Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2023

You know you're on the countdown to Christmas when the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre rolls around again, and each year I always earmark the last weekend in November for attending arguably my favourite beer festival. Nick and I certainly aren't about to miss out on the 2023 running, held once more at Dudley Town Hall - let's see what's what...

- Tettenhall Green -

It's Friday 24th November 2023 and my day begins in Tettenhall from whence I can catch the number 1 bus direct into Dudley via Wolverhampton City Centre and Sedgley. It's one of those crisp bright autumnal mornings and it's never any hardship to have a mooch around Tettenhall Green, especially with the trees in all of their golden splendour. The paddling pool has been drained of its water now we're headed for the winter months but the Upper Green Clock still chimes for all its worth - it was originally installed to mark King George V's coronation. 

- Coronation Gardens -

That aforementioned 1 performs its connecting duties with minimal fuss and I reach Dudley at about quarter past eleven. Being in a photographic mood, I contemplate a circuit of the town's bustling Market Place (complete with ceremonial drinking fountain gifted by the Earl of Dudley back in 1867) followed by Coronation Gardens. The local cenotaph takes centre stage here, bedecked in memorial poppy wreaths with a poignant soldier silhouette also on show. The gardens are situated opposite the Council House and boast a sculpture of Apollo as well as acting as the focus of remembrance activities. 

- Hippodrome Hoardings -

To Castle Hill next where tram tracks have been laid in readiness for the proposed Midland Metro extension; all being well, passenger services should be operational between Dudley and Wednesbury sometime in 2024, with a further leg out to Brierley Hill to follow. Sadly any such trams will no longer be able to pass outside the Dudley Hippodrome building because the former entertainments venue has been controversially demolished despite a campaign to ensure its preservation. The theatre had been built in the late 1930s, hosting variety shows and later becoming a Gala bingo, so we now wait to see what happens to the site. 

- A Collective Taste of Zanzibar -

It's almost festival time so Nick and I convene over a Court House half of Flipside's Dusty Penny porter (starting with the dark stuff as we mean to go on!) before proceeding to the hallowed venue that is Dudley Town Hall. There's a Crooked House theme to the event this year after the famously tilted Himley hostelry was unceremoniously flattened following a mystery fire in August. Collecting our glasses, programmes and tokens, we pitch straight in with Angel Ales and their 'Zanzibar Dark Ginger', a heady combination of spicy ginger and molasses which soon gets us settled for the afternoon.

- Killer Stout... with Bread Pudding! -

The beauty of DWAF is that you get to try some of the stronger seasonal brews that only appear briefly in the lead-up to the festive period, with Bathams XXX and Sarah Hughes Snowflake always selling out very quickly. Kinver's Wonky goes down a storm, as does the Green Duck Bostin' Mild XXL, although I'm particularly partial to Beowulf's Killer Stout at a mere 7.3% abv. Luckily I have a bargain slab of bread pudding on standby to soak up such superstrong samplers but when drinking a third at a time you're still being sensible really! For his part, Nick tackles Windmill Hill's Weissbier, Moor's Old Freddie Walker (no relation as far as we're aware) and the Enville Gothic; it's great to see some familiar CAMRA faces including Mac and Janet, or Dave Rosling from Coventry, and we even noted a fleeting appearance by Andy Street the West Midlands Metropolitan Mayor. 

- Beer Bank -

The volunteers of Dudley & South Staffordshire CAMRA branch have done a sterling job as ever, and we reluctantly bid farewell in search of additional Black Country hospitality. The Old Swan (affectionately known as Ma Pardoe's) needs no introduction from me - the Bumblehole Bitter there is like seeing an old friend again - then we round off in Quarry Bank by frequenting a couple of relatively recent pub arrivals. The Beer Bank is a very new micropub having first started trading in September; it's one to watch if the quality of Fixed Wheel's Cookie Stout is anything to go by, though a free mince pie might have helped persuade us of its charms. The Old Liberal meanwhile is the free house guise of what used to be Quarry Bank Liberal Club, and you can still see some of their old minute books on display. A generous glug of Holden's Golden Glow earns our praise while standing at the bar - the place is packed out, great to see - and we've had a mighty fine day of ale appreciation. Cheers!

Coventry Quiffs 2023: Bell Green and Walsgrave

Hold onto your hairpieces folks, it's that time of year again when the Hub Marketing Board go gaga over Lady Godiva. Our annual Coventry Caper is always a highlight without exception, so what will this 11th installment bring our way... 

- 'Starry Night' -

Trip Log: Friday 17th November 2023 and it is indeed time once more for Hub Marketing members to conquer Coventry. In more recent years, we've tended to include some Brum-based sculpture spotting as part of our Coventry itinerary and this edition will maintain that very custom by seeking out some of the Snowdogs that have been dotted around the city centre in the lead-up to Christmas. Inspired by the Raymond Briggs canine character, ten such specimens await discovery including 'Starry Night' by the Centenary Square ice rink.

- 'Elf' -

Part of our Snowdog hunt takes us through the site of the Frankfurt Christmas Market, albeit most of the stalls are barricaded off until opening time later in the day. 'Ru-dog' has a suitably crimson red nose in the shadows of the Council House while 'Roodle' offers a bristly fibreglass texture over in Piccadilly Arcade. A quick scout around by St Philip's Cathedral reveals 'Elf' all dressed up in the green and red uniform associated with Santa's little helpers, then for an added bonus we find a pullover-wearing polar bear standing sentry outside The Ivy. 

- Covert Car Park Surveillance -

That was certainly a lot of fun but let's crack on with the main event shall we? The 10:36 Euston train conveys us to Coventry by quarter past eleven, and our first task thereafter is to inspect a closed multistorey car park that Mr D9 has had his eye on for years. New Union Street is the location for this classic piece of 1960s concrete construction, and though the facility was taken out of public use in 2021, the Chairman can still get very excited about its yellow and white tiles, rounded P symbols and disused public conveniences. 

- Route 7 at Bell Green Terminus -

With the Secretary in charge of our agenda, we proceed to Bell Green with assistance from the number 7 bus (the route runs cross-city from Brownshill Green, partly replacing what used to be the 10). Our journey takes us from Gosford Street to Roseberry Avenue via Ball Hill, Clay Lane, Barras Heath and Wyken Croft, not forgetting a full loop of Henley Green for good measure. As is essential whenever we're in Coventry, we unleash a Rock and Roll singalong in honour of former bus driver Rocking Ron West which means the top deck is soon subjected to tunes such as 'Blue Moon', 'Poetry in Motion' and 'Who Put The Bomp'.

- Riley Square -

We'd been to Bell Green previously (in 2014 to be exact) so we know what to expect in terms of Riley Square and its dubious charms - think high rise tower blocks, offputting flats and a miserably ugly shopping precinct for starters. A fortified bunker of a post office adds to the flavour whilst other local amenities include a community library, a Farmfoods store and the Trojan gym. Our priority however is Bell Green Working Mens Club where we had hoped to pause for a belated Full English breakfast; alas they stopped serving food here a couple of years ago but we can nevertheless relish the timewarp qualities of the original club interior. Tetley's, Carling and a soundtrack of 'Come on Eileen' mean we could literally be back in 1982, and the red ceiling tiles look like they could pop out at any moment.

- George admires the Trump Quiff -

If the WMC made a favourable impression, we're nowhere near as enamoured with the Rose & Crown on Hall Green Road. It's a standard council estate boozer really, a little rough around the edges, with the Racing Channel on the go and a couple of banners paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. A quick Carling each is sufficient to say we've been, and it's quite a relief to get safely onto the 7 for our onward connection back to Ball Hill. A critical component of any Coventry trip is the ceremonial unveiling of the latest quiff, and it's fair to say that the Chairman has excelled himself this year - may we introduce you to the Trump Quiff, lovingly crafted out of beige parcel paper complete with all the sideburns anyone could wish for!

- Red Lion, Walsgrave -

A Blackberry Lane pit stop pays dividends for the Hungry Elephant (previously the Kings Banqueting Suite), a flat-roofed box which has been refreshed with modern decor and an Indian menu to match. The Old Ball Hotel on the main Walsgrave Road feels like a faded coaching inn and helps us momentarily escape from the Friday afternoon traffic, then we intercept an incoming number 8 for the grind down to Walsgrave. St Mary's Parish Church beckons in the dusky gloom, and practically next door to that is the Red Lion, an Ember establishment serving a decent half of Titanic's Plum Porter. Our quest for completion demands we try out the Mount Pleasant too for a helping of Hungry Horse hospitality.

- Bequiffed Darts at the New Pippin -

Neither the Red Lion nor the Mount Pleasant excited us to any degree but the New Pippin is more to our liking, and its dartboard is unoccupied too. Possibly weighed down by wearing the Trump Quiff, D9 Destroyer struggles to hit the scoring heights whereas WME Whirlwind has found his clinical groove; three genuine double finishes in a row is practically unheard of in the annals of Hub Marketing darts duels and yet the Secretary conjures up a stunning sequence when powering his way to a 4-3 victory. I still can scarcely believe it!!

- Guzzling Guinness in Rosie Malone's -

Drinking halves has given us scope to conclude matters over a couple of Central Coventry nightcaps. Rosie Malone's on Jordan Well suits us fine for a glug of Guinness in amongst the toucan touches, then we finish off at a newly-established microbrewery bar situated within the student apartments of Parkside. The Triumph Brewhouse started trading in August and is very handy for the railway station so it's definitely worth seeking out; we partake of their standard stout and an 8% wowsers of an imperial peanut butter concoction that is absolutely gorgeous! The 19:16 train runs to schedule and that'll be that, Coventry conquered for another year.

A Kidderminster Festival Foray

I haven't been to all that many beer festivals this year but those I did grace with my presence (namely Burton, Stratford and Shrewsbury) have been routinely excellent - can Kidderminster's offering maintain such high standards?

- Hitting the Headlines at the Severn Valley Station -

Trip Log: Saturday 11th November 2023 - Armistice Day in fact - whereby I'm all bound for sunny Worcestershire courtesy of the 10:26 train down from Smethwick Galton Bridge. The beer festival opens its doors at noon so I've an hour or so beforehand to indulge in a spot of photography. There aren't any prizes for guessing that Kidderminster's Severn Valley Railway station will be among my top targets, even though there aren't any heritage steam services in operation today. The main concourse and the museum are however welcoming visitors, hence I can ponder the various 1930s headlines on display at the W H Smith news stand.

- Preserved Bristol 314 PFM -

Making sure to pay my respects as part of the nationwide two minute silence at 11 o'clock - We Will Remember Them - I survey additional SVR terminus features such as the Wrangaton Signal Box which has been dismantled and rebuilt from its original Devon location. As luck would have it, a preserved Bristol Lodekka bus just happens to be minding its own business on the far car park; 314 PFM is the vehicle in question, presumably resting up after wedding duties. During its working life it saw active service with Crosville and Western National.

- Kidderminster Harriers Social & Supporters Club -

Aside from Severn Valley matters, my explorational instincts take me on a loop of George Street and Offmore Road for pictures of the Golden Lion, Offmore Stores and a local garage. Hoo Road is then press-ganged into action for my approach towards Aggborough Stadium, home of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club (who have been plying their trade at the top of the non-league pyramid again this season after a well-earned promotion). The adjacent Social & Supporters Club is the festival's host venue and has the kind of flat-roofed appearance a certain Mr D9 would no doubt be drooling about. 

- The Festival Necessaries -

Joining an expectant queue as the clock ticks around to midday, I can soon hand over the £15 readies in exchange for glass, programme and tokens. The beery action awaits in the function room, a large space with stage and dancefloor (although nobody needs to see me busting a groove, ever). Some of the ales have already sold out although there's plenty still pouring to keep me satisfied, starting with 'South Pointing Fish' from Copper Beech, a hazy pale from a local nanobrewery I can't say I'd heard of until now. The hoppy bite of my opening half means I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for their wares in future!

- Plum Pig -

You all know I love my darker beers and the programme comes up trumps with a couple of absolute crackers: 'Anvil Porter' from the Nailmaker Brewery based somewhere near Barnsley (chocolate malts to the fore with this one), followed by Brothers of Ale's 'VVD Oatmeal Stout' served chilled via the craft keg racks. In between times, I can't resist the fruity prospects of Black Country Ales 'Plum Pig', a variation on their Pig On The Wall Mild - I've had this a few times previously but it never disappoints! Keeping half an eye on the Wolves v Spurs score from Molineux, I spend up with a satisfying half of 'Gornal Gold' whilst digesting news that Tottenham have taken an early lead - oh dear!

- The Chester Tavern -

As is customary whenever I'm in a beer festival frame of mind, I like to pair the main event with some studious sampling of nearby watering holes. Two Kidderminster contenders I'd yet to frequent are the Viaduct (sited in the shadows of the famous Hoobrook railway structure) and the Chester Tavern; the first of those is merely an average Marston's establishment plying its trade in family dining and sports screens, whereas the latter seriously impresses me with attentive service and excellent cask quality. Bewdley's 'Red Hill' is amber nectar of the highest order when accompanied by a cheese and onion cob, and the Fixed Wheel 'Mild Concussion' to follow was of a similar level of eminence. Just when you think life can't get any better, Wolves score two very late goals to grab victory and it's been a perfect afternoon. Cheers!

Ashmore Park and Essington

November's first submission to the West Midlands Exploration trip collection is a gentle little outing with Stephen that covered the neighbouring localities of Ashmore Park and Essington - one a large Wednesfield housing estate within the bounds of Wolverhampton, the other a South Staffordshire mining village...

- Autumnal Ashmore Park -

Trip Log: Friday 3rd November 2023 and - after a business breakfast courtesy of the Bluebrick (near Wolverhampton's former Low Level railway station) - Stephen and I aim for the allure of Ashmore Park. Mr B does some of his grocery errands here every week and knows the local shops very well, especially the Butchers where we natter with the proprietors about England's dismal Cricket World Cup campaign. Once all required foodstuffs have duly been purchased, we take a stroll through the park itself to admire the gorgeous colours of autumn. The outdoor facilities here include a cycle speedway track, BMX humps and bumps plus a bowling green. 

- Griffiths Drive -

Ashmore Park was first established as a housing estate by Wednesfield Urban District Council in the 1950s before transferring to the Metropolitan Borough of Wolverhampton in 1966. Key to the layout is Griffiths Drive as the road off which all others seem to radiate, and the number 59 bus uses this to perform a full clockwise circuit at frequent intervals. Having gathered our pictures of the park, we explore Ashmore Avenue and Acorn Road before I go into street sign overdrive accounting for the likes of Thornley Road, Barnard Road and Phillips Avenue. 

- Ashmore Park Bottom Shops -

Ashmore Park effectively has two sets of shops - the 'top' shops by Higgs Road, and the more extensive 'bottom' shops on the southwestern-most corner of Griffiths Drive. The latter spot is also where you'll find the remains of a moated farm which apparently can trace its history back to the time of Lady Wulfruna; grassy earthworks are all you can see nowadays though. Our tour then takes in the Ashmore Park Community Hub where library services are now based following the closure of a previous standalone branch due to council cutbacks. The Hub also comprises a sports hall, meeting rooms and a popular cafe serving light refreshments. 

- Essington Water Tower -

Satisfied with our endeavours thus far, we proceed the short distance to Essington by crossing the county boundary into Staffordshire. As somewhere I've known since childhood rides to my Nan's old house, Essington has long intrigued me with agricultural-sounding road names; in fact, the likes of Bognop, Bursnips and Hobnock could surely pass for Roald Dahl characters! Hawthorne Road seems less exotic by comparison but does offer glimpses of a Severn Trent water tower complete with flaking paintwork - I assume it is no longer in active use?

- All Age Worship at St John's -

Other notable Essington landmarks would be Brownshore Lakes (a pair of pools that show how old mine workings have been reclaimed by nature over time), and the Church of St John the Evangelist (complete with banner promoting All Age Worship). A handful of shops on Hill Street ensure the village retains some post office provision, while over on High Hill you can find the local Working Men's Club and a rugby ground. The B4156 is the main route through, linking Blackhalve Lane, Wolverhampton Road and Hobnock Road towards Essington Wood.

- The Minerva -

How remiss of me not to have mentioned any pubs as yet but it was always our intention to sample the Minerva at some point. Named after the Roman goddess of war, justice and crafts (among other things), this establishment has not long started trading again after the death of the preceding landlady. I've had my eye on this place for years without ever managing to stop by for a drink, so a welcome pint of John Smith's secures my overdue custom. A spluttering log fire accompanies bar room chat with a Baggies fan while Stephen again dissects more of England's cricketing failures as part of a classic pub conversation - cheers!

Mr Beardsmore's Burslem Birthday Bash

Chip Foundation birthdays roll around roughly every couple of months between April and October so now it is Stephen's turn to have a special trip convened in his honour. Last year's equivalent outing had seen us happily hanging around in Hanley, and more Potteries platters are on the menu for this trip too...

- Tunstall Market -

It's Saturday 28th October 2023 (just two days before Stephen's big day) as we congregate aboard the 10:26 train from Wolverhampton bound for Stoke-on-Trent. A quick interchange in and out of Hanley involves the number 23 and 3A buses, the latter heading for the curiously-named Talke Pits wherever that may be. Our opening destination is Tunstall, the only one of the six amalgamated Potteries towns that I'd never previously had the pleasure of visiting. It's an interesting if somewhat deprived place, comprising a rudimentary rundown High Street with Tower Square as a more appealing focal point. Getting some initial bearings, we note Tunstall Market (which operates on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) while The Boulevard hosts the remnants of the former Public Library and Swimming Pool facilities, both sadly disused.

- Spooky Stephen in the Oddfellows Arms -

The northernmost of the six towns, Tunstall is served by the A50 trunk road and has the A500 relatively close at hand too. The aforementioned Tower Square is where we find more prime landmarks including a clock tower (erected through public subscription and unveiled in 1893) which faces the Renaissance-styled municipal edifice of the Town Hall. There are a clutch of pubs in the vicinity, such as the Barrel, the Sneyd Arms and the Tavern but our choice is the Oddfellows Arms because of its connections to the Beartown Brewery. They're clearly getting into the Halloween spirit here, hence ghouls, spiders and pumpkins aplenty, while Stephen gamely grapples with some cobweb-covered grandfather clocks. Nick isn't quite convinced about the Beartown Bitter but we all appreciate the warm welcome from the regulars.

- October's offering from the Wedgwood Institute -

Backtracking along the 3/3A bus route, we take a short hop into Burslem which is recognised as being Stoke-on-Trent's 'Mother Town' due to its proud pottery production heritage. Josiah Wedgwood was born here in 1730 and the local Institute bears his name - we marvel at its fascinating terracotta frontage complete with various panels representing zodiac signs and the different months of the year. Directly across Queen Street is the Burslem School of Art, itself a fine building dating from 1905, while the architectural ensemble is further augmented by the George Hotel and Swan Square (location of the town's war memorial).

- Wedgwood Printing Works -

Evidence of Burslem's industrial pedigree is seemingly all around us, from factory facades to bottle kilns. Edward Challinor's Overhouse Manufactory catches my eye, as indeed does the 'Ceramic Transfers' lettering on what used to be the Wedgwood Printing Works. The Town Hall is topped by a golden angel that was referenced in the novels of Arnold Bennett, whereas the Royal Stafford company continues to produce pottery in the heart of Burslem today. Our visit has coincided with the Port Vale versus Cheltenham football fixture which means several of the pubs are operating a 'home fans only' admittance policy - can we get a drink somewhere?

- Tackling Titanic Tipples in the Bulls Head -

Two classic taverns on St John's Square will thankfully come to our aid, the first of which is the Duke William (looking out towards a vintage Ideal Homes shopfront). Vocation's Bread and Butter beer drinks very nicely as we enjoy more spooktacular accoutrements, Stephen nervously sitting below a giant hairy mock black spider. A diminutive barmaid makes us feel very much at home and the pub interior has a selection of nice rooms to explore. Further along the street is the Bull's Head, flagship outlet of the Titanic Brewery which is absolutely rammed at first glance but empties out closer to kick-off time. Plum Porter Grand Reserve at source is a rare treat and very powerful as befits its 6.5% abv; Ken takes his mind off the Blues score by reading Daily Mirror articles about the Titanic's fateful voyage.

- Wellers 'Skull-duggery'? -

Timing our exit so as to intercept the number 98 bus, we proceed to Newcastle-under-Lyme via Longport, Porthill Bank and Wolstanton. A late lunch is required, necessitating a pit stop in the Arnold Machin Wetherspoons (named after the chap who designed the Queen's portrait for use on British coins and postage stamps) - Stephen and I gobble down our 10oz gammons whereas Nick predictably comes over all fishy and Ken has a brunch. Suitably nourished, we check out Wellers on Pepper Street as a round-fronted microbar with a neat selection of cask ales. Yorkshire Blonde, Salopian Lemon Dream and Oakham's 3 Witches are all confirmed to be on good form while Mr B Junior has more skulls and spiders for company. 

- The Holy Inadequate -

There's one essential final watering hole we wish to sample before this particular Potteries sojourn is over. The Holy Inadequate in Etruria is the establishment in question, and is highly regarded in CAMRA circles for regularly being in award contention as well as brewing its own on-site beers. With a helping hand from the 4A bus, we troop into the lovely L-shaped bar and gleefully partake of the Inadequate Citra Pale Ale, fresh and lively and full of hoppy goodness. Ken has a read of the Towpath Talk canal newspaper while Nick has never been so pleased to be inadequate in his entire life - there's superb quality out there if you know where to look! All that remains is a very tight Hanley connection but we catch the 25 with the aid of a sprint, and the 18:26 train home to Wolverhampton behaves itself. Cheers!