Birmingham Cathedral: Divine Beauty at Night

This is the second year that Divine Beauty at Night has been held at Birmingham Cathedral. This time from the 4th to 6th January 2024. After the Edward Burne-Jones stained glass windows were cleaned and restored during 2023. I went on the evening of the 6th January 2024. Was in a queue outside initially, and got in a little late due to a technical issue, but once in, it was amazing!

St Philip's Church commissioned the famous Arts & Crafts firm of Morris & Co and the artist Edward Burne-Jones to design and construct three stained glass windows in 1884.

He chose three subjects for the windows:

The Ascension (completed 1885)

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The Nativity (1887-8)

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The Crucifixion (1887-8)

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These were in the newly enlarged chancel.

 

About a decade later a fourth window followed, the Last Judgement (1897).

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During World War 2 (1939-45) they were removed to a Welsh slate mine to keep them safe.

In 2023, the Divine Beauty Project started, and the windows were fully restored and cleaned.

The first Divine Beauty at Night took place from the 12th to 14th January 2023. The second from the 4th to 6th January 2024. Both events organised by Luxmuralis.

 

Divine Beauty at Night 2024

On Saturday 6th January 2024, was the third evening / night of Divine Beauty at Night. Held for the second year. Was a long queue, with the timed ticketed slots, but the delay was due to a technical issue, meaning the show started a bit late. So got into Birmingham Cathedral around 20 minutes later than expected, but was worth it once I got in the building.

The Divine Beauty at Night lights show of the Burne-Jones windows lasted about 25 minutes, it was quite impressive. A gallery of photos is below.

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dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(25).JPG" style="width: 100%;" /> Photography by Elliott Brown

A visit to the National Trust property of Attingham Park in Shropshire

Went to Attingham Park in Shropshire in late October 2023, on the way for a weeks holiday in Llangollen, Wales. The Deer Park was closed after Storm Babet. So was only able to go around the house, stables and to the walled garden. But was a lot of puddles and mud around. This post just a general look around the house with the rooms open to the public.

Between 1784 and 1947, Attingham Park was home to the 1st to 8th Lord Berwick's and their families. The 1st Lord Berwick was Noel Hill MP for Shrewsbury. Between 1948 and 1976 it was The Adult Education College. After that it became a National Trust property. The mansion is a Grade I listed building.

The Deer Park was closed due to Storm Babet, and was still a lot of mud and puddles around the part of the estate that was open. This post mostly looking at the mansion at Attingham Park and the historic rooms inside. It is also called Attingham Hall.

 

First view of the mansion at Attingham Park from the car.

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The West Wing

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Exterior of Attingham Park, the mansion before going in.

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The Inner Courtyard on exiting the hall. It leads to the Service Courtyard.

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Service Courtyard - leads to the Clock Gatehouse on exiting.

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Attingham Park - rooms inside

Entrance Hall

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Picture Gallery

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Nash Staircase

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The Dining Room

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Inner Library

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West Ante Room

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Octagon Room

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Servants World

Servants Hall

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Butlers Pantry

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Servants Waiting Room

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Kitchen

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Servants Dining Room

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Still Room Kitchen

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Lord Berwick's luggage (to the house exit)

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Photos by Elliott Brown

Creative Heights II: Shoot the Sunset from Staying Cool at the Rotunda

On Sunday 1st October 2023, Elliott and Jack and other photographers got the chance to go up to the level 20 balcony from Staying Cool at the Rotunda, as the sun went down. It was a bit cloudy, so not much of a sunset really, and got misty as it got dark. The views was amazing. Here just highlights of the views.

Full photos here in Sky High Birmingham.

This visit to Staying Cool at the Rotunda was booked two months in advance for Creative Heights II. The £15 paid went to the Love Brum charity, they raised over £400.

Sunday 1st October 2023 between 5pm and 8pm (although Elliott and Jack arrived around 4:30pm, and left by 7:30pm).

The balcony was on Level 20. We had access mainly to one penthouse suite, and briefly let into the other for the views on the other side.

 

The Rotunda

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Birmingham New Street Station and Grand Central

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The Ringway Centre on Smallbrook Queensway

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1000 Trades Square (Grand Central Square)

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Birmingham New Street Signal Box

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Birmingham Moor Street Station

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HS2 Curzon Street Station

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Millennium Point and Eastside City Park

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St Martin in the Bullring

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St Martin's Square at the Bullring

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Rotunda Square at the Bullring

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Bullring

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Selfridges

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High Street with Primark and Waterstones

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New Street

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The White House on New Street

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Birmingham Council House

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Birmingham Town Hall

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Birmingham Cathedral

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Centenary Square

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The Cube

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The Mailbox

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Ruins of St Thomas' Church at the Peace Garden

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BT Tower

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103 Colmore Row

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The Octagon at Paradise Birmingham

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The Mercian

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Victoria Law Courts and Methodist Central Hall

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Beetham Tower

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The Electric Cinema

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Birmingham Hippodrome

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Birmingham Back to Backs

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The Wellington Hotel

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Birmingham Coach Station in Digbeth

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Custard Factory, Digbeth

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The former Floodgate Street Board School, Digbeth

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Former Father Lopes' Chapel, Digbeth

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St Alban's Church, Highgate

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Birmingham Central Mosque

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Small Heath Station

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St Andrew's Stadium, home of Birmingham City FC

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Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr

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Photos by Elliott Brown

Mali Morris Calling and Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome at the IKON Gallery

From September to December 2023, there is two art exhibitions located at the IKON Gallery in Oozells Square, Brindleyplace. Head up to Level 1 for Mali Morris Calling and then up to Level 2 for Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome. Use the stairs or the lift.

Mali Morris Calling

You can see some of Mali Morris Calling art outside of the IKON Gallery from Oozells Square, in Brindleyplace. The exhibition opened on 20th September, and will run to 22nd December 2023.

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Head up the stairs for a look at the Mali Morris Calling art exhibition on Level 1.

A major solo exhibition by British artist Mali Morris. Calling has nearly 30 works from the last 25 years.

Morris's first solo exhibition was held at the Ikon Gallery on John Bright Street in 1979, so she returns to the Ikon now at Brindleyplace, some 44 years later to transform the galleries space into fields of colour and light.

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Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome

For Dean Kelland Imposter Syndrome, just head up to Level 2 of the Ikon Gallery to see it.

An exhibition of Pop Art and Prison Art by Dean Kelland, with new films, prints and sketchbooks, since the 1960s. Referencing popular figures such as Elvis Presley and David Bowie. 

Kelland had a four year residency at HMP Grendon (2019-2023).

He chose the title Imposter Syndrome, reflecting his experience at an all male prision.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

Bell Ringing Chamber at St Martin in the Bullring for Birmingham Heritage Week

I went on the 1pm tour of the Bell Ringing Chamber, which is halfway up the spire in St Martin in the Bullring on the 14th September 2023. Was just me and another lady on the tour, plus the two bell ringer volunteer experts. This would be my last Birmingham Heritage Week visit of the 2023 season I think. I even got to try and ring some hand bells.

They were having tours of the Bell Ringing Chamber at St Martin in the Bullring for Birmingham Heritage Week, from Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September 2023, starting at 1pm, they should last around 45 minutes to 1 hour per tour.

I went on the 1pm tour on the 14th September 2023, I waited for around 20 minutes in the prayer chapel below the spire tower, and signed a form with my name while I waited.

Since 1991, there has been 16 bells in the spire, before that there was previously 12 bells. The current bells cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London.

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The main guide was pointing to the two tablets, the first one marking the 81st birthday of Queen Victoria in May 1900, and the second one after her death, they rang bells in February 1901.

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There is tablets all around the room, recording when the rang the bells for over 3 hours for special occasions.

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The two ropes here, one of the guides showed us how he rings the bell, it starts in an upright position.

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Made a video of him bellring here.

 

Hand bells

These are the hand bells, we later had a go with. Got to try ringing two bells, which was easier said than done. We rang them in a loop, then Queens (right bell everyone, then left bell everyone).

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Model bell

A model of what a bell in the tower above would look like. They usually leave it in an up position. And there is wooden break at the bottom which stops it going all the way around. The wheel has a hole in it which is usually attached to the rope.

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The Taylor Trophy

Every year there is a bell ringing competition across the country, and since 2011, Birmingham has won it 8 times! Congratulations St Martin's bellringers!

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Some wall tablets of note

On the occasion of Queen Victoria's 81st birthday, 12 members of the  St Martin's Guild of Change Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 41 minutes, on Thursday 24th May 1900.

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A year later, after Queen Victoria's death on the 22nd January 1901. St Martin's Guild of Change Ringers, on Tuesday 26th February 1901 rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 50 minutes.

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On the occasion of the coronation of King George V & Queen Mary on 22nd June 1911, the St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 57 minutes (a ladder was in the way).

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On the occasion of the coronation of King Georve VI & Queen Elizabeth on the 12th May 1937, St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang a peal of Stedman Cinques for 3 hours and 40 minutes.

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Two blanks panels here, left to record the ringing of the bells in 2022 to mark the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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16 new bells were installed in 1991, and the St Martin's Guild of Church Bell Ringers rang them for the first time on Tuesday 16th November 1993 for 3 hours and 44 minutes. It was the 5000th peal for the guild.

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In November 2008 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of St Martin's Band. The first peal was rung on 19th November 1758 for 3 hours & 22 minutes with 5040 Grandsire Caters. On the 19th November 2008 they rang the bells for 3 hours & 20 minutes with 5040 Grandsire Caters. Then on the 22nd November 2008, they rung the bells for 3 hours & 55 minutes with  5250 Bristol Surprise Sixteen.

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Other objects of note

Royal coat of arms looking golden.

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A clock in memory of George E Fearn (1906 - 1974). Secretary of St Martin's Guild of Bellringers from 1949 to 1968. Ringer at this tower for 45 years and tower master warden and ringing master from 1961 to 1874. Leading peal ringer with 2667 peals.

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A black and white photograph of Roderick W Pipe (1940 - 2011). A member of St Martin's Band, composer, conductor, innovator and visionary. A memorial peal of Stedman Cinques was rung here on Monday 11th April 2011. The room was renovated in his memory in 2013.

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Photos by Elliott Brown