- 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!
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