That time that Ice Skate Birmingham spend two Winter seasons in Eastside City Park

While Ice Skate Birmingham is enjoying a successful return to Centenary Square for the 2019-20 winter season. Do you remember when they had to spend two winters in Eastside City Park? First year was 2017-18 on a part of the HS2 land. Then 2018-19 on Eastside Green. This was due to the redevelopment of Centenary Square which wasn't completed until the summer of 2019.

Happy New Year 2020. Christmas might be over and we have just had New Year's but doesn't mean Ice Skate Birmingham has closed down yet. Looking back to the two winter seasons over in Eastside.

November 2017 to January 2018

It was open from Thursday 16th November 2017 until Sunday 7th January 2018 at Eastside City Park. They were using land that belongs to HS2.

Setting up during late October 2017 on Eastside Green. This view after 5pm from Fazeley Street.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before opening in November 2017. The view of the Birmingham Big Wheel and Millennium Point from the train from the Chase Line leaving Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from the Snow Hill lines heading into Birmingham Moor Street. The Emporium building was under construction behind the Birmingham Big Wheel. With Jennens Court and the Birmingham Ormiston Academy to the right.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sunset behind Curzon Street Station with the Birmingham Big Wheel sandwiched between that and the Rotunda.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For 2017 / 18 Ice Skate Birmingham had a ride called the Wild Mouse. Bit like a mini roller coaster. This was near New Canal Street.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

During December 2017. The view from the top of Moor Street Car Park. The Emporium was still going up, while there were other rides near the Birmingham Big Wheel (bit hard to see from this view).

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Nightshot views of the Birmingham Big Wheel. This view from New Canal Street. Headed back to the Bullring via Digbeth.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Wild Mouse ride lit up after dark. With Curzon Street Station, The Curzon Building, University Locks (of Birmingham City University) and The Woodman behind, in this New Canal Street view.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Still on New Canal Street as the Birmingham Big Wheel was lit up and the ride to the right was spinning. It was called The King.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Closing down during January 2018. Ice Skate Birmingham had it's last day on Sunday 7th January 2018. At the time I wasn't sure if it would return to Eastside or Westside. In the end they got permission to return to Eastside City Park as Centenary Square was still not finished during 2018.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside 2017-18 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

November 2018 to January 2019

They couldn't use the HS2 land this time around, so they used the land where the water fountain jets are, and the lawn down to Park Street instead. It was open this from Saturday 17th November 2018 until Sunday 6th January 2019.

These views from November 2018. View of the Birmingham Big Wheel once again outside of Millennium Point. Seen from a Chiltern Railways train I was on, heading into Birmingham Moor Street. Was closer to The Woodman this time around.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of the Birmingham Big Wheel from the bridge over the Grand Union Canal (Digbeth Branch) from Grear Barr Street in Digbeth. The canal buildings up Warwick Bar are up here. To the right was Curzon Street Station, and behind was Birmingham Metropolitan College - Matthew Boulton Campus).

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view looking up Curzon Street towards the Birmingham Big Wheel, with Masshouse behind. Curzon Street Station to the left.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view of Ice Skate Birmingham from the top of Moor Street Car Park. The land used a year before was now an HS2 site. Monkey World ride to the left.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now in December 2018, was heading into Eastside City Park to see the Coca Cola truck again, as it was raining. But first up, headed up to Moor Street Car Park again for a nightshot view of the Birmingham Big Wheel. Visibility was poor and I couldn't see the Coca Cola Christmas truck from up here, so headed down and into the park.

My Coca Cola Christmas Truck in Birmingham over the years post is here.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As I walked up Park Street towards Eastside City Park, it was freezing cold, wet, sleeting and raining. Not what I would call festive weather! First close up look at the Birmingham Big Wheel lit up after dark.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Bar & Ice Skating area, seen near the main entrance of Eastside City Park. My camera was getting wet as I headed in. I was soaking! But the ice rink was covered, so those enjoying an ice skate were dry.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Passing the ice rink, wasn't much to see from here into the ice rink, but got interesting lighting effects from the Big Wheel and the wet weather.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A couple of days later and it was now dry in Eastside City Park. A look at the ice rink from the outside.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is now January 2019, and the Birmingham Big Wheel has already been taken down. The ice rink was behind fences as they started to dismantle it. This was around 5 days after Ice Skate Birmingham had finished for the year.

dndimg alt="Ice Skate Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ice Skate Birmingham Eastside City Park (2018-19) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This was the last time it was in Eastside. Around 10 months later (October 2019), they were setting up Ice Skate Birmingham in Centenary Square again (first time since 2016-17). It opened on the 7th November 2019 and it is due to close on the 12th January 2020.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Summer in Southside through the years at The Arcadian

Every summer during July or August, Birmingham Hippodrome hosts Summer in Southside, also called #BHOutdoors (if you use the hashtag on Twitter during the summer). Here we will look at the goings on at The Arcadian over the years. The Arcadian opened in the early 1990s in the Chinese Quarter in what is also now Southside. Used to be a cinema here but it closed in the early 2000s.

Summer in Southside

2013

The first Summer in Southside I remember hearing about was during August 2013. I popped to The Arcadian on the 24th August 2013 when I saw these men in white t-shirts, including one spinning a board.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another man climbed onto the water feature near the steps spinning a pointed sign saying Culture Alert.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

And another one. Seemed like they had several of those signs to spin!

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Over at the canopied area was some Chinese ladies performing, perhaps dancing?

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

The next year, another Summer in Southside, now the 24th August 2014. People sitting on deckchairs on the left.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This raised area is always good for views. This was the FLOAT Circus Mash.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

INFO from this yellow and red cart.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up at Circus Mash, they were raising this pink and yellow thing up.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2014) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

Now August 2015. This time on the 29th August 2015. A stage to the left with a couple of blokes playing the guitar.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A row of chairs for people to enjoy the music.

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In the middle was some people dancing.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The next move, leg up, arms out.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (Aug 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

Skipping ahead to 3 years later. This was on the 14th July 2018. A band on the stage with brass instruments.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (July 2018) (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw this Indian TucTuc. The Chutney TucTuc. There next performance at 3pm. Perhaps banging those drums and dancing.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (July 2018) (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This was a day later on the 15th July 2018. A rapper and a DJ behind him.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Summer in Southside The Arcadian (July 2018) (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

The 50th anniversary of the Moon landing by Apollo 11 in July 1969. Saw this giant moon on the 14th July 2019. Most of the activities were happening outside on Hurst Street and Ladywell Walk.

dndimg alt="Summer in Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Arcadian Summer in Southside Moon (July 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Morris Dancers and other events in the grounds of St Philip's Cathedral over the last few years

Over the years you may have seen Morris Dancers performing outside of St Philip's Cathedral (in what is now called Cathedral Square). I prefer Grounds of St Philip's Cathedral. After all it was an old churchyard with burials going back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Morris Dancers for St George's Day. One event for 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral. Also a Christmas Market.

Morris Dancers

These Morris Dancers were performing to the back of Birmingham Cathedral in April 2015 for St George's Day. This was on the 25th April 2015.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Colourful costumes. This bunch had white outfits on, while the ladies had blue and green dresses on. And they had England flags.

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The man in the beard was playing an accordion.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Dancing both ways with their wooden sticks.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

And back the other way tapping the sticks.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also some folk playing drums to the right.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Temple Row was a bit different back then. Where Gino d'Acampo is now was Allied Irish Bank. Where The Ivy is now was Austin Reed and Louis Vuitton.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancing St Philips Cathedral (April 2015) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was during October 2017 when the City was experiencing Storm Brian, so it was wet. Not sure what the occasion was, it was on the 21st October 2017, so maybe around Trafalgar Day?

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancers at St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Didn't really catch this bunch dancing, so they were between performances I would assume.

dndimg alt="Morris Dancers" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Morris Dancers at St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Something Good Nomad

This was during the 300th Anniversary year of Birmingham Cathedral (1715 - 2015).  Something Good Nomad was seen during October 2015. Live painting by Mohammed Ali as he journeys through Birmingham, inspired by communities of many faiths and backgrounds, and their reflections of light and dark in their neighbourhoods.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was canopies here with bunting. People could make their own Soul Boat's here. They would have formed part of a flotilla of Golden Boats by Artist Jake Lever, supended in the Cathedral during the winter period between December 2015 to March 2016.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These canvases looks like pink towels suspended on scaffold poles.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

But at the back you can see the art they were trying to show.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Aerosol Ali himself, Mohammed Ali stands in front of his art in Cathedral Square.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You could see the art from different paths.

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was the area where visitors could stop and design their own Soul Boat. Hope they had fun (4 years ago).

dndimg alt="Something Good Nomad" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Something Good Nomad St Philips Cathedral (Oct 2015) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Christmas Markets

The Birmingham Christmas Markets was on for one Christmas period in Cathedral Square from November to December 2018. They had to first cover over the lawns to protect the graves below. This was when the huts were being installed on the 12th November 2018, so not open at this point.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The gate from Temple Row was fenced off as they were installing this Christmas Market in Cathedral Square.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Banner seen on Temple Row for Birmingham's Christmas Markets with an arrow to the way in.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As you can see visitors would have to walk past the stone tombs when visiting the huts.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The archway near St Philip's Place and the eventual exit to Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They started installing the market as soon as the Remembrance Sunday commemorations ended the day before on the 11th November 2018. So most of the huts were in place on the 12th November 2018.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Several Santa's and sleighs with reindeers. I think this was supposed to be a mini rail ride in a loop.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tracks laid with artificial Christmas trees in the middle.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Christmas Tree Bar. They first did it here in Cathedral Square before doing the same thing a year later in Victoria Square at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Reindeer on top of the huts.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Nov 2018) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is now December 2018. Had another look once it was open on the 5th December 2018. A hat stall close to the sparkly reindeer. Due to the rain they had to cover over some parts.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Dec 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not very busy on the 7th December 2018. This gravestone surrounded by barriers. You could get a Giant Yorkshire Pudding Wraps or Hog Roast. This was in the morning.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Dec 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

All Aboard the Santa Train. A throne for Santa to sit on. Also a red post box to post kids Christmas wish lists to the Big Red Man.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Dec 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This trailer you could get Bailey's Cadbury Hot Chocolate.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Christmas Markets" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Xmas Market St Philips Cathedral (Dec 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Perhaps people weren't too bothered by this Christmas Market. And due to bad weather / rain. After it was gone, the grass was found to be quite muddy. But it eventually grew back over the next year. The market has not returned here for a second year.

In years gone by, the Christmas Craft Market used to be in Chamberlain Square and in Centenary Square, but that's not happened for years now due to the Paradise Birmingham works and the redevelopment of Centenary Square. Maybe they could return somewhere suitable in 2020?

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

The changing face of street art over the years at the Custard Factory

Over the years I keep returning time and time again to see what the latest street art is painted at the Custard Factory in Digbeth. You can now get on via the gate at Floodgate Street and walk over the footbridge that crosses the River Rea. Then under the Bordesley Viaduct through the car park towards Gibb Street. Every month the giant billboard art changes. From City of Colours to Hi Viz.

Ever changing, the street art always gets painted over. So while the art is gone, the photo of it survives years later.

2013

This view taken on Floodgate Street in Digbeth during Feburary 2013. The Bordesley Viaduct seen crossing from Bordesley towards Birmingham Moor Street Station.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view taken in July 2013 in what is now the Zellig Car Park. Looks like a pirate!

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Custard Factory chimney in November 2013 painted for Movember by Graffiti 4 Hire. It is still there now (yet to be painted over). You can see it from the Zellig Car Park or from High Street Deritend.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2013 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

King Kong painted in yellow was outside of The Old Bank on Gibb Street during July 2014. When Adee Phelan opened a salon here. Previously this was Turners Violins. The Clean Kilo is now in this building.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the gates on Floodgate Street. This is an alternate entrance to the Custard Factory. Heading under the Bordesley Viaduct. This view taken during August 2014. Cross the footbridge over the River Rea and cross into the car park for the short walk to Gibb Street.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2014 to check out the wonderful street art painted at the City of Colours Festival during September 2014. The artist was Jimmy C.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2014 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

This piece taken on Floodgate Street during January 2015. The artist was Gent. Several skeletons here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Garfield seen on Floodgate Street during March 2015. Although I previously got a photo of this one in October 2014. The gates to the Custard Factory was closed. This was on the day of the St Patrick's Day Parade 2015.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Centre of the Universe. Seen during October 2015. The man at the top is Benjamin Zephaniah. On the left is Felicity Jones (who would go on to star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016). This wall regularly gets repainted, usually with giant painted posters adversing something.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2015 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2016

The view during April 2016 on Floodgate Street and saw this amazing piece. Not sure of the artist or artists, but was quite close to the Bordesley Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The City of Colours Street Art Festival was held again in Digbeth, this time during June 2016. This piece being painted on the wall on Gibb Street. Car park entrance to the right under the Bordesley Viaduct. These artists are amazing. I think it's by Justin Sola (but I'm not fully sure).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Painted gates on Floodgate Street under the Bordesley Viaduct. This entrance to the Custard Factory was closed. Seen in December 2016. This Must Be the Place painted by Caroline Roose. Probably done at the Summer 2016 City of Colours Festival. It was Boxing Day, so the Custard Factory was probably closed.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2016 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

This was seen during February 2017. The bottom of the Moonlight street art painted movie poster. It won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. I've not seen this film myself.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Temporary hoardings at the Zellig entrance of Devonshire House. Merry Christmas from Zellig seen in December 2017. Nice image of a snowman.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Blade of the Immortal also seen in December 2017 (same day as above). In the Zellig courtyard area.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2017 (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The steps from Heath Mill Lane during the snow of March 2018. The walls were very pink down here.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing the River Rea footbridge under the Bordesley Viaduct during April 2018. And I saw this wall painting of a lady with sunglasses. Possibly a piece by Justin Sola (or someone else).

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Gibb Street in July 2018 under the Bordesley Viaduct. "The Bohemian from Balsall Heath". Painted for Odeon Cinemas. The man is probably Odeon founder Oscar Deutsch. R2D2 from the Star Wars movies was played by the late great Kenny Baker. Felicity Jones by now a star thanks to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The Beatles probably performed in Birmingham in the 1960s.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2018 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

Under the Bordesley Viaduct from Floodgate Street during March 2019. The gates to the Custard Factory were open. "Diablo" by Gent 48.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (1A).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Peaky Blinders returned to BBC One in August 2019 with Series 5. And this piece of Tommy Shelby was on the painted billboard wall at the time. Peakys Fan Art by James Mundy.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory Peaky Blinders Tommy Shelby fan art.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Judge Dredd in the Zellig Car Park during October 2019. It was probably painted during the High Viz Street Art Festival, which took place during early September 2019. Saw this during Birmingham Weekender, but I was more interested in the street art.

dndimg alt="Custard Factory" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

 

Summer fun fair and The Big Sleuth at the Sandwell Valley Country Park (July 2017)

The only time I popped into the Sandwell Valley Country Park was when The Big Sleuth was on, so didn't go far. Saw a fun fair on the way to the Sandwell Park Visitor Centre. A tourist road train was also going round this part of the park. I've not got around to going back to this park. This visit end of July 2017. Not sure if I'll travel back here, is a long way to travel there

Do you miss the summer with all the Christmas festivities in winter? Lets go back a couple of summers to late July 2017.

On the 30th July 2017 I was following The Big Sleuth trail of painted bears from Dudley to Sandwell (via the bus). In West Bromwich I got the bears in the Town Centre, then headed through Dartmouth Park and entered the Sandwell Valley Country Park.

On the left was a summer fun fair.

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A couple of bouncy castles here. The one of the right was the Space Shuttle.

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Disney Cottage. Would guess that kids and explore it and see Disney cartoon characters?

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Crazy Caterpillar. A small rollercoaster for kids to enjoy.

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The blue tourist road train seen going round the park. Was close to the fun fair. The visitor centre seen in the background.

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It was called the Sandwell Express. All aboard, full steam ahead!

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It did several loops around this end of the park close to the fun fair.

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This is the Sandwell Park Visitor Centre. The Big Sleuth bear I was looking for was outside. While a selection of Little bears was inside. Was originally the Sandwell Park Farm.

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A Grade II listed building. Dating to around 1800. Near Lodge Hill Road. Built of brick with tile roofs. The farm buildings were built as the home farm on the Earl of Dartmouth's Sandwell Hall estate. Sandwell Hall was demolished in 1928.

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The only reason for this visit was to see The Big Sleuth bear called Uncle B. The artists was Louise Blakeley and Warren McCabe-Smith working with Cradley Heath Creative and was funded by Cradley Heath and Sandwell Council.

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The back side of Uncle B. Wishing he was at the fun fair.

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The other little bears were inside the Visitor Centre.

More photos on my Flickr here: Sandwell Valley Country Park.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.