Ozzy Birmingham's Mechanical Bull at Birmingham New Street Station

During July 2023, Artem FX rebuilt the raging Commonwealth Bull now called Ozzy at the concourse of Birmingham New Street Station. Unveiled 26th July 2023 by Sharon Osbourne. If arriving by train, exit at the A end of the station before exiting at the ticket barriers. Also balcony views around Grand Central, for the best views from above. Or approach from the concourse close up.

Since Autumn 2022, when the Raging Bull was removed from the wasteland in Ladywood, Artem FX took him back to their base in West London for a complete rebuild. After the public campaign to save him. Little news over Winter 2022-23, but by Spring 2023, we found out that the bull would be living at Birmingham New Street Station. 

A public vote was put out to name the bull, this was cut down to the final four: Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton. More details on the vote here.

 

Waiting the the Bull, June 2023

1st June 2023, the space is set out in the concourse at Birmingham New Street Station,

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%2001062023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

10th June 2023, up and close with the spot where Ozzy would go.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB%20BNSS%2010062023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

18th June 2023, the barriers got even smaller!

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/No%20Bull%20BNSS%2018062023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

22nd June 2023, the Raging Commonwealth Bull is officially named Ozzy after a public vote landslide!

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photoshop mock up by Elliott Brown

 

27th June 2023, another look at the space where Ozzy would go in July.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20site%20BNSS%2027062023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Building Ozzy, July 2023

6th July 2023, the space is set, Ozzy would arrive in pieces overnight.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20bull%20BNSS%2006072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20bull%20BNSS%2006072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

7th July 2023, work begins to rebuild Ozzy the bull at Birmingham New Street Station. There is good views from Grand Central above.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2007072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2007072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2007072023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

9th July 2023, Ozzy's body has been reformed. But was headless at this point.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2009072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2009072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

14th July 2023, Ozzy is now fully formed, but has a veil over his head, which would not come down for another 12 days.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2014072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2014072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

16th July 2023, our last update before Ozzy would be revealed 10 days later, live on BBC Breakfast, to be unveiled by Sharon Osbourne.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2016072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2016072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Ozzy unveiling day, 26th July 2023

The views of Ozzy, Birmingham's Mechanical Bull from all angles. 

From the A end of Birmingham New Street Station (ticketed part of the concourse).

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Views from the concourse at Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Main views of course from the balconies at Grand Central above.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ozzy%20Bull%20BNSS%2026072023%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

More views of Ozzy around New Street Station and Grand Central.

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4112b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4134b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4141b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4155b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4200b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4128b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4121b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Ozzy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4106b_BULL23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Black Sabbath Bench is well looked after in Westside

The Black Sabbath Bench, now a major attraction in Birmingham, receives an occasional touch up now and again given the attention the art receives from both tourists and locals. Followers of our great Birmingham Gems across Westside were there to see this happening on the 29th July 2023.

Enjoy this great gallery of photography.

Black Sabbath bench at the Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street in Westside receives a well deserved touch-up. 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4403b_BSBR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/IMG_4436b_BSBR.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

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Photography by Birmingham Gems contributor Daniel Sturley.

Gold winning 2023 Birmingham Parks re-creation of the Chelsea Flower Show piece at Cannon Hill Park

In May 2023, Cofton Nursery on behalf of Birmingham City Council, once again won Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show with their winning entry Birmingham Parks. In July 2023, they are re-creating it at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston. Located close to Mini Golf and the tennis courts. Was a rainy day when I found it.

Usually Cofton Nursery would split their Gold winning Chelsea Flower Show display between Victoria Square and Cathedral Square. But Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre is unavailable due to the public realm works, and the renovation works at the Birmingham Council House, and Cathedral Square not used this time, maybe as the Cathedral is under scaffolding for the Divine Beauty project.

 

But in the past, Cofton Nursery have put previous Chelsea Flower Show winning displays in Cannon Hill Park (or part of the displays).

In July 2023, they installed a partial re-creation of their winning entry in Cannon Hill Park, located close to Mini Golf and the tennis courts.

It is called Birmingham Parks.

 

It was raining a lot on the walk into the park from the Pershore Road entrance (near the Wildlife Conservation Park) and the bridges near the Queen's Ride car park.

But the rain started to slow down or stop by the time I located the piece.

It looks a bit incomplete.

They will probably complete it in a few weeks time when they have more staff to do it. Looks good so far.

dndimg alt="Cannon Hill Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Parks%20CFS%20Cannon%20Hill%20Park%2011072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Cannon Hill Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Parks%20CFS%20Cannon%20Hill%20Park%2011072023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cannon Hill Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Parks%20CFS%20Cannon%20Hill%20Park%2011072023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cannon Hill Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham%20Parks%20CFS%20Cannon%20Hill%20Park%2011072023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

LEGO Elton John Giraffe

Over the weekend of the 10th and 11th June 2023, the LEGO Giraffe was dressed up by the people behind the Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham at the Utilita Arena Birmingham. Sir Elton John performed his last ever concert at the arena over the weekend. By Monday, the LDCB team removed the Elton John LEGO pieces.

Sir Elton John was on his Elton Farewell Tour at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June 2023. And the team at Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham celebrated by dressing up there LEGO Giraffe with Elton John sunglasses and high heel red boots.

These views below seen on Sunday 11th June 2023.

dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

You could also buy Elton John merchandise in the trailer behind. T-shirts going at £40!

dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Brindley Cruises narrowboat seen from the Sheepcote Street Bridge on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline, passing LDC Birmingham and the Elton John Lego Giraffe (on the left).

dndimg alt="Elton John Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elton%20John%20LG%2011062023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

By the week commencing 12th June 2023, the LEGO Giraffe went back to normal. This view from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham taken on the 14th June 2023. Elton John no more!

dndimg alt="Lego Giraffe" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lego%20Giraffe%2014062023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Cadbury Crème Egg car in Stirchley and Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste monster truck at Cadbury World in Bournville

Cadbury Creme Egg car can sometimes be seen in Stirchley near the Pershore Road (opposite the Fordhouse Lane junction). It's just behind the gate during the week (if not at the weekend). Over at Cadbury World in Bournville is a jacked up former Taxi that looks like a Mini Monster Truck! Which was seen during the snow earlier in March 2023.

The Cadbury Crème Egg car can be seen near the Pershore Road in Stirchley, close to Stirchley Gearbox Services. I've only managed to see it during the week (it wasn't there the weekend I tried to get close to it). It is almost Easter, so only a week or two left before Cadbury stop selling them, until after Christmas next year!

Seen on the 28th March 2023. I had previously seen it earlier in the month, and once aware of it, travelled to Stirchley on the 4th March 2023, but it wasn't there. Saw it again from the bus almost a month later, so made my way back to Stirchley to see if it was still there!

dndimg alt="Cadbury" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury%20Creme%20Egg%2028032023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the snow of 9th March 2023, I got a train from Birmingham New Street to Bournville. Had a snowy walk past the Cadbury chocolate factory, and around to Cadbury World.

I found this Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste, Mini Monster Truck. Well its a former taxi / Hackney carriage, jacked up as a monster truck! Seen covered in snow. It was really cold that day in Bournville.

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown