Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory

A Brumtography photo meet on the 16th January 2020 at Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. A miniature golf course of 18 holes with graffiti, video games and horror movie references. For over 18's only. They also have a bar and areas for visitors to eat. We went before they opened, around 4 of us in the end. Thanks to Karl Newton for organising / gaining permission.

GHETTO GOLF

A Brumtography (Facebook) group meet on the 16th January 2020 at Ghetto Golf Birmingham. Which is located at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, on Gibb Street (on the other side of the Bordesley Viaduct). A Crazy Golf course for over 18's only. We went before they opened, and was there for around an hour. They have a Cocktail bar and also serve food for paying customers from Apocalypse Cow. There is amazing graffiti and artwork all over the place, in I think what used to be a former warehouse.

I liked seeing the video game artwork of Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and Abe from Oddworld series. Was also artwork of horror movie characters such as Beetlejuice and Freddie Krueger.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf bar (Jan 20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 1 to the right. Apocalypse Cow BBQ Street Food to the left. The graffiti bus behind is hole 3.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 1 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In hole 1 was this communal bin with Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street! Graffiti all over the place.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 1 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

To Hole 2 which is a Petrol Station. This sign is near a recreation of The Old Crown pub. The stairs leads up to other holes.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 2 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I would guess that this is the petrol station with all the Mobil signs. The Old Crown is to the right of here. Also near the bus. The stairs leads up to other holes.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 2 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 3 is in this former single decker bus from Manchester. Now covered all over in graffiti. They built a DJ station on the roof of the bus.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 3 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside the bus from the main entrance. You can also get in and out via the emergency exit door to the back on the left. So much graffiti all over.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 3 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 4 is this skateboarding ramp. Then hole 5 near the adult shop and red post box.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 4 and 5 (Jan 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After hole 5 is a Blockbuster Video which is hole 6. Inside they "rent out" horror movies on VHS video cassettes.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 4 and 5 (Jan 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside of hole 6 aka Blockbuster Video. Dare you rent out My Girl? Head round the corner to find Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies and see Regan from The Exorcist get lit up!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 6 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Then head out past Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies and get a Coca Cola. The door to the left exits to hole 5.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 6 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 7 is a bathroom. Lots of graffiti street ar here with toilet seats used as heads. Bath in the middle.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It looks like you have to hit your golf ball up the ramp and into the dirty toilet! And put your hand in to get the ball out. Hope they provide gloves!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 8 meanwhile is this chicken pen. Next up is hole 9 which is the recreation of The Old Crown pub.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 7 and 8 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At the time of this visit, the real Old Crown pub was closed for renovation works. So hole 9 as The Old Crown was the only one that you could visit.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 9 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It really looks like an old style public house inside. I've never been inside of the real Old Crown pub though, only walk past it outside (or see it from the bus). That door leads to holes 8, 7 and 6. For hole 10, you have to go upstairs.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 9 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 10 on the first floor is Tony's 8 Ball Snooker Hall. Wind your golf ball to the hole like a trick shot, Big Break style.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 10 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of hole 10 from the ground floor from near hole 1.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 10 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up is hole 12 which is this Dog Kennel.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 11 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They appear to be growing something inside of the dog kennel. Somehow you have to get your golf ball in there?

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 11 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 12 is like something from the Aztec world (I would guess).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 12 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They also have images of the Green Man on the wall leading to that creepy face in the door.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 12 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The next hole is hole 13 which is this old room. It could be from the 1970s with dated wallpaper and furniture. But the globe and portraits look much older.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 13 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up look at the globe.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 13 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last hole on the first floor is hole 14, which is a 10 pin bowling alley.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 14 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

6 pins in position while the other 4 is behind the barrier. Downstairs next to four 16 bit video game inspired holes I think you will love (if you grew up in the early 1990s).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 14 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The first video game hole, is hole 15. Based on the 16 bit Super Mario Bros from the SNES (unless it's based on the 8 bit Mario Bros from the NES).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 15 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Head past Mario and Bowser (also known as King Koopa). Mario would also have been on the Nintendo Game Boy.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 15 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hole 16 is this Pinball game. Next to the Gameboy saying "Sicker than yo' Average.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 16 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At least I think it's pinball and not Space Invaders. Donkey Kong is next at hole 17.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 16 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Almost near the end. Hole 17 based on Donkey Kong, which is an 8 bit game from the NES.

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 17 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was later a 16 bit game on the SNES called Donkey Kong Country with better graphics. I think you can tell that Sonic the Hedgehog is next!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 17 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Finally hole 18 is Sonic the Hedgehog from the Sega Mega Drive. The 16 bit game that was released in 1991 and will soon get his own live action movie!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 18 (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is based on the Green Hill Zone that famously opened the classic 2D side scroller. Also featuring Dr Robotnik (who Sega now called Dr Eggman). Game Over Man Game Over!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf hole 18 (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now for some bonus photos to finish this post. Near the entrance was this artwork of Beetlejuice (from the 1988 movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton). But will they make Beetlejuice 2?

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Beetlejuice (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of my favourite video game characters was Abe from the Oddworld series. First appearing on the Playstation 1 (32 bit console) and PC CD Rom in 1997 in the game Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, and it's follow up game in 1998 which was Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus. Later Oddworld games were on the original XBox. Abe was known to ask his fellow Mudokons: "Follow me!" and they would reply: "OK!".

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Oddworld Abe (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the Apocalypse Cow area was this logo from Mortal Kombat. The original game I think came out on the Sega Mega Drive. They are still making Mortal Kombat games to this day and Mortal Kombat 11 is on the Playstation 4, XBox One and Nintendo Switch (they are very violent).

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf Mortal Kombat (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More seating here probably for Apocalypse Cow BBQ Street Food near what looks like to be a heavily gratified train!

dndimg alt="Ghetto Golf" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ghetto Golf train bar (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Karl Newton keeps setting up these photography meets in the Brumtography Facebook group. If you are a Birmingham based photographer, please request to join. Karl or one of the othe admins may accept you. There is now regular meets and Karl sets up the tickets on EventBrite. It is private group, so you have to be a member to see the posts.

One of our recent meets was at the Electric Cinema on the 20th January 2020. We also met up for the first time at The Eagle & Tun pub before it closed for good by HS2, this was on the 11th January 2020.

I most recently joined Karl and another member of the group at the Bullring for the Festival of Light (on the 26th January 2020). Watch this space for an up and coming post!

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

Chinese New Year around Birmingham, in 2020 it's the Year of the Rat

The annual celebrations are being prepared for in Birmingham City Centre. They dressed up the Bull. The Chinese dragons is going around, but I've not seen it yet this year in 2020. Missed it in the Colmore BID, and at the Bullring. But saw a dragon at the Custard Factory, and caught some of the dancing at the Bullring (but crowded and hard to see anything). Plus not waiting around.

Here's a quick brief post on Chinese New Year in late January 2020. The Year of the Rat starts on Saturday 25th January 2020. And there will be the annual celebrations in the Chinese Quarter on Sunday 26th January 2020. I did pop through Southside on Saturday, but could not see much more than them setting up the stage, and I wouldn't want to be around there on Sunday as it will be way too crowded for me.

The Bullring bull seen on the 23rd January 2020 in it's latest costume for Chinese New Year. Which starts on the 25th January 2020. A yellow and red outfit completely covering the bull, apart from it's feet.

dndimg alt="Chinese bull 2020" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Think I prefer this outfit to the one they used in 2018. Best to get it as early as I'm aware of it, before it gets too crowded around here (especially at the weekend).

dndimg alt="Chinese bull 2020" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The bull from the back. Festival of Light event to the right.

dndimg alt="Chinese bull 2020" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CNY of the Rat Bullring bull (Jan 20) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Festival of Lights at the Bullring is back. In 2019 I only saw it in the daylight, and so far in 2020 also in the daylight. This is Pulse of St Martin's Walk.

dndimg alt="Festival of Lights Bullring daylight" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Festival of Light Bullring daylight (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Birds Fly Around With You in Rotunda Square. Seen them again since, but holding off taking more photos until I possibly head back when it gets dark. It opened on the evening of the 24th January 2020 and should be there until early February 2020. Spire of St Martin's Church down St Martin's Walk.

dndimg alt="Festival of Lights Bullring daylight" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Festival of Light Bullring daylight (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I went to the Colmore BID on the 24th January 2020, but did not see the Chinese dragon dances (had no idea at all where they were). So walked to Digbeth via the Gun Quarter and Eastside. Saw this Chinese dragon in the window of Ridding and Wynn at the Custard Factory in Digbeth.

dndimg alt="Chinese dragon Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory Chinese NY (Jan 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saturday 25th January 2020 at the Bullring. Was hoping to see some of the Chinese dragon dances, but when I got to the West Mall only saw this. DANS Dance. Taken from the top floor balcony.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bullring CNY (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a bit crowded on all floors to get decent views here.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bullring CNY (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Just caught the end as they walked to the Chinese arch made out of balloons.

dndimg alt="Chinese New Year Bullring" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bullring CNY (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I later popped back into the Bullring but could not see any dances going on, nor nothing around the Bull, I did not want to wait about. The City Centre around the Bullring was way too crowded for me. Nor did I see anything in Grand Central.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

Gloriana Historical Dance at the Council House for Birmingham We Are (14th January 2020)

For quite a lot of hours, Gloriana Historical Dance, performed Tudor or Elizabethan style dances in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House, during Birmingham We Are's annual event on Tuesday 14th January 2020. I only saw them in here. Didn't see them elsewhere in the Council House, or pop into BM & AG. Thank you for coming.

They have a public Facebook group here Gloriana Living History and Historical Dance.

First dance in Venetian style masks.

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Masks off. Partnering up.

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Going up those sticks with leaves on them.

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana BWA CH 140102020 (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Jonathan Bostock introduces the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim to Gloriana.

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham (for 2019-20) poses for photos with Gloriana.

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I got Jonathan in shot as well.

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Lord Mayor and Gloriana" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gloriana meets LM of Bham 14012020 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Thank you very much for coming. After this they went to other parts of the Council House and into the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. I didn't head to BM & AG as I needed to have a late lunch. And to sit down after standing around for over 4 hours.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham We Are award winner 2020.

Circus Berlin at The NEC Birmingham

I kept seeing posters around Birmingham about the Circus Berlin at The NEC. So wanted to see it from the outside before it closed on the 4th January 2020. I headed to The NEC with Karl Newton although there was a lot of bright sunshine to the right of the circus. It was opposite Resorts World in the South Car Park. 19th December 2019 - 4th January 2020. This NEC visit on the 3rd Jan 2020.

Circus Berlin

Previous circuses post here Circuses in Birmingham.

There was posters all over Birmingham about this circus, so had to check it out at The NEC before it closed down. It opened for it's first performances on Thursday 19th December 2019 and finished on Saturday 4th January 2020. I travelled to The NEC with Karl Newton (showed him the Air-Rail Link and we also went to Vortex Gaming in Resorts World) on Friday 3rd January 2020. So one day before it was going to close.

This zoom in from just outside The NEC main entrance, past Resorts World Arena, with Resorts World Birmingham on the left.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Located in South Car Park 3, there was strong sunlight to the right of Resorts World. The main circus tent where it all took place.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As you can see the light was quite bright from this side, but it was about midday on this visit to The NEC.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Conely's Thunderdome with Union Jack flags and smiley Emoji's.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up zoom in of the Circus Berlin tent which was red and yellow all over.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Ticket Office with a sign for Circus Extreme. Above was various flags of the world, although mostly European flags.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Chop Shop. Some kind of dodgems ride I think.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The bright sunshine wasn't getting any better on this side, so this was my last photo of the circus tent.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I think this ride was called Twister. Could barely see what I was taking with all the strong sunlight so took one more shot of it.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Lots of reds and yellows. The photos came out better after editing and fixing the lighting issues.

dndimg alt="Circus Berlin" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Circus Berlin The NEC (Jan 20) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.