Gallipoli Centenary Commemoration - 25th April 2015

In Centenary Square, Birmingham, and focused around the Hall of Memory, the 100th anniversary of start of the Gallipoli campaign was remembered by a short parade and service. There were also many tents and stalls manned by people in period costume and illustrating much of the way of life during these war years for both military and civvies. On stage, the strains of Vera Lynn favourites echoed over the square whilst in the Library of Birmingham talks were given on the campaign.

 Veterans lead a parade which includes representatives of a Sikh regiment and dignitaries, from the Library of Birmingham to the Hall of Memory. 

The dignitaries assemble outside the Hall of Memory.

Veterans with standards face the Hall of Memory.

The Dean of Birmingham leads a short service.

The Mayor of Birmingham Coun. Shafique Shah recalls the heroism of the campaign.

The Last Post.

 The Mayor lays a wreath and stands in respectful contemplation.

Dignitaries chat to the veterans afterwards.

The wreaths laid below Albert Toft's Air Force representative statue.

Local bobby PC72.

 A sweep poses for me before wishing me luck with his sooty hands.

On the same day, St George celebrations were taking place in Birmingham. I've covered the event several times and so I didn't stay for this one although it should be said that the tenuous Turkish connection between St George and Gallipoli was not lost on me.

Highbury Hall spring craft fayre - 13th April 2014

It's been a while since I posted on this blog, so I thought I'd start with a return to Highbury Hall. My last trip here was to view the hall in candle-light. This time, there was glorious sunlight.
The spring fayre brought out a wide collection of craft stalls, from fossil jewellery, preserves, aromatic soaps, the fabulous Brummie art of Robert Geoghegan to... well look a bit further down.
This was my first daylight visit to Highbury and I must return so that I can spend more time in the gardens and the nearby park.

 Arriving at the hall.

 Children's activities in the garden.

 The RSPB stall.

 The BBQ, (but when I returned for a burger, they'd closed)

 Civic dignitaries were present to entertain the kids.

Plenty of stalls in the main hall, and in every other room as well, except the library.

 More stalls on the gallery and adjoining rooms.

 One of my favourite stalls... ornaments and trinkets, the product of an assortment of materials and a vivid imagination. These unusual products are made by Alice of Red Fox Curiosity Workshop.

Alice will be displaying these at All Saints Church, Kings Heath on 31st May and Mozfest 5th July. Contact her on redfoxcuriosityworkshop AT gmail DOT com for more information.

On my way home, I stopped off at Dirty End to take a skyline pic of Birmingham city centre. The lovely old buildings in the foreground and the modern things in the background.

The opening of the Library of Birmingham - 3rd Sept 2013

If there had been anything I could have wished for today, it would have been to be able to arrive at the Library of Birmingham earlier and to have been able to stay all day. As it was I arrived just before the doors opened to the public and I only had a couple of hours to spare. I didn't get round to seeing everything.... there was just  too much to see.
There was the internal architecture, the books, the hi-tech library aids and interactive displays, all jumbled up with an excited mass of people all enjoying the opening of what was, for today, a huge tourist attraction.
During my stay, certain aspects grabbed my attention.. the escalators, the book rotunda, the amphitheatre and the stunning views from the building.

Architectural arrangement. The Library of Birmingham (2013) flanked by the Hall of Memory (1925) and Baskerville House (1938).

The impressive exterior.

The reception area.

The Spotlight area, for small art exhibitions and performances.

I am struck by the amount of daylight in various sections of the library.

The escalators threading their way through the floors, resembling some huge sculpture of modern art. This fascinated me and for a while we were reminded of the Central Library when one of the escalators stopped working.

Animated decorations.

A hands-on exhibit from the Symphony of Atlas.. "The Book Apothecary".

Printed books could be reserved, taken out and returned at these automated terminals.

A view of the amphitheatre from the lower ground floor (music, film, and children's books). The front of the library can be seen through the open roof.

Same amphitheatre, different floor, the 2nd I think.

Plenty of computers and CD-ROMs for learning and research.

Looking up to the book rotunda...

....another view.

Views from the Discovery Terrace (floor 3).

Looking up to the top skylight.

Members of the brass company "Super Critical Mass" line the floors of the book rotunda to perform their interpretation of "Together We Breathe".

An interactive panel. Here some visitors are viewing an old local map.

Heading out, the lobby as I descend down the escalator. 

Outside, a ground floor view of the amphiteatre.

Media vans.

People still queuing to get in 2 hours later.

Edward VII wondering what all the fuss is about.