Trunks and Tipples in Tamworth

Into early autumn we happily glide for the prospect of seeing yet more March of the Elephants members, this time as dovetailed with the tantalising tipples on offer at the Tamworth Beer Festival...

- Ski-Ellie -

Those hardy souls amongst you who read this drivel regularly will know that Tamworth was my remaining frontier in terms of collecting elephant sculptures this summer, so on Saturday 7th September Jane and I attempted to fill in the gaps. Alas the weather was of the persistently drizzly variety but this did not stop us from seeking out the SnowDome in order to meet 'Ski-Ellie', a sporty specimen complete with safety goggles, green helmet and skiing attire. 

- Rainbow Elephant -

Also temporarily part of the SnowDome furniture was 'Rainbow Elephant', although this one had to suffer the indignity of standing outside in the rain rather than enjoying Ski-Ellie's shelter by the main reception desk. Swirling ribbons add to the colourful effect here, and the wider SnowDome facilities seemed very popular in comprising indoor ski slopes, swimming pool, gymnasium, ice skating rink and some climbing walls. 

- Elvis -

I wasn't prepared to risk the embarrassment of putting my frightful lack of coordination on public display so we gave any skiing the slip by heading for the Tamworth Castle Grounds. Two more elephants awaited us here, namely 'Tamworth Pigs' (referencing the famous local porky breed) and 'Elvis', who had nothing whatsoever to do with the King of Rock & Roll but instead was a yellow floral design with gerbera daisies and Stay Positive mottoes.

- Brothwell -

The ongoing rain did not make for the best of photographic conditions so we called it quits upon finding 'Brothwell', an elephant named after the founder of St Giles's Hospice. Located outside St Editha's Church, the design in this case referenced charity shop happenings with words such as donate and volunteer clearly to the fore. I never quite managed to pin down every single sculpture but I've covered most of the herd over the last month so I've got to be pleased with that. It's certainly been a lot of fun...

- Sugar Spun Stout -

And talking of fun, we had a beer festival to get to! The revamped Assembly Rooms on Corporation Street had resumed hosting duties for Tamworth's ale and cider extravaganza so we made a beeline for the side entrance and obtained the necessary tokens and glassware. I'd anticipated that several of the beers would have sold out but there was still plenty of quality quaffage to be had on the Saturday lunchtime session, not least Sugar Spun Stout with its candyfloss aroma (Firebrick Brewery) or Green Duck's Cinderman (for hints of burnt toffee).

- The Winner Takes It All -

Jane meanwhile eagerly acquainted herself with the cider corner of the bar, testing out the Broadoak Rum & Raisin followed by Hecks Farmhouse Perry. Alas the 8% Pineapple Cider she'd most been looking forward to had already been drunk dry, but any disappointment was more than offset by the Wilkins Traditional. Tamworth often adopt special themes for their festivals and this year they'd gone with an ABBA anniversary celebrating 50 years since the Swedish supergroup won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo'. 

- Cider Contemplation in the Kings Ditch -

Our festival visit had gone swimmingly so there was no need to send out an SOS, not with the chance to then try out two of Tamworth's finest establishments. The Kings Ditch micropub has an extensive cider menu so Jane was extremely happy there - we even got chatting to a chap from Chase Terrace who knew all there was to know about anything apple-related. A Star Trek glass from a previous festival was cheekily obtained too before we switched attentions to the Tamworth Tap, winner of CAMRA's National Pub of the Year accolade for both 2022 and 2023. The place was heaving with contented punters availing themselves of the stonking selection of cask ales, but for us a Squealer cider was the perfect finale. Cheers!

March of the Elephants (Part Two)

Be honest now, you didn't think that my Sutton Coldfield Saturday a couple of weeks back would give me enough elephant spotting for one summer did you? Of course not! Knowing that there are other sculptures out there in the wild, I had to set about seeing the Staffordshire half of the herd...

- Flora -

This Lichfield leg of the trail commences with ‘Flora’ who can be found at Speaker’s Corner, overlooking Minster Pool from the Dam Street railings. With gold-leafed embellishments to her lively depictions of birds, flowers and butterflies, she apparently is able to glow in the dark. As a side note, this location was established in 2009 as a soapbox setting for free speech and other public performances; one wonders which topics might be close to Flora's own heart?

- Staffie -

Next up is ‘Staffie’ who has seemingly struck up a friendship with St Chad’s Statue over on The Close. The toothy gargoyles of Lichfield Cathedral form a fantastical backdrop to this one, while the theme represents Staffordshire’s varied landscapes. Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and Tamworth’s bandstand are referenced - along with the Cathedral - as a way of highlighting the three towns which the elephants are temporarily calling home.

- Eternal Life -

The cathedral is Lichfield’s principal March of the Elephants hub, with merchandise available from the gift shop and several sculptures in attendance. ‘Eternal Life’ is the biggest of those present, distinctively decorated with a butterfly on one flank and phoenix wings on the other, both sides styled so as to resemble leaded stained glass windows - very effective!

- Pip -

As with Worcester's waddling penguins, there are sculptures large and small vying for our attention. We are therefore pleased to make the acquaintance of ‘Pip’ - amusingly resembling a watermelon with pinkish flesh and a striped green outer layer - as one of the mini-elephant creations who resides within the cathedral's safe haven.

- Time For Tea -

Three elephants form a swift combination in and around the Three Spires shopping centre, albeit this is the most popular bit of the trail with children almost everywhere. ‘Time for Tea’ riffs on the Alice in Wonderland story by dropping in on the Mad Hatter’s tea party - think pop art portrayals of the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts and a cheeky-looking Alice herself.

- Henry the Elephant -

With the March Hare consulting his pocket watch, we press on and make the acquaintance of ‘Henry the Elephant’ who posits a playful resemblance to King Henry VIII, hence red breeches and gingery beard. Wade Street is then where we can bump into ‘Nellie’ who has seemingly been tasked with monitoring happenings outside the Garrick Theatre; her spangly appearance takes the circus for its inspiration - Roll up, roll up! indeed.

- Mighty Oak -

To Beacon Park where two of the specimens have set up camp over by the main ornamental flowerbeds. These namely are ‘Fruity Frida’ and ‘Mighty Oak’: Frida is a fruitbowl in trunk and tusk formation adorned with sunflowers, gooseberries, raspberries and plump redcurrants whereas Mighty Oak is a pale green leafy ensemble depicting tawny owls, hedgehogs and inquisitive hares. Both are popular with visitors old and young but especially the young.

- Zoonomia -

Last but not least comes ‘Zoonomia’ over by the park’s Shaw Lane pathway, just after you’ve crossed the little brook. This busy design incorporates all kinds of zoo animals, hence you’ve got one leg of zebra stripes, one of leopard spots and another featuring giraffe splotches. Add in peacock feathers, owl eyes and a snake trunk and you've got a veritable menagerie all morphed together. That's Lichfield's elephants duly located, just the Tamworth set to come.

March of the Elephants (Part One)

I've given you bears, I've given you penguins so get yourselves ready for more animal antics courtesy of the 'March of the Elephants' herd which has descended upon Sutton Coldfield and surroundings...

- Bubble -

I'm beginning with the West Midlands part of the elephant parade, although it should be noted that there are sculptures being displayed in Lichfield and Tamworth too. My first find is Bubble, positioned by the gardens beside Holy Trinity Church off Sutton Coldfield's Mill Street. As with Bobby on the Birmingham Bear Hunt, the facial depictions bring to mind the works of Picasso. 

- Funky Trunk -

Amidst the shopping malls of the Gracechurch Centre is where I can meet Funky Trunk, a colourful retro-styled design which draws much inspiration from the 1980s. The detail here includes sunglasses, audio cassette tapes, vintage games consoles and even a Walkman!

- An Elephant Never Forgets -

Sutton Park is a good elephant-spotting location, plus you can get your daily steps in walking from gate to gate. Among my haul is An Elephant Never Forgets as seen overlooking the Park Road roundabout; its Mexican Day of the Dead approach means a pinky-purple base hue with highlighted bones, emphasising the elephant's proverbially impressive memory capacity. 

- Paris -

Greenbelt is an environmentally conscious elephant showcasing native British wildlife outside the National Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, then I can make the acquaintance of Paris near Wyndley Gate. I must admit I really like this one, all kitted out in GBR running vest and stripy sweatband which seems suitably topical with the Olympic Games on at the moment. 

- Connie the Calf -

To Boldmere Gate where Connie the Calf awaits, chewing the cud just up from the Miller & Carter Steakhouse. Although a baby elephant is referred to as a calf, the term is more commonly associated with young cows hence this sculpture's distinct dairy disposition!

- Olivia -

Boldmere Road is home to three more artistic creations, including Cheesey Does It (playfully presenting fromage fun with little mouseholes) and Olivia in her bright orange legwarmers and leotard. The latter seems to be paying homage to Olivia Newton-John and her famous 1981 hit 'Physical'; either way she's certainly ready for a workout! 

- Where's Ellie -

Last but far from being least is Where's Ellie, very much referencing the much-loved Where's Wally puzzle books hence the rounded glasses plus red and white clothing. You can't miss her really, standing sentry outside the Tesco Express store, so the real challenge is matching up the mini elephants that feature as part of her design. All being well I'll get chance to see the Staffordshire specimens in due course - provided I pack my trunk correctly that is...