The Not Quite Hagley Day

Sometimes trips simply don't go to plan, no matter how much you try to make your intended itinerary happen. So it was that on Thursday 15th July the Chip Foundation's 'Helping of Hagley' became beset by train connection problems, although we did at least get to meet a local celebrity...

- The Birthday Boy -

Talking of celebrities, Mr Beardsmore Senior is probably more infamous as opposed to famous and the 15th July turns out to be his birthday - politeness restricts me from revealing his precise age but you used to be able to buy shellac records with a certain rpm, and it's a long time since he was 45! Our aim is to celebrate his special date by converging upon Hagley, only for a trespassing incident to have made a total mess of the morning train timetables. Our rendezvous location is therefore shifted to being Stourbridge Interchange where Nick arrives courtesy of the number 9 bus. 

- Bonded Warehouse Weighing Equipment -

With the gang all together, we decide to make the most of being in Stourbridge town centre. The High Street remains open to traffic even though social distancing barriers have widened the pavement areas, and it's nice to admire vintage shopfronts such as that for W H Peplow & Son Jewellers and Silversmiths. Our initial target is the Bonded Warehouse, terminal point for the Town Arm of the Stourbridge Canal; the warehouse is back in use as a prime meeting place while some of the moored narrowboats have Black Country flags fluttering about. In an unexpected overlap with last week's Smethwick outing, I'm intrigued to spot a weighbridge manufactured by Avery's - it can handle up to twenty tons.

- A brace of Beardsmores in the Old Wharf -

Our first drink of the day comes courtesy of the Old Wharf, situated just across the cobbles from the Bonded Warehouse. I'd never been in this one before, primarily because it spent many years virtually abandoned after the Moorings Tavern ceased trading, so to see it brought back to life with a smart refurbishment is a wonder in itself. Porthole mirrors and shaggy green bench drapes accompany us when raising a toast to Mr B Senior, although we resist the urge to light a bell jar candle in his honour. There are a handful of cask ales on dispense here, including the Exmoor Gold Nick and I sample, whereas Ken dabbles with a low alcohol lager.

- Not Pouring Boring -

For our second calling point we take a punt on a place we'd spotted on the Lower High Street earlier. I must admit I hadn't previously heard of 'Haul', a specialist beer emporium based within St Giles House that has recently been able to start operating its on-site taproom. Enticed by a little blackboard with a #NotPouringBoring tagline, we enter to discover an impressive bank of fridges displaying a wide array of craft cans and bottles - the graphic design work that goes into some of these containers is a triumph of the imagination! Mr B Senior puts his longing for John Smith's to one side in order to join Nick and yours truly on the Westmalle Trappist Dubbel (nice and dark) but the biggest shock is seeing Stephen trying a can of Implosion alcohol-free beer; at least the Kate Bush soundtrack helps him feel at home.

- Stephen Gets His Chips -

By this stage everyone is feeling peckish so we head to the nearest chip shop for the requisite sustenance. Stourbridge Fish Bar on Coventry Street does the trick and we munch our spoils over by the Duke William where a bench/subway perch gives us an uninterrupted view of the Ring Road (currently rating as #1 in our list of exotic lunchtime locations). Newly nourished, we press on along Church Street towards Red Hill, passing one side of the former Stourbridge Free Library and Technical Institute; this fine Edwardian edifice has terracotta detailing and was also used by the Stourbridge College of Art. 

- George (ignoring us completely!) -

Our attempts to get our Hagley intentions back on track take us next to Stourbridge Junction, where trains into Worcestershire are still subject to ongoing disruption. Cutting our losses, we have the consolation of seeing George, the ginger station cat who has developed something of a social media following. George can't really advise us about possible connections as he's too busy grooming himself on his crocheted mat in the ticket office, critical preparation I'm sure for any forthcoming stints of platform 'pawtrol'. Our brush with celebrity precedes a gentle wander into Oldswinford using the alleyway down by St Mary's Parish Church.

- Bathams Bitter in the Bird in Hand -

Following a nifty bout of sidestreet navigation, we reach an establishment that is increasingly becoming the firmest of WME favourites. The traditional Batham's ambience of the Bird in Hand is hard to beat, sitting in one corner of the bar discussing the merits or otherwise of the supposed 'Freedom Day' when remaining Covid restrictions are due to be lifted. Memories also surface of Black Wednesday in 1992, while Mr Beardsmore Senior recalls the hardships of his Portobello upbringing during the 1940s. The timeless classic brew that is Batham's Best Bitter is happily on hand to help lubricate such conversations. 

- The Seven Stars -

We may not have made it to Hagley but we can keep one element of the original plan, whereby the Seven Stars opposite Stourbridge Junction was always going to be on our agenda. Unanimous appreciation of spectacular stairwell tiling precedes us keeping a close watch on the live departures board in the front bar; blueberry-infused beer is enough to tantalise Nick while Mr B Snr descends a 'Slippery Slope' care of the Twisted Oak Brewery. The transport gods then throw us one final curveball, scuppering thoughts of a Lye nightcap when our train is instructed to run non-stop to Birmingham Snow Hill. We therefore pitch up at the Lost & Found where the opulent ex-bank interior comes with prices to match - poor Ken is certainly owed a drink or two on our future expeditions. Cheers!