Preparatory to striking another blow in the St James Centre rebuild and the sometime, maybe, let's hope not never tram extension, Picardy Place has had its statues moved and its trees cut down.

Sherlock Holmes has been stuck in a storage cupboard somewhere but the Paolozzi pieces have been put in the gardens at Hillside Crescent/London Road and very lovely they look there.  The contemplation chairs are a welcome addition.

Pity about the Picardy Place trees but the Council has a two for one replanting plan which sounds good.  The reason given for axeing them now is that it had to be done before the bird nesting season got underway.  I synpathise. The pigeons who nested on my balcony last year have been doing their best to move in again and I've been fighting back.  I haven't seen them for a few days so perhaps the Beast from the East got them.  It's an ill wind and all that..