Saturday, June 23

D9 Conquers Cradley

Friday 22nd June 2012 provided the next meeting of the newly rechristened Anti-Hub Marketing Board as Chairman D9 and myself did a round trip covering Quarry Bank, Colley Gate, Lyde Green and Timbertree...

We convene at 1pm at the West Bromwich Hub fearing a repeat of the weather from our Warley trip two weeks ago - thankfully the D9 umbrella did the trick by scaring the rainclouds away. The 404A is on hand for our journey to Cradley Heath, during which I fill D9 in on the plans to overhaul the Wolverhampton Library Service (hence the Anti-Hub stance we have now adopted). At Cradley Heath Station we acknowledge the location of the former bus garage opposite (now Hawks Cycles store) before testing out the Banks’s Bitter on offer in the Waggon & Horses whilst watching the tennis from Eastbourne.

- Upping the Anti in the Waggon & Horses -

QUARRY BANK: The first major item on the afternoon’s agenda was a stop at Quarry Bank, noting the customary heavy traffic on the climb up towards the Merry Hill Centre. The White Horse is a backstreet Marston’s local trying to re-establish itself under new tenants – I liked the pub’s traditional features including a tiled fireplace and a bowling green. We also did some Waggle Dancing in the Church Tavern with the aid of a cheese and onion cob, Mr D9 thought he'd got himself a discount for a second there.

- The Church Tavern, Quarry Bank High Street -

NETHEREND: Next on the schedule was our now-customary ferreting interlude. Stevens Park catches our attention so that Mr D9 can investigate the old toilet block, then we weave our way through the woodland of Bobs Coppice to check on the deteriorating state of the former Saltbrook pub. Mogul Lane leads us past the gates of the closed Clancey foundry followed by Netherend Square with the Neighbourhood Centre. The Unitarian Chapel is a proud landmark as we head for Park Lane ready to display more of our modified board banners.

- Bald Spot Business at Stevens Park Closet -

COLLEY GATE: Pubs return to the fore as we proceed towards Colley Lane. Much to my disgust, D9 claims a genuine victory in the Discount of the Day battle thanks to a sneakily cheap round in the Widders, and we also found time to sample the Gate with its Hanson’s Brewery insignia still proudly intact.

- Modified Marketing in the Park Lane Tavern -

LYDE GREEN: Mapletree Lane takes us past the rear of Cradley Library and we can offer a nod to St Peter’s Parish Church as we descend the hill towards the River Stour. This brings us to Lyde Green and a pub I have had my eye on for quite a while, the Vine – well worth a quick half once you’ve negotiated the bushy stuff growing around the main door.

- The Timbertree, Valley Road -

TIMBERTREE: It’s over to the Chairman to put together the last vestiges of the meeting, and his wildcard addendums include the Bull Terrier on Surfeit Hill Road (a friendly community local with, as you might expect, a distinct canine theme) and the Timbertree (following in the footsteps of his Uncle Les who used to drink there in the 1970’s apparently). With all discounts, dives and closets duly acknowledged and recorded, the session was drawn to a conclusion with all members highly satisfied with the achievements of the day.

- Cheers! (from Lyde Green) -

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