It's been absolutely ages since we've had a gallery landmark to celebrate, so its time to dust off the bunting because WME Dudley has finally tiptoed over the 200 photos barrier - and as if that isn't reason enough to feel jubilant, some of the other WME galleries have also seen some update action. Indeed, my usually light sprinkling of additions has become more of a prolonged drizzle recently, so there's a bit of catching up to do...
Firstly, to the star attraction. Yes, WME Dudley joins the big boys by reaching its second century. Pride of place goes to two new collections, with Exploring Brockmoor featuring the post office and the Commercial pub whilst Exploring Woodside includes views of the local park and the Crown pub. Well-established collections also get some attention too, as the 251 at Stourbridge joins Dudley by Bus and there is more coverage of the local pubs on Exploring Oldswinford. Whilst I'm delighted to have the landmark in the bag, it's especially pleasing that the gallery has taken a step forward with more local content on which to build in future.
Elsewhere, WME Wolverhampton has also been busy. The Hickman Park connection on Exploring Bilston has grown further thanks to views of some scenic trees and a park gate, whilst a couple of local pubs also make belated appearances - the Old Vine on Exploring West Park and the Quarterhouse on Exploring Merridale. The inclusion of the latter is quite poignant considering the pub was actually demolished only a few weeks ago, a sad loss to the local community in my opinion. I must also mention a new arrival on Wolverhampton by Bus in the form of a long overdue photo of the 533 in action at Northwood Park - the route and the location had thus far escaped inclusion despite being personal favourites.
What else is there to report? Well, WME Sandwell has got moving again with a nice photo of the Abbey pub (Exploring Bearwood) and two internal views of Summit Tunnel (Old Main Line Canal). WME Walsall has sparked into life thanks to photos of the old Forest Gate library up for sale and of the 329 bus calling at Blakenall - it is good to see Travel A2Z represented amongst the various operators on Walsall by Bus.
Neither should I forget WME Staffordshire, which has been supplemented with further pub photos of the Woodman at Bilbrook and the Vine at Wombourne, whilst a view of the pub sign for the Bentlands is now showing on Exploring Codsall. WME Worcestershire also squeaks in with a solitary update now that I've salvaged the station sign for Worcester Shrub Hill Station from the depths of my archive. And last but by no means least, news from WME Birmingham where Selly Oak Park Bridge has resurfaced with a vengeance on the Dudley No. 2 Canal collection, and there's even another sighting of the local market hall for Exploring Weoley Castle.
So, as I catch my breath after that whirlwind summary, you can see that for once there has been a fair bit of action here at WME Towers. I think I'm taking quite a liking to prolonged drizzle, so long may it continue. Who knows, maybe I might even progress to persistent rain...
Friday, February 27
Sunday, February 22
Metro to Myvod
The loss and closure of local pubs has become a regular lament of mine here at WME Blogspot, and has made me even more determined to try and record photographically the pubs we've still got left. Last Friday's outing was a good start in this regard, as I surveyed some of the locals in and around Wednesbury and Darlaston. Here's what I got up to...
- Carters Green: the day kicked off with a Metro ride to Dudley Street Guns Village, a location which turned out not to be as scary as the name suggested. After a couple of tram photos, I walked up into Carters Green to investigate the clock tower, the post office and pubs such as the Marksman and the Wheatsheaf.
- Black Lake: Next it was through the subways to Black Lake, where a propeller sculpture in Oakwood Park caught my eye. The Metro theme continued with a few shots at Black Lake tram stop, and I enjoyed a closer look at the Ridgeacre Branch Canal - I wouldn't mind exploring the branch more fully in future.
- Hill Top: From Black Lake its on to Hill Top, pausing for photos of the Sow & Pigs before branching off down Coles Lane towards Hateley Heath. Here I do battle with the sun whilst attempting a glare-free shot of the Gough Arms, and then its along Witton Lane to track down the Three Horseshoes and the Junction. The walk is already proving to be dominated by pub photography, and the count rises further when I find the Cottage Spring on Crookhay Lane. There is a bit of relief however as I navigate my way through Balls Hill estate to find the Tame Valley Canal for some views of Balls Hill Bridge. I decide to stick with the canal along the short distance to Holloway Bank before heading into Wednesbury.
- Wednesbury: The town seemed relatively quiet for a Friday mid-morning, so I indulged in a few views of the town clock and the post office/Co-op. The pubs weren't neglected, with the Turks Head, the Pig & Trumpet and the George all being duly captured, and then I continued up Church Hill for shots of the Woden (a bonus discovery as I can't recall spotting this particular local before) and a variety of views of the church itself, looking very imposing perched above with some wispy trees adding to the rather eerie atmosphere. Pressing onwards, I locate the Old Blue Ball pub on Hall End before beginning the hunt for a long standing photo target of mine...
- Myvod: The target in question was the Myvod pub, an intriguing local landmark that I'd noticed in the timetable guides for the 313 bus. I can vaguely recall passing the pub on the 313 many years ago, but this would be my first proper look. I hike my way along Manor House Road, pausing momentarily for some shots of the shops on the junction with Park Lane. Next came the pub itself, situated on the corner of Park Lane and Myvod Road overlooking a mini-roundabout. The sun again seemed determined to interfere with my photos but I found a couple of half-decent angles, and was pleased to note the pub seemed very much open after a bit of prior research had suggested it had closed down.
- Kings Hill: My walk had thus far taken me from Carters Green to the outskirts of Darlaston, and was still showing no sign of letting up. Kings Hill was my next location, where I investigated the Black Horse, a Thwaites' pub next to a playing field. Franchise Street soon beckoned to me as I was hoping for a picture of a Highgate pub that memory suggested was down here somewhere. I found the Highgate house (the intriguing Forge Tavern, not much sign of life though) sure enough, but also discovered Holden's Cottage Spring in the process. With two traditional backstreet locals within a stone's throw of each other, Franchise Street could well be worth another visit, assuming of course that the Forge Tavern is still trading.
- Darlaston: I cross into Walsall territory now with a stroll into Darlaston Town Centre, with the latest pubs to capture my imagination including the Spring Head Tavern (closed and covered in fly posters), the Prince of Wales (a very tempting looking Holden's) and the Horse & Jockey. I settle down at the war memorial to rest my feet and grab some lunch, then suitably recovered I summon up the energy for the final leg of the day's adventures...
- Herberts Park: A local estate that I was first introduced to by the old 639 bus, but which is now covered by the re-routed 339. I was hoping for a final couple of pub shots but was surprised at just how fruitful the visit turned out to be. The Staffordshire Knot at Catherine's Cross got the post-lunch ball rolling again (its an impressive corner landmark in its own right), and this was quickly followed by the Royal Exchange just around the corner - unfortunately the sun defeated any hopes of a photo here. Venturing deeper into the estate, I chance upon the Aladdin's Lamp on Wiley Avenue (I had no idea this one existed), which is in turn joined by the New Junction (closed and empty) and the Herberts Park Tavern (looking rather like a private residence that just happens to have retained some of the old pub lights and lettering). All cracking stuff, giving me plenty to think about as I plod up Herberts Park Road for a quick look at the Walsall Canal.
- Moxley: I've called this post Metro to Myvod, but you could add 'to Moxley' on the end of that. From Heathfields Bridge I cross into Hughes Road, spotting a vandalised park before concluding the day's photographic forays with a sneaky snap of the local shops on Burns Road. I then wait outside the local pharmacy before catching a no-frills independents 339 into Bilston.
- 575: I still had a bit of time to kill, so a ride on the 575 filled the gap neatly. The route is currently operated by Travel A2Z linking Wolverhampton and Ettingshall, and provided me with useful glimpses of Rough Hay, Midland Road and Noose Lane (so that's where the new Fibbersley Park School is hiding!).
Sunday, February 8
Into February...
So here we are into a new month and 2009 is disappearing already. The arrival of February brought with it some of the heaviest snowfall for 18 years, and judging by the news, you'd think the country had come to a standstill. WME tends to run at a pace not far off a standstill anyway, but there has been a bit of progress recently so I think we're due for a catch-up...
To begin with, there are a couple of outings to tell you about. Actually, the first was not so much an outing, more of a meeting as I joined Rog and Woody for a post-work drink. It was nice to see the guys again, and I enjoyed visiting a couple of Wolverhampton pubs that I'd never set foot in before. The Wheatsheaf on Market Street was a nice traditional local with a friendly atmosphere, where we discussed Mario Lanza beermats and the further adventures of Bruce the Bear, whilst the Giffard Arms on Victoria Street was an altogether different experience, although I quite enjoyed the gothic surroundings complete with coffin-shaped tables.
My other outing saw me venture out into the snow last Tuesday morning with a walk around Bushbury Hill, Northwood Park and Oxley. It was a lovely bright morning, and the snow had that fresh soft and fluffy quality as opposed to being compacted and icy. The wintry views from Bushbury Hill were delightful, and Bushbury Church looked an absolute picture under its dusting of white. I got a couple of shots of the old Collingwood Library (round the back of the nursery school), then continued into Northwood Park estate for photos of the Vol and the health centre. Next came a handful of views of the Woodbine pub before I continued into Oxley, renewing my acquaintance with the local library (a facility that is sadly being threatened with closure). The 504 bus completed the morning's proceedings, providing a great Metrobus ride into Wolverhampton viewing the snowy streetscapes of Rakegate, Dovecotes and Blakeley Green. The snow really does transform the scenery and I'm pleased I was able to take advantage of that with a few photos.
The snow and the Solihull Network Review have rather diverted my attention away from the WME galleries recently, so there hasn't been a huge volume of updates. Saying that, I think the stuff that has got through is well worth a mention, particularly as regards a clutch of intriguing new collections. First stop is WME Birmingham where the railway content has been further augmented by the inclusion of Adderley Park Station - I doubt even the snow could make that station look pretty! Much more charming is the Shropshire town of Bridgnorth, which makes its bow on WME Salop thanks to photos of the Shakespeare pub and the local football ground. WME Shropshire was long overdue a decent update, and this new collection is a step in the right direction at last.
Next, we have news from WME Dudley where the Gornal trilogy is now complete. Yes, Lower Gornal and Gornal Wood have now been joined by Exploring Upper Gornal, with the Jolly Crispin pub featuring in my starter selections this time around. I've also squeaked a photo of the Dock canalside stores onto Exploring Wordsley, whilst elsewhere on the galleries there have been additions to WME Sandwell (Seven Stars Bridge on the Old Main Line) and WME Staffordshire (Husphins Bridge on the thus far low-key Exploring Codsall Wood). And finally, no set of updates seems complete without some new arrivals on WME Wolverhampton. So as not to disappoint you, I offer Jeffcock Road shops (a nice local addition to Exploring Penn Fields), Tettenhall Wood Institute and the Bird in Hand pub sign, a handful of Staffs & Worcs photos from Compton, and a shot of the No. 3 Green Bus loading on Lichfield Street. All in all, there's a fair bit to be getting on with, and I might still have a few aces tucked away up my sleeve...
To begin with, there are a couple of outings to tell you about. Actually, the first was not so much an outing, more of a meeting as I joined Rog and Woody for a post-work drink. It was nice to see the guys again, and I enjoyed visiting a couple of Wolverhampton pubs that I'd never set foot in before. The Wheatsheaf on Market Street was a nice traditional local with a friendly atmosphere, where we discussed Mario Lanza beermats and the further adventures of Bruce the Bear, whilst the Giffard Arms on Victoria Street was an altogether different experience, although I quite enjoyed the gothic surroundings complete with coffin-shaped tables.
My other outing saw me venture out into the snow last Tuesday morning with a walk around Bushbury Hill, Northwood Park and Oxley. It was a lovely bright morning, and the snow had that fresh soft and fluffy quality as opposed to being compacted and icy. The wintry views from Bushbury Hill were delightful, and Bushbury Church looked an absolute picture under its dusting of white. I got a couple of shots of the old Collingwood Library (round the back of the nursery school), then continued into Northwood Park estate for photos of the Vol and the health centre. Next came a handful of views of the Woodbine pub before I continued into Oxley, renewing my acquaintance with the local library (a facility that is sadly being threatened with closure). The 504 bus completed the morning's proceedings, providing a great Metrobus ride into Wolverhampton viewing the snowy streetscapes of Rakegate, Dovecotes and Blakeley Green. The snow really does transform the scenery and I'm pleased I was able to take advantage of that with a few photos.
The snow and the Solihull Network Review have rather diverted my attention away from the WME galleries recently, so there hasn't been a huge volume of updates. Saying that, I think the stuff that has got through is well worth a mention, particularly as regards a clutch of intriguing new collections. First stop is WME Birmingham where the railway content has been further augmented by the inclusion of Adderley Park Station - I doubt even the snow could make that station look pretty! Much more charming is the Shropshire town of Bridgnorth, which makes its bow on WME Salop thanks to photos of the Shakespeare pub and the local football ground. WME Shropshire was long overdue a decent update, and this new collection is a step in the right direction at last.
Next, we have news from WME Dudley where the Gornal trilogy is now complete. Yes, Lower Gornal and Gornal Wood have now been joined by Exploring Upper Gornal, with the Jolly Crispin pub featuring in my starter selections this time around. I've also squeaked a photo of the Dock canalside stores onto Exploring Wordsley, whilst elsewhere on the galleries there have been additions to WME Sandwell (Seven Stars Bridge on the Old Main Line) and WME Staffordshire (Husphins Bridge on the thus far low-key Exploring Codsall Wood). And finally, no set of updates seems complete without some new arrivals on WME Wolverhampton. So as not to disappoint you, I offer Jeffcock Road shops (a nice local addition to Exploring Penn Fields), Tettenhall Wood Institute and the Bird in Hand pub sign, a handful of Staffs & Worcs photos from Compton, and a shot of the No. 3 Green Bus loading on Lichfield Street. All in all, there's a fair bit to be getting on with, and I might still have a few aces tucked away up my sleeve...
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