WME Flickr Focus: March 2016

The first three months of 2016 have together proved rather productive in terms of photostream arrivals. Whereas January and February both cast their nets across the country for pictorial content, March very much fished in more local waters...

The biggest catch on offer this time around was that hauled in by WME Walsall. A trio of bus routes were successfully landed - the 355 and 655 at Aldridge plus the 370 at Beechdale - while Barr Beacon's war memorial was very much appreciated as a landmark on the distant horizon. There might be a few little tiddlers to tempt out of the local canals, in which case Barnfield Bridge (Daw End Branch) and the disused Anson Branch (two towpath scenes) could be places to try. 

Several prized specimens were plucked out on WME Dudley whereby my newly-established Black Country Living Museum pool has already become reasonably well stocked. The Castle Fields Boat Dock, the Bottle & Glass Inn, Lench's Oliver Shop and a Guy Vixen coach have all taken residence here, while over in Amblecote a brooding Swan is lurking courtesy of an evening pub sign shot.

With baited rod we now see what else has been brought safely to shore. WME Birmingham lured in two shots from the Bartons Arms in Aston (a pub with a very special interior) while WME Shropshire got a brace of bites from Albrighton (including a photo of the Gibson garage). A solitary transport-related tug on the line each for WME Coventry (a number 19 bus at Tile Hill), WME Solihull (the 40a at Knowle) and WME Staffordshire (route 428 at Lichfield), and then our catch is completed by a certain patchwork elephant character coming up for air on WME Wolverhampton. The angling is all set to continue into April, so I'll be sure to report any notable additions in due course albeit probably minus any fishy metaphors!!

Golds Hill Good Friday

A little Easter extra from the Hub Marketing Board here as we go on the trail of the former Balls Hill Branch Canal around Hill Top and Harvills Hawthorn...

- Taking a break at Black Lake -

Good Friday 2016 and a midday meet sees us Metro-bound for Black Lake as our chosen starting point. The Ridgacre Branch is close at hand when we alight at the tram stop - this canal once linked with the Balls Hill Branch, both being offshoots of the Wednesbury Old Canal. There are a couple of pub stops to account for prior to us exploring any lost waterways, although the Chairman does find time to test out an abandoned armchair.

- The Sow & Pigs -

Our first port of call is the Sow & Pigs on Hill Top which has been renovated and relaunched under the Two Crafty Brewers brand. Hub members visited the place when it was a somewhat fading Banks's boozer so it is pleasing to see one of West Bromwich's oldest watering holes getting a new lease of life, even if a little of the building's internal character has been sacrificed. A nice pint of Russian Bear accompanies our initial exchanges on the dartboard with WME Whirlwind taking an early advantage.

- Bakery Baldness -

Pub two is the New Talbot just down the road where we are tempted in by a Wye Valley sign on the pavement outside. A half of HPA is duly obtained and the darts continue, D9 Destroyer coming back into contention until WME reclaims the lead courtesy of a 43 checkout featuring a double 11 finish. Perhaps the Chairman was distracted by recollections of a well-known local business, Firkins having been a prominent name for well over 100 years until their Black Lake bakery closed and the firm ultimately went into liquidation.

- Double Delight for WME -

The Black Lake estates bring back a few bus memories for Mr D9 before the day's musical interlude ushers forth delights from Barbara Windsor and Bruce Forsyth. We're firmly on the hunt for the Balls Hill Branch now and know the old canal once passed close to the Beehive on Brickhouse Lane. Despite a seemingly isolated location the pub is still trading and presumably survives on the custom of factory workers. Board members can't resist calling in for a quick Carling, satisfying our collective curiosity and completing the darts in the process with WME Whirlwind nailing double 12 to seal a 6-3 scoreline.

- Remembering Brickhouse Bridge -

Brickhouse Bridge was indeed situated right next to the Beehive as evidenced by a vintage bus photo from the Chairman's research. We pay appropriate tribute to said spot before tracking the former canal as closely as possible - the course does however pass directly through a private scrapyard and along an embankment, so we keep tabs as best we can along George Henry Road and Bagnall Street.

- Canal Site at Golds Hill -

The next clear trace we can find of the canal is a green wasteland strip behind the Miners Arms at Golds Hill. St Paul's Parish Church heralds our approach before we rummage around the back of the pub to reveal a ribbon of grassland stretching back a short distance - sadly the section is cordoned off behind a security fence so we are unable to investigate in further detail.

- Golds Hill Crossing -

Pikehelve Street and Shaw Street offer up our next clues, Chairman D9 eagerly embracing the latter thoroughfare and then marching down a mysterious gravel track that ultimately emerges at Golds Hill Crossing. This is where the South Staffordshire Line once passed when making its way between Wednesbury and Dudley, a route that may hopefully one day be resurrected as a Midland Metro extension (something long overdue in my opinion). Golds Hill Bridge on the Tame Valley Canal is immediately adjacent but this canal is separate to the main focus of our investigations.

- Balls Hill Basin (we think) -

Climbing back up to Harvills Hawthorn, the Chairman can recall many car park congas involving bygone pubs and clubs as we proceed towards Hill Top. The final element of our Balls Hill brief sees us take Tunnel Road in search of the branch's terminal basin, a site historically reached via a long-demolished aqueduct that took the canal over what is now the Midland Metro line. We can see the tram tracks down to the left as we reach an earthwork area of open ground near Ardav Road, a likely spot for the lost waterways location. Photos taken, we reconvene in the Dovecote pub (previously known as the Flash Harry and the Hillcrest) for a satisfying pint of Great Orme's Welsh Black mild.

- 75 at Wednesbury -

A short hop on a passing 75 transports us to Wednesbury where we round off with a few pictures around the town. Secretary WME notes that the Pig & Trumpet has been renamed the Golden Cross while Mr D9 pays homage to a closet block that is due for demolition. A final drink in the Bellwether Wetherspoons is followed by a homeward ride on the 313, and that's your lot for this mini bout of Easter Hub Marketing.

Towpath Turpin Tackles Tamworth

Ever eager to add to our canal collection, Nick and I are tempted towards Tamworth for our latest towpath trek on a day that also presents photographic Polesworth possibilities and some luxury bus travel...

- 110 at Fazeley Square -

Indeed, the 110 bus between Birmingham and Tamworth is operated by a stylish fleet of Sapphire-branded buses courtesy of Arriva. Laptop sockets and stitched leather seats are among the on-board features that show an extra attention to detail while we enjoy the view out of the large top deck front window. A sprint along the Aston Expressway is followed by the intricacies of Spaghetti Junction then Erdington, Sutton Coldfield and Mile Oak before we reach Fazeley.

- Bonehill Road Bridge -

The war memorial at Fazeley Square is our cue to alight in readiness for our opening waterways wander of the day. The Coventry Canal has the honour first up as we quickly locate an aqueduct spanning the River Tame, a notable preliminary find to set the tone for the trip. Retracing our steps back towards Fazeley village, we pass through Fazeley Junction and then explore out past Peel's Wharf to the brown-brick simplicity of Bonehill Road Bridge.

- Drayton's dramatic footbridge -

To Fazeley Junction once more where we now join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal in the shadow of Tolson's Mill. Tolson's Footbridge and Fazeley Mill Marina are interesting enough but a truly remarkable structure awaits a little further along. Drayton Footbridge is distinctly decorative with its whitewashed towers and spiral steps - I've certainly never encountered anything quite like it before. If the footbridge alone isn't fascinating enough, an accompanying swivel bridge only increases the sense of intrigue at a most memorable location - we then duly reward our exploration endeavours with a lovely half of Draught Bass in the timelessly traditional surroundings of the Three Horseshoes.

- Posing in Polesworth -

The next 110 along takes us fully into Tamworth where we find the 785 route ready and willing to provide our passage to Polesworth; the ride incorporates Glascote, Stonydelph and Birchmoor with the Dolphin, Chiltern Road estate and the Game Cock being the respective landmarks we meet along the way. Alighting on the old stone bridge above the River Anker, we make a beeline for the Bulls Head as Polesworth's premier contributor to the Good Beer Guide. A zingy half of Glamorgan Welsh Pale tickles the tastebuds although the pub itself is quiet during a mid-afternoon lull.

- Coventry Canal (with handy pub indicator) -

The Bulls Head is handily located on the side of the Coventry Canal so we soon indulge in another towpath tour, covering the short section between bridges 54 (Tamworth Road) and 51 (Limekiln Bridge). The walk passes quietly between houses to begin with before the scenery opens out looking across Abbey Green Park.

- Polesworth Abbey -

Although situated roughly three miles from Tamworth, Polesworth is in a different county to its larger neighbour hence Nick rather relishes being back on Warwickshire soil. The village has a proud history as indicated by the presence of the Abbey Church, the site of which has been a place of worship and reflection since Saxon times. We also admire the Abbey's restored 14th century gatehouse then pick out Polesworth pictures of the Spread Eagle, the post office, the Red Lion and the local library.

- A Peaty Pint -

The 15:26 786 bus is on hand to return us to Tamworth where our priority becomes obtaining a belated lunch. The Bole Bridge gets the nod for a bite to eat whereby our corresponding gammon and salmon meals are accompanied by Marston's Irish Peated Ale, something of a taste sensation assuming you like the flavour of peat bogs - it seems we do! The beer has been brewed especially for Wetherspoon's real ale festival and the prospect of more beguiling beverages means we seek out the Silk Kite, Tamworth's other JDW outlet. There I sample O'Hara's Irish Red whereas Nick requests a three third sampler of various international concoctions, striking it lucky when he actually gets served a trio of halves, all for £1.65!

- The King's Ditch -

Last but definitely not least, we could not come to Tamworth and miss out on visiting the town's micropub. As an old cycle shop, the Kings Ditch is small but perfectly formed with three ales on gravity and an impressive selection of ciders. I partake of Nethergate's Priory Mild with Nick on the Duck & Cover as we watch a big screen showing all the 'action' from the barrel room. After that we settle aboard another sprightly Sapphire for our ride home, content at having covered canals in two different counties. Cheers!

Hub Marketing 2016: East Birmingham

Hub Marketing tradition dictates that one of our earlier excursions each year should be a visit to the eastern reaches of Birmingham. 2016's contribution to this custom is timed to closely coincide with St Patrick's Day, so would we be blessed with the luck of the Irish or not? Here comes the tale of the trip...

- Metro at Bull Street terminus -

A Metro meeting gets things off and running aboard the tram from Bradley Lane to Birmingham, whereby it was interesting to sample the new street-running section from Snow Hill to the current Bull Street terminus, passing the posh offices of the emerging Colmore business district. All members are punctuality personified in reporting for duty very much on time as the Chairman takes early delivery of a Bilston Steelworks beermat bonus.

- A Sleeve in the Subway? -

No cob penalties today then but a Cobs Bar does feature during our morning ferret around Horse Fair and Highgate. The Secretary's top target is the Bromsgrove Street underpass where Mr D9 is delighted to discover old closet remains among the standard Sixties subway mosaic effects.

- Bingo! The 97 at Chelmsley Wood -

Time for a proper Brummie bus ride with the 97 being on hand for our connection to Chelmsley Wood. The journey takes us through Bordesley Green and along the Meadway, thus allowing plenty of scope for silly song selections, landmark spotting and a Foster & Allen singalong. Secretary WME does however have to endure some dodgy tour guide commentary courtesy of a cardboard chum the Chairman has created especially for the occasion.

- A Chelmsley Cuppa -

Although this is an East Birmingham expedition, Chelmsley Wood technically comes under the auspices of North Solihull, not that this deters us from a breakfast pit stop. The indoor market cafe does just grand for a cuppa and some sustenance whereby Secretary WME narrowly avoids a messy accident with a leaky ketchup lid. Chelmsley Wood's outer estates then come calling when the 97A brings us to Helmswood Drive for a darting duel in the Greenwood, a 1970s-era local pub that still displays some original Ansells insignia.

- Sheldon Hall -

Returning firmly to our Birmingham brief we tickle the edges of Tile Cross. The Chairman becomes extremely excitable at the thought of crusty tower blocks and a vintage launderette before we sample the split personality of the White Hart by Gressel Lane (the cosy front lounge with its low beams contrasts markedly with the noisy brash back bar). Just around the corner is a surprise for the Secretary in the stately form of Sheldon Hall, a genuinely impressive piece of architecture albeit now in use as a Crown Carveries outlet.

- River Cole -

A further stretch along Gressel Lane links us to Lea Village and the local shops up by Kitts Green Road roundabout. We then pick up the Project Kingfisher trail beside the River Cole, snaking between Shard End and Stechford with the brown box Banks's Brook Meadow pub serving as our vantage point to witness Don Cossack prevailing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

- The Raven at Stechford -

Suburban Stechford now awaits with the rambling roadhouse surroundings of the Raven catching our eye - it's nice to find a pub that stills retains its bowling green along with an extensive back beer garden. We even think we've spotted an actual raven bird screeching in a nearby tree but not being expert ornithologists we can't be completely certain as to the precise species.

- Hodge Hill Horror in the Hunters Moon -

From the Raven, a short shuffle along Bucklands End Lane brings us to the mighty Hunters Moon, a notable Hungry Horse establishment keeping watch over part of Hodge Hill Common. Here our dartboard exploits reach a thrilling final leg decider; D9 Destroyer thinks he's got victory in the bag only for WME Whirlwind to snatch the win thanks to a deadly double that left D9's eyeballs bulging in disconsolate disgust.

- Brummie Baldness at BCU -

A turn-up-and-go ride on the 55 transports us via Ward End, Washwood Heath and Saltley to Eastside, alighting at Cardigan Street for a fascinating look at the campus construction zone that is reclaiming a previously derelict area. Every time we return here there is a new piece of the jigsaw taking shape - it's seriously impressive already and there is plenty more to come by the looks of it. One attractive feature is a landscaped fountain that seems to have the bald spot somewhat transfixed!

- Going Green in the Woodman -

The Eastside area has also seen something of a renaissance as regards the local public houses. The Eagle & Ball (known latterly as Moby Dicks) has been restored and now takes pride of place amid the BCU building site, while the Eagle & Tun's remarkable resurrection brings back to life a building associated with UB40's 'Red Red Wine' music video. The trio of tavern comebacks is completed by the Woodman where Stonehenge Brewery's Sign of Spring green beer (yes green!!) soon gets the Chairman's full attention.

- Big Hat in the Big Bulls Head -

The day draws to a close with a distinctly Irish-themed finale in Digbeth. The Big Bulls Head has an inviting traditional pub interior (with bell pushes) as we sample Wye Valley HPA before transferring to the Kerryman for a nightcap half of Guinness that neatly matches our choice of headwear. A homeward Metro then concludes another excellent East Birmingham expedition - cheers!