Mr D9's January Jumble

If at first you don't succeed... rearrange your Hub Marketing plans! After the snows of Storm Goretti forced the postponement of our originally intended meeting on Friday 9th January, Board members soon sorted out an alternative slot in order to stage their first trip of 2026. Wednesday 14th January will be the day in question with the backstreets of Wolverhampton nominated as our pubcrawl destination...

- Not the Chairman (or so he says) -

Happy New Hub Marketing Year! We begin our tale with the Secretary meeting another noted accomplice (namely Mr Beardsmore) for lunch at Tunwall's, a cafe housed in the former Lindy Lou shop on Wolverhampton's Victoria Street. This beguiling building should be very familiar to generations of Wulfrunians, and it's lovely to sit upstairs tucking into sausages, beans and chips among the carved beams. Embroidered Wolves-head seats and a gallery of manga-like sketches add extra curiosity value while one of the rooms has become the new home of the Stay Loose record shop, creating a community hub all under one rather historic roof. Chapel Ash then supplies seasonal street art in the form of the Grinch and a warmly-attired Snoopy.

- This is the Chairman, pondering PACK -

The main Hub Marketing action commences after 4pm, whereby Messrs D9 and WME intend on converging at PACK on Queen Square. This new pub venture stands for Perfect Ale Cask & Keg and launched to much acclaim last November. Based in a disused KFC store - or for older residents the former Mike Lloyd Music shop - it boasts an extensive range of up to 27 beers, while having an interesting collection of steampunk artefacts and fearsome handheld drills dotted about. The Secretary arrives first, furnishes himself with a pint of Bristol Beer Factory's excellent Espresso Martini Stout and explores more of the interior, including a first floor area displaying reclaimed pub signs. The Chairman maintains hub decorum by turning up fashionably late but soon settles in with his glass of Tiny Rebel's Cwtch Welsh Red Ale.

- Jacks Cafe & Bar -

PACK certainly made a positive impression there and it's highly likely we'll stage more visits in future. For now though the backstreets beckon, with the Secretary's nose for a surprise taking us beyond the St John's Retail Park to Frederick Street, Just along from the ex-Star Works car factory (latterly KK's Steel Mill venue for live rock music) is Jacks Cafe & Bar, itself situated in premises that could best be described as industrial. The corrugated beige frontage belies a comfortable interior that majors on food with Indian leanings; they open early for breakfast orders before curries take over in the afternoon and evenings. We call in for a Carling each, sitting by the pool table and revealing more of the treasured 2026 Hub Calendar - Ashmore Park bald spots and Penn Hospital battered sausages may feature heavily!

- Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III's Review of 2025 -

Where next? Well, a little sidestreet shimmy brings us swiftly to Graiseley Row where the Kaz Bar awaits amongst rudimentary workshops and engineering firms. Smoke from a major fire in nearby Blakenhall pervades the air as we check out what used to be the Queens Arms, which hosted CAMRA meetings back in the early days of the Wolverhampton branch (a certain HRH possibly attended some of those). Lager is the go-to drink here these days and despite a few detectable Bollywood trappings, it's nevertheless easy to envisage this being a proper boozer brimming with a simple traditional feel. As such, esteemed Hub Founder Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III grants us with his presence to deliver his 2025 Review of the Year speech, in between bouts of snoring and dozing off. He only gets exhumed for special occasions!

- Smiling Secretary Going Golden -

The Secretary's sleeves are proving productive this evening and he's got another gem lined up tucked away off Lea Road. The Oaklands Bowling & Social Club originated in 1904 and had croquet as part of its remit, although I can't imagine Wolverhampton being a hotbed for that anymore. Latterly the clubhouse premises has operated as the Golden Bar & Grill, making it another curry contender very much in keeping with our theme for the evening. Mr D9 drools upon seeing a vintage green Banks's sign and is delighted once we get inside to sample yet more Carling, sitting below large screens showing the Masters snooker and noting some sparkle from leftover festive tinsel. The extended process of calendar unveiling is finally completed with pictures representing Birmingham reindeer and Telford estate pubs.

- D9 Drives Home -

After going Golden, we relocate to the Bruford Arms in Penn Fields which last received a Hub Marketing visit on our Pintathlon outing during the 2012 Olympics. A mere thirteen and a half years later, we're belatedly back again so that Charles Pemberton Rowbottom can declare the 2026 Hub Awards: Pub of the Year was Penn's Fox & Goose, the Dive could only ever be the Mallard at Brookside, and the Cafe of the Year was a close call between Penny's, the Coffee Pot and the New Stadium greasy spoon at Longford (the Bradmore option just about edged it). With all formalities duly administered, we leave CPR to soak up the Bruford's musty ambiance and catch the 2 into town care of some D9 driving - he's lost none of his steering skill has the Chairman although the bald spot was gleaming at times. A closing nightcap at the Mountain Bar & Grill on Queen Street seals the deal and we're underway for another year. Cheers!

Cultural Cogitations in the Second City

For my first full outing of 2026, I find myself bound for Birmingham to catch up with Bookworm Bygrave ready to immerse ourselves in the city's cultural highlights. There might be reindeer, there might be exhibitions, there might even be dipping gravy...

- Rudolph's Remarkable Glittery Nose -

Trip Log: Saturday 3rd January 2026 whereby overnight snow to the west of Wolverhampton has us changing tack from our original Telford intentions. A Birmingham rendezvous sounds sensible, especially if there's scope to visit a couple of Second City attractions I'd not covered previously, so we arrange to meet by the Bull Ring bull statue just after 11 o'clock. The first bit of business on our revised itinerary is to seek out the remaining reindeer sculptures we hadn't hitherto accounted for, even if this does mean me having to brave department stores and busy shopping malls. I might not be in my natural environment but the enduring of escalators does pay off when we track down Rudolph inside Selfridges, complete with a very sparkly snout.

- The Bookworm meets Blitzen -

In fairness, Selfridges does have other compensations thanks to the presence of Build a Bear mascots, Paddington's marmalade sandwiches bench and a giant yellow helper gnome called Gordon (possibly the most popular member of the store's workforce). Chai latte tea is a frothily fun novelty when we partake of cake at the Medicine Bakery concession - my Pistachio Rocky Road slice doesn't skimp as regards chewy marshmallow pieces - and it's lovely listening in as Emily recounts details of spending New Year with her family. Next up come the slightly less prestigious surroundings of Primark where Blitzen takes some finding, requiring a mooch past a Disney Cafe and up onto the top floor. A superhero look to this design includes a lightning bolt while the trail once again looks to raise awareness for the Children's Hospital Charity.

- New Nativity at St Philip's Cathedral -

With an admiring nod to Vixen as sited within the Burlington Arcade, we progress to St Philip's Cathedral where I'm trying to remember if I've ever fully set foot inside it before. We're initially lured in by a lobby Christmas tree adorned with paper-like peace doves, then the spectacle of the full interior takes over. Whilst it may lack the medieval majesty and sheer size of Hereford or Gloucester's equivalents, this is a special space purpose-built in the English Baroque style. Four stained glass windows designed by the emiment Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones are nothing short of magnificent while the resident organ boasts a variety of knobs to control the swell, pedal and choir settings. We're particuarly drawn to the New Nativity figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the Shepherds as crafted by Melanie Tomlinson; they've been freshly installed for the current festive season, reinforcing a true sense of Christmas.

- Ozzy Osbourne Exhibition Entrance -

After a curiosity-curing call at the Arcade Bar (a place dominated by immersive Formula One racing simulations with a full-sized car suspended from the ceiling), we continue our cultural remit care of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery off Chamberlain Square. Having first opened in 1885 thanks to donations from the Tangye family of industrialists, the gallery complex offers an insightful peek into the city's history as well as housing world-renowned collections. We weave up an entrance staircase studded with mosaic inserts to reach the Round Room - currently featuring 'One Fresh Take' to give a sense of how art allows us to view the world differently - and then explore the tribute exhibition to Ozzy Osbourne. This is a fascinating retrospective on the musician's career, with gig photos, framed platinum discs and chosen quotations from a man who merely saw himself as an ordinary guy from Aston.

- Seeking the Staffordshire Hoard -

'Ozzy Osbourne; Working Class Hero' generated such public interest that it was extended by more than three months, although the display is due to close on Sunday 18th January. Two of the gallery's other big draws also require our attentions, namely the Pre-Raphaelite Collection and the Staffordshire Hoard. The former contains captivating works by the likes of Ford Madox Brown, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the aforementioned Burne-Jones then the latter presents astounding historical artefacts as found in a field near Hammerwich back in the summer of 2009. To see some of the craftsmanship up close is a real thrill, and we are both genuinely amazed at the level of skill involved in producing exquisite gold, silver and other precious items using Anglo Saxon technology mostly dating from the 7th century. I'm debating whether Emily would be well suited to a gilded bristled helmet with swords!

- Several Queens Victoria -

Elsewhere, we ponder intricate buttons and a recreated 1930s kitchen among the History of Birmingham displays, and reflect on the contentious nature of some of the Elephant Room's objects, whether these be taxidermy of rare birds or items plundered under the darker aspects of the British Empire. The Made in Birmingham area is fun, presenting a greasy spoon menu peg board and an A-Z of local connections - I especially approve of 'C is for Cob', quite right! The splendour of the Edwardian Tearoom is an ideal setting for a relaxing hot chocolate as we commandeer a stately sofa and chat about all that we've seen. A quintet of replica statues of Queen Victoria in Britannia-styled helmets stands on the mezzanine level having originally been conceived for the Birmingham 2022 Festival alongside the Commonwealth Games.

- The Bookworm Gets Schlossed -

All these cultural contemplations do help you to work up a thirst so Albert's Schloss is happily on hand nearby for a sophisticated take on an Alpine-themed bar. Fireboxes, live music and hints of continental style add to the flavour while the beer options are very tempting, resulting in me dabbling in a dark Dunkel brew courtesy of Erdinger. Birmingham is busying up with its famed Saturday nightlife as we progress to Brindley Place for the Cosy Club, savouring a relaxed meal of Smash Burgers or Cod in a creamy caper sauce - I declare myself rather partial to the idea of dipping gravy whereas Emily approves of her chunky chips. News that Wolves have remarkably beaten West Ham 3-0 for their long-awaited first win of the season filters though, prompting a closing Craven Arms celebration over a glass of Monty's Mischief. We chat pubcrawls with friendly folks at an adjacent table then reluctantly catch our trains home. Whether in sunshine or snow, Birmingham makes for magical memories. Cheers!

The Snowman Trail at Baddesley Clinton

Baddesley Clinton is a preserved medieval moated manor house that was the historic home of the Ferrers family for over 500 years, acting as a sanctuary for persecuted Catholics in the process. Now operating under the careful stewardship of the National Trust, it is currently playing host to a dozen sculptures based upon the much-loved Snowman character from the Raymond Briggs storybooks, each representing one of the Twelve Days of Christmas...

- Comet -

Trip Log: Tuesday 30th December 2025 whereby the 09:48 stopper train gets me over to New Street so that I can briefly brave the mayhem of Birmingham's Bull Ring. The Second City of course is still amidst its own festive public art trail with reindeer at various central locations. I’ve chipped away at them almost incidentally this year but I’m pleased to claim Comet to flesh out my collection - candy cane antlers and an “I wish it could be Christmas everyday” collar inscription are the standout aspects of this design along with holly leaves, blushing pink cheeks and a big bold red nose. At least I'm spared the perils of any shopping sales!

- A Memorable Moated Entrance -

Proceeding to Olton, I meet Bookworm Bygrave for the onward journey beyond Knowle into Warwickshire. Emily used to work at both Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House so knows these properties very well, with the Baddesley volunteers advising of just how busy it's been for them with the Snowman Trail proving a real hit with visitors. Tickets for the guided house tours have already sold out so we'll be concentrating on Snowman-spotting, but there's much to admire aesthetically walking around the perimeter of the moat. It is thought that the manor here may have originated in the 13th century, and one notorious owner was Nicholas Brome who murdered the parish priest (possibly on this very site) and thus had to rebuild the nearby church as penance for his sins. The Ferrers family were resident here for centuries, actively sheltering Catholic priests, and the property continued to be altered through into the 1940s.

- Two Turtle Doves -

To the trail then and we'll follow the sequence of the famous Christmas carol, taking each representation of a bestowed gift in turn. This therefore means starting with 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree' on the cobbled courtyard with its presentation of a dusky blue shell populated by pear branches and a ribbon of verse. 'Two Turtle Doves' is off to the right across a field track and displays a cute courtship theme, prominently showing the titular birds but also making room for swimming turtles and lots of leafage. Backtracking slightly towards the moat, I must declare a particular soft spot for 'Three French Hens' with its Pop Art take on beret-wearing chickens with added reference to the colours of France’s tricolore flag, mais oui!

- Five Gold Rings -

The next batch of sculptures form a well-spaced sequence around the edges of the moat, allowing for excellent views of the house’s architectural mix of medieval and Tudor elements. 'Four Calling Birds' has an autumnal palette of oranges and browns, inspired by floral folk art patterns all topped off with a red scarf and a sense of crunchy leaf fall. At the far right corner of the grounds we discover 'Five Gold Rings', complete with gleaming bands cascading down the design like interlocking hula hoops. In between the rings themselves are colourful patches of wrapping paper-styled stripes and swirls, as if the whole sculpture is a mysterious present part-way through being revealed.

- Ten Lords A Leaping -

Flanking the rear of the property is 'Six Geese A Laying', with nests for its feet and a clutch of newly-deposited eggs on show; 'Seven Swans A Swimming' meanwhile occupies a shadowy corner beneath overhanging trees from whence it portrays an icy pool - Emily loves the way the paint has been allowed to dribble down randomly towards the bottom of the sculpture. 'Eight Maids A Milking' is a blue and white homage to Dutch milkmaids whereas 'Nine Ladies Dancing' has us venturing into the walled garden amongst netting-covered cabbages; this creation boasts a a winter wonderland mountainscape populated by fir trees and musical notation. All of which brings us to another of my personal favourites, 'Ten Lords A Leaping' containing fictional peers from the House of Lords jumping around in their ermine robes.

- Twelve Drummers Drumming -

Two more to go and 'Eleven Pipers Piping' has been positioned inside a corner gazebo, thus making it slightly more secluded in terms of getting selfies. A green hat on top then blends into magical skies as Santa’s sleigh glides past in silhouette, and a scattered ensemble of bagpipe players feature front and rear. Last but not least is 'Twelve Drummers Drumming' as perched atop a slightly raised garden wall next to where the Purple Haze former Dahlia border used to grow. A golden brown gingerbread hue is detectable to the front with a marching band ring of tiny mice drummers on the back - we like it!

- Cake!!! -

We may have completed the trail but there's yet more to see as part of Baddesley Clinton's general attractions. A rummage around the bookshop is definitely on the cards even though nothing much takes Emily’s fancy - we may have to withdraw her Bookworm moniker if this shocking trend continues - whereas there’s temptation to be had in the Barn Restaurant care of restorative mugs of hot chocolate and an indulgent slice of cake apiece. Miss Bygrave opts for a sticky flapjack square and I can’t resist the Black Forest traybake, dotted with squishy glace cherries and a nice thwack of cocoa, all topped with chocolate shavings

- Four Calling Birds -

After a final few Snowman snapshots as we make our exit, we head off for an evening of Barrel Store quizzing in Birmingham (via a relaxing drink at Knowle's Ale Rooms en route). Attic Brewery's outlet in the railway arches under Snow Hill station has become an adopted haunt in recent months, and we're delighted that Zoe and Mike are joining us to bolster our trivia prowess as well as indulging in the on-site Deathrow Pizza possibilities - you effectively build your own from a checklist of available toppings and sauces. As for the quiz, it's a close run thing but Team Hoppy To Beer Here edge to victory by one point, aided by knowledge about John Cena, Oscar winning movies and Prunella Scales. What a way to finish 2025!

WME Review of the Year - 2025

Happy New Year everyone, and as the celebratory bongs of Big Ben and the strains of Auld Lang Syne start to dissipate, I'll swoop in with my statutory retrospective piece reflecting on the twelve months just gone. On a personal and explorational level there was much to enjoy over the course of 2025...

January: Hanley was the headliner as the year commenced with a chilly checking of the Caldon Canal, tiptoeing along the frozen towpath via Bedford Street Locks and the Ivy House Lift Bridge. The pubs were worth enduring the cold, especially the chance to revisit both the Golden Cup and the Coachmakers Arms, although the remnants of industrial history live long in my mind too. In other wintry news, Stephen and I were on the lookout for reindeer in Harborne (with a guest appearance from Paddington Bear), then the Chip Foundation were likewise on the Birmingham beat taking a fancy to Flight Club's carousel horses. Still with the Second City, HRH and Mr D9 joined forces in the Jewellery Quarter, investigating the Indian Brewery before playing Connect 4 in the Barrel Store, and there was time enough for Jane and I to indulge in 'Black Country tapas' over in Brierley Hill - the Delph and the Waterfront were the stand-out locations that day.

February: two Shropshire snoopings register strongly for February, with Miss Woolf again featuring for the National Trust nugget that is Attingham Park; it was fascinating to peruse the stately rooms, gaining a sense of life above and below stairs while the beer in the Mytton & Mermaid was worthy of note too. That was followed by a special afternoon in Shrewsbury, ticking off a few of Abbey Foregate's old alehouses as well as the White Horse for a jovial slice of Joules hospitality. Attingham was not the only heritage location to be covered during the shortest month for Stephen and I had the pleasure of bounding around Boscobel and White Ladies Priory, Mr Beardsmore recreating his Friar Tuck role from his brief acting career...

March: into March and the memorable combination of Jane, Nick, the Bartons Arms and Digbeth takes some beating. Spectacular terracotta and tiling is one thing but the sight of a Woolf wielding a bowling ball with menaces is difficult to forget! My yearly Saturday in Stafford yielded a Tixall Road tickle, culminating in the Knot & Plough and a couple of Black Country Ales outlets - I was attempting their trail at the time, a challenge that also took me and Dad over to Shifnal and Albrighton for the likes of the Anvil or the Harp Hotel. The Hub Marketing Board visited the old Paul patch of North Wolverhampton where the Chairman threatened to drive a JCB digger instead of his normal bus, whereas the Chip Foundation encountered extortionate prices along Birmingham's Broad Street. Away from the pubs, Pelsall gained a Stephen stroll mingling North Common footpaths and canal content, then Jane traded ten pin tendencies for putting prowess (or lack thereof) at Perton's Dinosaur Golf where yours truly nailed a stunning hole-in-one.

April: a trip full of the joys of spring saw me Shropshire-bound for Market Drayton, admiring St Mary's Church and the Berrisford Aqueduct among other things, the Salopian Star being one of my favourite finds of the year (helped by the presence of New Brew's Plum Porter). Jane and I were in tandem when the Black Country Ales tour took us to Halesowen while the Chip Foundation staged our now-seminal Black Country Classics afternoon, returning to both the Beacon Hotel and the Trumpet in marking the anniversary of Nick's retirement. April heralded the start of another County Cricket season with one of Warwickshire's early fixtures being a Durham clash away at Chester-le-Street; Stephen and I were there to witness an excellent if nailbiting victory on a week when the weather and ice cream gods smiled very kindly on us.

May: the Bears on Tour bandwagon extended to three days in Worcester, catching up with Dave and Denise only for pesky rain to deprive us of a likely win. Bookworm Bygrave was on hand to introduce me to Birmingham Botanical Gardens which looked utterly gorgeous when in full bloom, and the Hub Marketing Board availed themselves of Aston during a North Brum extravaganza that tasted Tyburn and bothered Boldmere. Two Warwickshire wanderings merit a mention, Nick's local expertise coming to the fore with a Slaughterhouse tap surprise in the county town before my Birthday Bash in Chip Foundation company covered the realms of Rugby, educating ourselves on the origins of the oval-balled sport. 

June: summer comes a-calling courtesy of a Rail Rover centrepiece, most notably including Ledbury (where HRH dutifully adores the Prince of Wales, he likes to be on brand), Knighton (a magical morsel from the Heart of Wales Line), and Chester. Emily brings the excitement of Moseley Old Hall - I need to improve my quoits technique - and Knowle Locks whereas Jane had to cope with gushings of Gornal but got to sample some rather nice ciders. Cricketing matters mean Stephen and I base ourselves in genteel Worthing whilst Warwickshire take on Sussex at Hove; the match largely peters out to end as a tame draw but the presence of Mr Whippy's 99 flakes was much appreciated in the scorching sunshine. 

July: Chairman D9 and Secretary WME work through a variety of evening engagements - the Penn Road Push, Conquering Castlecroft, the Wednesfield Workout - with the latter adding a soupcon of Ashmore Park into the mix. Birmingham becomes beset by bull sculptures so Emily and I make the acquaintance of 'Cadbully', resembling a partially unwrapped bar of Dairy Milk chocolate although I might gloss over my darting performance at Flight Club. A Saturday Solo around Stourbridge scores well, gaining the Glassboys Bar as a new haunt, but it's the wonders of Wales that shine through the most. The Low Hill Community Coach jolly to Rhyl was great, bringing the sights and sounds of the seaside, and how can I overlook that wonderful weekend in Aberystwyth with Miss Woolf. Green cocktails, playing pool (badly) on the pier, tentative paddling and castle ruins - those few days had it all!

August: pride of place goes to Packwood here, with the exquisite house interior largely being down to the efforts of the industrialist Graham Baron Ash. Emily and I enjoy exploring the wider grounds too, especially the Hungry Caterpillar-themed characters in the Kitchen Garden; the Bookworm had also demonstrated her bibliophile habits during an earlier bimble around Bridgnorth, pausing for pizza in the Bassa Villa. It was the Chip Foundations's turn to get a bit bullish (bidding fond greetings to JC Beef, Deliverabull and Moo-seley), and a Bank Holiday walk along the South Staffs Railway Line to Pensnett paid dividends in the form of Bathams Bitter at the Fox & Grapes. Alewise such nectar is hard to top although the tipples on offer at the Great British Beer Festival gave us plenty to ponder over at the NEC. Harvey's Prince of Denmark was simply stunning, albeit the day will be mostly remembered for silly pig hats, game crisps, table football and boxes-upon-boxes of historic beermats - I was in heaven!

September: not quite so divine but nonetheless superb was our Kenilworth crawl for Nick's birthday, cramming in the Ale Rooms and the recently-opened Dictum Wetherspoons as well as perambulating across the Abbey Fields. Further exercise was encountered during Mr D9's Greensforge Gallop, tracking the Staffs & Worcs Canal through Swindon and Hinksford, then we had the small matter of the Tamworth Beer Festival that united Jane and Nick in a shared appreciation of frickles. The cricket season concluded with the Bears firmly in mid-table, albeit my efforts to see any additional action were thwarted by iffy weather affecting both Edgbaston and Nottingham (not that a Beardsmore Billesley day wasn't adequate consolation). Oh, and I mustn't overlook my family holiday in Kent, dabbling with Dymchurch and honouring Hythe - the sunkissed seafront walk I undertook to New Romney was utterly glorious!

October: talking of holidays, October was notable for a Daish's getaway down to Devon for Mr B's 61st. We stayed in the Devonshire Hotel atop a somewhat notorious hill but managed to conquer the steepness with trips out to Teignmouth, Brixham and Newton Abbot (where I was mesmerised by Ye Olde Cider Bar, a totally timeless discovery). A Hub Marketing hat trick gave us Wet Wombourne, a Darlaston doorstep and the estate boozers of Telford - the Mallard at Brookside being the kind of place that makes D9 drool - whilst Miss Woolf was tempted by Tipton, or more accurately the promise of pudding in the Pie Factory. Yum yum!

November: autumnal assignations in the eleventh month of the year always insist on Dudley Winter Ales attendance, 2025 being no exception. Cult of Oak's 1138 Matildine Mild wins the overblown tasting notes award for invoking the spirit of medieval sieges, although the Charlton House potentially had us wishing for reinforcements afterwards. Burslem beckoned for the Chip cohort on a drab Potteries Saturday, dodging Port Vale fans in search of Draught Bass, and there was plenty of porcelain when Emily and I called in on the Coalport China Museum (the subsequent roast dinner at the Woodbridge Inn was the definition of delicious). November was momentous for me moving house, a relocation that would lend itself to a Pattingham and Perton evening returning to the scene of Andy's bus shelter butchery.

December: all of which brings us to the festive season whereby my recent roamings have encompassed the likes of Sedgley and Upper Gornal (for a rare sighting of a Stripey Oss), Newport (a family day with Miss Bygrave) and Kenilworth (the 2025 Festive Forage when Nick and I tackled the Tiltyard and graced the Gauntlet). Fans of Rock & Roll hairpieces would be delighted with the Coventry Quiffmas, the Chairman on top form as regards Whitmore Park and Longford longings supplemented by a cracking breakfast at the New Stadium Cafe. The icing on top of the Christmas cake came care of Baddesley Clinton and its Snowman Trail, where the Bookworm and I met leaping lords and drumming mice. Excellent!

It wouldn't be a WME Review of the Year if I didn't say a huge thank you to all those crazy suckers - sorry, marvellous companions - who have helped make this year extra special. My eternal gratitude therefore goes to Andy (Mr D9), Nick (HRH), Stephen (Mr B), Ken, Jane (The Woolf), Emily (Bookworm Bygrave), plus my family, for putting up with all the Cheers photos, street sign obsessions and general explorational randomness I inflict upon you. It means a huge amount to me, so here's to more of the same in 2026. Cheers!