Victoria Square - View from 103, Key to the City

In June 2022, Elliott was gifted the Key to the City by the lady behind the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts. He visited 103 Colmore Row for views from the 18th floor balcony four times between June and August 2022. Here are the changing views of Victoria Square. Including during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Having missed the February 2022 meet at 103 Colmore Row, Elliott was promised to get the key to 103 Colmore Row. He was gifted it by the lady who runs the 103 Colmore Row Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Between June and August, he went up four times. Usually as the view of Victoria Square kept changing. He always went on Saturday's.

Every time you arrive, you show your key to one of the Key to the City volunteers. The wait in the foyer could be anywhere between 20 minutes and 50 minutes (especially near the end of the Commonwealth Games). You would get a slot of 10 to 15 minutes to go up the fastest lift to the 18th floor, for views from the balcony.

It was an opportunity to get views of Victoria Square. When street art was painted ahead of the games, Elliott went twice on two Saturday's in July. And one final time in August on Super Saturday, while the 60th Jamaican Independence Day was being celebrated.

11th June 2022

General views down to Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

River and Youth aka the Floozie in the Jacuzzi was flowing again.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20V103%20KtC%2011062022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hew Locke reimagined the Queen Victoria statue as an artwork called Foreign Exchange (with the IKON Gallery). It would remain here for two months (until the middle of August 2022). Sir Antony Gormey's Iron: Man statue seen to the left.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew%20Locke%20QV%20V103%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hew%20Locke%20QV%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Council House from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Council%20House%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Council%20House%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Victoria Square House from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Vic%20Sq%20Hse%2011062022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Vic%20Sq%20Hse%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Town Hall from above.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/V103%20Victoria%20Sq%2011062022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

16th July 2022

Second visit to the 18th floor balcony, to see the artwork being painted called Connections by the artist Anjuli McKenna, in Victoria Square. It was half complete at this point.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange artwork with Iron: Man as it was meant to be seen.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Connections%20B2022%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Town Hall again, this time with a Perry the Bull banner on Beneficial House behind.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry%20the%20Bull%20TH%20V103%20KTTC%2016072022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

23rd July 2022

One week on, and the Victoria Square Fan Zone was almost complete, several days before the start of the Commonwealth Games. Also to see the Connections street art in Victoria Square fully complete. There was now a stage in the square, and would be the finish point for the Birmingham Marathona week later. The West Midlands Metro trams were also now running all the way between Wolverhampton St George's and Edgbaston Village.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Metro trams passing Victoria Square and stopping at Town Hall Tram Stop, in both directions.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

See more of that day here Riding trams in Zone 1.

6th August 2022

Super Saturday, and the final weekend of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the City Centre was very busy. It was also the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence which was being celebrated in Victoria Square at the time. This would be my final visit to 103 Colmore Row, before Key to the City ended the following day.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/JI60%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2006082022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Thank you to 103 Colmore Row, the Key to the City volunteers, to Fierce and Yale Locks.

Next up is PoliNations in September 2022, but will have to get views from Victoria Square itself.

Photography by Elliott Brown

The Big Egg Hunt in Victoria Square, February 2013

Lets time travel back to February 2013, when for a week, The Big Egg Hunt was on around Birmingham City Centre. 101 eggs to find. These were the eggs that were in Victoria Square at the time. Plus some Lindt Gold bunny's! The trail went nationwide at the time. Does anyone remember them? Hope everyone had a nice 2nd Covid Easter Bank Holiday Weekend break at home.

THE BIG EGG HUNT

VICTORIA SQUARE

FEBRUARY 2013

Coming to Central Birmingham in the last week of February 2013, was The Big Egg Hunt. A trail of 101 painted Easter Eggs. The trail went around all the major Cities in the UK, including Birmingham. And they would be auctioned off at the end of the trail for charity.

There was loads of Easter Eggs in Victoria Square, too many to take in one go, so I only took photos of a couple of them at the time. This view to the Council House.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Humpty Dumpty to the far left, a Lindt Gold Bunny on the right.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The charity was Action for Children. The trail was fun for kids and adults alike to see.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View of all the Big Eggs towards 130 Colmore Row, at the Colmore Row corner with Waterloo Street. This was the site from 1901 to 1970 of Galloway's Corner.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A Frugal Meal

Near the bottom of the steps at Victoria Square was this caricature of King George III eating a egg in a egg cup. A Frugal Meal by the artist Charlie Billingham. Lot No. 14.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Leafy Abstract

This green egg looked a bit like a dinosaur egg. Was near the bottom of the steps close to one of the Sphinx Guardians. Leafy Abstract by the artist Laura Morrison. Lot No. 41.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Humpty Dumpty

Careful that you don't knock Humpty Dumpty over or he'd break up into a million of pieces!

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Lindt Gold Bunny

One of the Lindt Gold Bunny's in Victoria Square at the time.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Lindt Gold Bunny

A giant Lindt Gold Bunny surrounded by fences.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More Lindt Gold Bunny's

About four Lindt Gold Bunny's outside of the main entrance to the Council House, with Starbucks Coffee to the right.

dndimg alt="The Big Egg Hunt" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Egg Hunt VS (Feb 2013) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hope you had a nice Easter 2021 and Passover 5781.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Whatever happened to Antony Gormley's Iron:Man in Victoria Square?

Iron:Man by Anthony Gormley was originally located in Victoria Square from 1993 until it was moved to storage in 2017. Originally named Untitled but nicknamed as Iron:Man. The TSB used to be in Victoria Square House and it was their gift to the City (until their HQ moved to Bristol). When will it return and where will it go?

Iron:Man by Antony Gormley

The statue of the Iron:Man used to be located in Victoria Square from March 1993 until it was removed to storage in September 2017, to make way for the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square. While this extension opened in December 2019, Antony Gormley's Iron:Man has yet to return. As new paving was being laid in Victoria Square. And as far as I am aware, it is not yet finished (I've not been back to the City Centre in 3 months of lockdown, but have seen other peoples recent photos of the square).

It was originally a gift to the city from the TSB whose headquarters used to be in Victoria Square House. Unveiled in 1993. It was originally named Untitled but gained the nickname Iron:Man from locals. It is made of iron. The TSB moved out of Victoria Square House when they merged with Lloyds Bank in 1995.

The statue was cast at the Firth Rixon Castings in Willenhall. It represented the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country.

The statue remained in place for many years, it was suggested that it be relocate to Bristol which was the new headquarters location of Lloyds TSB. But as it was a gift to the City of Birmingham it remained here. But it was removed to storage in September 2017 ahead of the building of the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square (Grand Central Tram Stop to Library Tram Stop).

I would assume that it could return to Victoria Square later in 2020 if the paving is finished.

Iron:Man maquette at the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre

During my September 2018 visit to the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre, while I did not find the full sized Iron:Man, I did find this maquette.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man maquette" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Maquette (Sept 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This was Antony Gormley's preliminary model made out of painted plaster.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man maquette" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Maquette (Sept 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It apparently used to be located at the the Public Art Commissions Agency in the Jewellery Quarter, but for whatever reason, it ended up in storage here in the warehouse.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man maquette" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Maquette (Sept 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Iron:Man in Victoria Square until 2017

My first photo of the Iron:Man was taken during April 2009, when I started going around Birmingham with my camera. Here backed with the Town Hall.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Apr 2009).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The next view of the Iron:Man was taken during May 2009 facing Victoria Square House.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (May 2009).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was on during November 2009, with this Iron:Man view. You can also see the old 103 Colmore Row AKA National Westminster House by the late John Madin.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Nov 2009).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Iron:Man seen during May 2011. Union Jack bunting was up around Victoria Square near the Town Hall during the early May Bank Holiday weekend that followed the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Aston Villa fan Prince William and Catherine Middleton).

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (May 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was Armed Forces Day in Victoria Square during June 2011. There was members of the British Armed Forces in uniform near the Iron:Man.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (June 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Including members of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and British Army. The Iron:Man had been in this slanted position since being installed back in 1993.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (June 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The snow of January 2013 as I headed past the Iron:Man towards Broad Street. Probably the only timed I've caught the Iron:Man covered in snow!

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Jan 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Back to Spring like weather in April 2013. And the Iron:Man was witness to the English Market at the St George's Day Celebrations that year.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Apr 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Iron:Man in September 2013 with a British Red Cross tent during the 4 Squares Weekender.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Sept 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Caught a glimpse of the Iron:Man in Victoria Square during June 2014 when the Lord Mayors Show 2014 was being held. At the time there was some men doing bike tricks near the Council litter pickers!

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (June 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of my last views of the Iron:Man. The view below taken in August 2017. A month before being removed to storage.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Aug 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Last views in September 2017. A seagull was standing on Iron:Man's head. And left bird mess on top of it.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Sept 2017) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Pink Midland Metro Alliance barriers and fences had gone around the statue, as workmen were preparing to remove the statue and take it to storage. About a week after this it was gone.

dndimg alt="Iron:Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IronMan Victoria Sq (Sept 2017) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Iron:Man had been in storage now for almost 3 years. When will he return? Where exactly in Victoria Square will he be placed? Perhaps in front of the Town Hall? Could he come back near the end of 2020?

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

The statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Square

The original marble statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled in Victoria Square on the 10th January 1901 (12 days before her death). It was sculpted by Thomas Brock. The statue had to be replaced with a bronze casting in 1951 by the sculptor William Bloye. In 2011 a new bronze sceptre was installed. And the statue was conserved in 2018 by the Birmingham Civic Society.

The Statue of Queen Victoria, Victoria Square, Birmingham

In 2018 the Birmingham Civic Society gave the statue of Queen Victoria a deep clean, which saw scaffolding go up around April 2018. By May 2018 it was looking as good as new. Back in 2011 a new bronze sceptre was installed to replace the long missing one.

The PMSA has a detailed description of the history of the statue, now preserved on the Web Archive.

Mr W. H. Barber who was a Birmingham solicitor and benefactor of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, offered to present the first outdoor statue of Queen Victoria to Birmingham in 1897, during the Diamond Jubilee year. He considered Thomas Brock to be the most suitable sculptor. Barber insisted that it be an enlarged replica of Brock's statue at Worcester Hall. The City accepted the offer on the 27th July 1897 and the completed work was unveiled 12 days before the death of Queen Victoria, on the 10th January 1901. It was in an outside space original named Council House Square, renamed to Victoria Square.

The original statue was made of white marble standing on a pedestal of dark Cornish granite. The figure of the Queen made more monumental with long state robes. The statue remained here, at one point statues of John Skirrow Wright and Joseph Priestley were here until 1913. Only to be replaced by the statue of King Edward VII.

During the VE Day celebrations on the 8th May 1945, there were men sitting on top of the statue, and the orb was badly damaged. The statue remained in place until 1950.

The square was redesigned in 1950 as a permanent work marking the Festival of Britain in 1951. The statue of King Edward VII was moved to Highgate Park, and as the marble original of Queen Victoria had weathered badly, Birmingham City Council and the Birmingham Civic Society provided a grant towards reproducing it in bronze.

The old statue was removed from Victoria Square on the 13th March 1950, and it was renovated by William Bloye who cast it in bronze. It returned on the 25th May 1951 and erected on a pedestal of light coloured Cornish granite. It was unveiled on the 9th June 1951 by the Princess Elizabeth (now our current Queen from 6th February 1952 to present).

In 1993 Victoria Square was pedestrianised and included new sculptures by Dhruva Mistry and Antony Gormley. The statue of Queen Victoria was moved slightly at the time. The square was re-opened by the Princess of Wales on the 6th May 1993.

More recently, the Birmingham Civic Society had a new bronze Sceptre made, to replace the one long since missing, this was done in February 2011. Scaffolding went up around the statue in late April 2018 for a deep clean. By the following month it was looking as good as new. New paving continues to be installed around Victoria Square, this started in 2019 as Town Hall Tram Stop was opened on Paradise Street, and continues well into 2020.

2009

My first photos of the statue of Queen Victoria were taken in April 2009, when I started going around Birmingham with my then Fujifilm compact camera. The brilliant blue sky going into Chamberain Square behind.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

As you can see the tip of the Sceptre was missing. It would be replaced for another two years.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some views of the statue taken during August 2009. By then I had my first Fujifilm bridge camera. So got some new photos of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up and you still see that the tip of the Sceptre was missing.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2009) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The statue always works quite well with the late 19th Century Council House architecture.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2009) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

During the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, in November 2009, you could see the statue of Queen Victoria to the left of a Helter Skelter ride.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this view of the statue you can see the original 103 Colmore Row which was designed by John Madin (now being replaced). It was built from 1973 and opened in 1976. It was demolished in 2016. Was known as National Westminster House.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was also a carrousel to the right, which returns to Victoria Square every Christmas season with the BFCM.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2009) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2011

The tip of the Sceptre was replaced by February 2011, completing the statue as it was originally meant to look.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

But the bronze was looking a bit weathered even back in 2011.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Forward flag was flying on the top of the Town Hall, as you can see Queen Victoria holding her Orb.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the back you can hardly tell that the tip of the Sceptre was brand new!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2013

Probably the only time I've seen the statue of Queen Victoria covered in snow was back in January 2013. This was the snowfall on the 18th January 2013. It was so cold and the snow was falling!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In September 2013 was 4 Squares Weekender. This was held over the weekend of the 6th to 8th September 2013. Members of Nofit State Circus were standing on the roof of a caravan. There was flags and buntings all over the square at the time.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Sept 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I wonder if the Queen was amused or not? It was the weekend celebrating the opening of the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Sept 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2015

Now onto December 2015 with the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market again. To the right of the statue of Queen Victoria was a pair of portacabins, with the top one saying Merry Christmas! Heart 100.7.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Dec 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind all the huts of the BFCM was the annual Happy Christmas Birmingham lit up on the Council House. With it's line of lions above.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Dec 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

Seen on Remembrance Sunday in Victoria Square during November 2017. It was on the 12th November 2017 as a crowd gathered around Birmingham's Cenotaph at the time in front of the Council House. As the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham led the Service of Remembrance (this was moved to Colmore Row / Cathedral Square in 2018 and 2019).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The view from January 2018, as Queen Victoria has a new backing into Chamberlain Square with the then being built One Chamberlain Square. It was heavily raining at the time. This was around the time that Carillion went into liquidation (and would be months before BAM took over).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In April 2018, Birmingham was celebrating the end of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia, while looking forward to the games in Birmingham in 2022. Birmingham was being broadcast live to the world at the time, as big performance took place in the square. A couple of 2022 flags to the right of the statue of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few weeks later, scaffolding went up around the statue for it's deep clean. The statue goes well with the columns of the Town Hall, and you can see One Chamberlain Square to the right through the columns.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A few days after the scaffolding got a bit of a roof. The Birmingham Civic Society had the statue given a deep clean. It would look as good as new the next time I saw it.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (April 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Wow! What a result! By May 2018 the statue of Queen Victoria was looking amazing after the conservation work that took place the month before. Crane to the left at Paradise Birmingham. BAM had taken over One Chamberlain Square and started Two Chamberlain Square by this point in time.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (May 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It is now July 2018. New steps had been built around the base of the statue of Queen Victoria, while the hoardings of the West Midlands Metro extension were in front of her.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (July 2018) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I also saw this view down Pinfold Street at the time towards Birmingham New Street Station. A contrast between modern architecture and Victorian architecture. With Victoria Square House to the right.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (July 2018) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

During August 2018, I got this view of the Town Hall, One Chamberlain Square, the Queen Victoria statue and the Council House in one shot.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Aug 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now pink and blue adverts on the West Midlands Metro extension hoardings in October 2018. Was temporary tarmac around the new steps. Victoria Square House directly in front of the Queen and No. 1 Victoria Square to the right. The Beetham Tower is seen down Hill Street.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Oct 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In November 2018, I was in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House for the first Annual Birmingham We Are event that I attended. And got this view of the statue of Queen Victoria, facing the construction site of the West Midlands Metro extension. Lots of temporary tarmac around, as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market would soon be back again.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Nov 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

I got this view in February 2019 of the Queen Victoria statue. With the Town Hall, Chamberlain Memorial and One Chamberlain Square behind. The view behind has changed quite a lot in 10 years!

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was a temporary guest in Victoria Square during May 2019, the Knife Angel. Queen Victoria shining to the left. While you can also see the Town Hall, Two Chamberlain Square, the Chamberlain Memorial and One Chamberlain Square. I'd previously seen the Knife Angel in Coventry in March 2019. It was by Alfie Bradley. It was still on a Nationwide tour when the pandemic and lockdown hit in 2020. (Click the link above to check out my Knife Angel post).

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (May 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2020

The Birmingham We Are annual event took place once again at the Banqueting Suite in the Council House in January 2020 (delayed from December 2019 due to the General Election). Here you can see West Midlands Metro tram 20 passing the statue of Queen Victoria.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2020) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Town Hall Tram Stop opened in December 2019 and there was now regular tram services to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square. Meanwhile some of the paving around Victoria Square was complete, but was a lot left to do. This is unique with a blue tram going past the statue.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Jan 2020) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In early February 2020, I was walking around Paradise Circus Queensway, when I saw this view towards Victoria Square House down what used to be Congreve Passage, and would could be Congreve Street again in the future.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Zooming in through the gate, I got this view of the Queen Victoria statue between Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery / The Council House and Victoria Square House. The shiny new Birmingham New Street Station is just about visible between the two Victorian buildings. Hopefully one day in the future it will be possible to walk from this direction into Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. It's been blocked off since 2015.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

About 5 days later in Victoria Square, and the new steps with rails, which was completed by the end of 2019, when Town Hall Tram Stop opened. A safer way to head up to the statue of Queen Victoria. This was my last close up photo of the statue before the pandemic / lockdown was declared in late March 2020. I have got one photo of the Council House from early March 2020, but it's not directly at the statue.

dndimg alt="Queen Victoria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen Victoria statue (Feb 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

The British Armed Forces over the years in Victoria Square

Over the years, I have seen the British Armed Forces (RAF, Royal Navy or British Army) in Victoria Square for a variety of reasons. For recruitment, for Armed Forces Day, or even for the 100th Anniversary of the forming of the RAF. Click the post below for a gallery of photos. Including various military vehicles that were in the square at the time.

2011

ABF The Soldiers Charity

This was on the 9th April 2011. The Lord Mayor's Big Curry was also held in Victoria Square this day.

Army Band.

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

JCB

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Rapier - a surface-to-air-missle for the British Army and Royal Air Force.

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Lord Mayor's Big Curry.

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="ABF The Soldiers Charity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria Sq ABF Soldiers Charity (April 2011) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Armed Forces Day

This was held on the 25th June 2011 in Victoria Square.

Army ambulance.

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

BBC WM.

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Royal Air Force simulator ride.

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Iron:Man observes the RAF Reserves.

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Royal Navy.

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Armed Forces Day" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Armed Forces Day Victoria Sq (Jun 2011) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2014

Join the Army

Army recruitment drive on the 18th January 2014 in Victoria Square.

Army excavator.

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Royal Monmouthshre Royal Engineers (Militia).

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Land Rover Defender for the Army. Mobile base of operations.

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Toyota Hilux with the army recruitment.

dndimg alt="British Army" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/British Army Victoria Sq (Jan 2014) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

RAF 100

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918 over the August Bank Holiday weekend from the 25th to the 27th August 2018. Although you could see the planes here before it opened on the 24th August 2018.

Typhoon Full Scale Replica.

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Supermarine Spitfire Mk1A.

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

RAF Charity and the Red Arrows (sadly the weather was not good enough that weekend for a Red Arrows flypast).

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="RAF 100" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RAF 100 Victoria Sq (Aug 2018) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

Birmingham, the Frankfurt Christmas Market - November 2019

I went down to the edge of the Frankfurt Chrismas Market, a bit too intense for me to venture inside on the first weekend but I got some more magical scenes of this fantastic attraction in Victoria Square.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2604b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2592b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2583b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2579b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2548b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2532b_FCM.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Daniel Sturley

More of the Frankfurt Christmas Market...

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2019

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is setting up in Victoria Square, here's a sneak peek at some of the magical scenes to be found once open soon.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2317b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2346b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2351b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2354b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2357b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2360b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2366b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2378b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2394b_FCM19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Daniel Sturley

A black labrador called Ebony and why Victoria Square is such a historic gem of Birmingham!

Ebony was a black labrador who worked alongside her owner Larry Bae, a stonemason from Harborne. Ebony could be seen wearing a high vis during the revamping of Victoria Square during 1992-93. This plaque is in memory of Ebony.

Take our post for more about Birmingham's fascinating Victoria Square.

The original Victoria statue by Thomas Brock was erected in 1901 as part of the opening of Victoria Square, and was made of marble. Queen Victoria died 12 days later. The statue was recast in 1951 by William Bloye in bronze. The latest square, opened in 1994 by Diana, Princess of Wales has as its main feature an amazing water feature ‘The River’ by Dhruva Mistry which includes the famous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_1021b.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/pat taylor 01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Pat Taylor

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_2135b_Brum.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

Surrounded by 21st Century construction Queen Victoria surveys the scene.         

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_6355b_002.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

The magnificent Birmingham Council House - Victoria Square (October 2018). Grade II* listed. Built 1874-79 from a design by H R Yeoville Thomason.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Council House Victoria Square (October 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Did you know?  The Council House is a Grade II* listed building and has its own postcode.  The open space which is now Victoria Square (containing a water feature and steps) was once occupied by Christ Church (built 1805–13, demolished 1899 to be replaced by shops and offices – the Christ Church buildings, themselves demolished 1970).

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Council House.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by  Fay Loewy

The fountain, which is actually named The River but dubbed the 'Floozie' by locals, however, due to leaks and costly repairs, it resulted in the fountain being turned off in 2013 and then transformed into an elaborate flower display two years after.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brum_SLR_046b.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/damien 0307.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Damien Walmsley

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/karl 030420.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Karl Newton

Victoria Square  is often seen as the most central point of the city, where people can get together to celebrate, share and showcase. Below are a few events that have taken place over the years and continue to do so, but there are many more including the Frankfurt German Market, which began in Victoria Square in 2001, and still takes place every year.

Birmingham Pride 2017

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_8495.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Surley

Commonwealth games hand-over April 2018

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hand over 200418.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Remembrance Sunday (this photo from November 2017)

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Remembrance Sunday Victoria Square 12112017 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

The Chelsea Flower Show - Birmingham Entry July 2018

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_5413b_002.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley

Velo (May 2019)

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown

Throughout all of the regeneration around Victoria square over the years, Queen Victoria still watches over.  Below are the statues of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert, held in the magnificent Birmingham Council House.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Council House Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown