Don’t worry, a list of Brum’s finest aesthetic achievements is on its way soon but I had some further business to take care of. There’s still a few more sights in this city that need calling out and won’t be appearing in guidebooks anytime soon. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it.... Continue Reading →

“You need to watch out” “Be careful down there” These are a couple of the snippets of advice I was given from friends and family when I told them I was going to do a street photography project based in Sparkhill. I pointed out that this is still Birmingham and that I wasn’t exactly venturing... Continue Reading →

A cursory glace at my Instagram feed will tell you that I have a bit of a thing for night photography. Two months ago I set myself a challenge to go out every night for seven straight nights (come rain or shine) to different areas of Birmingham city centre and come back with something interesting... Continue Reading →

We need to talk about the 'Paradise developments' and the new look for Centenary Square. What I know about architecture and town planning you could fit on the back of a matchbox but I have some opinions so here they are. Paradise is taking place on the site of the old Birmingham Central Library, a... Continue Reading →

Roll up! Roll up! It’s a carnival of concrete! The last few years has seen the long overdue levelling of some Birmingham’s most wretched structures such as the Bullring, New St Station and Central Library but there are still a few more hideous edifices dotted around the city that have long outstayed their welcome in... Continue Reading →

Disclaimer: The photos included here are from my trip and have absolutely nothing to do with the shambles described below I don’t recommend carrying heavy objects around Leicester Square at 7am wearing only your pyjamas. It’s not the way a wonderful 2 ½ week holiday to Australia book-ended by Hong Kong and Singapore should end.... Continue Reading →

A small queue of eager and somewhat merry middle-aged men in shorts and t-shirts clutching pint glasses waited patiently for their hero to arrive as the low Friday evening sun slanted through the trees to the pumping sounds of obscure 60’s soul records. Every few minutes snooker legend Steve Davis would take a break from... Continue Reading →

To booze or not to booze? This was the question I suddenly had to ponder while shivering on the steps leading up to Adil’s on Stoney Lane, one of the great stalwarts of Birmingham’s famous Balti Triangle. It’s BYOB here so I felt pressed into making a snap decision. I chose to decline. Surely an... Continue Reading →

“It’s the only medieval cathedral in England with three spires” said the old tour guide with the moustache and the heavy cough. “Well, there’s Truro cathedral but that was built by the Victorians” he then added with a wry smile as if Truro was very much the Robin to Lichfield’s Batman. This place has a... Continue Reading →

“Merry Christmas” said the man in the tired-looking blue coat after tapping me on the shoulder and extending his hand without breaking eye contact. As I shook his hand and wished him a Merry Christmas back I felt quite moved, as one only can be when greeted by a stranger with genuine warmth. He told... Continue Reading →