Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on Kent Street at Sidewalk in Southside

The Dorothy street art popped up unexpectedly after Easter 2024, on Kent Street, with a ruby red slipper on the line above. On some doors of the Sidewalk gay bar. But by chance The Wizard of Oz will be playing at the Birmingham Hippodrome in June 2024. Is it Joe, as it's not Banksy? Photos from Birmingham We Are's Jack Babington and Elliott Brown. Who run our Instagram page.

The Wizard of Oz at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 11th to 16th June 2024, starring Craig Revel Horwood as The Wicked Witch of the West.

 

The owners of Sidewalk did not expect to find Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on their building, on a pair of doors. It quickly got into the media, is it a Banksy? No. Who is it by? It is by Joe Lycett? We are not sure yet. Probably not by Disney B32. Perspex has been put over the artwork to protect it. There is also a pair of ruby red slippers on the phone line wire above Kent Street in the Gay Village (Southside BID).

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Jack Babington | Pro Photography Pictures

 

You will find Dorothy is you make your way to Hurst Street in Southside, when you find Sidewalk, then turn onto Kent Street. She is on the doors. This visit during Storm Kathleen so it was trying to rain, and was a bit windy, like Dorothy flying away in the house from Kansas to the Land of Oz!

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown | Ell R Brown 82

 

Go here for our post on Facebook: Dorothy FB. And on Instagram: Dorothy Insta.

Replacing the Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge: improving the link from the Colmore to JQ BID's

There is plans from Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands (who hopes to be re-elected for a 3rd term in May 2024) to replace the footbridge over Great Charles Street Queensway. It starts near Church Street, Colmore BID, to Ludgate Hill, Jewellery Quarter BID, then the walk up to St Paul's Square. Has ramped steps on both sides. And the glass building one side full of graffiti.

This walk from Church Street to Ludgate Hill was on Easter Sunday, 31st March 2024 (starting from Coffee #1 Newhall Street and ending at St Paul's Square).

We start at the Colmore BID, from Church Street Square, the view to the rickety footbridge over Great Charles Street Queensway, the view up to Ludgate Hill, St Paul's Square and St Paul's in the Jewellery Quarter.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Prunus Cistena Purple leaf cherry blossom seen in Church Street Square. Next walk down Church Street, and enter the footbridge at Great Charles Street Queensway, via Britannia House.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Heading down Church Street, the Great Charles Street Footbridge is on the left. Up Ludgate Hill you can see the spire of St Paul's Church in St Paul's Square.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After crossing the footbridge, and walking past the construction sites on Ludgate Hill, you get to this classic view from St Paul's Square.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

See Phyllis Nicklin's 1960s photo for a comparison of Ludgate Hill.

dndimg alt="Ludgate Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ludgate%20Hill%201960s%20PN%20UoB.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

We have put together this 1960 and 2024 comparison of Ludgate Hill from St Paul's Square. Now seven bollards and a heritage lamppost instead of six bollards and a heritage lamppost. Plus two bins. And the pavement has been widened in the last 64 years.

dndimg alt="Ludgate Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ludgate%20Hill%20SPS%201960%202024.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The zoom in from St Paul's Square down Ludgate Hill shows you that Great Charles Street Queensway has split the city in half since it opened in the early 1970s. You can see Church Street Square on the other side in the Colmore BID, as well as the Hotel du Vin further up Church Street (the former Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital of 1883).

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Head out to have a look at St Paul's Church with daffodils, then leave the Jewellery Quarter via Livery Street, walk down Constitution Hill and Old Snow Hill. No trams at St Paul's Tram Stop, but walk up the steps to St Chads Tram Stop, then walk past the Snowhill estate offices, and back to Snow Hill Station Square and Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="St Paul's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Pauls%20JQ%20daffodils%2031032024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Funder City at Moat Lane from Danter Attractions

Digbeth Fun Fair is back for the fourth year. Second time at the Smithfield Festival Site, but near Moat Lane (unlike the Beach @ Smithfield in Summer 2023 near Pershore Street). Started 14th March and runs to the 7th April 2024. In time for the up and coming Easter holidays.

FUNDER CITY THE DIGBETH FUN FAIR.

Danter Attractions is holding their fourth fun fair in Digbeth / Southside in four years, but the second year at Smithfield. It opened on the 14th March and is open daily until the 7th April 2024, during the Easter holidays period.

The same rides as before, some of which were last used at Ice Skate Birmingham. Others return from the last Digbeth Fun Fair, called at the time Beach @ Smithfield (July to August 2023).

 

The view from Digbeth near Enterprise Rent a Car, and the Eastside Metro extension (just before Alcester Street on the Digbeth High Street).

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Mill Lane near Birmingham Coach Station, towards Bradford Street. Buildings on right were demolished recently, Bullring Autocentre (Strictly MOT before that) and Sutton Florists (previously the Leather Company, and Fonz Leathers before that).

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A carousel ride seen near Bradford Street.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Fun House

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham Big Wheel returns again.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Funder City from 14th March to 7th April 2024 open day, Moat Lane City Centre, B5 5BD. Best to get the bus here (or train), don't go in your car!

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Onto Moat Lane. The fun fair is where the concrete Moat Lane Car Park was until it was demolished a few years ago.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Welcome entrance, it's been used at many fun fairs in Birmingham over the years, even one that was at the Curzon Street HS2 site back in 2010!

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Upper Dean Street view, some demolition rubble.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

And to the Bullring, up to the balcony near St Martin in the Bullring for one last view before going into the West Mall.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Digbeth%2015032024%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A few days later, and it was St Patrick's Day. View from the Bullring on the balcony behind Browns Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A view from Moor Street Car Park level 8 through the safety barrier fence.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Funder City in full swing from Moat Lane, as I walked to check out the St Patrick's Day Parade on Bradford Street.

dndimg alt="Funder City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Funder%20City%20Smithfield%2017032024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

The Bullring presents Borealis by Dan Acher - 9th to 18th February 2024

From the 9th to 18th February 2024 at the Bullring in Birmingham was an art installation by Dan Acher called Borealis. Based on the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis. It was on Central Street (St Martin's Walk) for 10 days from 5pm to 9pm each evening. Best seen after dark, as the effect didn't really work in daylight I found. Smoke machines and ambient music.

Borealis

BOREALIS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Borealis recreates one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena over cities around the world. It shifts our emotional experience of familiar urban landmarks and awakens a shared conscience by creating something magical - something that shouldn’t naturally be there. Borealis is about our ancestral communion with nature and our more recent compulsion to control it. As our planet’s climate breaks down, the question arises: will technology one day replace everything that nature currently provides for us?

 

Dan Acher's Borealis was held at the Bullring on St Martin's Walk above St Martin's Square (aka Central Street) from the 9th to 18th February 2024. Time started each evening at 5pm, ended each night at 9pm. Every evening attracted a big crowd looking at the artificial Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. Personally I think they should have started it a month earlier, as between 5pm and 6pm, it's not that dark in February, although getting dark after sunset, which is getting a bit later each day now.

 

11th February 2024

First spotted one of the Borealis light towers from Edgbaston Street, after walking from Southside between buses.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2011022024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

12th February 2024

Nice sunset down St Martin's Walk to St Martin in the Bullring, at approx 4:50pm, so 10 minutes before Borealis was due to start. This day I didn't wait for the lights to turn on.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borelais%20St%20Martin%20Bullring%2012022024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borelais%20St%20Martin%20Bullring%2012022024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

14th February 2024

This day, I waited the 5 minutes until 5pm for the multi-coloured lights to turn on, but was cloudy, and you don't really get the full Borealis effect at this time, but noticed the smoke machines going on.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2014022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

16th February 2024

That evening was when I hoped to catch Borealis after dark, I even popped to Costa Coffee in Grand Central beforehand after work, but I got there at 5:30pm and it wasn't dark yet, but got the full effect, and not much to see from St Martin's Square below.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2016022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

18th February 2024

The last evening, one more attempt, so got the bus up from home, then popped to Caffe Nero in Birmingham New Street Station (other coffee shops close at 5pm). Then got here for 6:30pm, and got a lot of photos of it, best I could, these are the best photos I took of Borealis.

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Borealis" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Borealis%20Bullring%2018022024%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Borealis is next scheduled to go to Australia in Adelaide. It goes around the world.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

A look around the new look University Station

The new University Station buildings were opened on Sunday 28th January 2024, and I went to have a look around two weeks later on Sunday 11th February 2024. I got a train one way up from Longbridge, then checked out the buildings inside, the went over the bridge to the campus, and walked around to Vincent Drive and Pritchatts Road. It looks good and fresh. The old building is exit only.

University Station, the new buildings at the West Gate of the University of Birmingham and at Vincent Drive was fully opened on Sunday 28th January 2024. With the ASLEF train driver strikes the following weekend (3rd and 4th February 2024), thought it was best to wait until the next weekend (10th and 11th February 2024) to come back and check out the buildings.

 

I got the 12:43 train from Longbridge to University, and to my suprise it was West Midlands Railway 323221 in the classic Regional Railways livery. I got to University shortly before 1pm on Sunday 11th February 2024.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The waiting room on platform 1, there is also a new waiting room on platform 2. Probably useful for passengers going with Cross Country on the line between Cardiff Central and Nottingham via Birmingham New Street (if not the Cross City Line, as trains are frequent during the week).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A look at the main concourse from platform level, toilets are to the right. Soon there will be an NHS facility to the left.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Tickets and information near the stairs, way out to the Medical School.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Up the steps from platform 1 concourse, there is seats to sit on near the lift.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

View out of the window on the new bridge above the tracks, platform 1 on the right, platform 2 on the left. Towards the 1978 building, now exit only.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Steps down to the platform 2 concourse. Also a lift.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Exiting the station over the new footbridge to the University of Birmingham campus, with a view to Old Joe, it crosses the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is also an entrance to University Station from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath. I used to have to leave the canal via the steps to Westgate to get to the 1978 entrance.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

To the right is a ramp for disabled passengers (wheelchairs etc) to use, or 45 steps down to the University campus.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Looking back at University Station from the new footbridge.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is some unfinished areas near the footbridge, including in this view towards the canal and new station building.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This grassed area is currently all fenced off, awaiting completion, other than that the steps, ramp and bridge above are open.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Following the Westgate path towards the 1978 building, as we see the 2024 building alongside the canal. This was part of the site of Metchley Roman Fort.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now heading to the new University Station building from the new path from Westgate.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

It is well landscaped with lampposts and a grass lawn.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The station building is close to Vincent Drive. Bollards should prevent vehicles going beyond and parking where they shouldn't do.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One of the many new University Station signs at the station.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The University Station sign from Vincent Drive.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One last look at the station from the bridges on Pritchatts Road, heading to the North Gate of the University of Birmingham, as West Midlands Railway 323218 arrived at platform 2.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

We hope you enjoyed our tour of the new University Station. Experience it yourself by buying your tickets at West Midlands Railway. We recommend using their app, which has a QR code ticket (once tickets purchased). But you can still buy tickets at the station of your choice (ticket machines or ticket office) such as Birmingham New Street. There is ticket gates at the station, on the platform level. Trains on the Cross City Line go between Redditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown