Sunset & Moonlit Parks at Park Central

I've only really been past Sunset & Moonlit Parks at Park Central during February 2012, and not been back since (but have walked near Park Central in the years since). So memory will be a bit hazy being that this was from 9 years ago. Sunset Park is between Alfred Knight Way and Mason Way. Moonlit Park is between Bell Barn Road and Mosedale Way. In the Lee Bank area of Birmingham.

Both Sunset Park and Moonlit Park can be found between Lee Bank Middleway and Bath Row at the Park Central development in the Lee Bank area of Central Birmingham. They stretch as far as Bristol Street.

This explore of the buildings around Park Central was during February 2012, but I didn't actually go into the parks at the time, and have not been back since. But in the years since, have done walks down Lee Bank Middleway, Bristol Street and Bath Row. Plus got photos of the new corner development (Roosevelt Luxury Apartments) near the Belgrave Interchange (including the new cycle paths).

 

Sunset Park

These views of Sunset Park taken on a walk down Alfred Knight Way. Probably got here via Wheeleys Lane and Longleat Avenue.

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There is this metal ramp structure with metal steps in the park.

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Passing the railings on Alfred Knight Way, probably looking at the apartment buildings opposite.

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These apartments are certainly an improvement to what used to be here before.

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Again looking more at the apartments and less at the park. Next heading onto Bell Barn Road.

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Moonlit Park

Next up passing Moonlit Park on Bell Barn Road.

dndimg alt="Moonlit Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moonlit Park Park Central (Feb 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Looks like a metal sculpture on concrete pillars.

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Moonlit Park seen over on Bell Barn Road to the far right.

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Basketball Court near Bell Barn Road.

dndimg alt="Moonlit Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moonlit Park Park Central (Feb 2012) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Children's Play Area seen from Bell Barn Road, with what looks like a climbing frame for kids.

dndimg alt="Moonlit Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moonlit Park Park Central (Feb 2012) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Corner of the park near Mosedale Way.

dndimg alt="Moonlit Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moonlit Park Park Central (Feb 2012) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Maybe once the 3rd lockdown ends, and I can go on the bus again, I might make an effort to travel to these parks and walk through them, never really thought about them in the past.

 

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

A visit to Dudmaston Estate during October 2020

The last National Trust property visit of 2020 was to Dudmaston Estate in October 2020. It's in Shropshire. A 17th Century country house (not open apart from a gallery inside). Near the village of Quatt. As before booked the tickets online for a slot. The grounds you could walk about and explore. Tea Room was open, but you had to have your tea or coffee at picnic tables outside.

Dudmaston

The National Trust property of Dudmaston is located near the village of Quatt in Shropshire. The country house dates to the 17th century. There is former farm buildings, some of which have been converted into a tea room and second hand book shop. There was a gallery you could visit (sanitise your hands before going in), but no photography allowed inside for copyright reasons (I think the family still live in the house). Tickets and time slot as before booked via the National Trust website (with tickets on EventBrite). If there was a gift shop, I think it was closed.

This visit was on the 18th October 2020 (so was about half a month before the second lockdown began).

 

Outbuildings at Dudmaston

The Outbuildings from the lawn. Near here was picnic tables. A queue for the toilets, sanitise your hands, wer your mask if you go in.

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A courtyard near the Outbuildings. All the rooms here were closed. There was a one way system in place, so if you wanted, you could enter the gardens from this gate on the right.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Outbuildings from the garden. Due to the one way system in place, if you went out of the garden, then back in, you had to head this way to get out.

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This gate to the courtyard looked nice, but it was no entry this way (you could only walk through them from the other direction).

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Private garden seen over the fence from the Kitchen Garden. Far end of the Outbuildings.

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Dudmaston Hall

Round the back of Dudmaston Hall. A tent with National Trust volunteer, to register you before going into the exhibition / gallery. Sanitise your hands again, mask on. No photos allowed inside (tempting as it was).

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The back of Dudmaston Hall. It is a Grade II* listed building. A Queen Anne mansion. Built of red brick with stone dressings. Was also a 19th Century office and stable wing built in the Elizabethan style. Couldn't cross the rope on the left.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Heading down the hill, a look at Dudmaston Hall, an impresive looking house.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There was this Red Ivy going down the house. A bit like those poppy art installations around Remembrance time. Some old steps with urns.

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Another view of the house with the Red Ivy in the middle.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Red Ivy looked wonderful from any angle in the parkland.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

You could have a walk around the Dingle Walk. Eventually you would end up at the back of the Big Pool, with this wonderful picturesque view of Dudmaston Hall.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Parkland and gardens

A look down to the Big Pool at Dudmaston Estate.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sculpture in the garden, part of a trail. Spaceframe sculpted by Anthony Twentyman during 1985.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Seated bench area for relaxing and looking at the views of the picturesque parkland.

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Greylag geese flying and landing in the Big Pool.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Kitchen Garden. Pumpkins in the greenhouse before Halloween.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Fingerpost on the Dingle Walk. Head right to the Garden, or left to the Dingle Walk.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Kept spotting this brick boathouse near the Big Pool, although didn't see any boats in the lake.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The South Lodge seen from the car as we left Dudmaston Estate. Now a private house. A Grade II listed building dating to the early 19th Century. Made of coursed sandstone rubble, with a tiled roof. The gate on exiting the estate was an automatic electric gate.

dndimg alt="Dudmaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudmaston Estate (Oct 2020) (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hope to visit more National Trust properties in 2021, after the 3rd lockdown ends, if we are allowed to travel far again. Especially in the Spring or Summer months.

 

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

Yellow O's at the Oaklands Recreation Ground

A lockdown walk to the Oaklands Recreation Ground in South Yardley on the 17th February 2021 (a distance I'd usually get the bus to in normal times). Saw all these yellow O sculptures plus purple I's. I would guess they were installed by the Yardley Arts Forum sometime during 2020. Nice to see. The walk was too long, next time I'm getting a bus there (after lockdown ends).

A walk of over 12,000 steps and almost 6 miles (via Acocks Green). I walked on Wednesday 17th February 2021 to South Yardley. Not renewed my pass since before we entered this third lockdown (and not been on a bus in a month and half now). Mainly to see the skyline again from the Oaklands Recreation Ground.

While there found all these new yellow O sculptures and purple I sculptures. Plus they are starting to built wildlife friendly planting areas. So development of this park continues into 2021.

 

The first yellow O I saw on entering the Oaklands Recreation Ground was from the entrance on Church Road. Says I love Oaklands on all of them.

dndimg alt="Yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yellow O Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The yellow O's were scattered all over the park.

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Some placed at different angles near the paths.

dndimg alt="Yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yellow O Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This yellow O with a view to the Swan Shopping Centre (with Tesco Extra), Bakeman House and Equipoint.

dndimg alt="Yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yellow O Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Towards Church Road with this yellow O. Some people have already tagged them sadly.

dndimg alt="Yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yellow O Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Back on the semi circle Church Road and got this view of 103 Colmore Row and the BT Tower with a yellow O. Wondered if I could have lined it up with 103 Colmore Row inside of the O?

dndimg alt="Yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/103 CR Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Also when first entering from Church Road, saw these purple I's slanted in the soil.

dndimg alt="Purple I's Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WFA Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

They are creating wildlife friendly planting areas here. Seen close to Equipoint and the Tesco Extra petrol station.

dndimg alt="Purple I's Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WFA Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Some more purple I's on the path to the other end of Church Road.

dndimg alt="Purple I's Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WFA Oaklands RG (Feb 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was about 7 purple I's here around the path, and one yellow O. View to the Birmingham skyline. The Mercian was visible to the right of it, about 6 miles distance away.

dndimg alt="Purple I's and an yellow O Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Skyline Oaklands (Feb 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One of the yellow O sculptures was also visible with the Birmingham skyline from the Oaklands Recreation Ground.

dndimg alt="Yellow O skyline Oaklands" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Skyline Oaklands (Feb 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

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

The Floral Trail, The Big Hoot & Sleuth at St Martin's Square

There has been a couple of Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail pieces in St Martin's Square, but only in 2009 and 2013. In 2015 there was several Big Hoot owls around the Bullring, with at least one outside of St Martin's Church. Plus in 2017 there was one Big Sleuth bear outside of the church in the square (another bear was to be found inside Selfridges).

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

Birmingham Parks & Nurseries (aka Cofton Nursery) have over the years been making floral trail pieces to go on display in the City Centre every summer. But first they take the main display to the Chelsea Flower Show and Gardeners World Live, where they usually win the Gold prize. These are the floral trail features spotted over the years in St Martin's Square.

 

Trafalgar Medal, Summer 2009

I didn't really start exploring the Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail until August or September 2009. One of the first pieces I found was Trafalgar, Oct 21 1805 near St Martin's Church in August 2009. It is based on a medal that Matthew Boulton made, following the death of Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He approached the Admiralty and offered to commemorate the famous victory by presenting sailors who fought in the battle with a medal. Birmingham was the first place in the country to erect a statue of Horatio Nelson in 1809.

dndimg alt="Trafalgar St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martins Square Bullring Trafalgar (August 2009).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Best of Birmingham, Summer 2012

This is the second half of The Best of Birmingham. It won Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, plus Gold and Best of Show at Gardeners World Live in 2012. Seen in St Martin's Square during August 2012. At the top is the Bullring Bull, then Selfridges in the middle and the Birmingham canals at the bottom with a narrowboat. The first half was in Centenary Square (with the Town Hall, Silver Spoon and a Mini).

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham part 2" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martins Square Bullring BCCFT Bullring Bull (August 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A look at the bottom half with Selfridges and the Narrowboat in the canal with a lock.

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham part 2" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martins Square Bullring BCCFT Bullring Bull (August 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the balcony near Selfridges looking down to St Martin's Square. It was very impressive looking. Must have been nice having the two halves together at Chelsea and at The NEC that year.

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham part 2" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Martins Square Bullring BCCFT Bullring Bull (August 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

Now onto The Big Hoot. In St Martin's Square there was about 3 Big Hoot painted owls from July 2015, for around 10 weeks. Before they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Beorma

This owl was located outside of St Martin's Church and was called Beorma (after the nearby Beorma Quarter in Digbeth). It was  painted by the artists Jodie Silverman from a design by Betty Underwood a pupil from Camp Hill School for Girls. The sponsor was The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham. Seen during July 2015.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Hoot St Martins Sq (Jul 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was about 8 interlocking hands at the front.

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Plus flags of the world on a wing at the back. More little owls could be found inside of St Martin's Church at the time.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Hoot St Martins Sq (Jul 2015) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Selfie

This Big Hoot owl resembled Selfridges (seen behind) and was called Selfie. The artist was Martin Band, and the sponsor was LDC. This was up the ramp around the back of the Spiceal Street development, not far from Jamie's Italian. Seen during July 2015. And yes I took a selfie with this one.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Hoot St Martins Sq (Jul 2015) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Skyline 2015

This Big Hoot owl was located at the bottom of St Martin's Walk at the Bullring, with the spire of St Martin's Church and the statue of Horatio Nelson behind. Skyline 2015 was by the artist Nick Murley. The sponsor was Bullring. Seen during July 2015.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Hoot St Martins Sq (Jul 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The skyline was painted on the back of this owl as well.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Hoot St Martins Sq (Jul 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

Now onto The Big Sleuth. There was several Big Sleuth bears around the Bullring starting from July 2017, for around 10 weeks. Before they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Bearmingham

This Big Sleuth bear was located outside of St Martin's Church, and resembled the Birmingham Forward coat of arms. It was by the artist James Mustafa. The sponsor was The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham. Seen during July 2017. There was more little bears inside of St Martin's to find at the time.

dndimg alt="Big Sleuth St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Sleuth St Martins Sq (July 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Brummie Bear

This Big Sleuth bear was to be found inside of Selfridges (and not in St Martin's Square, but adding for completion). It was by the artist Slobodan Topolović. The sponsor was Selfridges Birmingham. It resembled Selfridges, Rotunda, St Martin's Church, Bullring Bull and Birmingham New Street Station.

dndimg alt="Big Sleuth St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Sleuth St Martins Sq (July 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The famous Selfridges discs at the back of the bear. Lasting longer than the real discs that need some TLC.

dndimg alt="Big Sleuth St Martin's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Big Sleuth St Martins Sq (July 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

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

The Floral Trail and The Big Hoot in Centenary Square

Taking Centenary Square back in time. The Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail pieces in the square in the summers from 2010 and 2016 (most of which won gold at Chelsea). Also the owls of The Big Hoot over the summer of 2015. The Big Sleuth didn't have any bears in the square during the summer of 2017 due to the renovation works in the square (which didn't finish until 2019).

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

Birmingham Parks & Nurseries (aka Cofton Nursery) have over the years been making floral trail pieces to go on display in the City Centre every summer. But first they take the main display to the Chelsea Flower Show and Gardeners World Live, where they usually win the Gold prize. These are the floral trail features spotted over the years in Centenary Square.

Living Wall, Summer 2010

In the summer of 2010 there was the Living Wall on the hoardings of the Library of Birmingham construction site. Around July 2010, the wall was half complete at the time.

dndimg alt="Floral Trail Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Living Wall Cent Sq (Jul 2010).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Another look at the Living Wall in August 2010, towards the Hyatt Hotel. You can see the former Municipal Bank on the left.

dndimg alt="Floral Trail Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Living Wall Cent Sq (Aug 2010) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Living Wall remained in place for the rest of summer 2010, before it was moved to a more permanent location (there is now permanent living walls at Aston University, Birmingham New Street Station and Birmingham Snow Hill Station, but not sure where it went).

dndimg alt="Floral Trail Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Living Wall Cent Sq (Aug 2010) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Plight of the Gorilla, Summer 2011

Seen outside of the Library of Birmingham construction site hoardings was The Plight of the Gorilla. Seen during July 2011. It won Silver at the Chelsea Flower Show and Gold at Gardeners World Live in 2011.

dndimg alt="Gorilla Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gorilla Plight Cent Sq (Jul 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At the top was a sculpture of a gorilla.

dndimg alt="Gorilla Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gorilla Plight Cent Sq (Jul 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Below the gorilla was a waterfall over a rock garden.

dndimg alt="Gorilla Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gorilla Plight Cent Sq (Jul 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The water was flowing down the waterfall below the gorilla.

dndimg alt="Gorilla Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gorilla Plight Cent Sq (Jul 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was very impressive to see, the flowers and plants around it looked nice as well.

dndimg alt="Gorilla Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gorilla Plight Cent Sq (Jul 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Best of Birmingham, Summer 2012

After winning Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, and Gold and Best of Show at Gardeners World Live in 2012, this floral feature from Birmingham City Council called The Best of Birmingham, was split in two. One half in Centenary Square featured a Mini, a Silver Spoon and Birmingham Town Hall. The other half was in St Martin's Square at the Bullring and included the Bullring Bull, Selfridges and the Birmingham canals with a narrowboat. Seen here during August 2012 next to the Library of Birmingham (about a year before it opened to the public).

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Best of Bham 1 Cent Sq (Aug 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up of the Mini, covered all over with a floral skin. It was later displayed at Longbridge Island over August 2013, for Birmingham's entry into the Entente Florale Europe 2013.

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Best of Bham 1 Cent Sq (Aug 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The silver spoon acted as a fountain, and probably represented the Jewellery Quarter.

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Best of Bham 1 Cent Sq (Aug 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Plenty of colourful flowers around this section. You can see why Birmingham win's Gold every year at Chelsea!

dndimg alt="Best of Birmingham Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Best of Bham 1 Cent Sq (Aug 2012) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Enlightenment, Summer 2013

As the Library of Birmingham got ready to open in September 2013, around August 2013, you could see pieces from a floral trail feature called Enlightenment. Which included models of The Two Towers (Perrott's Folly and the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower) plus a deckchair. As well as being part of Summer 2013's City Centre Floral Trail, it was also part of Birmingham's entry into the Entente Florale Europe 2013.

Here you could see the metal sculpture of the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower, as it looks like a man walking past Baskerville House was dressed as Spider-Man!

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of the model of the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower towards The Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was lots of summery flowers around in the landscaped garden in front of the new library.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also the model of Perrott's Folly towards The Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the Two Towers in the garden outside of the new Library. These days you can find the models at Sarehole Mill. But in the late summer of 2013 you could see them with the Hyatt Hotel and Symphony Hall.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Boulton, Watt & Murdoch could be seen with the Edgbaston Waterworks Tower. All this seen over fences, as the Library and the landscaped grounds wouldn't open until early September 2013.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View of Perrott's Folly towards The ICC, The REP and the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Towers Cent Sq (Jul 2013) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The deckchair was covered in the same floral material as the Mini was the year before.

dndimg alt="Enlightenment Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Deckchair Cent Sq (Jul 2013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

City of Birmingham Ambulance Train, Summer 2014

August 2014 marked the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War, so Cofton Nursery that summer had a trailer of features around the City Centre commemorating Britain's entry into that war. Outside of the Library of Birmingham seen in July 2014 was this floral feature of a train. From the view below you can see the link from The REP to the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham train Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CoBA train Cent Sq (Jul 2014) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of the train towards the Library of Birmingham and Baskerville House.

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham train Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CoBA train Cent Sq (Jul 2014) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind the train was the landscaped garden in front of the Library. It lasted from 2013 to 2017 before being removed. The Hall of Memory to the left. The floral train was later placed outside Birmingham Snow Hill Station in the summer of 2015 (the public square near Colmore Row).

dndimg alt="City of Birmingham train Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CoBA train Cent Sq (Jul 2014) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Skull and a Book, Summer 2016

The last floral trail piece to be in Centenary Square was this outside of the Library of Birmingham. Resembled a skull with an open book in front of it. The grass behind hadn't faired to well between 2013 and 2017, and would be removed in the 2017 renovation works of the square.

dndimg alt="Skull Book Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Skull book Cent Sq (Jul 2016) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This would be the last floral trail piece to be in the square before the square was revamped from 2017 to 2019. At least in a summer.

dndimg alt="Skull Book Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Skull book Cent Sq (Jul 2016) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Mo Bot, Winter 2018

This is a bonus one. When the World Indoor Athletics Championships came to Arena Birmingham in March 2018, Cofton Nursery got their wicker sculptures out (no flowers). Was strange seeing them in the winter with snow on them. The Mo Bot, based on Mo Farah, was seen in Centenary Square (closed to the Edward VII statue), while the square was in it's second year of renovation works. This February 2018 view as it was snowing.

dndimg alt="Mo Bot Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Mo Bot Cent Sq (Feb 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

By March 2018, after the WIAC had ended, I saw workers removing The Mo Bot and putting it on the back of a lorry. They had two small lorries. One to take the soil away, the other to remove the wicker sculpture.

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The zoom ins from the Library of Birmingham. Already on the back of this lorry was the Usian Bolt wicker sculpture, originally made in 2012, for their London 2012 floral trail. It had been taken down from Victoria Square (was in front of the Town Hall at the time).

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Two Council workmen digging up the soil, while another prepares the Mo Farah sculpture for removal.

dndimg alt="Mo Bot removal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Mo Bot Cent Sq (Mar 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Just a pair of red shorts, the purple t-shirt had already gone.

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The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

Now onto The Big Hoot. In Centenary Square there was about 5 Big Hoot painted owls from July 2015, for around 10 weeks. Before they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Jack

Located outside of the Hall of Memory was Jack. It was by the artist Martin Band. And was sponsored by JLT Specialty Limited. Seen during July 2015.

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Jack was designed by the Union Jack (the British National flag).

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He had the Union Jack on the back as well.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Hoot Cent Sq (Jul 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Wise Old Owl

This Wise Old Owl was designed by the artists Kieron Reilly and Lynsey Brecknell. The sponsor was Gateley Plc. They designed it to look like the Library of Birmingham (which you can see behind). Seen during July 2015.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Hoot Cent Sq (Jul 2015) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It closely matches the golds and blues of the Library, plus the silvers and blacks of the circles.

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TropicOwl

The owl named TropicOwl was painted by the artist Jenny Leonard. The sponsor was Twycross Zoo. Resembles a jungle with chimpanzees. Seen during July 2015 outside of the Library of Birmingham.

 

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At the back was more features of a jungle, plus giraffes in a desert. This view to Baskerville House.

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Owlbert

The owl called Owlbert was painted by the artist Meghan Allbright. The sponsor was University College Birmingham. Seen outside the Library of Birmingham during July 2015.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Hoot Cent Sq (Jul 2015) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view towards Symphony Hall, The ICC and The REP. It was a rainy day that I saw these owls.

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Welcome to Birmingham

Outside of Symphony Hall in Centenary Square was an owl called Welcome to Birmingham. Painted by the artist Laura Hallett. The sponsor was Pertemps Network. Seen during August 2015, with a reflection of the Library of Birmingham and The REP.

dndimg alt="Big Hoot Centenary Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big Hoot Cent Sq (Aug 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The design featured, Selfridges, the Library of Birmingham, the canals and more.

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Bonus content on Centenary Way

Back in Febrauary 2013 there was a trail for one week called The Big Egg Hunt. These same eggs went from City to City. Two eggs were on Centenary Way at the time.

The first egg resembled the Rocket Ship from Wallace & Gromit's A Grand Day Out. Seen towards the Hall of Memory.

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The charity at the time was Action for Children. The next egg was behind, on the way to the Hall of Memory.

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

The second egg on Centenary Way was of Ben 10 Omniverse, close to Chamberlain House (demolished in 2018).

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

 

The Big Sleuth did not come to Centenary Square, for obvious reasons in 2017, as that's when they began revamping the square, but there was one bear on Centenary Way near Paradise Birmingham.

 

Memoirs of Paradise

This Big Sleuth bear was on Centenary Way, close to the One Chamberlain Square construction site of Paradise Birmingham. Memoirs of Paradise was painted by the artist Gayani Ariyarante. The sponsor was Paradise. Seen during July 2017. Shows what a real paradise looks like! By August 2017, someone had knocked this one over, and they had to remove and repair it, before putting it back in it's place.

dndimg alt="Big Sleuth Centenary Way" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Paradise bear Cent Way (Jul 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There was more to be found in the Library of Birmingham, 4 little owls in 2015 and 4 little bears in 2017. There was a Big Hoot owl inside of The ICC mall, and another outside at the canalside (in 2015). Plus a Big Sleuth bear at canalside (in 2017).

 

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