Festival Fun in Dudley with Nick and D9...

The final week of November usually means only one thing where the beer festival calendar is concerned - yes it's time for the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre, hosted as ever at the Grade II-listed Dudley Town Hall. After a year's hiatus due to you know what, there is added anticipation about the 2021 event and I'll be joined by both Mr D9 and our resident royal, Nick HRH of Warwickshire...

- Mander Centre Mural -

Dateline Friday 26th November 2021 and yes, Nick is indeed being made an honorary member of the Hub Marketing Board as we prepare to converge upon Dudley by 1pm. My Wolverhampton morning has already involved some Mander Centre artwork investigations (new murals have recently been installed along the ground floor mall) before I catch the X8 across via the Birmingham New Road, Roseville and the Priory Estate. The bus drops me off on New Street in prime position for our designated rendezvous pub and I can see up ahead that someone has beaten me to it... 

- Feeling Festive in the Court House -

Nick times his arrival at the Court House with the utmost precision, getting there literally a few seconds ahead of me although Mr D9 is marooned somewhere on a diverted number 11. The Chairman's delayed attendance doesn't prevent those who are present from indulging in an opening half, hence Salopian's Farside Stout acts as the perfect preview for the winter ales to come. Historically a noted Hanson's tied house, the pub was taken over by Black Country Ales in 2009 and stocks a wide range of guest beers. A Christmas tree by the dartboard captures our imagination although the cavernous subterranean toilets also merit a mention!

- A Superswooning Chairman -

Checking on the Chairman's latest whereabouts, we arrange to meet him at the festival itself and thus join the happy throng inside the Town Hall. £20 admission gives us plenty of tokens to work through so we get stuck straight in with the Highgate Old Ale from Davenport's. Soon enough a bald spot hoves into view and Mr D9 makes his presence felt thanks to a Burning Soul concoction. We say hello to some of Nick's Heart of Warwickshire counterparts and partake of respective thirds of 'Superswoon', a rather special Chocolate Fudge Stout that certainly meets the 'amplified' description! 

- Motivational artwork, Dudley style -

By way of Ginger Gothic (Enville), Macavity (Red Cat), Spanish Porter (Henry Smith's) and Thick as Pudding (Imperial) we proceed through the programme, tempted in by the darker ales and in D9's case a mission to sample some of the strongest brews on offer. Aside from the Superswoon, my personal highlights include Kinver's 'Phil Me Pint Up' - brewed in tribute to the late Phil Welsh, a long-time stalwart of the local CAMRA branch - and Fownes's 'Baltic Porter'. The latter is part of the KeyKeg bar and packs a punch at 9% ABV, not to be taken lightly! Conversations about Antarctic cruises, faulty trams and the perils of bus timetabling keep us occupied as our tokens get whittled down. 

- Best Bathams in the Lamp Tavern -

Having thoroughly enjoyed our time at the festival - and with special thanks to all the CAMRA volunteers who make sure the event can happen - we return our glasses and see what else Dudley has to offer. Encouraged by some 'Yam Bostin' lettering, we plod forth to the Lamp Tavern, a timeless Bathams boozer at the top of Blowers Green Road - just one sight of the brown bull tiles or Delph Prize Beer stained glass and you know you're in a special place. The ever-trusty Best Bitter is on top form as we sit in the front bar, discussing the finer aspects of true Black Country hospitality. 

- The Bottle & Cork -

Dudley Town Centre is beginning to feel the early effects of Storm Arwen so we escape from the chill via a Wetherspoons interlude (Mauldon's Black Adder in the Full Moon) and then try out a microbar on New Mill Street. None of us had sampled the Bottle & Cork previously and it has a cocktail emphasis with wine chateau labels cladding the walls; there isn't any cask ale so we settle on the Sharp's Atlantic keg pale to accompany some much-appreciated cobs. With that, Nick bows out gracefully by boarding his X8 to Birmingham whereas Chairman D9 insists on a nightcap at Dubliners, a lively Birdcage Walk establishment that's very handy for the bus station. One Carling conclusion later we consider the trip to be complete, and once again Dudley has certainly delivered - cheers!

Attention to Arleston

The autumnal annals of West Midlands Exploration history tell of various Telford trips that have taken place when the leaves start to fall - eminent examples that spring to mind include Leegomery (Oct 2007), Trench (Nov 2012), Dawley Bank (Nov 2013) and Wombridge (Nov 2019). That distinguished list can now lay claim to a new entry thanks to yesterday's Arleston airing...

- Pause for Thought in Bowring Park -

Friday 19th November 2021 is the date in question as the Holyhead-bound 09:44 Transport for Wales departure whisks me off to Wellington, a place I've become very fond of over the course of several Telford tours. Even though I know the town reasonably well now, there are unseen pockets awaiting discovery so Orleton Lane sets the ball rolling by jinking over a tight railway bridge to meet Hollies Road near the Golden House Chinese takeaway. The full length of Hollies Road is next, leading in turn to Bowring Park where the bowling green is still out of commission and a collection of painted pebbles celebrate NHS efforts during the pandemic.

- Holyhead Road Mileage Marker -

From the park I emerge onto Holyhead Road which in its day was an important artery forming part of the historic Roman route towards Wroxeter and Atcham. Watering holes in the vicinity are the Red Lion (next to a BP filling station) and the Wickets Inn (which the Chip Foundation sampled once upon a time) while brightening skies illuminate the reassuring tower of Christ Church, completed in 1839 as a daughter place of worship to All Saints and thus known as 'New Church' as a result. It's certainly a mighty fine landmark, as indeed is the Cock Hotel on Mill Bank junction - Joules are still in the process of refurbishing that particular coaching inn. 

- Short Wood Primary School -

So far so good and here comes Arleston ready to take centre stage. I don't think I've ever properly explored this area before so I'm hoping for some interesting finds, in which case Limekiln Lane is quick to supply Short Wood Primary School with associated nursery (The Nest) and sports facilities. Further along, the lane turns into an unmade track until Mount Gilbert nibbles into the adjacent estate. Bayley Road is screened from the M54 motorway though you can't avoid hearing the traffic noise, and I have a momentary brush with Lawley when investigating a short stretch of Dawley Road.

- Arleston Village -

Recalibrating my bearings, I realise Kingsland is the turning I need in order to access Arleston Village. This is a characterful pocket of older properties that existed prior to any New Town developments, and a little stream trickles alongside the road for added wow factor. Toll Road returns me into more typical suburban surroundings as the number 11 bus grunts by en route to Telford town centre via Lawley Post Office. A little ride might be handy but I'm continuing on foot with Arleston Lane having me homing in on my first pint of the day...

- The Bridge Builder -

Arleston effectively is that portion south of Wellington sandwiched between the motorway and Holyhead Road/Bennetts Bank. One of the area's relatively new arrivals is the Wrekin Retail Park, situated off M54 Junction 6 in comprising major stores such as Matalan, Tesco, Boots and Homebase. Also part of the complex is the Bridge Builder pub, a Hungry Horse outlet advertising big breakfast deals and clearly trying to entice in their share of the shopping hordes. Greene King IPA is hardly my favourite beer in the world but as the only cask ale available it shall have to suffice, and I rather like some of the quirky decorations with an emphasis on oversized Lego bricks plus psychedelic castle prints.  

- AFC Telford United -

I never like to hang around shopping centres any longer than I really have to so I'm soon underway again, navigating the cul-de-sacs of Lidgates Green back out onto Arleston Lane. Woollam Road corner has a gold postbox in honour of Mickey Bushell's 100m T53 wheelchair sprint success at the 2012 Paralympics, and there is more sporting endeavour to consider at the New Bucks Head. The stadium is of course home to AFC Telford United and is currently doubling up as a Covid vaccination centre, hence the car park is quite busy as I attempt pictures of the West Stand. 

- Pleasant Pint in the Pheasant -

Coming full circle into Wellington again, there is plenty of time for a pub pit stop or two on my afternoon agenda. The Railway on Mill Bank is always a good bet for quality cask and on this occasion the Butty Bach is spot on, backed with Bargain Hunt and some eclectically random jukebox selections ('Cinderella Rockefeller', 'The Witch' by The Rattles and a lesser-heard Gerry and the Pacemakers hit). Banks's Sunbeam in the Raven isn't bad either, and I make doubly sure to sample some of the Rowton Brewery's creations at their Pheasant taphouse. Both the Ironbridge Gold and the Apollo are on fine form as I sit outside in the secluded and surprisingly spacious beer garden - cheers! 

A Rowley Village Rummage

Another of my solo Saturday Specials was filed on the 13th November, and this time I decided to concentrate more closely on Rowley Village after the August and September contributions had showcased Shell Corner (with a helping hand from Coombeswood). Here's what I got up to...

- Providence Chapel -

It's the greyest and dankest of November mornings as I make my way across to Rowley Regis via Smethwick, noting how the trains towards Birmingham seem particularly busy today with people intent on experiencing the Frankfurt Christmas Market or undertaking other shopping expeditions. Retail therapy is thankfully not on my agenda but local photography certainly is, hence I make my way along Habberley Road and Mincing Lane to find the Providence Chapel at Bell End - the building was erected in 1875 and nowadays incorporates a Christian Heritage Centre telling the story of Christianity in Britain.

- Rowley Village Memorial -

From one place of worship to another now as Park Avenue leads me up to St Giles's Parish Church, perched high on the crest where Rowley Village meets Hawes Lane. Preparations are underway for the forthcoming Remembrance Sunday activities so it feels highly appropriate that I should pause at the local war memorial for a few moments of solemn reflection. The church hall can be found just over the road with a scout hut and the Rowley & Blackheath Labour Club for close company, not to mention the MOT servicing pedigree of Hawes Garage.

- Britannia Park -

Heading back down the hill, my next key target is Britannia Park which is arguably the flagship area of public open space within the Rowley Regis district. Naturally there is a pronounced autumnal feel to proceedings with scattered fallen leaves adorning the sports pitches and outdoor gym equipment. The park can be accessed from both Rowley Village and Ross with a further gate onto Mackmillan Road - it's nice to see it again after a few years away. A little lad on his scooter is doing laps of the skate zone having a whale of a time. 

- Working Mon's Mild (and accompaniments) -

After my park detour I need to get down to beery business and it just so happens that there's a brewpub very close at hand. The Britannia used to be a standard Banks's house but these days is home to the Britt Brewery, purveyors of the excellent Working Mon's Mild I savoured in Kidderminster last week. A pint of said nectar is essential lubrication alongside a packet of scratchings and a read of the latest 'Ales & Tales' local CAMRA magazine. I can also confirm that the Britt Blonde is very much on form, 3.8% and crystal clear - top notch!

- The Old Bush Revived -

Pressing onwards, Siviters Lane and Ross combine for a glimpse of Blackheath's former Carnegie Library, now reused as the Bookworms Children's Day Care Centre. Powke Lane reminds me of a pub I haven't visited for nigh on ten years so it was high time the Old Bush Revived earned itself another look - my reward is a good glass of 'Gangly Ghoul', Greene King's nod to Halloween. The place has lost none of the cosiness I remembered from 2011, the home-cooked menu generating appetising wafts that set my tummy rumbling. 

- Something Malty at Fixed Wheel? -

How do you follow that? Well I guess the Waterfall is always a surefire bet, easily reached via a Terrace Street shortcut; I still can't reconcile myself to the shabby chic French brasserie look - I preferred it before the makeover - but the Golden Glow is good and that's the main thing. Bracing myself for the climb back into Blackheath, I make use of Beeches Road and New John Street to reach Long Lane Industrial Estate for a Fixed Wheel finale. 'Alright Bab' Mild is a fantastic way to finish, perched next to a pile of malt sacks and rumour has it I might have sneaked in a slurp of Blackheath Stout too - cheers!

Kidderminster... Again!

2021 has been a year for double dipped exploration where I've gone back to the same place twice in quick succession. Firstly I had twin doses of Derby and its rams, then Worcester's elephant parade required two bites of the photographic cherry, and now Kidderminster has earned itself an instant return hot on the heels of last week's Chip Foundation adventure...

- Severn Valley Sidings -

Friday 5th November 2021 and the reason for my rapid revisit is that Kidderminster is hosting its annual beer festival, hence I'm hoping any fireworks I encounter will be of the ale-related variety. As with Saturday just gone, the Severn Valley Railway station is on hand to provide an initial burst of picture-gathering. The Halloween accoutrements that were so enchanting six days ago have been removed and the heritage concourse is altogether quieter, meaning I effectively have the place to myself when lining up shots of the Wrangaton Signal Box, a vintage Camelford running board and newspaper headlines from the 1930s. 

- The Brinton Drinking Fountain -

Comberton Hill conveys me down into the town centre via subway underpasses that seem to be decorated with homelessness statistics. I mentioned the Brinton Drinking Fountain in my previous post and it merits a few extra pictures today, noting some amusing gargoyles and a landmark clock - the whole structure stands on Worcester Cross and dates from 1876. Swan-themed street art by the Boars Head also catches my eye along with a Votes for Women suffrage mural and the Walton & Hipkiss estate agents premises. 

- Sir Rowland Hill -

The principal business of the day awaits with Sir Rowland Hill's statue looking on approvingly as I approach the scaffold-clad Town Hall, a venue that is resuming hosting duties for the Kidderminster Beer and Cider Festival. I haven't attended any such events since the National Winter Ales extravaganza at Bingley Hall in February 2020, so there's a heightened frisson of anticipation when I hand over my £10 note for the all-important glass, tokens and programme combination. I soon put these spoils to good use in seeking out Woodcote 'Oatmeal Stout', a 4.7% brew that offers enticingly malty notes of chocolate and coffee. 

- The Essential Beer Festival Kit -

Picking a seat from which I can admire the hall's historic organ (as constructed by William Hill circa 1855), I peruse the programme to see what other darker treats might be on the menu. 'Priory Porter' from Leominster's Swan Brewery is a must due to descriptions of a 'velvety mouthfeel' (it doesn't disappoint) while Britt Brewery's 'Working Mon's Mild' is always reliably satisfying. My favourite tipple however has to be 'Vanilla Sky', a luxuriantly-flavoured strong stout produced by Green Duck in Stourbridge - very good indeed!

- The Sportsman -

I usually like to follow a festival experience with a tour of local hostelries and this trip will be no exception, albeit I don't want to overlap on any of the places the Chip Foundation frequented. My plan therefore is to try a couple of traditional Marston's boozers which might not hit the absolute ale heights but definitely count as proper pubs. Exhibit A is the Sportsman, tarted up in a fetching/incongruous shade of sky blue amidst the terraces of Wood Street; Banks's Amber and a cheese cob will keep me happy here. Another pint of Amber is then ready to be quaffed at Exhibit B, the Weary Traveller around the side of the General Hospital (Sutton Road to be precise). The regulars in both establishments ensure there is plenty of banter flying about, thankfully not too much of it is at my expense!

- When will I see you again Kidderminster? -

The A451 Stourport Road flanks the southern edges of Brinton Park in providing my route back into town before I apply the final gloss to this Kiddy double-header - the coup-de-grace comes courtesy of Weavers Ale House, a highly-regarded micropub which has unsurprisingly attracted several of my fellow CAMRA cohort. Fownes's Seven Crowns Pale Ale is not a brew I'd heard of until now and it certainly drinks very nicely, setting me up well for a shuffle to the station and my 15:27 train home. I must say it was great to be able to attend a beer festival again after over 18 months away and I hope there are many more yet to come - cheers!

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!