WME Flickr Focus - November 2019

As election fever grinds the nation into submission, at least we have the West Midlands Exploration photostream to provide a welcome distraction from manifesto launches and frenetic campaigning. Here is what November provided by way of snapshot solace...

I can't claim to have covered the length and breadth of the country although Exploration Extra has offered some farther flung photography. The single Welsh representative is a platform running board from Tenby railway station whereas Leicestershire garners some Thorpe Acre wildflowers from the edges of Loughborough. Liverpool meanwhile has been left to its own devices, hence a visit to Ye Cracke Inn as a pub with links to the Beatles plus a penchant for vintage Bass and Boddingtons branding.

Closer to home, there is shock news from WME Coventry which has belatedly taken delivery of its first picture of the year - it only took me 11 months to arrange such an addition! The Brooklands pub in Coundon ensures any pictorial washout is deftly avoided, and there may yet be more Coventry contenders before the calendar crosses into 2020. It's worth noting at this point that neighbouring WME Warwickshire has also seen some activity, landing a shot of the number 10 bus at Rugby.

The busiest collections over the last few weeks have been WME Shropshire and WME Telford. Salop has benefited from some Bridgnorth bonuses (Foxall's Electricals, the Black Horse at Low Town, some reprises for the Shakespeare) and Albrighton arrivals (Beamish Lane with Upper Pepperhill Farm), whereas Telford pays another visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town. Here I present various bill posters, a New Inn luncheons advertising board and some enamel advertising for Reade's Head & Stomach Pills - I'm sure they are very efficacious! 

No such medication matters for WME Staffordshire although the 261 bus (pictured at Wombourne) did previously serve Russells Hall Hospital. WME Birmingham brandishes a bridge sign for Belmont Row on the Digbeth Branch Canal, then stops off at Stockland Green for a look at Brookvale Park's lake. WME Wolverhampton unusually finds itself bringing up the rear, something it does adeptly thanks to Bilston Bus Station letterings and a Bantock Park information board. Ah well, that escape from the election circus didn't last long and I guess in December our destiny will become clearer. Until then, enjoy the photos!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives - Part Seven

I'm rather enjoying these monthly mooches through my photo archive, even if there's a bittersweet edge to digging out pictures of pubs that have passed into history. Here are four November nuggets for your delectation...

 

- The Black Horse -

I was only in Oakengates just last week but one boozer I had absolutely no chance of frequenting was the Black Horse, long since gone I'm afraid. It stood on Market Street between the Leek United Building Society and Giles Opticians; this September 2010 shot shows it in a bad way having suffered extensive fire damage in 2007, the year after it ceased trading. Although the building has since been partially repaired, it still remains looking for a new lease of life.

 

- The Dry Dock -

It's not just the run of the mill watering holes that can fall by the wayside, sometimes some very well-known establishments expire too. One such example would be the Dry Dock at Windmill End, handily located by a prominent junction on the Dudley No. 2 Canal and close to Netherton Tunnel. This was for some years a Mad O'Rourke's outlet notable for having a narrowboat bow for a bar. I only had the pleasure of one visit before it got turned into flats although Peter Allen called in on a few occasions as evidenced here. 

- The Hailstone -

The Springfield area of Rowley Regis is where we find the Hailstone, a former Banks's number situated on the junction of Dudley Road and Springfield Close (opposite the local Social Club). It had shut down by the time of this March 2009 photo and latterly became a Bangladeshi restaurant that retains the old pub name. 

- The Joker -

Joaquin Phoenix is conspicuously absent from this picture of the Joker, which relates not to the recent film but rather a flat-roofed estate example that used to serve the residents of Hamstead. Seen here in April 2009 promoting Sky Sports coverage and a car wash facility, it now provides a different kind of community amenity by operating as a Tesco Express store.

Ketley Bank and Wombridge

Sometimes the outings that take you completely by surprise turn out to be the best, and that was certainly true on Friday 8th November when circumstances put me in line for a Telford trip rather than the Cannock Chase adventure I'd intended...

- Do greyhounds like pizza? -

You can seldom guarantee the weather in November so I'm pleased to see bright blue skies as I set out from Telford Central railway station. A mysterious footpath leads me first into the Central Park business zone where there are offices for firms including Capgemini, Nock Deighton and Nicholas Tart. It's not far from here to the Greyhound Roundabout, taking its title from a bygone boozer which was turned into a Domino's pizza outlet sometime in the 1990s. 

- Second Avenue, Ketley Bank -

There is still an operational pub in the vicinity (the Hare & Hounds on Holyhead Road) but I'm keen to concentrate on Ketley Bank, an area that originally came to my attention over ten years ago - thanks to the number 23 bus - yet I've never got to grips with it photographically. I start to put that right with Greyhound Hill and an estate that comprises a sequence of numbered avenues. Among these, Fourth Avenue is home to Top Shop and Skyline Pizza while Sixth and Third Avenues converge near the Queenswood Primary School & Nursery complex.

- The Stafford Arms as was -

Some aspects of Ketley Bank are more familiar than others. I don't remember the playing fields off Bank Way at all (with recent rain this would be a squelchy place for a kickabout), but the Lord Hill is known to me after a Hub Marketing visit in 2012. Elsewhere along Main Road, I'm intrigued by an old community centre with little sign of life despite the presence of Abacus Childcare signage, plus I simply must pay homage to the former Stafford Arms as an ex-Burtonwood establishment latterly turned into flats. 

- Holy Trinity Church -

Another lost watering hole is next on my hitlist as Dukes Hill brings me out beside the Pear Tree Bridge Inn, transformed into apartments having at one time been a Wrekin Brewery tied house. Holyhead Road then introduces me to Holy Trinity, the Parish Church for Oakengates and Ketley Bank within the Diocese of Lichfield. Grade II listed, the church was built in 1855 to a design that incorporates lancet windows and a small bell tower. 

- Wombridge Parish Church -

Onwards I go towards Oakengates, passing Wellington Amateurs FC (based at the Fortis Stadium off School Grove) and the Maddocks Sports Club. I have a visit to Wrockwardine Wood in mind but get confused between New Road and New Street (easily done), the second of which results in an unexpected Wombridge incursion. As happy accidents go this is a belter, revealing a corner of Telford that is completely new to me. The local church here sits partially on the site of a dissolved medieval priory and is dedicated to St Mary & St Leonard.

- Wombridge Cemetery -

Wombridge Parish easily pre-dates any thought of Telford New Town developments as its population largely grew during the Victorian period, boosted by emerging employment opportunities among the nearby collieries and furnaces; the Wombridge Canal meanwhile was a tub-boat system operational from 1788 to 1921 and notable for an inclined plane at Trench. Back in the present day, the aforementioned church looks absolutely stunning surrounded by leaves of burnished gold and the adjacent cemetery makes for a pretty picture too.

- The Crown Inn, Oakengates -

Pleased about that haul of autumnal angles, I pick out a cycle path as a means of returning to Oakengates (via Stafford Road) and reward myself with a couple of pints. Oakengates is blessed by a trio of fine Market Street hostelries of which I have time to sample just two. The bright yellow vision that is the Crown beckons for some Hobson's Stout whereas the Old Fighting Cocks boasts a number of Rowton ales including Meteorite pale bitter (the name referencing an iron meteorite that landed in Rowton village during April 1876). Both beers prove to be top notch, adding the triumphant cherry on the cake of a trip that will go down as a terrific last minute change of plan - cheers!

Boldmere Bits and Sutton Park Pieces

The younger Mr Beardsmore had a birthday recently, a fact that did not go unnoticed in Chip Foundation circles. An outing in Stephen's honour was thus duly arranged with Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield selected to help us celebrate the auspicious occasion...

- Erdington Station Signage -

Episode 61 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles is confirmed for Monday 4th November 2019, a few days on from Mr B's actual date of birth but no matter. With the rest of the gang instructed to arrive at Chester Road by 11:30, I set out in advance of the main party in order to undertake some extra Erdington reconnaissance. I'm keen to concentrate on Gravelly Lane but stock up on station shots too, particularly focusing on bridge-based signage as the morning gets off to a fairly grey start.

- Goosemoor Lane -

The aforementioned Gravelly Lane offers some rather scruffy shopfronts when both a militaria store and a model railway business look like they've been abandoned for ages. It's nice to see Goosemoor Lane again, passing the Cookes furniture showroom and recalling those rides on the 66 bus that first introduced me to the area some 16 years ago. Erdington Court Bowls Club counts as a new discovery (Bowling Green Close being a helpful hint as to the club's location) whereas Perry Common bus terminus is very familiar with the 7 and 65 routes taking turns to lay over on Witton Lodge Road. 

- The Birthday Boy in the Boldmere Tap -

Court Lane and Chester Road combine in ensuring I'm on hand to greet my Chip Foundation colleagues at the allotted time, and there is immediate talk of Mastermind specialist subjects as we proceed via Sheffield Road - I'm not sure if pubs of the Black Country would be considered a suitably cerebral topic! Today's opening watering hole is the Boldmere Tap, a Joules establishment just down from Chester Road Baptist Church. A real fire and various breweriana bottles help to create a cosy atmosphere as we present Stephen with his birthday cards and sample the Moon Madness seasonal ale.

- Boldmere Bear -

Whenever Nick and Ken are about it's a surefire bet that the conversation will turn to politics, so there's a frisson of excitement at the prospect of another General Election and having a new Speaker in the House of Commons. We manage to avoid too much Brexit analysis and instead go on the hunt for one of the few Big Sleuth sculptures still on public display. Boldmere Bear is the specimen we seek, looking very much at home outside the Harvester having endeared himself to the local community. 

- A Brace of Boris Bulldogs -

Practically next door to the bear's abode is the Bishop Vesey, Boldmere's contribution to the Wetherspoons empire. As if to prove you can't escape political matters for long, Nick and I end up partaking of a Burton Bridge ale called 'Boris Bulldog', full bodied with a certain whiff to it (or is that just the Prime Minster?) As our lunchtime location this serves its purpose even though our meal is unceremoniously interrupted by drilling noises. Ken doses himself up on coffee refills and Stephen tries to work out who exactly Bishop Vesey was; it transpires that John Vesey (circa 1462 to 1554) was Bishop of Exeter and a close associate of Henry VIII in the Tudor court.

- Glimpses of Gold in Sutton Park -

It's turning into a rather nice afternoon weather-wise and some of the autumnal colours on show in Sutton Park are verging on the spectacular. Given that the park covers 2,400 acres, we concentrate on the south-eastern extremities by strolling from Boldmere Gate to Town Gate via Wyndley Pool. Carved totem poles and miniature golf centres are noted along the way as we debate whether the forthcoming election is likely to be the most unpredictable in generations. Nick almost declares an opinion but stops himself just in time, it simply can't do for a royal such as he to favour one party over another. 

- Poppy Patrol -

Exiting the park at Town Gate, we head up past the railway station into Sutton Coldfield town centre. Remembrance Sunday preparations are well underway and some giant commemorative poppies have been installed at Vesey Gardens overlooking the junction of Mill Street and Coleshill Street. The latter of those thoroughfares is where we find the Kings Arms, a mid-1930s building which replaced an earlier Mock Tudor-styled tavern. Here we can quaff Bombardier whilst watching the daytime quiz show 'Tenable', presented by Warwick Davis - unfortunately our knowledge of Spice Girls lyrics can't match our chemical element expertise so we'd have failed dismally had we been in the studio trying to win the jackpot!

- Brewhouse and Kitchen -

Evening is encroaching as we brave the bumper-to-bumper Birmingham Road in search of our final two hostelries. The Brewhouse & Kitchen has received Good Beer Guide recognition with their own ales produced on the premises; of these we sample The Cup Bitter (referencing the former name of the pub) and Shoestring ruby ale (a tribute to the 1970s detective series that starred locally-born Trevor Eve). The Craft Inn meanwhile sees us gatecrashing movie night to test out a Pointless board game - Stephen won - and encounter a very zingy Green Duck pale ale. Our homeward Cross City connection doesn't let us down, and 2019's entire Chip Foundation antics are thus chronicled with hopefully more to come in 2020. Cheers!