In and Around Birmingham
Two Cathedrals, Two Football Teams, and The Bull Ring.
I was born and raised in Birmingham, and I still live here, I’ve witnessed many changes to the city. In the 50’s and 60’s many old buildings were demolished to make way for the new, cleaner, brighter, healthier ones, tower blocks mainly, but some of them only lasted 20 years or so before they too were demolished.
Birmingham city centre does have some fine old buildings, and granted, money has been spent restoring them, grime from the coal era made them look uninviting, now they are clean, but some are now in the shadows of high rise blocks.
There are 40 Images in this collection.
The Bull in The Bull Ring - Designed by Sculptor Laurence Broderick, it has been situated at the entrance (next to The Rotunda) to the Bull Ring Centre since 2003; it is cast in Bronze, stands 2.2 metres high, and weighs 5 tonne. Image Date: 24/05/2005
The Bull in The Bull Ring - In June 2005, and in February 2006 mindless morons thought it would be a good idea to vandalise the Statue, it was however returned to its original glory within a couple of weeks. Image Date: 24/05/2005
The Floozie in The Jacuzzi - In front of Birmingham City’s Council House is the “River Goddess Fountain” designed by Dhruva Mistry, it is known locally as 'The Floozie in the Jacuzzi', it weighs 1.75 tonnes and could produce a flow of 3000 gallons (13,600 litres) of water per minute - that was until it was switched off because it leaked so much and was deemed too costly to repair. Image Date: 09/08/2005
Birmingham Town Hall - This Grade 1 listed building was designed by architects Joseph Aloysius Hansom (famed for the Hansom cab design) and Edward Welch. Building work began in April 1832 and was completed in October 1834. Image Date: 30/09/2011
Birmingham Council House - To the right of the Town Hall in Victoria Square is Birmingham City Council House – built between 1874 and 1879. A statue of Queen Victoria is in the centre of Square; to the left of the picture is the clock tower (aka Big Brum) which is attached to the museum and art gallery in Chamberlain Square. Image Date: 30/09/2011
Birmingham Central Library - Opened in 1974, at the time it was described by HRH Prince Charles as 'looking more like a place for burning books, rather than keeping them'. A new library has been built nearby and opened in 2013; this one has now been demolished, new building on this site will consist of yet more concrete, steel, and glass. Image Date: 21/08/2010
Island House - I don’t know much about this rather intriguing looking building other than it’s triangular in shape, has 3 stories, and was built about 1911-1912. This photo was taken in June 2008, the vacant land to the left now has a hotel built on it. Image Date: 30/06/2008
The new hotel has been built and is named Hotel La Tour, Island House has been demolished. The hotel had a name change in 2017 and is now called Clayton Hotel. Image Date: 27/05/2012
Birmingham has 2 Cathedrals, this is Saint Philips (aka Birmingham Cathedral), and Saint Chad’s which is approximately 550 yards (510 metres) north of this one. Building started in 1709; it was consecrated in 1715, but wasn’t completed until 1725 when the tower was finished. Although not as imposing as St. Paul’s in London, or Lichfield Cathedral it is still worth a visit - whether it be for worship, to admire the architecture, or listen to musical performances. Image Date: 24/01/2009
Back to Backs - Built circa 1830 these are the last surviving 'back to back' houses in Birmingham, they have been restored to 'almost as good as new' replacing damaged brickwork, slates, chimney pots etc with items that were in a better condition from the same era (not reproduction) – not an easy task. The four dwellings have been restored and furnished to recreate living conditions from four era’s – the 1840’s, 1870’s,1930’s and 1970’s, the sweet shop on the corner sells 'loose' sweets, like the ones I enjoyed as a kid. Image Date: 23/11/2006