- A Sighter of St Andrews -
This particular mission commences with a morning ferret around the back end of Digbeth, crossing into Bordesley and the enemy territory that is St Andrews football ground. Having seen the Coventry Road side of the stadium on previous occasions, we took a closer look from St Andrews Street today, stopping also to admire the Victorian clock turret on the nearby Bordesley Village Primary School.
- Bordesley Village -
The Secretary was on the trail of closet history having heard whispers that there used to be a public urinal around the junction of Coventry Road and Kingston Road not far from the Blues ground. Sadly no trace remains of the cast iron structure or the Kingston Cinema which also stood in the vicinity, but it was still interesting to see more of modern Bordesley Village and this menhir-guarded feature.
- A Digbeth Display -
Digbeth and Deritend have a bit of previous when it comes to bald spot photography so perhaps it was unwise for Mr D9 to let his guard down so close to the Custard Factory!
- Vintage Pepsi in Digbeth -
To be fair to the Chairman he was very much distracted by important sleeve matters, bearing down upon Chris's Cafe with its authentic Pepsi sign. Situated close to Birmingham Coach Station, this used to be known as the Midland Red Cafe and still has a gallery of bus pictures on the wall that we enjoy perusing while munching our breakfast.
- College Arms Closet -
Fortified for the assignments ahead, we proceed aboard a heavily loaded route 6 through the traffic battlegrounds of the Stratford Road to Springfield. One possible casualty we saw along the way was Sparkhill Baths, closed since 2009 although a replacement facility is in the offing. On the Chairman's command we alight near the College Arms and stand to attention at the old conveniences where Sparkhill meets Hall Green.
- D9 Destroyer Leads 5-0 -
I wouldn't call our darting escapades warfare as such but there's a definite competitive edge to the matches these days. For once the D9 Destroyer lives up to his billing as he storms into an unassailable 5-0 lead that has the WME Whirlwind whimpering in his wake. The setting for this skirmish is the College Arms, a long-term landmark that retains hints of original architecture.
- Gone to the Dogs? -
Hall Green is an area that the Secretary very much enjoys exploring as there is plenty of photographic interest on offer. The Shaftmoor and the York are two other large watering holes worthy of note while the Chairman fancies riding a greyhound at the Hall Green Stadium - thankfully there were no dogs in attendance so we were spared the prospect of that scary sideshow.
- Fox Hollies Allotments Closet -
Mr D9's sleeves had been very productive so far but it was now time for the Secretary to unleash his secret weapon. A secluded path between Fox Hollies Road and Shirley Road provides access to the local allotments where what should we find by the entrance gate but a brick gents hut complete with homespun painted man on the door - the Chairman was not expecting that!
- A Pool Table Pose -
Operation Hall Green could not have been considered a success without recourse to the Maggies (or Three Magpies), the sister pub to The Baldwin. A pool table tussle sees the Chairman extending his winning streak, and the Secretary then has to endure further darting pain - WME's luck had definitely deserted him.
- The Hare & Hounds -
The Outer Circle was intent on travelling in convoy for much of the afternoon so our advance towards Kings Heath is temporarily suspended in favour of some brief Horseshoe banqueting action. The platoon is then billeted to Billesley where WME's sporting surrender is confirmed during the final darts drive of the day. Our Secretary may have met defeat in the pursuit of pub games but there is still discount duty to be honoured even if a voucher visit to the Pear Tree might be considered a treacherous tactic. The 50 bus is requisitioned for a combative closet clandestinely hidden in the undergrowth at Alcester Lanes End, with a rehabilitation restbreak scheduled at the impressively-tiled interior of the Hare & Hounds.
- Hub Marketing at Balsall Heath -
That number 50 bus is proving a willing ally as our undertakings lead us next to Balsall Heath where the Moseley Road Baths is an example of Edwardian architectural excellence. We consider renaming the area as 'Baldsall Heath' when a certain Chairman's defences are breached again, although it appears he was captured in the line of hub duty. Looking again at the bathhouse, we wonder whether we would have been allowed in via the first class gentleman's entrance or sent to the second class door instead.
- Secretary with Stoggs -
There are no such worries gaining access to the Old Moseley Arms where we discover that Betty Stoggs has journeyed up from Cornwall to make our ale acquaintance. Our objective is almost achieved now but there is still scope for a sweep of Sparkbrook, seeking out Irish-tinged hospitality at the Warwick Arms and the Rose Tavern.
- Battle Buddy in the Bacchus -
Battle-weary but proud of our achievements we return to Base Birmingham and its mission accomplished as we reach the Bacchus for a celebratory closing half, the Chairman seemingly meeting an armoured warrior in the process. Cheers!
I shall end if I may on a serious note. Andy and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest outing but aside from all our light-heartedness and merry marketing it is important to recognise the altogether more sombre significance of the date - 6th June - which in 2014 marks 70 years since the occasion of the momentous D-Day landings. To all those many, many brave individuals who served on that day and during wartime in general, we say sincerely a simple but heartfelt thankyou.
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