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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
07 Feb 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site

In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.

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The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site





In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.


July 2023

Annatomix started painting the commissioned street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside for HS2 in the middle of summer 2023.  This would be where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2023

Just one update in the late summer, as Annatomix worked away at her art. I walked past towards the Curzon Street Tunnel. Decided to wait a few months to see if it was finished or not.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DGCE%2022082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

October 2023

A major update of the Annatomix street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in the middle of Autumn 2023. It was looking good at the time, but she was having a break at the time for about a month. There was also a message at one end "if you like the art please stop drawing on it".

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2024

In the months since, taggers and graffiti vandals have been drawing / writing all over the street art, and it looked like Annatomix didn't return (health reasons I think). Meanwhile HS2 had put up rusted weathering steel triangular trusses for the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. Am not sure if it is worth her coming back in future to fix / repaint the art here (her other pieces around the city get tagged as well).

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Transport
31 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

University Station progress from May 2022 to January 2024

The new University Station buildings opened on Sunday 28th January 2024. Here's our photo update from May 2022 to January 2024. The station was open throughout the works, and the extended platforms were open in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, but was delays for some reason in completing the station, beyond 2022. We'll get another update at a later date.

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University Station progress from May 2022 to January 2024





The new University Station buildings opened on Sunday 28th January 2024. Here's our photo update from May 2022 to January 2024. The station was open throughout the works, and the extended platforms were open in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, but was delays for some reason in completing the station, beyond 2022. We'll get another update at a later date.


It was supposed to open in July 2022, but is now going to fully open on Sunday 28th January 2024. 

Photo progress gallery below from May 2022 to January 2024.

* Note that all these photos were taken before the new buildings were opened to the public.

 

May 2022

Worcester & Birmingham Canal view near the University of Birmingham, the new buildings under scaffolding.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2021052022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

First look at the extended platforms from platform 1 at University.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20PU%2021052022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20PU%2021052022%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20PU%2021052022%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20PU%2021052022%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Cross Country Trains Class 220 Voyager passed non stop towards Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/XC%20220%20Uni%20Station%2021052022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323209 calls at University, platform 2.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323209%20Uni%20Station%2021052022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 170501 passes on a service to Worcester Foregate Street (this train is now at sister company East Midlands Railway).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20170501%20Uni%20Station%2021052022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323208 calls at University, platform 1 (this train has since moved to Northern Trains).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323208%20Uni%20Station%2021052022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

June 2022

From the X21 bus top deck, before the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games began. Clearly it wouldn't be ready for summer 2022.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2021062022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2021062022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2021062022%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2021062022%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A day later, a comparison with the 1978 building (right, still open) and 2024 building (left).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2022062022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2022

Views of University Station from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Some scaffolding had come down at the time.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%20WB%20Canal%2027082022%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

October 2022

Approaching from New Fosse Way and the Westgate entrance.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One last look during 2022 at the platforms, clearly the buildings wouldn't open by the end of the year.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Cross Country Voyager Class 220 passing at speed towards the south west.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323217 stops at University, to take me to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2016102022%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2023

First University update of 2023, as usual the walk up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal from the Selly Oak Shopping Park.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This time I walked to the far end of platform 1, buildings appeared to be complete, but would not open for at least another year.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University%20Station%2011022023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This was the day, when I managed to get West Midlands Railway 323221 in the Regional Railways Centro livery!

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Later that month, some views from the X21 bus as it went up Pritchatts Road and Vincent Drive.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2028022023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2028022023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2028022023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

June 2023

A walk along Prichatts Road and Vincent Drive for more views of the station.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2029062023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2029062023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2029062023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2029062023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

July 2023

A look at the new access footbridge from the University of Birmingham, near the Westgate.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This will be one of the new station entrances from Westgate and New Fosse Way.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018072023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018072023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2023

Approaching University Station again from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2024082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views from the X21 bus on Vincent Drive.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2024082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2024082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A week later, views from the X22 bus on Vincent Drive.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2031082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

January 2024

With the news that the ORR had given permission for the new University Station buildings to open on Sunday 28th January 2024, I had one last visit to the station before it opened to the public.

The usual views from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal on the walk from Selly Oak Shopping Park.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Looks pretty much the same from platform 1, the boards with train times were on. Some labels needed peeling off.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A Cross Country Trains Class 220 Voyager in the direction of Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323241 seen arriving at platform 2.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

My West Midlands Railway Class 323 train arrived, to take me one way to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2018012024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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90 passion points
Elliott Brown Transport
31 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Preserved Midland Metro tram 16 at Very Light Rail, Dudley and West Midlands Metro tram 52 in service

On a walk around Dudley, I did not expect to find the preserved Midland Metro tram 16, one of the T-69 trams, to be at Very Light Rail in Dudley. Out of the 16 trams in service from 1999 to 2015, 13 have been scrapped, while three preserved including this one. The other two 07 and 10 are at Long Marston. The last West Midlands Metro tram 52, and was the last of the new Urbos 100 order.

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Preserved Midland Metro tram 16 at Very Light Rail, Dudley and West Midlands Metro tram 52 in service





On a walk around Dudley, I did not expect to find the preserved Midland Metro tram 16, one of the T-69 trams, to be at Very Light Rail in Dudley. Out of the 16 trams in service from 1999 to 2015, 13 have been scrapped, while three preserved including this one. The other two 07 and 10 are at Long Marston. The last West Midlands Metro tram 52, and was the last of the new Urbos 100 order.


I was in Dudley, during January 2024, for an update of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, and was walking out of Dudley Town Centre, when I spotted this old tram at Very Light Rail.

The former Midland Metro tram 16, a T-69 which was in service from Wolverhampton St George's to Birmingham Snow Hill from 1999 to 2015, was moved from Long Marston to Dudley, for testing on the Very Light Rail tracks.

It still has The Metro, and original red, blue and yellow livery on it, as well as a Wolverhampton College advert dating to 2014. It arrived in Dudley in November 2023.

dndimg alt="Midland Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/T69%20MM%2016%20VLR%20Dudley%2021012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Midland Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/T69%20MM%2016%20VLR%20Dudley%2021012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Midland Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/T69%20MM%2016%20VLR%20Dudley%2021012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Midland Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/T69%20MM%2016%20VLR%20Dudley%2021012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The most recent tram to come into service was West Midlands Metro tram 52 in January 2024. The last of the Urbos 100 order. Currently there is multiple bus routes from Birmingham to Dudley including the 74, 87, 126 and X8. But by the end of 2024, the tram extension from Wednesbury to Dudley Town Centre might open.

Seen here leaving Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road, via the Five Ways underpass towards Broad Street and Five Ways Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Hagley%20Rd%2016012024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Hagley%20Rd%2016012024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Hagley%20Rd%2016012024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Five%20Ways%20BS%2016012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Five%20Ways%20BS%2016012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%2052%20Five%20Ways%20BS%2016012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown History & heritage
24 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive outside the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley

On a walk around Dudley in January 2024, I went down Tipton Road past the Black Country Living Museum, during a weekend when they were closed for maintenance, so the car park was empty. I saw a green steam locomotive called Winston Churchill, this was the Cadbury Bros No 7 steam locomotive. It arrived in 2012, on the spot where the Titanic anchor replica used to be.

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The Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive outside the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley





On a walk around Dudley in January 2024, I went down Tipton Road past the Black Country Living Museum, during a weekend when they were closed for maintenance, so the car park was empty. I saw a green steam locomotive called Winston Churchill, this was the Cadbury Bros No 7 steam locomotive. It arrived in 2012, on the spot where the Titanic anchor replica used to be.


First a repost on the Titanic anchor replica seen in 2011

The replica of The Titanic Anchor. It was made in 2010 by Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd for a Channel 4 documentary. It was on loan at the time to the museum from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.  The original anchor was made by N. Hingley & Sons Ltd in 1911 at their factory in Netheron, Dudley. The original anchor weighed 15.5 tons. In 2011 the Titanic anchor replica was seen outside of the Black Country Living Museum near the former Rolfe Street Baths building. But it was eventually moved to a more permenant location in Netherton where it remains today. It was replaced in 2012 by the Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive.

dndimg alt="Titanic Anchor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Netherton%20Anchor%20BCLM%20(Aug%202011)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Titanic Anchor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Netherton%20Anchor%20BCLM%20(Aug%202011)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Titanic Anchor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Netherton%20Anchor%20BCLM%20(Aug%202011)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Titanic Anchor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Netherton%20Anchor%20BCLM%20(Aug%202011)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 in 2024

The relocation of the Winston Churchill was made possible through the help and support of the local house builder Lovell Partnerships Ltd and The Friends of the Black Country Museum.

0-6-0ST Manning Wardle locomotive built at Boyne Engine Works, Leeds in 1923. It was ordered by the Cadbury Brothers, Bournville in February 1923, and was completed and sent to Cadbury Blackpole Factory by June 1923. It became their No 7 steam locomotive at the Waterside Site. It was moved to Bournville for a short time before it returned to Blackpole. And was named after Winston Churchill. By 1946 it had been replaced by diesel and was sold to Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn in Darlington. It arrived in Dudley at G Pitt & Co Ltd on the Pensnett Trading Estate later in 1946. It was eventually placed outside of the Black Country Living Museum in 2012 after the Titanic anchor replica was removed.

dndimg alt="Winston Churchill Cadbury No 7" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WC%20Steam%20loco%20BCLM%20Dudley%2021012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Winston Churchill Cadbury No 7" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WC%20Steam%20loco%20BCLM%20Dudley%2021012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Winston Churchill Cadbury No 7" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WC%20Steam%20loco%20BCLM%20Dudley%2021012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Winston Churchill Cadbury No 7" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WC%20Steam%20loco%20BCLM%20Dudley%2021012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
18 Jan 2024 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The Beacon of Hope at St Martin in the Bullring

From the 15th to 27th January 2024 outside of St Martin in the Bullring is a temporary stained glass installation called The Beacon of Hope, by Ugandan artist Matt Kayem. It was commissioned by Christian Aid.

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The Beacon of Hope at St Martin in the Bullring





From the 15th to 27th January 2024 outside of St Martin in the Bullring is a temporary stained glass installation called The Beacon of Hope, by Ugandan artist Matt Kayem. It was commissioned by Christian Aid.


The Beacon of Hope

From 15-27 January 2024, beaming brightly in the grounds of St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, our stained-glass style ‘Beacon of Hope’ will create an awe-inspiring spectacle of light and colour with messages of hope to lift everyone’s spirits.

From Blue Monday, the Beacon will illuminate five powerful messages of hope about hunger, equality, health, climate, and injustice.

Each message of hope was brought to life by Ugandan artist, Matt Kayem, from and working in Kampala. Matt’s work explores identity, race, history, and culture through installations, collage-paintings and photography.

Working in his signature style Matt used recycled denim, sourced from the markets of Kampala then stretched onto frames, as the unique canvas for his vivid, colourful creations.

 

 

I first saw information about The Beacon of Hope, from this banner on St Martin in the Bullring. I was on the bus on the 12th January 2024 heading to my terminus stop. It tells you that it will be here from the 15th to 27th January 2024.

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/SMitB%20Beacon%20Hope%2012012024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A few days after the Lord Mayor of Birmingham unveiled The Beacon of Hope, I got a couple of photos of it, shortly after arriving at the Bullring. There is about four stained glass panels. Seen on the 17th January 2024.

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Beacon of Hope" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Beacon%20of%20Hop%2017012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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