The Penkhull Pub Parade

High on a ridge above Stoke town centre, Penkhull is a settlement that can trace its history back across four thousand years and which featured in the Domesday Book. I've never been there before, so when a free Friday presented itself I made haste for The Potteries to see what kind of pub discoveries might await me...

- Penkhull Schools -

It's Friday 20th January 2023 and there are cloudless skies as I catch the 12:19 Manchester train out from Wolverhampton. Upon arrival at Stoke-on-Trent, I tiptoe my way along Shelton Old Road (past the Minton Hollins tileworks offices) and then join Honeywall, gradually rising up the hill among a mixture of tower block accommodation and older terraced properties. My eyes are peeled for notable landmarks whereby the White Lion makes a quick impression as an ex-Ansells boozer that's been converted into flats. It however soon gets upstaged by the sight of Penkhull Board Schools, a Victorian-era educational edifice with moulded stone friezes and red brick aplenty. Alas the building is boarded up, its car park used as a contractors compound while the old railings rust away.

- Marquis of Granby -

St Thomas Place brings me to my first watering hole of the afternoon, namely the Marquis of Granby. This is a handsome inn that's been under Marston's stewardship for many years and takes its name from John Manners, a distinguished 18th century army officer who served in the Seven Years War. The smart frontage is matched by a comfortable interior with dangly industrial light fittings and a Just Eat operation. I requisition an opening pint of Pedigree and take up a perch in the vaults where someone's pet pooch is stealing the show, lapping up being fussed by all of the regulars. Hobgoblin Ruby is the other ale on sale and there's a healthy turnout of Friday lunchtime patronage - a great start!

- St Thomas's Church -

The Marquis of Granby occupies a prime spot on the main roundabout overlooking Penkhull Green, facing across towards St Thomas's Church. The church itself looks magnificent in the wintry sunshine and is flanked by the village hall (hosting Slimming World classes) and two more pubs. I'd like to do both of them but the Manor Court Ale House is resolutely locked, this despite its published trading hours suggesting it should be open. Not to worry, the Greyhound Inn is on hand to claim my custom and soon beguiles me with a real sense of history as befits a place that used to be the local courthouse and began life as a yeoman's residence. Cosy snugs add to the intrigue as I park myself in a window seat with a Timothy Taylor's Landlord and enjoy the timeless views on offer. There's something very British about having a church and a pub in such close proximity and Penkhull's pair seem a fine combination. 

- Sir Stanley -

Confirming that the Manor Court micropub still has no signs of life, I next seek out the nearby charms of the Terrace Inn on Penkhull New Road. This is more your standard estate box-type establishment which feels distinctly more earthy than its competitors, not that I mind that in the slightest. Discount meals and televised sport seem to be the core attraction while a caricature of the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews makes its footballing allegiances clear for all to see. For 3pm on a Friday afternoon it's already lively enough with darts and pool games on the go plus much earnest banter flying around. I make use of the spacious back lounge as a setting for more Pedigree, again the beer quality is more than decent. 

- The Beehive Inn -

Three drinks down and I'm now intent on checking out something I'd spotted on Honeywall earlier. The Beehive doesn't open until four o'clock so I gather a few extra pictures en route, mainly of the Portmeirion pottery works followed by Boon Avenue, then sure enough the door is happily ajar. I understand Marston's used to own this but Joule's seem to be the incumbent brewery these days, hence the application of Boothen Boys and 'Why Why Why Delilah' panel details. I'm first inside for a lovely pint of Draught Bass but it doesn't take long for the regulars to start drifting along, teasing the barmaid about her fire-stoking handiwork (or lack of); I have to say there's a lovely gentle ambiance here, helped by the presence of a resident skeleton quietly minding his own business in the far corner. 

- bru -

Missing out on the micro has given me a spare spot on my itinerary so I head down to London Road for a final Stoke selection. bru is a modern craft bar housed in a former cobblers shop and has recently started trading again after a period of closure. I'm initially drawn towards a 'Salty Kiss' (a lightly sour Magic Rock creation) from the tap selection before rounding off with my beer of the day, Brass Castle's 'Bad Kitty' on cask handpull. I do like my darker ales and this vanilla porter is a favourite I've sampled at many a beer festival so to encounter it here is a real treat, and the resulting pint is utterly gorgeous. bru is certainly quite compact with a few tables around the bar plus a separate small back room, and they stock a wide range of rums, gins and cocktails if you're of that persuasion. As for me, I weave my way back to Stoke Station in time for the 18:25 train pleased with a perfect Penkhull Pub Parade. Cheers!

Waterways Walks: The Cannock Extension Canal

2023 has gotten off to a sluggish start in exploration terms so I'm pleased to blow some of the cobwebs away with a welcome new addition to my occasional Waterways Walks series. The Cannock Extension Canal was originally built to serve the Cannock Chase collieries around Hednesford and Churchbridge, albeit mining subsidence led to much of the line being abandoned in the 1960s. The surviving stretch between Pelsall and Norton Canes still has much to offer as one of the northernmost outposts of the Birmingham Canal Navigations network...

- All Saints National Academy -

Friday 13th January - unlucky for some perhaps - has my watery tale beginning with Bloxwich after a number 69 bus ride across from Wolverhampton to New Invention. The town's railway station (a basic unstaffed facility) and Sandbank flats help my camera creak back to life before Wolverhampton Street has the sad sight of the Turf Tavern long-term closed; I sincerely hope this time capsule of a parlour pub isn't gone for good. All Saints National Academy offers some schoolhouse charms, notably a clock elevation with lettering for the Queen's coronation, while a mysterious shortcut into Bloxwich (Field Road) Cemetery reveals a Victorian chapel. 

- Wyrley & Essington at Holland's Bridge -

Ingram Road and Green Rock Lane help me proceed from Blakenhall Heath towards Goscote where I can briefly intercept the Wyrley & Essington Canal. Holland's Bridge is adjacent to the Green Rivers community facility then there are hints of a Showmans Guild fairground depot comprising stored rides, mobile homes and burger vans as Goscote Works Bridge releases me onto Goscote Lane. I'm keen to revisit a nostalgic pocket of Pelsall where Foundry Lane meets Mouse Hill but the Village Stores shop I remember has become a hairdressing salon. Even in areas that are familiar to me, there are always little changes for me to take note of. 

- A Flats Fate for the Free Trade Inn -

To Pelsall Wood I now go, venturing along Wood Lane to see what has become of the Free Trade Inn. The building had been left in a sorry state for many years and was never going to come back as a pub so it being renovated into flats is a considerable improvement despite my natural misgivings about yet another boozer being consigned to history. My old friend Pelsall Works Bridge is a constant with its Horseley Coal & Iron Company markings and an 1824 datestamp - it's hard to believe there used to be a sizeable ironworks at Pelsall North Common, the final chimneystacks of which were demolished in the 1920s.

- Green Bridge -

And so to the trip's star attraction, the Cannock Extension Canal which must rank among the quieter of the BCN's extremities. Construction commenced in the 1850s and the 5.6 mile line was fully operational through to Hednesford by 1863; of this, only a 1.8 mile-long section to Norton Canes remains in active use. Pelsall Junction's turnover footbridge is my access point as I immediately eye up Friar Bridge with its accompanying cottages (Nos. 211 and 212 for those interested in the BCN's historic property holdings). Pelsall Common, Green and Wyrley Grove Bridges all follow in relatively swift order and the canal channel is absolutely dead straight, making quite a contrast from its meandering Wyrley & Essington counterpart.

- Norton Canes Docks -

Although I can increasingly hear A5 traffic as I edge closer to Watling Street, I have to say I'm otherwise thoroughly enjoying the sense of escape that comes with views looking out over the common and across fields towards Little Wyrley. Beyond Pelsall Road Bridge (which carries the B4154 Lime Lane), there is a moorings compound with a traditional boatbuilding dock where the narrowboats sparkle in the wintry sunshine. The cut then comes to an abrupt sludged-up stop just short of the main road, and that's as far as we can go nowadays.

- Turf Lodge Toby Carvery -

Emerging through the vegetation onto the A5 itself, it's but a short distance to the Turf Lodge which is doing a decent trade in lunchtime dining. I wouldn't usually be remotely fussed about Toby Carvery-type establishments but I've earned myself a spot of refreshment hence a pint of Carling keeps me out of mischief while I dodge the roast dinner crowd. The current tavern is a mid-1930s replacement for a previous coaching inn and does seem to drum up a reasonable passing trade - it's served my purposes at any rate!

- Approaching Wyrley Grove Bridge -

Duly revitalised, I retrace my earlier footsteps back along the Cannock Extension to Pelsall; the weather is starting to cloud over and a gusty breeze makes its presence felt but there are further photo pickings to be had, especially in the vicinity of Wyrley Grove Bridge. My thoughts turn to evening quiz night engagements so I intercept the number 9 bus at Pelsall Fingerpost and meet up with Mr B Junior at Wednesfield's Vine. Korvak's Burden is a top drawer tipple here and the rear snug is as lovely a setting as ever for a natter about cricket, Wolves and examination invigilation happenings. Only one thing could make the day more perfect and that's a Team Bears quiz win... cue a narrow victory secured by random knowledge about Georges, hungry seals and celebrity moustaches. Cheers!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives: Part 28

Although my archive assortment postings have become less frequent as time has gone on, I still like to ferret through forgotten folders whenever the chance arises. The recent Christmas holiday presented one such opportunity so here's what I unearthed...

- The Dun Horse -

Anyone who keeps half an eye on my Flickr photostream may have detected a preoccupation with Kendal recently so this episode of Lost Pubs begins with two Cumbrian contenders which had their pictures taken back in 2010. The Dun Horse looked like an old-fashioned market town establishment at the time and was situated at the western tip of Stramongate just down from Branthwaite Brow. It subsequently was known as the Gate of Kendal for a short period before seemingly becoming an Italian restaurant/bar. I'm not quite sure what its current status is so feel free to comment with any updates.

- Victoria Tavern -

While the Dun Horse might still be trading in a heavily modified guise, my second selection from Kendal has definitely ceased to have a hospitality function. Perched immediately beside the landmark Longpool (A6) steel bridge, the Victoria Tavern would presumably have been very handy indeed for the adjacent railway station but its proximity to a transport location wasn't enough to spare it from closure. The building has since been converted into flats. 

- The Corn Exchange -

Heading closer to home, we'll pause in the carpet-making town of Kidderminster to ponder the fate of the Corn Exchange. A Banks's house for several years, it stood close to the former Cattle Market site (Market House next door having served as the RAFA Social Club). After shutting down in 2015 it has been repurposed as a fish and chip shop, hence CAMRA's Whatpub entry mournfully comments "another piece of Kidderminster's heritage trashed". 

- The Beacon -

A certain Sedgley stalwart means I have a special fondness for pubs called the Beacon but alas my affections cannot extend to the Madeley example of that name. Grade II-listed, this fine C18th property has sadly gone to rack and ruin since being fenced off and effectively left to rot. There was some talk of replacing it with a supermarket or turning it into apartments but nothing appears to have come to fruition as yet, hence it remains an Ironbridge Rd eyesore. 

- Cedar Tree -

I realise that not one of the previous four pictures counts as an actual West Midlands watering hole so I'll finish with an offering from Walsall, well Aldridge to be exact. The Cedar Tree was a standard estate boozer on Walsall Wood Road until the Co-op claimed it for one of their local stores, meaning that me taking this picture was the closest I ever came to having a drink here - with hindsight I should have nipped in for a swift pint! Thankfully the Lazy Hill Tavern almost directly opposite is still going, and on that note I'll close this archive extract. Cheers!

Christmas Leftovers

You've probably all had your fill of turkey curry or sprout casserole by now, so the leftovers I'm bringing your way are merely details of the December adventures I haven't yet had chance to tell you about. Two trips in two days saw me firstly making extra use of my Unchained pass at the Black Country Living Museum, and then meeting up with Chairman D9 for the Hub Awards 2022 extravaganza...

- Decorations in the Tilted Cottage -

Selected highlights should be sufficient for the purposes of bringing things up to date so I'll begin with the BCLM on Thursday 29th December. Although I've visited the Museum many times over the years, I'd never before popped in over Christmas so it was truly delightful to see the place with an additional festive flavour. Traditional decorations were fully to the fore with paper streamers and holly boughs evident - I particularly liked the Tilted Cottage's tree, bedecked with pine cones, preserved orange slices and red ribbons.

- Something Angelic in the Elephant & Castle? -

The museum's main village was predictably busy in the school holidays although I was able to check up on 1940s-1960s New Town progress, including spotting a West Bromwich Building Society frontage nearing completion. Castle Fields Boat Dock proved quietly evocative with fenders and mooring chains dotted about, while the Elephant & Castle pub had a plastic tree angel more in keeping with its remit of capturing a 1960s Christmas. I steered clear of any Babycham but did partake of Banks's Mild in a proper dimpled mug.

- Holden's Old Ale at source -

My Unchained ticket covers me through until next October so I fully expect further BCLM visits to follow in due course. This time around I paired my museum investigations with a homeward stop in Woodsetton, primarily so that I could savour the Park Inn again. Holden's brewery tap never lets me down and this latest encounter came with the added joy of sampling Old Ale, their 7.2% humdinger brewed for a limited time every winter. Dark and resinous, the pint had notes of fruit, malt and maybe even treacle - as the glass says, Pure Black Country!

- The 2023 Hub Calendar Presentation -

Let's skip headlong into Friday 30th December next when I met up with Chairman D9 for the Hub Marketing Awards ceremony; normally our gala would take place prior to Christmas but delivery delays meant that a certain calendar had not arrived in time, hence the need for an extra meeting. After a brisk 49 bus ride across from West Bromwich, we breezed around Bearwood for pit stops in two former banking premises. The Midland is an erstwhile Black Country Ales favourite but the Pub at Bearwood is a new arrival on the scene, based in the ex-Lloyds TSB building on the corner of Rutland Road and High Street. Armed with a Rocking Rudolph, Mr D9 is the grateful recipient of his 2023 gift featuring a wrapping paper quiff cover.

- The Lion, Quinton Road West -

Another notable watering hole to register on our Awards itinerary was the Kings Head on Hagley Road, a long-term Outer Circle bus landmark at Lordswood Road lights which has been given a very stylish Desi-type makeover. A turn-up-and-go connection courtesy of the number 24 route then had us weaving through Woodgate Valley North to reach the Lion off West Boulevard. Previously the Quinton Members Club but having also been known variously as the Monarch and the Island Inn, it now serves as the sister pub to West Bromwich's Red Lion - we rather like it! In between times, DJ D9 Hubbacini counted down the 2022 Silly Songs Chart, with the acclaimed number one spot going to 'Grandad's Motto' by Stan Richards. 

- Charles Pemberton Rowbottom At Your Service -

Indeed, the afternoon went on to take a distinct Desi turn when we proceeded from the Lion up to the New Talbot, a venue Mr D9 remembers affectionately as the Midland Red Social Club. Although significantly revamped from the days when it used to be the preserve of bus drivers and transport staff, such provenance made it the ideal setting for our esteemed Hub founder Charles Pemberton Rowbottom to put in an appearance and the awards listings were duly declared: Outing of the Year was Leek, Dive of the Year was the Grey Lantern, and the Truckers Rest at Cannock beat off serious competition for the Best Greasy Spoon gong. Thus concluded the Hub Marketing Board minutes for 2022 - cheers! 

WME Review Of The Year - 2022

Happy New Year all, and for most of us we're probably not too upset to see the back of 2022. Energy price hikes, the war in Ukraine, cost of living crises and Government turmoil have certainly made for a difficult twelve months, making me ever more appreciative of the respite that my explorations can offer. Here then is my ever-essential annual summary reflecting on what I've been up to...

January: 2022 began with a New Year's Day dosage of Dudley, plodding around the Priory Estate trying unsuccessfully to get a decent glimpse of Castle Mill canal basin. Old Hill and Cradley Heath registered an entry in my Saturday Solo series, whereby Fixed Wheel's Handle Bar proved an excellent discovery and I was impressed with the renovation quality at the Spring Meadow. Birmingham probably stole the January honours however with not one but two trips; firstly as the setting for a Brewery Saturday with Nick (Sommar and Attic featuring prominently) and secondly supplying a River Rea Ramble covering Kings Norton, the Highbury and Selly Park, complete with a toast to the much-missed Pete Allen.

February: the shortest month was put to good use with the first Chip Foundation caper of the year, a somewhat soggy stroll around Leamington that was good fun nevertheless. Far better weather accompanied my Shifnal shuffle utilising quiet country lanes and footpaths to cover Evelith and Kemberton with a real sense of escape. Saturday Solos are usually a Black Country-based occupation so a day spent in Dickens Heath made for quite a departure - the architecture there is somewhat distinctive - while the Hub Marketing Board picked Chase Terrace and Brownhills for their 2022 curtain-raiser, savouring the joys of Sankey's Tap House and the Miners Rest.

March: more Hub antics quickly followed in March courtesy of the traditional St Patrick Hughes East Birmingham bash, which managed to slip in some Solihull stuff too courtesy of Smith's Wood (the Kingfisher) and Olton (the Lyndon). Nick and I raided the Rugby Beer Festival for sumptuous stouts then subsequently sampled Wetherspoons wares in Oldbury in the company of Ken. Springtime Staffordshire sunshine enticed me separately to Stafford and Lichfield - the former excursion dealt with Doxey and Trinity Fields whereas the latter one updated my Lichfield Canal knowledge with help from Huddlesford Junction. 

April: Rail Rover Week must take pride of place here, giving me five magnificently varied days eking out photos in Herefordshire (Leominster), Leicestershire (Hinckley), Cheshire (Chester and Congleton) and Staffordshire (Uttoxeter). The Beardsmores and I lingered around Landywood for a whiff of Wyrley Branch remains, canal concentration similarly being to the fore during my Brownhills Good Friday frolic that nabbed me a first ever look at the New Invention Brewery bar in a Bloxwich industrial unit. In other news, Chairman D9 and Secretary WME were on the Black Country beat for a portion of the Pensnett Patch washed down with Kingswinford - very good!

May: the cricket season was firmly underway by this point so Headingley hosted us for a week of Leeds loveliness, Warwickshire battling to a hard-fought draw by not losing a wicket on the final day of the match. The Hub Marketing bandwagon swooped into Shrewsbury (an outing notable for bus station bald spots and strikingly-coloured sheep); likewise the Chip Foundation conquered Coventry and witnessed the Godiva Clock in all its glory. May's Saturday Solo contribution meanwhile involved Hagley (especially Bathams' King Arthur boozer) and the Green Duck Brewery - it's fair to say the beer was especially good that day!

June: the Whitsun half-term holidays were spent in Southern Scotland, adopting Southerness Lighthouse as my preferred photographic muse and dabbling a little with Dumfries for good measure. I celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the full Chip Foundation cohort in Great Malvern, a day that began with breakfast-time beer at Birmingham's Bacchus - possibly our earliest tipple on record! Pheasant Pluckers and Pype Hayes greasy spoon treats were on the menu when the Hub Marketing Board braved North Birmingham in heatwave conditions, hence Mr D9 earning himself a Standing Ovation photoshoot in Erdington. 

July: the temperatures were still very much on the warm side come the occasion of the Bromsgrove Beer Festival, which Nick and I attended after trooping along Tardebigge Locks - we were both very taken with Byatt's Madagascan Stout if I remember correctly. Tamworth tempted the Chip Foundation as a suitable location for marking Mr B Senior's latest birthday although my favourite July destination has to be Leek, jewel of the Staffordshire Moorlands. Old-fashioned chip shops, traditional hostelries and generous servings of Draught Bass all add up to practical perfection, superb!

August: into the height of summer now and Commonwealth Games fever was sweeping Birmingham, aided by the presence of a majestic mechanical bull. I thus dedicated one of my Saturday Solo adventures to attempting to find several sculptures of Perry the games mascot, ultimately ending up in the Jewellery Quarter for a relaxed pint in the Rock & Roll Brewhouse. Wellington staged a stifling Shropshire scorcher, introducing me to the Boot micropub in the process, while things took a Shakespearean turn for the Chip contingent over in glorious Stratford-upon-Avon - the RSC's Insult Chair saved its extended abuse especially for me.

September: autumn's arrival heralds the end of the cricket season and the Bears were in real danger of relegation after losing at Bristol; the Beardsmores and I loved the city but were far less enamoured with the result. Thankfully Liam Norwell summoned a bowling spell for the ages in the final fixture against Hampshire to pull off the most remarkable of reprieves! Two beer festivals in two weeks encompassed Bridgnorth (with Nick) and Cannock (with D9), then we had the small matter of a Walsall wander chiselling out some Chuckery snapshots. On a more historic note, September was the month that saw the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, bringing to an end her incomparable 70-year reign. 

October: onto October and a key personal 2022 highlight for me was experiencing the Black Country Living Museum's recreation of the Elephant & Castle public house, a Wolverhampton icon brought back to life in splendid fashion. Elsewhere, Nick was the ideal tour guide for the Wonders of Warwick (chief amongst which was the totally random Ronnies Bar), and I tracked down Bathams' special 145th Anniversary Ale during a Wollaston and Stourbridge workout. My second family getaway of the year comprised snippets of Somerset seaside care of Brean, Burnham and Weston, not forgetting Minehead's cast of metalhead characters.

November: the quiffs were out in force again when the Hub team descended upon Coventry as is our custom - Allesley Park and Chapelfields were subjected to our dubious vocal talents on this occasion while Joy's in Coundon was a Cafe of the Year contender. Not to be outdone, the Chip Foundation chaps had a whale of a time in Hanley when encountering Potteries classics such as the Golden Cup and the Coachmakers Arms. Dudley Winter Ales Fayre is always a staple of my beer travels and did not disappoint, although with Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve in the line-up we knew we were in safe hands.

December: a Festive Forage with Nick is statutory as far as December is concerned so the 2022 edition entailed Birmingham extractions and a Metro ride to Edgbaston Village. Drab weather didn't deter me from seeking out Willenhall and Short Heath at the start of the month, and there was a distinct wintry tinge to the Ho Ho Hub Marketing medley that paired Bilston and Blackheath together. Chairman D9 likewise joined me for post-Christmas partying around Bearwood and Quinton as the Hub Awards 2022 were announced, and I squeezed in a solo Black Country Living Museum mooch for a further flurry of yuletide photos. 

So there you have it, my explorational year as told in twelve paragraphs. As ever, my thanks go to those hardy gluttons for punishment that joined me for the various escapades, especially D9 Andy, HRH Nick, the Beardsmores (Junior and Senior) and long-suffering Bluenose Ken.