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Elliott Brown History & heritage
07 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

A look inside St Chad's Cathedral

I went on my first Igers Birmingham UK photography meet at St Chad's Cathedral on 5th August 2023 at 11:30am. Plenty to see, was there over an hour and a half. We were also taken downstairs to the rooms underground. Always wanted to go inside of St Chad's, but kept missing those Birmingham Heritage Week open days. So this was a good opportunity.

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A look inside St Chad's Cathedral





I went on my first Igers Birmingham UK photography meet at St Chad's Cathedral on 5th August 2023 at 11:30am. Plenty to see, was there over an hour and a half. We were also taken downstairs to the rooms underground. Always wanted to go inside of St Chad's, but kept missing those Birmingham Heritage Week open days. So this was a good opportunity.


A selection of photos I took at St Chad's Cathedral on 5th August 2023. More from me and others can be seen at this hashtag on Instagram IGBUK Meet St Chads.

 

First view inside of St Chad's after arriving for the meet.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Under the large organ.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View to the large organ.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This chapel contains relics of St John Henry Newman.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The relics of St John Henry Newman along with a picture of him.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

St Edward's Chapel. The chapel was built from 1931 and opened in 1933.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One of the stained glass windows.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Archbishop's throne on the alter.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Statue of St Chad, holding a model of the three spired Lichfield Cathedral. His relics were saved from Lichfield after the Reformation, and hidden, then moved to St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham 300 years later, once it was safe to do so.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(27).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One of many places to light a candle. But don't light them during a mass as they will be a distraction! Also donate below.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(33).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Monument of Bishop Thomas Walsh (1776 - 1849).  The founder of St Chad's Cathedral, he is buried in this Crypt. It was designed by A.W. Pugin, carved in Bath stone by George Myers and exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20int%2005082023%20(37).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

And now for some photos taken in the rooms underground.

 

The robe of Pope John Paul II. He was the first Pope since the reformation to visit the UK in 1982. While he didn't visit Birmingham, he did go to Coventry. But he met the then new Archbishop of Birmingham Maurice Couve de Murville.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20crypt%2005082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Robe of Pope Benedict XVI. He came to Birmingham in 2010, and held mass at Cofton Park, and also beautified John Henry Newman, and visited the Birmingham Oratory on the Hagley Road in Edgbaston.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20crypt%2005082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This room is called the Sacrament of Confirmation.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20crypt%2005082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Another interesting looking room with yellow walls and ceilings.

dndimg alt="St Chad's Cathedral" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Chads%20IGB%20crypt%2005082023%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

More photos in the gallery.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown History & heritage
07 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Jack's visit to Selly Manor with Nechells POD

During July 2023, Jack Babington and Nechells POD visited Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves in Bournville. Enjoy Jack's photos in this post.

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Jack's visit to Selly Manor with Nechells POD





During July 2023, Jack Babington and Nechells POD visited Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves in Bournville. Enjoy Jack's photos in this post.


Selly Manor is run by the Bournville Village Trust.

The building was re-built at Bournville from 1912 to 1916 by W. Alexander Harvey for George Cadbury. The building dates back to the 15th century in the sub-manor of Selly.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Henry VIII teddy bear.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Cuddly toy cat on a bed.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Food on the kitchen table.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Kitchen.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A boars head in the kitchen.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Civil War helmets.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Shields / coat of arms inside of Minworth Greaves.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

An old clock.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A view of Minworth Greaves.

It was re-built here in 1932 by Lawrence Cadbury. It was formerly located in Minworth near Sutton Coldfield, and dates to the 14th century. Restoration overseen by W. Alexander Harvey.

dndimg alt="Jack Selly Manor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Manor%20(July%202023)%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Jack Babington

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Elliott Brown History & heritage
10 Jul 2023 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The 6888 US Army African American women's postal unit at King Edward's School in 1945

Did you know that in 1945 at King Edward's School in Edgbaston, Birmingham, that The U.S. Women's Army Corps 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was based at King Edward's School to sort the backlog of post, in the last year of the Second World War? This little known story is being turned into a Netflix film. It was also featured on BBC Midlands Today.

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The 6888 US Army African American women's postal unit at King Edward's School in 1945





Did you know that in 1945 at King Edward's School in Edgbaston, Birmingham, that The U.S. Women's Army Corps 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was based at King Edward's School to sort the backlog of post, in the last year of the Second World War? This little known story is being turned into a Netflix film. It was also featured on BBC Midlands Today.


The fascinating story about the Six Triple Eight was featured on BBC Midlands Today on Wednesday 5th July 2023. Descendants of the African American US Army members of the 6888 unit, recently journeyed to Birmingham, and visited King Edward's School. More information at the link below from BBC Midlands Today.

Six Triple Eight: The battalion of black women erased from history

 

The blue plaque was unveiled to the side of the gates on the Bristol Road entrance near Vince House in 2019, near The Andrew Brode Sports Centre. Members of the 6888 division was based at King Edward's School during 1945.

dndimg alt="King Edward's School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6888%20KES%20(Sep%202020)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Edward's School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6888%20KES%20(Sep%202020)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Edward's School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6888%20KES%20(Sep%202020)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Edward's School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6888%20KES%20(Sep%202020)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Edward's School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6888%20KES%20(Sep%202020)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken on the Bristol Road in Edgbaston at King Edward's School during September 2020 by Elliott Brown.

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Elliott Brown Civic pride
22 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

Dawson and Timmins, the co-founders of the Shakespeare Memorial Library

On the 28th February 2023, two blue plaques were unveiled at the Shakespeare Memorial Room, Level 9 of the Library of Birmingham. One of Samuel Timmins (it was placed in Elvetham Road, Edgbaston) and George Dawson (outside the room at the Skyline Viewpoint room). There is also an exhibition on from Everything to Everybody Shakespeare, for visitors to see.

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Dawson and Timmins, the co-founders of the Shakespeare Memorial Library





On the 28th February 2023, two blue plaques were unveiled at the Shakespeare Memorial Room, Level 9 of the Library of Birmingham. One of Samuel Timmins (it was placed in Elvetham Road, Edgbaston) and George Dawson (outside the room at the Skyline Viewpoint room). There is also an exhibition on from Everything to Everybody Shakespeare, for visitors to see.


The Heroic Age in Birmingham History

The Heroic Age in Birmingham History is part of the Everything to Everybody Project. It started on the 27th February and runs to the 12th April 2023. A collaboration between the Jewellery Quarter Research Trust and Everything to Everybody. They have worked together to explore the formation of Our Shakespeare Club and the people behind it. Free entry.

A quick look at this exhibition on Saturday 4th March 2023, was a lot of people in there, only really came up for the George Dawson blue plaque, which wasn't outside the room that day. There is images of Dawson, Timmins and Bunce on three of the walls up here. There was books in the glass display tables.

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A return visit to the Shakespeare Memorial Room on Thursday 16th March 2023, this time got the room to myself. Mission accomplished this time, as I got the George Dawson blue plaque, now on the wall outside of the room that he inspired. Probably best to see it during a weekday, compared to a Saturday (closed on Sunday's).

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/THA%20Shakes%20MR%2016032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/THA%20Shakes%20MR%2016032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Shakespeare Memorial Room" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/THA%20Shakes%20MR%2016032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Link to Everything to Everybody 

Birmingham City Council page on The Heroic Age in Birmingham

 

Samuel Timmins

Samuel 'Sam:' Timmins (1826-1902) lived at 18 Elvetham Road, Edgbaston. Also called Elvetham Lodge. Timmins was a co-founder of the Shakespeare Memorial Library. Timmins was a learned industrialist, lover of libraries and literature. The blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society was unveiled in the Shakespeare Memorial Room on the 28th February 2023, and was placed a few days later on his former home in Edgbaston. Seen on the 4th March 2023.

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Samuel Timmins" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sam%20Timmins%2018%20ERE%2004032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

George Dawson

On the 4th March 2023, the George Dawson blue plaque was not yet screwed to the wall outside of the Shakespeare Memorial Room, but the existing tablets, from the old Central Libraries, and the previous blue plaque up here for Marie Bethell Beauclerc were on the wall.

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/E2E%20Shakespere%20LoB%2004032023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I waited a couple of weeks for them to put the blue plaque up, and returned on the 16th March 2023. George Dawson (1821-1876) was a champion of the Civic Gospel, promoting responsible local government and education, arts and culture for all. He inspired the world's first great Shakespeare Library. Dawson bust has been up here on Level 9 in the Skyline Viewpoint room since it opened in September 2013, but the glass case for that and the other marble busts is a recent addition.

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="George Dawson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George%20Dawson%20LoB%2016032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Previous post on the Shakespeare Memorial Room

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Squares and public spaces
12 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update

Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.

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Victoria Square - Public Realm Works - March 2023 update





Since January 2023, most of Victoria Square has been closed for more repaving of the square. The Floozie fountain has been turned off. Mostly the area in front of the Council House to the River statue, and the area below the Youth statue. The bit near the Town Hall was done in previous years. In 2022 they returned the Iron: Man statue and Floozie in the Jacuzzi fountain repaired.


21st January 2022

The River and Youth statues in storage, while the fountain was repaired. It was back working in time for the Commonwealth Games that summer.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20repairs%20Vic%20Sq%2021012022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

10th February 2022

The Council House got a jet wash, while a spot in Victoria Square was being prepared for the return of the Iron: Man statue by Antony Gormley.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet%20Wash%20BCCH%20Vic%20Sq%2010022022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

28th February 2022

The Iron: Man is reinstated in a new position in Victoria Square, months before the Commonwealth Games, having been in storage for around five years.

dndimg alt="Iron: Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AG%20IronMan%20Vic%20Sq%2028022022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

9th April 2022

Paving completed around the Queen Victoria statue.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Queen%20Vic%20statue%20Vic%20Sq%2009042022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The River statue by Dhruva Mistry has been lowered back into it's basin. It was removed, back in September 2021, ahead of the repairs to the fountain.

dndimg alt="Floozie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Floozie%20returns%20Vic%20%20Sq%2009042022%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

23rd April 2022

St George's Day with a massive flag on the Town Hall. Not long before the fountain was turned back on. The paving here looked tired after 30 years.

dndimg alt="Floozie" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Georges%20Day%20TH%20Vic%20Sq%2023042022%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

11th June 2022

View from 103 Colmore Row, during Key to the City. The River and Youth fountains were back on. As you can see the paving around the fountain had yet to be done, this would have to wait until early 2023, due to events coming up, such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that summer. It was at this time that the Queen Victoria statue was transformed by artist Hew Locke (Foreign Exchange).

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20V103%2011062022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

23rd July 2022

During the Commonwealth Games, local street artists painted over the old paving, as can be seen from 103 Colmore Row (during Key to the City).

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/B2022%20Vic%20Sq%20V103%20KTTC%2023072022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

13th August 2022

After the end of the Commonwealth Games, Victoria Square was returned back to normal. This would not last long before PoliNations was installed here.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria%20Sq%20mob%20cranes%2013082022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

8th October 2022

After PoliNations ended, this was the last time Victoria Square was fully opened, before the return of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Before that was Diwali on the Square in October. Work to resume renovating the square, only started up again at the end of December 2022.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria%20Sq%2008102022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

12th January 2023

A few weeks after the end of the last Frankfurt Christmas Market closed, most of Victoria Square was fenced off again for repaving works.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Victoria%20Square%2012012023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />


22nd January 2023

The route past the Town Hall and Iron: Man statue is open from Victoria Square towards Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2022012023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Hoardings have gone back up again around the Council House, Council House Extension, Museum & Art Gallery again, the renovation and rewiring works will take until sometime in 2024.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2022012023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near Starbucks, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street. Pedestrians can enter the path either side of this gate. It is the construction site entrance.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2022012023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A view to the Council House entrance. It will be closed until the renovation works here are completed by 2024.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2022012023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

8th March 2023

From the bottom of Victoria Square, a view to the Council House through a gap in a gate. The lower paving looks almost complete.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2008032023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A view from Christchurch Passage, past one of the Sphinx guardian statues. Can't see much here other than the steps.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2008032023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

During the week is workers on site, so didn't want to get my camera over the high fence, this is the path from Colmore Row / Waterloo Street, through the top of Victoria Square towards the Town Hall and Chamberlain Square.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2008032023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

12th March 2023

From the top of Victoria Square, near the Council House. There is a gate and high fence, so bit hard to see what is going on up here.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The 1993 paving has been removed and they are repaving from the Council House towards the top basin of the River and Youth fountain.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The stone spheres / balls appears to have been removed. Is a lot of repaving needed here.

dndimg alt="Victoria Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Vic%20Sq%20PRW%2012032023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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