Going Going Gornal

Friday 17th May and the heartlands of the Black Country are firmly in focus as the Hub Marketing Board tour Sedgley and Gornal on their latest adventure. Here is a pictoral parade of the afternoon's entertainments...

- Secretary in the Old Ash Tree -

We commence by heading out of Wolverhampton with an investigation along the Dudley Road, noting the transformation of Blakenhall Gardens where the old tower blocks are long gone to be replaced by new houses and a shopping precinct. The Chairman gets a little too excited about the prospect of the Punjabi dancers advertised at the British Queen, but in fairness he does restrain himself by visiting the Old Ash Tree instead.

- The 1 Experience -

Leaving Fighting Cocks behind, we make use of the 1 for our ride up to Sedgley. The route is now operated by a fleet of smart hybrid electric buses complete with a Black Country voiceover announcing the upcoming stops. Naturally enough, the Chairman couldn't resist driving one for himself...

- Cheers from the Beacon -

When in Sedgley, a call in at the Beacon Hotel is simply a must. As if the timewarp Victorian period interior isn't enough to enjoy, the pub is also home to the Sarah Hughes Brewery and it's flagship ale Dark Ruby Mild. Surely one of the best pubs and best beers in the whole country!

- The Sedgley Closet -

Fortified by our Ruby, we set off for the centre of Sedgley in search of sleeve items to keep the Chairman occupied. The old public conveniences on Gospel End Street certainly fit the bill!

- Flat Cap in the White Hoss -

Next on the pub radar was the White Horse where the Chairman is seen modelling the full Black Country regalia complete with crusty cobs, flat cap, traditional ale and dominoes.

- D9 Destroyer goes for the kill -

To Upper Gornal then and the Jolly Crispin Darts Challenge. Some Fownes' ales are sampled as the D9 Destroyer beats the WME Whirlwind by two legs to nil, although our usual ineptitude when attempting to hit trebles and doubles was still very much afflicting us.

- The Gornal Closet -

Our early evening wanderings take us down the hill through Lower Gornal towards Gornal Wood. This is serious pub territory with far too many tempting options to squeeze into one afternoon - you really are spoilt for choice with Bathams and Holdens representatives plus the Black Country Ales brewery tap all in relatively close proximity. Honourable mentions must go to the Old Mill (for the bar snack nibbles) and the Old Bull's Head (where the Chairman completed the darting whitewash), not forgetting of course the Gornal Wood bus station closet next to the Red Lion.

- Bald Spot at the Bus Hub -

And finally, our festivities end with a mini-circuit of Gornal Wood, noting the Fiddlers Arms and the Woodman before rounding it all off in the Red Lion. We then nip outside to the bus station where the Chairman awaits collection, his bald spot dappled in the shadow of the Zoar Chapel. It had been an epic afternoon and yet we'd barely scratched the surface of what Sedgley and Gornal have to offer - there might well be a bit more marketing to do across that neck of the woods before too long...