PoliNations coming to Victoria Square in September 2022

PoliNations is coming to Victoria Square from the 2nd to 18th September 2022. A free event. Following the end of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this is part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival, and they are putting it up in the last three weeks of August 2022. Elliott got a first glimpse on Saturday 20th August 2022 on passing through Victoria Square.

PoliNations is part of Unboxed Creativity in the UK. During the last three weeks of August 2022, after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games things were dismantled (including Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange on the Queen Victoria statue). PoliNations moved in.

The free event is due to take place from the 2nd to 18th September 2022.

Step into a spectacular city-centre garden of magical proportions where you will be welcomed by an epic array of colour and nature.  

Giant architectural trees and thousands of plants will transform Victoria Square into an urban oasis, which will host free events, workshops and performances including live music, dance, spoken word and drag.

This supernatural wonderland uncovers the origin stories of the plants we know so well – daisies, pansies, apple trees, roses – in fact these, and most of the plants we see in our gardens are not from the UK. They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots. 

PoliNations is a celebration of colour, beauty, and of natural diversity. Explore, enjoy and be your true unique self. You can experience music from around the world, an incredible light show each evening, and a grand finale like no other where the tree’s canopies will burst into a joyful cloud of confetti and colour.  

This is Carnival and Holi combined in one brilliant, messy, playful party and everyone is invited.

 

I first spotted the giant trees from Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Heading into Victoria Square, the PoliNations construction is all fenced off at the moment.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

They encourage people to get public transport to PoliNations, including the West Midlands Metro, get off at Town Hall Tram Stop. Also in walking distance of the main railway stations and your bus stops.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

The statue of Queen Victoria has been returned to normal after two months as Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Key to the City ended on the 7th August, so it will no longer be possible to get views of Victoria Square from the 18th floor balcony like before.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

Heading down Pinfold Street, then catching a view of a tram heading up towards Victoria Square and the PoliNations trees.

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

dndimg alt="PoliNations" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PoliNations%20Vic%20Sq%2020082022%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%" />

 

I will probably get more photos of PoliNations over the next couple of weekends, and probably in September as well (if time).

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

The regenerated Alexander Stadium at the end of May 2022

I had previously tried to see the Alexander Stadium in early January 2022, but didn't have good views. This time, end of May 2022, I walked up the Aldridge Road in Perry Park to Perry Park. And got views from the park, Perry Reservoir, Tame Valley Canal and Walsall Road. Bit of a long walk. So maybe a shuttle bus is needed from Perry Barr Station in July and August 2022?

The Alexander Stadium was completed in Spring 2022 ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place for 11 days from late July to early August 2022.

You can now see the stadium from various points in Perry Park, from the Perry Reservoir, Tame Valley Canal towpath and the Walsall Road in Perry Barr.

It was around a half hour walk from Perry Barr Station (I did stop for coffee first in Costa at One Stop), via the Aldridge Road to Perry Park. Then another half hour or so down the Walsall Road back to the new look Perry Barr Station.

So the shuttle bus test they did for the Diamond League event, maybe they could do that from the station, as would be a long walk for ticket holders?

 

2nd January 2022

My previous attempt to get into Perry Park during 2022 was from the Walsall Road entrance. Tried to get views of Alexander Stadium over the Walsall Road Allotments, but wasn't much to see from here.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBBB Alexander St PB 02012022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was too many trees in the way, and I ended up not getting to the other side of Perry Park at the time, but the stadium was just about visible at the time.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BBBB Alexander St PB 02012022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

30th May 2022

A proper look at the Alexander Stadium from multiple views, starting from Perry Park.

 

Views from Perry Park

Trees covering the view of the stand completed in 2011, with the temporary floodlights.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The stadium looks much bigger now, or it might just be the temporary seating and floodlights that have been erected here.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The temporary seating goes quite high, this will probably be dismantled after the games end in August.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views with Perry Reservoir

The reservoir makes for some interesting reflection shots of the new look Alexander Stadium.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The stand completed in 2011, with the temporary stands on the right, plus the temporary floodlights with the reservoir.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Most of these views were from the pedestrian diversion from Perry Park towards the Tame Valley Canal.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of the new seating is permenant, the rest is temporary.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views from the Tame Valley Canal

Onto the Tame Valley Canal, the views from the towpath was better than what I saw four years earlier. They have built a training (or warm up) track to the right of the stadium.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The temporary seating over hanging from the back.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the blue warm up track near the stadium.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It looks much better than it was before we won the right to host the Commonwealth Games.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

These stands on the right are permanent, and looks amazing!

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

So many views from the canal, the temporary and permanent seating stands.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Workmen were still putting the finishing touches to the stadium. Which had a test event here about a week earlier.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Birmingham Diamond League was held here on the 21st May 2022.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last view from the canal towpath, including the new permenant stands.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views from Walsall Road

After leaving the Tame Valley Canal at the Walsall Road, I wasn't expecting to see any more views, but I got these of the Alexander Stadium entrance.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the entrance to the Alexander Stadium on Stadium Way, from the Walsall Road in Perry Barr.

dndimg alt="Alexander Stadium" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alexander Stadium 30052022 (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Text and photos by Elliott Brown

A visit to Perry Park at the end of May 2022

On the 30th May 2022, I got the train to the new look Perry Barr Station. After coffee at Costa at the One Stop shopping centre, I had a half hour walk up Aldridge Road to get into Perry Park. Managed to see the Perry Reservoir, but some paths blocked off due to the Alexander Stadium redevelopment for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and was a temporary path towards the canal.

This post will just be a photo gallery of Perry Park. I will do my May 2022, Alexander Stadium update in another post. At the time of writing, it is mid June 2022, and it is very hot in Birmingham.

The late May day visit to Perry Barr was much cooler.

I would think if people are going to the Alexander Stadium from Perry Barr Station, it would be faster to get a shuttle bus than take the long walk that I did last month.

 

This visit on Monday 30th May 2022.

 

Birmingham BMX Club

Entering Perry Park from the main entrance on Aldridge Road near the Birmingham BMX Club. The M6 motorway is beyond here.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham BMX Perry Park 30052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the entrance is a skatepark for BMX riders, and behind that, the actuall BMX track.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham BMX Perry Park 30052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Welcome to Birmingham BMX Club.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham BMX Perry Park 30052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The path outside of the BMX Club, heading into Perry Park.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham BMX Perry Park 30052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The start and finish line, the BMX track looks a bit bumpy.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham BMX Perry Park 30052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Holbrook

The Holbrook is a stream that flows through Perry Park. There was a high fence alongside the path, so could only take it at the time from this bridge.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Holbrook Perry Park 30052022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Paths and trees in Perry Park

Paths in Perry Park. One leads towards Perry Reservoir (and the Alexander Stadium, but the paths are currently blocked off). The other leads to the Alexander Stadium Woodland Walk.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Park 30052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

After a look at the reservoir, a quick look at the Canada geese and trees. As you can't go beyond this path (to the right). But there is a pedestrian diversion path.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Park 30052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The diversion path runs to one side of the Perry Reservoir. The trees are lush and green here.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Park 30052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The path takes you around the reservoir, and eventually to the steps up to the Tame Valley Canal. Where you can then take your exit towards Walsall Road. Many routes around the Alexander Stadium are closed, at least until after the games have finished.

dndimg alt="Perry Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Park 30052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Perry Reservoir

One of the main reasons of this visit was at long last to get a proper look at the Perry Reservoir. Having only glimpsed it years ago from the Tame Valley Canal.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The reservoir was quite quiet, other than the usual ducks, geese and swans.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On the opppsite side of Perry Reservoir was swans and Canada geese.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I then saw a family of Canada geese with their gosling. How cute!

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The reservoir is surrounded by trees on at least two sides.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

With part of the reservoir blocked off by the Alexander Stadium development site, I got the rest of my views from the pedestrian diversion path.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Alexander Stadium made for some nice reflections in the water. See more photos in my Alexander Stadium post.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look at the reservoir, before leaving the park for the Tame Valley Canal, where I got more views of the Alexander Stadium on the walk back to the Walsall Road, and later Perry Barr Station.

dndimg alt="Perry Reservoir" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Reservoir 30052022 (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Text and photos by Elliott Brown

The River Tame: Brookvale Road Flood Wall in Witton

The River Tame in Witton used to flood when the river level was high due to heavy rain, so the Environment Agency decided to build flood walls on Brookvale Road. This took place around 2015-16. There are various words on the wall. A flood gate was installed at the Atlas Bridge. These works continue to Perry Barr.

BROOKVALE ROAD FLOOD WALL, RIVER TAME, WITTON

Heading out from Witton Station on Witton Road at midday on Tuesday 22nd March 2022. It was a sunny early spring day.

I was aware of these walls from over a year ago, while doing the River Tame feature.

Never got around to checking them out until now.

The flood wall starts on Brookvale Road, and you can't see the River Tame from the opposite pavement.

There is various words written on the wall, as you will see below.

It reads something like "BARRING RIVER ENLIVENING TAME MEANDERING RIVER REFORMING TAME FORGING RIVER POOLING TAME SEEKING RIVER MELDING TAME TRAVERSING  RIVER MEANDERING TAME".

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

RIVER ENLIVENING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

REFORMING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

SEEKING RIVER

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TRAVERSING RIVER

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The flood wall splits at the red Atlas Bridge, which also has a flood gate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TAME POOLING

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

TRAVERSING TAME

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road flood wall Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brookvale Rd FW R Tame Witton 22032022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views of the River Tame alongside the Brookvale Road Flood Wall, The railings above them are quite high.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This direction towards the Holford Industrial Estate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This direction towards the Atlas Industrial Estate.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Yew Tree pub is on the left on Brookvale Road in Witton.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View towards Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC.

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Brookvale Road River Tame Witton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/River Tame Brookvale Rd Witton 22032022 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

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

Garden of Memory at Warstone Lane Cemetery

Did you know that there used to be funerary chapel at Warstone Lane Cemetery? Dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, it was built from 1847 to 1848, but was badly damaged during WW2 and was demolished in the 1950s. During the 2019 to 2021 restoration works, the site was found again, and was turned into a Garden of Memory. Railings and gates removed during the war was also replaced.

Garden of Memory

Warstone Lane Cemetery Chapel was dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, and was the funerary chapel, which once dominated the landscape. It had stained glass windows manufactured by the Chance Brothers. It was built around 1847 to 1848. It was demolished in the 1950s having been damaged by bombing of the Jewellery Quarter during WWII. The cemetery was already in decline, and damage can still be seen on many memorials in this part of the cemetery. Restoration work took place from 2019 to 2021, and the footprint of the chapel was recreated as a Garden of Memory, so it can once again be served as a space for the community to congregate, contemplate and celebrate life.

Photos below taken during January 2022. Headed into the cemetery via the open gate on Pitsford Street on Saturday 15th January 2022, while checking out Hockley Mills near Jewellery Quarter Station.

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Vyse Street Gate

The cemetery was originally surrounded by cast-iron gothic railings which were removed in the post war period, when the chapel was demolished. The railings and gate posts were replaced during the 2019 to 2021 restoration works. The Vyse Street frontage has new cast-iron railings which were matched to the original design using archival drawings and confirmed by small pieces found during the restoration work.

Photos below taken during January 2022.

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem (Jan 2022) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View below of the new painted railings and stone pilars on Vyse Street, seen during August 2020.

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem Vyse St (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View below of the new painted railings on Warstone Lane, seen during November 2020.

dndimg alt="Warstone Lane Cemetery" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warstone Ln Cem Vyse St (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown