Reports of recent visits
BIRMINGHAM 8 May 2010 (by Bryan Hanlon)
So many of our members wanted to go that we needed a double-decker for our visit to Britain’s second city. The weather wasn’t particularly good and our bus broke down – not once but twice! – but, no matter, this really was a good day out.
We arrived at the massive Council House to be given a civic welcome by the city’s lord mayor, and also the chairman of the Birmingham Civic Society in a setting of true Victorian splendour. St Albans cannot of course expect to compete, but we were all rather in awe of such “grand” architecture.
Then it was back into our bus, for our very knowledgeable guide to give us a tour of the city (fortunately staying in our bus on a rather wet day), including of course the famous Jewellery Quarter, before we drove on to Bourneville. Here we were able to see some of the various architectural styles of this Quaker development, before a quick visit to the Cadbury’s shop where we filled the (now Kraft) company’s coffers with large purchases of mis-shapes etc.
Then it was on again, this time to Saint Nicolas Place, which won the first “Restoration” programme on BBC2 in 2004. Here, four excellent guides took us through the late mediaeval merchant’s house and nearby grammar school, explaining as they did so the various steps needed to win the multi-million pound prize. Finally, it was time for a much-needed sit down with tea and cake, before starting our journey home.
This gave us all a real “taster” of what Birmingham has to offer. If you would like us to organise a return visit (or of course a first, if you did not join us on this occasion), please let Bryan Hanlon know – 01727-851734 / bryan@hanlon.me.
The photos below were taken during the visit by one of our members. Many thanks for permission to reproduce a selection here.
So many of our members wanted to go that we needed a double-decker for our visit to Britain’s second city. The weather wasn’t particularly good and our bus broke down – not once but twice! – but, no matter, this really was a good day out.
We arrived at the massive Council House to be given a civic welcome by the city’s lord mayor, and also the chairman of the Birmingham Civic Society in a setting of true Victorian splendour. St Albans cannot of course expect to compete, but we were all rather in awe of such “grand” architecture.
Then it was back into our bus, for our very knowledgeable guide to give us a tour of the city (fortunately staying in our bus on a rather wet day), including of course the famous Jewellery Quarter, before we drove on to Bourneville. Here we were able to see some of the various architectural styles of this Quaker development, before a quick visit to the Cadbury’s shop where we filled the (now Kraft) company’s coffers with large purchases of mis-shapes etc.
Then it was on again, this time to Saint Nicolas Place, which won the first “Restoration” programme on BBC2 in 2004. Here, four excellent guides took us through the late mediaeval merchant’s house and nearby grammar school, explaining as they did so the various steps needed to win the multi-million pound prize. Finally, it was time for a much-needed sit down with tea and cake, before starting our journey home.
This gave us all a real “taster” of what Birmingham has to offer. If you would like us to organise a return visit (or of course a first, if you did not join us on this occasion), please let Bryan Hanlon know – 01727-851734 / bryan@hanlon.me.
The photos below were taken during the visit by one of our members. Many thanks for permission to reproduce a selection here.
