WME Flickr Focus - February 2022

After a fairly fruitful February, the West Midlands Exploration grand photostream total now stands at a rather healthy 5,600 pictures - let's do a roll call of the latest images off the production line...

No gallery of mine has a more consistent conveyor belt than WME Wolverhampton but even this has managed to surpass itself in recent weeks when churning out Finchfield items by the dozen. I'll gloss over the usual raft of street signs (Limehurst Avenue, Meadow Road) to focus instead on the slightly more interesting new components - these include a Lidl supermarket, an 1875 chapel date inscription, some Coppice logs and several examples of springtime blossoms taken right across the locality. Cranford Road is the fulcrum of the pink-petalled parade there.

Finchfield has hogged proceedings to such an extent that not much else got anywhere near the controls, although Fordhouses did boost the WME Wolverhampton output further care of Oval Drive's neighbourhood park and Poets Corner lettering. Chapel Ash cranked in a couple more examples of avian art - the Frost Report sketch again - while Fareham Crescent manufactured its way onto the Merry Hill album as a general streetscape shot.

Productivity was notably down across all of my other galleries so you have to look very closely for any evidence of non-Wolverhampton stock. WME Birmingham slotted in an Erdington entry (the Swan pub) and a Fox Hollies Park fragment near Acocks Green whereas WME Dudley fastened onto the Foxyards Estate for a trio of DY4 street signs. WME Sandwell preferred to take a natural approach, escaping from the factory floor to see some of the animals at Forge Mill Farm (Sandwell Valley), leaving WME Telford to collect some canal content courtesy of Fishers Lock on the Newport Branch. With that it's time for me to clock off for the month but I'll be back hard at work in March I'm sure - cheers!

Look Out Leamington, Here Comes The Chip Foundation...

The Chip Foundation are a hardy bunch and we're not about to let a little bit of bad weather prevent us from attempting our first trip of 2022. Nick is ready and waiting to host a tour of Royal Leamington Spa's not-inconsiderable sporting pedigree so across to Warwickshire we go...

- Dr Henry Jephson -

Saturday 19th February is the agreed date for Episode 67 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles, and thankfully Storm Eunice has subsided after wreaking havoc across the country. Our 10:42 train from Wolverhampton is remarkably running to schedule given all the disruption, and we reach Leamington as planned on what is still a very wet morning. Rain or no rain, Nick leads us on a squelch through the Jephson Gardens so as to show us the Hitchman Fountain, the Glasshouse and a carved hedgehog. The park is named in tribute to the notable physician Dr Henry Jephson who promoted the health benefits of the local spa waters, hence his marble statue takes pride of place inside its own Corinthian-styled temple. 

- Drying out in the Builder's Arms -

Embracing his sporting theme with gusto, Nick guides us along Willes Road when pointing out blue plaque properties that were respectively home to the Renshaw Twins (pioneering tennis players) and the champion boxer Randolph Turpin. The deluge is catching up with us at this point so the shelter of a pub is much appreciated, hence we pitch into the Builders Arms on Lansdowne Street. Beardsmore Junior takes advantage of the cheap drinks deals in procuring discount pints of Guinness, Doom Bar and the requisite lemonade and blackcurrant; we then dry out over a discussion about Prince Andrew's out-of-court settlement, during which Mr B Senior declares that he wouldn't fork out for any Stephenish misdemeanours.

- Gathered in the Greyhound -

Luckily everyone is on their best behaviour as we relocate to our second watering hole merely a few yards along the same street. The Greyhound is a Craft Union establishment which is almost exclusively the preserve of middle-aged men - there's not a woman in sight! Most of the regulars are engrossed in the racing from Ascot so we take up a back bench beside an enlarged historic Ordnance Survey frieze. Conversation about tin mining prompts JB into a scathing assessment of Cornish beer, although I suspect the local ales down there have improved considerably since the days of Beardsmore yore. Elsewhere, Nick's hopes of an initial pub hat trick are thwarted by the Holly Bush being closed for refurbishment. 

- Lansdowne Circus -

The skies are promisingly clearing although there remain some ominous dark clouds hovering above Lansdowne Circus, an attractive pocket of townhouses arranged around a communal garden - the noted writer Nathaniel Hawthorne resided here once upon a time. Lunch comes courtesy of the Benjamin Satchwell Wetherspoons where a mysterious absence of Wiltshire ham almost brings about a mutiny. Stephen placates himself with a bowl of chips while Ken makes extensive use of the coffee machine. Nick and I keep the ale flag flying and confirm that the Byatt's XK Strong is drinking nicely as a beefed-up version of the brewery's Mild. 

- A Beacon For Bowls? -

Suitably nourished, we press on with Nick's afternoon agenda which requires a visit to lovely Victoria Park, flanking the far banks of the River Leam. The park grounds are home to the Royal Leamington Spa Bowls Club which proudly proclaims itself as the 'Home of Bowls' on account of holding the annual championships each year. There are five expertly-maintained competition greens which later this year will be a host venue for the Commonwealth Games. The whole site is overlooked by the Cricketers, a gem of a town pub complete with stained glass skylights and a bearded portrait of WG Grace. Timothy Taylor's Landlord seems to be the preferred tipple amongst our ensemble albeit I opt for Windmill Hill's 'The Chesterton', locally-brewed and most enjoyable as the football final scores filter in. 

- A Sense of Impending Doom (Bar) -

Having corroborated that Blues have drawn 2-2 at Stoke - a result Ken seems pleased about - we head into Old Town for Nick's final surprise of the day. Alas Apehangers Bar only opens for private functions so we are spared the novelty of walking through a Smeg fridge to gain entry; instead our fallback is the trusty Railway Inn on Clemens Street which is certainly getting into its Saturday evening stride (lively is an understatement). Finding a quieter corner, we partake of further Doom Bar and agree that the Chip Foundation ought to stage more Warwickshire adventures. The 18:15 train takes us home and that sirs rounds off a mighty fine day - cheers!

Shifnal, Evelith and Kemberton

Thus far in 2022 I've attempted to cover the breadth of the West Midlands by getting a trip for each area safely in the bank. We've already had Birmingham's craft breweries,  Solihull strangeness (care of Dickens Heath), Old Hill for the Sandwell component, a dose of Dudley's Priory Estate and a Coven Heath canal walk to sample Staffordshire. Outings involving Walsall and Warwickshire are in the pipeline for the not-too-distant future as well, so when a free Friday presents itself I seek out Shropshire inspiration...

- Shifnal Scenery -

Friday 11th February then and my idea involves partially recreating a walk Dad and I did over thirteen years ago. Shifnal will be my starting point once the 9:53 semi-fast Shrewsbury train has done its duty, and the town still tries to look enchanting despite the presence of roadworks digging up the street directly underneath the railway bridge. Architectural gems that sparkle in the sunshine include timber-framed treats either side of the Market Place (one such is home to Christopher's Restaurant), plus Idsall House and the Park House Hotel on Park Street.

- Two and three quarter miles to Kemberton -

Having harvested some initial Shifnal photographs, I commence the walk proper by following Park Lane out towards Grindle. The whole circuit is roughly six miles in total and should see me striding through the Salopian countryside if all goes to plan. It's certainly so far so good as I pass St Andrew's Primary School before Lodge Hill Farm heralds the transition from houses to fields. I can hear the occasional rat-a-tat-tatting from woodpeckers on the breeze as I peer amongst the hedgerows hoping for a brambly picture or two. The pavement runs out just prior to the Upton Lane junction but there's barely any traffic for me to be concerned about.

-  This way to Evelith -

Indeed, so quiet is the setting that I don't think I see another soul for the best part of an hour - it's just me, the winding lanes and a few bleating sheep as I really savour that rare sense of getting away from it all. Badger's Folly off Hinnington Road is my prompt to turn right and aim for Evelith, noting two more agricultural establishments (Evelith Manor Farm as operated by J. W Poole & Co, and Sunnyside Farm with its livery yard). I couldn't have asked for a nicer morning weather-wise, chilly yes but not too cold and with plenty of wintry brightness.

- Evelith Mill -

After about forty minutes of steady progress I reach the tiny hamlet of Evelith, comprising a handful of properties loosely dotted around the historic former watermill - this is said to date from the mid-19th century with round-arched windows and an associated cart shed, albeit the waterwheel itself is no longer in situ. Next door is the red brick grandeur of Evelith Mill House, also 19th century in origin with both buildings having been awarded Grade II listed status. The Wesley Brook runs close by and I'm intending to chart a little of its course later on.   

- A Scattering of Snowdrops -

For now though I'll simply carry on along the lane another mile (give or take) in order to reach Kemberton, a more substantial settlement compared to Evelith although by no means a big place; at the time of the 2011 Census it had just shy of 250 inhabitants. Notable amenities include a riding school, the village hall - complete with a ceramic map designed to mark the millennium - and St Andrew's Parish Church, whereby it's at the latter that I enjoy a few moments of quiet reflection whilst surveying pretty snowdrops in the churchyard.  

- The Masons Arms -

My walk has reached the halfway point so it seems wise to pause for refreshment, and where better to do this than at the Masons Arms. I'm not all that far from Telford territory here but thankfully the industrial estates of Halesfield don't encroach enough to interrupt the lovely pastoral views from the pub's front (or is it back?) porch - the building seemingly prefers to face the fields rather than looking out over the lane to Madeley. Anyway, an Alexa-selected array of modern pop tunes provides the background noise to an average pint of Wye Valley HPA - the surroundings score highly, the music and the beer less so. 

- St Andrew's, Shifnal -

Retracing my footsteps back to Evelith Mill as promised, I pick up the path alongside the Wesley Brook, a watercourse which flows through the millpond and acts as a tributary of the River Worfe. Although the brook trickles all the way through to Shifnal, my walking instructions require me to detour via the edges of a whiffy sewage farm and then utilise the driveway of the Manor Barns complex. I emerge onto the A4169 easily enough from whence it's a short distance up to Church Street so that I can admire the second St Andrew's of the day. 

- Kings Yard Micropub -

The walk has gone well and I've left myself a couple of hours to play with prior to my next train connection - how's about some well-earned ales? The Crown is a very good choice, no longer owned by Wood's Brewery but nevertheless serving up a quality glass of Backyard Blonde. I'd normally claim to be very familiar with Shifnal's pint possibilities but a new arrival has totally evaded the WME radar, meaning the Kings Yard micropub takes me completely by surprise. Nestled between two takeaways, it's a great addition to the town's taverns and the Titanic Cherry Dark is bordering on the exceptional. Burslem's finest are similarly represented at the Anvil so I finish on a cracking Chocolate & Vanilla Stout, munch a tasty Pork & Stilton pie and catch the 16:07 departure home. Shropshire sorted, bring on the next adventure!

What The Dickens (Heath)?!

Sometimes the places I visit can be much of a muchness and then occasionally I'll pitch up somewhere that really stands out. Dickens Heath certainly slots into the latter bracket and is possibly the oddest West Midlands locality I've ever come across...

- A Whitlocks End Starter -

It's Saturday 5th February 2022 as I aim for one of the farther flung West Midlands outposts (well it is when you're starting out from Wolverhampton at any rate). The Stratford train from Smethwick Galton Bridge does the trick, reminding me of the joys of Spring Road, Hall Green and Yardley Wood. My alighting point however is Whitlocks End, awash with a mass of pale terracotta railings and reserved car parking spaces. The station is a fairly ordinary halt named after the nearby hamlet but has gained added prominence since becoming a terminus location for suburban services that used to turn back at Shirley. 

- Highgate United FC -

Whitlocks End is the closest station to Dickens Heath and it doesn't take long for Tythe Barn Lane to lead me towards the edges of the village. The area seems to be a footballing hotbed with at least three clubs in the vicinity (Shirley Town, Leafield Athletic and Highgate United) - you won't be stuck for something to watch on a Saturday here, that's for sure. Three Acres Lane hosts the local primary school, operational since 2002 although the building has been designed to look much older. Indeed, there is an element of fantasy to much of the village architecture as if you've stepped onto the pages of a showroom catalogue.

- Dickens Heath Clock -

Dickens Heath was first conceived in the late 1980s as part of Solihull Council's requirement to build over 8,000 new homes, construction subsequently commencing from the mid-1990s onwards. The resulting layout is distinctive with examples of angular roundabouts like the one upon which the village clock is perched. Rumbush Lane snakes through some of the housing before burrowing off towards Forshaw Heath and Earlswood, but I keep my eyes peeled for the Customs House as the frontispiece of an almost-continental canalside piazza. Darlings of Chelsea seem to be the prestigious anchor tenant amongst a clutch of high-end retail spaces that together overlook the pontooned square.

- View from Waters Edge -

With numerous fancy apartments and a cascading staircase of a water feature completing the scene, it's fair to say this is an incongruous sight compared to what I'm used to elsewhere in the West Midlands. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal probably minded its own business for the best part of 200 years until this development landed on its doorstep, and a modern footbridge (No. 14) is my means of accessing the towpath. I'll be doing a longer canal walk later so my initial focus is on the short stretch to Bridge 15 for Braggs Farm Lane, last visited on my Earlswood Excursion of June 2016. 

- Concerned Cattle? -

The higgledy-piggledy barns of Bragg's Farm have their own rustic charm as I unwittingly become embroiled in a staring contest with two of the resident cows - they naturally won! Leaving them to their hay-munching lunch, I proceed along the lane and back around into Dickens Heath Village Centre passing Tesco Express and a shard-like war memorial. In my humble opinion, the most impressive central feature has to be Dickens Heath's branch library, a facility which first opened in October 2004 and is based in a dramatic Italianate tower. The library faces one end of Main Street whereupon you will find coffee shops, boutique salons and fitness gyms, not to mention a watering hole or three... 

- The Ale Hub -

Morton's Kitchen and the Moss Sports Bar & Grill no doubt have their merits but I'm solely focused upon the Ale Hub, a micropub that is part of the same small chain as the Shirley specimen Nick and I sampled last October. A colourful chalkboard outside promotes various events and special offers whilst indoors there are stencilled decorations encouraging folks to 'Keep Calm and Drink Gin'. I'm more interested in the cask ales myself of course and can happily report that I'm well catered for. My opening pint of Bewdley Brewery's Jubilee Ale - commemorating the Severn Valley Railway's Golden Jubilee in 2015 - is very tasty indeed so it's imperative I stay for a follow-up glass of Orkney's Northern Light Blonde (also excellent). 

- Shirley Drawbridge -

Duly refreshed, I switch my gaze once more to the Stratford Canal only this time walking in a  north-westerly fashion to reach Majors Green. Bridge 9 at Haslucks Green Road tells me I'm not far away and sure enough I soon see the familiar sight of Shirley Drawbridge (No. 8) in its fully lowered position. In times gone by the bridge would have been hoisted using a winch mechanism but nowadays it is button-operated using the panel beside the towpath. Sadly there aren't any boats on hand to perform a live demonstration so I nip into the namesake Drawbridge pub for an update on the Kidderminster vs West Ham FA Cup tie.

- Wake Green Amateur Football Club -

My stay at the Drawbridge is relatively short and sweet albeit long enough to account for a Greene King IPA and to note an irritating tendency for blocking off reserved tables hours in advance of their bookings. Across the road from the pub, Wake Green Amateurs are in the final warm-up stages preceding their afternoon fixture at The Holloway. As much as I'd like to, I can't stay for the action as I need to head homeward. A final Stratford Canal segment thus conveys me to Solihull Lodge so that Baldwin's Lane can see me safely aboard the 5. Decent progress is made through the typically traffic-clogged streets of Sparkhill and Sparkbrook, then a sprint through the Bull Ring gets me breathlessly onto my train. Cheers!

Two More From January...

As the closing credits roll on January's explorational exploits I realise I've completed another two trips since my River Rea Ramble post. In order to bring things up to date, here are a few Old Hill observations followed by Coven Heath contemplations...

- Uncle B at Haden Hill -

The first untold trip takes place on Saturday 22nd January and sees me undertaking a circular walk from Cradley Heath. The industrial surroundings of Woods Lane and Portersfield Road get me started, then I head across to Haden Hill by way of Barrs Road. Valley Road shops include the Timbertree Neighbourhood Nursery (adorned with educational characters on its mechanical shutters) before Haden Hill Park gives an excuse to reacquaint myself with 'Uncle B' the Big Sleuth bear - his quote of the day is "just remember life is tuff".

- Spring Meadow Signage -

Wrights Lane echoes to the thwack of morning hockey practice from the Ormiston Forge Academy and Halesowen Road does its best to entice in the Saturday shoppers. The bells of Holy Trinity bong for midday in telling me that the Spring Meadow should be open - the pub has bounced back impressively after suffering severe fire damage a few years ago. A 2021 refurbishment has created a most inviting interior with dainty teacup candle holders on each table and fabric bunting strung from the curtain rails; my ale choice is Hobgoblin IPA , a quality pint as the barmaid sorts out her lottery numbers. I like it here!

- A Wheelie Thirsty Haul -

A tandem of Fixed Wheel outlets will crown my Saturday shenanigans, so whilst in Old Hill it is essential for me to revisit the Wheelie Thirsty micropub. You can't knock Black Country value of pint, cob and crisps for £5.50 - in this case the beer is 'Golden Bicycle' (rather punchy at 4.6% abv) albeit I was always going to succumb to the Blackheath Stout sooner or later. Fixed Wheel's newest enterprise is the Handle Bar on Cradley Heath High Street hence I make my way there via Lawrence Lane and partake of an 'Alright Bab' Mild - bostin' stuff! The brewery seems to be going from strength to strength and I rate both establishments very highly.

- Church on the Common, Coven Heath -

The second trip I haven't yet told you about is a gentle waterways wander from Friday 28th January. Joining the Staffs & Worcs at Compton Lock, I steadily count down a whole host of familiar locations (Tettenhall Old Bridge, Aldersley Junction, Autherley Junction, Marsh Lane) to reach the fringes of Jaguar Land Rover at i54. A rocky outcrop means the canal narrows noticeably either side of Forster Bridge while the passage beneath the M54 boasts some subversive street art. I'm pleased to see Coven Heath again, the hamlet being host to a handful of mobile home parks, some community allotments and a former Mission Church which is now used as a private dwelling.

- Cross Green Bridge -

A further gander along Ball Lane reveals little more than a sewage treatment plant, the odours from which soon encourage me to rejoin the towpath. Brinsford Bridge isn't far away, carrying the busy A449 overhead, and beyond that is the small settlement of Cross Green huddled around the junction of Dark Lane, Brewood Road and the Old Stafford Road. Cross Green Bridge itself is rippled with shadows dancing across the centuries-old brickwork whilst the Anchor pub offers a warm welcome to anyone with muddy boots (or indeed muddy paws). Footwear-wise I've avoided too much of a spattering but I pop inside anyway for a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord and a luxurious sit down in a very comfy leather armchair. 

- Golden Glow at the Golf Club -

Casually glancing through the Whatpub listings, I happen to notice that the Three Hammers Golf Club is showing as serving real ale. Naturally I decide to investigate and am rewarded with a Golden Glow from the bistro bar, albeit I sit outside - yes, in January! - so as to dodge the lunchtime dining rush. The wider golfing complex here was established in 1965 with an 18 hole course designed by Sir Henry Cotton, while the driving range certainly seems popular. Back on the canal, I proceed to Slade Heath where an ugly green service pipe blights what might otherwise be quite an attractive scene flanked by a whitewashed wharf cottage.

- A Keg & Comfort Conclusion -

From Slade Heath I negotiate bumpy grass verges past Standeford Mill to pitch up at the Harrows, a roadside A449 inn that has fallen victim to the craze for grey paintwork. Thankfully Titanic's Cappuccino Stout distracts me from the dusky decor although the gents toilets look like somebody let Heath Robinson loose in an air raid shelter. With a 5pm Oxley finale in mind, I return to Wolverhampton territory for a nostalgic loop around childhood Bee Lane and Rakegate haunts. The Keg & Comfort micropub is then on hand at the allotted hour to round the day off over a Korvak's Conquest (Fownes Brewery). Based in a former branch of Barclay's Bank, the pub plugs a hole where other establishments have closed and I have to say I'm impressed by their homely approach, including a gallery of canine visitors. Cheers!