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Elliott Brown Rivers, lakes & canals
06 Sep 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Soho Loop Part 2: Asylum Bridge to Winson Green Junction

On the 31st August 2023, I got the 82 bus to Dudley Road to complete the Soho Loop in Winson Green. Ended up returning via Norman Street Park and rejoining at the Asylum Bridge. Just a short walk to the end of the Soho Loop to Winson Green Junction. That towpath closed on the BCN Mainline to the Winson Green Bridge was open again, it's been tarmaced.

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Soho Loop Part 2: Asylum Bridge to Winson Green Junction





On the 31st August 2023, I got the 82 bus to Dudley Road to complete the Soho Loop in Winson Green. Ended up returning via Norman Street Park and rejoining at the Asylum Bridge. Just a short walk to the end of the Soho Loop to Winson Green Junction. That towpath closed on the BCN Mainline to the Winson Green Bridge was open again, it's been tarmaced.


For part 1 follow this link to the post Soho Loop walk on the BCN Old Mainline

From the Costa Coffee at Utilita Arena Birmingham, I walked to the bus stop on Summer Hill Road, waiting for an 87, bus an 82 came first, so caught it up Spring Hill to Dudley Road. Got off and crossed over near City Hospital, then walked up towards Norman Street Park, and got on at the Asylum Bridge, just over a month since I left the Soho Loop in July 2023.

 

The Asylum Bridge

The Asylum Bridge is on the Revolution Walk from the Canal & River Trust.
Nearby was a Madhouse, Badhouse and the Workhouse. The Birmingham Union Workhouse and Infirmary was there from 1834, but by 1889 had space for over 2000 inmates. This is now part of Birmingham City Hospital.
Also here was the Borough Lunatic Asylum and Fever Hospital, from the 19th century. This is now the site of Birmingham Prison.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Prison Bridge and Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop)

The next bridge is the Winson Green Prison Bridge, which you walk over, followed by the Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop) which you walk under. This is as close as you get to Birmingham Prison, but you hardly notice it walking past.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop)

There is two bridges named Winson Green Bridge. This one is on the Soho Loop of the BCN Old Mainline. The other one is much higher crossing the BCN New Mainline. This is the last road bridge.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Railway Bridge

Next up is the Winson Green Railway Bridge. Behind you can see the yet to open Midland Metropolitan Hospital. When it opens in 2024, parts of City Hospital in Winson Green will close, and the site will be developed for housing.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Junction Bridge 

The end of the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction and you get to the Winson Green Junction Bridge. The bridge is Grade II listed and is a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge dating to 1828.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Roving Bridge

Leaving the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction, you leave the Old Mainline for the New Mainline. The Winson Green Roving Bridge dates to 1828, and is a Winson Green Roving Bridge is a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge dating to 1828.

dndimg alt="Winson Green Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCNML%20Winson%20Green%2031082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Junction

Since my last visit to the canals here, the towpath between Winson Green Roving Bridge and the Winson Green Bridge (Winson Green Road) has been reopened. Last time it was closed for resurfacing works. The Winson Green Junction Bridge is to the left and the northern end of the Soho Loop.

dndimg alt="Winson Green Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCNML%20Winson%20Green%2031082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View from the Winson Green Bridge

A look from Winson Green Road, on the Winson Green Bridge towards Winson Green Junction. From here, the Soho Loop starts to the right under the Winson Green Junction Bridge, while the BCN New Mainline continues north west towards Wolverhampton under the Winson Green Roving Bridge.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCNML%20Winson%20Green%2031082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Winson Green Road has bus stops for the 11A and 11C. If getting the 11C, it would take you towards Erdington. From the 11A, you can go towards Bearwood, Harborne, Selly Oak, Bournville etc.

You need the Dudley Road for the 82 or 87 bus routes.

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Environment & green action
06 Sep 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Jack's visit to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park in August 2023

In August 2023, Jack Babington with Nechells POD visited the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

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Jack's visit to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park in August 2023





In August 2023, Jack Babington with Nechells POD visited the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham.


The main entrance to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The map and location of all the animals in the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bell's dabb lizard

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Meerkat

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Chinese crocodile lizard

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Ring-tailed Lemur

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Goeldi's marmoset

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Blue crane

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Turtles

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Varanus kordensis

dndimg alt="Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WCP%20Bham%20(Aug%202023)%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Jack Babington

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Elliott Brown Transport
29 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street

For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.

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Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street





For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.


Yes it was disappointing that Birmingham didn't win the rights this time to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, that honour went to Liverpool. You might remember that 25 years ago, Birmingham was the host for the Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom - Birmingham 1998, at the National Indoor Arena.

Had Birmingham won the right to host it in 2023, it would have gone to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, but it wasn't to be.

 

In May 2023, ahead of Eurovison in Liverpool, London Northwestern Railway (the brand name for West Midlands Trains between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street), unveiled a special yellow livery on 350104.

The branding has BBC, Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine and United by Music all over the four carriage set.

 

I was waiting at platform 2 at Wolverhampton Station, after my visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery (on the August Bank Holiday Monday), as the Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street train arrived in Liverpool livery! As well as the Eurovision 2023 train, the one behind had Liverpool John Lennon Airport on it (I sat in a carriage on that one at the back).

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

After waiting in a tunnel waiting for a platform, at a signal (I was still in the Liverpool John Lennon Airport train), the train headed to platform 5 at Birmingham New Street Station. I headed down the platform for some more views at the A end of the platform. I was unable to get a photo of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport livery on the other train (which I had got off). As was so many passengers getting off with the luggage.

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
28 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring

I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.

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Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring





I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.


Birmingham Weekender returned again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 26th and 27th August 2023.

I almost thought I'd miss seeing it, as was unable to come up on Saturday, but had free time on Sunday morning. And I got to Rotunda Square to see a group in interesting looking costumes, and popped up to Costa Coffee in Next for some views over coffee.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Young Advocates Stage are young ladies aged between 14 and 22, and they had these green leaf outfits on.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Best views from Costa at Next above.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Costa, I spotted some in zebra and deer costumes.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

They were waiting outside Nationwide and Sunglass Hut.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
27 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48

While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.

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King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48





While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.


I noticed that the 'Forward in Unity' mural, painted by Gent 48 back in the summer 2020, during the pandemic had been painted over. So I travelled to Digbeth during the August Bank Holiday Weekend 2023 to see it up close.

The location as before is at Nortons Digbeth.

 

The wall now reads I ♥ BRUM, GUINNESS PLEASE BAB! also My My GUINNESS

A giant King Kong, the same one as the recration that was at King Kong Park last year from July to about October 2022.

The Rotunda resembles the way it was from the mid 1960s until before it was refurbished in the 2000s.

The top of the BT Tower has some satellite dishes, all of which are now removed from the top of it.

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

King Kong can be seen from passing buses on the Digbeth High Street if looking up Meriden Street (near the Eastside Metro extension).

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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