Taken for Birmingham Evening Mail 10/12/03
Two Brothers have captured on camera places in Birmingham thought to have inspired Tolkien to create the magical world of Middle earth.
The brothers, Richard and Tom Greenwood, retraced the author’s footsteps to Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill - making a calendar from the photos they took. The brothers said Tolkien never saw the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand where the epic movies were shot and instead drew much inspiration from his childhood memories in England.
Born in South Africa in 1892 Tolkien came with his mother to live in her native Birmingham where they lived in Wake Green Road, Sarehole. Sarehole and the surrounding area with its meadow, pond and mills provided much of the inspiration for the Shire.
The young Tolkien was fascinated with the 96 foot high Perrotts Folly and the water tower in Waterworks Road Edgbaston, both monuments are believed to have been in his mind when he wrote the Two Towers.
Richard Greenwood said 'A lot of the history of Tolkien is unknown. Many people don't actually realise there are actual places like the two towers. We hope the photos capture the magic of his imagination.
Richard and Tom have also put together a website were the calendar is being sold.
click