Snoopy Spotting in Birmingham

You remember the Snoopy Trail which Bookworm Bygrave and I attempted at Trentham Gardens back in May? It turns out that a similar series of sculptures have now popped up at numerous locations across Birmingham City Centre during the school holidays, so I'd better start collecting the Beagles of Brum!

- The Bookworm meets 'Golden Hound' -

I'm going to be taking two bites of the Peanuts cherry this time around, reacquainting myself with some of the installations Emily and I saw at Trentham whilst also checking out any that haven't been repeated from the Potteries event. The Bookworm is my companion for Round 1, a Tuesday 4th August quizzing evening where we spend an hour finding the likes of 'I Need More Space' (the planetary kennel in Piccadilly Arcade) and 'Grrrrnarly Beach Hut', a seaside specimen found at the Great Western Arcade. One favourite we're particularly pleased to see again is 'Golden Hound' with its gilded shimmer populated by observational depictions of flora and fauna. It is currently based inside the Burlington Arcade near the Bacchus Bar steps.

- 'BowWow Haus' -

Of the installations we hadn't seen previously, 'It's Treat O'Clock' makes a sweet impression in depicting a gingerbread house complete with mini-Snoopy peeking out of an upstairs window, all very Hansel and Gretel! That one resides close to the Town Hall whereas 'BowWow Haus' lurks outside the Stalybridge Suites hotel on Corporation Street, instantly standing out with a design influenced by the Bauhaus movement and the geometric patterns of Piet Mondrian. As for the quiz, the Bookworm and I join friends Zoe and Mike at the Barrel Store for an evening of testing trivia. Fuelled by indulgent pizzas, we finish a respectable 5th just a handful of points behind the eventual winners. Steve Coogan anagrams and a festivals connection round go well but we get stumped by a close-up picture of a stapler - never mind!

- A Bespectacled Bull -

Round 2 of my Snoopy Sweep occurs on Monday 10th August in the company of my Chip Foundation colleagues. Assembling at New Street Station, we're amused to see that Ozzy the big mechanical bull is now adorned with a fetching pair of tinted spectacles which add further lustre to his rock and roll personality. Two of the Snoopys - or should that be Snoopies? - are positioned around the wider station concourse: 'Plant Dreams, Harvest Joy' has a greenhouse windowpane effect near one set of ticket barriers while the fruit tree fun of 'Garden of Delights' requires escalator access up into the malls of Grand Central.

- Mr Beardsmore by the 'Riverbank' -

Moving along to John Bright Street, 'Riverbank' is the next Snoopy to report for inspection and conveys a waterside air, helped by depictions of swans and a wading heron. A dramatic Peaky Blinders mural extends most of the way along Hill Street, capturing the likenesses of favourite characters such as Tommy Shelby and Aunt Polly, while a separate artwork on the Navigation Street bridge references the four original members of Black Sabbath. We're really getting a solid impression of Birmingham's indelible imprint on British popular culture around here.

- 'Tales for Tails' -

Continuing towards the Mailbox, Stephen can put his dodgy knee to the test negotiating flights of steps and escalators as we work our way through Harvey Nichols floors and past the BBC Studios entrance. 'Tales for Tails' is located close to the broadcasting hub and is probably the most amusing of all the Snoopy designs - I love the comical wordplay giving a canine twist to well known literary works and authors, hence Romeo and Drooliet, Woofering Heights, Bark Twain and Fetch 22. My accomplices all approve of this one too so it definitely appeals to our collective sense of silliness!

- Beer Stop at the Botanist -

This being a Chip Foundation get-together, there are bound to be a few refreshment stops along the way. We might have tested out the Sixes 'Social Cricket' concept had it still been trading but the Botanist is close at hand, via Holliday Passage and Bridge Street. I'd never been here before but both Nick and Stephen had vague recollections of prior encounters, maybe even dating back to when it was called the James Brindley. Either way, it boasts a prime location looking out over Regency Wharf and Gas Street Basin, with pricing to match such a prestigious setting. As is his custom, HRH subjects the menu to rigorous analysis - we suspect Mr B wouldn't be a fan of their hanging kebabs but could go for an edible chocolate plantpot as served with its own spade.

- 'Bee More Snoopy!' -

Upon leaving the Botanist, any debate over where else to try is quickly resolved by the merest mention of the Prince of Wales - we've scarcely seen Nick being so decisive! Our Cambridge Street call yields a cracking pint of Teignworthy's Gun Dog Bitter plus considered discussion about the punk and heavy metal musical genres, then it's on with the Snoopy stuff. A second glimpse of Town Hall gingerbread residences precedes a Corporation Street study of 'Bee More Snoopy', inspired by the importance of bumblebees to our natural ecosystem. 

- Sabbath Signage in Scruffy Murphy's -

Our earlier chat about the various forms of rock music has reminded me of a certain venue we really ought to visit so - once 'Fungi's House' has been foraged with its toadstool-capped top - we deviate to Dale End for a slice of Scruffy Murphy's. Formerly the Pen & Wig (which itself hosted many live bands in its time) this place pays due tribute to the gods of heavy metal and boasts an enviable collection of mounted guitars, not forgetting a gallery of silver disc records. Extracting ourselves from soft low sofas (easier said than done), we nip into the Square Peg Wetherspoons to taste the remnants of their recent craft cider festival - cue Hecks Slack-ma-Girdle for me and a Scrummage for HRH. At this juncture we must sadly go our separate ways, albeit with 'BowWow Haus' supplying one final Snoopy sighting. Cheers!

Ale Afoot in Warwick and Birmingham

Two trips in four days makes for a feast of February exploration, although there's quite a contrast to be had between Warwick's aged timbers versus Birmingham's brutalist core. A beer festival in the most memorable of surroundings and a Second City crawl are on the agenda so let's see what occurred...

- HRH's Spiritual Corner -

To Warwick, whereby Friday 20th February saw Jane and I joining His Royal Highness Nick in a county town that never lacks a compelling sense of history. The preamble to this outing had actually seen Miss Woolf and I starting off in soggy Tipton, devouring Pie Factory pastry-lidded dishes with great gusto - for once I rebuffed the chance of suet scrumptiousness in favour of a 'Posh & Becks' Steak and Stilton treat infused with undeniable blue cheese flavour, although Jane still made sure to get a bonus flake with her pudding. A brief encounter with the Flying Scotsman at Birmingham Moor Street precedes us meeting Nick and predictably calling in on our royal's favourite Warwick hostelry, the Old Post Office on West Street. Original owner Tom has recently passed away but his legacy is a special little place with excellent beer and cider, plus a Sacred Heart shrine corner with the Magnificat listed on the resident Psalms board.

- King James's Seat -

Not much can upstage the Old Post Office in truth but there is a beer festival to attend and my what a setting we have. The Lord Leycester Hospital is one of Britain's most intact medieval buildings, comprising a half-timbered complex of lodgings, storerooms, a Master's House and a banqueting hall which have stood the test of time. The site was used by the United Guilds of Warwick as their headquarters before Robert Dudley (the Earl of Leicester) set up a charitable community to meet the needs of injured soldiers in 1571. This function has been upheld right through to the present day, hence the presence of the Master and several Brethren who wear ceremonial attire. As such, the beer festival is a fundraising event held annually in the Great Hall; Nick has attended many times in recent years and has a particular affection for a famous chair where King James I and his specially padded trousers apparently sat in 1617.

- A Perry Pair -

The drinks are almost secondary to the location here but we imbibe most eagerly, perching atop tables that have been pushed to the edges of the hall. Nick and Jane are both of a cidery persuasion, taste-testing the likes of Thistly Cross, Gwynt y Ddraig's Happy Daze and Buck Medium before collectively concluding on the 6.8% goodness of Lilley's Bee Sting perry, ever a joint favourite among my esteemed accomplices. I am therefore left to maintain the ale side of the equation, a duty I perform most admirably courtesy of North Cotswold Morerum Mild (with a snatch of the sailor's tipple about it), Church End Archangel (a 6% heavweight pale) and Green Duck's Space Lord (loaded with grapefruit and tangerine notes). My pick of the lot has to be Byatt's Rye Stout but you know I'm a sucker for the darker brews anyway, then we just have time for a Ronnie's Bar nightcap trying to recognise Rons and Ronalds from the worlds of entertainment and politics - Reagan, Corbett, Barker etc. Excellent fun all round!

- Crossword Concentration -

Trip Two takes place on Monday 23rd February and has the Chip Foundation converging upon Brum for Episode 93 of our ongoing chronicles. Nick has given us a pub collecting remit once we've met within the shadows of bull Ozzy's snarling snout, and a Southside shuffle pitches us promptly onto Hurst Street close to both Chinatown and the Gay Village. One top HRH target - the Sly Old Fox - has been partially sacrificed to become a restaurant and the remaining bar half isn't open anyway, meaning the adjacent Dragon JD Wetherspoons steps nimbly into the breach. Red paper lanterns celebrating Chinese New Year hang across the woodwork as we obtain suitable refreshment, but only after we've figured out which of the many entrance doors actually lets us inside. Titanic's Raspberry Pale fruity ale means that for once His Majesty and I have drinks that rival the Beardsmore lemonade and blackcurrant for pinkness, then Ken has us all racking our brains when completing the JDW magazine's crossword - it’s a tricky puzzle in fairness, requiring expert knowledge of Indonesian Prime Ministers, Californian oil localities and obscure Walter Scott novels so we might have resorted to Google for added assistance.

- Apt for any Chip Foundation outing -

Pressing on, Bromsgrove Street is our means of reaching our next port of call, a wildcard pick from yours truly in the guise of Birmingham's other 'Welly'. While the Black Country Ales place on Bennetts Hill is secure in our avowed affections, its near-namesake the Wellington Hotel is nevertheless worthy of our custom. We've passed this Bristol Street landmark so many times en route to the cricket that we were bound to do it eventually, especially because the building dates from 1890 and is considered a good example of James and Lister Lea’s much-admired public house architecture. Indeed, the upper floors have bow-fronted Regency aspects and the whole premises is Grade II listed even if the historic charm fades a little inside due to the combined intrusions of sports bar and Indian restaurant trappings. Ken at least is approving of their Dennis Amiss signed cricket bat and a framed Blues shirt before conversation turns to coach holidays, the Winter Olympics and general political observations. The Enter Chaos paintwork on nearby Henstead Street suddenly seems highly appropriate!

- The Victoria -

Two establishments within the loose vicinity of John Bright Street now require our scrutiny. The Victoria has a quirky Gin Palace air about it, standing three storeys tall and mostly deep green with gilded embellishments. A comedy evening begins at half past seven which explains why most of the punters suddenly disappear upstairs (it wasn't something Stephen said, honest!) then I shock everyone by having a low alcohol beer, namely Bristol Beer Factory's Clear Head. Sailor-inspired illustrations adorn the inner snug walls - think loveheart tattoos and mermaids - which is in contrast to the continental cafe vibe on show at nearby Cherry Reds. Homemade cakes and gourmet coffees mark this out as being far removed from your average boozer but the beer is good, Pale Brummie and Green Duck Space Lord meeting with our approval.

- Studious Scribbling in the Purecraft Bar -

Our Chip conclusion is the Purecraft Bar & Kitchen in the heart of town, within sight of the Floozy in the Jacuzzi. Purity’s Waterloo Street flagship seems almost deserted at first glance until we realise everybody is downstairs playing Warhammer (or whichever dice-based battle strategy game it happens to be) so initial appearances can be deceptive. I remember this bar launching as a high end concept from the environmentally-conscious Alcester based brewery, and Nick is always keen to support Warwickshire enterprises. Their core range is on full show from Gold to UBU to Mad Goose and the lesser-seen Jimbo, a pint of the latter getting the nod in this case. Notes are jotted, sporting deeds discussed and there's even a closing word from our Royal about a certain disgraced ex-prince, and with that we head home. Cheers!

Cultural Cogitations in the Second City

For my first full outing of 2026, I find myself bound for Birmingham to catch up with Bookworm Bygrave ready to immerse ourselves in the city's cultural highlights. There might be reindeer, there might be exhibitions, there might even be dipping gravy...

- Rudolph's Remarkable Glittery Nose -

Trip Log: Saturday 3rd January 2026 whereby overnight snow to the west of Wolverhampton has us changing tack from our original Telford intentions. A Birmingham rendezvous sounds sensible, especially if there's scope to visit a couple of Second City attractions I'd not covered previously, so we arrange to meet by the Bull Ring bull statue just after 11 o'clock. The first bit of business on our revised itinerary is to seek out the remaining reindeer sculptures we hadn't hitherto accounted for, even if this does mean me having to brave department stores and busy shopping malls. I might not be in my natural environment but the enduring of escalators does pay off when we track down Rudolph inside Selfridges, complete with a very sparkly snout.

- The Bookworm meets Blitzen -

In fairness, Selfridges does have other compensations thanks to the presence of Build a Bear mascots, Paddington's marmalade sandwiches bench and a giant yellow helper gnome called Gordon (possibly the most popular member of the store's workforce). Chai latte tea is a frothily fun novelty when we partake of cake at the Medicine Bakery concession - my Pistachio Rocky Road slice doesn't skimp as regards chewy marshmallow pieces - and it's lovely listening in as Emily recounts details of spending New Year with her family. Next up come the slightly less prestigious surroundings of Primark where Blitzen takes some finding, requiring a mooch past a Disney Cafe and up onto the top floor. A superhero look to this design includes a lightning bolt while the trail once again looks to raise awareness for the Children's Hospital Charity.

- New Nativity at St Philip's Cathedral -

With an admiring nod to Vixen as sited within the Burlington Arcade, we progress to St Philip's Cathedral where I'm trying to remember if I've ever fully set foot inside it before. We're initially lured in by a lobby Christmas tree adorned with paper-like peace doves, then the spectacle of the full interior takes over. Whilst it may lack the medieval majesty and sheer size of Hereford or Gloucester's equivalents, this is a special space purpose-built in the English Baroque style. Four stained glass windows designed by the emiment Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones are nothing short of magnificent while the resident organ boasts a variety of knobs to control the swell, pedal and choir settings. We're particuarly drawn to the New Nativity figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the Shepherds as crafted by Melanie Tomlinson; they've been freshly installed for the current festive season, reinforcing a true sense of Christmas.

- Ozzy Osbourne Exhibition Entrance -

After a curiosity-curing call at the Arcade Bar (a place dominated by immersive Formula One racing simulations with a full-sized car suspended from the ceiling), we continue our cultural remit care of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery off Chamberlain Square. Having first opened in 1885 thanks to donations from the Tangye family of industrialists, the gallery complex offers an insightful peek into the city's history as well as housing world-renowned collections. We weave up an entrance staircase studded with mosaic inserts to reach the Round Room - currently featuring 'One Fresh Take' to give a sense of how art allows us to view the world differently - and then explore the tribute exhibition to Ozzy Osbourne. This is a fascinating retrospective on the musician's career, with gig photos, framed platinum discs and chosen quotations from a man who merely saw himself as an ordinary guy from Aston.

- Seeking the Staffordshire Hoard -

'Ozzy Osbourne; Working Class Hero' generated such public interest that it was extended by more than three months, although the display is due to close on Sunday 18th January. Two of the gallery's other big draws also require our attentions, namely the Pre-Raphaelite Collection and the Staffordshire Hoard. The former contains captivating works by the likes of Ford Madox Brown, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the aforementioned Burne-Jones then the latter presents astounding historical artefacts as found in a field near Hammerwich back in the summer of 2009. To see some of the craftsmanship up close is a real thrill, and we are both genuinely amazed at the level of skill involved in producing exquisite gold, silver and other precious items using Anglo Saxon technology mostly dating from the 7th century. I'm debating whether Emily would be well suited to a gilded bristled helmet with swords!

- Several Queens Victoria -

Elsewhere, we ponder intricate buttons and a recreated 1930s kitchen among the History of Birmingham displays, and reflect on the contentious nature of some of the Elephant Room's objects, whether these be taxidermy of rare birds or items plundered under the darker aspects of the British Empire. The Made in Birmingham area is fun, presenting a greasy spoon menu peg board and an A-Z of local connections - I especially approve of 'C is for Cob', quite right! The splendour of the Edwardian Tearoom is an ideal setting for a relaxing hot chocolate as we commandeer a stately sofa and chat about all that we've seen. A quintet of replica statues of Queen Victoria in Britannia-styled helmets stands on the mezzanine level having originally been conceived for the Birmingham 2022 Festival alongside the Commonwealth Games.

- The Bookworm Gets Schlossed -

All these cultural contemplations do help you to work up a thirst so Albert's Schloss is happily on hand nearby for a sophisticated take on an Alpine-themed bar. Fireboxes, live music and hints of continental style add to the flavour while the beer options are very tempting, resulting in me dabbling in a dark Dunkel brew courtesy of Erdinger. Birmingham is busying up with its famed Saturday nightlife as we progress to Brindley Place for the Cosy Club, savouring a relaxed meal of Smash Burgers or Cod in a creamy caper sauce - I declare myself rather partial to the idea of dipping gravy whereas Emily approves of her chunky chips. News that Wolves have remarkably beaten West Ham 3-0 for their long-awaited first win of the season filters though, prompting a closing Craven Arms celebration over a glass of Monty's Mischief. We chat pubcrawls with friendly folks at an adjacent table then reluctantly catch our trains home. Whether in sunshine or snow, Birmingham makes for magical memories. Cheers!

Feeling Bullish with the Chip Foundation

The second stage of my 'Bulls in the City' summertime campaign is a statuesque contribution in the company of Messrs May, Walker and Beardsmore. Here comes Episode 88 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles...

- Mr B with Birmingham Explorer -

The usual evening instructions apply for us to meet beneath Ozzy's gruff Grand Central gaze, hence we all assemble just before 5pm. The cattle crawl can commence immediately thanks to ‘Birmingham Explorer’ as sited on the shopping centre's mezzanine level. Up and down the escalators we go in order to inspect a Philippa and Rachael Corcutt design complete with sunshine head and pale blue body. Smaller details include a bus stop, a playtime scene and a girl in a yellow mac laden with shopping bags, while the familiar locations depicted cover Kings Heath Market, the Bull Ring and Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery. 

- JC Beef -

Across the New Street concourse past the station's own Wetherspoons we go, descending the Southside Steps to reveal ‘JC Beef' as a bright yellow excavator-esque bull. This is an imaginative take on the iconic JCB digger featuring orange warning indicator horns plus all kinds of mechanical coils, springs and pistons. Over the road, the former Crown pub has become an impromptu Black Sabbath shrine with the faces of band members emblazoned over the window panels, then we proceed via Hurst Street to meet 'Bull in a China Shop' with its oriental red, yellow and blue patternings in the sunken Arcadian courtyard. The first drinks stop of the day is our old friend the Craven Arms, sampling cider, coke or Cappuccino Stout amidst green leather seating with mirrored backdrops - I always love its vintage Holder's tiles.

- Deliverabull -

Two bulls are to be found somewhere in the vicinity of the Mailbox. ‘Deliverabull’ is a playful postal inspired Royal Mail tribute - think River Rea maps, envelopes, stamps and a postman's cap. We then head down the Inhale Exhale AstroTurf steps to reach ‘Bill Bull Barge’ which carries the feel of old-fashioned narrowboat paintwork on the little pontoon outside the malls. Displaying a nominal barge name of Sweet William plus a neat chocolate box rendition of Dudley Castle, his body is mostly green with a blackened hull and the quintessential floral effects you can see daily out on the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

- Pravha in the Gas Street Social -

 Thoughts now turn to our second watering hole of the evening so I suggest taking a trendy punt on a bar that’s part of the wider Mailbox complex. First impressions are that the Gas Street Social seems very refined but we’re okay to come in just for drinks, in which case make mine a half of Pravha. Nick follows suit and soon declares himself surprisingly partial to this Czech keg Pilsner, although we do note Guinness and Aspalls are on tap dispense from the back wall. Sitting on swivelly high chairs near a curtained-off restaurant section, I supply Ken with my footballing predictions for the fates of the various West Midlands teams during the upcoming season; let's just say I'm not optimistic about Wolves's chances but I reluctantly resist the urge to tip West Bromwich Albion for relegation!

- Canalside Bar -

Two more Gas Street establishments await, starting with the Tap & Spile as a basin mainstay with much to admire. We’ve done this once before, back in 2012 when the narrow depth of the building stood out, but it retains its waterside appeal and general sense of towpath charm. Of the cask contingent, Holden’s Special drinks well (and needs to at £5.50 a pint!) aided by a nourishing cheese and onion cob. Following that, we pitch into the Canalside Cafe when a blackboard mention of real ales provides all the inducement Nick and I require. They don't have many - Proper Job versus Davenports XPA - so we go with the latter as poured (I think) straight from the barrel. Like with the Tap & Spile, we’re in a thin slither of an interior with only just enough space for a hotchpotch of seating while lightbulbs of different colours sparkle in the window. The original waterways cottages were never very big so they cram in what they can here, and the fact it functions as a cafe as much as a bar is apparent from the All Day Breakfast menus. We'd do this one again, maybe in conjunction with the Botanist and the Waterside Tap, a newly-purchased Joules concern which doesn't open on Mondays.

- Bulls-Eye of the Tiger -

Drinking done, we haven't finished with our bullish brief quite yet. Via Black Sabbath Bridge and Brindley Place we gravitate towards Centenary Square to meet a tiger themed bull by the International Convention Centre. ‘Bulls-Eye of the Tiger’ has the classic black and orange stripes and fearsome glare you might expect of a powerful cat, allied to the bulls muscular frame for a very striking, instantly recognisable creation. Darkness is descending and our resident royal is mindful of train connections, so we'll squeeze in one more sculpture...

- Moo-seley -

Beckoning across the square outside the library is ‘Moo-seley’, a sporting sight dedicated to Moseley Rugby Club in red and black kit. Studded boots and a stitched rugby ball for its head augment the effect, and the 1873 date is a nod to the club’s year of formation. Ken can recall Moseley's heyday in the 1970s as one of the leading amateur rugby union sides in the country and although they've fallen away a little in the professional era, consolidation has come from a new home at Billesley Common. Nick duly scurries to Snow Hill, meaning the rest of us can meander back to New Street for our train home. Cheers!

Bulls In The City

The Wild in Art team are up to their antics again by collaborating on yet another Second City sculptural spectacular. We've had owls, we've had sleuth bears, we've had various Christmas creations (snowmen, snowdogs, nutcracker soldiers, reindeer, penguins) but for Summer 2025 the theme is... Bulls! There are several - large and small - to find around the City Centre, not to mention further herds in Harborne and Boldmere...

I'm hoping that over the course of the next couple of months, I'll be able to get around most of the trail but my first attempt at rounding up some cattle came during an evening with Emily in the heart of town. Aside from the artistic fun, Birmingham was in mourning for the loss of Ozzy Osbourne with the Black Sabbath frontman having passed away merely days after the band's farewell concert at Villa Park. Victoria Square was already hosting a display of album covers which seems all the more poignant now. Anyway, to the bulls...

We're underway with 'Bosco the Bull' which comprises a nifty monochrome shiny effort in Church Street Square, within sight of the Old Royal pub. Bosco's freehand form is intended to showcase natural shapes and patterns through black and white contrast. Trail maps can be picked up from a variety of city centre locations, with the main Herd HQ being on the Great Western Arcade. There's also a downloadable app so that you can pose with each bull when you find it.

Snow Hill Station beckons for 'Parkers Goals' as positioned on the station's Colmore Row forecourt. This one has blocks of colour as if wearing a sports jersey - quite effective as well - and was produced by Megan Heather Smith-Evans. The goals theme is intended to reflect West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s endeavours to create jobs, homes and regional growth by bringing businesses, government and communities together. Whatever your political persuasion, the region does need such investment.

Great Western Arcade often lends itself to the siting of statues and this time around is playing host to 'Bronco Bully'. He's a lot of fun, representing a cowboy design complete with lasso, spurs, pistols and a rodeo hat, all whilst attracting plenty of admiring Good Intent onlookers. The aforementioned Herd HQ meanwhile features 'Astro the Memorabull' in its main shop window; aside from the punning name, this is a thoughtful design because members of the public can arrange for the names of loved ones to be written on in memory of friends and family.

Chamberlain Square is the location of two bull statues, starting with 'Rainbow' with its Brum loveheart. 'Found in Paradise' is then perched below Dishoom; Emily loves its floral theme, incorporating a pale blue acorn leaf head followed by stems and pretty petals along the main flanks. Birmingham’s green spaces are in focus here, with an underlying environmental message echoing previous trail creations.

Over on New Street is a contender for - in my opinion - the best Wild in Art design ever! 'Cadbully' is an all-time classic, themed like a bar of Dairy Milk chocolate (or Dairy Moo, judging by the lettering). Hands down this is my favourite so far - even ahead of Bronco Bully - because of its purple wrapper, textured gold foil effect and general sense of humour. The signature Cadbury’s packaging is captured so perfectly I’m half expecting Emily to try to take a bite out of it!

Talking of my bull-spotting accomplice, we take a break from the arty action by calling into Flight Club for a bash at Social Darts. There are six different games so we work our way through them all over 90 minutes, with Emily proving especially adept at the Demolition and Shangai options - it's not for nothing we rechristen her as Bullseye Bygrave! Despite my best duck-shooting efforts at Quackshot and a nice win at Snakes & Ladders, it is Miss B who takes the overall victory and doesn't she look pleased!

After that, one more sculpture should prove a fitting finale in which case we can bid good evening to 'Bull Brum Lines' outside the Cathedral on the way to Snow Hill. The overall effect utilises a graphic design motif of circles, triangles, crosses, stripes and arrows to appear very impactful. With twelve bulls accounted for in total, that means there are 28 of the big ones still to track down, not to mention some of the smaller ones designed in partnership with local schools. The quest continues...

Hub Marketing 2025: NORTH BIRMINGHAM

Various medical mishaps have been afflicting our Chairman over recent months, so although Hub Marketing progress hasn't stalled entirely, outings have by necessity been fewer and farther between. The good news is that Mr D9's recuperation has been going well hence our bastion to baldness is declared fit and able to join Secretary WME on a tour of North Birmingham...

- A Kenneth Budd Excerpt -

Friday 16th May 2025 dawns bright and clear in the West Midlands, extending the recent spell of warm bright weather into another glorious day. Board members therefore congregate at the Bradley Lane stop in readiness for a Midland Metro tram ride into the heart of Birmingham; one unusual character who immediately makes our acquaintance is a chap D9 often sees at Great Bridge Asda - he calls himself Spiderman and rechristens us as 'Lion' and 'Elephant' although we're not too sure whether that's a comment on the Chairman's wisdom or just an observation on his ability to grow a trunk. Either way, a glance around Old Square gives us scope for pictures of Kenneth Budd's 1967 sculpted mural featuring Doctor Johnson among other personalities. We're off and running once again!

- A Typical Birmingham Landscape? -

If it ain't broke don't fix it is as good a motto for life as any, so we'll adhere to our customary template of pairing a morning ferret with a breakfast-seeking remit. The number 65 bus whisks us up past Dartmouth Circus into Birmingham's Heartlands, whereby the Aston Expressway cuts a great swathe through what would have been dense urban housing with lots of corner boozers. Concrete flyovers with blue and white railings predominate as we investigate the area around Aston Road North, noting the secluded quadrant of Aston Brook Green as a separate mass of properties. The Albion pub is one that is still standing, nowadays calling itself Christopher's with a Caribbean emphasis although it doesn't look very open to us. 

- A Rising Cafe Cuppa -

Terraced backstreets like these are where one might hope to find an unspoilt Pepsi greasy spoon that's barely changed since 1970 but our breakfasting establishment is an altogether much more modern affair. The Rising Cafe is part of a charitable concern based within Anchor Point on the fork where Hubert Street meets Chester Street. Online reviews speak highly of the food and service here so we'll give it a whirl, sampling breakfast rolls and a Full English respectively. Ramekin baked beans, plump pork sausages and griddled little cherry tomatoes make for a good feed to keep the Secretary well and truly satisfied. Table 18 has a wooden spoon marker and industrial factory seating - we like it! 

- The Aston Inn -

Our afternoon pubcrawling destination has yet to be decided at this stage, what with Coleshill, Northfield and Chelmsley Wood all under consideration. As it turns out we opt for the merits or otherwise of North Birmingham, intercepting the number 65 by the clock at Aston Cross for the short journey towards the railway station. The daily silly songs are declared: Brian Murphy's 'The Great Gnome Robbery' is Mr D9's mad choice for utter 1960s daftness, my riposte being 'Lester the Lobster' by Stevedore Steve. Such enlightening entertainment passes the time en route to the Aston Inn, a former Social Club turned into a hotel with at least fifteen bedrooms. Pictures of Paul McGrath, Ron Saunders and Jack Grealish leave little doubt that we are deep in Aston Villa territory here, the pub already pulling in plenty of matchday punters even though kick-off against Spurs is several hours away yet.

- 'Spotted' near Aston Church -

Despite the inescapable sense of claret and blue allegiances, we enjoy our opening Carlings in the Aston Inn and it's an easy decision to proceed a few paces along Aston Hall Road to reach our second port of call. Nestled tightly beside motorway masonry, the Aston Tavern has been lovingly restored to resemble a classy Victorian premises complete with dimpled leather seating, tasselled curtains and period chandeliers. We have to ring the doorbell to gain access (nominally there's a £5 entry charge on football days to deter would-be troublemakers) but we are allowed inside, leisurely quaffing some Jute IPA as a zingy craft offering from the Salt Brewery. The Chairman likes his tastebuds being assaulted with tart hoppiness a little more than I do, and is therefore in a good mood when his bald spot defences are breached!

- Aston Villa Artwork -

Any hopes of the Holte giving us a trilogy of Aston boozers sadly come to no avail although we can admire the Parish Church as dedicated to St Peter and St Paul; worship has taken place on this site across the millennia with the tower said to date from 1480 and much of the remainder of the building being principally Victorian. Across the road is the iconic Holte End, possibly Villa Park's most partisan section, named after Sir Thomas Holte who paid for the construction of nearby Aston Hall. A nod to the current Villa squads is then provided by an eyecatching mural featuring Ollie Watkins, Rachel Daly and Emi Martinez.

- Grinning in the Greyhound -

Leaving Aston behind, we catch the 67 towards Castle Vale which in turn takes us to Tyburn. The Tyburn House is one of two Sizzlers we'll sample in quick succession (the other being the Yenton at Wylde Green) and has an inviting Tudor-styled brown stone frontage designed by C.E. Bateman in 1930. Beardsmore Bleach and US PGA Golf are the order of the day, Mr D9 resolutely sticking to the Carlings as is his wont, plus there is table reservation confusion to unpick at times. Fast forward next to Court Lane where the Greyhound presents the prospect of a Perry Common pint close to the grounds of Oscott Cemetery. We both rather like this one, a community local with a real sense of humour. The afternoon is going well!

- Hofmeister Helles -

With the sunshine insisting on sticking around for the duration, Boldmere beckons with the promise of further beer. We've mined the main street extensively for pub pickings over the years but hadn't yet frequented either the Lounge or 90 Boldmere, both of which are on the swisher side of the drinking spectrum. Give the Secretary a bear on a glass and he's happy, hence the Hofmeister Helles is an obvious choice for a slice of Bavaria. We're back on the Carling again at No. 90 but that won't detract from a relaxed little visit of sofa reclining proportions - Boldmere would make for a great crawl just on its own these days. 

- Mr D9 drives home -

The curfew alarm is preparing its warning so we grudgingly board the number 5 bus to West Bromwich via Kingstanding and the Scott Arms. The ride at least gives the Chairman chance to reclaim his rightful position behind the (imaginary) steering wheel, making good onward time through Pheasey and Queslett. Our speediness is such that a cheeky nightcap becomes a distinct possibility, albeit the choice of the Sandwell in its peak karaoke phase might be one we come to regret - 'Penny Arcade' by Roy Orbison and 'Words' by the Bee Gees have never sounded so awful. We leave the Friday night revellers to their fun and finish off with the tram back from Lodge Road, delighted that the Hub Marketing Board is still ticking off the trips.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

What lovelier place is there to spend the May Day Bank Holiday than at Birmingham Botanical Gardens? Designed in 1829/30 by the eminent garden planner John Claudius Loudon, the grounds have been showcasing Birmingham's horticultural excellence for nearly 200 years yet I'd never had the pleasure of visiting them until now...

- Glasshouse Entrance -

I have my friend and library colleague Emily to thank for inspiring this particular outing, with the Westbourne Road location being just down the road from Birmingham City University's City South campus. I duly make my way across to leafy Edgbaston, noting the queues forming at the reception desk - it seems plenty of other people have had the same idea about how to spend their extra day off. Standard adult admission is £9 but well worth the money when you get to investigate the Grade II* listed landscape in all its glory. The site covers around fifteen acres all told, based upon Holly Bank Farm as historically leased from the Calthorpe Estate.

- Trailing Wisteria -

The main entrance and gift shop feed directly into four fascinating glasshouse zones where you can really sense the humidity in the air. These in turn comprise tropical, subtropical, arid and Mediterranean sections with wild banana trees and flaming swords among the species to initially catch the eye. Venturing down through the Alan King Alpine Garden, there are pretty purple and lilac wisteria plants hugging the far brick walls whilst small greenhouses display miniature succulents. The koi carp tank has some very beady-eyed fish!

- Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society -

Cameron Path flanks the courts of the Edgbaston Archery & Law Tennis Society, itself a proud and prestigious organisation which holds the record for being the oldest surviving lawn tennis club on the planet (who am I to argue with a blue plaque). Some kiddies coaching appears to be underway as drop shots, smashes and ace serves are attempted with varying degrees of success. The Hugh Nettlefold Rock Garden meanwhile originates from 1895, the Nettlefolds having been a prominent local family with interests in the manufacturing of screws.

- A Riot of Rhododendrons -

Arguably the most spectacular part of the gardens - especially at this time of year - has to be the Rhododendron Walk, where tall bushes line either side of the winding path and present a cacophony of colours: pearly white, blood orange, blushing pink and vibrant red. Such sights are backed up by the sensuous perfume filling the air, leading neatly towards the bog garden where the discovery of newts requires specialist wildlife conservation techniques. Elsewhere, the fern garden offers fluttery fronds with hints of a statuesque classical lady beside a pool.

- Historic Glasshouses -

Doubling back towards the reception area, its impossible to resist the lure of cakes from the Medicine Bakery - raspberry blondies, walnut-topped carrot cake, giant chocolate cookies and your classic scones are all available making it oh so difficult to pick which one you want to eat. Once you've settled on an indulgent treat, it's an absolute pleasure to sit on the grassy bank gazing out over the Peter Sowerby Bandstand. A talented harpist is expertly plucking strings to the tune of 'Dancing Queen' and 'Let's Go Fly A Kite' - you don't often get ABBA and Mary Poppins on the same playlist!

- The Alpine Garden -

A second full circuit of the entire grounds gives scope for further photography, in which case the Alpine Garden really shines through thanks to precarious clumps of planting in amongst the stony crevices. A Black Country Woodturners exhibition is underway inside the function suite with one charming elderly craftsman telling of how he's been woodworking all his life, fashioning little puzzle trinkets that have had folk baffled until you know the knack - I still haven't been furnished with said secret! The well-stocked gift shop has a book exchange alongside much in the way of gardening inspiration. A Bank Holiday well spent, cheers!