Tuesday, October 26

WME Flickr Focus - October 2021

Alphabetically speaking it's been all about the 'B's as regards WME photostream progress in October, with Bradmore, Bewdley and the Black Country Living Museum all registering considerable contributions...

We'll kickstart this month's summary with good news from WME Worcestershire. Bewdley has been very busy of late, not least thanks to the community orchard in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens - I rather like the apple core sculpture I discovered there last year. Dog Lane and Bark Hill provide assorted signage while a police lamp is an interesting relic I found in the town's museum. Anybody intending on sticking up bill posters needs to be wary though as they don't take kindly to such practices in the Wyre Forest!

To WME Dudley and the aforementioned Black Country Living Museum where my vegetable fixation continues unchecked thanks to a basketful of cabbages and onions. Racecourse Colliery grabs itself some coal while the old-fashioned fairground shows off its coconut shy. Birdcages and scrubbing brushes adorn the ceiling of the hardware shop and there's a peek at a Penn Fields-bound vintage tram lurking in its depot hideaway.

Third up is WME Wolverhampton which brandishes several items from Bradmore and Bantock Park. Summer scenes through the trees seem to be a recent specialty alongside references to Bantock House's lovely Drawing Room plus a random fabric collection. Bantock Avenue registers a road sign, and a certain stern servant mannequin makes his second scowling appearance.

There isn't too much to tell you about elsewhere on the galleries. WME Warwickshire bothers Bedworth and Bermuda Park railway stations for platform numbers (and possibly a little hint of the Bedworth Liberal Club); WME Walsall snares a solitary snippet from Barr Beacon Nature Reserve; and finally WME Birmingham bags a Woodcock pub picture from the vicinity of  Bangham Pit near Bartley Green. Until next month, enjoy the photos!

Saturday, October 16

Pottering About Again...

There is very much a focus on Fenton as the Hub Marketing Board stage their third potter around the Potteries, building on our previous Stoke-on-Trent visits in 2015 and 2019. Here comes the tale of the trip...

- Welcome to Fenton -
It is the afternoon of Friday 15th October 2021 and Chairman D9 insists on sprinting down to Wolverhampton station even though our train isn't yet due - I guess he didn't want to break the habit of a lifetime! Stoke is little over half an hour away so we're soon saying hello again to Josiah Wedgwood's statue and setting forth along Leek Road past the Sixth Form College. Fenton is one of six towns that federated together in 1910 to form the Stoke-on-Trent county borough, and compared to the likes of Hanley and Burslem it can go somewhat under the radar. We're determined to give it our fullest attention, to which end City Road makes the initial introductions with a glimpse of the Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

- Bring on the Bass -
It should surprise no-one that pubs will feature quite heavily during our tour and first up is the Terrace Inn on the corner with Smithpool Road. The Secretary is very excited to see some classic Bass lettering here and happier still to partake of the draught nectar; unfortunately his encounter with the famed red triangle does not translate into sporting success because Mr D9 is in a ruthless mood when it comes to table skittles - a trouncing in the Terrace, I'll never live it down! Bass is also detected at the Olde Manor Inne - a comfortable place with lots of framed indentures on the walls - whereas the Musician delivers an acceptable half of Doom Bar.

- A Super Yummy Bald Spot? -
The A5007 City Road/King Street forms the main artery through Fenton and is effectively one long straight road connecting Stoke with Longton. Notable features as we merrily stroll along include a Thai Kitchen (based in what used to be the Newtown), the Afford Rent-A-Car garage and numerous takeaways, a Super Yummy example of which helps distract the D9 bald spot. Royal Oak Furnishings can be found opposite the curving frontage of the aforementioned Musician and then there's a bed warehouse, a Co-op and an Any Owd Oatcakes shop.

- Fenton Market Place -
We're now getting to see the historic heart of Fenton whereby the area around Albert Square and Baker Street contains some excellent examples of civic architecture, including the Free Library (a Carnegie-funded facility that opened in 1906 but ceased operating in 2011) plus the Magistrates Clerk's Offices and a former bank. Fenton Market runs every Thursday on a small patch just off City Road although the Chairman is disappointed to discover that the toilet block has been replaced with a very modern facility - there's no pleasing some people.

- Fenton War Memorial -
Fenton's proud heritage is even more apparent when it comes to the Town Hall, a spectacular edifice dating from 1888 having been provided by local pottery magnate William Meath Baker. The ballroom here has been successfully restored and the building continues to be the focus of many community activities. A war memorial obelisk is another key component gracing the square - it was first unveiled in 1921 and is a Grade II listed structure - while Christ Church completes the scene with its imposing late Victorian tower showcasing the Gothic style.

- The Hub -
Enough of these historical ramblings, we need more mundane observations! Fenton supplies us with not one but two hubs, the first of which can be found next door to the church in some kind of repurposed chalet while the other is the Staffordshire Music Hub down beside the railway line. In between times we are summoned to the Bench & Bar, a watering hole named in reference to the nearby courts. Sitting beneath photographs of football legends Sir Stanley Matthews and George Eastham, we plead guilty to a liking for more Draught Bass.

- The Locomotive, Heron Cross -
At this juncture, Secretary WME's research leads us away from Fenton town centre and along Station Bridge Road into the neighbouring area of Heron Cross. Heron Street used to be the setting for two traditional boozers but alas the Railway is permanently shut, meaning we're reliant on the Locomotive for our next drink. This is a Marston's tied house that seems to blend in well with the surrounding terraces; the Pedigree is on good form and a chicken tikka cob is likewise much appreciated, assisting WME Whirlwind's efforts to claw back some sporting credibility. Two clinical legs of darts have the Secretary sensing an unlikely victory...

- An Angelic Checkout -
That is until we return to the main Fenton patch and pitch into the Angel on Park Street where D9 Destroyer reasserts his authority courtesy of an incredible 116 checkout - well done sir! The pub meter is beginning to run out but honorable mentions must go to the Old Post Office for craft Young's Stout, and to Malt 'n' Hops for a mighty fine Dark Drake (Dancing Duck Brewery). We're getting precariously close to Longton now hence we decide to finish off at the Potter, chatting about Guinness to a bloke who used to live in Tamworth. The number 11 bus gives us a helping hand in the direction of Stoke Station and overall the Potteries has done us proud once more - cheers!

Monday, October 11

Two October Outings

Back-to-back trips to report on now as a daring double sees me join the Beardsmores in Cannock Chase District - hello Hednesford! - before Nick acts as my Leamington tour guide for a circuit of Whitnash and Woodloes. Here is my summary from a terrific if breathless couple of days...

- The Family Firm? -
Let's start with Friday 8th October 2021 and what we've since christened 'The Chaserider Challenge' - I'm slightly out of the loop on bus operator developments these days and hadn't twigged that the D&G Group had taken over Arriva's Cannock and Stafford network, I must try harder! The number 70 conveys us from Heath Town to Cannock via New Cross Hospital, Featherstone, Cheslyn Hay and the Longford Estate (sadly with a Co-op where the Ascot Tavern used to stand). A street market is bringing some welcome life to Cannock town centre as we spot an ornamental elephant statue and Beardsmore Lighting, a long-standing family business that apparently has no connection whatsoever to my two accomplices. 

- JB on the John Smith's -
As commendable as Cannock is, the main focus of Friday revolves around Hednesford so we catch the 26 Circular across through Chadsmoor and alight by the railway station. Coal mining was historically the major industry in the Cannock Chase area so a Davy lamp-style sculpture outside Hednesford Library remembers the local pits, while over 3,500 miners' names are recorded among the bricks that encircle the town clock flowerbeds. Initial refreshment is sought from the Hen House on Eskrett Street but I'm not particularly keen on the house pale ale; my pint of Gravitas in the Hedgeford Lodge Wetherspoons is altogether better and Mr B Senior does enjoy his John Smith's even if the picture above suggests otherwise!

- Serious about Sausage Rolls -
Stephen and John seem to be engaged in their own private battle to outscowl each other on the blog pictures, and in this case we see Beardsmore Junior studiously contemplating his sausage roll lunch. We needed that snack when waiting for the Heddins Ford to open at 2pm; situated in a former bank building that also served as a bookmakers for a while, this is now a micropub overseen by the Backyard Brewhouse from Brownhills. The 1898 Dark Mild is very much my kind of tipple - deep, malty and in excellent condition - as the barmaid joins in our discussion about the dialect differences between Willenhall, Walsall and Wednesbury. 

- The Duck, Chadsmoor -
Our homeward bus is at twenty past four which leaves us a brief window of Chadsmoor opportunity. The Duck is the obvious candidate due to its off yellow appearance and proximity to the Moss Street bus stops. We weren't expecting much in here but it does us fine for a quick slurp of Boddingtons in a no-nonsense local, plus I can snaffle cheeky snaps of the nearby doctors surgery and a Methodist chapel. The return 70 behaves itself so Stephen and I can fulfill our evening fixture at the Tettenhall Cricket Club Quiz. Team Bears put in a sterling performance but a cautious approach to the final 'Wipeout' round sees us pipped to the victory by the Scrambled Eggheads - we'd still have taken second place at the start. 

- Leamington's Stagecoach Depot -
Ordinarily Friday's antics would have provided more than enough fun and frivolity but no, this is a special week and Saturday 9th October is on standby to continue the fun. Leamington Larks are thus on the agenda as I meet Nick outside the spa town's Art Deco-fronted railway station, and the U1A is then on hand to whisk us off to Warwick Gates for a glimpse of the relocated Stagecoach bus depot. Having admired some of the parked-up fleet through the mesh railings, we nip into the adjacent Royal Horse for an Abbot Ale aperitif. Although this is very much your standard Hungry Horse chain experience, they have made an effort with their Halloween decorations hence a multitude of cobwebs, witches faces and comedy spiders. 

- A Portuguese Pose? -
The pubs come thick and fast along the Tachbrook Road as a Heathcote - Windmill - Urban Fox combination keeps us very busy. The former is preparing for a 50th birthday celebration so we refrain from helping ourselves to the Swiss rolls; the middle of the three has a traditional bar room with two dartboards; and the latter used to be called the Wheatsheaf prior to a craft makeover - the Napton Blackcurrant Cider makes for a refreshing change. Halves are the way to go when you've got so many watering holes close together and we hadn't even factored in the Joiners Arms on Shrubland Street, a boozer that turns out to be a little pocket of Portugal complete with its own community shop selling rice, Filipinos chocolate bars and mystery meat.

- A Hodcarrier Half -
Every once in a while I suspect Nick gets possessed by the restless spirit of Mr D9, and the sight of the Brunswick Hub must have stirred an unexpected liking for dives. The Jet on Brunswick Street attempts to deafen us with hip hop at high decibels although a drop of Guinness in the borstal-like beer garden is perfectly acceptable. Nick then exceeds even that when the number 1 bus connects us to the South Farm estate for the Hodcarrier, a 1970s hulk of a building on Coppice Road. The regulars form something of a barfly barricade but it's friendly enough in principle and the cask ale offering is appreciated, as indeed is a soundtrack featuring Mott the Hoople ('Roll Away The Stone') and John Kongos. 

- St Margaret's, Whitnash -
Bit by bit we've inched our way into the heart of Whitnash where St Margaret's Church was founded in Saxon times and boasts a C15th sandstone tower. Also conjuring up a sense of the old village is the Plough & Harrow, a building that harks back to agricultural days (as indeed do some nearby thatched cottages). Leeds Pale Ale and a doorstep dog statue are the defining elements of our visit, and the canine theme continues at the Bulldog on St Margaret's Road - this is a sports-centric establishment with several screens to keep us more than up to date with the Saturday football scores. The parade of shops across the road meanwhile include Whitnash Carpets, the Orchard Corner and Johnny's Plaice.

- The Woodloes Tavern -
We save our takeaway indulgences until we've traversed Leamington town centre on the 1, pitching into Woodloes on the northern fringes of Warwick. The Woodloes Park Fish Saloon supplies the requisite roe and battered sausage, sustaining us for our raid on the Woodloes Tavern which ably adds to our estate establishment collection. The basic external appearance can be deceptive as this is nicely furnished and we can't fault the quality of the Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Intercepting another 1, we finish off at Leamington's Boiler Room which counts as a newer venue that launched last year. Halves of Affinity accompany Nick's inspections of a pizza menu where every dish is name after a different artist, and the whole town centre feels abuzz with activity. A nice way to round off an epic double header!

Monday, October 4

Shirley Not?!

October has historically been the month when Nick and I attend the Solihull Beer Festival, making our way across to the Royal British Legion Club on Union Road to partake of the various cask wares. Covid has meant the event can't be held there this year so the intended beers have been redistributed around local pubs instead, giving us all the excuse we need for an afternoon in Shirley...

- A Princely Peaky Blinder? -
Friday 1st October 2021 brings tidings from Birmingham Moor Street where an unexpected heavy shower makes for a soggy 11am rendezvous. Our spirits can't be dampened too much though, not with the prospect of an opening Guinness half in the Peaky Blinder on Dale End; flat caps are very much to the fore here, both on the bar staff and several mannequin heads dotted about. Murals inside and out pay homage to the popular BBC television series with its gangster characters such as Tommy Shelby and Aunt Polly - Nick tries his best to fit right in!

- A hoppy half at Halton Turner -
Shirley is calling but not before a Digbeth distraction has us in research mode. Not only do I want to get pictures of even more street art (including tigers, Birds Custard containers and plenty of exotic faces), I'm keen to work out where the Halton Turner craft brewery is based. The railway arches of Trent Street provide the answer and our nosiness is rewarded by a cheeky sample of Waitangi Dawn, a cracking IPA-styled brew infused with New Zealand hops. Parts of Digbeth and High Street Deritend seem to be one long traffic jam at the moment due to roadworks for the preliminary construction phase of the Midland Metro Eastside extension. 

- D9 Driving? Anybody can do it! -
We couldn't leave Digbeth without dropping in on the newly-reopened White Swan, happily resurrected in all its terracotta Bradford Street glory. The pub has long been a marvel of Minton's tiling and we particularly like the bar surround lettering inviting us to consume fine ales "in cavalier fashion" - a half each of Fixed Wheel's Blackheath Stout is rather restrained in that sense albeit the beer is excellent. We then intercept the number 6 bus for a steady trundle down the ever-vibrant Stratford Road, noting the multitude of Asian greengrocers in Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Springfield as Nick tests out his D9-esque steering skills.

- Shirley Shopping Scenery -
The leafier environs of Hall Green act as a prelude to Solihull territory whereby the municipal demarcation point comes shortly after the Robin Hood roundabout. Shirley essentially seems to comprise another extended string of Stratford Road shops interspersed with a sprinkling of watering holes and I'm pleased my old favourite the Red Lion still looks every inch the 1960s timewarp. We spare that our custom today in favour of the Craft Inn, one of a growing chain of independent tasting rooms (the sister establishment to outlets in Sutton Coldfield, Worcester and Bearwood to name a few). Hailing from Southampton, Tap It's 'Sweet Caroline' is a milk stout we'd not encountered previously but it soon gets granted HRH's royal seal of approval.

- The Parkgate Precinct -
Shirley has had its ale fortunes transformed in recent years thanks to the emergence of new venues, and is no longer the derided destination Nick and I were teased for contemplating when exiting the Solihull Beer Festival in 2013. The Parkgate retail development opened in 2014 with Asda as its anchor store; JD Wetherspoons' The Pump House is located here and there is also provision for a branch library and a remodelled British Legion entrance. One of the units is home to the Shaking Hand, a modern micropub that features in the 2021 Good Beer Guide. We stop by for a rather good Chummy Bluster Best Bitter (Gun Brewery).

- Ale Hub, Longmore Road -
And now for somewhere to make a certain Mr D9 very jealous indeed! Escaping from the constant grind of the A34, we pick out Longmore Road in order to investigate the Ale Hub, converted from an empty Martin's Newsagents shop next to the Asterwell Pharmacy. Of the four cask offerings I plump for Burton Bridge's Festival Ale whereas Nick makes a connection with Reverend James. Places like this just go to show what can be done in a run-of-the-mill suburban setting, and I'm keen to visit the other Ale Hubs in Dickens Heath and Worcester (St Peters) should the opportunity present itself. 

- Basking in an Indian Summer -
Early evening sees us descend upon Solihull town centre after another helping hand from the number 6 bus. Station Road is a hive of hostelries now that upstarts such as Sommar and the Indian Brewery have moved in alongside the White Swan and the Flute and Flagon; both of the new-ish ventures require our attention so we savour an 'Aged' stout in the Sommar Tap before succumbing to the allure of butter chicken curry at the Indian Brewery - Nick even demonstrates his prowess at reading Punjabi, those years working in public libraries were not wasted! A final wildcard has us chancing the Grenville Club, our CAMRA allegiance gaining us access for a divine drop of Darwin's Origin whilst watching Bristol v Bath rugby. Having set the world to rights we catch our trains home, supremely satisfied at our Shirley sojourn - cheers!

Friday, October 1

WME Flickr Focus - September 2021

September was an eventful month in more ways than one, and it would be remiss of me not to instantly acknowledge Warwickshire's superb achievement of winning the County Championship - a well deserved Bears success whereby I can confirm that Stephen was suitably delighted! The WME Flickr photostream can't match that for high octane excitement but there have been a few thrills and spills among the recent new arrivals...

In an unexpected turn of events, WME Shropshire emerged from the pack to become our undisputed chief accumulator of new photo content. The little hamlet of Badger was instrumental in this feat, supplying stocks of lily pads, vintage road signs and Badger Dingle streamside scenes as I plundered my July 2020 archives to good effect. Two Ludlow local bus services also made the cut so a shout out to the 701 and 702 routes outside the town's Assembly Rooms.

The runners up spot was claimed by WME Birmingham which itself can be satisfied with a steady few weeks. Aston made itself heard thanks to lock-based street art and a Swan & Mitre pub sign, likewise Balsall Heath Library undergoing May 2010 repair works. Baltimore Road near Hamstead is one for the street sign purists while the Alcoa Sports Ground is a location I'd forgotten about, hidden down the back of a cul-de-sac between Wylde Green and Walmley.

Bronze medal position went to WME Wolverhampton largely on account of some Aldersley additions. Cycle route pointers, a Green Lane bus stop and Aldersley Avenue made their respective debuts alongside an appearance for the 514 bus setting down passengers in November 2009. Avondale Road muscled its way into my Whitmore Reans album too in maintaining my fixation on all things tiled and ceramic.

The usual squabble over the minor placings turned out thus - WME Warwickshire called in on Atherstone to attend to the Maid of the Mill pub and the Coventry Canal locks; WME Dudley dolloped in a Swan free house lamp from Amblecote; WME Sandwell spotted the 438 bus calling at Cape Hill; WME Staffordshire snapped up a Bednall marker in Acton Trussell; and finally WME Telford took a peek inside the wonderful All Nations at Madeley - cheers!