Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands

I have loved the Black Country ever since I worked at Wordsley General Hospital in the late eighties.  Arriving in the West Midlands from Manchester, I was amazed to find the Black Country full of warm, kindhearted people that reminded me of home.  Sadly Wordsley hospital is no longer there but I still retain a deep-rooted love for the Black Country and its people.  

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Enjoying the excellent music at the Festival.

The Black Country Folk Festival took place over two days.  I attended the Sunday show and on arrival, I learnt that Saturday was a success and the sun had been seen.  The weather forecast for Sunday was not good but in true British spirit the music played on regardless.   I met Festival co-organiser Steve Edwards who was very enthusiastic about the day’s music.  Steve runs the Black Country Hub and is also founder of the Black Country Day.  

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Steve Edwards, Festival co-organiser.

The music had started when I arrived and the first artist I saw was Susy Wall.  Her songs resonated with me bringing back memories of visiting the Black Country.  The next band Shotgun Marmalade injected a furious mix of Ska and Punk to the proceedings.   They were followed by Sam Draisey who is an amazing musician making good use of a partial left arm for strumming his guitar.  Sam played songs from his extensive back catalogue. 

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Susy Wall performing on stage.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Shotgun Marmalade
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
There is some marmalade in those colours.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Sam Draisey with his unique style of guitar playing. Alongside Sam is Ewan Stevens.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
A sought after selfie with Sam.

James Stevens and Rachel Slater from The Empty Can played an entertaining set and even their dog howled in unison with them.  I enjoyed the energetic Atilla the Stockbroker.  You must read the Wikipedia pages on this remarkable punk poet and musician. He has been influential in music, football and politics.   I found his set really tuned you into the present problems besetting the world.  

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
James Stevens and Rachel Slater from The Empty Can.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Attila the Stockbroker, punk poet, musician and activist.

I was left wondering how you could beat all these performances and as the Jess Silk trio took to the stage expectations were high.  Jess has been likened to a new Billy Bragg.  I met Jess prior to her performance finding her to be an engaging individual.  On stage she was full of fire and enthusiasm.  Her songs strike a chord with you as they cover social topics that need to be heard.  I loved the band and they produced a super performance to end the festival.

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Jess Silk on stage

A comment on the rain.  It hardly stopped but it failed to dampen the spirits and the fun of the Festival.  The beer was supplied by the Fixed Wheel brewery,  the Black Country flags were proudly displayed and Himley Hall, the former home of the Earls of Dudley provided a striking backdrop to the stage.

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Picnic in the rain.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
A chat under the umbrella.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Making friends at the Festival.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
Black Country Merchandise for sale.
Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
The Festival site at Himley Hall, Dudley.

Thank you to the organisers for a fantastic day and you may also wish to read the official BBC reaction to the Festival. Bring on 2024 and the third Black Country Festival.

Black Country festival 2023, Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands
A view from the sound desk.

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Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023

The Colmore Food Festival provides a great opportunity to sample food from some of the best restaurants in Birmingham.  I was determined to visit and sample the food at the festival.  There was one drawback, the rain.  Waking up on Saturday, the forecast was not good with the prospect of a soggy day ahead.  Motivating the family to go into Birmingham on such a wet day was not easy and the train strikes compounded the problem.  Once I had convinced everyone, we set off for the city centre.  Parking turned out to be straightforward and we made our way from New Street station to St Philips Cathedral.  The area around the Cathedral is known as Pigeon Park and in the northern quarter nearest to Snow Hill station, the Colmore Food Festival was set up and in full flow.  

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Enjoying the food on offer.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Queuing up for soft drinks
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Eating whilst sheltering from the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Lots of colours and tastes.

So was it worth the effort to get there?  The answer is Yes.  We enjoyed the festival.  There was so much to like.  The choice of food outlets was excellent and for the family we were split between Asha’s and Purnell’s.  We went for dishes from both and were not disappointed.  The food was well cooked and so tasty.  There was a chance to wash it down with a glass of Purity’s session IPA from Purecraft beer stall.  Once the main course was finished, we browsed the other stalls and kept going back to Miss Macaroons for dessert.  The brightly coloured meringue-based sandwich cookies were in many different flavours.  Our choice included the following Pistachio, Rhubarb and orange, strawberry, and caramel. There were many more there.  We all agree that the food stalls were excellent and I apologise that I cannot review more of what was on offer but there is only so much we could eat.

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
The Festival was well attended despite the rain.

My grandson was spoilt rotten.  He received a free spiderman face paint, free drawing materials, a book, and a balloon. He was very happy which also made mum and grandparents very pleased.  This was the detail that made the food festival a success for the family.  Not only was the food good but the children were well looked after.  The music was good as well even though dancing on the wet ground was a challenge.  Everyone was in a happy mood despite the rain.  I am already looking forward to next year’s food festival and I don’t think it will be a problem motivating the family to go whatever the weather.

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
A happy grandson with Spiderman faceprint.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Enjoying ourselves in the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Singing in the rain.
Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Happy vibes.

I hope you enjoy the pictures which were all taken on my Fujifilm x100v.  The camera is weatherproofed which makes it ideal when the weather is wet.  I even had someone come up to me to ask about the camera as he liked the look of it so much. 

Colmore Food Festival, Birmingham, 2023
Making sure we all enjoyed the day.

Finally a big thanks to Colmore Row Business District for organising the food festival.  I have provided a link to CBD and the food festival so you can make a note of the event for next year. 

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Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023

A new Lavender field to visit.  Warwickshire Lavender Fields is behind Coventry airport nestled in the beautiful countryside that remains between Coventry and Leamington Spa.  The fields are relatively young and started out in 2016.  Several photographic friends has told me about the fields and having done the Cotswolds Lavender fields, the family thought a fields closer to home would be worth a visit.

Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
A low down view of the lavender fields
Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Striking a pose in the colour purple.
Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Running through the lavender.

The day we chose was one of sunshine and showers.  The showers when they arrived were wet and windy.  This did not stop us having great fun at the fields. I understand that before we got there my oldest daughter had excelled at falling down a hole much to the amusement of the grandchildren.  When we arrived the heavens opened, and we got soaked.  However the rain did clear the fields, and everyone made for shelter. Although my camera was under threat from the rain, there were some wonderful photographic opportunities as people were crowded into the tents.  Even Lily came along to pose in front of the tents.  The children had such fun even though they got very wet.  The café served great coffee and lovely cakes and the shop offered a range of lavender products including bunches of lavender flowers.

Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Then the rain came.
Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Luckily everyone could get into the tent to escape the rain.
Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Lily posing in front of everyone sheltering from the rain.
Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Chloe with her lavender flowers.

Whilst a bit of sunshine would have made the visit, we still enjoyed ourselves.  We set off home for a change of clothes and to share photographs of the day.  Well worth a visit and a very photogenic site for all photographers out there.

Warwickshire Lavender fields, Bubbenhall, Coventry, 2023
Lavender plants to take how with you.

If you want to know more about Warwickshire Lavender fields then please follow the link.

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PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022

We were promised lots more activity during the B2022 Festival linked with the Birmingham Commonwealth games. When a readymade garden in the middle of Birmingham was announced, it really caught the public imagination.  PoliNations was not like any other garden, attracting huge anticipation on what to expect. This display was stunning and so different to what had gone before during the festival.  PoliNations is difficult to sum up in a few words.  I will try to describe the scene but I am aware that the gardens brought out different personal experiences from those who went.

PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose
Hada Bejar

To put it simply, Victoria square was transformed into a garden.  The paving stones, concrete, and other parts of the square were covered with grass and flowers. There were 5 manmade trees with large umbrella like canopies.  These trees were 40 ft high and towered above the landscape with the trunks covered with colourful patterns.  At ground level, there were walkways through a garden of plants.  Access was by several entrances which lead to different zones.   Iconic plants such as apple, fern, roses and tulips were featured.  Other parts of the garden were called Fringe, Sunny or Temperature zones and had flowers to match the theme.  The map shown provides a key to the different areas.  

PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Map of PoliNations

The sensory garden had varieties of flowers based on those you would normally find in the City.  I visited twice. Once while it was raining and the second time when the sun shone. I enjoyed all the textures, interaction with people and the use of mirrors on the public seating.  

There was a full programme of events including music, dance and theatre which were held on either the large stage or the many smaller places through out the installation.  I was not able to attend these shows but my visits during the day gave me a flavour of the place. PoliNations was magical but quirky, natural and surreal.  The diversity of the place was displayed in the range of flowers, the colours on offer and the people passing through. The place eventually caught up with you and made you sit down and take in the uniqueness of everything.  

PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Taking Time Out

PoliNations was a photographers delight allowing you to take a range of pictures. There were many stunning pictures taken using drones but I am a simple foot on the ground photographer and this is my interpretation of the place. A simple search on Instagram shows the variety of pictures that were taken. Please enjoy my pictures of my visit to PoliNations which serve as a memory of an extra-ordinary visit.

More pictures to view of PoliNations in the rain and the sun.

PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Rain does not stop people from enjoying the gardens.
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Take it slow
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Relax
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Take it easy
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Have fun
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
Great interactions either live or virtual
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
PolNations
PoliNations,Birmingham, September 2022
The Floosie in the Jacuzzi and PoliNations

National Memorial Arboretum

Instameets are friendly photographic get togethers where you meet like-minded people for a social chat and take pictures.  The meetings are also held at fascinating venues around the West Midlands.  My usual patch is IgersbirminghamUK or the Westmidlandsphotocollective. Both hold meetings at venues which provide a multitude of photographic opportunities.  Igers_staffordshire is a group that hold Instameets around the Lichfield area.  The venue for this meeting was the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.  The Arboretum occupies a large swathe of land just North of Lichfield and is well signposted off the A38.  However, it is a place that I always pass by and think to myself that is somewhere to visit in the future.  When Igers_staffordshire advertised the event then I quickly signed up.  The meeting started in the car park which is one of the strategic places in the Arboretum.  Whilst entry to the site is free, car parking is strictly controlled and must be prebooked.  The entrance and the welcome buildings guide you through to the main body of the Arboretum.  I was greeted by the organisers and it is easy to work out who the photographers are as you will not miss the tripods, backpacks and cameras on display.  Once through the entrance we made our way to the most commanding monument which is the Armed Forces Memorial.  It is not difficult to miss as it sits as a raised structure with an attractive circle of trees.  We posed on the steps for the picture of the group and then started exploring.

National Memorial Arboretum
The inside of the Armed Forces Memorial

You find yourself pulled towards the Armed Forces Memorial, up the steps and into the inner parts.  It borrows heavily in architectural design from the Greeks and Romans.  It is impressive, and it was here that I met Kenneth who is a volunteer at the National Memorial Arboretum. We got talking about the Arboretum and Kenneth outlined some of the major features about the place. He showed me where a shaft of sunlight shines through the gaps in the southern walls onto the central bronze wreath on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month #Armistaceday. Kenneth does two days volunteering and is out in all weathers, greeting visitors. His welcoming smile and enthusiasm help visitors to get the most from their visit. Kenneth is one of many volunteers who I met during my time at the Arboretum. I explained to Kenneth about my ‘100strangers’ project and he agreed to being photographed. This picture shows him standing in the centre of the #ArmedForcesMemorial near the central wreath with the #cenotaph in the background.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVqFBz6DwvR/
Kenneth, Volunteer

Next, I set off to visit the rest of the Arboretum.  There were several memorials that I passed along the way including those to the Iraq war and The Polish War memorial.   I did like the Irish Infantry Grove.  The paving stones are set out with a map of Ireland.  From there, I wandered into the trees and was taken with the numerous discs with messages on them.  There is so much to take in and this blog only touches the surface.  I posted several sets of pictures on Instagram.

National Memorial Arboretum
Looking through and remembering

The first is a set of lines and colours that made an impression on me. The #shotatdawn memorial by artist #AndyDeComyn was particularly moving.  Consisting of stakes in the ground representing the young men shot by firing squad.  There are several other memorials captured here.

My other reflection from my visit was the numerous Connections in the Arboretum and this is the link for this series of photographs including pictures with permission of soldiers remembering people behind the names. The sun and the rain connect with the memorials to enhance their stories.

It was a moving day out and I covered a fair amount of the Arboretum.  There is still much more to see.  These are the best of the pictures although there were many more to discover. Several of the memorials have been cleverly designed to catch the natural elements such as the sun and rain providing reflections and opportunities for carefully taken pictures that bring out the best in their design.

Finally a big thank you to @igers_staffordshire for organising this instameet. I also met such great fellow photographers.  Follow #igersstaffordshire_nma for all the pictures taken by the group on the day.

National Memorial Arboretum
A rainbow brings hope and joy

During October, my daily commute starts when the morning is dark. Likewise in the evening if I am working late or at a function in the city then I am travelling again in the dark. It has also been raining many of the days and in spite of the gloom the conditions provide reflections of the lights on the pavement or in the shop windows.

Speeding Tram (featured on BBC Midlands Instagram page)

This is a selection of photos taken last week in the dark. There is a mixture of long exposures and opportunistic street photography of people interacting with both the City and the conditions. There are a couple of favourites in here and they have been picked up by other social media outlets. One was In Explore on Flickr for several hours. During this time it clocked up over 35,000 views and many likes and comments. The picture of the blue tram in slow motion was featured on the BBC Midlands Instagram site. It has been a fun week for photographing Birmingham in the dark.

This picture titled “Rainy City” clocked 35k views on Flickr
Cars and Pedestrians at Grand Central
The Zebra crossing to towards the Mailbox
More Trams taken with a long exposure
An umbrella is needed to brave the conditions.

20160930_sainsburys-car-park

The changing nature of the weather is so fascinating. The colours at dawn and dusk can be amazing. During the day there may be storms, rainbows and even sunny weather that just has to be captured. I regularly post to the BBC Weather Watchers page as it is always fun to get your picture on the Television. The Weather watchers page will tag your photos with “Editors Picks” and then you will know thet the picture has been featured on the television. I was one of the first weather watchers to be selected as a feature of the pages and able to share my experiences of taking pictures of the weather. I also contribute to the Yahoo Weather Project for the mobile phone where your photographs are selected from the Flickr Group.

Dammo’s Weather Watchers Profile

insta_damien_22