Like any good film, however, there was still more to come. At the end of the High Street, Matt let us loose to photograph the Saturday market. Standing prominently above the street is the imposing statue of Duncan Edwards, dressed in England colours and poised to kick a football. His commanding figure overlooks the town below.
The Duncan Edwards statue.
Duncan Edwards was a hero to both my father and grandfather during his time at Manchester United, before his life was tragically cut short in the Munich air disaster. Standing there, I found myself reminiscing about all the stories I had heard as a child about this remarkable footballer.
Looking down the High Street from the top of the Prospect building.Musical entertainment in Digbeth.
I later returned to Sofi’s Plaice fish and chip shop, where Kakis served me a cone of his special orange chips. They were delicious. I wandered past the new tram terminal alongside Birdcage Walk, chips in one hand and camera in the other, before eventually finding myself back at Cousins Furniture Store. We had a short debrief, reflected on what an enjoyable walk it had been, and then said our goodbyes before heading home.
Time trail at the start of Birdcage. A sculpture on Industry and work supporting the family. Date 1964 and the sculpture was by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.
I stayed a little longer because I had spotted a spiral footbridge that I wanted to photograph. I liked the strong angles, circular shapes, and the way pedestrians interacted with the concrete structure and metal railings.
Looking up towards the Spiral footbridge.
Over the following days, I posted my photographs online. As everyone shared their pictures, I realised that I had unintentionally become a subject myself. My Aussie hat and black clothing had apparently made me a distinctive figure amongst the crowd, and several photographers had captured portraits of me during the walk. It was great fun seeing everyone’s different interpretations and the one below by Nadia Malik is my favourite one.
Winchester is a beautiful city, full of photographic opportunities. I was delivering a lecture in the city, but I made sure to leave time to wander and explore the streets, the cathedral, and the early morning quietness.
The Cathedral flying the English flag on St George’s day.
The Streets of Winchester
Arriving at my hotel early, I checked in and then took my Fujifilm X100VI onto the streets of Winchester. The low-lying sun created pockets of light across the streets. The cathedral acts as a magnet for sun worshippers. Lying on the grass in front of it, there was a continental feel, with many people sitting on the green or beneath the trees, enjoying the day’s events.
The sun creates lots of light and shadows
I moved on and walked up the High Street, capturing the activity unfolding around me. Moments must be taken carefully, as people can be suspicious of cameras and spontaneity is easily lost. Shop windows were being prepared, and people were enjoying the sunshine.
Preparing a shop window.An alleyway provides a focus to the museum building.
A Winchester Sunrise
The following morning, I rose early and made my way to St Catherine’s Hill to capture the sunrise. The streets in this part of Winchester were unfamiliar to me, and by the end of the walk I was running to ensure I reached the top in time.
Sunrise towards St Catherine’s Hill.
The climb was demanding, but I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise. Only then did I relax and absorb the moment. The sun moved across the landscape, casting rays along the paths that circle the hill.
Photographing Winchester
With more time on my side, I descended and soon found the entrance to Winchester College playing fields. Walking along the Pilgrims’ Trail, which follows the Itchen Navigation, was a delight. The early morning light illuminated the trees, while wildlife along the riverbank made its presence known.
An early walk along the river next to Winchester College playing fields.
As the streets slowly awakened, I found myself among the ruins of Wolvesey Castle (the Old Bishop’s Palace), located behind the Bishop of Winchester’s official residence. The ruins echoed with a sense of former grandeur, and it felt a privilege to wander through them in the quiet of the morning. On my return, there were further opportunities to photograph the walkways around the cathedral.
I visited the crypt to see the public artwork by Antony Gormley that is housed there. I have long admired his work and was keen to photograph Sound II. The sculpture did not disappoint, and I spent time exploring different compositions.
Sound II by Antony Gormley in the Cathedral Crypt.
Sound II is designed to stand in a flooded crypt, creating striking reflections in the water. On this occasion, there was no flood, so I adjusted the colour balance to introduce an unreal blueness to the scene, enhancing the cool atmosphere of the crypt.
Work to restore old books in the South Transept.
The cathedral has so much history and I enjoyed the exhibition held in the tower. There were several old texts on display and photographs were not permitted. The first floor had people working on the curation and care of the books held by the cathedral. The second floor housed more exhibitions on the history of the cathedral. I particularly enjoyed seeing some of Richard Nieve’s work whom I remember teaching me at Manchester. He had reconstructed a face from the past using skeletons that were found during the excavations of the Cathedral. I also enjoyed the afternoon light streaming into the tower and the view into other parts of the cathedral.
High in the TowerShadows and lightDiscovering within the CathedralA face from the past
This was a fleeting visit linked to a lecture that I gave to the Wessex British Dental Association. The lecture venue was a semi permanent marque on the grounds of the Cathedral. The glorious weather added to the success of the visit.
Sunrises in January are an ideal time for photography. An early, low sun rising in a cloudless sky creates areas of contrast wherever the light falls. I enjoy getting up early to catch such sunrises, so I treated myself to a visit to Gloucester. I had never visited the restored docks, and I do enjoy strolling around new venues. After checking the weather for the next day, I was optimistic that I would come away with some good photographs. I was also keen to visit the Cathedral. While browsing the Museum of Gloucester website, I discovered that the International Photographic Exhibition, organised by the Royal Photographic Society, was on. I was excited, as I had a solid plan for the day.
Shadows from the buildings create interesting shapes as they are reflected in the water.
The docks are steeped in history, and the area has been renovated with flats and restaurants. I arrived just before sunrise. The area initially looked grey, but as the sunrise progressed, the scene transformed. The brickwork of the old warehouses at Gloucester Docks began to glow as the buildings soaked up the sunlight. I love how, when the light reaches a building, a warm, radiant glow emerges. The docks have many interesting features. The boats are all individually decorated, each with their own character.
Old cranes and typography on the buildings.Colours and reflections.
I had read that Sula, the lightship, would be in dry dock, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it in the water. Even better, the sun was already beginning to highlight the red paint. As you can see from my pictures, I was captivated by the Sula Lightship. The bright red colour of the boat was beautifully illuminated by the sunlight. The low sunrise created shards of light that highlighted local people passing by the boat on their way to work.
The Sula lightship catches the sunrise.The silhouette of the lightship.Sula lightship with dockland buildings.
There were many other captivating scenes at the docks before I moved on to other attractions. I particularly enjoyed photographing the Kyneburgh Tower, designed by the artist Tom Price. The internal structure, featuring ever-decreasing irregular circles rising up towards the top of the tower, was fascinating. I also passed by the small house dedicated to the Tailor of Gloucester and could not resist taking a photograph of its charming front.
Looking up inside the Kyneburgh Tower.The Tailor of Gloucester shopfront near to the Cathedral.
On previous journeys to the University of Plymouth, where I served as an examiner for several years, my train often passed through Gloucester. The Cathedral, visible from the elevated railway track, is a commanding structure. Every time I saw the cathedral; I told myself I must visit and see the interior one day. The Cathedral is awe-inspiring, and the internal ceiling structure is a sight to behold. I have seen many photographers’ pictures of the ceiling and was eager to capture my own.
The main hall, Gloucester Cathedral
I also enjoyed smaller details, such as the angels in the choir stalls. Additionally, I was intrigued by the tomb of Robert Curthose, or Robert of Normandy, William the Conqueror’s oldest son, who never ascended the throne. I like the way his tomb was set out and was more attractive than Edward II’s tomb on the other side.
An angel looks up at the Choir stall lights.The tomb of Robert of Normandy.
There are many other parts of the Cathedral that are a joy to see. Whilst the main hall is the most visually impressive part of the building, the cloisters, famous for being a filming location for the Harry Potter films, were particularly striking. Despite the post-Christmas cleanup being underway—it was just a few days before Epiphany—I managed to take some photographs. For me, the docks and the Cathedral were the highlights of Gloucester.
Strike a matchSunshineGloucester is the home of the……
– The International Photography Exhibition 165, sponsored by the Royal Photographic Society at the Museum of Gloucester exhibition was a high point. I would highly recommend this exhibition to anyone interested in photography. The display featured many inspiring images, including works by international artists documenting their local environments. Having recently completed a documentary photography project myself; I found the exhibition particularly engaging and rewarding.
International Photography Exhibition 165, Royal Photographic Society, Museum of Gloucester.
There is a series of blogs on the subject “Photographing ……” and you may like the last one that I posted on Photographing the Cotswolds which is a place not far from Gloucester!
Discovering new places for a photography story requires good research. Many times, I have heard other photographers say they’ve exhausted their immediate area for pictures. I would reply that I have barely scratched the surface. So, as I was looking around on Google Maps, Majors Green Aqueduct caught my interest. I had two hours free while Monty, our dog, was being groomed. Yes, our dog is well looked after. I planned to park on Aqueduct Road and explore the structure before walking up to the Drawbridge Inn. Doubling back along the canal would allow me to take pictures of the aqueduct from above. Google Maps tags other people’s pictures to points of interest, so you can check the favoured points of view.
The Majors Green viaduct.
Parking my car near the aqueduct, I quickly gained an appreciation for the scale of the engineering that went into its construction. Many bricks had been used to allow the canal to cross over both the road and the River Cole. The River Cole passes through Birmingham and Coleshill before joining the River Blythe. At the bridge, the river passes underneath, and there are remnants of a walkway. I quickly discovered that the traffic around here moves quickly, and there are no pavements for pedestrians. You cannot access the canal from the bridge, so I carefully took pictures and then set off for the Drawbridge over the canal.
Red car over the DrawbridgeCan you read the noticeboard?
The Shirley Drawbridge sits over the northern section of the Stratford Canal. The bridge is always down to let cars pass over, and it will only open with a waterways key. There is a famous public house, the Drawbridge Inn, next to the canal, and the road is a bottleneck for cars as it is a popular shortcut through Majors Green to Shirley. Upon reaching the canal, I turned north and very soon encountered a heron fishing for its dinner. The heron was on the opposite bank, but fortunately, I had my 100-400mm lens with me, and I was able to get some great close-up pictures.
It is rude to stare.Can’t you see I am fishing.Yes I am!
The aqueduct at canal level is covered with colourful graffiti, and there is a steep drop over the bridge. I’ve taken a documentary course, the Stirchley Observation Project, which has tuned me into alternative approaches to photography. I see interesting pictures that others may miss. As you’ll see, there are flamingo statues, abandoned chairs, and remnants of some form of canal gateway. I now appreciate the small things in everyday life, which often have a story attached to them. My time to turn back was approaching, but not before I discovered an abandoned canal boat and a Woodland Trust area.
Looking over the aqueduct.Is that a heron or a flamingo?Slow down, take a seat and watch the world go round.A bus passing along the High Street over the canal.Under the bridge.
I returned the way I had come, and again there were new views to be photographed. The canals are always full of surprises, with wildlife and historical artefacts thrown into the mix. Both dereliction and new projects go hand in hand. All this adds up to a photographic adventure for the camera enthusiast.
Stop
I have several posts on the Stratford-upon-Avon canal and I have included a link to the Kingswood junction which is further south.
You may have heard the news that there was a Coronation taking place in May. An event that has never happened for 70 years. The excitement was everywhere and it was not difficult to get caught up in what was happening over the weekend. My village Knowle is very active and keen to promote community based events. The place is very friendly and since moving here from the North West nearly 40 years ago, there has always been a community get together around major events. For the Coronation weekend the plan was to close the High Street for a day and let the community reclaim the streets. This event took place last year with the Queen’s platinum Jubilee and plans to repeat this successful venture were made for the King’s Coronation.
Crowds on the High Street.Market Stalls.Take a look at this flavour.The Mayor of Solihull learning that King Charles may have arrived.Judy the village crier.
Visit Knowle were the champions of this Royal Coronation High Street celebration. As I walked the dog around early on the Bank Holiday Monday, the High Street was already closed and the contractors were putting up the stands and the stage. The weather forecast was not great and there were a few drops or rain around. I returned to the High Street at 11.30am to find it crowded and the party in full swing. The stalls were doing great business and many of the shops were open as well. The Mayor of Solihull was present plus a guest cardboard cutout of Charles III. The stage was in regular occupancy with all acts getting in a rendition of God Save the King somewhere in their routine. The idea of throwing a football into a toilet bowl attracted a lot of attention plus there were many other things to do. I did not get chance to go up the Knowle Church Tower or visit the inside display. There was just too much going on. Many people posted photographs and searching through the local social media sites confirms the success of the Celebrations and shows events that I missed.
Are you ready for “God save the King”?The stage is the big draw for the crowds.The Church grounds are being put to good use.We have toilets and we have balls. What games shall we play?My aim is true.Let’s do some stargazing.Which way?Stamps in a shop window.Time for a cuppa.This cup of tea is most welcome.If there are no cars, then let’s sail a boat down the High Street.Someone in the picture is not happy!Knitted Camilla to knitted Charles, “How many times have we been photographed today”
I spent a good hour and a bit wandering around, meeting people I knew and enjoying taking photographs of the fesitvities. Oh and did I mention the weather? Well there was no rain when I visited and it held off for most of the day. How would we cope if there had been sunshine?
A painted flag.
Epilogue – I won a basketball shirt in the basketball raffle winning a black top and red vest. A good result of the day. Pictures to follow.
You may like to see how the High Street looked last year during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Keeping life varied is the key to getting through the Lockdown and night time walks add a difference to the routine. I am fortunate to live in a typical English village with a high street and local shops. During Lockdown the traffic flow has decreased although the cars do travel through at speed.
Knowle High Street at NightCar lights in the High StreetWaiting for someoneBus with a few passengers
Many of the village shop lights are on and there are a few people moving around. The busiest places are the chemist, the 24 hour convenience store and Tesco. All the restaurants are offering takeaways. A click and collect meal may make a difference to breaking the monotonous existence of lockdown. However, it is an expensive one, compared to making your own meals at home. A feature of the weather is the amount of rain that we have been having. The rain has been intensive leading to major puddles in the street. My new camera has a tilting screen making it easier to take photographs with when bending down. The iPhone does a great job but with absence of a flip screen you have to get quite low to see the screen. These days I find one of the problems is getting back to a vertical standing position after crouching down.
Picking up a takeaway
The shop windows are pretty, and some still have the Christmas decorations in them as people are not inclined to do much during the pandemic. The lights at night are fun to photograph and some of the shop windows like the travel agent remind you of times gone by. I also walk towards the level crossing at Bentley Health and the footbridge is a perfect place to take pictures of the trains going into Birmingham. I tend to go out walking with the dog and he does not always appreciate the waiting around for the trains to go by. The picture I took was of a train into Birmingham. The term “Night Train” came to mind and I saw that Steve Winwood had a song by that name on one of his albums.
Footbridge over the railwayThe night train to BirminghamTrain approaching the level crossing
There was a picture that I saw on Instagram from one of my contacts taking pictures of petrol stations and wondered why would they being doing that? Here I am taking pictures of the Shell petrol station at night.
Esso Petrol station at night
I have to say it does have an interesting almost timeless atmosphere about doing such photographs. The bright lights against the black sky give it importance. A staging post of interplanetary travel maybe? I found the change of time for my lockdown photography made the difference. It was a different challenge taking the pictures at night. No light trails in this set of photographs but I will look to do some later in the month.
Photographic tip – There were two or three pleasing photographs. The reflected puddle one was interesting as the woman came out of nowhere and made the story. I am not sure if she did have the takeaway with her. The night train picture was after a lot of hanging around waiting for the trains to appear. The petrol station was an idea that I copied from someone else.
Knowle is opening up and the notices on the shops are changing to ones of positivity. “We are opening up” is the general message. Three of the restaurants had resorted to boarding up their windows so it is nice to see them taken down and messages of how they are resuming their services. Several of the shops look very empty and places such as the opticians and the hairdressers are missing the human interaction. They will be difficult to manage for social distancing purposes but I know they will find a way around it. I have taken several photographs which provide hope and are looking to the future. Very different from my earlier posts at the start of the lockdown.
Examples of the opening up with notice in shop windows and social distancing notices in the street. The butchers have been very active during lockdown and have been doing home deliveries. You can see all their boxes. The village is waking up once again.
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