Waterways Walks: The Stourbridge Sixteen

Here we are with the very last knockings of 2019 and I need a canal stroll to help burn off the excesses of Christmas dietary indulgence. My plan therefore is to wend my way to Wordsley from whence I can tackle the sixteen lock flight on the Stourbridge Canal...

- The Locks Await -

Monday 30th December 2019 sees me setting out on the number 16 bus from Wolverhampton towards Stourbridge, a route that currently still serves Himley until January service changes take effect (the 15 will then cover Himley, the 16 Swindon and Hinksford). I alight at the Red House Cone, one of the Black Country's most definitive landmarks - this distinctive conical brick structure was historically used by the Stuart Crystal company to manufacture glasswares until 1936 and is now preserved as a museum. The cone provides the backdrop as I join the towpath at Glasshouse Bridge, bearing north east towards Brockmoor. 

- Nearing Leys Junction -

The Stourbridge Canal itself was integral to the glassmaking industry for conveying supplies and distributing finished products; coal, ironstone and limestone were also transported from local mines and collieries. There are sixteen locks between Wordsley Junction (Stourbridge Town Arm) and Leys Junction (Fens Branch) as the canal snakes its way to Black Delph. Initially I cover the upper twelve locks, passing Swan Lane Bridge, the Samson & Lion public house and Brierley Hill Road, enjoying cloudless blue skies on a crisp winter's morning. 

- Stourbridge Top Lock -

It doesn't take me too long to reach Stourbridge Top Lock which is positioned on the immediate approach to Leys Junction. A simple brick turnover bridge transfers me onto the opposite bank where I can keep on the main line as it burrows beneath Leys Bridge past corrugated warehouses and chemical chimneys. The back gardens of Leys Road have a certain scruffiness before I leave the canal at Farmers Bridge in the shadow of the Moor Street Fryer, a chip shop that used to be the Old Bush (an ex-Hanson's tied boozer).

- St Paul's Church, Hawbush -

Time for some estate exploration as Moor Street leads me into Brierley Hill for a peek at Marsh Park and a wander across Lawyers Field, a grassy open patch partially used as a community garden. Bull Street then grimly brings me from Silver End into Hawbush, a residential area I remember riding through on the 226 bus with Roger. Local features here include St Paul's Church, a primary school and a strangely high proportion of boarded-up bungalows. Swan Lane is where I find out what became of the Nags Head, now divided up between a hairdressing salon and a One Stop convenience store. 

- The Glassworks -

Venturing next via the terraces of Brook Street, I emerge onto Audnam ready for a pint. Given the pubby riches of Wordsley and Amblecote, it's a little surprising that I overlook these nearby classics in favour of the Glassworks, very much a corporate Marston's establishment with 'Generous George' stylings. In my defence, I'm curious to try somewhere I haven't done before and the Pedigree isn't too bad for £2.50 (Monday discount applied). Yes I would probably prefer the Swan, Starving Rascal or Maverick but a tick is a tick, plus it's my trip so I'm allowed to make up the rules as I go along where necessary. 

- Lock 13 -

Marine Crescent combines with Junction Road to return me to the canal towpath, this time for the brief Stourbridge Town Arm section from Chubbs Bridge to Wordsley Junction. I can now investigate the remainder of the locks I didn't do this morning, No. 16 being close at hand at the bottom of the flight. Numbers 15 and 14 are located either side of Henderson Bridge, whilst No. 13 is overlooked by the once-derelict Stuart Crystal factory which has spectacularly been brought back into use as apartments. Industrial heritage has been a key aspect of this trip and I've found the whole walk utterly fascinating.

- A Wombourne Nativity -

It isn't over yet either as Dadford's Wharf marks my latest exit point, the boatyard being notable for narrowboat repair services including painting and blacking. Intrigued by Holy Trinity Church perched high on the hill, I seek out Rectory Fields as an interesting footpath which bisects the churchyard and offers a different angle for viewing Wordsley's principal place of worship. Scratchings and some Downton Port Stout in the Queens Head then precede a return ride on the 16, a journey that gets interrupted at Wombourne so that I can admire the impressive nativity scene outside St Benedict Biscop's. That seems a suitably festive note on which to round off 2019 as a year of adventures - cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - December 2019

Seasons greetings to you all and it's been a peaceful festive period thus far at West Midlands Exploration HQ. I'm pleased to report that Santa has visited (I must have been good!) and he's gifted some new pictures to the WME photostream, so let's take a look at what made our 2019 Christmas list...

• Possibly powered by reindeer, WME Coventry retains its recent momentum thanks to some Canley correspondence from Elmer the elephant and a Sovereign dartboard. Not to be outdone, the city centre chimes in with a historical plaque remembering the former County Hall courthouse. 
• WME Telford concentrates on Coalport this month by collecting tar tunnels and vintage petrol pumps before taking a peek inside a preserved bottle kiln. Nearby Coalbrookdale gets in on the act with a moment of quiet contemplation at Holy Trinity churchyard.
• Deliveries for WME Dudley include several Coseley crackers, most notably the Apple Tree pub and the Providence Chapel. Santa also rummaged in his sack for some Coseley station snapshots, plucking out entrance hoops and waiting room remnants.
• To WME Shropshire now where Bridgnorth is the delighted recipient of a train set. Several steam locomotive sculptures appeared across the town in 2018 of which 'Just the Ticket' and 'Choo Choo Choose' have chugged into contention here.
• Elsewhere in the selection box, WME Walsall eyes up the White Lion at Caldmore whereas WME Birmingham nibbles on the Court Oak near Harborne. Last but not least, WME Staffordshire uncovers an Uxbridge Arms archive item dating from June 2008, and that's our stocking full to the brim!

Mathematically that means the WME photostream comprises 4,230 published pictures and I'll be looking to boost that total still further during the early months of 2020. Until then, enjoy the remainder of the Christmas holidays and see you next year!

A Halesowen Ho Ho Ho!

Christmas is an important time for the Hub Marketing Board as there are certain rituals that must be rolled out every December. Halesowen is therefore placed on red alert for chart rundowns, calendar revelations and guest appearances from our ancient founding father - if only the weather would behave itself...

- D9 Grinch drives the 4H -

Friday 20th December 2019 and it's absolutely bucketing down as Secretary WME makes his way to West Bromwich on the newly-extended Midland Metro; services are now running through beyond Grand Central to Birmingham Library for Centenary Square. The Chairman is fashionably late for our rendezvous and therefore gets punished with driving duties on the 4H, wearing his Bah Humbug hat for the occasion. Endless congestion through Oldbury and Blackheath means it takes an eternity to reach Hasbury where we can finally home in on our opening drink of the day.

- Hunting an escape from the rain -

That first tipple comes courtesy of the Crafty Pint, a micropub on Wassell Road that's housed in a former pet shop. Plum Porter meets Oakham Inferno here as we dry out awhile before braving the rain again during a soggy Albert Road ferret. The walk allows DJ 'Hubbacini' to commence the silly song chart countdown with reference to Wombles, Galloping Majors and the Yellow Rose of Texas. The playlist continues unabated in the Hunting Tree, a pub whose grand townhouse appearance doesn't quite match a plain interior. To the warblings of Arthur Mullard and Hylda Baker, we complete the year's dartboard duellings as WME Whirlwind is crowned 2019 Pub Games Champion.

- San Miguel in the S Bar -

Three quick ticks in Halesowen town centre now await of which Picks makes the best impression, positioned on the pedestrianised section of the High Street and serving up a nice drop of Enville Ale to go with our calendar unveiling. Oscars and the S Bar meanwhile are run-of-the-mill shopfront conversions three doors apart from each other; Oscars is the livelier of the two whereas the S Bar has had delivery problems, hence we resort to having a bottle of San Miguel each given the absence of any draught offerings. In between times, 'Hubbacini' declares that Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's classic hit 'Goodbye-ee' is our number one song of the year although special mention is reserved for our unique rendition of Spanish Eyes that reverberated around the Potteries back in September. 

- Hawne Happenings -

The miserable weather is rather ruining any prospect of extended exploration so it's best for us to stay indoors - more pubs anyone? Switching our focus towards Short Cross, we pitch into the lovely Hawne Tavern for a memorable encounter with a Honey Blonde (Downton Brewery's straw-toned bitter, presented in superb condition). We note also the Whitley - a Black Country Ales establishment on the main road - and the Little Chop House (ex-Mad O'Rourke's) as we convey ourselves to Cradley, the Chairman almost throwing his prized calendar under the bus amidst all the excitement!

- Labouring through the nominations? -

If Mr D9 had written a wishlist to Santa, the Why Not near Colley Gate would probably have been somewhere close to the top. It's essential for us to cash in this bona fide Black Country classic, popping in for a tasty slurp of Hartlebury's Off the Rails - nice! We are then summoned to the Wilson Hall by Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III, freshly exhumed from Market Drayton in readiness for the 2019 Hub Awards presentation. Armed with some house bitter and soaking up the Labour Club surroundings, our hub forefather announces the best Trip (Redditch), Discount (Rock Steady Eddie's) and Pub (Woodrow) nominees in bringing board business to a close for another year. The mayhem should hopefully resume early in 2020, and in the meantime... Merry Christmas!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives: Part 8

Seasons greetings one and all as we take a rummage inside Santa WME's sack of lost pub pictures. Four festive gifts are about to come your way although I doubt these offer much in the way of Christmas cheer...

- The Hurst Hill Tavern -

October's selection of bygone boozers included the Gate at Hurst Hill so here we have another extract from that same area. Indeed, the Hurst Hill Tavern was a cottagey Banks's number that could be found on the junction of Clifton Street, Caddick Street and Turls Hill Road, just opposite the Coppice Baptist Chapel. Having ceased trading a few years ago, this place is now a private residence. 

- The Rookery Tavern -

Not too far away in Lanesfield, another former Banks's establishment wants to be remembered. I never really felt the urge to brave the Rookery Tavern on Wood Street as it always looked a little down-at-heel, perhaps not helped by apparent associations with the English Defence League. It closed circa 2014 and there are plans to create homes on the site, although I'm not sure if it has been demolished as yet. 

- The Vaughan Arms -

We venture into rural Staffordshire for this third example as the Vaughan Arms at Lapley takes a turn in the spotlight. It was boarded up and disused when this photo was taken in January 2012 and I'm not sure the situation has changed much since unless it became a general dwelling. Lapley thus remains a village without pub provision, the nearest watering holes being in Wheaton Aston or Whiston at least a mile and half away. 

- Bye Bye Bush -

Back to the Black Country for this final offering, the Bush having stood on Leabrook Road beside the Walsall Canal. I recall taking lunchtime photos of this one after catching the tram out to Wednesbury Parkway but I never got the chance to sample a drink here. The neighbouring industrial workshops took over the land as extra storage space after the pub was flattened. That's your lot in terms of the Lost Pubs series for 2019 but I hope to return in the new year with more of my archive extractions, cheers!

The 2019 Festive Forage

The yuletide season is upon us once more so Saturday 7th December has been pinpointed as the day for our annual Christmas pub poachers extravaganza. This year we will be the Foragers Three as Stephen is joining Nick and myself for an Irish-influenced tour of Highgate and Digbeth...

- Setting out with Good Intent -

Train strikes and reduced timetables mean that our original Nuneaton intentions have to be shelved, and even though the industrial action affecting West Midlands Railway services ends up being cancelled, we decide to stick with our revised Birmingham remit anyway. After meeting up in the ever-reliable Wellington (where Nick and I unwittingly pair up pints of Leatherbritches' Scoundrel), we proceed to the Good Intent in the Great Western Arcade, a newly-opened Craddock's outlet which operates on not-for-profit principles. Crazy Sheep plays Old Prickly here while Stephen tackles a multitude of icecubes, safe in the knowledge that it's all in a good cause. 

- Beaming inside a big bauble -

Central Birmingham is fully in the grip of Christmas market mode so we twist and turn through wave upon wave of shoppers to emerge unscathed by St Martin's Church. Along the way, Nick poses inside a glittering globe feature and we admire the Bull Ring's decorative Christmas tree. The crowds gradually subside as we continue through to Highgate, happily reacquainting ourselves with the Lamp Tavern and Eddie (a true gent of a publican). Cheltenham Gold is on top form as an accompaniment to Heineken Champions Cup rugby, Northampton taking on Leinster.

- The Market Tavern -
One pub we sadly won't be able to incorporate on this forage is the Market Tavern, a red-brick temple of tile and terracotta that ceased trading several years ago. Standing on the corner of Moseley Street and Birchall Street, it used to serve Bull Ring market traders and the Irish community, not to mention a number of backstreet engineering firms. The Grade II listed building is late Victorian (dating from 1899 into 1900) and features an impressive octagonal cupola above oriel windows, so I can only wonder how extravagant the interior might have looked like in its prime.

- Feeling festive in Cleary's -

Arguably of even greater landmark status is the Rowton Hotel, which first opened to house migrant workers in 1903 and remains a significant Gothic Edwardian edifice on Alcester Street. We tiptoe quietly past in tracking down Cleary's (previously known as both the Brewers Arms and the Hen & Chickens) for a slice of Irish hospitality, coupling Guinness with a country soundtrack - Exhibit A being Declan Nerney's version of 'Stop the World and Let Me Off'. By way of contrast, the Moseley Arms just up the road is concentrating on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday with Jeff Stelling getting typically excited as the goals start flying in.

- Lighting the way to the Spotted Dog -

Those last two calling points had been places we'd never done before but now we turn our attentions to two of our firmest favourites. The Spotted Dog on Warwick Street is a real cracker, very cosy with a coal fire and a drop of Mallinsons 'What's Going On' (pale and golden giving hints of grapefruit). The Anchor meanwhile seems to have adopted the shabby chic approach - I'm not entirely convinced but the Green Duck 'Smooth Criminal' creme brulee stout is exceedingly indulgent! We heed the instruction not to put our glasses on the pool table as we debate the likely outcome of next week's General Election, Nick naturally being cautious not to break royal decorum by offering too much of an opinion!

- On the black stuff in the Big Bulls Head -

After having his fill of the purple peril (a.k.a. blackcurrant and lemonade), Stephen retires for the day leaving Nick and myself holding the fort at the closing couple of watering holes. The Big Bulls Head sorts out our culinary cravings thanks to a hearty dishful of Irish Stew - utterly delicious I might add! - and then this forage finishes off with further Guinness at the absolute institution that is the Irish Centre. We hear this facility is set to close early next year, relocating to the former Stadium Club on Wheelers Lane in Kings Heath - hopefully this will safeguard the future of an important community organisation although Digbeth won't quite seem the same without it. Cheers!

Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2019

Friday 29th November is one of those very rare occasions when Mr D9 and Nick Turpin join forces, brought together by the unmissable event that is the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre - and I was there too of course!

- Mander Centre Merriment -

As is so often the case, my tale begins in Wolverhampton where the Mander Centre is getting nicely into the festive spirit. The annual kiddies grotto has been installed with Santa on hand for a morning photocall, aided and abetted by some rotating reindeer and various teddy bears. Christmas really is just a few weeks away so I'd better get organised with all my shopping and wrapping.

- Hub duties in Dudley Town Centre -

I digress so back to the Dudley matter in hand. Andy, Nick and I converge upon the Griffin as our eventual rendezvous point, meeting up over some perfectly decent Banks's Bitter so that Nick can contemplate a Caribbean-themed menu comprising fry fish and johnny cakes. Further down Stone Street, Mr D9 is pressed into Hub Marketing service when we spot a community hub facility near the old trolleybus terminus. 

- Let the festival frolics begin! -

And now for the main business of the day with the beer festival once again being held in Dudley Town Hall on St James's Road. Stocking up on tokens, we pitch straight into ale action courtesy of Holden's Toffee Porter (nice and treacly) and Cerne Abbas Rum and Coconut Stout. Andy is then determined to work his way up to the absolute whoppers whereas Nick is a man with a stout and porter fixation. I try a few fruity flavours - Church End Apricot among them - and seek out some silly names, Electile Dysfunction seeming very apt in these times of political uncertainty. 

- A Winter Welcome -

Toll End's Old Cockstrangler has a title also likely to raise a chuckle or two; at 7% it needs to be treated with care, as does Andy's superstrength choices of Branscombe Vale Harbinger (9%) followed by Kinver Full Centurion (a mere 10% tempter). Nick is slightly more restrained in settling for some Sarah Hughes Snowflake (clocking in at 8% only), but our unanimous vote for favourite tipple goes to New Bristol's Irish Cream Stout - Bailey's in beer form, simply superb!

- Barge & Barrelled -

Our post-festival entertainment initially involves pricey Peroni in the Glass House, an establishment situated in Dudley's former fire station building off Stone Square. Next up we make a bus 11a beeline to Tipton where the Barge & Barrel keeps guard over the Birmingham Main Line Canal's Factory Junction. Previously known as the Old Bush Inn, we pause here for a Brakspear interlude so that Mr D9 can recreate some pop hits from 1988. 

- Making new friends in Tipton -

Last and possibly least comes the Legends Bar on Owen Street, a keg outlet that is part of Tipton's main shopping precinct. We've missed the switching-on of the local Christmas lights but there is still very much a party atmosphere in town as we partake of some Carling and meet the resident cuddly toys - Andy seems particularly enchanted with the fluffy orange character seen above (no, Nick hadn't morphed into a woolly llama). After that we say our farewells, Mr D9 thwarted in his quest for an English Oak nightcap. Dudley Winter Ales Fayre never lets us down so cheers to a wonderful afternoon!

WME Flickr Focus - November 2019

As election fever grinds the nation into submission, at least we have the West Midlands Exploration photostream to provide a welcome distraction from manifesto launches and frenetic campaigning. Here is what November provided by way of snapshot solace...

I can't claim to have covered the length and breadth of the country although Exploration Extra has offered some farther flung photography. The single Welsh representative is a platform running board from Tenby railway station whereas Leicestershire garners some Thorpe Acre wildflowers from the edges of Loughborough. Liverpool meanwhile has been left to its own devices, hence a visit to Ye Cracke Inn as a pub with links to the Beatles plus a penchant for vintage Bass and Boddingtons branding.

Closer to home, there is shock news from WME Coventry which has belatedly taken delivery of its first picture of the year - it only took me 11 months to arrange such an addition! The Brooklands pub in Coundon ensures any pictorial washout is deftly avoided, and there may yet be more Coventry contenders before the calendar crosses into 2020. It's worth noting at this point that neighbouring WME Warwickshire has also seen some activity, landing a shot of the number 10 bus at Rugby.

The busiest collections over the last few weeks have been WME Shropshire and WME Telford. Salop has benefited from some Bridgnorth bonuses (Foxall's Electricals, the Black Horse at Low Town, some reprises for the Shakespeare) and Albrighton arrivals (Beamish Lane with Upper Pepperhill Farm), whereas Telford pays another visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town. Here I present various bill posters, a New Inn luncheons advertising board and some enamel advertising for Reade's Head & Stomach Pills - I'm sure they are very efficacious! 

No such medication matters for WME Staffordshire although the 261 bus (pictured at Wombourne) did previously serve Russells Hall Hospital. WME Birmingham brandishes a bridge sign for Belmont Row on the Digbeth Branch Canal, then stops off at Stockland Green for a look at Brookvale Park's lake. WME Wolverhampton unusually finds itself bringing up the rear, something it does adeptly thanks to Bilston Bus Station letterings and a Bantock Park information board. Ah well, that escape from the election circus didn't last long and I guess in December our destiny will become clearer. Until then, enjoy the photos!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives - Part Seven

I'm rather enjoying these monthly mooches through my photo archive, even if there's a bittersweet edge to digging out pictures of pubs that have passed into history. Here are four November nuggets for your delectation...

 

- The Black Horse -

I was only in Oakengates just last week but one boozer I had absolutely no chance of frequenting was the Black Horse, long since gone I'm afraid. It stood on Market Street between the Leek United Building Society and Giles Opticians; this September 2010 shot shows it in a bad way having suffered extensive fire damage in 2007, the year after it ceased trading. Although the building has since been partially repaired, it still remains looking for a new lease of life.

 

- The Dry Dock -

It's not just the run of the mill watering holes that can fall by the wayside, sometimes some very well-known establishments expire too. One such example would be the Dry Dock at Windmill End, handily located by a prominent junction on the Dudley No. 2 Canal and close to Netherton Tunnel. This was for some years a Mad O'Rourke's outlet notable for having a narrowboat bow for a bar. I only had the pleasure of one visit before it got turned into flats although Peter Allen called in on a few occasions as evidenced here. 

- The Hailstone -

The Springfield area of Rowley Regis is where we find the Hailstone, a former Banks's number situated on the junction of Dudley Road and Springfield Close (opposite the local Social Club). It had shut down by the time of this March 2009 photo and latterly became a Bangladeshi restaurant that retains the old pub name. 

- The Joker -

Joaquin Phoenix is conspicuously absent from this picture of the Joker, which relates not to the recent film but rather a flat-roofed estate example that used to serve the residents of Hamstead. Seen here in April 2009 promoting Sky Sports coverage and a car wash facility, it now provides a different kind of community amenity by operating as a Tesco Express store.

Ketley Bank and Wombridge

Sometimes the outings that take you completely by surprise turn out to be the best, and that was certainly true on Friday 8th November when circumstances put me in line for a Telford trip rather than the Cannock Chase adventure I'd intended...

- Do greyhounds like pizza? -

You can seldom guarantee the weather in November so I'm pleased to see bright blue skies as I set out from Telford Central railway station. A mysterious footpath leads me first into the Central Park business zone where there are offices for firms including Capgemini, Nock Deighton and Nicholas Tart. It's not far from here to the Greyhound Roundabout, taking its title from a bygone boozer which was turned into a Domino's pizza outlet sometime in the 1990s. 

- Second Avenue, Ketley Bank -

There is still an operational pub in the vicinity (the Hare & Hounds on Holyhead Road) but I'm keen to concentrate on Ketley Bank, an area that originally came to my attention over ten years ago - thanks to the number 23 bus - yet I've never got to grips with it photographically. I start to put that right with Greyhound Hill and an estate that comprises a sequence of numbered avenues. Among these, Fourth Avenue is home to Top Shop and Skyline Pizza while Sixth and Third Avenues converge near the Queenswood Primary School & Nursery complex.

- The Stafford Arms as was -

Some aspects of Ketley Bank are more familiar than others. I don't remember the playing fields off Bank Way at all (with recent rain this would be a squelchy place for a kickabout), but the Lord Hill is known to me after a Hub Marketing visit in 2012. Elsewhere along Main Road, I'm intrigued by an old community centre with little sign of life despite the presence of Abacus Childcare signage, plus I simply must pay homage to the former Stafford Arms as an ex-Burtonwood establishment latterly turned into flats. 

- Holy Trinity Church -

Another lost watering hole is next on my hitlist as Dukes Hill brings me out beside the Pear Tree Bridge Inn, transformed into apartments having at one time been a Wrekin Brewery tied house. Holyhead Road then introduces me to Holy Trinity, the Parish Church for Oakengates and Ketley Bank within the Diocese of Lichfield. Grade II listed, the church was built in 1855 to a design that incorporates lancet windows and a small bell tower. 

- Wombridge Parish Church -

Onwards I go towards Oakengates, passing Wellington Amateurs FC (based at the Fortis Stadium off School Grove) and the Maddocks Sports Club. I have a visit to Wrockwardine Wood in mind but get confused between New Road and New Street (easily done), the second of which results in an unexpected Wombridge incursion. As happy accidents go this is a belter, revealing a corner of Telford that is completely new to me. The local church here sits partially on the site of a dissolved medieval priory and is dedicated to St Mary & St Leonard.

- Wombridge Cemetery -

Wombridge Parish easily pre-dates any thought of Telford New Town developments as its population largely grew during the Victorian period, boosted by emerging employment opportunities among the nearby collieries and furnaces; the Wombridge Canal meanwhile was a tub-boat system operational from 1788 to 1921 and notable for an inclined plane at Trench. Back in the present day, the aforementioned church looks absolutely stunning surrounded by leaves of burnished gold and the adjacent cemetery makes for a pretty picture too.

- The Crown Inn, Oakengates -

Pleased about that haul of autumnal angles, I pick out a cycle path as a means of returning to Oakengates (via Stafford Road) and reward myself with a couple of pints. Oakengates is blessed by a trio of fine Market Street hostelries of which I have time to sample just two. The bright yellow vision that is the Crown beckons for some Hobson's Stout whereas the Old Fighting Cocks boasts a number of Rowton ales including Meteorite pale bitter (the name referencing an iron meteorite that landed in Rowton village during April 1876). Both beers prove to be top notch, adding the triumphant cherry on the cake of a trip that will go down as a terrific last minute change of plan - cheers!

Boldmere Bits and Sutton Park Pieces

The younger Mr Beardsmore had a birthday recently, a fact that did not go unnoticed in Chip Foundation circles. An outing in Stephen's honour was thus duly arranged with Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield selected to help us celebrate the auspicious occasion...

- Erdington Station Signage -

Episode 61 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles is confirmed for Monday 4th November 2019, a few days on from Mr B's actual date of birth but no matter. With the rest of the gang instructed to arrive at Chester Road by 11:30, I set out in advance of the main party in order to undertake some extra Erdington reconnaissance. I'm keen to concentrate on Gravelly Lane but stock up on station shots too, particularly focusing on bridge-based signage as the morning gets off to a fairly grey start.

- Goosemoor Lane -

The aforementioned Gravelly Lane offers some rather scruffy shopfronts when both a militaria store and a model railway business look like they've been abandoned for ages. It's nice to see Goosemoor Lane again, passing the Cookes furniture showroom and recalling those rides on the 66 bus that first introduced me to the area some 16 years ago. Erdington Court Bowls Club counts as a new discovery (Bowling Green Close being a helpful hint as to the club's location) whereas Perry Common bus terminus is very familiar with the 7 and 65 routes taking turns to lay over on Witton Lodge Road. 

- The Birthday Boy in the Boldmere Tap -

Court Lane and Chester Road combine in ensuring I'm on hand to greet my Chip Foundation colleagues at the allotted time, and there is immediate talk of Mastermind specialist subjects as we proceed via Sheffield Road - I'm not sure if pubs of the Black Country would be considered a suitably cerebral topic! Today's opening watering hole is the Boldmere Tap, a Joules establishment just down from Chester Road Baptist Church. A real fire and various breweriana bottles help to create a cosy atmosphere as we present Stephen with his birthday cards and sample the Moon Madness seasonal ale.

- Boldmere Bear -

Whenever Nick and Ken are about it's a surefire bet that the conversation will turn to politics, so there's a frisson of excitement at the prospect of another General Election and having a new Speaker in the House of Commons. We manage to avoid too much Brexit analysis and instead go on the hunt for one of the few Big Sleuth sculptures still on public display. Boldmere Bear is the specimen we seek, looking very much at home outside the Harvester having endeared himself to the local community. 

- A Brace of Boris Bulldogs -

Practically next door to the bear's abode is the Bishop Vesey, Boldmere's contribution to the Wetherspoons empire. As if to prove you can't escape political matters for long, Nick and I end up partaking of a Burton Bridge ale called 'Boris Bulldog', full bodied with a certain whiff to it (or is that just the Prime Minster?) As our lunchtime location this serves its purpose even though our meal is unceremoniously interrupted by drilling noises. Ken doses himself up on coffee refills and Stephen tries to work out who exactly Bishop Vesey was; it transpires that John Vesey (circa 1462 to 1554) was Bishop of Exeter and a close associate of Henry VIII in the Tudor court.

- Glimpses of Gold in Sutton Park -

It's turning into a rather nice afternoon weather-wise and some of the autumnal colours on show in Sutton Park are verging on the spectacular. Given that the park covers 2,400 acres, we concentrate on the south-eastern extremities by strolling from Boldmere Gate to Town Gate via Wyndley Pool. Carved totem poles and miniature golf centres are noted along the way as we debate whether the forthcoming election is likely to be the most unpredictable in generations. Nick almost declares an opinion but stops himself just in time, it simply can't do for a royal such as he to favour one party over another. 

- Poppy Patrol -

Exiting the park at Town Gate, we head up past the railway station into Sutton Coldfield town centre. Remembrance Sunday preparations are well underway and some giant commemorative poppies have been installed at Vesey Gardens overlooking the junction of Mill Street and Coleshill Street. The latter of those thoroughfares is where we find the Kings Arms, a mid-1930s building which replaced an earlier Mock Tudor-styled tavern. Here we can quaff Bombardier whilst watching the daytime quiz show 'Tenable', presented by Warwick Davis - unfortunately our knowledge of Spice Girls lyrics can't match our chemical element expertise so we'd have failed dismally had we been in the studio trying to win the jackpot!

- Brewhouse and Kitchen -

Evening is encroaching as we brave the bumper-to-bumper Birmingham Road in search of our final two hostelries. The Brewhouse & Kitchen has received Good Beer Guide recognition with their own ales produced on the premises; of these we sample The Cup Bitter (referencing the former name of the pub) and Shoestring ruby ale (a tribute to the 1970s detective series that starred locally-born Trevor Eve). The Craft Inn meanwhile sees us gatecrashing movie night to test out a Pointless board game - Stephen won - and encounter a very zingy Green Duck pale ale. Our homeward Cross City connection doesn't let us down, and 2019's entire Chip Foundation antics are thus chronicled with hopefully more to come in 2020. Cheers!

Hub Marketing 2019 - Coventry

As soon as the season turns to autumn, there’s a certain place that becomes foremost in the minds of all Hub Marketing members - Coventry. Since our original sky blue excursion in 2012, we have completed seven annual pilgrimages to Godiva’s fair city with Friday 1st November 2019 having long been reserved as the designated date of number eight… 

- Pigeon fancying, Black Country style -

It's a drab and damp West Midlands morning as the Secretary attempts to get a few starter photos prior to meeting the Chairman. Mr WME's aim is to account for the Funny Things festival, a celebration of Black Country humour that has been taking place in Wolverhampton over the half term holidays. Combining a joke trail with a full programme of comedic performances, the event has also seen the creation of the 'Anthinaerium', a mechanical automata displayed in the Mander Centre which references pigeons, Noddy Holder, Bathams Brewery and the Dudley Bug. 

- Powering up at Coventry Station -

The Chairman is perfectly punctual for the recommended 08:45 rendezvous and we arrive in Coventry just after half past nine as intended. Mr D9 is immediately put to work testing a 'Human Power Station' set of outdoor exercise equipment, ensuring he's fully charged up for the ordeal fun that lies ahead. Bull Yard and Smithford Way allow us to admire some of Coventry's 1960s shopping architecture although there are improvement works underway in preparation for 2021 UK City of Culture status. 

- All kinds of everything inside -

The centrepiece of our morning ferret is a mooch around Coventry Market, a thriving emporium which prides itself on selling all kinds of everything. Thankfully we aren't inspired to break out into song (unlike the musical video which featured on Midlands Today and Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule), but we can grab a cuppa from the in-house cafe and enjoy the bustle and banter of a busy facility. The building is notable for having stalls arranged in the round and was officially opened in November 1958, meaning it will imminently reach its 61st birthday.

- Fargo Street Art -

Elsewhere in the City Centre, the Coventry University Campus supplies some hub photocall locations and we declare the silly songs of the day (Lieutenant Pigeon's instrumental version of 'I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen', and Bert Convy with 'The Monsters Hop', ideal for Halloween). The Phoenix is doing a brisk trade in student breakfasts to a backdrop of the New Zealand v Wales rugby match, then Far Gosford Street proves as quirky as ever with a plethora of eyecatching street art designs. 

- From the 2019 Quiff Catalogue -

The moment Mr D9 has been waiting for is now upon us when our first bus ride of the day coincides with the 2019 quiff unveiling. To great fanfare his latest masterpiece is revealed, lovingly crafted out of old garage rags stapled together with newspaper padding. The stage is thus set for a rock and roll singalong as the 13 powers its way down the Binley Road, passing the Biggin Hall to the tune of Blue Moon before subjecting Willenhall Lane to the sounds of Who Put The Bomp (extra rama-lama-ding-dongs are purely optional). 

- The bald spot admires the byways of Binley -

The 13 drops us off in prime position for a belated breakfast, the setting for which is the Standard Bearer on Santos Close. Roofs don't get much flatter than this as the pub/cafe combination adjoins the local supermarket; we partake of the £4.50 standard Full English from the comfort of the lounge, the egg and bacon helped down by John Smiths or copious cups of coffee. We're soon at liberty to burrow through the back alleys of Binley, the bald spot getting distracted by the council housing - perhaps the Chairman should have kept on wearing the quiff?

- The Glade, Willenhall -

Our next target is Willenhall, a place we visited briefly back in 2012 but haven't explored since. Quorn Way offers a closet conundrum (the Chairman thinks a hut now used as a taekwondo base might previously have been a public conveniences) and St James Lane keeps us heading in the right direction. The trusty pub radar is working well when Winnalthorpe coaxes us to the Glade, a proper M&B number with fixtures and fittings that look original from when it first opened in the mid-1960s. Here some darts can distract us from lunchtime news bulletins waffling on about Brexit; WME Whirlwind edges a closely-fought skirmish, prevailing by four legs to three after D9 Destroyer was allegedly put off by the sight of Nigel Farage on the tv screen.

- Willenhall Library -

The Glade is the only pub left on Willenhall these days because the Bear got converted into a shop a few years back. Turning our attentions to the centre of the estate, we reacquaint ourselves with Remembrance Road where the 13 and 21 routes both terminate outside the Haggard Community Centre. A Heron Foods outlet features among the local stores while a primary care facility, St John the Divine Church and the Willenhall Social Club require some photo action. Secretary WME also notes that the library has moved to be squeezed in at the rear of the Haggard complex, somewhat heavily fortified by the looks of it!

- Going potty in the Humber -

Catching the 21, we hope to land the Royal Oak at Whitley but it doesn't open until later in the afternoon. Instead we navigate through to the Humber Hotel via Acacia Avenue and Gosford Park Primary School, spotting a disused corner shop with vintage Coke advertising. The Humber is a lovely landmark which the Chairman appreciates even more having gained revenge for his earlier darts defeat by taking two tight frames of pool. Solace for the Secretary comes courtesy of the Twisted Barrel Brewery Tap back at Fargo Village, the Oatmeal Stout proving very nice indeed.

- Secretary in the Stag & Pheasant -

The remainder of the outing involves more riding on the 13 - this time towards Whitmore Park - and a dusky drink in Holbrooks (the New Parkgate Hotel being an excellent discovery we weren't previously aware of). Lockhurst Lane stakes a late claim thanks to the Stag & Pheasant, a lively Desi-type establishment near the former Courtaulds works. Widespread train delays threaten to play havoc with our journey home but we do just about have time for a Birmingham nightcap, hence a crafty call at Bonehead just off John Bright Street. So concludes another Coventry caper - cheers!