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Elliott Brown Environment & green action
06 Sep 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Jack's visit to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park in August 2023

In August 2023, Jack Babington with Nechells POD visited the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

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Jack's visit to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park in August 2023





In August 2023, Jack Babington with Nechells POD visited the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham.


The main entrance to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The map and location of all the animals in the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bell's dabb lizard

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Meerkat

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Chinese crocodile lizard

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Ring-tailed Lemur

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Goeldi's marmoset

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Blue crane

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Turtles

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Varanus kordensis

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Jack Babington

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
30 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

A visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery on the August Bank Holiday Monday

On the August Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August 2023, I travelled to Wolverhampton, by train, for a visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Free entry. The entrance now on the side via St Peter's Walk. One early highlight was seeing the Maquette of King Kong. There was also a see-saw sculpture on the first floor. After a look around, had coffee and lunch in the Glaze cafe.

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A visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery on the August Bank Holiday Monday





On the August Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August 2023, I travelled to Wolverhampton, by train, for a visit to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Free entry. The entrance now on the side via St Peter's Walk. One early highlight was seeing the Maquette of King Kong. There was also a see-saw sculpture on the first floor. After a look around, had coffee and lunch in the Glaze cafe.


Wolverhampton Art Gallery was funded and built by Philip Horsman (1825-1890). It opened in 1884. The two storey building was designed by Birmingham architect Julius Chatwin (1829-1907). The Victorian building is Grade II* listed, and a modern extension later built in 2006-07, along with a refurbishment.

As of 2023, the main entrance on Lichfield Street is closed, it is an emergency exit only. The entrance is now near St Peter's Gardens on St Peter's Walk.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lichfield%20St%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A portrait of local businessman, Philip Horsman, who founded Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 1885. It was painted by George Phoenix (1863-1935).

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HWS%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The main staircase from the hallway, has a mixture of art from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. It leads up to the galleries on the first floor.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HW%20Wolv%20AG%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Likeness Guaranteed by David Mach (b.1956), made in 1995. Welded metal coathangers.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HWS%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Standing Relief VI 1958 by Frederick Edward McWilliam (1909-1992), made in 1972. Bronze.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HWS%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

St Cecilia by Atri Cecil Brown (1906-1982) dates to the 1940s. Bronze.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HWS%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

King Kong by Nicholas Monro (1936 - 2022). Fibreglass maquette of King Kong made in 1971. 

The full-sized replica stood for six months in Birmingham City Centre, during 1972, before being sold. A replica of the 20ft full-sized sculpture could be seen in the pop-up 'King Kong Park' during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The replica was created by 3D scanning this maquette.

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/King%20Kong%20WAG%2028082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

End of Empire, 2016. By Yinka Shonibare CBE (b. 1962). Mixed media. Commemorates one hundred years since the First World War. Two figurative sculptures dressed in clothing of 19th century aristocrats sit on a 'see-saw'.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EE%20SeeSaw%20Wolv%20AG%2028082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This is the new main entrance from St Peter's Walk. Straight ahead is the gift shop. Plus a lot of helpful staff.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/SPW%20ent%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Adam by Sir Charles Wheeler (1892-1974). Dates to the mid 1900s. Bronze.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bronze%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rock Form (Porthcurno) by Dame Barbara Hepworth DBE (1903-1975). Made in 1964. Bronze, Edition of 6. Cast No. 5. On loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bronze%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This is our Love and it Knows no Division. An exhibition presenting works by fifteen British artists in response to ‘the beautiful game’. Art in this room related to football.
Some objects from Joe Lycett. Including a magazine with David Beckham on the cover that he shredded on TV.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Football%20Wolv%20AG%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Community Picks. Things in this room for kids to play with on their visit. Saw a large Campbells Condensed Tomato Soup can. Was also a frieze on the wall to the right.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CP%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Old Masters. 18th century paintings, on this room on the first floor. Was also a piano in here. Probably used for functions or events.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OM%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Another gallery on the first floor. Various objects, and paintings dating to the 19th century. One in the middle had an image of Dante on it.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Up%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A mixture of modern art in this first floor gallery. One painting from 2020 reminds you of the pandemic with the face masks.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Up%20Wolv%20Art%20Gallery%2028082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After a look around the art gallery, it was time to check out Glaze the Eating Space at the Gallery. I first had a coffee, as it was before 12pm, wasn't too busy then. Then after noon I ordered a sandwich, which came with salad. Got a bit more busier with families by then.

dndimg alt="Wolverhampton Art Gallery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Glaze%20Wolv%20AG%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hope you enjoyed this look around Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Transport
29 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street

For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.

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Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street





For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.


Yes it was disappointing that Birmingham didn't win the rights this time to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, that honour went to Liverpool. You might remember that 25 years ago, Birmingham was the host for the Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom - Birmingham 1998, at the National Indoor Arena.

Had Birmingham won the right to host it in 2023, it would have gone to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, but it wasn't to be.

 

In May 2023, ahead of Eurovison in Liverpool, London Northwestern Railway (the brand name for West Midlands Trains between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street), unveiled a special yellow livery on 350104.

The branding has BBC, Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine and United by Music all over the four carriage set.

 

I was waiting at platform 2 at Wolverhampton Station, after my visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery (on the August Bank Holiday Monday), as the Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street train arrived in Liverpool livery! As well as the Eurovision 2023 train, the one behind had Liverpool John Lennon Airport on it (I sat in a carriage on that one at the back).

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

After waiting in a tunnel waiting for a platform, at a signal (I was still in the Liverpool John Lennon Airport train), the train headed to platform 5 at Birmingham New Street Station. I headed down the platform for some more views at the A end of the platform. I was unable to get a photo of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport livery on the other train (which I had got off). As was so many passengers getting off with the luggage.

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
28 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring

I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.

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Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring





I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.


Birmingham Weekender returned again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 26th and 27th August 2023.

I almost thought I'd miss seeing it, as was unable to come up on Saturday, but had free time on Sunday morning. And I got to Rotunda Square to see a group in interesting looking costumes, and popped up to Costa Coffee in Next for some views over coffee.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Young Advocates Stage are young ladies aged between 14 and 22, and they had these green leaf outfits on.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Best views from Costa at Next above.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Costa, I spotted some in zebra and deer costumes.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

They were waiting outside Nationwide and Sunglass Hut.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
27 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48

While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.

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King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48





While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.


I noticed that the 'Forward in Unity' mural, painted by Gent 48 back in the summer 2020, during the pandemic had been painted over. So I travelled to Digbeth during the August Bank Holiday Weekend 2023 to see it up close.

The location as before is at Nortons Digbeth.

 

The wall now reads I ♥ BRUM, GUINNESS PLEASE BAB! also My My GUINNESS

A giant King Kong, the same one as the recration that was at King Kong Park last year from July to about October 2022.

The Rotunda resembles the way it was from the mid 1960s until before it was refurbished in the 2000s.

The top of the BT Tower has some satellite dishes, all of which are now removed from the top of it.

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

King Kong can be seen from passing buses on the Digbeth High Street if looking up Meriden Street (near the Eastside Metro extension).

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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