Market Drayton

Hasn't the weather been glorious of late? Unbroken sunshine seemingly for days on end to herald the start of the new cricket season, although rather than Edgbaston I'm inclined to spend the day in Shropshire. A long overdue return to Market Drayton is on the cards, if the transport gods allow...

- C. R. Birch & Son -

It's Friday 4th April 2025 and my trip is at risk of unravelling before its begun when train crew shortages are affecting services between Birmingham and Shrewsbury. The Welsh trains are thankfully running normally so I'm soon scouting around Shropshire's county town looking for prime photographic finds, such as the C.R. Birch & Son hardware premises on Roushill - the company traded for 105 years before closing down in 2015. Elsewhere in Shrewsbury, I spy the timber-framed Rowley's House Museum as the historic residence of a wool merchant. 

- The 64 at Market Drayton Bus Station -

Raven Meadows Bus Station is where I can catch the number 64 bus as operated by Arriva, providing an hourly link to Market Drayton with onward connections to Newcastle under Lyme and Hanley. Once you get up past Harlescott and the Battlefield Retail Parks it makes for a lovely ride, settling back and enjoying the rolling field views through Shawbury and Hodnet. One interesting kink takes us briefly along the A41 to visit the Buntingsdale Estate within Tern Hill military barracks, performing a reversing manoeuvre outside one of the hangars. The Stormy Petrel pub as was has been demolished, then the final approaches into Market Drayton give glimpses of the large Muller Dairy plant for yoghurt manufacturing. 

- Rogers & Son Flour and Corn Mills -

I haven't set foot in this particular corner of Shropshire for the best part of twelve years, my only previous encounter being a Hub Marketing adventure back in June 2013. Cheshire Street gets my reacquaintance mission underway with the hulking presence of the Rogers & Son Mill building backing onto the Abbey Removals depot. The local Wetherspoons occupies a piece of cinematic history in the form of The Hippodrome, which entertained filmgoers between 1927 and 1966 before having a later life as a bingo hall and supermarket. 

- The Buttercross -

Market Drayton was granted its Royal Charter by King Henry II in 1245 and has effectively held a weekly Wednesday market for centuries. There are many attractive architectural gems dotted around the town centre, including the Tudor House Hotel and the Buttercross - the latter being erected in 1824 as a covered area for the selling of dairy produce. Another standout is the Crown Inn pub which reputedly hosted Charles I during the English Civil War - if it's good enough for royalty it'll do just grand for my first pint of the day, a decent Marston's Pedigree with a whiff of the Burton Snatch about it. 

- St Mary's Church -

Continuing to reclaim some bearings, I'm drawn towards St Mary's Parish Church where the graveyard is a riot of sprouting daffodils - I do love springtime when the flowers come into full bloom again. The church's surroundings offer attractive vistas out towards the River Tern, a watercourse which hugs the southern edges of the built up area, while I also detect mentions of gingerbread in that Market Drayton can trace its association with the spiced baked delicacy back as far as 1793 if not even earlier. I could be rather partial to a sweet treat right about now but instead I'll focus on finding the Shropshire Union Canal...

- Berrisford Aqueduct -

Stafford Street does the trick in taking me to the towpath, passing the Job Centre and Grove School in the process. I'll only be covering a very short section of the Shropshire Union today but the portion I've picked is certainly very intriguing, presenting a sunkissed stretch of visitor moorings to the south of Bridge 62. One curiosity is the Berrisford Aqueduct as engineered in sandstone by Thomas Telford and Alexander Easton circa 1830; it carries the cut above a quiet country lane close to Broomhall Grange. The steps alongside the structure are a little haphazard but I suppose they would be after years of being worn away by boaters' feet.

- Talbot Wharf -

Heading beyond Bridge 62 in the other direction reveals the rustic appeal of Talbot Wharf, albeit the namesake landmark Marston's pub that stood nearby is now a private home. Diesel pumps and boat repairs seem to be the order of the day here, flanked by corrugated tin shack warehouses as if time stood still. Calor Gas supplies and chandlery services are also part of the provision before I exit the canal at Betton Road by some sports pitches. Reckoning I'm due for more refreshment, I give the Salopian Star a whirl on account of its slightly shabby beamed charms. A trio of New Brew ales are on dispense so I happily partake of the 4.7% Plum Porter (highly drinkable) and the 5.5% New India; the beer is made on the edges of Newport.

- The Red Lion -

Pleased with that unexpected brush with Shropshire-made tipples, I can now stage an entirely anticipated meeting with more local brews. Historically hailing from Stone in Staffordshire, the reincarnated Joules Brewery have based themselves in Market Drayton since 2010 whereby the Red Lion is their taphouse. It is naturally incumbent upon me to investigate, especially given the prospect of sampling their Calcutta 1757 Pale Ale, while the Mouse Room offers a treasure hunt for fans of carved rodents. The adjacent Stags Head is being renovated as part of the Joules estate so it looks like I'll have a further excuse to return to Market Drayton before long; in the meantime the next 64 bus awaits. Cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - March 2025

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that I tend to publish my pictures in alphabetical batches, in which case I've recently become heavily embroiled with the letter W. Being a proud Wulfrunian, there's no escaping the fact that I take far more photographs around Wolverhampton than anywhere else on the planet, so my monthly photostream summary is going to be even more predictable than usual...

Yes I'm leading with WME Wolverhampton again which has easily been the biggest recipient of W-related material. The city's Art Gallery alone has supplied several items from decorative frieze figures to paintings of highly-inquisitive chickens, while West Park tantalises us with flowerbeds, foliage and a neat line in purple petals. Wednesfield and Whitmore Reans are definitely part of the W contingent, weaving in Sainsbury's artworks or ceramic signs for our contemplation, not forgetting appearances for the West End Club in the backstreets of Merridale and a couple more 'Wolves in Wolves' archive sculptural additions.

The W prefix isn't reserved merely for Wolverhampton items, no sir. It just as rightly applies to the likes of West Bromwich and Wednesbury which nimbly brings WME Sandwell into play, aided by references to George Galloway's General Election campaigning or Wednesbury Parkway car park markings. Wednesbury town centre proved active in compiling snapshots of Churchill's restaurant, Park Inn wallpaper and the William Archer pub, plus there's arguably a rogue 'O' in the form of a Wheelie Thirsty cob lunch from Old Hill.

Beyond Wolverhampton and Sandwell, pickings admittedly get a whole lot slimmer. WME Telford held its own, largely on account of four Wellington street signs (Orleton Lane and Hollies Road among them), then its neighbour WME Shropshire can lay claim to Whitchurch progress courtesy of a Walker's Bakery shopfront and the White Bear pub. I ought to mention WME Warwickshire at this point too, landing Warwick hostelry happenings via the Tilted Wig and the Lord Nelson - they all count you know!

Back in the West Midlands county, I can report a brace apiece for WME Walsall (a cenotaph wreath and a vinyl fair advert) and WME Dudley (Wollescote Road with hints of Stevens Park trees). This just leaves me with WME Birmingham and its solitary contribution of a Wensley Road street sign from those residential roads between Yardley and Sheldon. Looking ahead, I expect the Wolverhampton domination to continue but that's a tale to bring you in April...

More March Moments (2025)

Hold onto your hats folks, I’m in for a busy few days as March nears its denouement. First up is an evening dose of Hub Marketing in my old North Wolverhampton stomping ground, followed by the potential for more Chip Foundation Birmingham-based antics exploring the nightlife epicentre that is Broad Street...

- Jovial in the Junction -

Monday 24th March sets the ball rolling with Chairman D9 declared fit enough to attend a Hub Marketing soiree along the A449 Stafford Road. Secretary WME lived in Bushbury for the best part of thirty years so knows this corner of Wolverhampton very well indeed, although changes are afoot affecting some of the landmarks he grew up around. For example, the Railway Club on Bushbury Lane is now calling itself The Junction and is open to all, complete with snazzy cream rendering to liven up its plain slab frontage. Our opening pint has us checking out the main bar, perched on a barrel table while an excitable pug nervously sniffs at our ankles.

- New Estate at Northwood Park -

Mr WME remembers attending many family gatherings in the Railway Club's function room so its good to see the place continuing to serve the local community in its updated form. The 33 bus does sterling legwork for getting us to Northwood Park where we alight at the Alton Close terminus to see what has become of the Northicote School site. Housing developments have been springing up here over the last three years, centred upon the likes of Blackthorn Drive and Juniper Avenue, but it does feel strange to think that the school has vanished.

- Feeling Bullish in the Moseley Park? -

Continuing along Cromwell Road before cutting through onto Blackbrook Way, we subject the Moseley Parklands to our silly song selections. Puncturing the otherwise peaceful air are The Barron Knights with their Heatwave parody 'Boozy Nights' followed by Louis Armstrong's take on the classic 'Yes We Have No Bananas'. The local residents will no doubt be delighted their eardrums can be spared further abuse once we pitch into the Moseley Park at Broadlands; this is a typical Beefeater chain pub, mostly focused on steakhouse food but mellow enough as a setting to allow for a quick Carling and admiration of mounted Highland bull crockery.

- Making Moreton Memories -

The Hub Marketing rulebook dictates that whenever we're in the Fordhouses vicinity we are behoven to call into the Moreton Arms, mainly so that the Chairman can re-enact a favourite skirt-related homage to bus driving characters from years gone by. It's a shame there are no Banks's ales on during this visit - a sad reflection of the brewery's impending closure - so we make do with Wainwright and Tetleys, downed in double quick time once we realise the next 3 is imminent. Our speedy supping allows scope for a swift splash and dash at the Harrowby, another Marston's boozer which serves the Wobaston estate by Chetton Green flats.

- D9 drives the Stafford Road Hub -

Our ultimate landing point will be Oxley, once Mr D9 has determinedly demonstrated that his steering prowess remains undimmed despite recent lack of practice. The Gatehouse beckons as a Greene King (Hungry Horse) affair down by where the Goodyears tyre factory used to be, hence the winged tyre depiction on the pub sign, while the Island House overlooks Bushbury Lane roundabout and incorporates a chip shop plus a Grill-It restaurant. Alas the Chairman's wallet recoils in horror at the thought of £5+ prices for Shipyard IPA, so Secretary WME is a clear winner in the discount stakes after cheekily taking advantage of a Moreton Happy Hour.

- A Gentleman? Or a Scholar? -

If we're talking about expensive drinks, the real price pain is reserved for the Chip Foundation in Birmingham on Tuesday 25th March. Our Broad Street brief takes us into the very heart of Brum's nightlife, provided we've said hello to Ozzy the Bull at Grand Central first. There are yet more cranes on the Second City skyline as we proceed via Paradise Circus and Centenary Square, Nick pointing out The Octagon as one of Europe's tallest residential skyscrapers. The Gentleman & Scholar awaits with refined surroundings as part of the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex - £7.75 for Guinness and £4 for a small Coca Cola means you pay for that finery.

- Getting a little hazy perhaps? -

Having debated which amongst us counts as a gentleman (Ken) and which would be the scholar (Mr B), we move pretty much next door into the Solomon Cutler Wetherspoons where the monetary outlay required is altogether more acceptable. The tail end of the recent JDW Ale Festival means Nick can sample EVA with me on the Hey Pal, albeit the resultant glass contains a turgid brown liquid flatter than the proverbial pancake. Better prospects lie ahead courtesy of O'Neill's where the Hazy Jane is much more palatable in its own branded beaker.

- A Fan Zone Flourish -

O'Neill's is an upbeat party pub with Irish leanings and a digital darts gangway, whatever that entails. His Majesty regales us with tales of Melrose holidays while Ken anticipates his coming Cromer getaway as well as reminiscing about the Tow Rope Café, a greasy spoon that used to be popular with those doing all-night drinking sessions in the 1970s. We won't be attempting anything quite so adventurous ourselves, hence we'll finish off in respectable fashion over at Walkabout, part of a national string of Australian-themed bars complete with koala bear mural.

- An Australian Beer Aversion? -

It's a rare sight for me to be drinking lager which originally hails from Down Under although this Fosters is much more likely to be of a Manchester rather than Melbourne persuasion. We count at least sixteen separate sports screens covering baseball, tennis and the Wales v North Macedonia World Cup qualifier, plus Nick and Stephen make sure to acquaint themselves with the dedicated Fan Zone flags. Our closing conversations cover a certain US President, the Ukraine War and Mr Beardsmore's car window travails, then it's time to head home. Cheers!

The Stafford Saturday Spectacular 2025

Rickerscote, Doxey, Highfields and Parkside... the Oxleathers, Wildwood, Luck Penny and Staffordshire Bull... such is the litany of places and pubs that have formed the backbone of my annual Stafford sessions every March. With much fanfare, it is now time to see what 2025 can add into the mix...

- Glasshouse Greenery -

It's Saturday 15th March 2025 and I'm all set for what will be the seventh in my now-traditional springtime Stafford series. The 10:19 Manchester train from Wolverhampton gets things off to a steady start with a ten minute journey amongst football fans before Victoria Park claims its customary catch-up to get the photos flowing; WG Grace is present and correct as always but some of the flowerbeds haven't fully been planted as yet. I do enjoy a quick mooch around the park's glasshouses, noting tropically large leaf varieties and various spiky specimens.

- Pickups Electrical -

Continuing via Mill Street and then Mill Bank, I note a couple of old-fashioned shopfronts representing local independent businesses. Henry Burton's is a cycle store whereas Pickups Electricals specialises in household appliances, complete with vintage Hitachi logos. My first drinks stop of the day is a bit of a departure from my usual 'old man pub' remit, the Yard being a trendy craft/cocktail bar on the side of the River Sow. A glass of Brixton Reliance Pale Ale is a pleasant palate cleanser, hitting enough sharp citrus notes to clear any tastebud cobwebs away while the overall vibe is a relaxing one - a solid start!

- A Perkins Picture -

Picking out a portion of Stafford I've never photographed before gets trickier each passing year but one corridor which comes to mind is Tixall Road, heading due east from the town centre. Weston Road is my initial gateway before I bear right at the Metropolitan fork, spotting the likes of Dartmouth Street and Harrowby Street in the process. I remember riding through here on the Uttoxeter bus once whereby one standout feature was the Perkins factory; it's still there, manufacturing engines much as it has done for many years. The firm is actually based in Peterborough and has sites worldwide.

- Bayswater Square -

Evidence of Stafford's edge-of-town expansion is apparent further along Tixall Road where what used to be a country lane through farmers fields has been transformed by a sprawling housing estate. Hydrant Way corner has a sunken balancing pond earthwork then Bayswater Square forms the centrepiece of another section, revealing a public open space surrounded by three-storey properties. The new builds stretch as far as the Baswich Lane crossroads and mean that Stafford Crematorium no longer stands in splendid isolation. Clumps of daffodils line the edge of the burial ground as I take the Blackheath Lane turn. 

- The Knot & Plough -

Another arrival over the last ten to fifteen years has been the Beacon Business Park which sits beside the busy A518. One of the first pieces of the jigsaw here was the provision of the Knot & Plough pub (very much a modern Marston's effort with a carvery focus), latterly joined by a shopping precinct containing a Co-op store, Subway and a couple of takeaways. As you might expect, I pause for a pint of Pedigree and take in the scene. Construction work along Gell Way and Brereton Way suggests that more units are being lined up in future.

- Meeting a Slumbering Monk -

Weston Road returns me the two or so miles to Stafford town centre where Joules's Ye Olde Rose & Crown will form the meat between a Black Country Ales sandwich. I'd like to complete BCA's Ale Trail this year if possible, in which case the Shrewsbury Arms and Bird in Hand are duly stamped in my passport booklet - the former supplies Hobson's Plum Porter (lovely stuff), the latter a Backyard Rucker with a heavenly ham and cheese cob. The intermediary filling so to speak is a Slumbering Monk of the aforementioned Joules persuasion, pondering hints of Shakespearean wordplay courtesy of As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing references to the Market Drayton brewing process. I wonder what Stafford will supply me with in 2026?