- A Building Site Bald Spot -
A West Bromwich rendezvous has members on the march for an opening homage, whereby Chairman D9 picks out the patch on Dartmouth Street where the Hop & Barleycorn once stood. He requires intense concentration when peeking through the hoardings to see whether any segments of the old pub still linger, but alas the only thing to be spotted is a certain balding bonce.
- The Castle Gate Hub -
The Farley Clock Tower at Carters Green looms large as we catch the 74 bus down to Dudley, the Chairman's timetable scheduling proving quite robust on this occasion despite us encountering traffic at Great Bridge and Dudley Port. We alight just before Castle Gate roundabout so that Mr D9 can excitedly visit 'the hub' (part of the Village hotel complex) before pointing out the former location of Dudley Bus Garage.
- The Ivy House, Kates Hill -
It's now but a short walk into Kates Hill, an estate where the Hill Tavern and Freebodies pubs have both been demolished in recent years. The Ivy House is still going on the corner of Brewery Street and Watson's Green Road, thus enabling a bit of darting action as the comforting warmth of a crackling coal fire powers D9 Destroyer to a rare victory. A comedy song trade-off involving Charlie Drake and Bernard Cribbins keeps us occupied until Dixons Green; here the Bush presents a certain landmark quality on the roundabout where Oakham Road meets Buffery Road.
- Duncan Edwards Statue -
Stocking up on tins of salmon, we catch the bus for a quick lift into Dudley town centre where Duncan Edwards' restored statue once again takes pride of place at the head of the marketplace. Born and brought up in Dudley, Edwards was considered one of the most talented footballers of his generation but tragically his life - and those of several Manchester United teammates - was cut short by the fateful Munich air disaster of February 1958.
- Meeting our Warwickshire correspondent -
Having paid our respects to a local sporting legend, we proceed to Dudley Town Hall where the Winter Ales Fayre is taking place. The £15 entry pack arms us with tokens and glasses ready to imbibe of the finest beery concoctions; Secretary WME seeks out some Figgy Pudding Porter to begin with whereas the Chairman launches straight into the supreme strength of Sarah Hughes Snowflake. Honorary Hub Member HRH Nick Turpin is also in attendance, getting to grips with an Enville Cherry Gothic amongst other seductive stouts and porters.
- Flags Aloft in Fountain Arcade -
The ales aren't the only attraction in the festival hall though; the breweriana stand comes in for some serious attention as D9 raids the boxes of vintage beermats - in the end he must have purchased over 200 examples! Back to the beer and WME's other tempting tipples include Peer Pressure Porter, Church End RIP, Holdens Master Ale (a whopping winter warmer) and Brass Castle Christmas Kitty (with lovely hints of vanilla). D9 meanwhile is being especially extravagant, building up to the 15% beer bombshell that is the collaborative Angel Ales/Fixed Wheel Cyclone, a triple IPA that the Secretary isn't brave enough to tackle. Grey peas and good company make for a fine old time and it is a shame to leave, especially with wet weather awaiting outside. Exit we must but at least the Fountain Arcade with its display of Black Country flags offers some brief respite from the elements.
- D9 in the Dew Drop -
To Tipton then and the Fountain on Owen Street where the Secretary confirms that the homely hospitality he witnessed with the Chip Foundation a few weeks ago is very much in evidence again - there is a strong sense of community here with a warm welcome for two soggy strangers escaping from the rain. Tipton's community spirit is also to the fore during the switching on of the Christmas lights; despite the weather, a good crowd have gathered on the square by the shopping precinct to begin the festive celebrations. Our Chairman is a bit too old to sit on Santa's knee these days so we forego the grotto in favour of heading to Toll End, getting drenched along Powis Avenue by the Harrier but thankfully drying off in the Dew Drop.
- Waggon & Horses, Toll End -
Our final port in a wild and windy storm is the Waggon & Horses, the tap for the Toll End Brewery whose ales include Power Station, Black Bridge, Phoebe's Ale (P.A.) and in our case the Clooz Oss special. A fitting flourish to a fabulous festival ferret - cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment