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Christmas in Brum

ASTONITE

ASTONITE

master brummie
Went to Brum yesterday, they were erecting Christmas trees, I took a few photos. The council offices have been decorated for remembrance Sunday. I took a photo of a tree by St. Martins, and I know we've discussed it at length in the past, but St. Martins and Selfridges just dont go together, as the photo proves, what an abomination that building is!
 
Thanks for posting these photos Astonite. Nice to see the Council House dressed for Remembrance Day and the Christmas tree being installed is attracting attention. I spent ages last time I was there sitting on the wall close to St. Martin's trying to see how Selfridges fitted in with the whole complex. It really doesn't in my opinion. Oh well!
 
Sorry everyone I have to disagree, I think it's a very innotive building.
Here'S what I did with it last time I was in Brum a couple of weeks ago.
 
No problem John. There are lots of people that like the Selfridge building and as many who don't like it. It's certainly very edgy and contemporary in it's design but I decided even with myself trying to put the whole place together in an eclectic way it just didn't work for me. Viva la difference in this case.
 
Wouldn't do for us all to admire the same things the world would be a much more booring place. Mind you if we all wanted peace [especially the rulers] and maybe one religion the world would be a much better place to live. Jean.
 
Selfridges is not for me, I do enjoy a lot of modern architecture but not that one. I thought I might feel differently if I went in and shopped - that was anothr no-no. As Jean so rightly says it wouldn't do for us all to have the same likes and dislikes, but I do miss the view from the top of the Bull Ring as it was before the 60's changes, looking down on St Martins, where a lot of my family were baptised and married.
 
If Selfridge's had been built somewhere else beside more modern buildings with space around it I think it would have been considered spectacular. New structures should fit in with the existing architecture even if a more modern design. It is a shame the powers that be did not consider the plans more before it was built. I think St Martins should have influenced the design if it was going to remain which it did. I guess it is too late even for this discussion now.
Having said that, we really enjoyed our visit to Birmgham City Centre in 2005 and we were most impressed with St Phillips it looked well kept with the new fence. Mo
 
Slightly off topic, but just for Sakura, here's a couple of photos I took a couple of weeks ago of St. Phillips, I also hadn't seen it for a number of years and was very impressed by the way it was looking.
 
Thanks for the pics Astonite. Great one of Selfridges John.
Not sure if I dreamt it but I thought this building was nicknamed The Boob Tube by Brummies (to go with the Floosie in the Jacuzzi). Anyway I think it's a great desciption of it!
 
john knight said:
Slightly off topic, but just for Sakura, here's a couple of photos I took a couple of weeks ago of St. Phillips, I also hadn't seen it for a number of years and was very impressed by the way it was looking.
Click to expand...

John,

Thanks for the photos, I'd never thought about it but this must be the church where my g g grandparents, Joseph Shakespeare & Ann Burbidge, got married on the 11th July, 1842. Is there anyway I can confirm this was the place?

Graham.
 
Hi Graham

According to the IGI Joseph Shakespeare and Ann Burbidge got married on 11 July 1842 at St Phillips.

Judy
 
I agree with John as do many of my wife's family and friends when they visit us from Scotland.

The juxtaposition of modern and ancient will always sit awkwardly with some but it is, in my opinion, preferable to mock ancient or bland.
 
Thanks John, those are just lovely photos. You almost feel you are there in the rain. We were lucky the weather was beautiful when we visited the UK. Mo
 
Cadeau, Now i know why your work is so interesting.

Thank you for the photographs everyone...Cat
 
Catkin said:
Cadeau, Now i know why your work is so interesting. Cat
Click to expand...

Bless you Cat!
rbsmile.gif
Graham.
 
Went to brum shopping, can anyone enlighten me as to the significance of peacocks and magpies on chandeliers,and what the connection with Christmas is? This seems to be the main theme of the decoration in the Bullring shopping centre.
 
Hi Astonite. My nan would not buy anything with a peacock on as she said the Victorian era thought they were bringers of bad luck. I ended up to be the most none superstitious person walking. Can't think of any conection with Xmas either. Jean.
 
I've never associated peacocks and magpies with Christmas, I suppose the person who came up with the idea got paid a fortune.
 
Hi Jean, I thought exactly the same, also a lot of people think the same about magpies and bad luck, maybe there is some tenuous link with Christmas and some clever person will point it out!
 
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