Spaghetti Pilgrimage

On May 22 we're teaming up with Flatpack Festival to celebrate 50 years of Spaghetti Junction. Join us!

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For May's Erratic we're delighted to be teaming up with Flatpack Festival for a pilgrimage to the almighty Spaghetti Junction. Two days after Flatpack draws to a close, Gravelly Hill Interchange (to give it its formal title) will celebrate its fiftieth birthday. That hallowed day in 1972 when environment minister Peter Walker cut the ribbon was a defining moment for Birmingham's motor city ambitions. Since then it's fair to say that the junction has been on a bit of a journey, but whether you love it or hate it this is surely a moment worth marking.

In its time Spaghetti Junction has been mythologised as both a cathedral to the car gods and as a gateway to hell. It's evidently a place of great significance for the city, for better and for worse, but perhaps its main resonance is as a place of confluence. Gravelly Hill is the meeting point of two motorways, several trunk roads, three canals, two rivers and a brook. It's been a site of crossings and convergences for centuries and it was once the source of Birmingham's drinking water.

Throughout history and across cultures, river confluences and sources have been revered as sacred sites and pilgrimage destinations. Temples have been built over them, sacred rites performed and ritual bathing observed. At 50 years of age, it seems right that Birmingham's own super-confluence receives pilgrimage status. Pilgrimage sites are understood as places where miracles happen and visions are received. In 1973 the artist Bill Drummond had an ominous heavy metal vision while stranded beneath Spaghetti Junction in the dead of night. Since 2014 he has returned to the site at least once a year. Did he witness a miracle? Will we?

Our pilgrimage will begin in Victoria Square at 11am, Sunday 22nd May. Meet outside the entrance to the Council House – no need to book. The walk from town is about 3.5 miles and will take around 2 hours. There are frequent buses and trains back to the city centre. The terrain is mostly pavement and towpath with some uneven and sloping sections, cobbles and narrow tunnels. Those who wish to pay homage but don't fancy the walk can join us at Salford canal junction* at 12:45pm.

Those who wish to picnic on the shores of Aston Reservoir should feel free to bring a packed lunch. Unless the weather is truly apocalyptic, the walk will go ahead. Please note the pilgrimage is one-way only. Return will be by public transport. Nearest train station is Aston. Buses back to city centre are 65 and 67 from Salford Stadium. Any queries please email: andyhowlett@hotmail.com

Salford Junction

*Salford Junction can be accessed via Lichfield Road just before Salford Circus

Further Reading: A Brief Cultural History of Spaghetti Junction by Flatpack's Ian Francis