Our beating heart, Snow Hill Square, Birmingham, March 2024

A big, revolving, mirrored heart has appeared in Snow Hill square accompanied by lights and seventies disco music.  Quite a combination when you think about it.  Such retro art installations catch my imagination.  “Our beating Heart” is a pop-up show sponsored by Colmore Business District and is free to view.  

I hurried along after a meeting at the MAC to see the latest art installation that Birmingham has on show.  Snow Hill was quiet, sparsely populated with commuters heading home.  In the middle of the square was the heart slowly revolving and lit up by lights.  The 11,000 mirrors reflected the light around the darkened buildings of the square.  The effect was pleasing and mesmerising as shards of coloured light gave a snowfall effect on the buildings.  The music was very much retro.  Whilst I was there taking pictures, songs from my youth were blasted out into the night.   Heart of Glass by Blondie and Saturday Night Fever by the Bee Gees are two examples of the disco style music.  This an open-air disco and luckily there was no rain.   

Our beating heart, Snow Hill Square, Birmingham, March 2024
View from the Station end of the square.
Our beating heart, Snow Hill Square, Birmingham, March 2024
No bikes allowed!
Our beating heart, Snow Hill Square, Birmingham, March 2024
Colour popping

Just to emphasise the fun of the evening two people were dressed up in multicoloured swap-shop jackets and were ready to engage in conversation with passers-by.  The installation was Instagram friendly and I was not alone in taking photographs.  Some serious picture taking was happening and a look at the socials shows how everyone wanted to have a piece of the action.  The heart was not the easiest object to photograph, very bright lights against the dark is tricky at the best of times.  My humble offering of photographs may not be the best but they give a flavour of the atmosphere.  There is much more information on the Colmore Business District web site and the pity is that the heart is only around for a few nights.  There was a board, where you could post supplied stickers saying how the heart made you feel.   I enjoyed seeing the heart but left bemused that a disco light shaped as a heart with retro hits has captured everyone’s imagination.  But that is what good art does by making you give an opinion.  My advice go and visit as the heart is worth seeing just for the picture taking.

Our beating heart, Snow Hill Square, Birmingham, March 2024
Multi-coloured swapshop jacket.

More information on the Beating heart designed by Studio Vertigo and the Colmore Business District.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024

Initially the weather forecast for St Patrick’s Day was rain but someone must have had a word with heaven. The rain stopped and the sun started to show itself from behind the clouds. Bradford Street in Birmingham is as straight as a die and runs parallel to Digbeth High street. At the top of the hill by Trinity Church, the floats, dignitaries and people were congregating.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The Lord Mayor by one of the Irish banners.
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
Getting ready to parade
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
Ready to sing Dirty Ole Town by the Pogues
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The entry code was you had to wear something green and St Patrick was there overseeing the proceedings. The Peaky Blinders were behaving themselves and they had brought their own police force. Irish dancers and marching bands were adding to the entertainment. There were a group of dancers who had flown in from Bolivia. Their costumes contributed to the colourful noise around them. The scooters were polished so well that you got blinded by the reflections from the chrome work and mirrors. The floats were being loaded up and the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress were greeting everyone and having their picture taken. With so many photographers around it was not long before the West Midland Mayor, Andy Street made an appearance. Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere was one of excitement and merriment.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The parade on Bradford Street
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The BRMB bus loaded with dignitaries
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The Guinness hats were everywhere
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
Having fun was the aim of the day.
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
Which will it be?

Then the parade was due to start so we rushed down the street to St Anne’s church. People were lining the barriers as you went down the hill towards the city centre. Even the dogs were dressed up in the Irish tricolour flag. The parade was long and varied, stopping every so often to let the marching bands and the Irish dancers demonstrate their skills. People waved towards the floats and people in the floats waved back. Everyone was so happy.

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Some of the big names in construction were there including Murphy’s and Mahoney’s. The Irish came over to Birmingham and contributed to making the city an industrial powerhouse. The parade reflected this contribution and everyone reacted to celebrating the rich history of Birmingham. These pictures are my own interpretation. At an event such as the St Patrick’s Day parade every type of photographer is out and about. BBC teams and local newspapers, amateur photography organisations and the casual mobile phone snapper were in their element. Everyone wants their photograph taken.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The line up in a float
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
The builders’ merchant (even I have used them)
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
I am getting tired now.
St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
It was not just people who were having fun.

The BBC coverage is the best starting point for a record of the day’s events although a quick search of St Patrick’s Day Parade, Birmingham will open up many more.

St Patrick's Day Parade, Digbeth, Birmingham, March 17th, 2024
BBC account of the parade

The next parade in Birmingham will be Pride 2024 and here is my account from last year.

Joy and happiness at Birmingham Pride 2023

Fog in Birmingham, March 2024

Pulling the curtains back, I saw the fog which lifts any photographers spirits.  Fortunately, I had to be in Birmingham early and I knew that I would be able to get some good pictures of Dorridge station in the fog before it lifted.  I was even more pleased that the fog had not lifted by the time I got to Birmingham city centre. The fog was still around the Bull Ring and Moor Street turning normal street scenes into atmospheric and mysterious places.  The silhouettes of commuters provided the focus to many of the pictures. The majority of the photographs were taken with my iPhone15 which were then converted to black and white to take advantage of the contrasts available. I used Silver Efex Pro and I like the fine art processing or occasionally the overexposed settings that are provided. I also include pictures from the start of my journey in Dorridge where the fog was even thicker.

Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Commuters outside Moor Street station and Selfridges.
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Riding a bike through the fog.
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Waiting for the train at Moor Street.
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
St Martin’s walk with buildings obscured by the fog.
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Looking foggy at the Rotunda
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Reduced visibility
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
Enjoying the morning commute.
Fog in Birmingham, March 2024
A lone figure crosses the Bullring

Dorridge station in the fog.

Fog at Dorridge, March 2024
The platforms shrouded in fog.
Fog at Dorridge, March 2024
Driving in the fog

I do like foggy mornings as these blog posts show.

RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024

Situated in the Staffordshire countryside, RSPB Middleton Lakes are next door to the Aston Villa Bodymoor training ground.  The area around the lakes offer differing recreation activities with Kingsbury Water Park, Middleton Hall and Drayton Manor funfair nearby. Water is an overarching theme of this part of Staffordshire with both the river Tame and the Birmingham and Fazeley canal passing through the area. However, the wildlife in the reserve are unperturbed by what is happening around them and just enjoy being given the peace and quiet away from the built-up areas of the city.  

RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
The lookout towards the heronry

The RSPB look after the lakes and have designated different viewing areas for bird spotters and photographers.  The first place that you encounter not far from the car park is a viewing platform that looks out towards the heronry and here I met Lynn who works for the RSPB.  I had been meaning to join the charity for a while and after chatting to Lynn, I decided to become a member of the RSPB.  Lynn pointed out the heron’s nesting in the trees over the pond from the viewing platform.  I spent a lot of time observing the heron activity in the trees.  I was fortunate to have my 400mm lens with me and therefore I viewed the herons as they went back and forth taking materials to the nest.  There must have been around a dozen nests that I counted.  

RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
Lynn who works for the RSPB with her information stand.
RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
Herons’ nests in the trees with a few occupants.
RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
Nest building in the Heronry.

There are several bird feeders around the viewing area and  blue tits, great tits, chaffinches and bullfinches were flying in and out.  The track takes you along the side of a small river and there are several viewing areas.  I stopped off at one and immediately there were several inquisitive small birds landing on the branches and checking to see what I was doing.

RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
Activity at the bird feeders.
RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
A tough stare from a bullfinch.

The path leads onto the Fisher’s Mill canal bridge where people leave nuts and other bird seed for the many inhabitants of the area. The path then opens up to the wetlands and having been there on a previous occasion, I headed south and explored the meadow area. This is a favoured place to see owls hunting both in the early morning or late evening evening.  

RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
A great tit enjoying the nuts on the canal bridge.
RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire, March 2024
A canal boat heading northwards.
https://www.justcolor.net/kids/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/nggallery/pokemon/Coloring-for-kids-pokemon-55760.jpg
A view of the wetlands at RSPB Middleton Lakes
https://www.justcolor.net/kids/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/nggallery/pokemon/Coloring-for-kids-pokemon-55760.jpg
Not everyone is happy about sharing.

On the way back, I brough some enamel badges for the grandchildren and set off home.  Middleton Lakes reserve has so much nature on view and now as a member of RSPB  I will take even more of an active interest in the area. The RSPB do such important work to maintain the natural habitats of our bird community. I joined to take an active interest in their work, I would encourage my blog readers to get involved too!

My visit in 2022
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024

This set of pictures features the University of Birmingham at night.  I was fortunate to be staying at the Edgbaston Park Hotel which is on campus.  After the conference dinner ended, I headed out with my iPhone and Fujifilm camera.  I used my travel tripod for some of the long exposure pictures of the Aston Webb building.  The iPhone was ideal for the pictures of the newer buildings around campus.  The sensors on the iPhone give a very good rendition of night colours.   

University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
Leading lines in the night.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The Entrance to Chemical Engineering.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The Medical School open all hours.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The expanse of the Green Heart.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The Walkway to University Centre.

The University has so many different venues that lend themselves for photography.   I did a brisk walk around several of the main buildings and paths.  Even though it was late, there were several people moving around.  Unsurprisingly the busiest area was the University Library.  The advantage to using the iPhone is that it is less conspicuous to using my camera.  Even with my long exposure pictures on a tripod, I did not attract that much attention and was very much left to myself as I moved around.  I hope you enjoy the pictures. Old Joe was telling the time at just before 8pm but that is not correct! Hopefully he will be sorted soon. The clock face is illuminated in purple colours for World Rare Diseases Day.

University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
Table Tenis table outside the School of Sport Sciences.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
Steps to Univeristy Station
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The new entrance to University Station.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
More of the Aston Webb
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
Old Joe has a purple clock face.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
The ornate gates of the University main entrance.
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
IRC Net Shape Laboratory always looks mysterious
University of Birmingham at Night, Edgbaston, March 2024
(UN)intentional camera movement – can you guess where I am?

If you enjoyed this blog then have a look at the University Campus in the Summer and the Autumn.

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023

The message went out.  “There is likely to be a starling murmuration on Sunday night.  The venue will be the roof of a shopping centre car park in Redditch, Worcestershire”.  This message was sent out on social media by Jim Panda who knows a thing or two about wildlife.  A few years back, he had organised a meeting where over 100 people attended a starling murmuration in the same location.  Now Jim let the social media world know that the murmurations were back (if they ever had been away).

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
A starling murmuration at its peak.

On a Sunday afternoon people gathered on the top of the shopping centre car park. The time was just after four o’clock.  The evening was beautiful and whilst there was initially some light rain, the main event for a while was destined to be a beautiful rainbow.  People had answered Jim’s call and were turning up to see the murmuration.  As we stood overlooking the southern aspect of the car park, very little was happening.  Two pigeons were spotted and even a couple of seagulls flew by teasing the assembled photographers and onlookers.  Besides this nothing else was stirring.  Jim remained calm and reassured people who asked that the starlings had been here for the last few nights.  The waiting did have its advantages as it gave many of us the opportunity to talk to fellow photographers. We caught up with the news and gossip in our local photographic community.  Behind us a beautiful sunset was gathering pace and the colours in the cloud began to deepen.  Occasionally one of two starlings flew past, teasing us as we waited for the main event. 

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
A rainbow was the prelude to the main event.

Without knowing how or when it happened,  a flock of around 10 starlings flew by.  Then a few more groups just happened to appear and the birds started to coalesce.  Then magically a larger group of starlings was in front of us with more birds joining the main group all the time.  The murmuration was in full flight.  Everyone lined up on the southern wall and watched the birds fly back and forth.  Everyone had their iPhones, cameras and eyes on the birds.  

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023


The colours in the clouds from the sunset produced a spectacular backdrop for the movement of the birds.  At last, I understood why it is called a murmuration. The spectacular flypast was accompanied by the noise of the flapping wings.   The event was mesmerising and a few times I stopped taking photographs and just watched the birds fly around. There were several good photographers on the roof and this was demonstrated by the excellent videos and pictures that have been posted after the event.

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
Starlings against the backdrop of the sunset clouds
Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
Golden wings as the starlings fly away from the sunset.
Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
The dramatic skies provided the colour to the silhouettes of the starlings.
(This picture was shortlisted in the Fotospeed #fsprintmonday competition – 21st Feb 2024)

I took some snippets of video for the family back home. I had my trusty Canon D5 MkIV and used both my standard 40-70mm and 200mm lenses.  I experimented with some long exposures which did not get a great reaction from the family! See what you think.  The iPhone was brilliant as I was able to take several videos of the Starlings plus a few wide angled shots.  The traditional pictures of the birds against the clouds worked well.  From a story telling point of view, I wanted to show the photographers on the wall taking pictures of the murmuration.  There was a long line of people who were captivated by the event before them.  The birds make different shapes and I saw an arrow. Also there was a snake’s head eating the other birds although you may argue the shapes are something else.

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
My long exposure experiment.
Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
Shapes – an arrow of birds
Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
Shapes – A possible head and mouth which is consuming the other birds.

Time passed quickly and the birds were coming to the end of their fly past.  The car park has a line of evergreen trees at the front entrance.  Groups of birds broke away from the main group and suddenly dropped into the trees.  There was a lovely fluttering sound accompanied by the rustle of the leaves as they finally came to rest. This was repeated over the next 5 minutes leaving a few starlings still flying in formation.  Then this final group disappeared into the trees and the murmuration was finished.  


Dusk had arrived and taken a firm grip of the last light of the day. The dark of the night was just around the corner.  We made our way back to our cars and drove off chatting excitedly about the event and rushing home to see and post our pictures. If you ever get the chance to witness a murmuration then you will understand that the words and pictures do not convey the atmosphere of experiencing one of nature’s great events.

Starling murmuration, Redditch, February 2023
A diagonal run of starlings.

If you want some photographic tips on how to photograph a murmuration then this Amateur Photographer article is very useful.

Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024

The Bullring centre is hosting a light show called Borealis for one week in February.  This production by the artist Dan Acher is on display every evening during the week.  With a mixture of dry ice smoke and laser beams, the “northern lights” are recreated in the centre of Birmingham.  The performance is accompanied by haunting music which sets the scene and cranks up the atmosphere. When you stand still and look up at the colours, you are transported to a magical place where the northern lights are happening. Borealis is a photographer’s dream. As the laser beams crisscross through the smoke, colours are created and these are highlighted by the surrounding buildings.  The gentle breeze in the area moves the smoke around leading to pleasing patterns against the backdrop of the Selfridges building and St Martin’s Church.  

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I arrived there just as the sun was setting and the golden hour followed by the blue hour provided a changing backdrop to the scenes being created.  The hypnotic music added to the atmosphere.  The smoke adds to the surreal atmosphere and produces a haunting appearance to the area which is part dreamy and romantic at the same time. As it is half term week there are many people in the city shopping.  The area around St Martin’s was packed with onlookers gazing into the sky. There was one child dressed in white who seemed to be leading the crowds in a service for the Borealis. The imagery could be appreciated either close up or at a distance allowing everyone to take in the spectacle.    

Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024
The lights over St Martin’s Church with a construction crane leading the dance of the colours.
Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024
There was a golden sunset that enhanced the colours of the laser show.
Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024
There were packed crowds along St Martin’s way.
Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024
The show caught the attention of everyone even this child who is leading the crowds.

Using both iPhone and my Fujifilm x100v, I had fun taking pictures before heading off for an evening meal in town.  After dinner, I dropped by to see Borealis on my way to the train, the night was dark and there was a different take to the light show as the powerful laser colours shone through the smoke layers.  I stayed around for a few more pictures. Even at that late time, there were people out and about enjoying the show.   

Borealis in the Bullring, Birmingham, February 2024
The light show created a calming atmosphere with the lights and the music

Here is a link if you wish to know more about the work of Dan Acher.

The last light show in Birmingham that I visited was in February 2020 when the world was still very young and the idea that a virus would force us all indoors was a fanciful idea.  My record of the festival light from 2020 is outlined on a previous blog. 

About the picture taking.
I was fortunate to have a dinner booked in town at 6pm. This gave me time to see the Borealis early and late in the evening. I always have my iPhone with me and wherever possible my Fujifilm x100v. When I arrived, my mind already starts to think how can I tell a story about the show. There were several things that caught my eye. The smokey atmosphere was one. Standing at the top of St Martin’s Walk looking downwards to the Church is a popular vantage point and captures the haze above the crowds. I moved closer to take in the sunset and the source of the smoke and lasers. My photographic mind is thinking about the big picture and then the smaller things that make up the view. What amazed me were the crowds of people, so I knew that I wanted them in the picture. I swap from iPhone to compact camera when taking my pictures. The iPhone is so good but I find that it wants to adjust the shadows and compensate for the darkness. Meanwhile the x100v requires a very high ISO and wide aperture to let the light in. Fortunately post processing is done with Lightroom and the “denoise” button is a dream to use. This has rejuvenated my night time use with the Fujifilm and I am not afraid to crank up the ISO. Selecting images proved a challenge and I limited myself to just 8 pictures. As always on social media, there were some very good pictures taken by other photographers. Seeing them, I think to myself, if only I had taken that photograph but I know that they also challenge me to adjust my view of the scene when out taking photographs. A selection of them may be found on the Beautiful Productions Instagram page.

Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024

There have been many demonstration marches across the country calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. A large Palestinian demonstration march for the end of hostilities in the Isreal-Gaza war took place in Birmingham in January 2024. These are my pictures of the march as I watched on as the demonstrators passed through the streets of Birmingham. The march came through Digbeth and finished at the end of Edgbaston street near to the Indoor market.

Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
Flags flutter in the wind.
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
A father with his child at the demo

The war between Israel and Hamas has led to innocent civilians being killed on both sides of the conflict. My only wish is that there is peace and this is done by diplomacy not by the bullet. Whatever happens people will eventually have to sit around a table and negotiate. The January demonstrations in Birmingham on behalf of the Palestinian people show the depth of frustration. This anger will spill out into other areas of life both here and aboard. Rather than looking for peace, the spectre of further warfare will remain.

Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
If you look carefully not everyone was happy. Luckily the incident did not escalate.
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
The stewards maintain control and the demonstrators move on.
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
Many signs asking for the world to listen.

I was in Birmingham for another meeting which finished in time for me to take pictures of the rally. My pictures are in black and white. Why did I do this? When I first saw my pictures, the colours of the Palestinian flag whilst so important to the story telling swamped the visual appearance of the event. By using black and white, I was able to concentrate on the people and show their frustrations. I left the rally with one thought, there must be a ceasefire followed by diplomatic negotiation.

Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
Flag on my back.
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
All right bab!
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
The mannequins look on
Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
Marchers with flags.

Whilst I did publish Black and White photographs, I do have a cheeky colour picture of two police officers. Just as I was taking the picture, one of the officers turned around and looked at me. I had been clocked.

Pro Palestinian Rally, Birmingham, Jan 2024
I have been clocked!
Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024

Digbeth is known for streets of light and the area looks it best when the sky is dark. But not too dark.  An ideal time to take photographs is during the blue hour.  The warm yellows of the streetlights reflect on the colourful buildings.  I watched a PhotoPills YouTube video on the Art of Travel Photography. The guest photographer was Scott Stulberg who said if you want to get the best pictures then you have to go out at night. So my first blog of 2024 is all about Digbeth in January.

Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Early workers walking down Gibb Street

The blue hour is great but you must get up early and that is not easy unless you plan to go out in January.  The sun rises at around 8 o’clock and therefore you can get into the city early and be ready for the golden hour.  The rewards are many and I know this, as last year my photograph of Floodgate Street taken on an early January morning was “Highly recommended” in the Landscape Photographer of the Year awards in 2023.  Making sure I was there at the right time helped.  If you are lucky enough to be around after a night of rain then the streets light up with multiple reflections.  My aim as always is to be different but also to fit in a few of those classic views.  

Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Iconic Digbeth

Arriving in Digbeth early in January I was hoping that Floodgate street and Trinity Street lights would be on but I was disappointed.  The lights were off but I guess it was a Monday morning.  However Gibb street was ablaze with lights and this is where I concentrated my efforts on my picture taking. I walked up and down Gibb Street looking for pictures of the shop windows and the street art.  There were a few people moving around and coming into work at the Custard Factory.  My cameras were the trusty Fujifilm x100v and my iPhone 15 proMax.  I set up my mini tripod for some of the pictures with the x100v and went for high ISO to catch the people moving around.  I did move around Floodgate and Lower Trinity Street to take pictures as there were still some neon lights on to assist  early risers to find their way to the Custard Factory. 

Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Shiny Digbeth

Lingering and loitering is a good plan as I waited for people to pass through entrances.  I aimed to catch their silhouettes against the street art.  Some photographers advise to have your camera on burst function so as to capture several pictures.  In this way you capture the moment.  However, I like to take in the surroundings and press the shutter button when I am ready.  Yes I miss a few pictures but I am generally happy with what I get.

Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Changing Street Art – this is Mike Skinner and the Streets by Robbie Jeffcott. Those eyes…..
Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Details on the railings.
Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Details on the walls
Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Blinking of an eye on Floodgate Street

The neon lights throw up some strong colours as my pictures show.  I took many more pictures before the daylight overcame the night.  The buildings reverted to a grey colour and Monday daytime was beginning.  The time had come to move on and find a hot cup of coffee to warm me up.

Digbeth, Birmingham, January 2024
Looking back along Gibb Street

Postscript – This is another of my Digbeth picture series which are a popular read.  Please check them out below.

Two Houses, Packwood House, Christmas 2023

I am very fortunate to live within a few miles of two outstanding National Trust properties.  Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton are within walking distance of each other and during the summer I visit them on my bike.  Both houses have different charms.  Baddesley is a moated house in a picturesque setting.  The gardens are well laid out and are fantastic to see in the summer months when they are in full bloom.  Packwood house is charming and whilst it does not have a moat, there are other unique features.  Packwood has the amazing topiary called the Sermon on the Mount and a walled kitchen garden where one can follow the changes in the vegetation during the year.  There is little to choose between the two houses. 

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
The moat around Baddesley Clinton.

This Christmas both houses have upped their game and have really gone to town with their decorations.  You would almost think that there is a competition between the two properties on who could put on the better display.  Looking on the web, I realise that the majority of the National Trust properties enjoy putting up their decorations. This story of Christmas between these two houses is reenacted up and down the country.

Visiting Packwood each December is a delight and this year the house looked very Christmassy inside.  Each room of the house has a Christmas tree.  The larger Christmas trees are naturally in the bigger rooms.  The Entrance Hall Christmas tree is decorated with handmade decorations and has a commanding presence.  The three adjacent rooms each with their own Christmas tree are set up for welcoming guests to dinner in the 1920s.  The place settings and the arrangement of the food on the table is carefully choreographed.  

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
The tree in the Entrance Hall at Packwood.
Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
The room is set for a 1920’s Christmas dinner.
Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
One of the many Christmas trees at Packwood.

When photographing National Trust properties, I always look for the small things and those details that you miss whilst looking around the room.  I am naturally drawn to the bigger view and as I entered each room, your eyes quickly alight on the brightly lit Christmas trees.  The polished wooden floors reflect the light from the trees.  For inside photography, I use my iPhone15 as the sensor quickly picks up the colours in the low light.  I did try and use a long exposure setting with my compact camera but there were too many people moving around in a small space. Plus the volunteers do become worried when you bring out the tripod even though it is a small travel one.  

Packwood has one room off the Long Gallery, that is set up with a minature town scene with skaters on white icelike flooring.  As the picture shows the lighting effect in the darkened room produces a magical effect.  

The Long Gallery has two more Christmas trees and the final room has a long narrow decorated table that leads to another impressive tree.  I counted 8 trees in all (I could be wrong).  Along the way there was a story being told as the place was set up for a Christmas masquerade ball.  

I did enjoy visiting the house, however, the place I loved the most was the kitchen garden.   Here the old tree near to the entrance was decorated with all types of decorations.  The afternoon light shimmered on the shiny lanterns.  Many of the decorations like those in the house were hand made.  There was continuation of the skating theme on the potting shelves.

My Verdict on Packwood.  The house is amazing with the Christmas trees that enhanced the beauty of the old building.  The best part of my visit was viewing the outside tree in the Kitchen Garden.

Baddesley Clinton is fully prepared for Christmas.  As you pass through the shop into the courtyard you, a Christmas tree awaits you.  Before entering the house, I walked along the garden paths and loved the large, big red ribbons and the decorations of the summer house with the story of the Holly and the Ivy.  

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
Lovely red ribbons.

The larger sloping greenhouse on the garden wall had orange slices hung up as decorations and there were pomanders (oranges with cloves) adorning the ceiling.  Recipes for making mulled wine and smoking Bishops were available.  I love the name of Smoking Bishop for an alcoholic drink.  The walled garden and the vegetable growing areas were being prepared for winter by the gardeners and my time slot for the house entrance was due.  

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
Decorated Greenhouse.
Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
Entering the garden and house.

The walk through the house was a Christmas tour de force.  The kitchen was getting ready for a grand feast.  There was a Christmas card display to browse over before entering the grand Christmas tree by an open fire in the Great Hall.  The downstairs rooms were a delight to visit with preparations for dinner and carols being many of the activities being featured.  

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
Christmas time by the fireplace.

Upstairs the first two rooms were all ready for Christmas presents to be delivered.  Lady Chatterton’s Bedroom on the corner room overlooking the orchid was beautifully laid out and included a decorated tree.  The next room was the Great Parlour and there was a spectacular frieze of children skating.  This had the wow factor.  There were two Christmas trees, children skating on the ice and little owls watching the proceedings.  The final room had a frieze of a family singing carols.  In the room, the exhibit I found most interesting was of the glass ornament that had a model of the house in a large jar.

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
This display had the Wow factor.

After such an exciting visit to the house, I retired to the cafe and had a Turkey Bap with trimmings.  This was a Christmas dinner at a reasonable price.  Another highlight of my visit to the property.

Two Houses, Baddesley Clinton, December, 2023
My delicious Turkey Bap in the Stables restaurant.

My Verdict on Baddesley Clinton.  Great food, some wonderful ideas put into practice with the decoration of the rooms and a garden ready for Christmas.

So two houses, giving two versions of Christmas, lots of trees, decorations, and food.  Which of the two properties is better prepared for Christmas?  I would recommend visiting and if you read this at a later date, my answer is that they both have captured the Christmas Spirit in a brilliant manner. 

Thanks must go the National Trust employees and the volunteers whose industry at Christmas and throughout the year make these properties such fun places to visit. If you enjoyed this blog then I do have other entries of my visits to National Trust properties around the area. Click on this link to find all my visits.

I visited Packwood House at Christmas in 2021 and if you want to see what they did back then, the blog is below.

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