WME Flickr Focus - December 2020

Season's Greetings! It has been a quiet and reflective Christmas here at WME Towers as I now bid to shake off any festive excesses by bringing you glad tidings of photostream happenings. 2020 has filed its final update and I'm surprised to see that I've added 648 new pictures over the course of the year; considering that I usually average around 380, we can safely conclude that Covid lockdowns have at least enabled me to dedicate more time than usual to the Flickr side of things...

Two collections in particular were at the forefront of December's arrivals, so I'll begin with felicitations from WME Birmingham. Yes Brum benefited from a distinct 'G' theme last month so thanks go to Gosta Green (Holt Street and the Gosta Green pub), Gravelly Hill (Hunton Hill) and the Gun Quarter (Price Street and the Gunmakers Arms). Also of that G persuasion were Great Barr Street on the Grand Union Canal near Warwick Bar, and Griffins Brook Lane in Hay Green (Bournville) - jolly good!

The other collection to have been served well by Santa was Exploration Extra, which can look back on a remarkably productive 2020 despite the fact I've barely left the West Midlands all year. The most recent batch of goodies here take us to Matlock, Merseyside and mid-Wales... Matlock ushered in a couple of pub pictures representing the Thorn Tree Inn and the Sycamore; Merseyside majored on Moorfields railway station as a Liverpool location I always seem to gravitate towards; and mid-Wales meant a delightful visit to Newtown where the Pryce Jones warehouse stole the show. Nether Poppleton ensured some Yorkshire content too and there was a numerical appearance for the majestic 'Mallard' at the National Railway Museum.

Those big-hitters apart, the rest of my WME collections struggled to be stirred from their seasonal slumbers. WME Wolverhampton managed one token addition (awards banners at the Hail to the Ale micropub), likewise WME Walsall with its solitary Gorway Road titbit. WME Dudley gave us Green Duck beer art and a Halesowen bus unloading position, which just leaves us with WME Sandwell (the Beacon Harvester at Great Barr) and WME Worcestershire (a station sign at Hagley). That's your lot for this month and indeed this year - 2021 looks likely to be very challenging, certainly to begin with at any rate, but I hope to keep the photostream flowing as best I can!

The Hub Marketing Awards 2020

Covid has understandably curtailed Hub Marketing activities this year, with only one trip (Stafford in October) having been submitted since the end of February. We can now add another to that list after an extraordinary general meeting was convened on Monday 21st December in order to facilitate the annual Hub Marketing Awards. Naturally these were more low-key than normal with pubs completely off the agenda, but Chairman D9 and Secretary WME did still cover many other aspects of hub business during the course of a Walsall Canal wander...

The Awards: as is customary around Christmastime, our ancient Hub founder Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III is stirred from his slumbers in order to undertake presentation duties. All of the usual accolades were dished out including Pub of the Year (the White Tower in Birmingham), Dive of the Year (Highgate's Town Crier) and the prize for the most devious discount (Mr WME with a £2.10 round in Stafford). The Chairman was not left empty-handed, far from it after hoovering up the Expensive Round title (£5.50 for nitrokeg in Stourbridge), but perhaps most significant was the news that D9 Destroyer finally claimed the Pub Games Championship for the first time ever!

The Closet: at Mr D9's insistence, the inclusion of a public conveniences on each outing is a standing item on the Hub Marketing rulebook. Decorum was fulfilled on this occasion by finding a gents outhouse within James Bridge Cemetery, the Chairman cashing in some prior research to good effect here. Note too the topical t-shirt being modelled by D9 in the above picture, he's certainly well versed as regards mobile tracking devices! Other closets that merit a mention from 2020 are the examples at Penn Fields Bowling Club and Stafford's Victoria Park but you'll have to take D9's word for it...

The Ferret: ongoing Tier 3 restrictions meant we couldn't attempt too much in terms of actual exploring so we settled on a steady canal-themed walk. Beginning in Moxley with Champions League Popmaster by the derelict Travellers Rest, we surveyed the remains of the Bradley Locks Branch down to Moorcroft Junction. Our main focus then became the Walsall Canal through to Pleck, passing the Rough Hay estate and detouring into Darlaston for a classic Middletons chip shop lunch. James Bridge Aqueduct meanwhile was originally built in 1797 and comprises two round arches carrying the canal over what is now Bentley Mill Way. 

The Bald Spot: another staple of many a marketing meeting, the D9 bald spot has suffered from particularly slim pickings this year (and for once we're not talking about the lack of hair up top). December's contribution is this snap taken during our Bradley Locks investigations, the Chairman distracted by a combination of old waterways infrastructure and the Midland Metro bridge. The Bradley Canal Restoration Society is working to bring about the re-opening of the canal from Moorcroft Junction through to the Canal & Rivers Trust workshop off Bradley Lane, a scheme that would involve reinstating nine locks in total. Fingers crossed this will become a reality in the not-too-distant future!

The D9 Drive: as has been the case with bald spots, D9 driving poses have also been conspicuously absent from our marketing minutes in 2020. Thankfully the Chairman seems to have lost none of his prowess behind those imaginary pizza-sized steering wheels as indeed he was keen to demonstrate aboard the number 34 bound for Bilston. In keeping with current regulations, face coverings were worn at all times whilst on the vehicle albeit Conductor 'Ding Ding' Dave is allegedly still on furlough.

The Hub: the core mission of the Hub Marketing Board is of course to identify and document hubs in all their myriad shapes and sizes. Ever on the lookout for undetected examples, we were pleased to spot the Olio Hub among the industrial units on Midland Road (apparently it's some kind of dance studio or music academy). That discovery came near Darlaston Green where we paid homage to the former Rubery Owen works; based in Booth Street, the factory employed around 5,000 people before closing in the early 1980s although the Rubery Owen name continues to operate across eight subsidiary companies.

The Charts: the final essential piece of activity that needs reporting on has to be our silly songs chart. DJ D9 Hubbacini therefore counts down our very own Pick of the Pops, starting with Jon Inman's 'I'm Free' and progressing through gems from Nina & Frederik (Sucu Sucu) plus Valerie Singleton (Solomon Centipede). The all-important top three comprised Freddie Barratt's version of 'It's Impossible', Monty Norman's 'Good Sign, Bad Sign' - which later got reworked into the James Bond Theme - and at number one was Wing with her unique take on 'All the Single Ladies'. Such was the impression Wing made that the Chairman in his infinite wisdom spent most of the walk playing examples of her other recordings, good grief!

That concludes our light-hearted look at the 2020 Hub Awards but in all seriousness it has been a year like no other and our hearts do go out to anybody who's been affected by loss and hardship during the pandemic. We sincerely hope that 2021 will be a better year all round, and as the Northern Soul cushion says - Keep the Faith!

Towpath Turpin's Festive Furtle

Normally this would be the time of year when everyone's favourite highwayman Nick Turpin plots his 'Festive Forage', an opulent extravaganza of plunder and merriment. Covid has other ideas of course so there can be no dandyish delinquency, no Stagecoach shenanigans and - worst of all - no pubs this time around. Instead our scaled-back seasonal special involves a socially distanced sampling of the Grand Union Canal near Solihull...

- Station Lamp, Olton -

Friday 17th December 2020 dawns with some welcome morning sunshine so I'm keen to maximise my photographic opportunities en route to Solihull. I therefore alight at Olton where the traditional waiting room on the island platform is lovingly strewn with silver streamers. Olton Station originally opened in 1869 and was then reworked during the 1930s; chunky lamps help add to the period detail while it is clear that the facility is well cared for by volunteers who look after the planters and hanging baskets. 

- The Lyndon -

A round-the-block loop of Richmond Road and Lyndon Road will get my exploring off and running for the day, and it makes a change to be getting pictures of somewhere other than Wolverhampton! Features include St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, the Richmond Medical Centre and a Kelvinator Launderama although my undoubted top target has to be the Lyndon pub. This is a suburban roadhouse I've never had the pleasure of frequenting, even though it earned rave reviews from Life After Football - I make a mental note to have a priority pint here once the pandemic has passed. 

- Coptic Orthodox Cathedral -

I'm due to meet Towpath Turpin at Solihull Station come 11am so I need to get a move on or else I'll be late (it's never wise to keep an outlaw waiting). Warwick Road has me on target for an elegant glimpse of the Dovehouse shopping parade, and I'm soon forgiven for arriving five minutes behind schedule. Reunited with Nick, our walk proper commences with Lode Lane as we pass Solihull Hospital, the Mill Pool scout hut and the Jaguar Land Rover car plant. Perhaps the most interesting discovery is St Mary & Archangel Michael's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral as situated off Caldwell Grove - Coptic Orthodoxy is not a denomination I know much about but I believe it originated in Egypt (Alexandria). 

- Lode Lane Bridge -

The centrepiece of this furtle requires us to investigate a short(ish) stretch of the Grand Union Canal, starting from Bridge 82 at Dovehouse Lane. The waterway occupies quite a deep cutting at this point and passes in turn below Lode Lane, Rowood Drive and Damson Lane offering just the occasional hint of back gardens or moored miniature pleasure boats. Conditions underfoot are somewhat squelchy so we're glad to be wearing appropriate footwear; conversation meanwhile concentrates on our hopes that the vaccine roll-out programme will have the desired effect of bringing the pandemic to a close. 

- Towpath Turpin primed for action -

There's something about an energetic stroll on a crisp winter's day that simply feels good for the mind and the soul, lifting some of the gloom of lockdown. The scenery opens out again slightly as we reach Damson Parkway (Bridge 78A) which acts as our Elmdon Heath exit point - apparently it is only a further mile to Catherine-de-Barnes so we've food for thought there as regards a future wander. Heading back towards the town centre, we note a BUPA Hospital before spotting the prestigious grounds of the Solihull School as seen from Hampton Lane.

- Prancing Horse, Malvern Park -

The weather has certainly held nicely for us and Nick is looking forward to unwrapping his Christmas calendar. Malvern Park is chosen as the location for the 'Big Reveal' once we've found a suitably sheltered seat, hence Nick can get to grips with his gift - 2020's chosen photos include the Nuneaton Nun, Bedworth Carling and even an appearance from Coseley Pete. Our meeting then draws to a close as we say farewell to the park's Prancing Horse statue, crafted in bronze by Joseph Boehm in honour of Sir Alfred Bird. With that it's off to the station for our respective trains home, cheers!

Hub Marketing Reflections: The Christmas Collection

We may be out of national lockdown again but the Tier 3 restrictions imposed on the West Midlands have scuppered any prospect of the Hub Marketing Board holding a full Christmas meeting this year. However, festive fun can still be on the agenda if you'd care to join us in another memory lane trawl through the pages of Hub history...

- Inspecting the Cape Hill Closet -

Our Christmas compilation begins back in 2011 when we rounded off our first full year of marketing action by investigating the December delights to be found around Moseley and Ladywood. A damp morning gave way to an exciting afternoon, calling into the Merry Maid and the Vine (Ruston Street) among other watering holes. The Chairman has a longstanding fascination with Smethwick so it was only appropriate to finish there, reliving memories of pick-up trucks by trundling around the Robin, the Hono Bar (previously the George) and the Queens Arms - we resisted the offer of a scalp massage in the latter, Mr D9 wanting to keep a clear head for his tribute to the Cape Hill Closet. 

- Foaming with Joy in 2012 -

East Birmingham was our December destination in 2012 for a seasonal sweep around Saltley and Small Heath. St Clements Road summoned up a Nechells nugget for the Chairman's closed closet collection, and we gazed in awe at giant gasholders when recalling the area's lost industries. The Albion Vaults was a backstreet sleeve success for the Secretary while the Foaming Tankard provided a definitive flat roof fix, all washed down with some M&B Mild. Ward End then kept us occupied with every single round seeming to come to £2.50 (bar the Wetherspoons), but the piece de resistance had to be our evening visit to Bedders fish and chip shop - their diced pickled onions are a thing of legend!

- Bah Humbug Bus Driving -

Fast forward twelve months into 2013 and Wednesbury was in our sights as the inaugural Pub Games Championship reached the tightest possible conclusion, WME Whirlwind prevailing by a single darts leg - cue wild celebrations in the Croft! D9 Destroyer was crestfallen having committed the cardinal sin of defaulting a critical pool frame in the Old Mill, knocking in an accidental black that has haunted the Chairman ever since. Hateley Heath and Hill Top had got the trip off to a lively start (complete with us gatecrashing a wake in the Gough Arms), and there was something of a 'Shameless' swansong when we rubber-stamped the dive credentials of both the Brunswick and the George. 

- Picking out the Puffing Billy -

2014's yuletide masterpiece got underway with some extended exploration thanks to a first-class ferret from Handsworth all the way to Langley Green. Stan's Cafe was a greasy spoon experience par excellence, plus we staged a Winson Green jailbreak (the Chairman clutching his prized calendar) and homaged Hockley Port on the Soho canal loop. Amidst all the fun we almost forgot to sample some pubs, a situation we corrected by pairing the Royal Oak with the Old Cross before savouring a Smethwick soiree involving the Hollybush and the Puffing Billy; the latter has sadly since burnt down and is due for demolition. 

- Bring on the Calendar! -

Our festive outings always require additional administration to be carried out, chiefly the declaration of the Hub Awards (by Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III) and the presentation of the Hub Calendar. The Chairman was the grateful recipient in 2015 at the Swan, Long Lane during a Halesowen bash that also covered Hasbury and Hurst Green (playing darts in the Fairfield). Mr D9 had earlier emerged largely unscathed after some Blackheath pensioners took exception to recent bus route changes, meaning he was still present and correct for a Netherton nightcap at the atmospherically unspoiled Bulls Head. 

- Darts Duel in the Duke of Cambridge -

Another ceremonial aspect every year is totting up the scores in the aforementioned Pub Games Championship, whereby WME Whirlwind has established something of a stranglehold over the years. 2016 was a case in point, the Secretary having sewn up the title well in advance of our Short Heath session. The vanquished D9 Destroyer consoled himself with wrapping paper drapery at the Duke of Cambridge, and a cheeky call at the Avery Club also merits a mention. However the undoubted star that day was the Manhattan in Heath Town, massive speakers belting out a reggae disco in cementing fond memories of a pub that no longer exists, the building having been flattened a couple of years later. 

- Banks's in the Beehive -

If that 2016 offering had flirted briefly with Willenhall, 2017's seasonal special put the town firmly in the spotlight. Chairman D9 recovered from his sickbed to complete a terrific tour of tempting taverns, notably including the Falcon, the Jolly Collier and the Navigation. Derelict factories prompted thoughts of 'Deirdre's Bristols' and secretarial shenanigans, the vintage theme then being maintained by several old-fashioned petrol pumps at Fibbersley Service Station. That spot of refuelling prepared us well for a Deansfield denouement, Banks's Mild and brandy in the Beehive being the perfect way to sign off. 

- The less said the better! -

As for 2018, a doorstep focus meant that Whitmore Reans and Wolverhampton supplied our end-of-year entertainment. Flat-roof boozers were again to the fore with pride of place going to the Winning Post (near Dunstall Park Racecourse) and the Pegasus, while the Chairman became rather too well acquainted with the potholes on the Emerald Club car park. Dusting himself down, Mr D9 recovered his composure over in Penn Fields although an inexplicable bauble and battered sausage routine still defies description. Other memorable highlights involved inflatable Santas in the Stile and match night musings in the Hatherton Arms, not forgetting an encounter with a Leaping Wolf!

- Cheers from the Little Chop House -

All of which brings us to the small matter of 2019's Christmas classic which saw board members descending once more upon Ho Ho Halesowen. A Crafty Pint micropub moment in Hasbury preceded a Picks pause and the homely Black Country charms of both the Hawne Tavern and the Why Not. Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III was last seen in the Wilson Hall (Cradley Labour Club) snoozing away having imbibed generously of the house bitter - hopefully our founder will be in a fit state for the 2020 Awards, wherever they may be held...

Merry Christmas from the Hub Marketing Board!

WME Flickr Focus - November 2020

Tiers seem to be all the rage as England readies itself to leave the second national lockdown in early December, so here at WME Towers I've decided to follow suit. My constituent collections have therefore been categorised according to their recent photostream performance...

Having the highest tier all to itself is Exploration Extra which registers a bumper November thanks to several new arrivals. These can broadly be grouped into items from Hereford, Oxford and Liverpool; Isis Lock accounts for the Oxford contingent whereas Hereford is represented by the Bishops Palace, Wallis Avenue and an ironmongers shop. Liverpool has undoubtedly been the busiest of all, trialling some city centre street signs (Rainford Square, Mathew Street) whilst checking in on the White Star pub and the famous Cunard Building. 

Dropping down into Tier Two, our middle-ranking collections include WME Wolverhampton and WME Dudley. Wolverhampton discovers Wile E Coyote by the disused former Eye Infirmary before charting developments with the Dixons Building on Cleveland Road. The Golden Lion at Fallings Park makes its presence felt, plus we have the usual clutch of ceramic street names. As for Dudley, I bring you news of Dudley Zoo goings on - especially at the Reptile House - alongside an airing for the Saracens Head and a Gornal Wood glance at Guys Lane. 

A Tier Two mention also must go to WME Birmingham after a solid few weeks of photo accumulation. Of particular note here are a couple of snapshots from Farmers Bridge Locks, and a brace of pub signs remembering the Drop Forge in the Jewellery Quarter (an upmarket industrial bar that Nick and I visited twice). Over in Edgbaston, there's a comic book depiction of some Pakistani cricketers and a bit of hoovering up as regards Farquhar Road and Church Road - all good progress I'm sure!

The lowest tier is populated by those collections that have been relatively quiet of late. WME Coventry can be very shy in terms of additions so three Fargo Village items (Bramble Street signage and some remote control street art among them) are still reason to celebrate. WME Sandwell is usually more forthcoming by comparison and supplies a Gorse Farm footbridge view along with a nod to St Francis Church in Friar Park; likewise WME Staffordshire maintains a steady trajectory via two Enville offerings and a Fazeley Three Tuns dartboard.

Some of the WME members - notably Solihull, Warwickshire and Shropshire - haven't mustered any updates at all and therefore find themselves excluded from categorisation as things stand, meaning the final word goes to that handful of constituents which only just scraped the cut. One solitary delivery was recorded by each of WME Walsall (Gillity Bridge on the Rushall Canal), WME Worcestershire (moorings at Diglis Basin) and WME Telford (Dothill Nature Reserve greenery) - and that's your lot!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives: Part 17

It already seems an age since my last pub pint - White Rat in Wolverhampton's Chindit on the 1st November - and news that the West Midlands will be in Tier 3 come the end of the second lockdown means I'll be waiting a while yet for my next cask indulgence. In the meantime, I'll try to fill the void by summoning a further five bygone boozers from the depths of the WME Archives...

- Coach & Horses, Balsall Heath -

November's selection begins in the backstreets of Balsall Heath where the Coach & Horses occupies the corner of Edward Road and Mary Street, not too far from the Edgbaston cricket ground. From what I can gather, the building survives having at one stage become the Al Nakheel cafe-cum-restaurant specialising in Arabian and Yemeni cuisine. I'm not sure if it is currently in use though so any updates on its status would be appreciated. 

- Cottage Inn, Stourbridge -

Last month I featured the Somerset House as a casualty from the 'Enville Run' crawl which links Stourbridge and Wollaston, and here we lament the loss of another from that notable sequence. A compact traditional watering hole, the Cottage Inn was the first pub on Enville Street after you'd escaped the clutches of Stourbridge Ring Road; I never got to sample it myself sadly and now it is purely residential, albeit still retaining the little circular portrait detail between the upstairs windows. 

- The Falcon, Smethwick -

We go back to May 2010 in recalling this Smethwick specimen which I spotted whilst preparing for a walk along Windmill Lane towards Cape Hill. The Falcon stood on Baldwin Street with Messenger Road on the left terminating at those concrete bollards; a very plain establishment, it received a Hub Marketing visit in February 2011 when Mr D9 and I made the acquaintance of a dog with a large surgical collar. Barely a couple of months later, the place was flattened and the land has latterly been claimed for the Windmill Heights development. 

- Great Horse, Heath Town -

My fourth offering this month is a boozer that will need no introduction where the Beardsmores are concerned, with Mr B Senior being especially well versed in the hospitality of the Great Horse. This was almost the definitive M&B box boozer, situated on the fork where Bushbury Road and Prestwood Road converge near Heath Town Park. Having suffered from something of a dubious reputation (to put it politely), it was converted into a One Stop store and takeaway about eight years ago. 

- The Grange, Coventry -

Somewhat surprisingly, I haven't featured a perished Coventry pub until now so here is a Stoke Heath sample as my token attempt to redress that particular balance. Trying unsuccessfully to find the Rose & Woodbine in 2012, Mr D9 and I stumbled upon the Grange on Alfall Road quite by accident. It would have been a handsome roadhouse in its day but had already shut down and remained derelict for a couple more years before being turned into a Co-op supermarket. Until next time, cheers!

A Wolverhampton Waterways Walk

 ... or if I were to give this post an alternative title, it would be called the Wolf Mountain, Wildside and Whitmore Reans trip. Lockdown Mk II is still curtailing my exploration horizons but the need to keep close to home does mean I can report on a stretch of canal that sometimes gets overlooked on the pages of this blog, namely the section from Compton through to Dunstall Park.

- Wolf Mountain -

Sunday 22nd November and this 'All the Ws' affair commences at Compton Park. I've mentioned St Edmunds School and the Wolverhampton Wanderers training ground before but one new item for my archive is the Wolf Mountain Indoor Climbing Centre, positioned to the rear of City of Wolverhampton College's Paget Road Campus. The facility is closed during the second lockdown and hopes to reopen in December, while in normal times it offers indoor climbing, caving, bouldering and archery activities.

- Tettenhall Old Bridge -

And so to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal which I join at the ever-familiar Compton Lock. It's a little squelchy underfoot but the crisp morning sunshine encourages me on towards Tettenhall where bridges of differing vintages stand almost side-by-side. Tettenhall Old Bridge is definitely the more interesting and used to carry the main coaching road to Holyhead until Thomas Telford re-routed things via The Rock. Wolverhampton's Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is a notable amenity nearby while Tettenhall New Bridge is sturdier than its earlier counterpart if rather less photogenic. 

- Wildside Activity Centre -

Beyond Newbridge, the canal flanks a small wharf and the local playing fields before also passing an entrance into the Double Pennant Boatyard as guarded by a Mobil sign. Next up is Hordern Road where I branch off to investigate the Wildside Activity Centre (again currently closed due to Covid). A wooden walkway is adorned with creature caricatures including hedgehogs, swans and flapping bats, while the centre's resident narrowboat is moored up waiting for services to resume. Wildside ordinarily is an important resource providing outdoor learning and environmental education opportunities. 

- Tunstall Water Bridge -

Rejoining the Staffs & Worcs, I soon reach the intriguing Tunstall Water Bridge, otherwise known as Dunstall Water Bridge although the nameplate retains the original 18th century spelling. This structure is a combined aqueduct and footbridge that is said to date from the 1770s; it carries the Smestow Brook over the canal and is part of the long-term drainage infrastructure for this corner of Wolverhampton. A short distance further brings me to Aldersley Junction so that I can switch attentions to the BCN.  

- Dunstall Park Bridge & Lock 19 -

The Birmingham Main Line Canal runs from Aldersley all the way into the centre of Brum and intrepid boaters first would have to negotiate the famed Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks. I'm only focusing on the last few locks on this occasion, hence No. 21 is immediately adjacent to Aldersley Junction Bridge whereas No. 19 accompanies Dunstall Park Bridge in the shadows of the racecourse. Oxley Viaduct is an unmistakable presence as I approach Lock 17 from whence a footpath leads me into the new(ish) estates off Gorsebrook Road. 

- Dunstall Park Lodge -

Despite taking various pictures around Dunstall Park over the years, I can only recall attending an actual race day just the once when I was a kid. The racecourse is an integral component of the Wolverhampton economy with its all-weather track, Holiday Inn hotel and as a venue for other leisure events, while the lodge has been a firm fixture for as long as I can remember. Dunstall Lane, Gatis Street and Riches Street provide a sunkissed-slice of Whitmore Reans on my way home, with the Gatis Community Space adventure playground being an excellent closing photo target - the former Farndale Primary School and the Victoria pub having long since been demolished. Cheers!

Hub Marketing Reflections: The Coventry Collection

It is around this time of year that the Hub Marketing Board would normally descend on Coventry for our annual autumn dash around Godiva's fair city. Sadly the 2020 edition has had to be cancelled due to the second national lockdown but you know the drill by now - when new trips aren't possible we dip back into the archives instead. Here then with the help of some previously unseen quiffage is a rundown of recollections from Coventry trips past...

- The Original Quiff -

Our very first Coventry caper took place during September 2012 and comprised a madcap tour of Brownshill Green and Willenhall bus termini along with a partial attempt at the 'Craven Run' pub sequence in Chapelfields. The Biggin Hall made an impression as a Binley Road example of 1920s Brewers Tudor style, whereas the New Haven in Cheylesmore was seriously spartan by comparison. Perhaps most importantly, the concept of the Ron West tribute quiff was born - the inaugural design was simply a folded-up Metro newspaper, seen above as modelled by our illustrious Chairman in the Hastings. 

- Two-Tone Quiff -

The quiff is Mr D9's affectionate homage to Ron West, a former bus driver who also hosted a Rock and Roll show on local radio. The 2013 creation was a black cardboard effort intended to clip behind one ear although it kept falling off, hence the Secretary holds it in place when enjoying a cuppa at the 2 Tone Cafe. It was actually a morning for drinking tea, our keenness for greasy spoon experiences meaning we did three such establishments in quick succession. Cats were a key theme too - especially those sitting on dustbin lids - while the standout pubs included two flat-roofers at Ernesford Grange (Bear & Staff, New Tiger Moth) plus the round-fronted Foresters in Hillfields.

- Children in Need Quiff -

To November 2014 when the purplish quiff ensemble was accompanied by Pudsey ears in preparation for Children in Need. After a couple of previous near misses, the Secretary finally got his bearings correct for finding the Rose & Woodbine among the backstreets of Stoke Heath; Riley Square's closet captured the Chairman's attention in Bell Green while the Coventry Cross coughed up some contraband salmon when giving us a 'Dive of the Century' contender. Elsewhere, the Boat at Walsgrave and the Bird in Hand at Aldermans Green made for good pub discoveries although Mr WME's favourite find was the Bricklayers Arms on Cromwell Street, a backstreet boozer beloved by the Irish community. 

- Perfectly Coiffed at Sandy Lane Garage -

The 2015 episode began with a homage to Ron West's old stomping ground of Sandy Lane bus depot, hence Mr D9 parading his paper towel creation outside what is now an industrial estate. An overcast hike along the Coventry Canal was rewarded with a cracking breakfast at Little Heath before Tile Hill took the afternoon honours, the Black Prince being an estate pub with a proud Sky Blues allegiance. Mount Nod and the Maudslay might mischievously have been subjected to spells of WME witchcraft while there were dubious dominoes afoot in the Nursery Tavern. We eventually landed up back in Birmingham for a Halloween helping of Hockley, staging our only visit to the Gunmakers Arms (a Lozells haunt that has sadly since closed) and finishing with some friendly feline attention from Willow in the White House. 

- Closed Closet Inspection with the 2016 Quiff -

The Chairman's quiff constructions have become increasingly intricate over the years, a fine example being the fully laminated headpiece he crafted in 2016. Said specimen was on hand to document a closed closet at Jubilee Crescent although D9's spirits were soon lifted by being able to sample the Pilot, a vast Grade II-listed Radford roadhouse. This was also a day when we solemnly remembered Coventry's automotive heritage by stopping off at Stoke Aldermoor to see how the Peugeot plant had been transformed into housing. Poppy Ale in the Humber Hotel and Guinness in the Grapes (an Irish mainstay that's been under threat of late) preceded a Coundon curtain call and a Town Crier nightcap - we do like to cram a lot in!

- Bequiffed WME at War Memorial Park -

It's fair to say that sightings of the Secretary embracing the quiff phenomenon are relatively rare, so the above snap taken at War Memorial Park is certainly a collector's item. Fashioned from scrunched-up paper and gaffer tape, this was a weighty number that rustled in the breeze. 2017's jaunt took us to Finham, Fenside - scene of a memorable three dart finish for WME Whirlwind - and Earlsdon, plus the Chairman was able to demonstrate his Bendibus driving prowess. Standout watering holes included Byatts Brewery Tap at Lythalls Lane and a Burnt Post brekkie but star billing was stolen by the Ansells Mild in the Cheylesmore Social. 

- Tinkling the Ivories at the Nugget -

Next up naturally is 2018 which saw a somewhat understated beige affair accompanying Mr D9's best Bobby Crush impressions in Coundon Green. Canley and Cannon Park had provided a productive morning, spotting Elmer elephants before seeking out the Sovereign, while the Brooklands and the Old Shepherd (with its psychedelic sheep art) joined the Nugget on our afternoon agenda. The 16A bus was treated to some steering shenanigans along the Keresley Road, and who could forget our impromptu 'Gone Gone Gone' Johnny Mathis karaoke session inspired by seeing a proliferation of Henry's estate agent sale boards. 

- A Ragged Bit of D9 Driving -

Our most recent Coventry escapade came in November 2019 when the quiff was a full-on fabric concoction complete with raggedy sideburns - the Chairman's finest masterpiece yet? Having perused the busy stalls of Coventry Market to begin with, we ventured out to Binley and Willenhall in search of further flat-roofed fun courtesy of the Standard Bearer and the Glade. Fargo Village gave us gorilla art followed by the Twisted Barrel brewery tap, leaving Holbrooks and Lockhurst Lane to supply our early evening entertainment. Hopefully normal service will be resumed in 2021 and Coventry will once again christen another entry from the D9 quiff catalogue - cheers!

Lockdown Log: FORDHOUSES

I had hoped I wouldn't have to file any new entries in my Lockdown Log collection but a surge in the Covid infection rate means we're back under national restrictions until the start of December. Exploring is still possible provided I stay close to home so I summon up another walk from my Wolverhampton doorstep repertoire...

- Scarlett -

Friday 6th November is the day after the latest lockdown came into force and I start with the A449 Stafford Road out to the northern fringes of Wolverhampton. Fordhouses is an instantly familiar location with features I've known for ages - the Moreton Arms pub, Vine Island and what used to be the Lucas factory (now operating as Collins Aerospace following a succession of name changes) all bring back a variety of memories from the years when I lived in nearby Bushbury. There are some new arrivals though, most notably three carved wolves that occupy the dual carriageway central reservation.

- Maverick -

Commissioned as part of i54 route upgrade works, the sculptures were crafted by the Brewood-based artist Robot Cossey and named by local primary schoolchildren. We therefore have Maverick (in a howling pose), Lucky (in a prowling pose) and Scarlett (almost leaping) all giving commuters something to smile about as the traffic rumbles past. I've been meaning to take pictures of the trio since they were first unveiled in June 2019 so at least that's something I've achieved during the pandemic!

- Oval Drive -

Wandering now into the wider Fordhouses estates, Springfield Lane allows access to several streets inspired by racecourses - Aintree, Lingfield and Fontwell to name but a few. Taunton Avenue is where I find the beigely understated St James's Church while Oval Drive was built on what used to be the home of Fordhouses Cricket Club. Established in 1927, the club was based here until all their sporting and social activities relocated to the former Dowty's ground off Wobaston Road in 2005. 

- Chetton Green Flats -

Wobaston Road is briefly on the agenda for me today as I pass the Brammer Distribution Centre and cross into Winchester Road, bound for Chetton Green. Harrowby Road offers reminders of allotments, cafes and the Yummy Yummy Rice House although community pub the Harrowby Arms (Banks's/ Marston's) is temporarily closed in line with recent regulations. Chetton Green Flats never seem to change much and Patshull Avenue Open Space serves as my gateway towards Pendeford. 

- A Dovecotes Decoration -

After some canalside views in the vicinity of Marsh Lane, I proceed via Pendeford Square which is understandably quieter than normal. There are still a few socially distanced shoppers keeping the Morrisons supermarket ticking over while St Paul's School has windows wide open for extra ventilation. Ryhope Walk then melds into Reapers Walk for a little taste of Dovecotes where the Haymarket shopping precinct (never the prettiest of places) comprises a Premier Convenience Store, the Pendeford Fish Bar and a poultry business. 

- Tettenhall Clock -

Reapers Walk in turn becomes Long Furrow as I continue into Palmers Cross, undertaking a loop of Coniston Road for no good reason other than general curiosity. Stockwell End is being treated to some improved broadband infrastructure that means I need to keep clear of Lothians Road workmen, but I make it to Tettenhall without undue delay. Here my stroll concludes at Upper Green in the shadow of the village clock, which was installed to celebrate the June 1911 coronation of King George V. Cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - October 2020

2020 is not a year I'd be inclined to repeat in a hurry and November looks all set to be another tumultuous month, what with US Presidential Elections plus the imminent imposition of further national lockdown measures. Amidst all the strife, the West Midlands Exploration photostream just keeps merrily plodding along but has it been trick or treat as regards the latest arrivals???

No sign of any spooky goings-on at Exploration Extra although there are rumblings from Lancashire and Gloucestershire to report. Cleveleys and Fleetwood lead the Lancs charge - cue the King's Own Old Comrades Club, St Peter's Church and the famous Fleetwood Market - whereas Gloucester gathers up some rugby-related street art (Scotland vs Japan no less). There's even a Scrumpty soldier statue called Old Bragg who effectively resembles a regimental cross between Humpty Dumpty and a rugby ball!

Ghostly apparitions have likewise been scarce over at WME Birmingham which has been more concerned about Cannon Hill Park and Digbeth. The former contributes a swan-shaped pedalo and some pretty planting, the latter accounts for Little Ann Street and the former Market Tavern. Also of a Brum persuasion is the Crane pub at Cranes Park (a Hungry Horse chain effort near Sheldon) and our firm favourite Calthorpe Park, exhibiting yet more examples of Edgbaston springtime blossoms. 

Perhaps WMEs Dudley and Walsall can ramp up the fear factor? I wouldn't call Caldmore scary as such, nor Delves or Chuckery for that matter as WME Walsall collects some ceramic signage (Delves Road, Moncrieffe Street) alongside a Little London mechanics premises. WME Dudley takes equally as much delight in presenting a few more pictures of Delph Locks while the lovely Bull & Bladder is the stuff of dreams rather than nightmares! Make mine a Batham's Best Bitter please.

How about the ever-reliable WME Wolverhampton? Nope, by its usual standards this goes down as a relatively quiet month that is severely lacking in witches, wizards and other magical creatures. Snowy scenes from Bushbury Hill and Cable Street tiles from Monmore Green aren't probably worth howling about to be fair, and it's a similar tale from WME Staffordshire where a Castle Mona dartboard and two Cheslyn Hay boozers are safely pocketed without too much screaming.

Even the stragglers are far from being frightening. WME Sandwell drops in on Cradley Heath's Mary MacArthur Gardens for two tastes of tree trunk scenery, WME Coventry ponders the Phoenix as a city centre watering hole and finally WME Shropshire calls in on Claverley for a finger post offering. October thus drifts into photostream history without any major hauntings and we brace ourselves to see what November brings instead - until next time, enjoy the photos...

Oldswinford in October

For October's swansong outing, I speculated that something from Stourbridge or thereabouts might work well. Oldswinford duly stepped up to the mark for a dash of drizzly photography plus some bostin' Bathams ales - here comes the tale of the trip...

- The Bantock Bull -

Friday 23rd October brings with it almost the archetypal autumnal morning: dull, dank and dripping with dew. There's precious little brightness around as I begin at Bantock Park, kicking up the leaves and bidding good day to a certain carved bull that keeps a stern eye on Bantock House happenings. The museum presents elegant Edwardian interiors from the time when Baldwin and Kitty Bantock lived here - the Billiard Room being a particular favourite of mine - while the bull sculpture recalls the days of cattle grazing on the parkland pasture.

- Intriguing Underpasses -

After that brief burst of Bantock, I make tracks via Smethwick Galton Bridge to arrive at Stourbridge Junction just after 11am. I'm hoping I might catch sight of George the station cat (something of a famous feline with an extensive Twitter following) but alas he must be out on 'pawtrol' somewhere or tucking into his supply of Dreamies. Instead I venture along Chawn Hill and find a network of footpaths beneath the platforms, cue for some spooky underpass tunnels enlivened with street art. 

- A Churchyard Creature? -

One of the footpaths brings me out into the graveyard of St Mary's, the parish church for Oldswinford which originally was the principal place of worship for the whole of the Stourbridge area. A sense of history is certainly palpable with parts of the church dating from the fourteenth century, the nave and east end having then seen Victorian improvements. The adjacent Rectory is impressive in its own right, and the churchyard is home to a number of cute creature sculptures fashioned out of logs and timber. 

- Mary Stevens Park -

Swinford Road takes me past the King Edward School playing fields to reach the romantically-titled Love Lane, from whence I can nip into Mary Stevens Park. Stourbridge's flagship public open space, the park officially opened in 1931 and is named in honour of Mary, wife of local industrialist and benefactor Ernest Stevens. Features include Heath Pool, the Stourbridge town war memorial, a bandstand and Grade II listed wrought iron main gates. I tiptoe through the trees in gathering a few pictures despite the generally overcast skies before Heath Lane allows glimpses of the Old Swinford Hospital boarding school and the Shrubbery Cottage pub.

- This looks promising! -

Did I say pub? I've managed to sample many of my favourite Black Country ales since the first wave of lockdown eased in July but there was one notable exception - Bathams. Thankfully the Bird in Hand on Hagley Road can redress that situation as I partake of an excellent pint of Mild (I usually go for the divine Best Bitter so this was a turn up for the books). £4.20 covers both the beer and a stonking cheese, onion and black pudding cob, beat that for value if you can! Such is my satisfaction I don't even mind a bit of Baggies banter, and the glowing hearth adds a warming hug of cosiness too - just lovely.

- A Doghouse Denouement -

The sun tries its best to make an appearance as I head next for Stourbridge town centre, noting that the Labour in Vain on the corner of Red Hill is being converted into apartments. The drizzle soon returns though once I near the bus station so I seek shelter in the Dog House, a micropub based in the former Rock Station (or for older readers, the Vauxhall Tavern). I have many fond memories of drinking here with Roger and Woody, not to forget Chris's Disco or Blade the dog prowling about, so it's great to add this new chapter to the mix before catching the number 16 bus home. Cheers!