Hub Marketing 2023: Wintry West Bromwich

The West Midlands - and indeed much of the country - has endured a cold snap of late but that hasn't stopped the Hub Marketing Board from staging our first full trip of 2023. West Bromwich awaits where we shall undertake a circuit of selected watering holes, remembering one of the Chairman's former bus driving colleagues in the process...

- Did someone mention Orange Chips? -

It's Friday 10th March 2023 and this trip is partially dedicated to Wincy Willis who passed away a few years ago and was a well-known character at West Bromwich Bus Garage. For starters, the Secretary begins in Bilston eyeing up artistic hoardings near the old Pipe Hall - the mural mentions local trades, women's emancipation and that prized delicacy, battered orange chips! A linger around Loxdale proves productive for pictures of Station Road and Lester Street before it's time to catch up with the Chairman at Bradley Lane tram stop.

- Introducing George -

Mr D9 has arrived with something of an entourage, for not only is our regular mascot Gary Woo in attendance, we also have a new member of the team: met George the cuddly cat, so named in honour of Stourbridge Junction's famous feline. Our version of George undergoes his initiation ceremony once we get to West Bromwich where thankfully the morning snow is melting away amidst bright afternoon sunshine. The Bromford Lane corridor has lost a few of its boozers in recent years (the Prince Albert, Royal Exchange and Rising Sun to name three) so it is pleasing to hear that the White Swan has been resurrected as an Indian bar and grill. Opening pints of Carling get our main crawl underway in comfortable surroundings as we ponder 1980s tunes by Kraftwerk, Madonna and Jason Donovan.

- The bald spot leads on... -

The Chairman is in charge of today's itinerary and insists upon a mandatory visit to the Soho Oak; indeed, so keen is he to wallow in nostalgia for what used to be the Oakdale Social, he marches along Cambridge Street with his bald spot on full display! This trip will have a distinct Desi undercurrent and the Soho Oak hits the mark nicely with foaming Carling that looks like it ought to come with a flake. The bus depot is literally over the road, hence why Mr D9 has so many memories of this place stretching back over the years, recalling charabanc seaside and pantomime jollies with people such as Stan Barnes or Violet and Aggie the garage cleaners. 

- A Sulking Secretary -

A veritable Dartmouth Street stone's throw from the Soho Oak is the Vine, notable for blue window blinds, peeling M&B paintwork and much affection for the Baggies. To a backdrop of David Dickinson getting very excitable on daytime telly, we take our pick of the two dartboards and commence the 2023 Pub Games Championship. Secretary WME never does very well in pubs that have West Bromwich Albion allegiances, and despite some unusually impressive scoring, is soundly defeated with D9 Destroyer earning victory by four legs to one. Allowing for some mock sulking, this is what Friday afternoons are all about - having a laugh and relaxing. 

- The Wheatsheaf, Carters Green -

Talking of which, the fun continues over on Carters Green High Street where we can choose between the Clock House (another Desi-type establishment), the Old Hop Pole (a traditional boozer with Holt Plant & Deakin flourishes) and the Wheatsheaf. Naturally the promise of Holden's hospitality means that the latter gets a go - the resultant XB is duly excellent - and I've long admired its classic frontage of black and white leaded windows. The Hop Pole merits a quick visit too so we partake of Robinson's Dizzy Blonde while listening to more 1980s hits.

- A princely platter at the King Arthur -

Music-related matters mean that Guns Lane is soon subjected to the customary silly song selection, and we may have excelled ourselves on this occasion. 'Bristol City Streaker' by Shag Connor's Carrot Crunchers is suitably daft, likewise 'We All Love Tiny Tim' by Peter Pan & Wendy as dredged up from the depths of Youtube. Noting the Railway as a backstreet local perched high above the Midland Metro line, we intercept the number 43 bus on Oak Lane and trundle the short distance into Greets Green. Our food stop here comes courtesy of the King Arthur on Whitehall Road, a place we'd previously frequented when it was known simply as the Greets Green Social Club. Taking advantage of the half price deals, we tuck into mixed grill heaven with a special shout out for the fish pakoras - divine!

- A Waggon & Horses finale -

We hope that Wincy would have approved of our tribute tour and we bring proceedings to a close at the Waggon & Horses in Toll End, that erstwhile stalwart of the Tipton and Ocker Hill scene. With George acting as an impromptu ice-breaker, we get chatting to the regulars about local history over respective pints of Dark Drake (Dancing Duck) and Town Crier (Hobsons), enjoying the banter and Black Country humour to be had in the lounge. What a fine way to round off a most excellent winter expedition - cheers!

A Date With Dorridge

The weekend skies may be as overcast as they come but I'm still intent on staging a Saturday swoop upon the Solihull Metropolitan Borough area. Dorridge has been designated as my principal destination so let's see how the day unfolds...

- Dorridge Arrival -

Saturday 4th March 2023 dawns without the slightest speck of sunshine so I have slate grey skies to contend with on my walk into Wolverhampton. The 10:18 local stopper gets things underway, changing at Smethwick Galton Bridge onto the 10:46 departure for Stratford upon Avon, meaning I reach Dorridge at about twenty past eleven to be greeted by a selection of Chiltern Railways running-in boards. Dorridge Station first opened in 1852 and has long been one of my personal favourites due to retaining much of its Great Western Railway character; an Espresso coffee shop now occupies one wing of the main station frontage. 

- St Philip's Church -

Getting stuck into some local exploration, I eye up the Station Approach shopping parade with units for solicitors, beauticians and the Dorridge Fish Bar. Manor Road then introduces me to St Philip's Church and Community Centre (totally rebuilt in recent years thanks to a successful fundraising campaign) followed by Conker Lane, a leafy little cut-through that is closed to vehicular traffic. By and by I emerge onto Four Ashes Road opposite the driveway for the Solihull Riding Club and Hogarths Hotel, both of which look rather exclusive. 

- The Drum & Monkey -

Still on Four Ashes Road if not perhaps quite as fancy as its near neighbours, the Drum & Monkey is nevertheless a reasonably upmarket dining pub which serves the community of Bentley Heath. Part of Greene King's Chef & Brewer chain, it is naturally geared up for food service but I can happily sit at the bar end of proceedings with a decent if unspectacular pint of Abbot Ale. The lunchtime news headlines are on the big screen although my attention is focused on a copy of 'Solihull Drinker', the local CAMRA branch newsletter. 

- Bentley Heath Footbridge -

Elsewhere in Bentley Heath, I reacquaint myself with the distinctive level crossing just as its barriers sound to herald the imminent appearance of a Chiltern Class 68 locomotive. Standing on the traditional lattice footbridge is quite a thrill as No. 68013 'Peter Wreford-Bush' trundles through, especially as the scene has changed relatively little over the last few decades. Mill Lane has railway cottages and then the Dorridge Methodist Church before I continue towards Knowle, utilising Station Road past the Arden Academy School. 

- Inside Oktogon -

Knowle is an attractive village I've visited several times previously, whereby Nick and I have eagerly enjoyed sampling hostelries such as the Red Lion or the Ale Rooms. Today's target is something slightly different in that Oktogon refers to itself as a Scandinavian Cafe Bar, hidden away down a gated passage near Bonhams Auctioneers. Bracing myself for high craft beer prices, I partake of the Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout as a special treat and then position myself up on the mezzanine level where the bench tables are draped with furry rugs. I'm hardly an expert in Nordic charm but I do like the relaxed sense of style here, and they concentrate on handslung pizzas as the basis of their food menu. 

- Nearing my Forest finale -

After Oktogon I retrace my steps back along Station Road into Dorridge, debating whether a cheeky pint in Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club might be permissible. That idea is shelved due to news of train cancellations but I am able to nip into the Forest Hotel directly opposite the railway station instead. I have a history of gatecrashing wedding celebrations here but there aren't any nuptials on this occasion, hence I can steadily sup my pint of Green Duck Blonde without fear of becoming an accidental interloper. The ale is on very good form and I'm almost tempted by a follow-up Silhill North Star Porter but alas the 14:55 to Moor Street is due. All things considered, the drab weather did not stop Dorridge from delivering - cheers!

The Chip Foundation's Leamington Spa Sequel

If you're getting a sense of deja vu then yes, the Chip Foundation did indeed visit Royal Leamington Spa this time last year so our 2023 curtain-raising escapade is a repeat of sorts. Hoping for better Warwickshire weather this time around, our eminent tour guide Mr Nick Esq is awaiting our attendance for a day of drums, dogs and drinks...

- Regency Architecture on Regent Street -

Episode 73 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles falls on Friday 24th February 2023 as I meet the Beardsmore contingent at Wolverhampton railway station. Both Stephen and John are on fine form while the 10:39 Bournemouth-bound train behaves itself, getting us to Leamington where our regal host is lurking patiently by the ticket barriers. Pleasantries exchanged, Nick leads us across the Pump Room Gardens (pointing out a wooden throne that apparently has not been erected in his honour) and along Portland Place East past the art deco Vue Cinema. The word of the morning is 'juxtaposition' whereby we compare contrasting architectural styles although the fancy Georgian elevations along Regent Street are hard to beat. 

- The Woodland Tavern Mural -

Nick has picked out one of his personal favourites to provide our opening tipple of the day, the Woodland Tavern being a traditional corner local that retains hints of Ansell's insignia. Nestled on the corner of Regent Street and New Brook Street, it has a notable external mural featuring drayhorses and a depiction of the landlady. The resident pub dog 'Woody' is a very friendly creature (once Nick gets over the initial shock of being barked at), and we make ourselves at home with halves of Cheddar Valley Stan's Cider plus Guinness for the elder Beardsmore. Chart trivia knowledge about Frankie Laine hit records mingles with discussions about T20 cricket and Stephen's chainsaw-wielding antics in his Heath Town back garden. A fine start!

- Drumming up custom in the Star & Garter -

After a brief rain shower has subsided, our princely plotter navigates our way to stopping point number two. The Star & Garter claims to be one of Leamington's oldest hostelries and is just within the historic town boundary as marked by the Milverton Brook (or so our guide tells me); anyway, we troop inside to partake of either Purity Gold or Church Farm Harry's Heifer and sit astride a repurposed large drum that seemingly belonged to the Brailes Brass Band. Swivel stools take some getting used to but once I get my balance back the setting makes for quite a novelty, aided by scatter cushions and a bagatelle scoreboard. The half term holidays mean the rest of the pub is busy with family diners mainly chomping on chunky chips.

- Clarendon Square -

We'll be having food later so for now it's on with the sightseeing. Nick points out The Dell as a sunken park before contemplating the well-heeled charms of Clarendon Square, used as a filming location for the 2010s reboot of the 'Upstairs Downstairs' television series. A nearby property was at one time frequented by future French Emperor Napoleon III; alas Murphy's Bar can't claim quite such prestigious patronage but we enjoy it all the same, quaffing either Guinness or Slaughterhouse's Saddleback Bitter (a good pint of the latter in my case). This place used to be adorned with superhero figurines until the local council insisted they were taken down, although there are still quirky sharks and mermaid models to see inside. 

- A Hophead in the Fox & Vivian -

Meal matters are taken care of by the Benjamin Satchwell Wetherspoons which supplies Fish Friday deals and varying degrees of gammon portions, not to mention some unwanted garden peas. Stephen is keeping a close eye on the England Womens T20 semi-final scorecard from South Africa but the ladies fall to an agonising defeat. We therefore pitch into the Fox & Vivian so as to perk ourselves up again - this is a rather upmarket bar in truth with plastic potplants and a liking for 1930s-styled newsprint wallpaper. Many of the tables are reserved for evening assignations but we're fine to linger for respective slurps of Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Dark Star's Hophead, a golden floral brew loaded with Cascade hoppiness.

- Not so jolly in the Holly Bush? -

One Leamington watering hole that has always eluded us over the course of several visits is the Holly Bush, a 1970s estate affair on the eastern edges of the town centre. Refurbs and other more prolonged closures have scuppered our attempts to claim it previously so we're pleased to see it open on this occasion, even if the resulting experience isn't much to write home about. Superchilled Guinness has Mr B Senior bordering on grumbly mode while pub games fans have a dartboard and a pool table to keep themselves occupied. Our revelries end here and Nick is tasked with getting us back to the station by 18:16 for our homeward connections. This he achieves with aplomb and the day is declared a true success - cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - February 2023

In terms of photostream progress, Februrary was a month which tried to offer us a little bit of everything. Okay, we'll gloss over the fact that Worcestershire and Warwickshire didn't trouble my trusty abacus, but apart from those notable absentees all of my other constituent galleries saw update action...

Our principal driving force since December has been Exploration Extra, hitting a purple patch of form which latterly has heavily focused upon Wrexham. Sheep sculptures are always a good thing so a warm welcome was duly granted to 'Jolly Baa Baa' and 'Angelina' while pub-related representation came from Long Pull lettering and the Joules masonry of the Royal Oak. The Lake District's Honister Pass mountain road registered a scenic snapshot from my 2010 Arnside holiday and a Wrenbury Road street sign from 2017 also sneaks in. Alas I fear I've exhausted my Exploration Extra reserves for the time being so a long period of hibernation awaits. 

Attention will now turn back to my core West Midlands galleries whereby WME Dudley has hit the ground running - two 544 bus shots at Coseley join a Stourbridge 294 route sighting in my Dudley by Bus album, then we have had further correspondence from the Ashwood Inn near Wordsley (I've taken quite a few pictures of that over the years). Sprinkle in slices of Sedgley's Beacon Tower and it all adds up to a useful batch of arrivals. It's a similar tale over on WME Sandwell where Bearwood budges in with clock content, a T.C. Hayes shopfront and an Abbey dartboard - what more could you possibly need!

WME Wolverhampton is never one to hide its light under a bushel and overcame any shyness suggestions by supplying Bantock Park tree trunks, Banks's 'Big Brother'-styled street art and Acropolis Fish Bar advertising. WME Walsall meanwhile bagged itself a trio of Birchills boozers comprising the Rose & Crown, the White Horse and the New Navigation, not forgetting an entry for the Beacon Way at Little Bloxwich too. Bescot's Morrisons superstore is another contributor racking up multiple appearances although the Anson Branch's reeds are a rarer addition.

Elsewhere, WME Staffordshire ensures its place at the party by summoning up Awbridge items (Flash Lane and Blackpit Lane) mingled with AFC Wulfrunians entrance markers at Castlecroft; WME Birmingham acknowledges Acocks Green Bus Garage then snaffles St Michael's & All Angels Church in Bartley Green; WME Telford wallows in affection for Madeley's All Nations once again - what a classic pub that is - before WME Shropshire swoops upon Albrighton to recall the short-lived Platform Ale House alongside the long-serving Old Bush. 

The final word must go to two galleries which receive only very occasional attention. WME Solihull won't get overcome with excitement about a Bentley Heath cul-de-sac (Redhouse Close) but WME Coventry might muster a touch more enthusiasm for an Aldermoor Lane bus stop or an Allesley Village welcome sign... then again, maybe not! Either way it amounts to growth of some persuasion, and I hope the abacus is kept busy come March. Cheers!