WME Flickr Focus - December 2023

Seasons Greetings to you, how has your Christmas been going? I've unwrapped all of my presents, gorged myself on turkey and mince pies, watched classic movies and nodded off more times than I'd care to mention but it's been a nice relaxed time with family for which I feel very lucky. The West Midlands Exploration clan of Flickr albums hasn't been forgotten either so lets see which gifts they had bestowed upon them in December...

Teddy bears must have been the in-vogue present this year, at least as far as my pictures are concerned. This is because the Big Sleuth sculpture trail of 2017 has made its presence felt on not one, not two but three of my galleries, starting with WME Solihull where Grandpa Bear graces Solihull High Street (complete with checked shirt, braces and bifocals). Resorts World gets in on the act by playing host to Helarctos Malavanus - the scientific name for the sun bear species - and Chillin' In Paradise. 

WME Birmingham has likewise benefited from some big bear attention, welcoming Goldie (by St Philip's Cathedral), Bearmingham (outside St Martin's in the Bullring), Bearhug (inside New Street Station) and the bee-themed Buzz (watching over the University of Birmingham's main campus library). The trail also included a selection of smaller bear cub statuettes from which I've plucked out Sutton Coldfield's example about saving the rainforests; a Somerville Road street sign from Small Heath seems almost incidental by comparison. 

Still with the Big Sleuth, let's give a shout out to WME Sandwell which has pocketed Picnic Time For Teddy Bears as its newest recruit - I particularly approve of the childlike design of this bear. Elsewhere, Smethwick Locks supply more autumnal extras from my Galton Valley walk of 2016 and there are further sightings of the since-demolished New Navigation pub which used to stand on Lewisham Road. 

WME Shropshire can't claim any bears but it nevertheless dabbles in the realms of public art with thanks to Severn Valley Country Park. Bird carvings and fishy shads accompany generic views of streams and hewn footbridges whilst over in Shrewsbury I can report an encounter with a Bull's Head, the pub just up the hill from the town's railway station. Given that Salop had received next to no additions all year, this late burst just edges us into double figures. 

One gallery which never struggles for material is WME Wolverhampton although it has had a relatively quiet month, merely mustering two Smestow Valley arty litterbug specimens plus a Homezone shopfront from The Scotlands. WME Walsall has had a very solid 2023, latterly boosted by the Bloxwich (Lower Farm) bonus that is the Saddlers Arms pub; WME Dudley sneaks in with some Sedgley stuff, most notably a splash of greenery from Turls Hill Road; and last word honours happen to fall to WME Warwickshire with its Shrewley speculations amounting to the Durham Ox and a village hall viewpoint. Until 2024, enjoy the pictures!