Greater Birmingham - Thread

[Ianbutty]

Sounds like South Central/Essex Street Tower:

View attachment 26453

Core's just topped out in the last work. 30 floors, just under 100m.

Thanks Coathamher. Sorry, I missed your reply earlier.

 

[Ianbutty]

Okay. Another core. This time whilst watching the beach volley ball. To the right of the Rotunda? Exchange Square? Thanks.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Had a fabulous evening at Smithfield (apart from England losing to NZ) it really is an amazing set up, such a great atmosphere with so much going on.

I must give a mention to the fantastic volunteers, there were so, so many of them with every single one having an infectious enthusiasm. My lad spent the evening getting countless 'high fives', it's lucky they all had foam fingers on as they'd end each day very bruised. Even on the way out I was asked several times if I'd had a good evening and did I need any assistance with directions. Each and every one of them was superb 👍

I'd definitely recommend a visit but be prepared to pay upwards of a tenner for a 7" pizza and £7 for a pint of IPA, in a plastic glass.

I'll try and put up a few pictures over the weekend.

 

[Ianbutty]

BBC are reporting that the Bull has been saved and will be moved indoors after the cultural festival. Great news.

 

[rollo]

The bull lives👍

My wife and I are going to Edgbaston tomorrow for the semi final Twenty Twenty between Australia and New Zealand which will by my second adventure into Brum in a few weeks when we previously saw Queen at the Utilita Arena. Must be over five years before that when I was last in central Birmingham much prefer our semi rural life these days.

On the off chance anyone wanting to know if Queen were any good all I can say is they were Kind of Magic - sorry.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

The bull lives👍

My wife and I are going to Edgbaston tomorrow for the semi final Twenty Twenty between Australia and New Zealand which will by my second adventure into Brum in a few weeks when we previously saw Queen at the Utilita Arena. Must be over five years before that when I was last in central Birmingham much prefer our semi rural life these days.

On the off chance anyone wanting to know if Queen were any good all I can say is they were Kind of Magic - sorry.

Brilliant Guess you were delighted with We Will Rock You as the England Entrance

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

Caught the back end to Boxing and Netball on Radio 5 Live Yesterday Steve Bunce was saying that a hundred people or so were stamping rocking the seating areas and the Stewards were trying to stop but were outnumbered. Then at the Netball the Commentator stated she could feel the crowd vibrating through the stands. Birmingham has put on a good show. If England can overcome the Aussies this will be a brilliant Games.

I was going to go to Wolves Yesterday but had no idea where the route for the Cycling was plus my Dad Said you want a Hill he would have gone had it been on a different day to either Saturday he has deliveries due or a day where he was bust at Work which he hoped for sadly not to be. As it turns out the route in the City wasn't far from the Bus Station those who know Wolvo you walk down past The Express and Star Building which is almost directly opposite the 79 Stand and Exit and it was outside the Wheatsheaf Pub Queen Street I think, Then the Return was by Market Square and on Darlington Street they way my bus from College turns to get into Wolvo due to One way system Roadworks and other stuff. Market Square or even Manders for Snacks to do some me shopping and then back to Darlington Street to watch them return. Cannock Chase ay that far I don't really know Cannock really I know it would be bus to Walsall then cross Walsall and X51 to Cannock or get off before or Train And I think get off in Landywood or Cannock and follow the Crowds.

The way I think of Birmingham and the Black Country is this. It is a no mans land between The North who want Power but are somewhat local to us and the South who have all the Power. Birmingham is the Capital which many of the Northerns and Southerns travel through to get to Work or on the M6. Birmingham has some attention but not much mostly we get on with our lives consume our Orange Battered Chips, Scratchings and Black Pudding drink our Ale and Go to Work. I consider it a Hidden Gem with Proper Culture Weird Accents and A Charm as everyone Is Relatable and has thar Gritiness and Realism about them. Then at Weekends the Footie fans go out get drunk watch there team mostly lose moan and then go back to Work on the Weekend or go to the Pub for a Singalong and Banter. I think we have opened ourselves up for good things in these games but once they finish and the hype goes away we will all just crack back on continuing to work away like the History of this area always has done make England and Britian Tick

 

[Brum X]

Okay. Another core. This time whilst watching the beach volley ball. To the right of the Rotunda? Exchange Square? Thanks.

Yep that is Exchange Square. We are spolit for choice Ian 👍

View attachment 26468

View attachment 26469

 

[Brum X]

Had a fabulous evening at Smithfield (apart from England losing to NZ) it really is an amazing set up, such a great atmosphere with so much going on.

I must give a mention to the fantastic volunteers, there were so, so many of them with every single one having an infectious enthusiasm. My lad spent the evening getting countless 'high fives', it's lucky they all had foam fingers on as they'd end each day very bruised. Even on the way out I was asked several times if I'd had a good evening and did I need any assistance with directions. Each and every one of them was superb 👍

I'd definitely recommend a visit but be prepared to pay upwards of a tenner for a 7" pizza and £7 for a pint of IPA, in a plastic glass.

I'll try and put up a few pictures over the weekend.

It's a Brum "Ting"

#0121

 

[Brum X]

We only have a crane base for one of the most "iconic" skyscrapers to be built in Britain right here in #0121

Photo credit to ReissOmari on SSC 👍-)

Eventually the crane will reach nearly 180metres

View attachment 26470

 

[Ray Finkle]

Got in before the crowds.

 

[Ray Finkle]

One for Mr X, spot the aircraft.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Sunset.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

The Volleyball is mad

 

[Ianbutty]

Had a great day in the city of the moment today.

Whilst wife and daughter watched Jamaica v NZ in the netball, son and I spent a pleasant albeit quiet hour watching about a dozen planes at BHX.

Then it was the four of us off the the City Centre.

I have been in smaller crowds after an England game at Wembley. Oxford Street at Christmas, nah, hardly anyone around in comparison. Not only was just about every part of the City heaving, what a fantastic atmosphere.

I confess that I found it hard not to well up as I approached Victoria Sqaure. This is my home town resplendent and PROUD.

All I will say is, my daughter said that it is "just like London, just 10 times better" and my son said "I want to stay here"

I hacked back to what the city centre was like when I was their age and what a clean, confident and cosmopolitan place it is now. I honestly felt that I was in a vibrant north American or European capital.

Well done Birmingham. Forever home even after 34 years living away.

 

[Ianbutty]

 

[Ianbutty]

....some snaps above. Admittedly, Broad Street was very quiet, but the view reminded me of a street in Calgary!

 

[Ianbutty]

Yep that is Exchange Square. We are spolit for choice Ian 👍

View attachment 26468

View attachment 26469

Thanks mate. Good cluster of medium rises developing there. It looked good from the top of the Selfridges car park.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Stunning photos, Ian and perfect weather!

Kevin

 

[Ianbutty]

Caught the back end to Boxing and Netball on Radio 5 Live Yesterday Steve Bunce was saying that a hundred people or so were stamping rocking the seating areas and the Stewards were trying to stop but were outnumbered. Then at the Netball the Commentator stated she could feel the crowd vibrating through the stands. Birmingham has put on a good show. If England can overcome the Aussies this will be a brilliant Games.

I was going to go to Wolves Yesterday but had no idea where the route for the Cycling was plus my Dad Said you want a Hill he would have gone had it been on a different day to either Saturday he has deliveries due or a day where he was bust at Work which he hoped for sadly not to be. As it turns out the route in the City wasn't far from the Bus Station those who know Wolvo you walk down past The Express and Star Building which is almost directly opposite the 79 Stand and Exit and it was outside the Wheatsheaf Pub Queen Street I think, Then the Return was by Market Square and on Darlington Street they way my bus from College turns to get into Wolvo due to One way system Roadworks and other stuff. Market Square or even Manders for Snacks to do some me shopping and then back to Darlington Street to watch them return. Cannock Chase ay that far I don't really know Cannock really I know it would be bus to Walsall then cross Walsall and X51 to Cannock or get off before or Train And I think get off in Landywood or Cannock and follow the Crowds.

The way I think of Birmingham and the Black Country is this. It is a no mans land between The North who want Power but are somewhat local to us and the South who have all the Power. Birmingham is the Capital which many of the Northerns and Southerns travel through to get to Work or on the M6. Birmingham has some attention but not much mostly we get on with our lives consume our Orange Battered Chips, Scratchings and Black Pudding drink our Ale and Go to Work. I consider it a Hidden Gem with Proper Culture Weird Accents and A Charm as everyone Is Relatable and has thar Gritiness and Realism about them. Then at Weekends the Footie fans go out get drunk watch there team mostly lose moan and then go back to Work on the Weekend or go to the Pub for a Singalong and Banter. I think we have opened ourselves up for good things in these games but once they finish and the hype goes away we will all just crack back on continuing to work away like the History of this area always has done make England and Britian Tick

Dario,your final para sums it up. As a Brummie in exile, who sadly does not come home too often, I sensed today something different. A city and region awakened and singing proudly about itself.

yes when the games are gone, it will go back to quietly getting on with life and offering a gallic shrug to its detractors, but knowing that when it wants to it can show itself off and people will sit up and take notice.