Around Eastertime last year, the Chip Foundation convened a special pubcrawl in order to celebrate ten years since Nick retired. We enjoyed the day so much that we decided to make it an annual event, so here comes the 2025 version to mark HRH's 11 years away from the daily grind...
- Pink Petals on Cranford Road -
Spring has definitely sprung here in Wolverhampton and there are plenty of pretty blossoms waiting to be documented in the vicinity of Finchfield, Merry Hill and Castlecroft. One street I always make a point of revisiting with my camera in hand is Cranford Road where the cherry pinks are consistently spectacular year-on-year, the current display being as enchanting as ever. Bantock Park is no stranger to bounteous boughs either, the last of the daffodils still clinging on gamely as the colours of the season really shine through.
- All Aboard the 1 -
An 11:15 rendezvous at Wolverhampton railway station sees me joining forces with Nick and Stephen in readiness for a ride on the number 1 bus. It's interesting to see the City Learning Quarter taking shape off Old Hall Street, whereby City of Wolverhampton College are in the process of building a brand new campus in time for the 2025/26 academic year. As part of the same project, our former Central Library stomping ground is undergoing renovation work and is currently open as normal despite being encased in swathes of scaffolding.
- Scanning the Sedgley Beacon horizon -
Alighting by the Beacon Centre for the Blind (a charitable concern supporting those with sight loss and visual impairments), we take the well worn path across Sedgley Beacon. On a clear day such as this the views are fantastic, looking right out towards Herefordshire, Shropshire and Wales with Titterstone Clee and The Wrekin on the horizon, not to mention Birmingham skyscrapers or the telecoms mast at Sutton Coldfield. Nick is eager to point out any geological landmarks whereas Stephen concentrates more on Heath Town flats and Mander House.
- Dark Ruby Mild at source -
Proving that we are nothing if not predictable, we yet again find ourselves on the hallowed doorstep of the Beacon Hotel, eager to partake of Sarah Hughes' brewing wares. The 6% Dark Ruby Mild is one of my all-time Desert Island beers and doesn't disappoint, served in dimpled glassware in the time-honoured fashion. The pub's rear smoke room is a beguiling setting for chatting about cricket, coach holidays and cobs, Stephen very much still beaming after Warwickshire's nail-biting victory in Durham. The Sedgley Surprise 5% premium bitter is also on song, and we hear that the pub's conservatory might be in line for improvement works.
- Trumpet Art -
I'd earmarked the 224 bus at 13:17 for our onward connection to Bilston but a late running 229 beats it to the punch; it turns out the driver is struggling to get to grips with the vehicle's new kneeling capabilities so the ride through Coseley and Ladymoor feels like an experiment in low floor accessibility. By and by we make our way to the Trumpet, that legendary jazz venue on Bilston High Street where Holden's XB is our tipple of choice. Nick and I don't get here as much as we used to but it's always great to meet up with Musti who remains an absolute tour-de-force behind the pub's resident drumkit. Chuck Berry, Elvis and the Everly Brothers are on the playlist today as we marvel at his musical mastery.
- The ever-essential chip shot -
Bilston's Outdoor Market site is currently a mound of rubble as plans for a brand new facility gather pace. In the meantime, stallholders have relocated to temporary pitches along Church Street and High Street which certainly give the town a lovely buzz. We aren't particularly intent on shopping for bargains ourselves, instead concentrating on a more critical component of the day... chips!! Major's would ordinarily be a no-brainer as a Bilston institution but the queues encourage us to try out the competition in the form of Chaplin's, closer to the Town Hall. The resultant orange chips still get the Beardsmore seal of approval while the mushy peas have a very deep green artificial colour but taste very nice nevertheless.
- A Great Western Gathering -
As with the 2014 and 2024 equivalent outings, we finish off back in Wolverhampton with two of the city's finest hostelries. The Great Western at the bottom of Corn Hill is iconic, framed by cobbled streets and railway walls with Holden's being its custodians (hence Golden Glow or more XB can be quaffed). The side snug resonates with framed locomotive pictures, mostly from the steam era, and mounted pressure gauges while we are joined by Dad for a catch-up chat. Last but not least comes the Lych Gate Tavern in the shadows of St Peter's Church, a Black Country Ales offering with a wide range of real ales. Nick reflects on retired life and the consensus seems to be that we must do it all over again next year. Cheers!
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