Keep Canals Alive! Narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations

On Sunday 13th August 2023, in response to Government plans to cut funding in future to the Canal & River Trust, there was a lot of narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Central Birmingham. From The Mailbox towards Utilita Arena Birmingham and beyond. I just saw them between the Arena, Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin when I was there.

The Birmingham Canals in the City Centre have seen a lot of regeneration over the last 30 plus years, on both sides of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. From Brindleyplace to the National Indoor Arena (now Utilita Arena Birmingham). But in future years, the Government wants to cut the money they give to the Canal & River Trust to keep maintaining the network of canals around the country.

This view from Arena Birmingham South Car Park. National Sealife Birmingham on the left, with Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham below.

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Narrowboats seen between Old Turn Junction and Gas Street Basin on Sunday 13th August 2023.

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The Keep Canals Alive Canal & River Trust campaign, the banner on a bridge near The Malt House, from Old Turn Junction, to the left is the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

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Brindley Cruises narrowboat passing Old Turn Junction and National Sealife Birmingham.

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More narrowboats heading under the Brewmasters Bridge.

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Near the Brewmasters Bridge at Three Brindleyplace, a new venue The Park: Virtual Reality Experience.

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A look back to Utilita Arena Birmingham.

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From Brindleyplace, saw a group of kayakers near The ICC. So I crossed over the Brindleyplace Bridge, then went to the Black Sabbath Bridge.

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A narrowboat comes out of the Broad Street Tunnel below the Black Sabbath Bridge near Brindleyplace.

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Entering the Broad Street Tunnel / Black Sabbath Bridge, towards Gas Street Basin. More narrowboats coming through.

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Now at Gas Street Basin, the end of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. Beyond was the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, with more narrowboats waiting.

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The other side of the Worcester Bar at Gas Street Basin, more narrowboats on the start of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

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Exiting Gas Street Basin near what was Old Wharf. Another narrowboat moored that day for the Keep Canals Alive campaign for the Canal & River Trust.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

At The Flapper for the Westside BID Brummie Photography exhibition launch

Some general views around The Flapper on Monday 7th August 2023. Was there for the launch of the Westside BID Brummie photography exhibition. Featuring my photo used in the 2023 calendar, as well as Jack, Damien, Peter and others. Was several music related pictures on the wall inside.

On the evening of Monday 7th August 2023, was the launch of the Westside BID Brummie photography exhibition at The Flapper. These were the 12 photos used in their Westside BID 2023 calendar, and this was the event to see the photos on display for the first time. Images below are just a general look around The Flapper inside and out on the evening.

From the balcony of The Flapper, a view of Cambrian Wharf and Farmers Bridge Locks. With the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal on the left, as well as the Lockside Wharf development. And you can also see the BT Tower from here.

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There is a lower drinking area to sit at overlooking the canal, with these Beavertown parasols. This was where I met up with Jack.

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Inside The Flapper. They gave us beer tokens to get a free drink (was added to Westside BID's tab, I think they were going to pay).

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Some posters of the Sex Pistols, The Clash and David Bowie. Plus a skull of a bull.

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A pool table with The Flapper bags on it. The exhibition was on the walls in this corner of the pub.

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Heading out, saw this mirror with the Flapper & Firkin name on it (established in 1993). Plus more posters.

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Outside the entrance to The Flapper.

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Seating area inside close to the entrance.

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One last look inside before I left.

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Saw a Beavertown head-in-the-hole thing below. 'Destination Planet Summer'. 'Wish you were here!' If only it wasn't raining so much in summer 2023!

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Heading out with Damien before we parted ways.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

Meal at The Canal House thanks to the Westside BID in July 2022

At the end of 2021, I was one of the winners for the Westside BID photography calendar competition for their 2022 calendar. My prize at the time was a voucher to use at The Canal House. Which I eventually used on the 13th July 2022. A year on, had another photo in the 2023 calendar, and had been to The Flapper for their photography exhibition. Those photos in a separate post.

I didn't use my Westside BID prize for the 2022 calendar until the 13th July 2022. I first won it around November 2021, but that was not the right time to use it, coming out of restrictions from the pandemic. It was much better though to use it last summer. My voucher code was for The Canal House on Bridge Street in Birmingham, near Gas Street Basin.

It was also called the James Brindley.

We got a table on the balcony overlooking Gas Street Basin, here you can see what was Jurys Inn (now Leonardo Royal Hotels). There was also a outdoor drinking area on the level below outside.

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After finishing the meal, on leaving I took these photos on my phone camera on the way out.

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Some views to The Canal House from Gas Street Basin, close to Regency Wharf. Old Wharf was formerly to the left, where Arena Central is now.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

Jack's visit to National SEA LIFE Birmingham

Birmingham We Are's Jack Babington went to the National SEA LIFE Birmingham with the Nechells POD group on the 11th August 2023. Enjoy the selection of photos taken by Jack on his visit. The National Sea Life Centre is an aquarium that opened in 1996 in a building designed by Sir Norman Foster. Close to the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline at Old Turn Junction. 

The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham opened at Brindleyplace, near the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline not far from Old Turn Junction in 1996. The building was designed by Sir Norman Foster.

The building houses various fish species, turtles, penguins and more.

In Victorian times, the site was the location of two canal basisn in Oozells Street Wharf.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown remembers going at least twice after it opened in 1996. The first visit had a long queue going towards the NIA! But didn't take any photos 27 years ago! (he only had a compact film camera back then).

On the 11th August 2023, Jack Babington joined the Nechells POD for a visit to the National Sea Life Centre, some of his photos taken that day are below.

The main entrance to the Sea Life Centre from near Central Square in Brindleyplace.

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One of the tanks with a penguin swimming inside of it.

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Beware of pirates! A skeleton and pirate flag.

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A LEGO pirate ship, with a LGBTQ+ flag flying proud.

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A member of staff feeds the fish as visitors watch on.

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A Gentoo penguin pokes it's head above the water.

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Papuan toby fish.

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Chinese pond turtle.

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Did you know .... we were born in 1996! Our Cylinder Tank is one of our oldest tanks here. Are you older or younger than our tank?

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The gift shop. Buy 3 for £15.

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The underwater tunnel tube with a man dressed as a pirate!

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Actinia.

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Photography by Jack Babington

A look inside St Chad's Cathedral

I went on my first Igers Birmingham UK photography meet at St Chad's Cathedral on 5th August 2023 at 11:30am. Plenty to see, was there over an hour and a half. We were also taken downstairs to the rooms underground. Always wanted to go inside of St Chad's, but kept missing those Birmingham Heritage Week open days. So this was a good opportunity.

A selection of photos I took at St Chad's Cathedral on 5th August 2023. More from me and others can be seen at this hashtag on Instagram IGBUK Meet St Chads.

First view inside of St Chad's after arriving for the meet.

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Under the large organ.

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View to the large organ.

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This chapel contains relics of St John Henry Newman.

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The relics of St John Henry Newman along with a picture of him.

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St Edward's Chapel. The chapel was built from 1931 and opened in 1933.

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One of the stained glass windows.

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The Archbishop's throne on the alter.

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Statue of St Chad, holding a model of the three spired Lichfield Cathedral. His relics were saved from Lichfield after the Reformation, and hidden, then moved to St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham 300 years later, once it was safe to do so.

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One of many places to light a candle. But don't light them during a mass as they will be a distraction! Also donate below.

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Monument of Bishop Thomas Walsh (1776 - 1849).  The founder of St Chad's Cathedral, he is buried in this Crypt. It was designed by A.W. Pugin, carved in Bath stone by George Myers and exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

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And now for some photos taken in the rooms underground.

The robe of Pope John Paul II. He was the first Pope since the reformation to visit the UK in 1982. While he didn't visit Birmingham, he did go to Coventry. But he met the then new Archbishop of Birmingham Maurice Couve de Murville.

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Robe of Pope Benedict XVI. He came to Birmingham in 2010, and held mass at Cofton Park, and also beautified John Henry Newman, and visited the Birmingham Oratory on the Hagley Road in Edgbaston.

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This room is called the Sacrament of Confirmation.

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Another interesting looking room with yellow walls and ceilings.

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More photos in the gallery.

Photography by Elliott Brown