An Exercise in the Black Country

Saturday 14th January 2012 and my first solo trip of the New Year is accompanied by the first real signs of winter as I embark on a circuitous walk from Stourbridge to Netherton…

- Stourbridge Bus Station Takes Shape -

STOURBRIDGE: An iced-up 256 gets the day off to a nippy start with a ride down through Wombourne, Wall Heath and Kingswinford, the route diverting through the Penfields estate to reach the temporary stands on Birmingham Street. A lot of progress has been made with the Stourbridge Interchange Project since the last time I was here, and it appears that the main stand buildings are now essentially in place. Work continues on remodelling the subway and creating a feature entrance by the railway station.

OLDSWINFORD: My walk begins with a stroll up the Hagley Road, the sun streaming into my eyes on the way into Oldswinford. The Cross and the Shrubbery Cottage ensure a healthy quota of pub photos then I detour away from Love Lane to have a look at Mary Stevens Park, the crisp morning frost giving a crunchy texture underfoot.

- St Peter's Church, Pedmore -

PEDMORE: Back on Love Lane, I weave my way around into Pedmore where the Foley Arms and little convenience store are familiar features from previous visits. A peek at St Peter’s Church reveals a picture postcard scene where the churchyard looks out over the neighbouring cricket ground, a classic English view on a beautiful winter’s morning. Pedmore Lane then leads me down into the Pedmore Fields estate where I can renew my acquaintance with the Queensway pub on the corner of Gauden Road and Walker Avenue.

WOLLESCOTE: I remember visiting Wollescote one dark evening with Rog so it was interesting this time to see the place in daylight. Stevens Park is an extensive area of open space and includes the impressive Wollescote Hall, a grade two listed building that is now used by Dudley Council’s Social Services department. A hefty climb up Perrins Lane brings me to the Top Bell pub on Belmont Road, a landmark I remember from the old 248 bus route. Another cracking (if somewhat morbid) find is the Lye & Wollescote Cemetery where the historic chapels building immediately caught my eye with its needle-like spire.

- Wollescote Hall -

THE VINE: After a brief flirtation with Lye Cross, I haul my aching feet up Thorns Road for views of another Stevens Park (the Quarry Bank version) plus the recently re-opened Thorns pub. I can’t resist a little detour towards the Delph where I reward all my morning’s endeavours with a silky pint of Batham’s Bitter in the Bull & Bladder – even the presence of several West Bromwich Albion shirts can’t detract from this bastion of Black Country boozers. Instilled with fresh vigour, I collect myself some lunch in Brierley Hill and then look forward to the afternoon’s expeditions.

DUDLEY No. 1 CANAL: Joining the towpath at Ninelocks Bridge, I proceed over the Embankment with panoramic views of the Merry Hill Centre – I much prefer seeing it from on high rather than being caught up in all the hurly-burly of the shopping arcades. I was perhaps expecting the Waterfront to be busier, but the calmness was welcome for some shots of the Round Oak Bridges. I then pass the site of Woodside Junction, from where the former Two Lock Branch used to provide a short-cut to the Dudley No. 2 Canal, before exiting the canal at Peartree Lane.

WOODSIDE: I leave the waterways momentarily for a little local interlude wandering around Woodside, pocketing further pub photos courtesy of the Woodside Inn and the Crown (the latter having seemingly closed down). The Railway Inn is a nice discovery on Buxton Road, then Holly Hall Road connects me back to the canals at Parkhead.

- Grazebrook Arm Bridge -

DUDLEY No. 2 CANAL: Back on the towpath trail, I have a mooch around Pensnett Basin and the Grazebrook Arm (both short stubs of the wider Parkhead complex) and then scamper over Blowers Green Lock to join the Dudley No. 2 line. It’s only a short distance to Blackbrook Bridge but the surroundings change in character from stripy yellow industrial warehouses to tufty fields with grazing ponies and Netherton Church peeking out amongst the treetops.

NETHERTON: My final destination is in sight but there’s just a little bit of business to take care of first. Blackbrook Road is quite intriguing, the track feeling almost forgotten until it reaches some terraces up by Hill Street. The Hope Tavern provides a photographic flourish, the pub appearing as a traditional corner alehouse from its perch on Cinder Bank, whilst a Hingley anchor now takes pride of place on the square outside the Arts Centre, replicating the ones manufactured locally for use on the Titanic. With a quick nod to Ma Pardoe’s and the former Junction pub, I bring matters to a close with the 244 and 1 buses safely escorting me back to Wolverhampton.

- The Hope Tavern -

Job done then and that walk was quite an achievement, linking Stourbridge and Netherton via seemingly everywhere in between. My thighs feel much more toned, my feet still haven’t forgiven me, but the aches and pains were all made more than worthwhile by the chance to gather some special Black Country photos and memories.