Ian Jelf Public Walks: Spring 2012

I’m announcing the Spring 2012 season of my public walking.

So, what's new?

Well, I'm re-running the "Ghosts of Old Sutton Coldfield" walk on the evening of Sunday 18 March. That's Mothering Sunday, so I reasoned that an evening was probably a better time to do a walk that day, as many of you will no doubt be "occupied" during the day!

There are two NEW walks in Birmingham City Centre, one (on Saturday 14 April 2012) looking at Crime and Punishment through the ages and the other (on Easter Monday) using pictures to show how the City has changed and changed again.

Further out, there's another new walk in King's Norton (Sunday 22 April 2012), including a lot of off-roading on lesser-known canals as well as some super old buildings.

And staying on the South side of Birmingham there's a walk in the stunning garden village of Bournville on Saturday 24 March 2012.   There really is more to Bournville than chocolate, I promise!

Oh and completing the set, on Easter Saturday, why don't you join me for a less-obvious destination and come for a walk around the North Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove.   There's a lot to see and if you want to make a day of it then the brilliant Avoncroft Museum of Buildings isn't far away and nor are the Lickey Hills.

So, in brief, the programme is:

Sunday 18 March 2012

Spectral Sutton Coldfield  7.00pm - 9.00pm

Saturday 24 March 2012

Bournville Village  11.00am - 1.00pm =20

Easter Saturday 7 April 2012

Bromsgrove 11.00am - 1.00pm

Easter Monday 9 April 2012

Birmingham Now and Then  11.00am - 1.00pm

Saturday 14 April 2012

Birmingham Crime & Punishment 10.30am - 1.00pm

Sunday 22 April 2012

King's Norton...and Birmingham's forgotten Canal 10.30am - 1.30pm

All the walks cost £8 per person.   Advance booking is essential.   Just send an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk to reserve your space.   You can just pay when you turn up, though.

Oh and if you've any questions, just drop a line ot the same e-mail address.

All the best and hope to see you soon

Ian Jelf Winter Public Walks Series

Happy New Year!

To start the new year, to blow away the cobwebs and to walk off some of the extra pounds gained over Christmas, why not join me for one or two (or more) of this little season of guided walks I’m putting on over the next few weeks?

There are some old favourites like a couple of looks at offbeat and unusual Birmingham to start the New Year.   Then there are two walks in the Black Country, in Wednesbury and Bilston.   Quite a few people have asked for tours over that way and I’ve chosen these so that people in Birmingham can reach them easily, too, on the Metro.   Also in response to requests, I’m running walks in the fascinating Birmingham suburb of Northfield and also in Solihull, which has all sorts of tales up its sleeve.

Last but absolutely not least, some of the most popular walks I did last year were the “Ghosts of Old Birmingham” ones, so building on this I’m pleased to offer “Spectral Sutton Coldfield” as a new spin off.   Do watch out for more of these.

Sunday 8 January 2012         Birmingham:  the Basics! 11.00am – 1.00pm

Saturday 21 January 2012    Northfield afternoon walk 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Saturday 4 February 2012    Wednesbury 11.00am – 1.00pm

Saturday 11 February 2012  Spectral Sutton Coldfield  7.00pm – 9.00pm

Sunday 12 February 2012     Bilston 11.00am – 1.00pm

Sunday 19 February 2012     Solihull 2.00pm – 4.00pm

To book any of these, simply drop me an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk then pay (£8 per person) when you turn up.   Guests are very welcome and if you know anyone else who’d like to go on my mailing list, do please let me know.

I need a reasonable number of bookings to ensure that these go ahead so I appreciate people booking as much in advance as possible.   If you’ve any questions, do just drop me an e-mail to ian@bluebadge.co.uk.   Please don't turn up without booking and receiving a confirmation.

Many thanks and best wishes for a happy, peaceful, prosperous and above all healthy 2012.

Ian

Aston Manor Road Transport Museum

Some of you will know of the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, a collection of vintage public transport vehicles, moistly from the West Midlands, which has existed for many years inside the old Witton Tram Depot in Birmingham.

Well, after a long period of uncertainty, issues surrounding the future of the building and the funding of the Museum have come to a head and the collection needs to find a new home.   This is a long, involved story and rather sad story which I won't recount here, although you can read more about it here.

Well, through the good offices of Walsall council, a new home has been found in Aldridge (hooray!) but (there's always a "but", isn't there?) the Museum now have the not insignificant logistical problem of actually moving a lot of the exhibits.   To make matters worse, the City Council want possession of the site by 28 December 2011;  not a good time of year to arrange this, is it?   Given the fact that these are in many cases full-sized vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment this really is a major issue and the good folks there have appealed for help.   Specifically, they need things like a fork lift capable of lifting up to a ton, a suitable vehicle onto which to lift them and similar help at the Aldridge end.

If anyone reading this knows of someone able to provide help in this manner, could they contact Richard from the Museum on 0121-449 4606 as a matter of some urgency.

And even if you can't passing this message on via the likes of Facebook and Twitter would be appreciated.   I can't help personally but am happy to use my online presence to spread the word that help is needed.

If, as they say, you know a man who can, do get in touch with Richard.

Thanks.

Vegetarian Cuisine

Mother-in-law is a vegetarian* so obviously needs a separate meal when she joins us for Christmas.

This often involves a bit of experimentation on Louise’s part, so tonight our meal was the “try out” for m-i-l’s Christmas Day lunch.

It was an unusual recipe:  courgettes stuffed with ricotta and spinach and topped with pine nuts and roast breadcrumbs.   It was very nice but it needed a little "something extra" to bring out the full flavour.

Louise though a bit more cranberry juice.   I thought a lamb chop.

*  Eats fish.   Don't get me started.

Glass Houses, Stones, etc.

I was having a rant during my Birmingham Walk today (no, really?!) about the fact that it's now possible to buy stupidly basic things in supermarkets, such a mashed potato, grated cheese and - saints preserve us - ice cubes.

How embarrassed I am, therefore, to have come back to find that Louise is including in tonight's meal.......supermarket bought mashed potato with swede.

(Mind you I do love all root vegetables, the rest of what she's working on sounds delicious: chicken with feta.)