Getting Stone-d with the Chip Foundation

Back in March 2020, the Staffordshire town of Stone gained the dubious distinction of hosting the very last trip I was able to complete before the Covid lockdown took effect. The Beardsmores were my accomplices that day, and now a full three years later we've finally got around to organising a sequel. What's more, Nick will also be on hand to lend the trip his royal seal of approval...

- 170? How very dare you? -

Episode 74 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles takes place on Saturday 25th March 2023 as we collectively convene aboard the 10:26 Crewe-bound train at Wolverhampton. Celebratory artworks herald our arrival at Stone railway station although these appear to be honouring the facility's 170th birthday (1848 to 2018) rather than Nick's attendance - he doesn't look quite that old just yet! My appreciation for the station's Jacobean-inspired architecture is already a matter of blog record but further admiring glances won't hurt; the main building was renovated for community use back in 2003 and now has a collection of dreamcatchers in the window.

- Lock 28 -

Stone is well known for being a waterways town that has been served by the Trent & Mersey navigation since the 1770s. A footbridge over the railway line connects us to Top Lock (No. 30) from whence we can proceed in a south-easterly direction beneath Newcastle Road and past the draught stores and bottling plant that belonged to the original Joules Brewery. It's a day for sharp showers so we have to scurry for shelter at one stage, but thankfully bright sunshine is soon back with us and Lock 28 has glistening puddles as a result. A Canal Cruising base is nearby, hence an array of bright green barges with names such as Ginette and Patricia.

- Crown Wharf -

One of our principal reasons for returning to Stone is to see at first hand the completed Crown Wharf development which has brought the Joules name back to its historic headquarters. We are all hugely impressed by what has been achieved here, marrying what is effectively a new-build canalside bar with a real eye for tradition. The company's former fire station acts as one gateway into the site, then there is a full-size replica of Burton favourite the Coopers Tavern which symbolises how Joules have been reborn after their Bass-enforced closure of 1974. In the pub proper, a secluded Vaults No 1 booth table beckons for sampling of Chocolate Corker, Pale Ale and lemonade and blackcurrant as I offer Nick a digital camera settings masterclass.

- Contented in the Crown Hotel -

Hastened by a further downpour, we decamp from one regal-sounding venue to another. The Crown Hotel on Stone High Street is a C18th coaching inn designed by Henry Holland with matching bow ends. It continues to offer accommodation and has a rather refined public bar where we can partake of Birra Moretti halves (alas for Mr B Senior the John Smith's has run out). Tales involving Beardsmore ancestors at Truro Cathedral help keep us entertained while Stephen protests about the quality of his 'purple peril' - we suspect a blackcurrant overload has rendered this particular soft drink somewhat astringent.

- Which way to the Wren? -

The cordial levels are more to Mr B Junior's liking in bod, a Titanic cafe-bar on the other side of the library square. Now I do love Titanic and I have liked the other bods I've visited, but this one felt more like the lunchtime rush in a coffee shop so the jury remains out. Our food needs are ably met by the Poste of Stone Wetherspoons (3 x gammon, 1 x fish and chips); the JDW Spring Beer Festival is underway, hence Nethergate's Umbel Magna coriander-infused stout accompanies my meal. Appropriately fed, we relocate to the Wren micropub as positioned virtually behind the Crown Hotel - a helpful bicycle points the way if you're uncertain...

- The Royal Exchange -

The Wren first opened in the summer of 2021 and focuses very much on local produce, hence the availability of two Lymestone ales from which we pick Flag Stone. A sunken snug captures our attention, invitingly dappled in sunlight and certainly very comfortable - this'll do nicely! All of our chosen watering holes have been within a very short distance of each other and the same goes for our final haunt, the Royal Exchange on Radford Street as listed in the 2023 Good Beer Guide. Titanic temptation is oh so hard to resist and the Cherry Porter is infinitely worthy of high marks, Nick especially approving of the fruity flavours. All that remains is for us to catch the 17:33 train home and we can consider ourselves summarily 'Stone-d' - cheers!