WME Flickr Focus - September 2025

So it's September, the month when the summer starts to fade and autumn's golden hues take hold, kids go back to school and the evenings gradually get darker earlier. The West Midlands Exploration photostream has dealt with anything but the West Midlands in recent times, and I have to say there's been no change to that pattern despite the shift in the seasons...

Nope folks, Exploration Extra is showing no intention of relinquishing the vicelike hold it has maintained on my updates these past four months but the end of its domination is coming into sight I believe. My latest batch of arrivals can be loosely summarised as hailing from Scotland, Wales, the West Country and the East Midlands, so let's catch up on pictorial progress.

The Scottish contingent can solely thank Southerness for its headline-grabbing antics this month, with the rugged village on the Solway Firth giving us plentiful glimpses of Galloway. I'm on record as being a big fan of the local lighthouse - so much so I took several pictures of it over the course of my 2022 holiday - hence it naturally leads the way, supplemented by rocky foreshore scenery and painted pebbles, some of which have a distinct pet-related inspiration. Wales meanwhile settles for Rhos-on-Sea seafront snippets plus an Everard Road street sign, augmented by a peek at Wrexham's Rock Suite Cafe.

Two different trips have woven in some West Country content, with Minehead's endearing metalhead sculptures proving impossible to ignore during my Brean break (especially when they're recreating the dance moves to 'YMCA'); a sprinkling of Weston-super-Mare gives you Badgerline bus branding and the somewhat stark frontage of Smiths Hotel. Bristol is the other chief contributor here, adding in a Redland Fish Supply ghost sign from Clifton and a pair of Private Gromit fun sculptures from one of those public art trails I love so much.

This leaves us with an East Midlands ensemble comprising Nottingham three-eyed fishes (courtesy of the Angel pub near the Lace Market), a Northampton train treat - if you get excited about Class 350 units between workings - and another of Sneinton Market's alphabetical avenues. Not to be outdone, Narborough nudges us with platform pieces, Catholic contemplations and a foxy flourish by the railway station. There's just enough wriggling room for a South Coast swansong from Swanage (the heritage railway station complemented by the White Swan pub) and that's your lot. Enjoy the photos!