Winterbourne House and Garden

One of the hidden delights of Birmingham is Winterbourne House and Garden. Almost immediately, on entering the garden after buying tickets, an elderly man, sitting on a bench, started talking to us. He had this avuncular tone and seemed to be a permanent fixture of the garden. After some chatting, he recommended that we take … Continue reading / view photos Winterbourne House and Garden

Brummie bull

The star of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games‘ opening ceremony was the mechanical bull. Ten metres tall and weighing 2.5 tonnes, it was moved to Centenary Square near the central library during the Games. The bull was due to be dismantled after the Games. However, it has already become a big visitor attraction. Despite appearances, … Continue reading / view photos Brummie bull

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

I vaguely remember visiting Birmingham about 30 years ago. It was dour and uninspiring. If you’ve not been to Birmingham recently, it’s a different place: a modern city with a high percentage of young people. The Commonwealth Games have added a buzz to the UK’s second largest city. The centre looks vibrant, the trams are … Continue reading / view photos Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Lockdown in Birmingham

For an unrelated reason, on 23 March, I went to Birmingham. I’d planned to stay a week. Later that day, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that the UK would be going into lockdown! I could have got the train back. I think it was permissible to return home but I wasn’t sure. However, … Continue reading / view photos Lockdown in Birmingham

Walking in Birmingham

In the 1980s, someone I worked with, Ken, often spoke about Birmingham in the office. Most of us had never been there but had heard the cliches about its dreariness and joked about it with him. Ken stayed in London during weekdays but went back to Birmingham over the weekend. Eventually, he invited a few … Continue reading / view photos Walking in Birmingham

The Custard Factory

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. John F Kennedy I’m not sure what the connection with JFK is but there’s a large mosaic mural of him on the way to The Custard Factory, a colourful corner of Birmingham. It’s full of an eclectic mix of shops and … Continue reading / view photos The Custard Factory