Jack's visit to National SEA LIFE Birmingham

Birmingham We Are's Jack Babington went to the National SEA LIFE Birmingham with the Nechells POD group on the 11th August 2023. Enjoy the selection of photos taken by Jack on his visit. The National Sea Life Centre is an aquarium that opened in 1996 in a building designed by Sir Norman Foster. Close to the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline at Old Turn Junction. 

The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham opened at Brindleyplace, near the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline not far from Old Turn Junction in 1996. The building was designed by Sir Norman Foster.

The building houses various fish species, turtles, penguins and more.

In Victorian times, the site was the location of two canal basisn in Oozells Street Wharf.

 

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown remembers going at least twice after it opened in 1996. The first visit had a long queue going towards the NIA! But didn't take any photos 27 years ago! (he only had a compact film camera back then).

 

On the 11th August 2023, Jack Babington joined the Nechells POD for a visit to the National Sea Life Centre, some of his photos taken that day are below.

The main entrance to the Sea Life Centre from near Central Square in Brindleyplace.

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One of the tanks with a penguin swimming inside of it.

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Beware of pirates! A skeleton and pirate flag.

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A LEGO pirate ship, with a LGBTQ+ flag flying proud.

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A member of staff feeds the fish as visitors watch on.

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A Gentoo penguin pokes it's head above the water.

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Papuan toby fish.

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Chinese pond turtle.

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Did you know .... we were born in 1996! Our Cylinder Tank is one of our oldest tanks here. Are you older or younger than our tank?

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The gift shop. Buy 3 for £15.

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The underwater tunnel tube with a man dressed as a pirate!

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Actinia.

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Photography by Jack Babington

Gold winning 2023 Birmingham Parks re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show piece at Cannon Hill Park

In May 2023, Cofton Nursery on behalf of Birmingham City Council, once again won Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show with their winning entry Birmingham Parks. In July 2023, they are re-creating it at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston. Located close to Mini Golf and the tennis courts. Was a rainy day when I found it.

Usually Cofton Nursery would split their Gold winning Chelsea Flower Show display between Victoria Square and Cathedral Square. But Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre is unavailable due to the public realm works, and the renovation works at the Birmingham Council House, and Cathedral Square not used this time, maybe as the Cathedral is under scaffolding for the Divine Beauty project.

 

But in the past, Cofton Nursery have put previous Chelsea Flower Show winning displays in Cannon Hill Park (or part of the displays).

In July 2023, they installed a partial re-creation of their winning entry in Cannon Hill Park, located close to Mini Golf and the tennis courts.

It is called Birmingham Parks.

 

It was raining a lot on the walk into the park from the Pershore Road entrance (near the Wildlife Conservation Park) and the bridges near the Queen's Ride car park.

But the rain started to slow down or stop by the time I located the piece.

It looks a bit incomplete.

They will probably complete it in a few weeks time when they have more staff to do it. Looks good so far.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

Walk up the Tame Valley Canal from Tame Bridge Parkway towards Great Barr

I got the train to Tame Bridge Parkway Station in Sandwell, and had a walk in the hot weather along part of the Tame Valley Canal. This bit goes near the M5 and M6 motorways. I got off at the Newton Road Bridge in Great Barr (then tried to make my way to Hamstead for the next train to Birmingham). Was probably too hot and humid to do the walk.

After arriving at Tame Bridge Parkway Station on Saturday 24th June 2023, left the station via the entrance / exit on the Walsall Road, then headed onto Navigation Lane, to get onto the Tame Valley Canal.

 

Stonecross Bridge

The Stonecross Bridge, also called Friar Park Bridge or the Walsall Road Bridge. I did not walk in that direction, as was heading to a couple of aqueducts nearby.

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Navigation Lane Aqueduct

This aqueduct crosses over Navigation Lane, and is Grade II listed. Was built 1841-44.

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Grand Junction Aqueduct

This aqueduct is near Tame Bridge Parkway Station (opened in 1990). Was built over the Grand Junction Railway (now part of the Birmingham New Street via Perry Barr to Walsall line). Grade II listed, it opened in 1844. There is good views of the station from up here, as well as to the Bescot Yard, Bescot Stadium and The RAC building near the M6 motorway.

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M5 Motorway Aqueduct

The next aqueduct crosses over the M5 motorway, to the north west, with it's junction with the M6. The River Tame is also near here, but didn't see it.

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River Tame Aqueduct

One more aqueduct, this one crosses over the River Tame. Only had views of the M6 heading in this direction, or the Birmingham skyline and nearby tower blocks.

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Grey Heron

On the section of the Tame Valley Canal beyond the first M5 crossing, saw several grey herons.

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Rushall Junction

At this point on the Tame Valley Canal, is Rushall Junction where it joins onto the Rushall Canal. The Rushall Junction Bridge on the left.

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Rushall Canal

The start of the Rushall Canal from the Rushall Junction Bridge on the Tame Valley Canal. Bridge in front carries the M6 motorway. Catshill Junction is about 8 miles and 9 locks away on this canal.

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Brickfields Bridge

At this point, the towpath switches sides at the Brickfields Bridge. Behind is a pair of M5 motorway bridges, which go from the south west to north east, and join onto the M6. This footbridge is Grade II listed and dates to 1844.

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M5 Link Road Bridge 1

The first M5 link bridge can be seen from the Brickfields Bridge as you cross it, or as you walk or cycle under it. This is for traffic heading to the end of the M5 and onto the M6 going east.

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M5 Link Road Bridge 2

The second M5 link bridge. Seen after walking under it. This is for traffic leaving the M6 and heading onto the M5 motorway, heading south west.

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Brickfields Turnover Bridge

One more Victorian footbridge. Grade II listed, it dates to 1844. Formerly a road bridge apparently. Not sure where it went, but was a man fishing on the other side, and someone with their dog. The Brickfields Turnover Bridge probably links to nearby Chatsworth Avenue.

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Newton Road Bridge

A very high (compared to the canal) road bridge on Newton Road in Great Barr. I took my exit here. Was very hot and sweaty by this point.

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Could of continued to Hamstead and Perry Barr, but left at Great Barr, then tried to get to Hamstead on foot. But at one point caught a no 16 bus to the Scott Arms in Great Barr, before getting another 16 (probably the same one) to Hamstead Station.

 

In future, maybe best to do these canal walks in cooler weather. It was just too hot and warm. Plus there was the usual illegal off-road motorbikes I encountered on the canal. They were also on a path in a field that lead to Sandwell Valley.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

Gardens at Winterbourne House - stunning!

A visit to Winterbourne House gardens is highly recommended. Here we share some photography taken by follower of Birmingham Gems, Jack Babbington during a visit to Winterbourne House in June 2023.  Enjoy!

Here is a selection of stunning photography of Winterbourne House Gardens.  

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We hope you have enjoyed our photography.

Why not go and experience this great Birmingham Gem for yourself.

Thank you Jack Babbington for sharing his photography.

Secret Garden summer 2023 bloom at the Library of Birmingham

Get the lift up to level 7 to experience the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham in full bloom, this summer 2023! The views may have got a bit the same and boring (nothing new). But there is benches to sit down if you want, and enjoy the sunshine and the flowers. We also had a look at the Secret Garden during spring 2023, a few months earlier.

A visit to the Secret Garden on the 25th April 2023. Remember if you come up here, do not use your drone! It is not allowed!

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In mid spring, the flowers were looking quite lush on the seventh floor garden terrace.

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Red flowers seen at the Secret Garden on the 1st June 2023. Google Lens say that they are Avens.

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The quick visit of the 14th June 2023. The flowers and plants are in full bloom, the sky was blue, and it was hot during the June Summer 2023 heatwave!

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Photography by Elliott Brown