MONMORE GREEN: our rendez-vous is set for 1315 hours at Priestfield in readiness for a mooch around Monmore Green. The New Inn (now an oriental buffet restaurant) and the former Monmore Green Board School are noted but there isn't a lot to see in terms of heritage along the Bilston Road these days. We can however partake of lunchtime refreshment at the Red Lion, a traditional local that retains its separate rooms including a nice snug and a compact front bar.
- The Red Lion -
RAILWAY RECCE: our Chairman always likes a good ferret on an afternoon and today's offering was an investigation of railway remains, charting a section of the Great Western Railway that once linked Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level. Much of the route has been reclaimed for the Midland Metro, but where the tram uses street running into the centre of Wolverhampton, the line continued across Bilston Road and an overgrown path now marks the course. It isn't the most scenic of walks as you are surrounded by industry and all manner of dumped rubbish (car tyres were particularly prolific), but it is interesting as you encounter Sutherland Avenue (by the greyhound stadium) and an old bridge site before emerging onto Lower Walsall Street in Horseley Fields.
- Bald Spot braves the Railway Remains -
ALL SAINTS: the Harp Inn catches our eye as a remnant of the old Horseley Fields community, and then we do a circuit into All Saints. Chairman D9 reminisces about the Cleveland Road Bus Garage and we survey the remains of the Royal Hospital, the shell of which might eventually be redeveloped as part of a Tesco superstore project although progress has been frustratingly slow due to wranglings over many years.
- A Right Royal Bald Spot -
MUSHROOM MOMENTS: a run-up-and-go sprint gets us onto the 529 and we are soon in Willenhall, seeking out bostin' boozers with Black Country hospitality. The Falcon on Gomer Street West is a real favourite, alive with banter and a cracking pint of Bumblehole. The Three Crowns had some nice Holden's Golden Glow, and the Royal George had an array of ephemera adorning the walls, from enamel advertising signs to cigarette cards and vintage banknotes. We also made the mistake of walking down the Market Place at closing time, meaning the Chairman availed himself of some abandoned mushrooms and then proceeded to do a D9 driving demonstration clutching his fungi finds!
- The Mushroom Man! -
LANE HEAD: the 41 induces a bit of collateral mushroom damage as a few button specimens escape en route, but most of the haul makes it intact to Short Heath where we alight for further explorations. Predictably, there isn't much room (bad pun!) in the Chairman's bladder so a call into the Swan is required, the pub green and cream on one end of Coltham Road. Lane Head Bridge straddles the Wyrley & Essington Canal with a pub on either side, so take your pick from the Bridge or the United Kingdom.
- The Swan -
WILLENHALL: with the evening rapidly encroaching and the curfew call imminent, we flag down the 40 for a short hop back into Willenhall town centre. Unlike some Black Country areas, Willenhall seems to have retained most of its pubs for the time being at least, and long may this situation continue. Any hope of a few extra mushrooms for the Chairman is thwarted but he can console himself by sampling the County, the Ring O Bells and the Castle before his summons arrives. Sadly for the Secretary, he is unable to better the Chairman's Harp discount and so it is one all on the spreadsheet so far this year.
- More Mushrooms -
It is strange what unexpected twists and turns an outing can take. Last week we had the fishy friend in the tree at Tividale, and today we end up riding around with a bag full of mushrooms for half of the afternoon. You never know what you will come across next, but here's some dodgy driving for your delectation...
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