WME Flickr Focus: August 2014

Somewhat sheepishly I find myself submitting the latest of my (supposedly monthly) digest postings and once again apologising for the lack of activity where the West Midlands Exploration photostream is concerned. Even by my own hit-and-miss standards things have been quiet this summer, as work and family developments have shifted my focus elsewhere for the last few months. I am still plugging away when I get chance though, so here's what August has had to offer in terms of Flickr arrivals...

Revving up for a whirlwind whizz around the region, let us begin with WME Birmingham and a note or two from Northfield where the Clock Cafe, the Black Horse and Bristol Road South have all made appearances. A rummage in Rubery reveals the Cock Inn's emergence while a short sprint to Stockland Green shows the former Stockland pub in its 'Modern China' restaurant guise from March 2010.

Where to go next then? How's about WME Dudley - or Pensnett to be specific - where we can now find archive pub pictures of the old Queens Head pub on Commonside (since demolished) and the Talbot (still going but now known as the Lenches Bridge). Quarry Bank queues patiently before unleashing shots of the local Labour Club and the former New Inn, while Ashwood Park estate summons up a Sandringham Road streetscape.

Wiggling over to WME Walsall, we can pause at Pheasey to take in the local branch library along with the Cat & Fiddle pub, or there are canal contributions from Riddian Bridge (Daw End Branch) and Ogley Junction (Wyrley & Essington). Those of you of a botanical persuasion might like the Northycote Farm herb garden, recently landed on WME Wolverhampton where Blakenhall's Phoenix Park is also making its presence felt.

News now from a trio of S's which all have new albums to celebrate. WME Sandwell has been boosted by Great Barr (two wintry scenes from Red House Park) and a shot of the New Navigation on Lewisham Road, minus any D9-induced pick-up truck happenings. WME Shropshire's solitary contribution this time around is the Crown pub in Market Drayton, whereas WME Solihull doubles up with two Fieldhouse features from across Monkspath way. Just for good measure I throw in a W too, so how's about WME Warwickshire with the Rupert Brooke and Squirrel down in Rugby. Add them all together and it's still not a lot, but it just about keeps things ticking over and we'll see if I'm able to summon up any digest-worthy dealings to tell you about in September...