We've Been On A Bear Hunt!

The array of animal artworks appearing on the streets of the West Midlands in recent weeks have certainly added a sense of fun to my summertime photo sessions. Stephen was keen to get in on the act, so with a spare (but potentially soggy) Friday at our disposal we breeze into Birmingham ready for some serious sleuthing...

- The Bear That Cares -

New Street Station gets our bear-spotting underway almost immediately as the concourse has become home to The Bear That Cares, a bright pink example whose appearance is based on the characters from the Care Bears television series. The red balloon symbol on the bear's tummy represents the logo for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

- Shakesbear -

One of the bears I was most keen to find is Shakesbear, designed with a certain famous playwright's portrait in mind. It takes pride of place out on New Street itself, attracting the attentions of passing shoppers with a mixture of delight and bemusement. Elsewhere on New Street we make the acquaintance of Marcus Bearlius (inspired by sculptures of Roman emperors) before Olly the Octobear has bright red tentacles by Victoria Square.

- A Dalek Distraction -

 The threat of rain means we make for the shelter of the Mailbox where the BBC visitor centre has definitely embraced the Big Sleuth spirit. Several mini-bears are on display here including Bournville Unwrapped, Lulu and Totally Tropical; like the other smaller bears on the trail, these have each been created with the involvement of a local school. Thankfully the resident Dalek has so far refrained from exterminating any of them!

- The Bees Knees -

To Gas Street Basin then and an encounter with The Bees Knees, one of a number of honey and bee themed bears that feature as part of the event. Situated next to the Worcester Bar footbridge, this design raises awareness about the importance of bee conservation and the need to protect wild flowers as a source of pollination.

- Crunchie -

Not all of the bears are in the city centre so our next move takes us to Bournville in order to track down Crunchie outside Cadbury World. Being rather partial to the honeycomb chocolate bar ourselves, we can appreciate this bear licking his lips while seemingly escaping out of his wrapper. 

- The Wildlife Detective -

The Cross City line connects us sweetly with Sutton Coldfield for our final sleuth targets of the day. Stephen has the pleasure of posing next to the Wildlife Detective (complete with some bear-noculars perhaps?) as we stroll through Sutton Coldfield railway station. Straw-bear-y (a fruity friend on Lower Parade) and Honeybear (a hive effect by Holy Trinity Church) also make memorable impressions when we survey the town centre.

- A Sutton Coldfield Scatter Cushion -

A pub interlude precedes our very last piece of arty action with the Brewhouse & Kitchen on Birmingham Road brewing their own ales on the premises. I partake of The Cup, a 3.6% bitter that takes its title from the pub's historic name, and clutch an appropriately boozy scatter cushion while modelling some distinctive glassware. Tiger Lily by the Empire Cinema celebrates the resurgence in wild tiger numbers and with that we head homewards, satisfied with our sleuthing so far but with plenty more bears still to meet in the months ahead.