- Spotted at Worcester Racecourse -
Yes, Friday 28th July and the Board's summer spectacular sees members embark on an away day tour of Worcester's fair city. Chairman D9 boards the 09:49 Malvern train at The Hawthorns and is swiftly joined by Secretary WME fresh from an encounter with Smethwick Galton Bridge. The first matter of the day is to obtain ourselves some breakfast so upon alighting at Foregate Street we pop in to Poppins a few doors down from the station. With scrambled egg, black pudding and hash browns all accounted for we can proceed to explore Worcester Racecourse and christen the day with an early bald spot candidate.
- The Winning Post -
Baldness aside, the racecourse serves as our silly song setting with this trip's novelty gems being 'Waf Woof' by the Springfields (the tale of a toy dog in a Dutch shop) and 'Quiet Life' by Ray Davies (the lyrics remind Mr D9 of his own hectic household). Passing Pitchcroft Allotments we navigate our way to the Winning Post, a pub on Pope Iron Road where we can sample the Tick Tack Tommy Moore pale ale brewed literally just across the street. Resuming our racecourse roam, we follow the path beside the River Severn and round to the grandstand where we can pose with the other winning post. Sadly despite a game go at galloping down the final furlongs, we weren't eligible to enter the winners enclosure.
- Middle-aged musings from the Bull Baiters -
Crossing the Severn at Sabrina Bridge, we ferret our way into St Johns via Henwick Road level crossing with its signal box and subway steps. St Johns is an interesting suburb of Worcester which retains a village identity centred on Bull Ring and the church of St John-in-Bedwardine. It just so happens that there are a few pubs here too so naturally we decide to sample some of them. First up is the Bull Baiters, a relatively new micropub where the Money for Old Rope Stout consoles D9 as he ponders the woes of middle age. The Bell is a nice traditional inn opposite the church - Old Prickly is our ale choice there - while the Bush supplies some Cannon Royall hospitality to a backdrop of an impressively-carved curving bar surround.
- Royal Porcelain Works -
Two of Worcester's most well-known institutions are next into the spotlight. A wander down by the cathedral brings us to Severn Street and the remains of the Royal Worcester factory. Prized porcelain was produced on this site and transported around the world, gaining a reputation for high end luxury quality. The old works are being redeveloped but pottery enthusiasts can still visit the Museum of Royal Worcester to discover their collections of celebrated ceramics.
- A Saucy Bald Spot? -
Another famous Worcester brand is Lea & Perrins, makers of the piquant condiment that is Worcestershire Sauce. Our photo call at the firm's Midland Road base allows for a sneaky bald spot opportunity as the Chairman approaches the distinctive orange gates, the Secretary meanwhile having a sudden craving for cheese on toast! Wyld's Lane can then contribute a couple of photos of the Plumbers Arms, a backstreet boozer we were intending to sample but it didn't seem to be open.
- The Punchbowl, Ronkswood -
Not to worry, the Secretary has another pub tucked up his sleeve and therefore plots his way through the Perry Wood local nature reserve in order to reach Ronkswood. What seems to be a fairly ordinary housing estate has at its heart the Punchbowl, a place that at first glance looks similarly unremarkable. However, closer inspection confirms an intact original interior that has survived virtually unaltered since 1958 - wonderful! We absorb the community atmosphere here over a game of darts, WME Whirlwind breezing into a 4-0 lead no doubt inspired by those properly pubby surroundings.
- The Secretary goes all Imperial -
A couple of stops in Worcester city centre are now on the agenda before we have to think about catching the train. The Chairman takes great delight in obtaining discount Mild at the West Midland Tavern, an establishment that has all the architectural appeal of a grotty Blackpool guesthouse but compensates for this with a warm welcome. A friendly disposition is also evident at the Imperial Tavern, Worcester CAMRA's current Pub of the Year winner on St Nicholas Street. This is a Black Country Ales house refurbished in their customary style and a pint of Prescott Hill Climb soon has the Secretary purring in appreciation.
- Worcestershire Whitewash Secured! -
That's all where Worcester is concerned but our homeward journey does include a Droitwich distraction in the form of the Riflemans Arms (a pit stop is normally needed on journeys where the D9 bladder starts to suffer). More Banks's Mild is accompanied by a darting coup-de-grace when WME Whirlwind unfurls the double 8 that secures a 6-0 victory, leaving the D9 Destroyer to contemplate having been whitewashed in Worcestershire. The bald one licks his wounds on the train but has recovered enough of his dignity to contemplate a Bilston Trumpet nightcap, cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment