Mini Marketing with Mr D9

Taming tigers, Spinney searches and an encounter with King Arthur are all in an afternoon's work for the Hub Marketing Board during a circuit of Park Hall, Great Barr and Charlemont Farm...

- The Fir Trees Development -

Although the meeting proper isn't scheduled until the afternoon, the Secretary is still out and about with his morning investigations. Chief among his early targets is the Fir Trees development on the Yew Tree estate where new housing is rapidly springing up on the site of a former primary school.

- Keeping the checkouts coming -

Fast forward a few hours and the main marketing event is underway with some Delves darts. The setting is the Tiger on Walstead Road where, armed with some Banks's Mild, WME Whirlwind tames the D9 Destroyer by three legs to one. The Chairman was no doubt distracted by trying to 'Pump up the Bitter' for his silly song selection of the day (or had WME's 'Sing Little Birdie' suggestion beaten him into submission?)

- A Tigerish Bald Spot -

Still reeling from his darts defeat, Mr D9 fatally let his guard down and one quick camera click later the bald spot had been breached once more. Members then have a brief Bell Bridge sighting of part of the Rushall Locks before proceeding along leafy Lodge Road into the Park Hall estate.

- Gillity Village Precinct -

At the centre of Park Hall we find the Gillity Village shopping precinct on Liskeard Road with various stores including an opticians, a dentist and a wine shop. Just along from the precinct is the King Arthur, a place which is a step up from your average estate box boozer. Here we are tempted into playing Hooky (D9's wallet making a most gracious sacrifice) while getting to grips with the eclectic interior, a mixture of heavily-patterned upholstery and Camelot-styled chairs. It's certainly distinctive!

- Scott Arms Closet -

Back on the main Birmingham Road, members note the Bell (a typical Ember Inns establishment) before catching the X51 in advance of some Great Barr business. A closed closet and the base of a Bundy clock keep us occupied, plus the Chairman delivers his prescription for Lloyds Pharmacy by checking that there aren't any errant buses demolishing the front window today (although a security guard was on the lookout just in case). 

- A new addition to the driving uniform? -

Given its status as a West Midlands landmark, the Scott Arms pub simply had to be sampled hence we made the acquaintance of Hobgoblin Gold and a former bus driver named Bob. Mr D9 has his own driving duties to perform next, hopping aboard the 5 and revealing a new means of covering up his bald spot.

- Horsing about with D9 Dolittle -

Alighting almost straight after we'd got on, Mr D9 insists on checking the water levels in the Tame Valley Canal before we hurdle our way through Hamstead. Ray Hall Lane has the Chairman drooling about motorway sliproads before we engage in some animal magic by feeding the local equine population - all oats were gratefully received as D9 Dolittle did his good deed for the day.

- Charlemont Bowling Club -

A cunning conclusion is planned in Charlemont Farm courtesy of the combined charms of the Spinney and the Charlemont Bowling Club. Secretary WME was especially taken with the latter, and not just because of the £1.80 Dark Mild! The 4 and the Metro mean D9 is soon returned to Bradley Lane and another afternoon of happy hubbing has flown by. Cheers!