- Spotted outside Snow Hill -
This would be a full day blast and an early start to boot, with the Chairman's bald spot already documented at just turned 8am in the morning. D9 was being distracted by the Phyllis Nicklin archive exhibition outside Snow Hill station, admiring various vintage photos depicting Birmingham in the 1960s.
- The new New Street -
There is plenty of scope for an elongated morning ferret so an early target is the redeveloped New Street station, now fully open (and extremely shiny) along with the Grand Central shopping mall. The reaction to the improved facility appears to have been extremely positive thus far, and there is still the completion of the Midland Metro extension to look forward to in the not too distant future.
- Highgate Closet Homage -
Members proceed next to Highgate where Gooch Street allows views of the Charles Napier pub, the local post office and the Horton Square shopping precinct. Star find however is evidence of a former closet built into the bridge over the River Rea, whereby Chairman D9 is beside himself with glee at the sight of original tiles and the former ladies entrance.
- Cannon Hill Park -
New Hope Park and the former Peacock pub also feature in these Highgate investigations before Clevedon Road leads into Cannon Hill for views of Calthorpe Park and some Cheddar Road terraces. D9's bladder is suffering the consequences of coffee consumption but luckily the historic cast iron urinal on Court Road corner is still operational so he is able to continue into Cannon Hill Park in a state of relative comfort.
- Which way to the cafe please? -
Secretary WME was now keen to explore a pocket of Birmingham he didn't know so well, namely Moor Green. Russell Road provides a leafy approach route to emerge by the intriguing Ideal Benefit Society building, then Reddings Road brings us into Moseley, passing the site of The Reddings rugby ground in the process. Moseley is nominated as our breakfast destination although finding a traditional cafe might prove tricky - perhaps the compass on the wall of the Fighting Cocks can help?
- Site of The Reddings -
A loop of Moseley Village reveals the Patrick Kavanagh bar (Woodbridge Road) and the All Services Club (Church Road) as potential photo targets prior to a pit stop in Demaines on St Mary's Row. This establishment is definitely more gastro than greasy but it solves our cravings for bacon, egg and black pudding, powering us up nicely for more Moor Green. A further homage to The Reddings thus follows; Moseley Rugby Football Club played here for 125 years until the year 2000, after which the stadium was replaced by a small housing estate comprising Twickenham Drive and Harlequin Drive cul-de-sacs.
- A Highbury Highlight -
With a quick look at Highbury Hall and the former Britannic Assurance offices we reach our first pub of the day, the Highbury on Dads Lane. This 1930s M&B roadhouse is an ideal setting for an opening rugby-related brew (Wadworth's Dirty Rucker) and a ding-dong darts duel that saw Whirlwind WME prevail by four legs to two.
- A WME Darts Whitewash -
Another landmark pub soon awaits us, this being the Hazelwell as located at the far end of Pineapple Road (just off the Outer Circle bus route). Members investigate potential closet remains represented by an intriguing outbuilding before the Secretary builds on his darts lead by reeling off four successive legs including a lesser-spotted double checkout. No wonder I look so pleased!
- The Hazelwell Hub -
The Chairman's consolation after that 8-2 defeat is a marketing moment courtesy of the Hazelwell Hub, a community leisure and conference venue next door to Hazelwell Church. The requisite photo shoot is staged and we are clear to home in on Kings Heath where the Red Lion appeals with its handsome Cotswold-style limestone exterior (provided it isn't covered in scaffolding) and the Kings Heath Cricket Club allows us in as CAMRA members for a nice sample of Abbeydale Elgar.
- Sulking in Shirley -
The afternoon agenda is Mr D9's domain but things go slightly astray when the 76 drops us off in Yardley Wood just as his misbehaving bladder starts to play up again. With the situation nearing critical proportions, the number 3 bus offers a solution of sorts through an emergency visit to Shirley and the swiftest of halves in the Colebrook. An expensive round with the risk of chewing wasps was not what our crestfallen Chairman had in mind but needs must, and I'm not sure the Tight Head ale was to his taste either!
- A Gladiatorial Bald Spot? -
After that unintended Shirley interruption we were obliged to concentrate on deepest South Birmingham for the rest of the day. Matters are therefore rectified with a ride on the 49 to Druids Heath where despondent D9 is soon revived by the sight of tower blocks, a 1960s shopping parade and the disused shell of the Gladiator (a flat-roofed pub that also traded for some time as the Phoenix).
- Tackling the Tunnel -
Firmly back on message as regards our original brief, we hitch another lift on the 49 to travel the short distance into Hawkesley. Two estate pubs await us here, the Greenwood Tree (off Teviot Grove) and the Shannon (or is it the Tunnel) by the local shops. Neither would win any architectural awards but as hardcore hostelries they hold a certain fascination, plus a half of Rugbeer keeps our themed beer thread ticking over.
- Homeward we go -
Cotteridge is now calling as our culminating checkpoint, but not before a few dramas negotiating the local bus network. It was the 18 (driven by a chap D9 referred to as Jesus) that ultimately connected us to Cotteridge for our closing half in the Grant Arms, with the Chairman then tasked with steering the Outer Circle on our way home. This concludes an excellent excursion that had been eventful and entertaining in equal measure - cheers!!
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