Morris Dancers and other events in the grounds of St Philip's Cathedral over the last few years

Over the years you may have seen Morris Dancers performing outside of St Philip's Cathedral (in what is now called Cathedral Square). I prefer Grounds of St Philip's Cathedral. After all it was an old churchyard with burials going back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Morris Dancers for St George's Day. One event for 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral. Also a Christmas Market.

Morris Dancers

These Morris Dancers were performing to the back of Birmingham Cathedral in April 2015 for St George's Day. This was on the 25th April 2015.

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Colourful costumes. This bunch had white outfits on, while the ladies had blue and green dresses on. And they had England flags.

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The man in the beard was playing an accordion.

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Dancing both ways with their wooden sticks.

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And back the other way tapping the sticks.

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Also some folk playing drums to the right.

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Temple Row was a bit different back then. Where Gino d'Acampo is now was Allied Irish Bank. Where The Ivy is now was Austin Reed and Louis Vuitton.

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This was during October 2017 when the City was experiencing Storm Brian, so it was wet. Not sure what the occasion was, it was on the 21st October 2017, so maybe around Trafalgar Day?

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Didn't really catch this bunch dancing, so they were between performances I would assume.

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Something Good Nomad

This was during the 300th Anniversary year of Birmingham Cathedral (1715 - 2015).  Something Good Nomad was seen during October 2015. Live painting by Mohammed Ali as he journeys through Birmingham, inspired by communities of many faiths and backgrounds, and their reflections of light and dark in their neighbourhoods.

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There was canopies here with bunting. People could make their own Soul Boat's here. They would have formed part of a flotilla of Golden Boats by Artist Jake Lever, supended in the Cathedral during the winter period between December 2015 to March 2016.

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These canvases looks like pink towels suspended on scaffold poles.

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But at the back you can see the art they were trying to show.

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Aerosol Ali himself, Mohammed Ali stands in front of his art in Cathedral Square.

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You could see the art from different paths.

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This was the area where visitors could stop and design their own Soul Boat. Hope they had fun (4 years ago).

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Birmingham Christmas Markets

The Birmingham Christmas Markets was on for one Christmas period in Cathedral Square from November to December 2018. They had to first cover over the lawns to protect the graves below. This was when the huts were being installed on the 12th November 2018, so not open at this point.

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The gate from Temple Row was fenced off as they were installing this Christmas Market in Cathedral Square.

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Banner seen on Temple Row for Birmingham's Christmas Markets with an arrow to the way in.

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As you can see visitors would have to walk past the stone tombs when visiting the huts.

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The archway near St Philip's Place and the eventual exit to Colmore Row.

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They started installing the market as soon as the Remembrance Sunday commemorations ended the day before on the 11th November 2018. So most of the huts were in place on the 12th November 2018.

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Several Santa's and sleighs with reindeers. I think this was supposed to be a mini rail ride in a loop.

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Tracks laid with artificial Christmas trees in the middle.

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The Christmas Tree Bar. They first did it here in Cathedral Square before doing the same thing a year later in Victoria Square at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.

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Reindeer on top of the huts.

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It is now December 2018. Had another look once it was open on the 5th December 2018. A hat stall close to the sparkly reindeer. Due to the rain they had to cover over some parts.

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Not very busy on the 7th December 2018. This gravestone surrounded by barriers. You could get a Giant Yorkshire Pudding Wraps or Hog Roast. This was in the morning.

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All Aboard the Santa Train. A throne for Santa to sit on. Also a red post box to post kids Christmas wish lists to the Big Red Man.

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This trailer you could get Bailey's Cadbury Hot Chocolate.

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Perhaps people weren't too bothered by this Christmas Market. And due to bad weather / rain. After it was gone, the grass was found to be quite muddy. But it eventually grew back over the next year. The market has not returned here for a second year.

In years gone by, the Christmas Craft Market used to be in Chamberlain Square and in Centenary Square, but that's not happened for years now due to the Paradise Birmingham works and the redevelopment of Centenary Square. Maybe they could return somewhere suitable in 2020?

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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