- Contemplating the Winson Green Closet -
The day commences with a Midland Metro ride to Winson Green, Chairman D9 only just joining WME aboard the tram at Bradley Lane after some animated waving from the Secretary. Our opening photographic exchanges see us stealthily sweep past Winson Green Prison to reacquaint ourselves with the old closet adjoining the canal bridge. It's then over to Summerfield Park where Papa Winson owl looks on approvingly as we prepare for a full-on ferret.
- Selwyn Road -
Our morning mission is to investigate the Harborne Walkway, a mysterious footpath that marks the course of an old branch railway (Hub Marketing members always like a lost transport link). The line historically connected Birmingham New Street and Harborne via Monument Lane, Icknield Port and Rotton Park with part of the trackbed running through Summerfield Park. The bridge at Selwyn Road tantalisingly acts as our gateway into hidden heritage.
- Hagley Road wormhole -
The Harborne Railway was only a short branch, roughly two and a half miles long, and was open to passenger traffic from 1874 to 1934 (freight operations continued through until November 1963 when the line was finally closed). Nowadays the walkway makes for a pleasant leafy stroll as we dodge giant dogs and a jogging club, passing beneath Hagley Road (a former station site) to reach Park Hill Road among suburban rooftops. All is peaceful and quiet until we indulge our crazy craving for silly songs, D9 supplying a Chas and Dave tribute selection before the path reverberates to a Dick Emery-inspired conga.
- Moorpool Moments -
The walkway ends at a secluded Harborne cul-de-sac (Forest Drive) from whence it is not far at all into Moorpool, that lovely pocket of conservation zone charm which the Secretary explored earlier this year. Strangely enough that April WME visit hadn't included one essential feature, the Moor Pool itself so we set about correcting that omission with Mr D9 posing happily at the water's edge. The pool is accompanied by pretty cottages and a bowls club while the rest of the estate presents plenty of garden suburb greenery spanning out from The Circle.
- The Court Oak -
Further flora awaits at Queens Park where the flowerbeds look particularly pretty in the autumn sunshine; alas there isn't a vintage closet for the Chairman to get excited about, and part of the park appears to have been drained due to flood alleviation works. Just over the way is the Court Oak pub, a typical sprawling suburban roadhouse that is currently part of the Mitchells & Butlers 'Sizzling' portfolio. St Austell Proper Job provides some welcome liquid lubrication as we watch the early exchanges of the Ryder Cup opening fourballs.
- Crying over Cwtch -
Our afternoon agenda takes us next to Harborne, scene of a recent fire which caused major damage to a longstanding landmark - the Royalty Cinema as situated on the junction of Greenfield Road and High Street. The building dates from 1930 with notable Art Deco fixtures and fittings; hopefully it can yet be saved for future generations. Pub-wise Harborne supplies the Vine (a standard Sizzler), the Paper Duck (a craft beer bar sampled at the Secretary's request, we enjoyed the 8% Imperial Stout here) and the Plough (scene of a £4.70 couple of halves that left the Chairman crying into his napkin).
- A Weoley Castle Winner -
Boarding the 27 bus, the action moves to Weoley Castle (via California, the Chairman unimpressed by some route hubbing in the Stonehouse vicinity). Weoley Castle Square remains resolutely oval in shape, a variety of shopping parades arranged around a central green. After a pit stop for scratchings, we seek out the estate's eponymous pub as the setting for a darting duel. Fuelled by cheese cobs we trade blows from the oche, D9 Destroyer fearing a Weoley wipeout when WME Whirlwind lands a pinpoint 74 checkout. Destroyer does claim one leg but the final tally gives Whirlwind a 5-1 victory.
- Bartley Green Baldness -
To Woodgate we must now wander, pausing at Bartley Green Reservoir so that the bald spot can admire the watery vista. The 23 is soon on hand to convey us towards Carter's Lane in readiness for a swift half in the Old Crown - cue a drop of Doom Bar whilst watching The Chase. It is then time for our second extended walk of the day, members embarking upon a ramble across Woodgate Valley Country Park with the Bourn Brook for close company. As with Harborne earlier, we shatter the tranquility by staging a singalong although our afternoon playlist contains Desmond Dekker rather than Dick Emery - I'm sure 'Hearty Carty' would approve!
- Sadler's Tap Room -
West Birmingham trips can't get much further west than Quinton, a residential district that sits alongside the A456 between Bearwood and Halesowen. Our targets here are two contrasting microbars, Masons and Sadler's. The former has a solitary real ale (Wye Valley Butty Bach) among a keg-led range whereas the latter is a relatively new arrival showcasing craft and cask from the Sadler's brewery in Lye. The Secretary is delighted to see one of his favourites is available, the Mud City Stout never disappoints.
- A Platinum Perch -
Evening is very much encroaching so our thoughts turn homeward, the Chairman requisitioning the X8 front seat for a belated driving duty. The route was introduced following changes to the 126, creating an express Platinum service linking Wolverhampton, Dudley, Blackheath and Birmingham. The new connection allows us a Blackheath splash and dash whereby Mr D9 picks out the Windmill's End (previously the Ashley) for a nightcap half of Ringwood Fortyniner. With that a breathless day of happy hubbing is complete - cheers!
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