Preserved Midland Metro tram 16 at Very Light Rail, Dudley and West Midlands Metro tram 52 in service

On a walk around Dudley, I did not expect to find the preserved Midland Metro tram 16, one of the T-69 trams, to be at Very Light Rail in Dudley. Out of the 16 trams in service from 1999 to 2015, 13 have been scrapped, while three preserved including this one. The other two 07 and 10 are at Long Marston. The last West Midlands Metro tram 52, and was the last of the new Urbos 100 order.

I was in Dudley, during January 2024, for an update of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, and was walking out of Dudley Town Centre, when I spotted this old tram at Very Light Rail.

The former Midland Metro tram 16, a T-69 which was in service from Wolverhampton St George's to Birmingham Snow Hill from 1999 to 2015, was moved from Long Marston to Dudley, for testing on the Very Light Rail tracks.

It still has The Metro, and original red, blue and yellow livery on it, as well as a Wolverhampton College advert dating to 2014. It arrived in Dudley in November 2023.

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The most recent tram to come into service was West Midlands Metro tram 52 in January 2024. The last of the Urbos 100 order. Currently there is multiple bus routes from Birmingham to Dudley including the 74, 87, 126 and X8. But by the end of 2024, the tram extension from Wednesbury to Dudley Town Centre might open.

Seen here leaving Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road, via the Five Ways underpass towards Broad Street and Five Ways Tram Stop.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

The Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive outside the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley

On a walk around Dudley in January 2024, I went down Tipton Road past the Black Country Living Museum, during a weekend when they were closed for maintenance, so the car park was empty. I saw a green steam locomotive called Winston Churchill, this was the Cadbury Bros No 7 steam locomotive. It arrived in 2012, on the spot where the Titanic anchor replica used to be.

First a repost on the Titanic anchor replica seen in 2011

The replica of The Titanic Anchor. It was made in 2010 by Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd for a Channel 4 documentary. It was on loan at the time to the museum from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.  The original anchor was made by N. Hingley & Sons Ltd in 1911 at their factory in Netheron, Dudley. The original anchor weighed 15.5 tons. In 2011 the Titanic anchor replica was seen outside of the Black Country Living Museum near the former Rolfe Street Baths building. But it was eventually moved to a more permenant location in Netherton where it remains today. It was replaced in 2012 by the Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive.

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Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 in 2024

The relocation of the Winston Churchill was made possible through the help and support of the local house builder Lovell Partnerships Ltd and The Friends of the Black Country Museum.

0-6-0ST Manning Wardle locomotive built at Boyne Engine Works, Leeds in 1923. It was ordered by the Cadbury Brothers, Bournville in February 1923, and was completed and sent to Cadbury Blackpole Factory by June 1923. It became their No 7 steam locomotive at the Waterside Site. It was moved to Bournville for a short time before it returned to Blackpole. And was named after Winston Churchill. By 1946 it had been replaced by diesel and was sold to Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn in Darlington. It arrived in Dudley at G Pitt & Co Ltd on the Pensnett Trading Estate later in 1946. It was eventually placed outside of the Black Country Living Museum in 2012 after the Titanic anchor replica was removed.

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dndimg alt="Winston Churchill Cadbury No 7" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WC%20Steam%20loco%20BCLM%20Dudley%2021012024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Birmingham Cathedral: Divine Beauty at Night

This is the second year that Divine Beauty at Night has been held at Birmingham Cathedral. This time from the 4th to 6th January 2024. After the Edward Burne-Jones stained glass windows were cleaned and restored during 2023. I went on the evening of the 6th January 2024. Was in a queue outside initially, and got in a little late due to a technical issue, but once in, it was amazing!

St Philip's Church commissioned the famous Arts & Crafts firm of Morris & Co and the artist Edward Burne-Jones to design and construct three stained glass windows in 1884.

He chose three subjects for the windows:

The Ascension (completed 1885)

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The Nativity (1887-8)

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The Crucifixion (1887-8)

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These were in the newly enlarged chancel.

 

About a decade later a fourth window followed, the Last Judgement (1897).

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During World War 2 (1939-45) they were removed to a Welsh slate mine to keep them safe.

In 2023, the Divine Beauty Project started, and the windows were fully restored and cleaned.

The first Divine Beauty at Night took place from the 12th to 14th January 2023. The second from the 4th to 6th January 2024. Both events organised by Luxmuralis.

 

Divine Beauty at Night 2024

On Saturday 6th January 2024, was the third evening / night of Divine Beauty at Night. Held for the second year. Was a long queue, with the timed ticketed slots, but the delay was due to a technical issue, meaning the show started a bit late. So got into Birmingham Cathedral around 20 minutes later than expected, but was worth it once I got in the building.

The Divine Beauty at Night lights show of the Burne-Jones windows lasted about 25 minutes, it was quite impressive. A gallery of photos is below.

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dndimg alt="Divine Beauty at Night" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Divine%20Beauty%20at%20Night%20BC%2006012023%20(25).JPG" style="width: 100%;" /> Photography by Elliott Brown

A visit to the National Trust property of Attingham Park in Shropshire

Went to Attingham Park in Shropshire in late October 2023, on the way for a weeks holiday in Llangollen, Wales. The Deer Park was closed after Storm Babet. So was only able to go around the house, stables and to the walled garden. But was a lot of puddles and mud around. This post just a general look around the house with the rooms open to the public.

Between 1784 and 1947, Attingham Park was home to the 1st to 8th Lord Berwick's and their families. The 1st Lord Berwick was Noel Hill MP for Shrewsbury. Between 1948 and 1976 it was The Adult Education College. After that it became a National Trust property. The mansion is a Grade I listed building.

The Deer Park was closed due to Storm Babet, and was still a lot of mud and puddles around the part of the estate that was open. This post mostly looking at the mansion at Attingham Park and the historic rooms inside. It is also called Attingham Hall.

 

First view of the mansion at Attingham Park from the car.

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The West Wing

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Exterior of Attingham Park, the mansion before going in.

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The Inner Courtyard on exiting the hall. It leads to the Service Courtyard.

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Service Courtyard - leads to the Clock Gatehouse on exiting.

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Attingham Park - rooms inside

Entrance Hall

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Picture Gallery

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Nash Staircase

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The Dining Room

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Inner Library

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West Ante Room

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Octagon Room

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Servants World

Servants Hall

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Butlers Pantry

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Servants Waiting Room

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Kitchen

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Servants Dining Room

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Still Room Kitchen

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Lord Berwick's luggage (to the house exit)

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Photos by Elliott Brown