Well here we are again with another month fast disappearing as we hurtle headlong towards the winter. In terms of WME action, October was actually quite a productive month with my updates focused this time on the galleries outside the immediate West Midlands area...
It was a tussle between WME Staffordshire and Exploration Extra over which of them would take centre stage. Extra won by a nose or two, thanks to various additions to exisiting collections. Rail Rover 2008 received photos of the aqueduct, platforms and Stanton House Inn at Chirk alongside a platform shot at Matlock and a look at the redevelopment works at Derby. I raided my holiday archive to dig out some Cornwall 2004 material, including Lands End scenery, Newquay beaches and platform views from Newquay and St Ives. North Yorkshire 2004 wasn't forgotten either thanks to the arrival of the Aidensfield Arms, Pickering Station and St Mary's Church in Whitby.
Staffordshire came in as the runner-up but was kept occupied with a new collection for Rugeley Trent Valley Station - it's hardly the most scenic railway location but a series of entrance sign shots and a possible old station building provide a start. Just across the road from the station is the Yorkshireman pub, a landmark that is now making its presence felt on Exploring Rugeley, whilst a couple of Burntwood Library shots have landed on Exploring Chase Terrace. The Shropshire Union Canal collection has also been ticking over thanks to photos of Bridge 4, Stretton Aqueduct and some charming facilities buildings at Norbury Junction.
With Extra and Staffordshire battling with supremacy, the other galleries were left to fight for whatever crumbs might happen their way. There certainly isn't much to report, but there were occasional flickers of life - WME Warwickshire partook of further views of Stratford-upon-Avon's station frontage and the Railway Tavern at Nuneaton, WME Telford has welcomed a Guildhall shot on Exploring Newport, and finally there's just enough room on WME Worcestershire for a train pic at Shrub Hill Station.
So there you have it, October 2010 and it's contribution to the WME family. In November I hope to turn my attention back onto the principal West Midlands galleries and see what else I can shoehorn into position - hopefully I have a few updates up my sleeve but, as ever, it remains to be seen just how much I actually manage to get done. Until then, enjoy the galleries...
Thursday, October 28
Sunday, October 24
Stourbridge Signs Off...
Saturday 23rd October was the last day of operations for Stourbridge Bus Station before it closed for redevelopment, meaning a scene of many happy photographic memories will pass into history. I couldn't resist visiting one of my favourite haunts one last time...
It's fair to say that Stourbridge Bus Station has been an exploration constant, beginning with the visits with Stuart riding the 248 and battling the subway, through solo adventures escaping from University on a Friday afternoon, and latterly meetings with Rog and Woody and all that this has entailed. The station always seemed to be an old-fashioned and outdated facility, with simple rows of basic shelters, but I liked it because there was plenty of scope for taking photos with a sense of freedom that the newer bus interchanges clamp down on. Add in bacon sandwiches at the Bus Stop Cafe, timetable gathering at the little information office and watching the comings and goings over a pint at the Rock Station, and for me personally it is virtually the end of an era.
I was therefore determined to do the place justice with a final photography session, anticipation building as I rode across on the 256. I spent an hour or so hovering around waiting to see what might present itself, and plenty did. A 276 shot provided a nice starter accompanied quickly by the X96, then I called in at the info office for a quick chat with Andy who was helping out as the room was gradually being emptied of it's stock. Back outside and the Diamond 267 keeps me occupied, followed by offerings from Midland on the 298 and Hansons on the 228. I made sure to get a few shots of the stops themselves, including Stand F where I've waited for many a 256 ride home. With the time approaching 10am, the 657 provides a further Hansons shot and I have the added bonus of two routes I've never photographed before - the 142 in the form of a 'Stourbridge Shuttle' liveried Diamond service, and the 252 Hansons run to Kidderminster. Even at this late stage, the bus station was still delivering the goods!
My hour up, and it's onwards with some local exploration. I decide to revisit the Stourbridge Town Arm branch of the Stourbridge Canal for a relaxing autumnal stroll up to Wordsley Junction, then have my first encounter with Henderson Bridge as I work my way partly up the locks to Glasshouse Bridge, Dadford's Shed and the Dock cottage - the Black Country at it's best in my opinion. Leaving the canal I do a loop of Wordsley and Ashwood Park, with my photo targets including the Bird in Hand (hidden away on the corner of John Street), the Ashwood pub (no sign of any bald spots today!) and the Glasscutters Arms (backstreet boozer on Barnett Street). Barnett Lane and Cot Lane lead me towards Kingswinford as I add the Mount Pleasant and the Park Tavern to my haul, then I catch the 256 back from the Cross to complete what had been a most constructive morning.
A final word for Stourbridge Bus Station then. In some ways I'd have liked to have been there at the very end, as darkness falls and the last few buses trundle away late into the evening, but I was delighted with my early efforts and hope these will provide the fitting finale I was after. The redevelopment is aiming to create a "world-class, £7 million public transport interchange" which does sound exciting, whilst in the meantime passengers are being directed to the temporary stops on Parkfield Road and Birmingham Street. I will always have a soft spot for the old bus station but I also think that Stourbridge as a town does deserve a modern, welcoming facility, so I look forward to returning over the coming months to see it all taking shape.
It's fair to say that Stourbridge Bus Station has been an exploration constant, beginning with the visits with Stuart riding the 248 and battling the subway, through solo adventures escaping from University on a Friday afternoon, and latterly meetings with Rog and Woody and all that this has entailed. The station always seemed to be an old-fashioned and outdated facility, with simple rows of basic shelters, but I liked it because there was plenty of scope for taking photos with a sense of freedom that the newer bus interchanges clamp down on. Add in bacon sandwiches at the Bus Stop Cafe, timetable gathering at the little information office and watching the comings and goings over a pint at the Rock Station, and for me personally it is virtually the end of an era.
I was therefore determined to do the place justice with a final photography session, anticipation building as I rode across on the 256. I spent an hour or so hovering around waiting to see what might present itself, and plenty did. A 276 shot provided a nice starter accompanied quickly by the X96, then I called in at the info office for a quick chat with Andy who was helping out as the room was gradually being emptied of it's stock. Back outside and the Diamond 267 keeps me occupied, followed by offerings from Midland on the 298 and Hansons on the 228. I made sure to get a few shots of the stops themselves, including Stand F where I've waited for many a 256 ride home. With the time approaching 10am, the 657 provides a further Hansons shot and I have the added bonus of two routes I've never photographed before - the 142 in the form of a 'Stourbridge Shuttle' liveried Diamond service, and the 252 Hansons run to Kidderminster. Even at this late stage, the bus station was still delivering the goods!
My hour up, and it's onwards with some local exploration. I decide to revisit the Stourbridge Town Arm branch of the Stourbridge Canal for a relaxing autumnal stroll up to Wordsley Junction, then have my first encounter with Henderson Bridge as I work my way partly up the locks to Glasshouse Bridge, Dadford's Shed and the Dock cottage - the Black Country at it's best in my opinion. Leaving the canal I do a loop of Wordsley and Ashwood Park, with my photo targets including the Bird in Hand (hidden away on the corner of John Street), the Ashwood pub (no sign of any bald spots today!) and the Glasscutters Arms (backstreet boozer on Barnett Street). Barnett Lane and Cot Lane lead me towards Kingswinford as I add the Mount Pleasant and the Park Tavern to my haul, then I catch the 256 back from the Cross to complete what had been a most constructive morning.
A final word for Stourbridge Bus Station then. In some ways I'd have liked to have been there at the very end, as darkness falls and the last few buses trundle away late into the evening, but I was delighted with my early efforts and hope these will provide the fitting finale I was after. The redevelopment is aiming to create a "world-class, £7 million public transport interchange" which does sound exciting, whilst in the meantime passengers are being directed to the temporary stops on Parkfield Road and Birmingham Street. I will always have a soft spot for the old bus station but I also think that Stourbridge as a town does deserve a modern, welcoming facility, so I look forward to returning over the coming months to see it all taking shape.
Sunday, October 17
Coventry 2010
Friday 15th October: Having safely ticked Telford off my list back in September, my attentions now turned to another of my annual exploration targets - cue Coventry...
* Hampton-in-Arden: a snippet of Solihull for starters, catching the 9:13 train out of New Street complete with dodgy on-board announcements. Hampton Station isn't very exciting in truth, comprising a grim concrete footbridge, some silvery bus stop waiting shelters and a small booking office that lacks any real presence. The village itself is more my thing, yielding various photos of the local library, pretty church and the White Lion pub.
+ The White Lion, Hampton-in-Arden +
* 82: a Central Connect route that is the latest incarnation of what was previously the 192/194 service. From Hampton the bus heads through Meriden and Millisons Wood then bashes its way along the A45. I also noted that the route now covers the Parkhill bus stop instead of the 900.
* Coundon, Radford and Keresley: ensuring I get my walking quota in for the day with a local Coventry ramble. I'm still a little uncertain where Coundon stops and Radford starts, but amongst my finds are the Coundon Hotel (corner of Barker Butts Road and Tomson Avenue), Coundon Library (having recently reached it's 61st birthday), then the Wallace and the Old Shepherd approaching Keresley. I actually also find Keresley a little tricky to pin down - part in Coventry, part in Warwickshire with Keresley Heath, Keresley Green and Keresley Newlands all to consider. Whatever my exact whereabouts might be classed as, I ended up at Watery Lane with a shot of the Hare & Hounds before catching my next bus.
+ Coundon Library +
* 36: my first National Express Coventry ride of the year, and it's a quick journey back down the Radford Road spotting the local social club and The Grapes with its Caffrey's signs.
* Coventry Canal Basin: it has literally been years since my last visit to Coventry Basin, and the place doesn't seem quite as nice as I remembered it. The warehouses and Brindley's statue still make for some decent photos but Bridge 1 did look overgrown and I got the impression there hadn't been much recent investment.
* Coventry Centre: I brave my nemesis footbridge over the Ringway to arrive in the City Centre, where I keep myself occupied with shots of the Belgrade Theatre. The Town Wall Tavern is a fascinating discovery, tucked away quietly round the back of the theatre on Bond Street - the pub looks quite traditional and is in the Good Beer Guide so I might have to investigate in future.
+ Coventry Basin Warehouses +
* Spon Street: stepping back into Coventry's medieval heritage to explore the various Tudor frontages, some original and some that have been reconstructed here. Pride of place goes to the Old Windmill pub with its dark panelling, open fires and an interior made up of several small, atmospheric old rooms. Upper Spon Street is a different matter entirely however, with modern flats and a shuttered-up corner shop - despite the subway link, the two halves of the street feel a whole world away from each other.
* The Craven Run: picking up where Rog and I left off last year, I revisit this hotbed of public houses for further photos of the Craven Arms and to make my first acquaintance with the Nursery Tavern on Lord Street, a pub that hosts rugby and F1 sporting clubs as well as a wide selection of real ales.
* 1: I time it to the minute to catch route 1 on Queensland Avenue, heading through past the Maudslay for a sneaky terminus shot on Grayswood Avenue.
* Allesley: in a further echo of September 2009, the finale of my Coventry capers sees me back in Allesley surveying the various village landmarks. There are plenty of characterful cottages lining either side of the Birmingham Road, whilst the Rainbow Inn has an intriguing brewhouse (and some rather less appealing toilets) in it's back yard.
* The 900 provides a handy connection (via Meriden once more) to Birmingham International Station, and I alight just right for catching the 16:09 Aberystwyth train for a stress-free ride home.
As with Telford, Coventry is always one of the year's most important and significant outings. I definitely feel I did the city proud today with a range of local photos of haunts new and old - the fact I don't know the areas concerned quite so well always gives my Coventry visits an extra edge of excitement. There is a debate over whether I should visit places like Telford and Coventry more often; whilst this would ensure a more consistent supply of pictures, I do feel the trips may lose their specialness and, for the time being at least, one main outing a year seems to work very nicely - so, until 2011...
* Hampton-in-Arden: a snippet of Solihull for starters, catching the 9:13 train out of New Street complete with dodgy on-board announcements. Hampton Station isn't very exciting in truth, comprising a grim concrete footbridge, some silvery bus stop waiting shelters and a small booking office that lacks any real presence. The village itself is more my thing, yielding various photos of the local library, pretty church and the White Lion pub.
+ The White Lion, Hampton-in-Arden +* 82: a Central Connect route that is the latest incarnation of what was previously the 192/194 service. From Hampton the bus heads through Meriden and Millisons Wood then bashes its way along the A45. I also noted that the route now covers the Parkhill bus stop instead of the 900.
* Coundon, Radford and Keresley: ensuring I get my walking quota in for the day with a local Coventry ramble. I'm still a little uncertain where Coundon stops and Radford starts, but amongst my finds are the Coundon Hotel (corner of Barker Butts Road and Tomson Avenue), Coundon Library (having recently reached it's 61st birthday), then the Wallace and the Old Shepherd approaching Keresley. I actually also find Keresley a little tricky to pin down - part in Coventry, part in Warwickshire with Keresley Heath, Keresley Green and Keresley Newlands all to consider. Whatever my exact whereabouts might be classed as, I ended up at Watery Lane with a shot of the Hare & Hounds before catching my next bus.
+ Coundon Library +* 36: my first National Express Coventry ride of the year, and it's a quick journey back down the Radford Road spotting the local social club and The Grapes with its Caffrey's signs.
* Coventry Canal Basin: it has literally been years since my last visit to Coventry Basin, and the place doesn't seem quite as nice as I remembered it. The warehouses and Brindley's statue still make for some decent photos but Bridge 1 did look overgrown and I got the impression there hadn't been much recent investment.
* Coventry Centre: I brave my nemesis footbridge over the Ringway to arrive in the City Centre, where I keep myself occupied with shots of the Belgrade Theatre. The Town Wall Tavern is a fascinating discovery, tucked away quietly round the back of the theatre on Bond Street - the pub looks quite traditional and is in the Good Beer Guide so I might have to investigate in future.
+ Coventry Basin Warehouses +* Spon Street: stepping back into Coventry's medieval heritage to explore the various Tudor frontages, some original and some that have been reconstructed here. Pride of place goes to the Old Windmill pub with its dark panelling, open fires and an interior made up of several small, atmospheric old rooms. Upper Spon Street is a different matter entirely however, with modern flats and a shuttered-up corner shop - despite the subway link, the two halves of the street feel a whole world away from each other.
* The Craven Run: picking up where Rog and I left off last year, I revisit this hotbed of public houses for further photos of the Craven Arms and to make my first acquaintance with the Nursery Tavern on Lord Street, a pub that hosts rugby and F1 sporting clubs as well as a wide selection of real ales.
* 1: I time it to the minute to catch route 1 on Queensland Avenue, heading through past the Maudslay for a sneaky terminus shot on Grayswood Avenue.
* Allesley: in a further echo of September 2009, the finale of my Coventry capers sees me back in Allesley surveying the various village landmarks. There are plenty of characterful cottages lining either side of the Birmingham Road, whilst the Rainbow Inn has an intriguing brewhouse (and some rather less appealing toilets) in it's back yard.
* The 900 provides a handy connection (via Meriden once more) to Birmingham International Station, and I alight just right for catching the 16:09 Aberystwyth train for a stress-free ride home.
As with Telford, Coventry is always one of the year's most important and significant outings. I definitely feel I did the city proud today with a range of local photos of haunts new and old - the fact I don't know the areas concerned quite so well always gives my Coventry visits an extra edge of excitement. There is a debate over whether I should visit places like Telford and Coventry more often; whilst this would ensure a more consistent supply of pictures, I do feel the trips may lose their specialness and, for the time being at least, one main outing a year seems to work very nicely - so, until 2011...
Saturday, October 16
The Chip Foundation Drinks Again!
Wednesday 13th October and it's the fifth installment of the Chip Foundation's series of local outings. This time it's destination Willenhall for Nick, Stephen and yours truly - here's the account of our activities...
* The Robin Hood - after a stop-start ride on the 529 bus, we alight at The Crescent where we can investigate the Robin Hood. The pub has recently become another of the growing Black Country Inns portfolio, and the place looks immaculate from it's refurbishment. The full range of Black Country Ales is here (along with the brewery's own beermats), although Nick and I are tempted by the Morton's Essington Blonde as our first tipple of the day. The place did seem quiet, even allowing for 3:30ish being a generally sluggish time for pubs anyway, and for us it hadn't quite established it's own personality yet. Given time, I hope the pub proves to be a successful venture offering real ales for many years to come.
* Willenhall Walk - a little stroll back up into the town centre, giving me the chance to exercise the camera a little. Amongst my photo targets are the Old Oak, the Acorn and the Three Tuns (what's that cladding all about?!!), then Nick meets the Prince of Wales and we hurriedly avoid Willenhall Library (too much like work). The market was winding down for the day and it was quite a solemn experience to see the traders packing up their produce as the stalls gradually emptied, leaving only a trail of cardboard boxes.
* The Falcon - according to the Good Beer Guide, this is Willenhall's flagship real ale pub, and it takes a little bit of finding hidden away up Gomer Street West. It's well worth seeking out though as the pub offers a proper Black Country drinking experience - not the most refined setting perhaps but there's plenty of character (and characters) to give the place a well-loved community atmosphere. The bar room is lively with conversation as the barladies clearly know their regulars, whilst the smoke room is a little more luxurious if somewhat weathered. The beer is clearly the star here and I was very impressed by my pint of the Cairngorms Brewery's Sheepshagger - how could I resist a name like that?! Having supped up we were given a friendly send off by the locals, setting the seal on a good honest old-fashioned treat.
- Mr B in the Falcon -
* 369 - from Willenhall town it's onwards to Short Heath as I am reacquainted with the 369 bus. The route now includes an anti-clockwise loop around Coppice Farm and gives Nick the chance to get slightly confused about his bearings in New Invention.
* Duke of Cambridge - the Falcon was a hard act to follow but the Duke of Cambridge came up to the mark nicely. Here we have a very homely, village type pub situated on Coltham Road not far from Short Heath Church and the old post office. The lounge is particularly appealing with a proper fire, comfy seats and an array of cottagey teapots - a fine backdrop for some Cheers photos. Beerwise I take a punt on some Prima Donna whilst Nick goes for Pig on the Wall (the Duke also being a Black Country Ales house since re-opening following the sad death of the previous landlord). Further indulgence arrives courtesy of some Simmonds' scratchings, which Stephen agreed were very moreish and nicely digestable.
* Into the evening now as darkness starts to fall. We go via the alleyways through to New Invention Square where we wait in vain for a non-existent 908 bus. Eventually we give up and slog it up the Lichfield Road towards Wednesfield, then dash to catch the oncoming 559 outside Ashmore Park Bingo.
* The Vine - now here's a personal favourite of mine that has become a semi-regular haunt for Sunday evening drinks with Dad. The pub is evocative of 1930's inter-war austerity and it certainly feels more minimalistic than the others we've visited today, sitting on the wooden bench seats in the period brown bar room. The beer is up to scratch as usual, Nick tackling Wetheroak's Victoria Works with me opting for Forest Gold from the Milestone Brewery based near Newark. Stephen of course is on his lemonade and blackcurrant and is stoically riding out any resultant sugar rushes in a most determined fashion.
* The evening has but one final call as we conclude matters in the Royal Tiger, Wednesfield's Good Beer Guide accredited local branch of Wetherspoon's. I was pleased to find some Sadler's Celtic Trap on offer as we joined other friends and acquaintances in bidding Louise a happy birthday - many happy returns! A nice way to finish what had been another successful day of Black Country exploring, pontificating and a bit of boozing...
* The Robin Hood - after a stop-start ride on the 529 bus, we alight at The Crescent where we can investigate the Robin Hood. The pub has recently become another of the growing Black Country Inns portfolio, and the place looks immaculate from it's refurbishment. The full range of Black Country Ales is here (along with the brewery's own beermats), although Nick and I are tempted by the Morton's Essington Blonde as our first tipple of the day. The place did seem quiet, even allowing for 3:30ish being a generally sluggish time for pubs anyway, and for us it hadn't quite established it's own personality yet. Given time, I hope the pub proves to be a successful venture offering real ales for many years to come.
* Willenhall Walk - a little stroll back up into the town centre, giving me the chance to exercise the camera a little. Amongst my photo targets are the Old Oak, the Acorn and the Three Tuns (what's that cladding all about?!!), then Nick meets the Prince of Wales and we hurriedly avoid Willenhall Library (too much like work). The market was winding down for the day and it was quite a solemn experience to see the traders packing up their produce as the stalls gradually emptied, leaving only a trail of cardboard boxes.
* The Falcon - according to the Good Beer Guide, this is Willenhall's flagship real ale pub, and it takes a little bit of finding hidden away up Gomer Street West. It's well worth seeking out though as the pub offers a proper Black Country drinking experience - not the most refined setting perhaps but there's plenty of character (and characters) to give the place a well-loved community atmosphere. The bar room is lively with conversation as the barladies clearly know their regulars, whilst the smoke room is a little more luxurious if somewhat weathered. The beer is clearly the star here and I was very impressed by my pint of the Cairngorms Brewery's Sheepshagger - how could I resist a name like that?! Having supped up we were given a friendly send off by the locals, setting the seal on a good honest old-fashioned treat.
- Mr B in the Falcon -* 369 - from Willenhall town it's onwards to Short Heath as I am reacquainted with the 369 bus. The route now includes an anti-clockwise loop around Coppice Farm and gives Nick the chance to get slightly confused about his bearings in New Invention.
* Duke of Cambridge - the Falcon was a hard act to follow but the Duke of Cambridge came up to the mark nicely. Here we have a very homely, village type pub situated on Coltham Road not far from Short Heath Church and the old post office. The lounge is particularly appealing with a proper fire, comfy seats and an array of cottagey teapots - a fine backdrop for some Cheers photos. Beerwise I take a punt on some Prima Donna whilst Nick goes for Pig on the Wall (the Duke also being a Black Country Ales house since re-opening following the sad death of the previous landlord). Further indulgence arrives courtesy of some Simmonds' scratchings, which Stephen agreed were very moreish and nicely digestable.
* Into the evening now as darkness starts to fall. We go via the alleyways through to New Invention Square where we wait in vain for a non-existent 908 bus. Eventually we give up and slog it up the Lichfield Road towards Wednesfield, then dash to catch the oncoming 559 outside Ashmore Park Bingo.
* The Vine - now here's a personal favourite of mine that has become a semi-regular haunt for Sunday evening drinks with Dad. The pub is evocative of 1930's inter-war austerity and it certainly feels more minimalistic than the others we've visited today, sitting on the wooden bench seats in the period brown bar room. The beer is up to scratch as usual, Nick tackling Wetheroak's Victoria Works with me opting for Forest Gold from the Milestone Brewery based near Newark. Stephen of course is on his lemonade and blackcurrant and is stoically riding out any resultant sugar rushes in a most determined fashion.
* The evening has but one final call as we conclude matters in the Royal Tiger, Wednesfield's Good Beer Guide accredited local branch of Wetherspoon's. I was pleased to find some Sadler's Celtic Trap on offer as we joined other friends and acquaintances in bidding Louise a happy birthday - many happy returns! A nice way to finish what had been another successful day of Black Country exploring, pontificating and a bit of boozing...
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