Souvenirs: Wristband, Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, 30/04/15.

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Birmingham, Birmingham Science Museum, Brough Superior, Castle Bromwich, Millennium Point Birmingham, pangolin, Queen Victoria, Royal Train, Souvenirs, Spitfire, Spitfire Gallery, Ted, The Black Alpine Brough Superior, Thinktank, triceratops, wristband

On my way down to Bristol to visit my sister, I changed trains at Birmingham New Street and picked a leaflet with “New: Spitfire Gallery, Thinktank, Birmingham” written on it. Six days later, on breaking my journey at Birmingham New Street again, I rushed through the famous Bull Ring, across previously unexplored territory, to Millennium Point for the quickest of quick looks before continuing on my way.

I was completely unaware of Birmingham’s connection to the iconic Spitfire, so the Spitfire Gallery was very much an eye opener.  10,000 Spitfires, including the example suspended from the ceiling at Thinktank, were produced at the Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory. Unfortunately, I didn’t note down any of the interesting facts I came across that day, but I am left with a general impression that it was very good!

The notes I did scribble down describe a pangolin [“This armoured anteater uses its powerful claws to pull apart ant-hills and termite mounds“], the fossilised skeleton of a triceratops discovered in Montana in 1098, The Black Alpine Brough Superior motorcycle [“Top speed 85 miles an hour“] and an oil lamp from Queen Victoria’s Royal Train, so I must have been particularly taken with these exhibits. I’ll have to have a more leisurely look around the next time I’m in Birmingham.

If you’re interested in science and industry or the natural sciences, the Thinktank is well worth looking into.

The Iron Man and Queen Victoria, Victoria Square, Birmingham, 25/04/15.

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Antony Gormley, Birmingham, Iron: Man, public art, Queen Victoria, sculpture, The Iron Man, Victoria Square Birmingham

“Iron: Man” by Antony Gormley.

Statue of Queen Victoria, Victoria Square, Birmingham, 25/04/15.

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architecture, Birmingham, British Monarchy, Council House Birmingham, Flag of Birmingham, flags, public art, Queen Victoria, sculpture, statue, Victoria Square Birmingham, Victorian., Victoriana

Note the civic flag of the city of Birmingham flying over Council House.

Photo Archive: Allegorical Figure Wearing A Turban, Statue of Queen Victoria, Albert Square, Dundee, 2014.

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allegorical figure, beard, Dundee, moustache, Persian slippers, Queen Victoria, sculpture, slippers, statue, Statue of Queen Victoria, turban, Victorian., Victoriana

Photo Archive: The Eastgate Clock, Chester, c.2007.

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Chester, clock, Eastgate Chester, Eastgate Clock Chester, Queen Victoria, Victorian., Victoriana

At one time, this one of the most photographed clocks in England. Well, I guess one more photograph of it will not do the internet any harm. The clock was commissioned to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria and sits on top of the Eastgate, a gate and walkway that form part of the city walls. I imagine that most of the photographs are taken from Eastgate, rather than the walkway, so don’t include the rather nice lamp featured on the right of my photograph.