EDITOR'S CHOICE ONE WALK A DAY: OXFORD ROAD Being restricted to one walk a day does create a greater appreciation for time spent strolling around Moseley. It can also bring a different perspective with the slower pace of lockdown life, and previously unseen details suddenly become apparent on our quiet streets. The only concern is what route to take on that treasured walk...? I've selected Oxford Road as a location brimming with history, oddities and curious tales. Starting at St Mary's Row and heading onto Oxford Road, you can't miss the Calvary Church of God in Christ on the right. Dating to 1888, the former Baptist church was built to a design originally intended for St Agnes Church (source: Moseley Society). Have you ever noticed the stained glass windows when illuminated by light? The details come to life and are breathtakingly beautiful. Another memory of the church is when I spotted the Moseley Owl (you've heard the
Moseley Owl at night, haven't you? Saying that, he/she doesn't seem to have been around much in recent times) hooting on its roof at midnight. It did seem a little bit ominous at the time...! On the other side of the road is the retail park that is well known to all. Have you noticed the recycling of the artwork created to brighten up the site before development? A section of Mohammed Ali's tree sculpture is on the car park wall of the Marks and Spencer Foodhall – the mural was originally added to the boards that formerly surrounded the Meteor Ford site. The trees of the artwork were painted in bright colours but are now black in contrast to the white walls of the car park. Much further down the road and on the other side, you will come to a pair of striking houses. They are adorned with decorative details from the Arts and Crafts movement, such as the wrought 36
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