Extracts from Eccleshall

Tradition over recent years dictates that the month of March must supply me with a Stafford sojourn, only this year I've decided to go rogue by extending my range out towards the nearby town of Eccleshall...

- A Victoria Park Vista -

It's Saturday 23rd March 2024 and a weather theme for the day is set almost immediately when my initial walk into Wolverhampton is punctuated by a vicious hailstorm. The skies have brightened up by the time the 09:48 Manchester train deposits me in Stafford, hence Victoria Park is its usual inviting self with magnolia trees in full bloom over by the glasshouses. W.G. Grace demands his customary selfie in lawn bowling flat cap attire, while Chell Road is being subjected to ongoing roadworks as part of an 'Active Travel' scheme (whatever that entails).

- The Eagle Inn (not currently flying) -

Plotting my way through a sea of orange traffic cones, I board the number 432 bus which is currently operated by Chaserider (Arriva were the incumbent last time I rode this service). The route ventures along the A5013 Eccleshall Road past a large cemetery and the turning for the Holmcroft estate, then crosses paths with Junction 14 of the M6 motorway. Creswell is up next followed by Great Bridgeford where I note the village hall as the bus utilises Newport Road. I'd never been through Woodseaves before so that section is particularly interesting - spotting the Cock Inn and a small post office - while our approach into Eccleshall itself involves Horsefair and setting down on Stafford Street. Leaping into photographic action, I check on the Eagle Inn at Gaol Butts - the pub is currently closed awaiting new tenants.

- Holy Trinity Church -

Small Lane now connects me onto Eccleshall High Street where both the Royal Oak and the Crown have memorable colonnade arch frontages; the former has been taken on by Joules and is undergoing refurbishment whereas the latter has long been converted into a doctors surgery. The Old Fire Station and a succession of attractive townhouses accompany me in reaching Church Street where Holy Trinity is flanked by a gorgeous array of golden daffodils, albeit any sense of springtime is offset by another of those pesky hail showers. The church foundations are said to date from the late 12th century with the main chancel and arcades constructed in the C13th prior to restoration and alterations being undertaken in the 1860s. 

- Eccleshall Scout Group -

Beyond the church, I investigate the edge-of-town combination of the 1st Eccleshall Scout Group HQ and the adjacent Cricket Club, both amenities sharing a car park off Chester Road. Kerry Lane potentially offers a route towards Copmere End, Elford Heath and Garmelow but I prefer to retrace my footsteps back into the main town centre. Here I confirm that the George Inn (former tap of the Slater's Brewery) is now functioning as the Little George coffee bar with references to Bent's Brewhouse. Stafford Street meanwhile is home to the local post office, a Co-op supermarket and Perry's of Eccleshall Master Butchers, a well-known name in the Staffordshire meat and game dealing trade.  

- The Kings Arms Hotel -

Stafford Street is also where I find the Kings Arms Hotel, which historically acted as a stopping point for stagecoaches between London and Chester. You can tell the building has a fair bit of age to it and there are numerous nooks, crannies and corridors to explore. The chief attraction for me of course is quality cask ales and I'm delighted to see they have one of my absolute favourites, namely Beartown's Creme Bearlee. A silky smooth stout infused with molasses and Madagascan vanilla, it slips down a treat when accompanied by a bag of butchers scratchings courtesy of Perry's next door. Players' Tobacco advert enamels, a solid stove and a high shelf stocked with Toby jugs ensure the interior lives up to my hopes for a traditional pint setting. 

- To Pershall and Croxton -

From one of Eccleshall's oldest pubs to arguably its newest, the Ecclian being a micropub based in what used to be a pet shop; the premises was also the Merckx Belgian Bar for a few years. The friendly welcome cannot be faulted and neither can the Draught Bass, affordably priced at £3.50 a pint as indeed are the other real ales (Bradfield Farmers Pale and Farmers Blonde among them). It's a compact little venue with a big heart and the barfly conversations cover South African rugby expertise. Union Jack scatter cushions and Three Tuns beermats add to the effect while the beer quality definitely merits 2024 Good Beer Guide inclusion. I've time in hand for another quick scout around for photos - including the old finger post sign on the Stone Road junction - and one more pint before the return bus...

- The Bell -

Cue the Bell, a place Roger and I frequented during our Eccleshall Experience of February 2011. We liked it very much that day and I'm still of a similar opinion now, the availability of more Draught Bass no doubt helping in maintaining such high levels of esteem. Mansfield v Colchester EFL action provides a dose of weekend sporting content as I park myself in a side snug furnished with crushed velvet blue upholstery and framed indenture certificates. The 432 only offers a basic two-hourly timetable on Saturdays so I make sure to catch the 14:55 back into Stafford, treating myself to a final Bird in Hand libation (Nuttycombe's Snow Leopard White Mild) before my train home. Eccleshall was excellent, ta very much!

Hub Marketing 2024: STONE

Canals, railways, brewery heritage and a selection of great pubs mean there's a lot to like about the Staffordshire market town of Stone. Secretary WME is certainly partial to the occasional visit there (especially in the month of March it seems), although this fourth Hub Marketing escapade of 2024 will be Chairman D9's first ever time setting foot in Stone - here comes the tale of the trip...

- Grumpy D9 drives the 101 -

It's Friday 15th March 2024 and poor old D9 isn't having much luck with his transport options. A fracas aboard the Midland Metro tram delays his arrival at Wolverhampton railway station, meaning we miss one train and - after belatedly making it to Stafford - our intended onward connection has been cancelled. Even our contingency option of the number 101 bus tries to drive straight past us without stopping so it's little wonder that the Chairman displays a fixed frown when showcasing his steering prowess. His mood is probably not helped by the WME choice of silly song for this trip, namely 'Aries' from Harvey Sid Fisher's collection of zodiac tunes, complete with "I Am, I Am, I Am The Ram" chorus. 

- A River Trent Vista -

The 101 is operated half hourly by First Potteries, linking Stafford and Hanley via Trentham Gardens and Newcastle under Lyme. The route's approaches into Stone involve glimpses of Yarlet (noting the Greyhound as a roadside inn), a tour of an industrial estate and Tilling Drive past Walton Priory Middle School. We alight just beyond the Co-op on Eccleshall Road with a view to inspecting the Lamb Inn, a 1960s estate box boozer with a pitched roof, but it seems to vary its opening hours to suit the manager's daily whims. Walton is a sizeable community in its own right, separated from the main part of Stone by the A34 trunk road (The Fillybrooks) and the River Trent. Talking of which, the riverside meadow area is host to a canoe club, a leisure centre and Westbridge Park as well as offering options for scenic walks. 

- A Welcoming Sight -

Proceeding from Walton into Stone proper, we are greeted by a welcome sign styled to look like a narrowboat named Rebekah. Secretary WME taps into his previous pub knowledge in seeking out two excellent establishments for initial ale sampling: the Swan is regularly in the running for CAMRA accolades and serves up a first class pint of Palmer's Poison from the Blythe Brewery, whereas the Royal Exchange is a Titanic tied house on Radford Street with an enviable range of Burslem-brewed beers. A quickfire tussle on the dartboard has WME Whirlwind prevailing by two legs to one, aided by no-nonsense 65 and 40 outshots.

- The Bridge beckons -

Heading into Stone's northern reaches involves a gentle wander along Old Road, noting the Bridge Inn with its curving corner frontage (this one spent a fair few years known as Langtry's) plus the Stonefield Fish Bar, although Mr D9's favourite find is the disused D.G. Brassington's newsagents shop which retains an advert for Wall's ice creams. It must be school hometime judging by the hordes of kids suddenly appearing as if out of nowhere so we decamp into the Pheasant, a traditional local on the junction with Mount Avenue. Purity's Mad Goose pairs well with horse racing action from the Cheltenham Festival although the only winners we're really interested in are the grated Red Leicester and onion cobs - that's lunch sorted!

- The Customary Closet Photocall -

Stone was historically home to the Joules Brewery, the modern version of which has been keen to re-establish links with the town, but we should by no means overlook the presence of Lymestone Brewery based on the Mount Industrial Estate. Their taphouse is the Borehole, a converted office lodge which nowadays makes for a very relaxing setting in which to partake of brews such as Cherry Stone, Stone the Crows and Stone Cutter (no prizes for detecting a theme in how they name their creations). A further brewing name to throw into the mix would be Bent's who were actually based at this Mount Road site prior to ceasing production circa 1968 after becoming a victim of rationalisation by owners Bass Charrington. All this beery talk is enough to set a man's internal waterworks off so Mr D9 is grateful to find the Station Road public conveniences in full working order, sparing him any bladder distress. 

- Granville Square Interrupted -

Having thus far skirted around the edges of the town centre, it's time we got right into the heart of Stone and that means Granville Square and High Street. The war memorial takes pride of place - when there isn't a bald spot trying to get in the way that is! - and we're hardly short of pubby possibilities either, what with Wetherspoons, the Crown & Anchor and the Wren all vying for our custom. The latter of the three gets the nod on this occasion, mainly because Secretary WME wants to check out their relocated premises following their move into a former branch of the NatWest bank. Upside down umbrellas and Burl Ives LPs ensure the quirkiness of their previous unit has not been diminished by upping sticks, while some Stone the Crows dark ale proves that their high standards for beer quality are equally as intact.

- Potent Stuff this Kriek!! -

Our Stone sojourn is nearing its conclusion but there's time yet to seek out Ten Green Bottles, an off licence and gin emporium a few doors down from the Red Lion. They might not do cask ale but the selection of continental tipples is impressive, and it's fair to say the Secretary takes rather a shine to the Belgian Kriek with its cherry infusion. Bearing in mind we must catch the 19:06 train home, we squeeze in a speedy nightcap at the Butchers Block by Stone Station - if I remember correctly, this used to be known as the Talbot until a steakhouse emphasis was applied last year; either way it does the trick for a closing drop of Wadworth 6X and then our train awaits. We managed to cram in quite a crawl there and that's without covering several other worthy establishments, so Stone won't leave you disappointed. Cheers!

Unicorn Fishing? You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet!

The essence of Hub Marketing outings over the years has been a shared love of pubs, daft music and the potential for random acts of silliness, so although this evening bash around Bilston might only be a short session, it ticks all the right boxes…

- Drawing Inspiration -

It's Monday 4th March 2024 and - prior to any evening entertainments - Secretary WME spends his lunchtime perusing the latest exhibitions at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. These include a collection showcasing the urban sketches of local artist Ed Isaacs (complete with Heath Town cow depictions), as well as the British Museum's touring display titled 'Drawing Attention: emerging artists in dialogue' which has many thought-provoking contemporary pieces. The Secretary likes to visit the gallery every three months or so to keep abreast of what's new; the Glaze cafe comes highly recommended for coffee and cake too!

- Rising Sun Baldness -

And so to the main event with members instructed to be at Coseley railway station come half past four. Chairman D9 must be eager because not only is he on time (maintaining a recent run of commendable punctuality) but then promptly marches along Havacre Lane anticipating our first pint of the day. His target is the Rising Sun on Darkhouse Lane, a former Banks's throwback which now operates as a Desi Bar and Grill. The surroundings are grimly industrial despite the building of a new estate comprising Cannon Park Way and Iron Foundry Drive - as you can see, the bald spot seems to be making itself at home!

- The Secretary samples the wares -

Although the Rising Sun has been given something of a style makeover, it's nevertheless still easy to imagine the place being frequented by scrapyard workers and foundrymen back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Our pangs of nostalgia are perhaps helped by the fact the big screen is showing reruns of Minder with Arthur Daley and Terry McCann in their pomp. Secretary WME is in the mood for some wheeler-dealing of his own by securing cheap pints of Carling, then we settle in the front bay window watching the world go by for a while. Glasses glugged, we venture via Siddons Road and Rainbow Street to join the Bradley Canal at Highfields Road. 

- Unicorn Rescue Unit at your service! -

Even the shortest Hub Marketing gatherings can produce moments of mayhem and things don't get much more surreal than fishing cuddly unicorns out of the canal like it's an everyday occurrence! The sight of the Chairman spreadeagled on the towpath attempting to reach the stricken toy with a discarded tree branch is not easily forgotten and would rival the Tividale Shark in our all-time silliness stakes. He's not a man to be denied though and the rescue is deemed a success once the plushy is plucked from the water, a mission we celebrate with a daft ditty in the form of Elke Sommer's 1961 recording 'Be Not Notty'.

- Bert Turner Overdrive -

Running the gauntlet of geese at feeding time near Carder Crescent (we narrowly avoided a serious pecking), we proceed along Dudley Street into Bilston town centre. The Chairman has more music in mind when the presence of Bert Turner Boulevard prompts a rendition of 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' - quite whether Bachman-Turner Overdrive would approve is another matter!! Bert and his brother Dennis were highly prominent in Bilston politics for decades, Bert serving as a councillor and Mayor of Wolverhampton whereas Dennis was a local MP; both men had campaigned tirelessly against the closure of Bilston Steelworks in the 1970s. 

- A Tikka Tavern Tipple -

Our Bilston pubbish finale involves a new find and an old favourite. First the newbie which sees us test out the Tikka Tavern on the corner of High Street and Dudley Street; admittedly this is predominantly a restaurant really but it is possible to call in for a drink - in our case of Cobra Lager - and the swish interior would make a nice spot to partake of a mixed grill. The jazzy environs of the Trumpet then bring the curtain down with legendary landlord Musti on hand to demonstrate his percussion prowess drumming along to Chuck Berry numbers. The Holden's Golden Glow hits all the right notes too although we must be grateful that Mr D9 didn't break into a rendition of 'Hello Dolly!' - thank goodness for that...

Widney Manor and Monkspath

Is this the very definition of madness? It's one thing for the weather to turn on you when you're already out and about, but quite another to go ahead with an outing if the forecast in advance is dire. Such is my wish to stretch my legs and clear away some cobwebs that I'm steering a course for soggy Solihull regardless of the elements... 

- The Hawthorns -

It's Saturday 2nd March 2024 and I'm risking the wrath of the weather gods by pressing on anyway, although I'm already sensing that the rain isn't quite as heavy as predicted when I touch base at The Hawthorns. The mere mention of West Bromwich Albion usually brings me out in a rash but any Baggies-induced coughing fits are offset by the chance to have a mooch along Middlemore Road. The station was opened in 1995 as part of the Jewellery Line project which restored train services into Birmingham Snow Hill, hence the frontage design is similar in appearance to Jewellery Quarter and Smethwick Galton Bridge. Midland Metro trams also call here, and there are signs for segregating home and away supporters on matchdays. 

- Widney Manor Station -

My sojourn near a certain football stadium is mercifully brief and I'm soon en route into Solihull territory. Widney Manor doesn't get as much WME attention as some stations despite being served by the number 5 bus and half-hourly trains between Birmingham, Dorridge and/or Stratford-upon-Avon. There has been a station on this site since 1899 although the current incumbent is a fairly functional modern rebuild that nevertheless does what it says on the tin. My initial photographic survey covers running boards, hooped noticeboards and the standard booking office (which is staffed most mornings of the week). 

- Hillfield Park -

Widney Lane and Monkspath Hall Road combine to lead me towards Monkspath, a former manorial settlement which was developed for overspill housing during the 1980s. Hillfield Park is the principal area of open space, comprising sports pitches, a local nature reserve, and an Armed Forces Community Garden designed to act as a 'healing habitat'. It's rather squelchy underfoot in places so I stick with the main pavement to reach a series of business parks and car dealerships; I'd know where to go if I wanted a Porsche or a Volkswagen, put it that way!

- Hillfield Farm -

Ignoring the Stonegate and Pegasus offices, I take closer interest in the Hillfield Farm as an example of the Farmhouse Inns dining and carvery chain. The place has already been open a few hours supplying buffet breakfasts so they're just switching into afternoon carvery service when I pitch up circa midday. Whilst I can never get overly excited about these types of pub, having a swift pint here does tick another West Midlands watering hole off my wanted list. As you might expect, there are several families in attendance poring over the reasonably-priced menus but my choice of Carling isn't going to set the world on fire. 

- Monkspath Family Centre -

Retracing my footsteps back along Monkspath Hall Road, I detour off via Hay Lane so as to investigate more amenities. Monkspath Family Centre is part of the Junior and Infant School complex off Farmhouse Way while there is a doctor's surgery and a community centre close at hand too. My second pub of the day is simply called The Farm but - unlike its business estate counterpart - this one has some age to it with the main Grade II-listed farmstead building said to date from the 16th century. First floor timbers look the part in harking back to the days when Shelly was a separate historical hamlet, while a neighbouring outhouse barn seems to focus on the restaurant side of the business. I stick with the public bar, lapping up a more than decent drop of Silhill Brewery's Blonde Star - I must admit I'm warming to Monkspath!

- Shelly Farm Shops -

The Farm's tagline is 'No Bull' and they operate under the Lovely Pubs banner so I'm inclined to keep an eye out for other establishments within their portfolio; upmarket but welcoming with a neat line in cutlery-themed artworks. Practically next door is Shelly Farm shopping precinct complete with Co-op store, beauty salon and a takeaway (the Shelly Farm Fryer), although the post office seems to have closed down, possibly for refurbishment or relocation? Shelly Crescent is part of the number 5 bus route and backs onto the south-eastern reaches of Solihull Golf Club (otherwise accessed from Saintbury Drive). 

- The Fieldhouse -

My trio of agriculturally-titled taverns concludes with The Fieldhouse, an Ember Inns effort on Monkspath Hall Road. I came here with Nick some years ago and it hasn't changed much if at all; a dining emphasis is to be expected but they are proud of a cask ale repertoire which has earned Good Beer Guide recognition from Solihull's CAMRA branch. London Pride, Oakham Citra, Adnam's Ghost Ship and St Austell's Proper Job are all on show but my vote goes to the Birmingham Pale Brummie which is served perfectly fresh. Sitting outside in chilly March temperatures is a feat of endurance even with Hillfield Park vistas to admire, and I make it back to Widney Manor Station in time for the 14:36 train home. Cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - February 2024

Ah February, that month of romance... and pancakes! The West Midlands Exploration photostream doesn't usually concern itself with affairs of the heart (nor the frying pan!) so we'll simply concentrate on the usual tranche of newly-delivered pictures...

There has been a ding-dong battle for the chief contributor's crown this month with WMEs Wolverhampton and Staffordshire locked in a prolonged bout of arm-wrestling. True to form, it's WME Wolverhampton which emerges supreme, triumphing thanks to balance beams galore on the Birmingham Main Line Canal (Locks 18, 19, 20 and 21 all accounted for). The city's Art Gallery procures us various puppets from a 2017 exhibition - dogs, birds and even a tufted camel - while Jay's Cafe is a Stafford Street greasy spoon I wish was still trading.

WME Staffordshire might have missed out on victory but a very solid second place showing is not to be sniffed at. Wombourne was almost exclusively responsible for its recent glut of arrivals, rustling up scout hut signage and 'Watch Your Speed' warnings from a policewoman character. Add in a shrine sighting from St Bernadette's Catholic Church plus some general Wom Brook greenery and it all amounts to pleasing progress even if I say so myself.

Overshadowed but nevertheless quietly beavering away is WME Worcestershire which gains its first additions of 2024. Worcester itself wangles a newsagents shop, a former pub doorway (the Barley Mow's in fact, complete with added circus posters) and a vintage Heineken advert, then it's over to Wythall for a clay post directional arrow opposite the railway station. It partially points the way to WME Birmingham where a Church Road street sign gets Yardley on the move again; WME Dudley meanwhile gains a double dose of Wordsley Junction's fingerpost.

Elsewhere, I can report a sprinkling of odds and ends for the following galleries: WME Walsall (Covid-related graffiti on the Walsall Canal), WME Sandwell (two West Bromwich pub sign pictures for the Flower Pot and the Merry Go Round), WME Telford (hints of Wellington's Church Walk and a James Rollason metal merchants board), and WME Warwickshire (for Whitnash News and the Woodloes Tavern).

Ordinarily that would be enough for most months, but I'm hearing of sleepy stirrings involving Exploration Extra - yes it's waking up from a near yearlong hibernation. Altrincham additions have helped end the slumber, hence glimpses of Moss Lane, the Old Roebuck and the Bee-Bop-A-Raver bee sculpture, then there is Carlisle content in the form of Bitts Park planting and the Carlisle United club shop. I have a feeling that Exploration Extra is going to dominate matters for the foreseeable future so watch this space!