WME Flickr Focus - January 2022

One whole month into 2022 and I'm cautiously optimistic that a) we're starting to see the back of the Covid pandemic and b) I should be able to maintain some solid photostream progress over the coming months. January certainly got the new year off to a flying start with most of my constituent galleries receiving a sprinkling of updates...

Fresh off the back of Auld Lang Syne and with a cacophony of party poppers still ringing in its ears, WME Wolverhampton opened its account again at pretty much the earliest opportunity. My Compton theme got carried over from December (with thanks to Nevis Court and the Shooting Stars kiddies nursery) but I managed to offset that with Daisy Bank steel firms and a Northwood Park bus stop. Eastfield then proved enterprising when pitching in a ceramic street sign, the Mayco corner shop and some bespectacled snail art outside the local primary school. 

Although Wolverhampton ultimately rose to the top of the leaderboard over the past four weeks, there was considerable competition to see which of my galleries would prevail. WME Warwickshire put in a commendable challenge by systematically surveying Curdworth Locks - cue various marker stumps, balance beams and the occasional bridge nameplate. Away from lovely Curdworth, I note a second sighting of Coventry's speedway stadium at Brandon plus a helpful arrow directing me towards Earlswood Lakes.

A couple of other galleries powered their way to double figures in January. WME Birmingham did this with reference to Digbeth and Eastside, hoovering up the likes of the derelict S. Rose & Company warehouse and the sadly-demolished Eagle & Tun pub. WME Dudley meanwhile achieved a similar feat but drew its newest arrivals from the environs of Coseley (Church Road and Peartree Lane), Cradley (the Widders) and The Delph (a crumbly sighting of the Bull & Bladder dartboard).

2021 was one of my best ever years for filing photostream updates but despite the bumper haul two of my galleries found it difficult to get out of first gear. It's therefore encouraging that both WME Coventry and WME Solihull have stirred themselves into action - Coventry armed itself with spooky goings at the Nursery Tavern in Chapelfields whereas Solihull landed the Edwardian Rugby Club (on Streetsbrook Road) and two Earlswood signage specimens.

Five paragraphs down and there's yet more still to report. Ticking over very nicely was WME Sandwell on its diet of Dudley Port railway platforms and Cradley Heath taxi ranks, not to overlook Jay's Bar or a library entrance heading. WME Staffordshire dabbled with Lower Penn for a brace of Dirtyfoot Lane hedgerow items, leaving WME Walsall (Cornwall Road on the Park Hall estate) and WME Telford (Donnington Co-op) to bring up the rear. The 2022 benchmark has been set so can February keep the ball rolling?

Kings Norton, Brandwood End and the River Rea

Even though I've been taking photographs of the West Midlands for nigh on twenty years (and blogging about my activities for much of that time), there are still pockets of the conurbation which I've barely scratched the surface of. Last week's Birmingham Breweries tour with Nick had alerted me to the existence of the River Rea Heritage Trail footpath so I decided it needed closer inspection...

- The Navigation Resurrected -

Friday 14th January 2022 begins with frost and fog in Wolverhampton but that thankfully gives way to cloudless blue skies by the time I arrive at Kings Norton Station, the starting point of my walk. Hot on the heels of last Saturday, Cotteridge makes a brief reappearance (mainly so that I can get pictures of the 1930s fire station frontage) before I account for the usual photo suspects in Kings Norton Village - St Nicolas's Church, the Bulls Head and general views of The Green. One notable development since last I was here is that the Navigation pub has reopened as a Wetherspoons and looks much smarter after an extensive refurbishment.

- Guillotine Lock -

It's too early for me to be wanting a pint yet so I concentrate on canals for the next hour or so, accessing the Worcester & Birmingham line at Parsons Hill. Kings Norton Junction always reminds me of my early university adventures but the location has lost some of its magic now the junction house is shadow of its former self. A structure that happily is in better condition is the Guillotine Lock on the Stratford Upon Avon Canal - this engineering novelty was designed to prevent water loss when the canals were operated by different companies. Thought to date from the late 17th century, the guillotine gates can be found either side of Lifford Lane Bridge.

- Brandwood Tunnel -

The stretch of the Stratford Canal between Kings Norton and Brandwood End is one of my lesser explored waterways so I keep my eyes peeled for any other interesting features. There presumably used to be a bridge at Tunnel Lane (at the far end of the Specialty Minerals site) but otherwise the scene is generally green and leafy. Brandwood Tunnel was constructed between 1793 and 1796 although I'm not 100% sure whose face is depicted in relief above the western portal - Shakespeare perhaps? There isn't any towpath access through the tunnel so I have to go up and over Monyhull Hall Road to find the eastern entrance. 

- St Bede's Church, Brandwood -

Brandwood End itself is a notable hole in the WME archives even though I remember riding through years ago on bus routes such as the 35. Brandwood Park Road helps me to address this shortfall and I think I can just about remember the Ash Meadow pub standing opposite the Yarningale Road shops - the Otterburn care complex is based here now but lacks the flat roof appeal of the previous incumbent. Bryndale Avenue is useful for pictures of St Bede's Church and the place of worship angle continues with a glance at Kings Heath Calvary Chapel on the bend into Allens Croft Road. 

- River Rea near Stirchley -

Making use of The Pathway as a graffiti-laden shortcut onto Fordhouse Lane, I'm soon able to join the River Rea beside Nine Elms Road. Never the most glamorous of watercourses, the Rea rises at Waseley Hills Country Park and flows for roughly 14 miles to meet the Tame near Spaghetti Junction. The riverside sections around Stirchley and Selly Park form part of a cycle route and heritage trail with orientation boards on hand to tell of bygone mills. Tempting as it is, the Birmingham Brewery taproom can't detain me on this occasion - it doesn't open until 4pm on Fridays - so I simply proceed past Hazelwell Park and then cross Cartland Road. 

- The Highbury -

Fear not, there is a pub on the agenda once I've reached Dogpool Lane via a fleeting detour to check on River Brook Drive (home to the Reameadow Children's Centre it transpires). My lunchtime liquid refreshment stop is the Highbury, a classic Brummie suburban roadhouse that retains some original 1920s features. Situated on the fork where Dads Lane and Moor Green Lane converge, the pub was built by Mitchells & Butlers with evocative wall panelling and cornice details. Beer-wise I plump for a more-than-decent Doom Bar and settle in to watch some of the Masters snooker quarter finals; old boys reading newspapers and a whimpering pooch are my principal company, perhaps the melancholic dog isn't a Judd Trump fan?

- View from Dogpool Lane Bridge -

Pint supped, I prepare to rejoin the River Rea albeit Dogpool Lane doesn't have a direct path running northwards - instead I have to venture along Cecil Road to find the next access point off Kitchener Road. The river then bisects two separate playing field arrangements, Pebble Mill to my left and Holder's Lane to the right. I'm not far from Cannon Hill Park now but branch off into the sidestreets of Selly Park, selecting Second Avenue from a series of numbered thoroughfares. Wigorn Garage escorts me onto the main Pershore Road in readiness for further quaffing action at the Selly Park Tavern.

- St Stephen's Church, Selly Park -

I can't get overly excited about Ember Inn establishments but they do serve a purpose and in some areas might be your only bet for getting cask ale. The Selly Park Tavern feels arguably even more corporate than is standard for the chain, and patience is required while a black tie crowd deliberate over their orders. I don't want to gatecrash the wake so I take my glass of Brew York X-Panda (not bad if somewhat tangy) to a quiet corner and keep myself to myself. A history panel confirms that the pub opened in 1901 under the auspices of Holder's Brewery, a company that at one time had an extensive estate across the city. Curiosity satisfied, Selly Wick Road takes me deeper into the residential area for sunkissed snaps of St Stephen's.

- The Country Girl -

Other notable aspects of Selly Park include Elmdon Road cricket ground, St Mary's Hospice and Smallbone Garage, the latter being a longstanding family-owned car dealership on the corner of Raddlebarn Rd and Gristhorpe Rd. Also with a Raddlebarn Road address is the Country Girl, my second Ember effort in swift succession but I'm here with a specific finale in mind. Like many of my Twitter and blog associates, I was hugely saddened to hear of the recent passing of Peter Allen (of Pubs: Then & Now and @FotoDigitalArt fame). Pete was one of the first ever people to comment on a WME blogpost and I thoroughly enjoyed our many subsequent exchanges over the years; as such I felt it would be fitting to drop in at his local boozer and raise a glass in his memory. Really speaking, Carling should have been the tipple for the occasion but I'm inevitably swayed by the Black Sheep Ruby Ale - nevertheless the sentiment is there so thanks Pete for all your support and rest in peace. 

A Saturday Selection of Birmingham Breweries

When planning my adventures I always think it's a good idea to have some outings in reserve that you can wheel out whatever the weather - you know, precisely the kind of trip that you can save for a rainy day in January. Nick and I needed to call upon one such option for our first excursion of 2022 when a miserable forecast couldn't stop us from touring some of Birmingham's craft breweries...

- Farmers Bridge Top Lock -

Saturday 8th January 2022 then and it's wet, oh so very very wet. Undeterred, Nick and I join forces at New Street Station for an opening walk through Chamberlain Square and Paradise - the main square is dramatically different from the days when the old Central Library's concrete charms used to dominate the scene, and the new leisure/retail arrivals include outlets such as Dishoom and Albert's Schloss. Summer Row drips us onto the towpath of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal as Nick gets all nostalgic about his student days, lodging at Cambrian Halls and playing table football in the College of Food common rooms. I attempt a few snaps of Farmers Bridge Top Lock whilst we wonder whether the Flapper has reopened or not.

- Something Chocolatey at Sommar Brewing -

Confirming the Utilita Arena whereabouts of our brewery target for a little later, we squelch along Sherlock Street in order to find shelter at the Figure of Eight Wetherspoons (alas the Black Drop ale we both opted for here reminds us of boot polish with a soupcon of fence panels). Pausing to admire Black Sabbath Bridge - complete with bench depicting Messrs Butler, Osbourne, Iommi and Ward - we retrace our steps to Sommar Brewing as situated in an Arena unit between Costa Coffee and the Legoland Store. Sparkling fermenting vessels FV1 to FV5 form the backdrop as we partake of 'Day We Caught The Tram' (an English IPA) and Play Brew's Gingerbread and Rainbow Chocolate Vanilla Milk Stout, a mouthful in more ways than one! Quirky cog decor and skeleton skull artworks add to the fun as we consider Brewery Saturday to now be properly up and running. 

- Red Coat in RedBeer'd -

Whilst in the Paradise area, we can't resist sampling the Prince of Wales on Cambridge Street to see how the place is adjusting to Black Country Ales ownership. Nick has fond memories of attending live music here and it perhaps isn't quite as cosy as before, although the Beartown Creme Bearlee certainly tickles the tastebuds. After that, we hotfoot it along Hill Street to catch the number 45 bus via Selly Park and the Pershore Road. Cotteridge is calling courtesy of the RedBeer'd micropub, located two shopfronts down from the busy Watford Road roundabout. A listing in the 2022 Good Beer Guide promises great things but our high expectations are more than met by an enjoyable half of Fownes's Frost Hammer. A cushioned pew by a plug-in radiator serves as our cob-munching perch although there is further seating upstairs. 

- Stirchley Trading Estate -

RedBeer'd effectively marks the outer extremities of what has become known as the Stirchley Beer Mile, with the Pershore Road corridor acting as a magnet for all things craft. We would have glanced in on the Glass House Beer Company next but their Waterside Business Park taproom is closed until spring. Not to worry, Hazelwell Road soon has us bearing down on the Stirchley Trading Estate where the Birmingham Brewing Company occupy Unit 17 beside the River Rea. Specialising in vegan and gluten-free beers, there are a range of cask and keg offerings to choose from so we plump for the citrus zing of Pale Brummie (4% ABV). The brewery bar has a student vibe and is deservedly popular on a soggy Saturday afternoon.

- Attic Announcements -

You almost can't move for breweries around Stirchley with Attic Brew Co awaiting but a short walk away on Mary Vale Road, just as well really given how the rain is suddenly belting down again. I remember first visiting Attic with Mr D9 on the way back from Redditch once although they've added a street food marquee out the front since I last came. Easily accessible from Bournville railway station, the brewery focuses on new world beers with a liking for pales, extra pales and NEIPAs. As tempting as those are, for us the standout has to be the Swirls Chocolate Gateaux Stout, 5.2%'s worth of luscious loveliness and rather moreish to boot. 

- This way for BEER -

Stirchley really is spoiling us this afternoon and we've still got two microbars within a few doors of each other to account for. Cork & Cage proves well worth a look, compact and chic with a suggestion of old butcher's tiles. We commandeer the last spare table so as to try out the Fall Morning Coffee Stout, a powerful dose of darkness that hails from Nothing Bound (they're based in Heightington near Bewdley apparently). We can't leave Stirchley without popping into Wildcat, especially as they have a glowing BEER arrow outside; the result is a heavyweight encounter with Ikley's Stout Mary as we stick to the darker end of the spectrum.

- Triple Chocoholic in Kilder -

Deeming our Stirchley splurge an indisputable success despite everything the elements have thrown at us, we board the bus back into Birmingham hoping to squeeze in a suitably crafty nightcap. Kilder is ideal both in terms of its proximity to Moor Street Station and for a stellar beer selection that has us swooping straight in on the Saltaire Triple Choc, no procrastination necessary. From railway arches to industrial estates we've certainly seen some sights today and it's all the more noteworthy when you consider that most of our chosen haunts didn't even exist five years ago. Birmingham's brewery scene truly is booming - cheers!

A Double Dose from Dudley

Out with the old and in with the new! My explorational exertions either side of New Year have demonstrated a disposition towards all things Dudley with two trips from within the borough's boundaries...

- Pensnett, Fox & Grapes -

This double serving of Dudleyness starts with Thursday 30th December 2021 and a portion of Pensnett. The weather is unremittingly grey but this does not stop me from venturing aboard the number 15 bus, alighting on dreary Tiled House Lane for a glimpse of Grace Church and the Pensnett Social Welfare Club. After a drizzle-afflicted peek at St Mark's Parish Church (edging into the Barrow Hill Nature Reserve), I seek refuge at the Fox & Grapes where the Bathams Best Bitter more than meets my lofty expectations. Absolute Radio and a thick slab of a cheese and onion cob are the perfect accompaniments to such bostin' beer. 

- Kingswinford, The Village -

The rain has nominally stopped as I set forth for Kingswinford, noting both the Lib (Pensnett & Bromley Liberal Club) and new micropub Pens Ale as establishments for future investigation. The High Oak junction has been significantly widened since last I was in the area, resulting in the demolition of the Famous House Chinese takeaway and adjacent buildings. High Street soon blends into Dudley Road near Lenches Bridge and the Pensnett Trading Estate, then I pause at The Village for a slice of historic Kingswinford. Sadly the drizzle flares up again to negate any attempts at pictures of St Mary's, but my second pub of the day isn't too far.

- Banks's Beer in Bradmore -

Indeed, Water Street seems aptly named given the sudden deluge as I scamper for shelter at the Bridge Inn. Black Country Ales took ownership here last summer and have applied their usual refit standards - it's pretty busy too so I perch at a spare shelf when partaking of an excellent Beowulf Milk Stout. From what I remember, the interior used to comprise separate rooms but these have been knocked through with the bar counter repositioned. One pint has to suffice because my homeward bus is due but this in turn leaves space for a Bradmore bonus at the Gunmakers Arms, Banks's Amber being my final ale of 2021.

- Castle Mill Road -

New Year's Eve was a day for meeting up with family so let's pick up my Dudley story again on Saturday 1st January 2022. The Priory Estate rarely crops up in my archives so I set about plugging that hole by gathering pictures along Bradfield Way and Hackett Drive, streets which replaced the likes of Pine Road and Thornhill Road when the northern half of the area was totally rebuilt. Forest Road ensures I can still get a flavour of the older 1930s housing stock, semi-detached drabness that continues into Beech Road and Elm Road too. I had hoped to catch sight of Castle Mill Basin, part of the Dudley Canal's maze of tunnels, but grim fencing prevents any views from on high. Instead I get a coating of mud for my troubles!

- Dorothy Round, Priory Park -

Better photographic prospects are on offer courtesy of Priory Park, guarded at the Woodland Avenue end by two rust-brown deer silhouettes. Local sporting heritage is very much apparent with reference to the gifted footballer Duncan Edwards (forever remembered as one of the Manchester United players who perished in the Munich Air Crash) and the tennis champion Dorothy Round, the latter being depicted racquet-aloft in sculptural form. The Grade II-listed Priory Hall was commissioned by the Earls of Dudley but these days serves as the town's registry office, while the ruins of Dudley Priory are a scheduled monument that can also be found within the park grounds. 

- The first pint of 2022 is served -

I can't resist rooting around the ruins, getting artistic when documenting stonework textures and mock medieval tiles - all very different from when Gervase Paganel founded the Priory back in 1160 I'm sure! Art of the ale variety is what's on offer at the Court House as I open my beer account for 2022 care of Tyne Bank's Northern Porter, pairing said pint with another stellar cob whilst reading the local CAMRA magazine. Trade is relatively steady here for a Saturday lunchtime and some of the other punters are just about recovering from their excesses of the night before.

- Jolly Crispin -

Merely yards away from the Court House is the Malt Shovel, a Tower Street town centre local that's handy for the Dudley College campus. This used to be a Banks's establishment but has been a free house for a few years and I have to say the Tiny Rebel 'Stay Puft' Marshmallow Porter is a thing of beauty. Having watched a bit of the Arsenal vs Manchester City footie and devoured a pack of scratchings, I'm all set for my ride home but fatefully catch the number 1 - that'll be me stopping off in Upper Gornal then! I duly confirm that the Jolly Crispin retains all of its Clarence Street cottageyness as I round off the Bank Holiday with a Titanic Chocolate and Vanilla Stout. Some great ales already and the year is but one day old, cheers!

WME Review of the Year - 2021

Happy New Year! 2022 is knocking on the door wanting to get in but before we power into the future with unbridled enthusiasm, it is customary to take stock of what the previous twelve months had in store. There's no two ways about it, 2021 was a strange old year - not perhaps as Covid-disrupted as 2020 that's true but it began under lockdown and ended with the spectre of restrictions being reimposed... 

January: a low-key start to 2021 proceedings saw my exploration horizons scaled back out of pandemic necessity, hence my contingency approach involved a steady diet of local items to keep me out of mischief. Wintry weather gave familiar scenes a fresh lick of white, especially around Finchfield and Merry Hill, while the furthest afield I ventured was Dimmingsdale Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal. 

February: there wasn't much of an improvement come February either although I did manage to get as far as Trysull and Wombourne when utilising the canal again along with the South Staffordshire Railway Walk. Even closer to home, Penn sparkled somewhat in bright but chilly sunshine as I collected pictures of Wakeley Hill, St Bart's Church and Penn Fields shops. 

March: now this is better, the fledgling glimpses of some Hub Marketing activity albeit minus any liquid refreshment stops. Chairman D9 and Secretary WME initially joined forces for a homage to Ocker Hill Power Station plus a River Tame ferret that had us resurfacing near the Midland Metro tram depot; fast forward a couple of weeks and it was Coseley Tunnel's turn to be graced by the presence of a certain bald spot. 

April: headline news in April is that the pubs are back open (hurrah!) BUT only if you sit outside (boo!). This strange state of affairs was first put to the test at Wolverhampton's Claregate, a solid suburban setting for my opening pint of the year (Banks's Amber being the tipple in question). The al fresco approach was then evident when Mr D9 and I surveyed the Anson Branch via pints in Darlaston, Reedswood and Birchills, while Nick and I took things to another level by enacting a 'Beer Garden Safari' around Lapworth and Lowsonford. Prior to those pub quests there were two notable dry days during which 'Towpath Turpin' tackled the Grand Union from Solihull to Knowle, and Andy excitedly bagged himself the Key Hill Closet in the Jewellery Quarter.

May: inching ever closer to normality, there was a welcome return to blog dispatches for the Beardsmores thanks to a Wyrley Branch wander north of Bloxwich. Wombourne made a second appearance of the year only this time with added Orton (and some New Inn pints) while the Hub Marketing bandwagon rolled into Wellington for a rain-afflicted roam around Hadley and Ketley. I should likewise mention a Brum afternoon with HRH, collecting the Colmore and pondering the pinball machines in Tilt. 

June: a mammoth month that made the most of our gradually-returning freedoms. Top billing goes to a family holiday in Kendal that had me lapping up lashings of the Lake District; I spent my birthday in Carlisle and also uncovered Ulverston gems, specifically the Swan Inn and a fascinating stretch of canal. Rail Rover Week was a total triumph that took me from Wales (Wrexham) to Leicestershire (Barrow upon Soar) by way of Hatton and Kidsgrove. In other news, the Chip Foundation traversed the heights of Sedgley Beacon (a slurp of Ruby Mild being ample reward for those exertions) and the prospect of a ram-related sculpture trail lured the Hub team across to Derby for a classic day that introduced us to Ilkeston. 

July: those Derby rams deserved another airing so I staged a solo sequel with a nudge along the Normanton Road - I was similarly solitary when seeking out the Shrewsbury Canal, getting up to Uffington before dropping in on Ditherington during the return leg. The Chip Foundation were meant to go to Hagley until train troubles intervened so Stourbridge stepped in as our very able substitute, even if George the cat completely ignored us!! One of the most eagerly anticipated trips of the year was the Hub Marketing Board's Smethwick reprise, belatedly  marking ten years since our inaugural 2011 adventure.

August: deeper into summer we go with Worcester entering the spotlight thanks to not one but two trips dedicated to elephant extraction - the Chip Foundation perused the Big Parade in honour of Nick's birthday and then I returned individually to mop up the remaining sculptures. A soggy Saturday in Shell Corner had its compensations (namely beer and cobs in the Swan) whereas Wednesbury offered drier conditions for a 'Tone' tour that saw Hub Marketing Board members donning disguises - the Nutan Club was a Darlaston discovery that day.

September: late August into September can only mean one thing - cricket!! Warwickshire were on the march towards the County Championship title when Stephen, Mr B Senior and I spent a week in Altrincham, our base for attending the Old Trafford clash against Lancashire. That particular match ended in a draw but the Bears would soon go on to claim their crown. In other September snippets, George the Stourbridge Junction cat couldn't resist D9's Dreamies bribery as Hub Marketing matters focused upon Lye, and Gospel End was in my solo sights prior to a perfect pint in the Beacon Hotel's beer garden.

October: another epic month with outings coming thick and fast. Shirley's modern micropubs kept Nick and I entertained first off, with HRH subsequently confirming his exceptional tour guide credentials when putting together a wonderful day around Whitnash and Woodloes. The Beardsmores and I happened upon Hednesford (complete with a Chadsmoor pit stop) and the Hub brigade were similarly Staffordshire-bound for their Fenton feast - I still haven't forgiven the Chairman for beating me at table skittles in the Terrace Inn. There were then some spooky goings-on in Kidderminster with a Halloween haunting for Stephen's birthday. 

November: autumn in Arleston ensured adequate Telford representation for the year (the old village centre being one of those atmospheric corners I love to stumble across by accident), and my Rowley Village rummage prepared me well for remembrance reflections. Besides all that, I was delighted to be able to attend CAMRA beer festivals again - Kidderminster's event was a lovely means of getting back into circulation while the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre lived up to its always excellent standards, aided of course by having D9 and Nick in tandem. Sprinkle in some Birmingham snowmen and I feel almost ready for Christmas.

December: which brings us neatly onto my recent festive flourishes whereby a Coventry Quiffmas caper yielded more snowman selfies plus wrapping paper headpieces and a proper cafe breakfast. Not to be outdone, a Leamington-based forage with Nick comprised Lillington Library, Cubbington considerations and a very firm Santa hat, I kid you not! 

So what can we draw from that little lot? 2021 was certainly an improvement on the drudgery that was 2020 albeit Covid has continued to be a constant worry, a situation that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. Vaccines and boosters are playing their part so there is hope that we'll see off this virus eventually. My thanks as always go to those misguided fools esteemed people who have contributed to my adventures and otherwise helped maintain a sense of fun  during this wretched pandemic - especially D9, Nick, Stephen, Mr B Senior, Dad and Ken - so here's to a happy and healthy 2022!