Getting Rammed with Mr D9

Regular readers (yes, all three of you) will know that here on the WME Blog we love a good public art trail - Birmingham's Big Hoot, Wolves in Wolves, Standing Tall with Worcester's Giraffes - so news that a series of ram sculptures have invaded Derby had the Hub Marketing Board on high alert...

- Bee Happy -

Wild in Art in conjunction with Derby Museums have installed thirty imaginative rams across various city centre locations, so on Friday 25th June Chairman D9 and Secretary WME make it their quest to hunt down as many as we can. After catching the 9:49 Cross Country train up from Birmingham, we meet our first ram ('Railway Communities') immediately outside Derby Station and quickly follow that with 'Bee Happy', a bumblebee and honeycomb-infused design near Midland Place. 'Doodle Derby' then features Ayup expressions and Baaaarley the sheep as we approach the Derbion shopping centre (previously known as Westfield). 

- The Secretary meets Captain Stone -

Just outside the mall entrance is 'Captain Stone', a bright pinky-purple superhero-type ram based on a character from a Liam Sharp graphic novel. Also in our sights are 'Rambo' with its Stallone-style bullet belt, 'Royal Ram' on St Peter's Street and the glitterball effect of 'Groovy Derby Ram' in the Marketplace. Some of the rams are inspired by famous artists, most notably 'Ram Gogh' and 'Mondriram' over towards the Jury's Inn complex, whilst others represent Derby's significant historical figures such as 'Nurse Nightingale' complete with references to the Lady of the Lamp.

- The Bald Spot engaged in Huub Marketing -

The midday chimes are ringing out from Derby Cathedral as we pause near the Silk Mill, looking out across the River Derwent in the company of 'Derby Industries', a ram that celebrates local automotive manufacturing. Cathedral Green hosts two rams, one either side of the Bonnie Prince Charlie Statue: 'Secret R.A.M' combines technology with an air of mystery whereas 'Pirate Sheepmate' becomes one of the Secretary's instant favourites thanks to its eyepatch, pet parrot and a hooked hoof. We haven't forgotten our usual brand of sightseeing by the way, hence the D9 bald spot makes sure to admire the Huub Store.

- Come On You Rams -

The Corporation Street and Morledge areas are good locations for some ramspotting: 'Pride in Derby' has the LGBTQ rainbow stripes immediately outside the council offices; 'Flamsteed's Ram' recalls a notable astronomer just over the road; at Millets, 'Arbaaaretum' acknowledges the importance of green spaces to wildlife; and 'Come On You Rams' is kitted out in a mock Derby County home shirt near the River Gardens. Each ram has its own personality and the trail is seemingly proving popular with young families also excitedly doing their selfie rounds; as ever with Wild in Art, the event will raise money for charitable causes in this case the Derby Museums Endowment campaign. 

- Beardsmore Bleach at the Castle & Falcon -

Besides the ram action, Board members are keen to sample a few of Derby's esteemed watering holes. The Secretary's pick is the Old Bell Hotel on Sadler Gate, a characterful coaching inn that entices us with the prospect of Chesterfield armchairs and well-kept Draught Bass. As for the Chairman, his radar is fixed firmly on the opposite end of the pub spectrum... cue the Castle & Falcon, a flat-roofed brown lump next to the Eagle Market. Pop art chimp wallpaper accompanies pints of John Smith's and a 1984 soundtrack focusing on Alison Moyet, Midge Ure and Haircut 100. 

- Commandeering the Ilkeston Flyer -

Leaving the rams in peace for a bit, we take a ride out on the Ilkeston Flyer as operated by Trent Barton (calling at Spondon and Kirk Hallam). Ilkeston is a market town on the River Erewash and is referred to as 'Ilson' in the East Midlands dialect. We alight on Wharncliffe Road so as to explore the Market Place around St Mary's Parish Church; nearby features include the Town Hall plus the Sir John Warren and King's Head pubs. Having savoured a stint of backseat steering on the bus earlier, the Chairman is delighted to discover an old-fashioned closet block inscribed with Gents lettering. 

- The Burnt Pig Ale 'ouse -

Stretching away from the Market Place is Bath Street, a hilly thoroughfare containing some of Ilkeston's less glamorous shops. We venture down as far as Panda Pizza before turning back the way we came, hoping for a perfect pint somewhere. Our wish is granted by the Burnt Pig Ale 'ouse, a micropub tucked away in a former shop unit on Market Street. Not only is the beer excellent - the Secretary's Ludlow Black Knight stout especially so - but the interior is stuffed full of the kind of breweriana Mr D9 loves to collect for his garage. The Prince of Wales on South Street merits its own pub plug as the day's Popmaster setting; sadly Falstaff's Fistful of Hops could not power us to a plethora of points from some fiendish questions.

- For Those About To Rock -

The return Ilkeston Flyer delivers us back to Derby to resume our main ramming mission. We therefore encounter 'Memories Fade but Warmth Remains' (presenting a riot of sunflowers by the bus interchange) and 'For Those About to Rock' (a music festival aficionado in Heavy Metal regalia). In total we found 23 out of 30 rams - not bad for a day's work - and honourable mention should similarly go to 'The Orrery', depicting a clockwork solar system near Derby Cathedral, plus 'Woolly Rammy in sheep's clothing' which guards St Peter's Church. We can therefore consider ourselves to have gotten well and truly rammed!

- Concerned about Carling? -

All that remains is for us to try out a handful more pubs before our train home. Two absolute crackers are the Smithfield and the Alexandra Hotel; the former is by the Notts & Derby bus depot and serves up a particularly nice Liquid Highway whereas the latter is a treasure trove of railwayana that conjures up a magnificent pint of Thornbridge Market Porter. Chairman D9 demands a final nightcap close to the railway station so the Merry Widows gets the nod for a concluding half of Carling amidst a gallery of Derby County legends. Cheers!

Rail Rover Week 2021

After the 2020 edition of my annual Heart of England rail extravaganza got cancelled for obvious reasons, I'm pleased to report I've been taking to the tracks again armed with my trusty Rail Rover ticket. Five days of intense exploration are the result, taking me from Wales to Leicestershire by way of Cheshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire...

- A Wrecsam Sheep -

My plan for the week is to revisit some previous Rover haunts I hadn't seen for a while, beginning with Wrexham on Monday 14th June. The ride up from Shrewsbury has its scenic moments - especially crossing the viaduct at Chirk - while Wrexham town centre teases me with several sightings of ornamental sheep, baa-rilliant! St Giles's Parish Church is classed among the 'Wonders of Wales' with a tower 135 feet tall whilst the Wynnstay Arms Hotel (currently operated by Marston's) is a Grade II listed coaching inn where I pause for a pint of Pedigree as the Scotland v Czech Republic Euro build-up gets underway.

- Class 150 train at Ruabon -
I don't stay to watch the start of the match, instead catching the 2C Arriva bus across to Ruabon via Rhostyllen and Johnstown. From what I can tell, not a huge amount has changed in Ruabon since my earlier visits in 2007 and 2010; key features are still St Mary's Church, the River Eitha and a variety of public houses including another Wynnstay Arms (reflecting the local prominence of the Williams-Wynn family). My choice of watering hole here is the Duke of Wellington for Banks's Amber and a football update, Scotland going on to lose 0-2.

- Nick leads the way at Hatton Locks -

To Tuesday 15th June then whereby 'Towpath Turpin' will be my Warwickshire accomplice during a hike around Hatton. The weather could not be any better as we gravitate to the Grand Union Canal, eagerly ascending the famed 21 locks on the Hatton flight with several photographs of paddle gears, heel grooves and balance beams collected along the way. A brief call at Hatton railway station coincides with one of the infrequent stopping trains before we press on to Shrewley Tunnel, last encountered on our Lapworth Safari two months ago.

- Haseley Church -

Leaving the canal behind, Nick becomes a stile guru when guiding us across the fields to Hatton Village and Haseley - we even play crop bingo, accounting for wheat, rapeseed, broad beans and barley. Refreshment stops at the Falcon and the Hatton Arms are memorable for discussions about Phoenicians, Great Dictators, 20th century history and the development of different alphabets, while some of the views back over the locks towards Warwick are superb. We end up at that canalside classic the Cape of Good Hope, quaffing prime pints of Butty Bach in the warm early evening sunshine. A spectacular day all round!

- Welford Road Rugby Ground -

How do you follow that? Well on Wednesday 16th June I found myself East Midlands bound, making a rare incursion into what we bloggers refer to as Life After Football territory. Venturing dangerously close to Beermat's favourite postcodes, I have a nose around Leicester itself for sports-related starters. Welford Road is the rugby home of the Leicester Tigers, complete with a Wall of Legends (Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Lewis Moody, Austin Healey etc), before Filbert Street puts me on the trail of footballing heritage albeit much of Leicester City's former base has been redeveloped to create student accommodation. 

- Barrow Deep Lock -

Wednesday afternoon has me sampling two stopper stations on the Ivanhoe Line between Leicester and Loughborough. Barrow upon Soar is an attractive village served by a further section of the Grand Union Canal - I make sure to get numerous photos of Barrow Deep Lock either side of popping into the Soar Bridge Inn and partaking of Everard's Old Original. Sileby meanwhile seems to be jinxed as far as I'm concerned; I had to cut short a visit there in 2011 and this time around I suffer train cancellations and pub disappointments (neither the Free Trade nor the Horse & Trumpet appeared to be open, just a case of unlucky timing I guess). 

- Alsager Station -

I did manage to get home on Wednesday eventually (with a helping hand from Nottingham), which leads us naturally to Thursday 17th June and a Beardsmore bash around Alsager and Kidsgrove. The Cheshire component has us bearing down on Alsager Cricket Club - Stephen tells me they're quite a force in the North Staffordshire & District League - and admiring watery vistas looking out over The Mere. A mention too for the town's railway station which has won multiple 'Best Kept' awards, recognition for the dedicated Friends group who have worked hard to make both platforms a more welcoming experience. 

- No need for wings at Red Bull Locks -

By contrast, Kidsgrove Station is something of a building site but even without the construction works it's never the prettiest of places. A spot of lunch courtesy of Wright's Bakery precedes proper Potteries pubbing at the Queens Head, sitting in the parlour chatting cricket and drinking dubious Bass (not the finest pint sadly). Canal considerations come to the fore next as we survey Red Bull Locks, nibbling on both the Macclesfield and the Trent & Mersey lines - Stephen wasn't expecting the latter to be so orange! The Blue Bell is positioned close to Lock 41 and provides a real treat, Blue Monkey's Chocolate Guerrilla Stout - yum. 

- Damp and dreary in Bromsgrove -

And so to Friday 18th June which had been reserved for some Malvern Hills mountaineering with Nick Turpin. Alas a broken down freight train meant Nick got marooned in Warwick and the weather had other ideas anyway - dull drizzly skies wouldn't have been much good for showcasing the Worcestershire Beacon or St Ann's Well. Flying solo, I change tack and bumble down to Bromsgrove using the extended suburban Cross City service, passing through the likes of Selly Oak, Kings Norton and Longbridge. 

- The Hanbury Turn -

Knowing from gnarled experience that Bromsgrove Station is some distance from the town centre, I decide to seek out Stoke Heath for a Black Country Ales port in the storm. The Hanbury Turn stands on a well-known junction where the road from Stoke Prior meets the A38; Hook Norton's Green Hop and a Milestone Honey Porter reward my persistence in trudging here. The rain if anything is getting worse so I call it quits over a Batham's Best Bitter at the Ladybird (Aston Fields), and the Rail Rover Resurrection is done and dusted for another year. Roll on the 2022 instalment!

The Chip Foundation Reunion

We have to go right back to February 2020 for the last time the Chip Foundation were able to stage one of our excursions, but fifteen months worth of Covid-induced hibernation are now about to end - hooray! Our much anticipated reunion trip is a gentle Black Country affair that takes us to Sedgley, Woodsetton and Bilston...

- Beacon Tower -

Wednesday 9th June 2021 and all the gang are here as we rendezvous at Wolverhampton railway station - Nick, Stephen, Ken, Mr Beardsmore Senior and yours truly. Not wishing to be overly ambitious, the plan is to revisit some favourite haunts we haven't been to for a while, so the number 1 bus brings us to the foot of Sedgley Beacon. Nick is chief navigator for our stroll over the hill, the clear skies allowing excellent views for miles around (Birmingham, Walsall, The Wrekin and Baggeridge included). A key feature is the Beacon Tower, said to have been built by Lord Wrottesley in 1846 and nowadays dwarfed by a transmission aerial. 

- Dark Ruby Delight -

We've timed our walk so as to arrive at the Beacon Hotel pretty much as soon as it opens, with the absolute classic brew that is Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild awaiting within. Sedgley's finest does not disappoint, getting Nick all nostalgic for his 'Woodcross Years' whereas Mr B Senior tries to confuse us by talking about characters in EastEnders. The snug with its William Morris-styled wallpaper remains a fine setting even in this era of social distancing, and our conversation otherwise randomly covers cricket, satirical cartoons, funerals and canal eels. 

- Turls Hill Road -

I'm in charge for our next segment of Black Country sightseeing whereby Turls Hill Road gets everyone's seal of approval in the greenery stakes. The two detached ends of the road are connected by a gravelly track that passes horse paddocks with hints of allotments. Emerging by the former Hurst Hill Tavern, we note the Coppice Baptist Chapel (built 1804) on Caddick Street - places such as Sedgley, Coseley and Gornal were a hotbed for non-Conformist denominations so this is just one of several such chapels in the wider area.

- The Cottage Spring -

Continuing along Brook Street, our Woodsetton whereabouts are put to good use with calls at both the Cottage Spring and the Park Inn. The former these days is a Black Country Ales establishment where we variously partake of Pig on the Wall, Hair of the Dog and Pheasantry Pale Ale, whereas the latter surely needs little introduction as my appreciation for the Holden's brewery tap is a matter of longstanding record. We are pleased to report that the Golden Glow is on top form as we collectively take a liking to some bright yellow beermats. Mr B Junior meanwhile confirms that Wolves have appointed Bruno Lage as the next manager at Molineux - fingers crossed for a very successful 2021/22 season...

- Deep Debate at The Trumpet -

The final stage of our agenda involves Bilston whereby we need to get a wriggle on if we're to make it to the Trumpet before late afternoon closing. The 229 route appears to be operating buses in tandem as we negotiate the after-school traffic through Coseley, and an array of nimble footwork ensures we make it to Musti's back yard with time to spare. Debate abounds when John conducts an experiment to see if it's easier to drink two separate halves quicker than a whole pint - we're not convinced his conclusions would be scientifically valid but his Glow certainly disappears more quickly than Nick's does!

- The all-important chip shot -

Having stoically put his jazz aversions aside in allowing our Trumpet interlude, Stephen's reward is our customary chip shop stop. Major's has a queue so we try Chaplin's Fish Bar opposite St Leonard's Church, the resultant meal getting the critical Beardsmore thumbs up. Perhaps unwisely, we then give John the task of picking our final boozer of the day, hence the Market Tavern is selected on the basis it sells John Smith's at £1.60 a pint. The bleach isn't too bad in fairness, and with that our reunion is complete and we respectively head home - hopefully it won't be another fifteen months until the occasion of our 64th Chronicles. Cheers!

Kendal Calling...

In these strange pandemic-afflicted times I've barely ventured out of the West Midlands over the last year (an occasional incursion into Staffordshire and Shropshire excepted), so actually going away somewhere on a family holiday would be a real novelty. Our Whitsun escape therefore sees us based in Kendal, a Cumbrian town that would prove perfect for exploring the Lake District...

- Kendal Market Place - 

Day One - Saturday 29th May: an early start from Wolverhampton sees the M6 taking the strain, the traffic being mercifully kind so the journey takes a shade under three hours. Settling into our cottage, we get some Kendal bearings thanks to the Market Place - where the coffee shops seem permanently popular - the Westmorland Shopping Centre and main streets such as Stricklandgate. An interesting feature of the town's historic development is the presence of numerous 'yards', old passages named after bygone residents, tradespeople and professions. A couple of River Kent walks are also part of our induction process.

- Abbot Hall Art Gallery -

Day Two - Sunday 30th May: another day dedicated to Kendal as we pick out more prime local landmarks, most notably the Abbot Hall Art Gallery next to the Parish Church; the gallery is situated within a Grade I listed Georgian house and showcases the work of artists including the portraitist George Romney. The County Hotel with the railway station opposite are other top targets, even if the station house is these days a medical practice and the platform is an unstaffed facility. Naturally enough, I'm beginning to discover Kendal's pubs too whereby the Rifleman's Arms (worth the steep climb up to Greenside) and the New Union both make excellent first impressions.

- Sizergh Castle -

Day Three - Monday 31st May: blessed with brilliant blue skies, we indulge in some wider sightseeing by visiting Sizergh Castle. The castle interior is out of bounds due to Covid but the grounds are a pleasure to wander around, with a kitchen garden, an orchard and a lilypad-covered mirror lake. The surrounding parkland offers plenty of scope for a stroll so we opt for the route to Helsington Church and back, meeting a flock of inquisitive cows along the way. Monday's Kendal pub discovery is the Castle Inn, a traditional Tetley's branded tavern on the Gooseholme side of the river - perhaps I'm a sucker for a proper fishtank!

- Hughie McIlmoyle's Statue -

Day Four - Tuesday 1st June: a special day in more ways than one, for not only is it my birthday but I'm treating myself to a Carlisle classic. The briefest of branch line rides conveys me to Oxenholme from whence I make my mainline connection, arriving at Cumbria's flagship city to be greeted by Thomas Telford's Citadel towers. Castle photographs then precede a call at Brunton Park, home ground to Carlisle United FC complete with statue of star Scottish striker Hughie McIlmoyle (he had a productive spell at Wolves too). An unusual aspect of the city's history is that Carlisle's pubs and breweries were state-owned from the First World War through to the early 1970s, an 'experiment' initially introduced to prevent drunkenness among munitions workers. Several local watering holes were improved under the direction of architect Harry Redfern, one such being the Cumberland Inn on Botchergate which gives me an intriguing heritage insight into the scheme.

- Coniston Launch -

Day Five - Wednesday 2nd June: from nationalised boozers to the National Trust as Wednesday culminates at Fell Foot, a country park with Gothic boathouses on the southern shores of Lake Windermere. Prior to that we'd sampled the spectacular scenery at both Keswick and Coniston, not to mention negotiating various twisty lanes guided by a sat nav that kept on losing its signal. Keswick's Moot Hall and Friar's Crag were standout features from my morning photography whereas my afternoon snaps focused on Coniston's Black Bull Hotel and the John Ruskin Museum, not forgetting the various bodies of water. 

- The Swan Inn, Ulverston -

Day Six - Thursday 3rd June: the only grey day of the entire holiday but I still put it to good use with a bus ride over to Ulverston, a town famous for being the birthplace of comedy legend Stan Laurel. The X6 route is my steed for the day, connecting Kendal with Barrow via Grange-over-Sands, and somehow the brooding slate skies seem well suited as a backdrop to Ulverston's Hoad Monument (resembling a lighthouse minus an actual light, it was built in tribute to the geographer and writer Sir John Barrow). The Ulverston Canal meanwhile is a mile-and-a-quarter long waterway stretching out towards Morecambe Bay; I simply have to investigate that, rewarding myself with a pint of Hawkshead's Windermere Pale Ale in the superb Swan Inn afterwards - arguably my favourite pub of the whole week. 

- Sedbergh School -

Day Seven - Friday 4th June: our final Cumbrian fling involves a saunter over to Sedbergh, a market town that falls within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Apart from the atmospheric Main Street, a defining item here has to be Sedbergh School as an independent boarding establishment founded in 1525; the cricket pitch alone is a picture postcard in the making, framed by craggy hills and fells. St Andrew's Parish Church likewise catches my eye, as does Morphet's Garage and a trio of coaching inns (Red Lion, Black Bull, Dalesman). We save our closing pints for when we're back in Kendal however, toasting our glorious getaway over a Swift Best at the Barrel House (Bowness Bay Brewery's on-site taphouse). All too soon our seven day stay has flown by but the holiday will live long in our memories - cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - May 2021

Even though the West Midlands Exploration photostream is an entirely online operation, it has nonetheless observed the social distancing 'rule of six' over recent weeks. This has meant that only a select sextet of my constituent collections have been attending to additions business of late - here's a quick summary...

Our most vocal May member is WME Wolverhampton which dominates proceedings on this occasion. West Park sparkles with springtime scenery whereas some Beatties lettering mournfully laments the loss of a renowned City Centre department store. The Stile at Whitmore Reans lends us a lantern snap, there are street sign snippets from Waterloo Road, Fold Street and Westland Avenue, and why not squeeze in some Birmingham Main Line canal locks for good measure - quite a lot to shout about there!

Also part of our small congregation is WME Staffordshire, concentrating most diligently on Wheaton Aston. The Hartley Arms and a traditional fingerpost both register here, making a change from my usual fixation on Turners Garage whenever village photos were previously in the offing. Elsewhere, the outskirts of Stafford speak to us of Walton on the Hill welcome signage and there's even a glimpse of Wildwood Gate. 

Next to declare their presence within the group is a joint delegation from Sandwell and Telford. WME Sandwell tantalises us with the Waterfall - a Holden's pub that's long been a personal favourite of mine - plus a Cape Hill chip shop (displaying Pepsi branding much to Mr D9's delight) and a West Bromwich carved lion figure. WME Telford meanwhile whispers about Wellington watering holes courtesy of the Park and the Captain Webb.

Finally, completing our collective we have a couple of shy wallflowers in the form of WME Walsall and WME Worcestershire. Walsall quietly ticks along with Kent Street and Whittimere Street signs whilst Worcestershire rustles up some bus stop art from the Winyates estate in Redditch before concluding matters at Wolverley Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal. Hopefully more of the other WME collections will be able to join the party in June but in the meantime enjoy the photos - cheers!