WME Flickr Focus - December 2018

Twelve long months of Flickr action have culminated in this, my final photostream posting of 2018. In keeping with the rest of the year, December proved to be productive in bringing my annual additions to a grand total of 389 photos...

With Christmas just around the corner, WME Wolverhampton has taken on the role of Santa by supplying a sackful of goodies. Rather than reindeer though, this sleigh has been pulled by a pack of Wolves in Wolves sculptures including Bayliss (at West Park), Zeus (by the Civic Centre) and Hunter (by the Art School). Other wolves getting in a festive howl or two are Dynasty (Princess Street), Love (outside the Registry Office) and Wild (in the Art Gallery).

Speaking of the Art Gallery, I've dipped into my cultural stocking with snapshots from interesting exhibitions that took place in 2017. Chinese characters therefore make their collective presence felt alongside some gold and green ceramics, plus there's even a guest appearance from Mahatma Gandhi! A curious bird puppet gets in on the act too and I fully expect there to be more artistic arrivals come 2019.

Elsewhere in the wintry world of WME Wolverhampton, I can toast the inclusion of more tiled street signs (Long Street, Whitmore Street), linger by lock seven on the Birmingham Main Line Canal and pause to reflect at the 2015 Festival of Remembrance. Last but not least is a Woodbine sign from across Bushbury way, the pub itself becoming an increasing eyesore awaiting a new lease of life. This is all means Wolverhampton alone has contributed over 100 pictures to the Flickr cause this year, not a bad effort!

Admittedly there have been slim December pickings as regards the rest of my collections, although there were occasional stirrings down the chimney so to speak. WME Walsall sneaked in with a solitary present (a vintage Highgate Ales sign at Willenhall Liberal Club), likewise WME Birmingham which pulls a cracker in the form of Yardley's Ring O Bells sign. The closing word goes to the little-seen WME Worcestershire where the New Street elves have released the King Charles II and Swan with Two Nicks from behind the yule log. With that I'll sign off well in advance of the Queen's Speech - Merry Christmas one and all, I'll be back with more photostream progress in January...