Tuesday, August 2

The Chip Foundation's Tamworth Treat

In a week that saw Aussie soap opera 'Neighbours' air its final ever episode, it's comforting to know that another long-running serial is very much still going strong. Having commenced back in 2010, the Chip Foundation Chronicles reaches its 70th instalment with a Staffordshire celebration for a certain septuagenarian...

- Sir Robert Peel's Statue -
It's Friday 29th July and this trip has been arranged in honour of Mr B Senior's 79th birthday - the big day itself was actually a couple of weeks back but we won't let such technicalities get in the way of a good excuse for an outing. Birmingham New Street is basking in the glow of Commonwealth Games fever as we catch the 10:49 Nottingham train, Nick bumping into a Derby-bound acquaintance called Ron. A twenty minute journey gets us to Tamworth where we are greeted by a spear-wielding sculpture on the roundabout outside the railway station. Victoria Road tickles us into the town centre for historical sightseeing on Market Street - the Town Hall takes pride of place here (complete with Doric columns supporting an assembly room), all watched over by Sir Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police Force and a two-time Conservative Prime Minister (1834-35 and 1841-46).

- Inspecting the Platinum Jubilee Garden -
Further heritage interest is close at hand in the form of Tamworth Castle, a Norman fortress although the site was also of Anglo Saxon significance when Tamworth was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. The castle guards the confluence of the Rivers Tame and Anker whereby both Beardsmores attempt some fish-spotting. The Castle Gardens resound to big screen triathlon commentary as we admire a Platinum Jubilee installation, the centrepiece of which is a large number 70 plonked among the flowerbeds. A riverside stretch means we can cross the lovely Ladybridge with its six segmental arches. Carved friezes within the pavement tell of significant moments in Tamworth's history, such as being laid siege to by the Vikings. Hopefully there won't be any encounters with the likes of Ivar the Boneless today...

- Purple Peril in the Market Vaults -
Enough with the tour guide act, it's time for the pubs! First up is the Market Vaults, a Joules Brewery taphouse that still bears etched windows from its previous Banks's ownership. Mr B Junior gamely grapples his lemonade and blackcurrant as we converge on a table near the back hearth, admiring vintage enamelled Keen's Mustard advertising in the process. Nick and Ken do their best to make sense of recent political developments including the downfall of Boris Johnson, albeit Nick is typically evasive when we quiz him on his preference for who should become the next Prime Minister. Joules' seasonal 'Bob On' ale is a refreshing tipple while Mr B Snr interrogates a poor unsuspecting regular before deciding to have a Blonde. 

- St Editha's Church, with added anchors -
One nice half down with more to come but we're back on the culture trail next. The Tamworth Heritage Hub on Middle Entry is staffed by enthusiastic volunteers who fill us in about the Peel family tree. Stephen creates a minor spillage when accidentally kicking over a doggy water bowl - you can't take him anywhere - and then it's the turn of St Editha's Church to beguile us. Editha ranks as one of the more obscure and mysterious Anglo Saxon saints, possibly being of royal descent and said to have been an abbess at nearby Polesworth. The church building is medieval in origin with 14th, 15th and 19th century elements while an adjacent anchor-themed artwork pays tribute to the wartime sailor Colin Grazier - he lost his life when recovering German codebooks from a scuttled U-boat in 1942 and was awarded a posthumous George Cross in recognition of his bravery. 

- Deal Deliberations in the Bole Bridge -
Our second beer-related port of call is the Sheriff of Tamworth, situated in a grand Colehill townhouse which until recently had been home to a firm of solicitors. Of the two cask ales we collectively opt for Church End's 'What the Fox's Hat?' (careful how you say that) apart from Stephen who sticks to the soft drinks. Barrel tables with high tractor stools aren't perhaps the most comfortable of seating arrangements - especially when you're in the older age bracket - so we're relieved when a bench comes free. Nick likes the fact that the building historically served as the Sheriff of Warwickshire's residence back in the days when Tamworth came under the jurisdiction of Staffordshire's neighbouring county. For lunch we decamp down the hill to the Bole Bridge Wetherspoons, partaking of Fishy Friday and gammon deals with John manfully devouring a 10 oz platter of the latter. An old lady at an adjacent table has a dizzy turn although rumours she was overcome by Ken's masculine charm are just idle gossip.

- The Old Bank House -
Tamworth has seen a veritable boom in the number of real ale establishments since I last set foot in the town and two more such haunts are on our afternoon agenda. The Tamworth Tap has award-winning credentials on Market Street having been crowned CAMRA's Staffordshire Pub of the Year for 2022 and acts as the taproom for the Tamworth Brewing Company. We're mightily impressed both by the beer quality and general ambiance - Wilde Child Event Horizon Cherry Oatmeal Stout is absolutely glorious stuff while the decor ranges from dried hops to Burton Union checking boards. I raid a stash of LAST Orders back issues (the local CAMRA newsletter being prominently on show) before we switch to the Old Bank House on Ladybank. Like the Sheriff earlier, this is another heritage property that's been given a new lease of life and we soon make ourselves at home in one of four lavishly-presented rooms. North Riding's Bakewell Tart Stout is a dreamy tipple laced with hints of cherries and almonds - I could drink this all day although that wouldn't be very wise. Two absolute crackers in a row there!

- Mr B Senior shows off his Halo -
After that brace of newbies we round off at a WME favourite that itself hasn't been around all that long. Lower Gungate is where we find the King's Ditch micropub serving ales straight from the cask - you can watch the barman pouring them on the tv screen if you wish. More stout in this case means Glass Half Empty from Pentrich Brewing, a half that maintains the stellar standard we've enjoyed all trip. John tends to avoid the darker beers and is given a Halo instead, hence the comedy pose in the picture above - he's not usually so angelic! Space can be at a premium but we find a table upstairs and peruse a pumpclip display grouped into brewery order. Some cricket and Commonwealth Games scorechecks punctuate the chat and then it's time to head homeward courtesy of the 17:36 Brum train. Cheers to terrific Tamworth!

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