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.