Today I thought we should head up the Framers Bridge Locks to find a place in the middle of Birmingham and to fill up with water. We set off at about 09:30 and winded just before the top Ashted lock and head back the way we had come.
We were soon at the top of the Aston Locks again, and could see no boats coming up.
They are making this old building into more apartments, or that is the plan. This was a flour mill on Cliveland Street that was in business from about 1868 to 1904, althong it was still on the map as such until the 1930#s the round part I think was the staircase rather than anything else. The one roomed 'apartments' are said to be going for £210,000.
This looks like another generating house but after a quick look I can't say it is true. It is just by Barkers. Bridge.
As we approached the first of the Farmer's Bridge locks there was a boat just approaching from the top. We swapped with them and they had a friendly boat threading down behind them so we swapped with them at the next lock. We didn't see another boat. It also meant that the locks, other than a little leaking from the top gates, were for us.
It was a lovely day and in the end we were quite pleased that the canal was in shade. There wasn't that many people walking the lower locks but as we neared the top numbers grew.
Near the top now.
We got to the top in 1hr and 10 mins and then stopped for water at Cambrian Wharf and dumped the rubbish too. We moved past old turn and there was plenty of room on the Indoor Arena side so we plonked our selves in the sun.
The girls decided that it would be an afternoon of walking around the Jewelry Quarter and her we are at St. Paul's. I think it is the only surviving Georgian Square in Birmingham and one of Helen's ancestor's got married here too.
Just one of the beautiful old factories in the area. It is a conservation area and slowly the buildings are being bought up and done up. This one is a Grade II Listed. I love this area as the aren't grand buildings, but they are all built for a purpose and they are all different too.
This is the backdoor of the Rolling Mill high end restaurant on Kenyon Street and the main entrance is on Hall Street. It was a rolling mill to produce materials for the jewelry trade, built in about 1900.
This is the Pelican Works, with the Pelican statue on the top. It was built in 1868 as an electroplating works for a Sheffield Company T. Wilkinson and Sons. It is on the At Risk register too.
This is the Plantagenet Building that was built about 1868 and in 1871 there was an optician and manufacturer of glasses working there with a dealer in precious stones and a beer seller too. That would a good mix! There are 78 Lions heads and some Tudor roses too. It is a lovely building to. It is right opposite the Jeweller's Arms where we stopped for a drink. I had to try the beer from Derby Brew Co as it was named Penny's Porter. My grand daughter!
With the massive growth of the cities in the early 1800's the original church yards were soon full, and as developement had taken place around them there was no chance to expand. Private concerns grew up to provide burial sites. Warstone Lane Cemetery opened in 1848 with 2000 £1 shares. We have had a look around in the past, but it was only a couple of years ago that they cleared this area to reveal the catacombs. This was the area where better off folk could buy a tomb in the catacombs where the whole family could be buried together and the survivors could see that they were among the rich and could be seen by their friends! In WWII they were used as air raid shelters and as temporary homes. Above them was the cemetery chapel that was badly damaged in the war and had to be demolished. There is bob damage to many of the memorials around the site.
John Postgate was originally from Scarborough and after moving to Birmingham as a doctor he dedicated himself to ensuring food was fit to eat and not adulterated as it frequently was in those days. He got no recompense for this and struggled to provide for his family. Finally food adulteration laws were brought in in the 1870's but he died in 1881 of stomach cancer.
The Chamberlain Clock has had a complete refurbishment in 2020 and is looking great now. The clock is fully working and even chimes now.
Amy and Helen had their noses up to the windows of the shops picking rings etc. It is the place to be to have a good look around or even have one made to order. I think they were both surprised at what they really liked. 40% of all the jewelry made in the UK is made here. There are a two or three great museums in the area to get a good idea of the life here.
We popped into the Red Lion for a drink, and a sit down too. These are the tiles in the hall way.
The back bar mirrors in the back bar were original and make a great sight, nearly as good as that sitting.
We then walked back to St Paul's Square and had a lovely meal at and Italian restaurant before walking back to the boat and putting the Commonwealth Games on.
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