Kidderminster with the Chip Foundation

Episode 66 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles is a devilish Beardsmore Birthday Bash, seeing what kinds of Wyre Forest pub-related witchcraft can be conjured up in honour of Stephen's spooktacularly scary special day...

- Upgraded Station at Kidderminster -

Yes there's a distinct Halloween theme to proceedings when Saturday 30th October 2021 has the gang assembling aboard the 10:45 Worcester train at Smethwick Galton Bridge so as to descend upon the capital of the Midlands carpet industry, namely Kidderminster. I haven't visited the town for a little while so I'm impressed to see that the mainline railway station has been considerably improved - gone is much of the flat-topped old booking office, replaced by an airy glazed modern frontage facing out over the car park. 

- The Birthday Boy (and some bones) -

Whilst one of Kidderminster's stations has been brought firmly into the 21st century, the other happily still evokes memories of a bygone age. It's a treat to visit the Severn Valley Railway's Worcestershire terminus any time of year but the presence of several skeletons, gravestones, witches and other nefarious characters adds an extra dimension today. Having posed among the poltergeists, we wander out onto the platforms to see locomotive No. 1501 arriving from Bridgnorth; designed by Frederick Hawksworth for GWR, this engine was built at Swindon and entered service in 1949. A browse around the Railway Museum is a must, admiring a selection of running boards, station signs and even a set of antique rotary dial telephones. 

- Feeling at home in the Harriers Arms -

Museum mooch completed, we make tracks for our opening drink of the day. Hoo Road leads us to Aggborough, the home ground of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club who currently ply their trade in the National League North. The stadium is gearing up for an afternoon fixture against Spennymoor but we can gain access to the Harriers Arms, their on-site sports bar. Enville Ale convincingly wins out over Butty Bach and Wye Valley HPA in our ale affections here as we inspect inflatable pumpkins and keep an eager eye on the Leicester vs Arsenal lunchtime kick-off. A couple of the walls are adorned with placards detailing opposition team names (Kettering, Boreham Wood, Dover Athletic) although I can't see too many obvious references to Britain Beermat's 1999/2000 promotion-winning prowess. 

- Hoobrook Viaduct -

We follow that first tipple with a spell of Kidderminster sightseeing. One unmissable feature has to be the Hoobrook Railway Viaduct carrying the main line towards Worcester; a true feat of Victorian engineering, it comprises 20 arches and was erected in 1884/85. Worcester Road takes us past business estates and eventually into the town centre, diverting along Green Street for a glimpse of industrial heritage courtesy of the old Waterworks (dating from 1905) and Campion House (converted into office space). Rather wisely, we avoid the TimberJacks Axe Throwing Venue as it's not a good idea to let Mr B Senior loose with sharp implements.

- The Bear & Wolf -

Although previous adventures mean I'm fairly familiar with Kidderminster's cask ale options, there are two newer venues still waiting to make their WME debuts. Both can be classed as micropubs and the Beer Emporium certainly makes an excellent impression thanks to quality halves of Woodforde's Wherry and Bradfield Farmer's Blonde; we get chatting to the lady proprietor who is extremely knowledgeable about the trade and proves adept at answering Ken's incisive questions - Jeremy Paxman eat your heart out! We spare the Bear & Wolf any interrogations but do enjoy some excellent Blackheath Stout in more craft-led surroundings. 

- Mr B Senior when he doesn't get John Smith's -

From Worcester Street we gradually wend our way back towards the station, pausing briefly to acknowledge the Brinton Drinking Fountain (originally commissioned by the owner of Brinton's Carpets, a well-known local firm). A Comberton Hill chip shop call is essential, Nick's princely resemblance meaning he is entrusted with proper cutlery with which to consume his mini fish. We've time to squeeze in a half before the train so the King & Castle pub inside the Severn Valley Railway is the ideal choice. Most of the chaps opt for the Batham's Bitter but I'm instead tempted by Kinver's 'Noble' golden ale and very nice it is too. The bar itself is quite busy so we find a spare table in the refreshment rooms cafe, part of a station extension that was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 2006 (no, Nick wasn't part of the royal party that day). 

- Hagley, at long last -

The homeward leg of the trip will at long last provide our much-anticipated sampling of Hagley, a village we'd originally intended to cover on our July excursion. Hagley's railway station has its own heritage charms - especially the GWR-era lattice footbridge and the platform building on the Kidderminster side - while the main B4187 Worcester Road provides sightings of St Saviour's Church and a 1977 Jubilee Garden. Pub prospects might include the Station Inn or the West One Wine Bar but we were only ever interested in the King Arthur, an outstanding addition to the Bathams estate. Heated jumbrellas on the front patio offset any October chill as we savour the exalted Best Bitter and raise a glass to Stephen's increasing age. Cheers!