Tag: interesting architecture

March 6th – I was passing through Wednesbury on my way home, and it was light – so I did something I’ve been meaning to do for years – visit the twin churches of St. Bartholomew’s and St Mary’s on top of Chuirch Hill, overlooking the Black Country.

I frequently admire this pair of spires from Kings Hill – one Church of England, on Catholic, both having watched over their flocks from this high vantage point for over a century each.

St Bart’s is lovely: large grounds with spring flowers and wide views surround the sandstone church, which has a great spire and beautiful clock. Weather-worn and stained with soot, this handsome church has withstood the ravages of the Black Country air very well indeed.

The grounds of St Mary’s were disappointingly locked, so I was unable to get a close look, but it’s an equally beautiful terracotta brick church with a lovely copper-roofed spire. It very much put me in mind of St. Chad’s, in Birmingham.

The ride up here really wasn’t too bad, and I’ll certainly be coming back to watch the seasons change. If you’re at a loose end near here, I can really recommend a visit.

March 1st – For me now is the time of the half-light. My morning commutes are well into light now, and most welcome that is; but evening commutes are mostly on the cusp of day and night, light and dark, optimism and pessimism. 

This commute started in a grey, overcast light with a strong tailwind and and the threat of rain that arrived as I rode the canal back to Brownhills. The sky though, transformed from a grey murk into a remarkable, beautiful, luminous blue which captivated me.

Even though it was raining, I couldn’t miss capturing this.

Within 10 minutes, the light had died and night had fully fallen – but I was so glad I caught the moment.

February 21st – Unfortunately, I forget my camera so just one picture for today, and that’s not brilliant, sorry.

I had to nip into Tipton on a day with an evil southwesterly, and crossing theBlack Country New Road at Moxley, I was once again captivated by that marooned, beautiful church – like Wood Green, and a host of others in the conurbation, urban churches are often extant on odd islands or spurs as road systems grow around them.

Thirty years ago, this view would have been completely different.

I love that these wonderful buildings are preserved and they’re like lighthouses to the past in the changing landscape.

February 20th – I passed through Wednesbury late, a town I often pass through but rarely stop in, which is a shame as it’s a great place. On this dark, mild evening it was still busy, and the lights and interesting buildings made for an inviting, busy urban scene.

I must explore this place more.

February 19th – I had to be in work on a Sunday, unusually, early in the morning. After spending a few hours there, I decided to make the best of the day and head on to the canals of the Black Country. I shot over to Tipton, then through the Netherton Tunnel, wound around Brierley Hill to Stourbridge, out to Stourton and then all the way up to Wolverhampton on the Staffs and Worcester, heading back home on the good old Curley Wyrley to Bloxwich.

I love riding the Netherton Tunnel – at 3036 yards it’s a long one, and the effects of water seepage and time make it an interesting and dramatic journey. 

Those air vents still remind me of something out of Doom or Quake.

Didn’t see another soul down there, either, which was odd. Bumble Hole at the far end was busy, though.

February 17th – I noticed something today I’ve passed many times but never stopped to look at – Wood Green Church. Stranded by the road system of Junction 8 of the M6, it remains gracefully marooned in the old village of Wood Green between Pleck, Wednesbury and Bescot. 

I have never noticed the elegance of the sharp roof, the beautifully red stone from which it’s built and remarkably detailed spire – and those clock faces are just wonderful.

I need to go and have a closer look – I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to notice this gorgeous building – I’ve been passing it for decades now.

The Black Country gives up it’s surprises slowly, and that’s why I love it so.

February 15th – I see the completion of the conversion of the old church/chapel at Kings Hill, Darlaston is very nearly finished: this has taken years and the workmanship looks stunning.

I’ve been passing this former Methodist chapel and church for a very long time, and it’s previous dereliction caused me sadness – but now it has been made into dwellings, and unlike the usual architectural cut and shut that’s the norm in these cases, the renovation has been astoundingly detailed. 

Stained glass has been repaired, missing lead on the roofs, gables and mansards has been replaced. Stonework and architectural ironwork has been repaired, restored or remade. It’s a work of art.

I don’t know who’s been responsible for this, but they deserve some kind of award, and certainly a lot more attention.

It just goes to show what can be done with old buildings given enough attention, time, money and flexibility in the planning system.

My compliments to all concerned – particularly to the chippy who made those wonderful doors!

February 10th – I had another reason to be in Shenstone, which meant making a call in the village itself, which is always charming after dark – even the hideous clock looks better when you can see the face illuminated rather than the horridly crude brickwork. I loved the shop in Main Street which was almost Dickensian, and the Railway pub, which always looks so warm and inviting.

I stopped, and thought about it: but where I really wanted to be was home. So I put the camera away, and rode off wearily into the wind.

February 10th – After a cold and unpleasant morning commute, and subsequent trip into Birmingham during the day, I returned via the Cross City to Shenstone, my favourite of all night time railway station. Except that when I alighted, it wasn’t quite night yet; there were still fingers of daylight on the cloud-cover and the combination of natural and electric night was rather wonderful.

Glad I made it to Friday, was touch and go for a bit…

February 5th – A day that started horribly murky and then picked up, and towards the late afternoon as I headed to Lichfield for shopping, the sun came out and once again spring insinuated itself in the flowers, the colour, the families enjoying the light and in a terrific sunset.

So lovely to see the world reawakening for another year.