The Warwick Wayfarers

Nick has made it his personal mission over the last few years to introduce me to a variety of Warwick watering holes, as well as showcasing the best of the county town's cultural offer. This is an ongoing task and he's got a few more discoveries lined up for me during this Saturday spectacular...

- A Great Day Out? We certainly hope so! -

Trip Log: 10th May 2025 with unbroken sunshine predicted so it should be a perfect spring day. The trains across from Wolverhampton and Birmingham Moor Street make a seamless connection, ensuring I'm readily in position for our intended 11:14 am rendezvous on Platform 2 of Warwick railway station. Construction work continues here to install a much-needed lift facility, meaning the pedestrian underpass is currently out of commission. We exit onto Lakin Road, confirming that the Wild Boar has transferred back into Everard's ownership and then discussing Nick's forthcoming holiday in the Lake District.

- Bridge 47, Grand Union Canal -

His Royal Majesty knows Warwick like the back of his hand and has picked out a suitable walk with which to get our investigations underway. Guy Street therefore leads to Coten End and onwards along Emscote Road, the main A445 towards Leamington. Pubs such as the Black Pug and the Elephant & Castle are familiar from previous adventures but we do cover newer territory courtesy of Charles Street, passing the Nelson Club function suite to briefly join the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. It may only be a short stretch between Bridges 48 and 46 but I still enjoy seeing it for the very first time, passing underneath All Saints Road to emerge alongside a large Tesco superstore. A quick peek at the River Avon - complete with a flotilla of Saturday morning paddleboarders - precedes our first drink of the day...

- Slaughterhouse Brewery Tap -

Nick can be a devious fellow on occasions and having teased me with the likelihood of the Nelson being our opening candidate, he casually has us stumbling upon the Slaughterhouse Brewery Tap as if by magic. I'd heard the local brewers had set up their own taphouse but had no idea as to its Bridge Street location, based in the very outhouse where they've done the vast majority of production since their 2003 inception. 'Poking the Bear' proves a refreshing golden appetiser while we get chatting to some chaps from Solihull who are similarly dropping by for their first visit. It's only a small venue, maybe room for three or four bench tables plus outdoor drinking, and the microbrewery plant comprises a four barrel operation with room upstairs for supporting the home brew community.

- The Obligatory Eastgate Picture -

Having poked the bear and lived to tell the tale, Nick makes good on his Nelson promise albeit this pub is certainly different now to how I remember it from our 2017 Festive Forage. Having seemingly dispensed with the 'Lord' bit of the title (along with any associated nautical themes), it has transformed into an Indian bar and grill with an extensive range of vegetarian dishes. Meat eaters are catered for too, hence we both partake of the chicken biryani as served in stove pots with burner clasps below. The food is very moreish, complete with a curried fried egg and just the right amount of spicing for my tastebuds. The meal sets us up nicely for seeing more of Warwick, including the ever-compulsory photo of the historic Eastgate.

- Dough & Brew -

Keen to ensure I'm sampling hostelries I haven't previously frequented, Nick next suggests a couple of widely contrasting establishments. The Warwick Arms Hotel is a grand old coaching inn on High Street and has had some notable guests among its clientele down the years, such as a certain Mr Frank Sinatra. The current building replaced an earlier inn and presumably dates from 1717 if the lettering is to be believed; we partake of a relaxed half of Wainwright Gold whilst slumped in a very comfortable sofa before relocating to Brook Street for Dough & Brew, a trendy pizza emporium with something in the region of eight craft taps. Church Farm IPA is the Warwickshire offering from these drinks options whilst the pizzas are grouped into cultural pairs such as Rene and Yvette (for French flavourings),Lord and Lady Ponsonby (for any fans of asparagus) or Mork and Mindy (for zany American toppings) - intriguing!

- A Saintly Corner in the Old Post Office -

Our desire to uncover fresh haunts must not come at the expense of revisiting any favourites, and in Nick's case they don't come much more favoured than the Old Post Office. He's been a fan of this West Street micropub since it started trading in 2014, and we're pleased to report the place seems as good as ever. Mellow live music is underway today thanks to a bearded chap playing acoustic guitar, but there's space at the back for a quiet slurp of Liquid Light's Dark Hollow porter amongst the ecclesiastical portraits and prayer boards. We refrain from uttering the Magnificat in favour of chatting about politics, covering recent Presidential antics in America as well as the worrying developments between India and Pakistan. Scary times!

- Living la Vida in the Kings Head -

It's Race Day at Warwick Racecourse so we feel a tad underdressed compared to the fancy frocks and sharp suits flocking to study the equine formbooks. Vittle Drive prepares us for a Saltisford swansong whereby Nick has picked out a final couple of pubs we haven't been to for several years. The Antelope is close at hand for a cracking half of Theakston's Quencher, an ale I'll look out for again in future; there is a military association here with the fact that the Royal Warwickshire Regiment had an antelope called Bobby as their prized mascot. Further up the road is the Kings Head which seems to have switched allegiance portrait-wise from James I to Henry VIII. Old Golden Hen and the Bournemouth v Aston Villa evening kick off make for the notable aspects here, aside from some funky floral decorations.

- Scouting history at Priory Park -

After that most excellent crawl, all that remains is for us to steadily plot our way back to the railway station. The footpaths of Priory Park thus beckon, the grassy expanses having formed the grounds of the former Warwick Priory until it was dissolved during the monastic purges of the aforementioned King Henry VIII. Warwickshire County Records Office occupies part of the site and a plinth recalls the two times (in 1958 and 1979) when the park played host to Scout gatherings, hence a reference to Amikaro meaning 'welcome' in Esperanto. We pick our way through the trees to reach Platform One in plenty of time for our trains home, job done!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

What lovelier place is there to spend the May Day Bank Holiday than at Birmingham Botanical Gardens? Designed in 1829/30 by the eminent garden planner John Claudius Loudon, the grounds have been showcasing Birmingham's horticultural excellence for nearly 200 years yet I'd never had the pleasure of visiting them until now...

- Glasshouse Entrance -

I have my friend and library colleague Emily to thank for inspiring this particular outing, with the Westbourne Road location being just down the road from Birmingham City University's City South campus. I duly make my way across to leafy Edgbaston, noting the queues forming at the reception desk - it seems plenty of other people have had the same idea about how to spend their extra day off. Standard adult admission is £9 but well worth the money when you get to investigate the Grade II* listed landscape in all its glory. The site covers around fifteen acres all told, based upon Holly Bank Farm as historically leased from the Calthorpe Estate.

- Trailing Wisteria -

The main entrance and gift shop feed directly into four fascinating glasshouse zones where you can really sense the humidity in the air. These in turn comprise tropical, subtropical, arid and Mediterranean sections with wild banana trees and flaming swords among the species to initially catch the eye. Venturing down through the Alan King Alpine Garden, there are pretty purple and lilac wisteria plants hugging the far brick walls whilst small greenhouses display miniature succulents. The koi carp tank has some very beady-eyed fish!

- Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society -

Cameron Path flanks the courts of the Edgbaston Archery & Law Tennis Society, itself a proud and prestigious organisation which holds the record for being the oldest surviving lawn tennis club on the planet (who am I to argue with a blue plaque). Some kiddies coaching appears to be underway as drop shots, smashes and ace serves are attempted with varying degrees of success. The Hugh Nettlefold Rock Garden meanwhile originates from 1895, the Nettlefolds having been a prominent local family with interests in the manufacturing of screws.

- A Riot of Rhododendrons -

Arguably the most spectacular part of the gardens - especially at this time of year - has to be the Rhododendron Walk, where tall bushes line either side of the winding path and present a cacophony of colours: pearly white, blood orange, blushing pink and vibrant red. Such sights are backed up by the sensuous perfume filling the air, leading neatly towards the bog garden where the discovery of newts requires specialist wildlife conservation techniques. Elsewhere, the fern garden offers fluttery fronds with hints of a statuesque classical lady beside a pool.

- Historic Glasshouses -

Doubling back towards the reception area, its impossible to resist the lure of cakes from the Medicine Bakery - raspberry blondies, walnut-topped carrot cake, giant chocolate cookies and your classic scones are all available making it oh so difficult to pick which one you want to eat. Once you've settled on an indulgent treat, it's an absolute pleasure to sit on the grassy bank gazing out over the Peter Sowerby Bandstand. A talented harpist is expertly plucking strings to the tune of 'Dancing Queen' and 'Let's Go Fly A Kite' - you don't often get ABBA and Mary Poppins on the same playlist!

- The Alpine Garden -

A second full circuit of the entire grounds gives scope for further photography, in which case the Alpine Garden really shines through thanks to precarious clumps of planting in amongst the stony crevices. A Black Country Woodturners exhibition is underway inside the function suite with one charming elderly craftsman telling of how he's been woodworking all his life, fashioning little puzzle trinkets that have had folk baffled until you know the knack - I still haven't been furnished with said secret! The well-stocked gift shop has a book exchange alongside much in the way of gardening inspiration. A Bank Holiday well spent, cheers!

Lost Pubs from the WME Archives #39

There's a definite Black Country bias to this next installment in the Lost Pubs Series, with bygone boozers to report from each of the four council boroughs - which ones of these five do you remember, if any?

- The Swan -

I'll begin over in Bilston and a Banks's pub I have a lot of affection for, the Swan having been a wet-led traditional tavern towards the west end of the High Street. I can happily recall visits here with both Nick and Mr D9, enjoying the simple ambience of the bar whilst supping Bitter or Mild among the various trinkets of brewing heritage. My understanding is that Marston's sold the building to Lidl to facilitate expansion of the adjacent supermarket and its car park.

- The Crown -

Almost the very definition of an estate box boozer, the Crown and its exceedingly flat roof could be found on Simms Lane in the Netherton district of Dudley. The spartan appearance here meant I approached with considerable trepidation when the Hub Marketing Board called by for a Christmas drink back in 2015 (Mr D9 naturally being much more enthusiastic than I ever was); the latest I heard is that the place is to be demolished to make way for shopping units, some of which will be accessed from Halton Street.

- The Yew Tree -

Still within the bounds of Netherton, we'll next pay homage to a Hockley Lane hostelry in the form of the Yew Tree, an establishment which served the hilly crests above the Dudley No. 2 Canal near Lodge Farm Reservoir. I never quite managed a drink in this one, the closest I came being in May 2011 when it was closed for a private party. By 2015 the site had been flattened to make way for houses.

- The Plough -

So that's one from Wolverhampton and two from Dudley so what has Sandwell up its sleeve? How's about the Plough in Tividale (just along from the Burnt Tree roundabout) which itself can also easily be labelled under the basic Banks's banner. Handsome enough in plain brick with gold lettering, it must have been shut for at least twelve years if not longer; the building now operates as a restaurant-cum-takeaway business with a hand car wash on the side.

- The Royal Exchange -

All of which means we must finish with a Walsall contender in which case I present the Royal Exchange, a Stafford Street specimen with hints of Brewers Tudor beams. Perched on the junction with Hospital Street, the updated signage suggested it had become the premises for Happy Times Ltd (whatever their line of business was), and more recently the building has borne branding for Harvey's Autos car dealership.

WME Flickr Focus - April 2025

This may come as a relief to some of you who put up with my photostream prattlings on a regular basis, but April 2025 need only report on one of my constituent galleries. Yes this month it really is all about WME Wolverhampton...

Wolverhampton is nearly always front and centre on these summaries anyway but this time around it totally dominates to the tune of 44 new additions whereas everywhere else scored a big fat zero. The question therefore becomes about which aspects of the city have brought about this position of supremacy - the answer being the city centre, canals, and wild animals (mainly).

Barclays, Beatties and Bohemian ensure that the City Centre spreads its photographic wings, supported by Catellani's (a former Italian restaurant on School Street) and Charlie's (a Lichfield Street chip shop) for food-related content. The Wolves Ay We mural on Worcester Street makes a somewhat sad reappearance - the magic of promotion having long faded by that stage - while the Epic Cafe represents a youthful curiosity that never quite took off.

As for canal content, full concentration is given to the Wolverhampton 21 Locks with the predictable balance beam focus you've no doubt come to expect. Numbers three, five, nine and fourteen enter the fray but special attention is seemingly reserved for Lock No. 11 which attracts four separate pictures, a repetitive circumstance but that's just the way my archives panned out. In a similar vein, the Platforms 5 and 1a signage at Wolverhampton Station get repeat custom too so I must be a creature of habit.

Talking of creatures, the Wild in Wolves initiative was the summer art trail back in 2022 so some of their contingent have seen the light of day. A bear bench in the Wulfrun Centre sets the ball rolling but my main muse was Zak Zebra at St Peter's Gardens who basically stole all the limelight for himself. I am expecting a wider distribution of new arrivals in May, but for now please enjoy the photos. Cheers!

Bostin' Black Country Beer with the Chip Foundation

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!

Bears on Tour 2025: DURHAM

If I ever needed confirmation of why it is I enjoy cricket so much then the County Championship match between Durham and Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street was the perfect reminder. Four days of tough competitive action, culminating in a thrillingly tense conclusion - what's not to love? Here is what unfolded as Stephen and I savoured a North East sporting getaway...

- John Smith's Brewery, Tadcaster -

Warwickshire's 2025 cricketing campaign had got off and running with a home draw against Sussex, but it was still with some trepidation that Stephen and I headed northwards - County Durham in mid-April is not known for the warmest temperatures although the weather looks set to smile on us with plenty of sunshine. Our initial drive up via the A38, M18 and A1(M) is punctuated by a stop at Tadcaster, that timewarp Yorkshire town which is dominated by the presence of two major breweries (John Smiths and Samuel Smiths). Mr B Senior's love for a pint of Beardsmore Bleach is a matter of public record so it seems only fitting that we should see where his favourite drink is made - cue imposing pictures of this bastion of Bitter.

- Tadcaster Albion Football Ground -

Elsewhere in Taddy, we try our hand at River Wharfe fish-spotting (even a novice like me can tell there are some big scaly specimens swimming around in there) before stumbling upon the Young Guns Arena home of Tadcaster Albion AFC. A hearty lunch comes at 21 High Street, a leisurely setting for tucking into the lamb and vegetable Pie of the Week complete with onion gravy - just be careful not to splatter said sauce all over your shoes like I did! Atmospherically derelict properties entice us around by St Mary's Parish Church where I'm intrigued that the chartered accountants firm Haighton, Smith & Dewar only seemingly worked on Thursdays.

- Chester Le Street Town FC -

A further A1(M) trundle via Scotch Corner and the edges of Darlington gets us to Chester-le-Street by teatime, checking in at the Travelodge on Chester Moor as our base for the week. Once we've settled in, we can get to grips with the A167 and surroundings by seeking out a couple of evening pints. Chester le Street Town FC are known as the Cestrians and play at the Moor Ground immediately behind our hotel; their clubhouse proves a very friendly spot for a glass of Caffreys, even if the less said about the team's recent league performances the better! The last time Stephen and I were in this neck of the woods was way back in 2010 but our favourite pub from that holiday - the Butchers Arms - seems as wonderful as ever with a cracking lineup of cask ales, most notably Double Maxim as brewed in Houghton-le-Spring.

- Play underway at the Riverside -

Friday 11th April sees the game commence at the Riverside Stadium, a modern arena in the shadows of Lumley Castle (and currently sponsored by Banks Homes). Durham have won the toss and elected to bat, compiling 343/7 by the close of play. The backbone of their innings is an excellent unbeaten 143 by young opening batsman Ben McKinney, playing with a maturity belying his 20 years of age. Emilio Gay and David Bedingham also make useful contributions while the pick of the Bears bowling attack is Michael Booth who takes three wickets and looks quite a handful. An adopted perch at the Finchale End will do us for the duration of the match.

- Farmer's Blonde in the Butchers Arms -

Strangely enough, Chester-le-Street town centre seems quieter on a Friday night than it had done on the Thursday, not that this deters us from trying a couple more hostelries. The High Crown and Lambton Arms both serve up cheap rounds of John Smiths; the former is a Craft Union affair getting into the Masters golf from Augusta, the latter is a handsome hotel halfway down Front Street where Burnley vs Norwich is the footballing entertainment. The lure of the Butchers Arms again cannot be ignored, so we make that our final port of call for the day in which case a fresh cask of Bradfield Farmer's Blonde makes for great quaffing. Here we get chatting to a fellow Bear (also called Paul) about our hopes for the week - great conversation provided we overlook the fact he's an Aston Villa fan!

- The Slip Cordon wait to pounce -

Onto Saturday 12th April and the home side still seem to be in the ascendancy, ultimately reaching 387 all out as boosted by a swashbuckling Matt Potts half century (McKinney was dismissed for 153). Warwickshire's reply is in danger of disintegrating at 157/6 following a clatter of middle order wickets so it is the unlikely duo of wicketkeeper Kai Smith (79) and the aforementioned Michael Booth (50 not out) who steady the ship somewhat, a close of play tally of 287/8 meaning the Bears are still in the game albeit exactly 100 runs behind.

- Is this an ice cream van I see before me? -

Being at the cricket is not merely about the on-field action though. Part of the charm is having a bit of banter with our fellow spectators, the strolls around the ground during the lunch and tea intervals, and the general escape from the daily grind of work. On a personal level I am keen to exorcise a traumatic memory from 2010, when Warwickshire subsided so quickly on the final morning that the ice cream van had screeched off before I'd had chance to get a consolatory flake. Mr Whippy was not going to get away so fast on me this time and the resultant lunchtime 99 cornets would become an integral part of our daily routine. 

- Colpitts Hotel, Durham -

For our Saturday evening endeavours, Mr B and I took the Angel 21 bus service to Durham, a journey that takes only about twenty minutes via Pity Me, Framwellgate Moor and the Arnison Centre retail park. Dusk is already descending so any Durham sightseeing is put on hold in favour of getting three pub ticks: Ye Olde Elm Tree and the Station House (literally beneath a landmark railway viaduct) both have excellent recent pedigree as regards collecting CAMRA certificates, and ales such as Northern Pale and Jack the Devil cannot be faulted. My heart however is stolen by the Colpitts Hotel, a gorgeous unspoiled Samuel Smiths establishment where the interior has changed little since 1836. XXX Best and a curious gallery of supposed 'Bishops of Durham' make for a highly memorable visit.

- A Booth Blast but Durham's lead grows -

Progressing nimbly into Sporting Sunday (13th April), my thoughts are not just on happenings beside the River Wear but also on what might occur at Molineux and Augusta National. To the cricketing aspects first though: Warwickshire's overnight 287/8 is converted into 325 all out, a deficit of 62 runs, with Booth finishing unbeaten on 58. That man simply can't be kept out of the limelight as he takes the first four wickets in Durham's second innings, reducing them to 64/4 which in turn becomes 125/6 after a scalp apiece for Ethan Bamber and Ed Barnard. An annoying partnership between Bedingham and Ben Raine (81) swings the pendulum back the other way, enabling the home side to declare on 276/8 and set Warwickshire 339 to win. 

- Chester-le-Street Cricket Club -

That target feels like a tall order - especially with an inexperienced batting lineup - but a tricky four overs are negotiated through to the close of play and all results are very much possible. After a Wetherspoons Wicket Gate tea, we relocate to Chester-le-Street Cricket Club for the evening with their clubhouse being located off Ropery Lane. Wolves have beaten Spurs 4-2 for an astonishing fourth successive Premier League win, and then we can watch the drama develop at the Masters Golf where Rory McIlroy puts everyone through the wringer before eventually triumphing in a sudden death play off. Sporting immortality awaits him!

- 90/5: oh dear! -

Warwickshire winning at Durham probably doesn't quite rank alongside fulfilling a Grand Slam of the Golf Majors but it would certainly be an eye-opening result. Monday doesn't get off to the best of starts however; Rob Yates is clean bowled early doors, and despite captain Alex Davies scoring exactly 50, the lunchtime score of 90/5 has the Bears teetering on the brink. Thankfully Barnard and Smith combine for a crucial century stand, and the tension ratchets up a notch with every stolen single, every fallen wicket. Michael Booth makes a painstaking 40 but has his stumps splattered with 15 runs still to get, leaving the last wicket pair of Bamber and Vishwa Fernando trying to get us over the line. It's excruciating, it's compelling and it's... victory when Bamber smacks the winning six! What a wonderful advert for the game!

- Celebrating victory in the Crown Posada -

How do you follow a high such as that? By nipping over to Newcastle for more classic pubs of course! The Angel 21 is again on hand, this time via Birtley, Low Fell and Gateshead before crossing the iconic River Tyne, alighting by the Laing Art Gallery. We'd been recommended the Crown Posada by some friendly Durham fans and it does not disappoint with its green bench seating, stained glass and ceiling cartouches - such a stunning setting for a slurp of Brass Castle's Bad Kitty chocolate and vanilla porter. Equally as exciting is the Bridge Hotel on Castle Garth, itself a Grade II-listed gem where the Riverhead Deer Hill Porter matches such special surroundings. George Stephenson's High Level Bridge is slap bang next door.

- Bolsover Castle -

After all of that fun, Tuesday 15th April could have become something of an anticlimax but we liven it up with a homeward stop in the Derbyshire town of Bolsover. Noted for the Stuart-era aristocratic retreat that is Bolsover Castle, this proves an interesting place to break the slog, especially when we can grab a bite to eat in the Pillar of Rock Wetherspoons (the Welbeck Abbey Sligo oatmeal stout scores highly here). Other notable features include the cenotaph, St Mary & St Laurence Church and inns such as the Cavendish and the White Swan. The M1 and A38 can't detain us much longer and we're back in Wolverhampton by 4pm. Cheers!

Market Drayton

Hasn't the weather been glorious of late? Unbroken sunshine seemingly for days on end to herald the start of the new cricket season, although rather than Edgbaston I'm inclined to spend the day in Shropshire. A long overdue return to Market Drayton is on the cards, if the transport gods allow...

- C. R. Birch & Son -

It's Friday 4th April 2025 and my trip is at risk of unravelling before its begun when train crew shortages are affecting services between Birmingham and Shrewsbury. The Welsh trains are thankfully running normally so I'm soon scouting around Shropshire's county town looking for prime photographic finds, such as the C.R. Birch & Son hardware premises on Roushill - the company traded for 105 years before closing down in 2015. Elsewhere in Shrewsbury, I spy the timber-framed Rowley's House Museum as the historic residence of a wool merchant. 

- The 64 at Market Drayton Bus Station -

Raven Meadows Bus Station is where I can catch the number 64 bus as operated by Arriva, providing an hourly link to Market Drayton with onward connections to Newcastle under Lyme and Hanley. Once you get up past Harlescott and the Battlefield Retail Parks it makes for a lovely ride, settling back and enjoying the rolling field views through Shawbury and Hodnet. One interesting kink takes us briefly along the A41 to visit the Buntingsdale Estate within Tern Hill military barracks, performing a reversing manoeuvre outside one of the hangars. The Stormy Petrel pub as was has been demolished, then the final approaches into Market Drayton give glimpses of the large Muller Dairy plant for yoghurt manufacturing. 

- Rogers & Son Flour and Corn Mills -

I haven't set foot in this particular corner of Shropshire for the best part of twelve years, my only previous encounter being a Hub Marketing adventure back in June 2013. Cheshire Street gets my reacquaintance mission underway with the hulking presence of the Rogers & Son Mill building backing onto the Abbey Removals depot. The local Wetherspoons occupies a piece of cinematic history in the form of The Hippodrome, which entertained filmgoers between 1927 and 1966 before having a later life as a bingo hall and supermarket. 

- The Buttercross -

Market Drayton was granted its Royal Charter by King Henry II in 1245 and has effectively held a weekly Wednesday market for centuries. There are many attractive architectural gems dotted around the town centre, including the Tudor House Hotel and the Buttercross - the latter being erected in 1824 as a covered area for the selling of dairy produce. Another standout is the Crown Inn pub which reputedly hosted Charles I during the English Civil War - if it's good enough for royalty it'll do just grand for my first pint of the day, a decent Marston's Pedigree with a whiff of the Burton Snatch about it. 

- St Mary's Church -

Continuing to reclaim some bearings, I'm drawn towards St Mary's Parish Church where the graveyard is a riot of sprouting daffodils - I do love springtime when the flowers come into full bloom again. The church's surroundings offer attractive vistas out towards the River Tern, a watercourse which hugs the southern edges of the built up area, while I also detect mentions of gingerbread in that Market Drayton can trace its association with the spiced baked delicacy back as far as 1793 if not even earlier. I could be rather partial to a sweet treat right about now but instead I'll focus on finding the Shropshire Union Canal...

- Berrisford Aqueduct -

Stafford Street does the trick in taking me to the towpath, passing the Job Centre and Grove School in the process. I'll only be covering a very short section of the Shropshire Union today but the portion I've picked is certainly very intriguing, presenting a sunkissed stretch of visitor moorings to the south of Bridge 62. One curiosity is the Berrisford Aqueduct as engineered in sandstone by Thomas Telford and Alexander Easton circa 1830; it carries the cut above a quiet country lane close to Broomhall Grange. The steps alongside the structure are a little haphazard but I suppose they would be after years of being worn away by boaters' feet.

- Talbot Wharf -

Heading beyond Bridge 62 in the other direction reveals the rustic appeal of Talbot Wharf, albeit the namesake landmark Marston's pub that stood nearby is now a private home. Diesel pumps and boat repairs seem to be the order of the day here, flanked by corrugated tin shack warehouses as if time stood still. Calor Gas supplies and chandlery services are also part of the provision before I exit the canal at Betton Road by some sports pitches. Reckoning I'm due for more refreshment, I give the Salopian Star a whirl on account of its slightly shabby beamed charms. A trio of New Brew ales are on dispense so I happily partake of the 4.7% Plum Porter (highly drinkable) and the 5.5% New India; the beer is made on the edges of Newport.

- The Red Lion -

Pleased with that unexpected brush with Shropshire-made tipples, I can now stage an entirely anticipated meeting with more local brews. Historically hailing from Stone in Staffordshire, the reincarnated Joules Brewery have based themselves in Market Drayton since 2010 whereby the Red Lion is their taphouse. It is naturally incumbent upon me to investigate, especially given the prospect of sampling their Calcutta 1757 Pale Ale, while the Mouse Room offers a treasure hunt for fans of carved rodents. The adjacent Stags Head is being renovated as part of the Joules estate so it looks like I'll have a further excuse to return to Market Drayton before long; in the meantime the next 64 bus awaits. Cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - March 2025

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that I tend to publish my pictures in alphabetical batches, in which case I've recently become heavily embroiled with the letter W. Being a proud Wulfrunian, there's no escaping the fact that I take far more photographs around Wolverhampton than anywhere else on the planet, so my monthly photostream summary is going to be even more predictable than usual...

Yes I'm leading with WME Wolverhampton again which has easily been the biggest recipient of W-related material. The city's Art Gallery alone has supplied several items from decorative frieze figures to paintings of highly-inquisitive chickens, while West Park tantalises us with flowerbeds, foliage and a neat line in purple petals. Wednesfield and Whitmore Reans are definitely part of the W contingent, weaving in Sainsbury's artworks or ceramic signs for our contemplation, not forgetting appearances for the West End Club in the backstreets of Merridale and a couple more 'Wolves in Wolves' archive sculptural additions.

The W prefix isn't reserved merely for Wolverhampton items, no sir. It just as rightly applies to the likes of West Bromwich and Wednesbury which nimbly brings WME Sandwell into play, aided by references to George Galloway's General Election campaigning or Wednesbury Parkway car park markings. Wednesbury town centre proved active in compiling snapshots of Churchill's restaurant, Park Inn wallpaper and the William Archer pub, plus there's arguably a rogue 'O' in the form of a Wheelie Thirsty cob lunch from Old Hill.

Beyond Wolverhampton and Sandwell, pickings admittedly get a whole lot slimmer. WME Telford held its own, largely on account of four Wellington street signs (Orleton Lane and Hollies Road among them), then its neighbour WME Shropshire can lay claim to Whitchurch progress courtesy of a Walker's Bakery shopfront and the White Bear pub. I ought to mention WME Warwickshire at this point too, landing Warwick hostelry happenings via the Tilted Wig and the Lord Nelson - they all count you know!

Back in the West Midlands county, I can report a brace apiece for WME Walsall (a cenotaph wreath and a vinyl fair advert) and WME Dudley (Wollescote Road with hints of Stevens Park trees). This just leaves me with WME Birmingham and its solitary contribution of a Wensley Road street sign from those residential roads between Yardley and Sheldon. Looking ahead, I expect the Wolverhampton domination to continue but that's a tale to bring you in April...

More March Moments (2025)

Hold onto your hats folks, I’m in for a busy few days as March nears its denouement. First up is an evening dose of Hub Marketing in my old North Wolverhampton stomping ground, followed by the potential for more Chip Foundation Birmingham-based antics exploring the nightlife epicentre that is Broad Street...

- Jovial in the Junction -

Monday 24th March sets the ball rolling with Chairman D9 declared fit enough to attend a Hub Marketing soiree along the A449 Stafford Road. Secretary WME lived in Bushbury for the best part of thirty years so knows this corner of Wolverhampton very well indeed, although changes are afoot affecting some of the landmarks he grew up around. For example, the Railway Club on Bushbury Lane is now calling itself The Junction and is open to all, complete with snazzy cream rendering to liven up its plain slab frontage. Our opening pint has us checking out the main bar, perched on a barrel table while an excitable pug nervously sniffs at our ankles.

- New Estate at Northwood Park -

Mr WME remembers attending many family gatherings in the Railway Club's function room so its good to see the place continuing to serve the local community in its updated form. The 33 bus does sterling legwork for getting us to Northwood Park where we alight at the Alton Close terminus to see what has become of the Northicote School site. Housing developments have been springing up here over the last three years, centred upon the likes of Blackthorn Drive and Juniper Avenue, but it does feel strange to think that the school has vanished.

- Feeling Bullish in the Moseley Park? -

Continuing along Cromwell Road before cutting through onto Blackbrook Way, we subject the Moseley Parklands to our silly song selections. Puncturing the otherwise peaceful air are The Barron Knights with their Heatwave parody 'Boozy Nights' followed by Louis Armstrong's take on the classic 'Yes We Have No Bananas'. The local residents will no doubt be delighted their eardrums can be spared further abuse once we pitch into the Moseley Park at Broadlands; this is a typical Beefeater chain pub, mostly focused on steakhouse food but mellow enough as a setting to allow for a quick Carling and admiration of mounted Highland bull crockery.

- Making Moreton Memories -

The Hub Marketing rulebook dictates that whenever we're in the Fordhouses vicinity we are behoven to call into the Moreton Arms, mainly so that the Chairman can re-enact a favourite skirt-related homage to bus driving characters from years gone by. It's a shame there are no Banks's ales on during this visit - a sad reflection of the brewery's impending closure - so we make do with Wainwright and Tetleys, downed in double quick time once we realise the next 3 is imminent. Our speedy supping allows scope for a swift splash and dash at the Harrowby, another Marston's boozer which serves the Wobaston estate by Chetton Green flats.

- D9 drives the Stafford Road Hub -

Our ultimate landing point will be Oxley, once Mr D9 has determinedly demonstrated that his steering prowess remains undimmed despite recent lack of practice. The Gatehouse beckons as a Greene King (Hungry Horse) affair down by where the Goodyears tyre factory used to be, hence the winged tyre depiction on the pub sign, while the Island House overlooks Bushbury Lane roundabout and incorporates a chip shop plus a Grill-It restaurant. Alas the Chairman's wallet recoils in horror at the thought of £5+ prices for Shipyard IPA, so Secretary WME is a clear winner in the discount stakes after cheekily taking advantage of a Moreton Happy Hour.

- A Gentleman? Or a Scholar? -

If we're talking about expensive drinks, the real price pain is reserved for the Chip Foundation in Birmingham on Tuesday 25th March. Our Broad Street brief takes us into the very heart of Brum's nightlife, provided we've said hello to Ozzy the Bull at Grand Central first. There are yet more cranes on the Second City skyline as we proceed via Paradise Circus and Centenary Square, Nick pointing out The Octagon as one of Europe's tallest residential skyscrapers. The Gentleman & Scholar awaits with refined surroundings as part of the Hyatt Regency Hotel complex - £7.75 for Guinness and £4 for a small Coca Cola means you pay for that finery.

- Getting a little hazy perhaps? -

Having debated which amongst us counts as a gentleman (Ken) and which would be the scholar (Mr B), we move pretty much next door into the Solomon Cutler Wetherspoons where the monetary outlay required is altogether more acceptable. The tail end of the recent JDW Ale Festival means Nick can sample EVA with me on the Hey Pal, albeit the resultant glass contains a turgid brown liquid flatter than the proverbial pancake. Better prospects lie ahead courtesy of O'Neill's where the Hazy Jane is much more palatable in its own branded beaker.

- A Fan Zone Flourish -

O'Neill's is an upbeat party pub with Irish leanings and a digital darts gangway, whatever that entails. His Majesty regales us with tales of Melrose holidays while Ken anticipates his coming Cromer getaway as well as reminiscing about the Tow Rope Café, a greasy spoon that used to be popular with those doing all-night drinking sessions in the 1970s. We won't be attempting anything quite so adventurous ourselves, hence we'll finish off in respectable fashion over at Walkabout, part of a national string of Australian-themed bars complete with koala bear mural.

- An Australian Beer Aversion? -

It's a rare sight for me to be drinking lager which originally hails from Down Under although this Fosters is much more likely to be of a Manchester rather than Melbourne persuasion. We count at least sixteen separate sports screens covering baseball, tennis and the Wales v North Macedonia World Cup qualifier, plus Nick and Stephen make sure to acquaint themselves with the dedicated Fan Zone flags. Our closing conversations cover a certain US President, the Ukraine War and Mr Beardsmore's car window travails, then it's time to head home. Cheers!