Cadbury Crème Egg car in Stirchley and Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste monster truck at Cadbury World in Bournville

Cadbury Creme Egg car can sometimes be seen in Stirchley near the Pershore Road (opposite the Fordhouse Lane junction). It's just behind the gate during the week (if not at the weekend). Over at Cadbury World in Bournville is a jacked up former Taxi that looks like a Mini Monster Truck! Which was seen during the snow earlier in March 2023.

The Cadbury Crème Egg car can be seen near the Pershore Road in Stirchley, close to Stirchley Gearbox Services. I've only managed to see it during the week (it wasn't there the weekend I tried to get close to it). It is almost Easter, so only a week or two left before Cadbury stop selling them, until after Christmas next year!

Seen on the 28th March 2023. I had previously seen it earlier in the month, and once aware of it, travelled to Stirchley on the 4th March 2023, but it wasn't there. Saw it again from the bus almost a month later, so made my way back to Stirchley to see if it was still there!

dndimg alt="Cadbury" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury%20Creme%20Egg%2028032023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the snow of 9th March 2023, I got a train from Birmingham New Street to Bournville. Had a snowy walk past the Cadbury chocolate factory, and around to Cadbury World.

I found this Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste, Mini Monster Truck. Well its a former taxi / Hackney carriage, jacked up as a monster truck! Seen covered in snow. It was really cold that day in Bournville.

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

Dawson and Timmins, the co-founders of the Shakespeare Memorial Library

On the 28th February 2023, two blue plaques were unveiled at the Shakespeare Memorial Room, Level 9 of the Library of Birmingham. One of Samuel Timmins (it was placed in Elvetham Road, Edgbaston) and George Dawson (outside the room at the Skyline Viewpoint room). There is also an exhibition on from Everything to Everybody Shakespeare, for visitors to see.

The Heroic Age in Birmingham History

The Heroic Age in Birmingham History is part of the Everything to Everybody Project. It started on the 27th February and runs to the 12th April 2023. A collaboration between the Jewellery Quarter Research Trust and Everything to Everybody. They have worked together to explore the formation of Our Shakespeare Club and the people behind it. Free entry.

A quick look at this exhibition on Saturday 4th March 2023, was a lot of people in there, only really came up for the George Dawson blue plaque, which wasn't outside the room that day. There is images of Dawson, Timmins and Bunce on three of the walls up here. There was books in the glass display tables.

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dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A return visit to the Shakespeare Memorial Room on Thursday 16th March 2023, this time got the room to myself. Mission accomplished this time, as I got the George Dawson blue plaque, now on the wall outside of the room that he inspired. Probably best to see it during a weekday, compared to a Saturday (closed on Sunday's).

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Link to Everything to Everybody 

Birmingham City Council page on The Heroic Age in Birmingham

 

Samuel Timmins

Samuel 'Sam:' Timmins (1826-1902) lived at 18 Elvetham Road, Edgbaston. Also called Elvetham Lodge. Timmins was a co-founder of the Shakespeare Memorial Library. Timmins was a learned industrialist, lover of libraries and literature. The blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society was unveiled in the Shakespeare Memorial Room on the 28th February 2023, and was placed a few days later on his former home in Edgbaston. Seen on the 4th March 2023.

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

George Dawson

On the 4th March 2023, the George Dawson blue plaque was not yet screwed to the wall outside of the Shakespeare Memorial Room, but the existing tablets, from the old Central Libraries, and the previous blue plaque up here for Marie Bethell Beauclerc were on the wall.

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I waited a couple of weeks for them to put the blue plaque up, and returned on the 16th March 2023. George Dawson (1821-1876) was a champion of the Civic Gospel, promoting responsible local government and education, arts and culture for all. He inspired the world's first great Shakespeare Library. Dawson bust has been up here on Level 9 in the Skyline Viewpoint room since it opened in September 2013, but the glass case for that and the other marble busts is a recent addition.

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Previous post on the Shakespeare Memorial Room

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Taxi exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum in 2019

I've been to the Coventry Transport Museum around three times between 2015 and 2019, when entry used to be free (has been an entrance fee since 2020). The last time I went around March 2019, for an exhibition called TAXI: The Story from A to B (was on at the time from January to May 2019). Had UK taxis as well as taxis from around the world. Including New York and Tokyo.

Coventry Transport Museum is a short distance away from Pool Meadow Bus Station. So if you don't get the train, you can catch the X1 bus from Birmingham (takes over an hour, via the Airport and NEC). On these visits I used to start by going to Esquires Coffee, before going into the museum (it is now Baxter Baristas @ 16 Hales Street).

 

TAXI: The Story from A to B

From horse drawn to horse power, the history of the taxi is much older than you think. From record breaking cabs that drove around the world, to hackney carriages throughout the ages. This is the Story from A to B.

Free Admission (not on the meter). It was on from the 26th January to 12th May 2019.

Did you know that the much loved feature of London streets has been made in Coventry since the 1940s?

They have been ferrying millions of passengers around the UK and in more than 40 countries.

The recent TX4 black cab model has starred in more than 5000 films including in James Bond, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes.

 

Here is some of the taxis that was on display in this temporary exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum, back in 2019.

 

Humber Laudette 1910 London Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

FX3 1948-1958

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX1 1997-2017

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sent to Coventry - 2 Tone Taxi - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Japan Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

New York Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Get Taxi Breaking a World Record - It's on the Meter World Taxi Challenge

Aston University, Birmingham, QUT Business School.

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rickshaw

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Tuk Tuk

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX E City Electric Future

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry

I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.

Coventry Station

Arriving at Coventry Station on Avanti West Coast Pendolino Flying Scouseman 390 148 on the 23rd February 2023. Mainly to have a look around the new Coventry Station concourse (the old 1960s building remains as is Grade II listed). Caught at Birmingham New Street, this train was going down the West Coast Mainline towards London Euston. The train stopped at platform 2. After my walk around Coventry (via War Memorial Park and the City Centre), I got Cross Country Trains back to Birmingham New Street (standing all the way, no free seats).

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dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The previous time I'd been to Coventry Station was on the 12th June 2021, where I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010, with the 'Welcome to Coventry' sign. That day I got Avanti down to Coventry from Birmingham New Street, and later back with this train.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20Cov%20(Jun%202021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham International Station

I previously saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 152 at Birmingham International on the 3rd September 2022. But that day got London Northwestern Railway back to Birmingham New Street. This Avanti service was heading for Edinburgh at the time.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham New Street Station

Seen from platform 4c at Birmingham New Street was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 135 at platform 5 (5b) on the 19th June 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20390%20BNSS%2019062021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While at platform 3 (3b) that day was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 122.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A pair of Avanti West Coast Pendolino's Class 390 recorded at Birmingham New Street, from the Moor Street Link Bridge on the 17th October 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2017102021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

At Birmingham New Street on the 20th August 2020,  I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 127 in the new livery. Earlier that year before the pandemic began, they were still white, after the end of Virgin Trains in December 2019.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221

Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.

Centro Regional Railways 323221

West Midlands Railway repainted the Class 323 unit 323221 in the 1990s livery of lime green, yellow and white with Centro and Regional Railways logos at the Soho depot. It returned to service on the 19th December 2022.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown first spotted it at Selly Oak near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal a day later (near Selly Oak Shopping Park on 20/12/2022), but was unable to get a photo of it.

Several other attempts to see it including a trip from Five Ways to Longbridge (and back to Kings Norton on 21/12/2022), then Birmingham New Street to Aston (and back from Duddeston on 01/01/2023), finally Bournville to Birmingham New Street one way (on 28/01/2023), didn't catch it.

 

Previous liveries over the years

London Midland 323221 at Aston Station during August 2012.

dndimg alt="Aston Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LM%20323221%20Aston%20(Aug%202012).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

London Midland 323221 at Witton Station during September 2012.

dndimg alt="London Midland" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Witton%20Station%20(Sep%202012)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

London Midland 323221 at Bournville Station during January 2015.

dndimg alt="London Midland" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bournville%20Station%20(Jan%202015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 in London Midland livery, late December 2017, at Birmingham New Street Station. The franchise changed that month.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%20(Dec%202017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Chester Road Station during December 2018.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chester%20Road%20West%20Midlands%20Railway%20323221.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Selly Oak Station during August 2019.

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University Station - 11th February 2023

On this day I went to the Selly Oak Shopping Park and walked up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to catch a train one way from University to Birmingham New Street. And I finally got 323221 arriving on a service to Redditch! It was quite awesome to see. The station here is still not complete. At the front that day was 323204.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The platforms here feel extra long, but don't walk past the no pedestrians sign at the end.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Sometime in the future you will be able to use both sides of the new station building, but it is still not open or complete.

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

First full view of the back of 323221 in it's "new" Regional Railways livery.

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

These units still had this livery into the Central Trains era, but was changed to a darker green, yellow and white livery under London Midland from 2007 to 2017.

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

Eventually when West Midlands Railway took over in 2017, they got a orange and white livery. They are due to be replaced by the new Class 730 Aventra with orange and purple livery sometime in the future, by 2024.

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

 

Video clip on Youtube here West Midlands Railway 323 at University.

 

Birmingham New Street Station - 15th February 2023

A few days later, I went to Birmingham New Street to get the train to Shenstone in Staffordshire, to see the Annatomix mural. And guess what, Centro Regional Railways 323221 showed up at platform 8! So I got on it and had a half hour ride to Shenstone. While there was 11am emergency alarms tests at the station, but departed a few minutes later.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Class 323's have a big gap between the platform if they are curved, so MIND THE GAP.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The refurbished interior is unchanged from when West Midlands Railway did up the entire fleet from 2018 to 2021.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

My walk around the village of Shenstone gave me time to get back to the station and back on West Midlands Railway 323221 in Regional Railways Centro livery, and back to Birmingham New Street. Arriving at platform 12.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Shenstone Station - 15th February 2023

Between Sutton Coldfield and Staffordshire as usual is all the fields, and after that Shenstone is the first station outside of the WMCA. Got off West Midlands Railway 323221 at Shenstone. It was a bit bright from this side as I exited the station. Couldn't initially saw the Annatomix. A half hour walk around the village, found three pubs, and several old churches.

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The station building at Shenstone probably dates to 1884 but isn't listed, sunlight to bright from this side, was better to see from the car park.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Up the steps to Lynn Lane, for a half hour walk around Shenstone.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After the walk, back to Shenstone Station. The Annatomix was in the bike store area on platform 2. This time 323221 was at the back, with 323207 at the front, still I decided to get on 323221 again for the half hour train ride back to Birmingham New Street from Shenstone.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

323207 passed under the Lynn Lane bridge.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Six carriages on three car sets linked together. The WMR livery contrasts with the Centro Regional Railways livery behind.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Yellow doors with the Centro logo, press the button to open the doors when it lights up.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown