WME Update Digest: June 2009

Another month is fast disappearing into the ether, and suddenly we're halfway through 2009 already. I guess its time then for another summary of WME update action...

• What's all this for starters - an update on WME Warwickshire? Surely it cannot be! Well, the seemingly impossible has indeed occurred, and some new additions have finally arrived after a staggering 12 month hiatus. The photos concerned are views of the 222 Stratford Park and Ride, the 63 bus calling at Rugby, and a new Exploring Keresley Village collection focusing on the local community centre. I'm just pleased to see this oft-forgotten gallery finally moving again - its been way, way too long...
  
• From that bombshell we move to another of the stragglers that has burst back into life. WME Coventry is celebrating the inclusion of new canal content as Bridge 8 makes its first appearance on the Coventry Canal. A photo of the old No. 4 route at Binley is also worth a mention, and there are additional views of Canley Station and my old friend the 34 bus at Tile Hill South terminus.
• Not to be outdone, WME Solihull has continued its own mini-revival. I thus offer you a Stagecoach bus on layover near Birmingham International Station, along with views of the 26 at Kingshurst terminus and the 17 at Marston Green.
• It's been a solid month at WME Birmingham too. The Maggies pub has muscled its way in on Exploring Hall Green, whilst the Great Stone has increased its existing presence on Exploring Northfield. I can also report additions to Northfield Station (car park and train views) and Exploring Yardley Wood (another look at the distinctive shops on Highfield Road).
• To WME Walsall, where canal updates have been particularly in vogue. The wonderfully named Porkett's Bridge accompanies a second shot of Forster's Bridge onto the Walsall Canal collection, whilst the Wyrley and Essington receives two pretty views taken near Anchor Bridge in Brownhills.
• Elsewhere, there have been solitary bus additions to WME Wolverhampton (the 530 at Rocket Pool) and WME Telford (99 at Telford Bus Station). Lowe's Butchers has squeaked in to Exploring Worfield on WME Shropshire; likewise, a view of a large lock at Stourport Basin has nestled in on WME Worcestershire's Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal collection. And finally, one of my favourite pubs has at long last taken its rightful place in the West Midlands Exploration pantheon of photography, so its a big thumbs up to the Beacon Hotel as it settles in nicely amongst the Exploring Sedgley offerings on WME Dudley.

Another constructive month then, its been heartening to see some of my less developed galleries making decent progress. July could be a challenging month as technical issues could prevent me from making as many updates as I would like. I'll do my best to keep things ticking over, and will be sure to keep you posted with developments right here on WME Blogspot.