Hub Hoovering in Bearwood and Smethwick

When we said we wanted to do some mopping up around Bearwood, Smethwick and Oldbury, I don't think either D9 or myself expected there to be quite so much water about. Nevertheless we can cope with the week-long deluge during our second Hub Marketing happening of 2026...

- A Great Western Breakfast -

Trip Log: Friday 6th February 2026 and we're back on the hunt for places we haven't hubbed previously. There's no denying it's another wet morning in a month where the sun has barely shone but a bit of persistent drizzle won't deter us from getting out and about. A Bradley Lane rendezvous is scheduled for half past ten but a work-related phonecall makes the Chairman late, meaning he has a penalty to pay off once the tram drops us in West Bromwich. Based in a former pub premises on the High Street, the Great Western Cafe enables Mr D9 to settle his dues courtesy of a £4 small breakfast drizzled in brown sauce. As greasy spoons go, this one is doing a very brisk trade given that it has space for plenty of tables and is very good value.

- The Malcolm X Mural -

 The 80 bus at midday is overrun with students but we sit downstairs for a Spon Lane short hop, navigating a set of pesky roadworks to jump off near Mallin Street. The Ivy Bush awaits at the top of the road and was a Holden's tied house many moons ago but has long been a Desi-type pub and a very smart one at that. It hasn't long opened for the day when we troop inside for preliminary halves of Carling, hence the landlord is still going about his usual routine of checking the pipes and putting cash in the till. A plum leather perch has us monitoring bus tracking apps for news of route 49 progress, but my favourite aspect here is actually a large scale mural painted to celebrate the milestone moment when activist Malcolm X visited nearby Marshall Street in 1965, a seminal point in the quest for racial equality. The artwork references the Indian Workers Association so Mr D9 poses next to their 'United We Stand' slogan.

- Saphari, Causeway Green -

The 49E is on the scene much as the app had indicated, meaning the Secretary can aim for his Causeway Green wildcard to be included. The former Hen & Chickens pub on the traffic lights at Wolverhampton Road has been through various guises and is currently trading as the Saphari buffet restaurant, specialising in a wide range of worldwide cuisines. Importantly for us, they have retained a dedicated drinking area so we can partake of Poretti Italian-styled lager (nowadays owned and brewed by Carlsberg) without stuffing our faces on curries, stews or pizza. The decor veers from exotic birds to surreal moustaches and most things in between while a mellow soundtrack features covers of 80s classics 'Africa' and 'Forever Young'.

- Bentley Bear at Lightwoods Park -

Getting back on track with the Chairman's Bearwood itinerary, we next account for the Miller & Carter followed closely by the Dog, two Hagley Road haunts that needed doing for completion purposes. The first of these was historically known as the Cock & Magpies and serves up an expensive WME round of Beavertown Neck Oil whereas the latter is an Ember Inns effort oft frequented by Mr D9 and his ex-dragon back in the day. A swift Timothy Taylor's Landlord in there ensues we don't steal Sharon's reserved table any longer than absolutely necessary, then we nibble into nearby Lightwoods Park where the pathways look damp and the playing pitches are totally waterlogged. The resident Big Sleuth bear Bentley doesn't seem to be too bothered by the weather though, stoically coping with the gusting breeze. 

- A Gridlocked Bald Spot -

Besides such ursine connections, the park has another ace up its sleeve in the form of a bar within the magnificently restored Lightwoods House. 1000 Trades first came to prominence in the Jewellery Quarter and have now branched out into this second offering based within such impressive surroundings. The resurrected park building is a marvel especially as it was under threat - Mr D9 remembers it being derelict in the 1990s and I know from my own early outings that it was closed for a considerable period, so to have it returned to working use as a coffee shop cum pub is a revelation. Salopian Brainstorm is our atomic blonde ale pick here and the interior is a beguiling mixture of green throne armchairs, wooden benches and throstle scatter cushions. Heading back out into the rain, we quickly realise that Bearwood High Street is one long traffic jam and that our intended 82 helping hand bus is going nowhere fast.

- Smiling Secretary in the Woodlands Club -

No matter, we simply walk it to the Windsor Lounge which makes a welcome Hub Marketing reappearance nine years since we last saw it. An impressive refit has occurred since 2017 although its snooker club heritage is still apparent. Several tables are available for hire plus a dartboard in one corner and a separate room is kitted out as a multi-lane bowling alley. The Chairman thinks he is quids in when nabbing a Happy Hour £3.30 discount on our Caffreys pints only for the Secretary to strike gold when we relocate t'other side of Cape Hill to check out the Woodlands Club. We both loved this unspoiled backstreet social club affair nestled on Woodlands Street in tones of battleship grey; some of the fixtures and fittings probably haven't changed in decades and I'm very smitten with the vintage adverts for Bacardi or Guinness.

- Mixed Grill Moments at Amritsari Tarka -

Noting the Nash's Coaches depot on Raglan Road - we briefly get chatting to one of their drivers - we shuffle on into Smethwick to see what has become of the Park Hotel, a Victorian era terracotta boozer which stands on a busy High Street gyratory opposite the local park. It has been a purveyor of Punjabi cuisine for quite a while and is currently linked to the Amritsari Tarka restaurant. We admire an ornamental motorbike in the foyer then pair Kingfisher lager with a very tasty mixed grill comprising lamb, fish and chicken delicacies - yum! Worsening rain prevents us attempting a grand Oldbury finale so our old friend the Blue Gates gets the nod instead, wallowing in a 1970s Melanie soundtrack over our closing glasses of Carling. Smethwick has served us so well over the years as a Hub Marketing heartland and long may that trend continue; we've defied the weather and had a wonderful time as always. Cheers!

Eastbourne Excursion Extractions

A special family holiday arranged in honour of my Grandad's 90th birthday means the extended WME clan - and guest member Stephen - will be staying in Sussex for a few January days. Eastbourne is a new destination for me so here's to a coach getaway...

- Dusky Eastbourne Seafront -

Our East Sussex story starts on Sunday 25th January with a nominal departure time of 09:10 from Wolverhampton's Faulkland Street coach station. Our steed actually arrives remarkably early and then makes reasonably rapid progress - via Dudley and Frankley Services - along the M5, M40, M25 and A27 with a halfway stop at Beaconsfield (no, I didn't partake of the on site service station Wetherspoons). Checking into Daish's Imperial Hotel at circa half past two, there's scope for some initial Eastbourne exploration prior to our evening meal. The Cornfield Garage supplies refreshment in the form of Rebellion Brewery's Smuggler ale in a building that until 1976 had been a landmark car showroom. Fed and watered back at our lodgings, Stephen and I then take a dusky seafront stroll to ponder below-the-pier murals denoting appropriate recycling of plastics, slotting in a quick dash of Little Chelsea as Eastbourne's quaint Victorian quarter makes an immediate impression.

- Mr Beardsmore on the Ouse -

Monday 26th January is the big day in terms of family celebrations, with Grandad receiving cards, cake and a 90th birthday balloon either side of enjoying a trundle off to the bookies. Mr B and I otherwise dedicate the day to Lewes, a timeless county town that retains more than its fair share of independent family businesses and is all the better for it. Catching the 09:55 train over (once the driver had turned up), we cover the full length of the High Street from Cliffe at the eastern end to the Old Grammar School and St Anne's Church to the west. Along the way we note the River Ouse, Lewes Town Hall, the Con Club and a succession of route 28 buses. Several of the buildings have connections to Thomas Paine, whose philosophical writings on politics proved highly influential during the American Revolution. One of the local hostelries is called the Rights of Man while the White Hart proclaims itself the cradle of US independence.

- Castle Gate, Lewes -

The entire town centre is dominated by Lewes Castle standing ruined on its mound. This 11th century fortification was originally erected after the Norman Conquest and is noted for having two mottes as part of its phased construction. Winter opening times apply so the museum can only accept visitors on weekends for the moment; Castle Gate does at least allow views of the stonework from afar and presents an attractive thoroughfare in its own right, traversing lamplit arches. We follow the cobbles past the castle's associated bowling green - said to have been in use for over three centuries - to reach the Lewes Arms, a superb find which has rightfully earned entry into the 2026 Good Beer Guide. Procuring Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (and Mr B's lemonade and blackcurrant) from the small front bar, we proceed into the side snug to sit among chopped logs and photos of the town's famous Bonfire Procession. Lewes has seven Bonfire Societies that oversee the annual November 5th festivities, marching the streets with martyrs' crosses all aglow. The gallery certainly makes it look spectacular!

- Harvey's Brewery -

Lewes is also home to the aforementioned Harveys, a family brewery that was founded in 1790 and is currently run by the seventh and eighth generations of their dynasty. I'm naturally keen to sample more of their wares so we check out the Gardeners Arms, a cosy narrow pub off Cliffe High Street where the XXXX Old Ale is excellent, then move around the corner into the John Harvey Tavern taphouse. Here the full range is gloriously showcased in appealing surroundings, hence the XX Dark Mild tickles my fancy and is served straight from the stillage behind the bar counter. Mr B and I decamp to a spare table cocooned inside a giant barrel to debate cricketing and footballing matters in the time-honoured way. Our Eastbourne evening then involves more family time with Grandad and my parents, playing bingo without much success and tackling the hotel's daily quiz by racking our brains to think of US states that begin with the letter 'C'. Let's just say we didn't win...

- Feline Friend in the Dolphin -

Onto Tuesday 27th January and Storm Chandra has been howling outside for hours, although other parts of the country seem to have had it worse. The weather remains foul for most of the morning so we stay indoors listening to the ODI cricket commentary from Colombo, England securing the welcome boost of a series win in Sri Lanka. Mr Beardsmore is certainly buoyed by that news as we stick around Eastbourne for the afternoon, venturing out to the London & County Wetherspoons for a lunchtime pint before casting our pub net elsewhere in town. The Dolphin was one of the Little Chelsea hostelries we'd spotted on Sunday night so a visit there makes sense, sampling Long Man's Old Man dark ale from a small brewery based in nearby Polegate. The resident ginger cat is not a creature to be ignored and literally demands regular floofing by miaowing at any unsuspecting customers - we are happy to follow its orders!

- The Saffrons -

Fine discoveries are to be had around Meads Road courtesy of Eastbourne Town Hall and the Caffyns dealership where vintage early motors such as a 1908 Morris Oxford are on display. The Saffrons is home to Eastbourne Town Football Club plus bowls, tennis, hockey and cricket provision so it's a serious sporting concern - I love the turnstile entrance kiosk with its painted embossed letters. Saffrons Road has flint-speckled stone walls as we access Dittons Road onto The Goffs, effectively flanking the edges of Gildredge Park. A rug repair shop catches Stephen's eye as we home in on Old Town, a historic district of Eastbourne which pre-dates the development of the Victorian seaside resort brought about by William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire. The presence of an older settlement is indicated by the 12th century charms of St Mary's Church, one of two fascinating buildings that stand side by side.

- The Lamb, Old Town -

The second of these special structures is the Lamb, a wondrous watering hole that just looks the part with its black and white beams, monumental fireplaces and a well some 18 metres deep (or around 59 feet in old money). The cellars here are said to date to 1180, echoing the Norman construction of the church next door, and the pub as a whole is one of the oldest in the entire country. What's more, it's a Harvey's tied house and I've been developing a distinct liking for their ales all week. Armada gets the nod this time, served in impeccable condition, while sketch portraits of Eastbourne cricketers ensure Mr B is sufficiently placated too. The high backed benches are ecclesiastical in flavour and the medieval masonry is marvellous. Mealtime at the Imperial then precedes more Harvey's admiration in the guise of the Victoria Hotel, a backstreet boozer we managed to sample at the third time of asking. Whisky jugs, sherry butts and other ceramics create a memorable setting for gentle conversation.

- Eastbourne Pier -

The big news come Wednesday 28th January is that the sun has come out, and Eastbourne does look especially refined on an unseasonably springlike morning. I have the Pier almost all to myself, strolling along the boardwalk to get pictures of its different components including a Victorian tearoom, a tackle shop and gilded lanterns at frequent intervals. The seafront hotels have more sparkle about them suddenly, with elegant facades detectable from the Burlington, the Chatsworth and the Queens. I loop as far as the Redoubt Fortress, a formidable coastal defence built to guard against Napoleonic invasions but it currently appears to be disused if the museum it houses is no longer operating. It's then time to catch the bus to Hastings, the 99 being a Stagecoach route serving Pevensey Bay and Bexhill-on-Sea. 

- St Clement's Church, Hastings -

We alight on Harold Place in Hastings town centre (on account of everybody else getting off) and immediately spot a couple of murals representing local musicians and the lifeboat; I don’t recognise any of the performers but it’s a visual treat regardless. Mom and Dad recommended the Old Town area as being the nicest bit of Hastings to investigate so Mr B and I aim there, noting hints of craggy castle and the West Cliff Lift en route. George Street has a boutique feel with bunting, bric a brac emporiums and tempting sweetshops - cue some fudge purchases - before the lovely parish church of St Clement's steals the scene. The opposite corner is where the Swan pub used to stand until it became a victim of German bombs during The Blitz.

- First In Last Out is a Cardinal -

We won't be able to sample the Swan sadly but two other establishments are in line for our custom, starting with the First In Last Out. The amount of previous Good Beer Guide stickers adorning the front windows is proof enough of its pedigree for serving quality ale, and the fact the place gets packed out with expectant diners within a quarter of an hour of opening likewise suggests we're onto a winner. So it proves with their own microbrewery being responsible for a nectar-like pint of FILO Cardinal Sussex Porter, I'm blown away. The Jenny Lind has a tough act to follow there but comes up trumps with Long Man Best Bitter and a strong commitment to live music. Shanty sessions with Completely Scuppered are their Thursday night staple.

- Beardsmore by the Beach -

More Hastings heritage needs to be rigorously investigated so the fantastic Fishing Quarter is an unmissable attraction. This seafront enclave comprises The Stade and Rock-a-Nore Road complete with tall Net Shops - black mariner shacks unique to Hastings - and a rocky outcrop known as East Hill. There are two museums in the vicinity, one focusing on the fishing industry and the other dealing with shipwrecks, so you can get a sense of Sussex's maritime past. We troop back into the somewhat less glamorous modern town centre, nip into the John Logie Baird Wetherspoons for additional refreshment - it is named after the Scottish engineer recognised as the inventor of the world's first mechancial television set - then Eastbourne beckons once more for our final evening on the South Coast, spent back at the Dolphin attempting their pub quiz (we came joint sixth after an unfortunate wipeout finale). Come Thursday 29th January it's time to head home, enduring A27 traffic due to malfunctioning manholes but still reaching the West Midlands in good order. A special week!

WME Flickr Focus - January 2026

Photostream felicitations to you as 2026 is already a whole month old. Hopefully any January blues are starting to dissipate and we can all look forward to shorter nights plus warmer temperatures on the horizon. Encouragingly, the last few weeks have been ones of positive pictorial progress - here's the latest...

Stealing the New Year limelight is WME Dudley which ushers forth a deluge of Delph dealings from the environs of Brierley Hill. The Bull & Bladder pub is a muse I'm always happy to gaze upon again so forgive me for an obsession with beer-related Bathams Brewery lettering, whether this be for Mild, Bitter or the on-site Hop Room. Street signs increasingly come as standard where my archive is concerned so Thorns Avenue and The Goss make their combined presences felt, and I can't publish items from The Delph without drawing upon the famous canal flight and its associated boozer (The Tenth Lock). A sprinkle of Dudley town centre offerings add more bulk, with an emphasis on Duncan Edwards's statue.

Secondly, let's swiftly consider WME Shropshire where I've been decisive in Ditherington thanks to sacks of dominoes and a Long Row street sign. They feed into my general Shrewsbury album alongside four Coleham contenders, the lanes Salters and Egland being joined by the glorious Bass lamps of the Cross Foxes. Craven Arms meanwhile furnishes us with farming possibilities in the form of Morris Corfield's tractor dealership, almost agricultural!

WME Wolverhampton is usually pretty active and January was especially productive for the insertion of tweaked pictures i.e. ones that didn't initially meet my extensive quality control expectations and required remedial surgery. George Street tiles, Pool Hall golden leaves and Springfield Campus construction banners all benefit from such extra editing, whereas Dixon Street mosaic basketballers and Connaught House flat namings made the cut at the first time of asking. The legendary tree growing in the gents of the Combermere Arms also makes an appearance, joining Compton's Oddfellows in my Wulfrunian assemblings.

Elsewhere, there have been stirrings from WME Sandwell - most notably involving the Midland Electric Power Company frontage on Reddal Hill Road in Cradley Heath - and from good old WME Birmingham which bashfully recruits the Deritend Fish & Chips shop on account of its vintage Pepsi branding. Brum also bagged itself an Allison Street snippet down in Digbeth and an encounter with Lock Six on the Ashted Flight (near Curzon Street) for a canal candidate whereas Sandwell summoned a Galton Valley metallic portrait.

To the surrounding shires now, with WME Staffordshire apparently active in Lower Penn and Trescott (cue Dene Road, Shop Lane and yet another canine artwork). WME Worcestershire wiggles through a River Severn scene at Bewdley before allowing WME Warwickshire to claim the stage via a couple of Curdworth Locks. All that remains is a brief mention for WME Coventry and its acquired piece of James Starley street art and you can consider yourselves fully in the know. Until February, enjoy the pictures!

Glugging Around Gornal: A January Jaunt

Foundation Assemble! Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to raid the pubs and taverns of deepest Gornal in search of ale, cobs and merriment. Will you be up to the task? There's only one way to find out...

- The Jolly Crispin -

The first Chip Foundation outing of 2026 stands to be a wet one. His Majesty has requested an extended Glugging Around Gornal session as a follow up to December's calendar unveiling affair, during which we spotted a Stripey Oss among other things. Several of our old favourites are in line to be revisited in the rain, starting with the Jolly Crispin on Clarence Street. Indeed, Nick has forged ahead to claim a prime table in the rustic old bar and is happily clutching his Ossett White Rat by the time Stephen, Ken and I pitch up off the number 1 bus. Promising a festival of beer everyday, this used to be the Fownes Brewery tap but now functions as a free house that - if the date on the paintwork is to be believed - first got going circa 1820.

- Britannia Buddies -

Conversation about Eastbourne holidays, Beardsmore tenants and the recent snowy weather prepares us for a stroll down the road to collect that other Upper Gornal mainstay, namely the Britannia. Some of us were only here last month but it's always a joy to return, especially if there is Batham's Best Bitter in the offing. HRH goes rogue by sampling the Mild - which he rates very highly - and we find ourselves budging in amongst the regulars in the main bar due to Sally's Parlour room being used for interviews. One of the barmaids is working wonders in getting a roaring fire fully stoked up, just what you need on a chilly grey day in January. We mostly gloss over our Ashes cricket reflections (probably too traumatic for poor Stephen to contemplate) and instead debate Greenland developments plus the general rate of inflation.

- Cheers from the Chapel House -

Gornal can be a hilly challenge so we're wisely going down into Lower Gornal rather than attempting any mountaineering in the other direction. Holloway Street and Ruiton Street thus bring us safely to the Chapel House, an establishment we last frequented together way back in December 2010. It was called the Miners Arms at that point but has reverted to an earlier name as well as having its external render removed to showcase the underlying sandstone; Holden's have owned the place since around 1949 hence their range of Bitter, Special and Golden Glow is on hand to tempt us. The locals are playing darts (complete with electronic voiceover) at the front of the pub so we sit near the back, Ken being quizmaster in finding us various BBC football questions to answer based on rounds in Richard Osman's House of Games, Only Connect and Mastermind. Getting 'Trent Alexander Arnoldham' as an Answer Smash might be my finest moment of the day!

- The Fountain Inn -

The next couple of watering holes shouldn't require too much of an introduction, both having been recorded in the annals of my blogdom several times over the years. Passing the edges of St James's Churchyard - where most of the graves look very well cared for - we reach the Fountain as positioned in a sloping formation halfway along Temple Street. For many editions this was a Good Beer Guide shoo-in and we're pleased to report that the quality and breadth of the ale range is hitting the heights still. His Majesty considers himself to be a Fallen Angel (no comment) whereas I simply can't resist the Abbeydale Irish Cream Stout which tastes like a heavenly mixture of Baileys and Guinness. Stephen by this stage is so replete with Pepsi that he can't face another half and prefers to concentrate on munching a much appreciated sausage roll. A comfortable lounge table beckons for Bridge of Lies as the daytime diet of endless quiz shows gets into full swing.

- The Old Bull's Head -

Leaving Ross Kemp to his brooding hosting duties, we switch straight across the road into the Old Bull's Head which also happens to be the Black Country Ales flagship. The company has gone from strength to strength since being founded in 1999 and now owns over 50 taphouses with more being added to the estate each year. Gornal however is their spiritual home so it's always a pleasure to pop by and pick from whichever beers they have on show, which today includes their standard BFG, Fireside and Pig on the Wall plus several guests. I personally partake of Oakham's Hell Bent Coffee Porter which has a pronounced roasted bitterness to match well with some bargain vegetable samosas. The front two rooms have been knocked into one but its an inviting space, decorated in the company's house style and lending itself to deep conversation with a background hint of Smooth Radio. 

- Bush Brethren -

From the Old Bull's Head, we continue our descent past Gornal Wood Bus Station to reach the third of the Gornal communities (Upper, Lower and Wood). The Woodman doesn't look open and has a planning notice sellotaped up by the front door so we hope this isn't terminal; thankfully the Bush Inn on Summit Place is very much alive and kicking. This is a cottagey number that can go under the radar a little compared to the cask ale heavyweights nearby although it's definitely worth seeking out. A tight cask range gives us a choice between St Austell Proper Job or Exmoor Gold - South West beers in the heart of the Black Country - before we park ourselves in the little front snug surrounded by heavily blackened beams. Having settled in, Ken gives us the back story to his new coat purchase and we deliberate over what might become of Wolverhampton Wanderers once relegation is confirmed.

- Milk Stout Moments in PACK -

I make that six Gornal stopping points duly accounted for, a glorious half dozen that covered three local breweries and some excellent independent houses. The 27A bus collects us from Gornal Wood Bus Station at 17:13 for a ride via The Straits (the Longfellow Road variation), Sedgley, the Northway estate and Goldthorn Park. Back in Wolverhampton by 6pm, we finish off at PACK to see what the chaps make of the city centre's latest bar arrival. As with Mr D9 last week, impressions are very favourable with Nick's eyes predictably lighting up at the sight of the table football machine upstairs. Bristol Beer Factory's Milk Stout is the perfect smooth finale to a day of high class beer, and the first floor soft sofa area also scores highly. Cheers!

Mr D9's January Jumble

If at first you don't succeed... rearrange your Hub Marketing plans! After the snows of Storm Goretti forced the postponement of our originally intended meeting on Friday 9th January, Board members soon sorted out an alternative slot in order to stage their first trip of 2026. Wednesday 14th January will be the day in question with the backstreets of Wolverhampton nominated as our pubcrawl destination...

- Not the Chairman (or so he says) -

Happy New Hub Marketing Year! We begin our tale with the Secretary meeting another noted accomplice (namely Mr Beardsmore) for lunch at Tunwall's, a cafe housed in the former Lindy Lou shop on Wolverhampton's Victoria Street. This beguiling building should be very familiar to generations of Wulfrunians, and it's lovely to sit upstairs tucking into sausages, beans and chips among the carved beams. Embroidered Wolves-head seats and a gallery of manga-like sketches add extra curiosity value while one of the rooms has become the new home of the Stay Loose record shop, creating a community hub all under one rather historic roof. Chapel Ash then supplies seasonal street art in the form of the Grinch and a warmly-attired Snoopy.

- This is the Chairman, pondering PACK -

The main Hub Marketing action commences after 4pm, whereby Messrs D9 and WME intend on converging at PACK on Queen Square. This new pub venture stands for Perfect Ale Cask & Keg and launched to much acclaim last November. Based in a disused KFC store - or for older residents the former Mike Lloyd Music shop - it boasts an extensive range of up to 27 beers, while having an interesting collection of steampunk artefacts and fearsome handheld drills dotted about. The Secretary arrives first, furnishes himself with a pint of Bristol Beer Factory's excellent Espresso Martini Stout and explores more of the interior, including a first floor area displaying reclaimed pub signs. The Chairman maintains hub decorum by turning up fashionably late but soon settles in with his glass of Tiny Rebel's Cwtch Welsh Red Ale.

- Jacks Cafe & Bar -

PACK certainly made a positive impression there and it's highly likely we'll stage more visits in future. For now though the backstreets beckon, with the Secretary's nose for a surprise taking us beyond the St John's Retail Park to Frederick Street, Just along from the ex-Star Works car factory (latterly KK's Steel Mill venue for live rock music) is Jacks Cafe & Bar, itself situated in premises that could best be described as industrial. The corrugated beige frontage belies a comfortable interior that majors on food with Indian leanings; they open early for breakfast orders before curries take over in the afternoon and evenings. We call in for a Carling each, sitting by the pool table and revealing more of the treasured 2026 Hub Calendar - Ashmore Park bald spots and Penn Hospital battered sausages may feature heavily!

- Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III's Review of 2025 -

Where next? Well, a little sidestreet shimmy brings us swiftly to Graiseley Row where the Kaz Bar awaits amongst rudimentary workshops and engineering firms. Smoke from a major fire in nearby Blakenhall pervades the air as we check out what used to be the Queens Arms, which hosted CAMRA meetings back in the early days of the Wolverhampton branch (a certain HRH possibly attended some of those). Lager is the go-to drink here these days and despite a few detectable Bollywood trappings, it's nevertheless easy to envisage this being a proper boozer brimming with a simple traditional feel. As such, esteemed Hub Founder Charles Pemberton Rowbottom III grants us with his presence to deliver his 2025 Review of the Year speech, in between bouts of snoring and dozing off. He only gets exhumed for special occasions!

- Smiling Secretary Going Golden -

The Secretary's sleeves are proving productive this evening and he's got another gem lined up tucked away off Lea Road. The Oaklands Bowling & Social Club originated in 1904 and had croquet as part of its remit, although I can't imagine Wolverhampton being a hotbed for that anymore. Latterly the clubhouse premises has operated as the Golden Bar & Grill, making it another curry contender very much in keeping with our theme for the evening. Mr D9 drools upon seeing a vintage green Banks's sign and is delighted once we get inside to sample yet more Carling, sitting below large screens showing the Masters snooker and noting some sparkle from leftover festive tinsel. The extended process of calendar unveiling is finally completed with pictures representing Birmingham reindeer and Telford estate pubs.

- D9 Drives Home -

After going Golden, we relocate to the Bruford Arms in Penn Fields which last received a Hub Marketing visit on our Pintathlon outing during the 2012 Olympics. A mere thirteen and a half years later, we're belatedly back again so that Charles Pemberton Rowbottom can declare the 2026 Hub Awards: Pub of the Year was Penn's Fox & Goose, the Dive could only ever be the Mallard at Brookside, and the Cafe of the Year was a close call between Penny's, the Coffee Pot and the New Stadium greasy spoon at Longford (the Bradmore option just about edged it). With all formalities duly administered, we leave CPR to soak up the Bruford's musty ambiance and catch the 2 into town care of some D9 driving - he's lost none of his steering skill has the Chairman although the bald spot was gleaming at times. A closing nightcap at the Mountain Bar & Grill on Queen Street seals the deal and we're underway for another year. Cheers!

Cultural Cogitations in the Second City

For my first full outing of 2026, I find myself bound for Birmingham to catch up with Bookworm Bygrave ready to immerse ourselves in the city's cultural highlights. There might be reindeer, there might be exhibitions, there might even be dipping gravy...

- Rudolph's Remarkable Glittery Nose -

Trip Log: Saturday 3rd January 2026 whereby overnight snow to the west of Wolverhampton has us changing tack from our original Telford intentions. A Birmingham rendezvous sounds sensible, especially if there's scope to visit a couple of Second City attractions I'd not covered previously, so we arrange to meet by the Bull Ring bull statue just after 11 o'clock. The first bit of business on our revised itinerary is to seek out the remaining reindeer sculptures we hadn't hitherto accounted for, even if this does mean me having to brave department stores and busy shopping malls. I might not be in my natural environment but the enduring of escalators does pay off when we track down Rudolph inside Selfridges, complete with a very sparkly snout.

- The Bookworm meets Blitzen -

In fairness, Selfridges does have other compensations thanks to the presence of Build a Bear mascots, Paddington's marmalade sandwiches bench and a giant yellow helper gnome called Gordon (possibly the most popular member of the store's workforce). Chai latte tea is a frothily fun novelty when we partake of cake at the Medicine Bakery concession - my Pistachio Rocky Road slice doesn't skimp as regards chewy marshmallow pieces - and it's lovely listening in as Emily recounts details of spending New Year with her family. Next up come the slightly less prestigious surroundings of Primark where Blitzen takes some finding, requiring a mooch past a Disney Cafe and up onto the top floor. A superhero look to this design includes a lightning bolt while the trail once again looks to raise awareness for the Children's Hospital Charity.

- New Nativity at St Philip's Cathedral -

With an admiring nod to Vixen as sited within the Burlington Arcade, we progress to St Philip's Cathedral where I'm trying to remember if I've ever fully set foot inside it before. We're initially lured in by a lobby Christmas tree adorned with paper-like peace doves, then the spectacle of the full interior takes over. Whilst it may lack the medieval majesty and sheer size of Hereford or Gloucester's equivalents, this is a special space purpose-built in the English Baroque style. Four stained glass windows designed by the emiment Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones are nothing short of magnificent while the resident organ boasts a variety of knobs to control the swell, pedal and choir settings. We're particuarly drawn to the New Nativity figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the Shepherds as crafted by Melanie Tomlinson; they've been freshly installed for the current festive season, reinforcing a true sense of Christmas.

- Ozzy Osbourne Exhibition Entrance -

After a curiosity-curing call at the Arcade Bar (a place dominated by immersive Formula One racing simulations with a full-sized car suspended from the ceiling), we continue our cultural remit care of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery off Chamberlain Square. Having first opened in 1885 thanks to donations from the Tangye family of industrialists, the gallery complex offers an insightful peek into the city's history as well as housing world-renowned collections. We weave up an entrance staircase studded with mosaic inserts to reach the Round Room - currently featuring 'One Fresh Take' to give a sense of how art allows us to view the world differently - and then explore the tribute exhibition to Ozzy Osbourne. This is a fascinating retrospective on the musician's career, with gig photos, framed platinum discs and chosen quotations from a man who merely saw himself as an ordinary guy from Aston.

- Seeking the Staffordshire Hoard -

'Ozzy Osbourne; Working Class Hero' generated such public interest that it was extended by more than three months, although the display is due to close on Sunday 18th January. Two of the gallery's other big draws also require our attentions, namely the Pre-Raphaelite Collection and the Staffordshire Hoard. The former contains captivating works by the likes of Ford Madox Brown, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the aforementioned Burne-Jones then the latter presents astounding historical artefacts as found in a field near Hammerwich back in the summer of 2009. To see some of the craftsmanship up close is a real thrill, and we are both genuinely amazed at the level of skill involved in producing exquisite gold, silver and other precious items using Anglo Saxon technology mostly dating from the 7th century. I'm debating whether Emily would be well suited to a gilded bristled helmet with swords!

- Several Queens Victoria -

Elsewhere, we ponder intricate buttons and a recreated 1930s kitchen among the History of Birmingham displays, and reflect on the contentious nature of some of the Elephant Room's objects, whether these be taxidermy of rare birds or items plundered under the darker aspects of the British Empire. The Made in Birmingham area is fun, presenting a greasy spoon menu peg board and an A-Z of local connections - I especially approve of 'C is for Cob', quite right! The splendour of the Edwardian Tearoom is an ideal setting for a relaxing hot chocolate as we commandeer a stately sofa and chat about all that we've seen. A quintet of replica statues of Queen Victoria in Britannia-styled helmets stands on the mezzanine level having originally been conceived for the Birmingham 2022 Festival alongside the Commonwealth Games.

- The Bookworm Gets Schlossed -

All these cultural contemplations do help you to work up a thirst so Albert's Schloss is happily on hand nearby for a sophisticated take on an Alpine-themed bar. Fireboxes, live music and hints of continental style add to the flavour while the beer options are very tempting, resulting in me dabbling in a dark Dunkel brew courtesy of Erdinger. Birmingham is busying up with its famed Saturday nightlife as we progress to Brindley Place for the Cosy Club, savouring a relaxed meal of Smash Burgers or Cod in a creamy caper sauce - I declare myself rather partial to the idea of dipping gravy whereas Emily approves of her chunky chips. News that Wolves have remarkably beaten West Ham 3-0 for their long-awaited first win of the season filters though, prompting a closing Craven Arms celebration over a glass of Monty's Mischief. We chat pubcrawls with friendly folks at an adjacent table then reluctantly catch our trains home. Whether in sunshine or snow, Birmingham makes for magical memories. Cheers!

The Snowman Trail at Baddesley Clinton

Baddesley Clinton is a preserved medieval moated manor house that was the historic home of the Ferrers family for over 500 years, acting as a sanctuary for persecuted Catholics in the process. Now operating under the careful stewardship of the National Trust, it is currently playing host to a dozen sculptures based upon the much-loved Snowman character from the Raymond Briggs storybooks, each representing one of the Twelve Days of Christmas...

- Comet -

Trip Log: Tuesday 30th December 2025 whereby the 09:48 stopper train gets me over to New Street so that I can briefly brave the mayhem of Birmingham's Bull Ring. The Second City of course is still amidst its own festive public art trail with reindeer at various central locations. I’ve chipped away at them almost incidentally this year but I’m pleased to claim Comet to flesh out my collection - candy cane antlers and an “I wish it could be Christmas everyday” collar inscription are the standout aspects of this design along with holly leaves, blushing pink cheeks and a big bold red nose. At least I'm spared the perils of any shopping sales!

- A Memorable Moated Entrance -

Proceeding to Olton, I meet Bookworm Bygrave for the onward journey beyond Knowle into Warwickshire. Emily used to work at both Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House so knows these properties very well, with the Baddesley volunteers advising of just how busy it's been for them with the Snowman Trail proving a real hit with visitors. Tickets for the guided house tours have already sold out so we'll be concentrating on Snowman-spotting, but there's much to admire aesthetically walking around the perimeter of the moat. It is thought that the manor here may have originated in the 13th century, and one notorious owner was Nicholas Brome who murdered the parish priest (possibly on this very site) and thus had to rebuild the nearby church as penance for his sins. The Ferrers family were resident here for centuries, actively sheltering Catholic priests, and the property continued to be altered through into the 1940s.

- Two Turtle Doves -

To the trail then and we'll follow the sequence of the famous Christmas carol, taking each representation of a bestowed gift in turn. This therefore means starting with 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree' on the cobbled courtyard with its presentation of a dusky blue shell populated by pear branches and a ribbon of verse. 'Two Turtle Doves' is off to the right across a field track and displays a cute courtship theme, prominently showing the titular birds but also making room for swimming turtles and lots of leafage. Backtracking slightly towards the moat, I must declare a particular soft spot for 'Three French Hens' with its Pop Art take on beret-wearing chickens with added reference to the colours of France’s tricolore flag, mais oui!

- Five Gold Rings -

The next batch of sculptures form a well-spaced sequence around the edges of the moat, allowing for excellent views of the house’s architectural mix of medieval and Tudor elements. 'Four Calling Birds' has an autumnal palette of oranges and browns, inspired by floral folk art patterns all topped off with a red scarf and a sense of crunchy leaf fall. At the far right corner of the grounds we discover 'Five Gold Rings', complete with gleaming bands cascading down the design like interlocking hula hoops. In between the rings themselves are colourful patches of wrapping paper-styled stripes and swirls, as if the whole sculpture is a mysterious present part-way through being revealed.

- Ten Lords A Leaping -

Flanking the rear of the property is 'Six Geese A Laying', with nests for its feet and a clutch of newly-deposited eggs on show; 'Seven Swans A Swimming' meanwhile occupies a shadowy corner beneath overhanging trees from whence it portrays an icy pool - Emily loves the way the paint has been allowed to dribble down randomly towards the bottom of the sculpture. 'Eight Maids A Milking' is a blue and white homage to Dutch milkmaids whereas 'Nine Ladies Dancing' has us venturing into the walled garden amongst netting-covered cabbages; this creation boasts a a winter wonderland mountainscape populated by fir trees and musical notation. All of which brings us to another of my personal favourites, 'Ten Lords A Leaping' containing fictional peers from the House of Lords jumping around in their ermine robes.

- Twelve Drummers Drumming -

Two more to go and 'Eleven Pipers Piping' has been positioned inside a corner gazebo, thus making it slightly more secluded in terms of getting selfies. A green hat on top then blends into magical skies as Santa’s sleigh glides past in silhouette, and a scattered ensemble of bagpipe players feature front and rear. Last but not least is 'Twelve Drummers Drumming' as perched atop a slightly raised garden wall next to where the Purple Haze former Dahlia border used to grow. A golden brown gingerbread hue is detectable to the front with a marching band ring of tiny mice drummers on the back - we like it!

- Cake!!! -

We may have completed the trail but there's yet more to see as part of Baddesley Clinton's general attractions. A rummage around the bookshop is definitely on the cards even though nothing much takes Emily’s fancy - we may have to withdraw her Bookworm moniker if this shocking trend continues - whereas there’s temptation to be had in the Barn Restaurant care of restorative mugs of hot chocolate and an indulgent slice of cake apiece. Miss Bygrave opts for a sticky flapjack square and I can’t resist the Black Forest traybake, dotted with squishy glace cherries and a nice thwack of cocoa, all topped with chocolate shavings

- Four Calling Birds -

After a final few Snowman snapshots as we make our exit, we head off for an evening of Barrel Store quizzing in Birmingham (via a relaxing drink at Knowle's Ale Rooms en route). Attic Brewery's outlet in the railway arches under Snow Hill station has become an adopted haunt in recent months, and we're delighted that Zoe and Mike are joining us to bolster our trivia prowess as well as indulging in the on-site Deathrow Pizza possibilities - you effectively build your own from a checklist of available toppings and sauces. As for the quiz, it's a close run thing but Team Hoppy To Beer Here edge to victory by one point, aided by knowledge about John Cena, Oscar winning movies and Prunella Scales. What a way to finish 2025!

WME Review of the Year - 2025

Happy New Year everyone, and as the celebratory bongs of Big Ben and the strains of Auld Lang Syne start to dissipate, I'll swoop in with my statutory retrospective piece reflecting on the twelve months just gone. On a personal and explorational level there was much to enjoy over the course of 2025...

January: Hanley was the headliner as the year commenced with a chilly checking of the Caldon Canal, tiptoeing along the frozen towpath via Bedford Street Locks and the Ivy House Lift Bridge. The pubs were worth enduring the cold, especially the chance to revisit both the Golden Cup and the Coachmakers Arms, although the remnants of industrial history live long in my mind too. In other wintry news, Stephen and I were on the lookout for reindeer in Harborne (with a guest appearance from Paddington Bear), then the Chip Foundation were likewise on the Birmingham beat taking a fancy to Flight Club's carousel horses. Still with the Second City, HRH and Mr D9 joined forces in the Jewellery Quarter, investigating the Indian Brewery before playing Connect 4 in the Barrel Store, and there was time enough for Jane and I to indulge in 'Black Country tapas' over in Brierley Hill - the Delph and the Waterfront were the stand-out locations that day.

February: two Shropshire snoopings register strongly for February, with Miss Woolf again featuring for the National Trust nugget that is Attingham Park; it was fascinating to peruse the stately rooms, gaining a sense of life above and below stairs while the beer in the Mytton & Mermaid was worthy of note too. That was followed by a special afternoon in Shrewsbury, ticking off a few of Abbey Foregate's old alehouses as well as the White Horse for a jovial slice of Joules hospitality. Attingham was not the only heritage location to be covered during the shortest month for Stephen and I had the pleasure of bounding around Boscobel and White Ladies Priory, Mr Beardsmore recreating his Friar Tuck role from his brief acting career...

March: into March and the memorable combination of Jane, Nick, the Bartons Arms and Digbeth takes some beating. Spectacular terracotta and tiling is one thing but the sight of a Woolf wielding a bowling ball with menaces is difficult to forget! My yearly Saturday in Stafford yielded a Tixall Road tickle, culminating in the Knot & Plough and a couple of Black Country Ales outlets - I was attempting their trail at the time, a challenge that also took me and Dad over to Shifnal and Albrighton for the likes of the Anvil or the Harp Hotel. The Hub Marketing Board visited the old Paul patch of North Wolverhampton where the Chairman threatened to drive a JCB digger instead of his normal bus, whereas the Chip Foundation encountered extortionate prices along Birmingham's Broad Street. Away from the pubs, Pelsall gained a Stephen stroll mingling North Common footpaths and canal content, then Jane traded ten pin tendencies for putting prowess (or lack thereof) at Perton's Dinosaur Golf where yours truly nailed a stunning hole-in-one.

April: a trip full of the joys of spring saw me Shropshire-bound for Market Drayton, admiring St Mary's Church and the Berrisford Aqueduct among other things, the Salopian Star being one of my favourite finds of the year (helped by the presence of New Brew's Plum Porter). Jane and I were in tandem when the Black Country Ales tour took us to Halesowen while the Chip Foundation staged our now-seminal Black Country Classics afternoon, returning to both the Beacon Hotel and the Trumpet in marking the anniversary of Nick's retirement. April heralded the start of another County Cricket season with one of Warwickshire's early fixtures being a Durham clash away at Chester-le-Street; Stephen and I were there to witness an excellent if nailbiting victory on a week when the weather and ice cream gods smiled very kindly on us.

May: the Bears on Tour bandwagon extended to three days in Worcester, catching up with Dave and Denise only for pesky rain to deprive us of a likely win. Bookworm Bygrave was on hand to introduce me to Birmingham Botanical Gardens which looked utterly gorgeous when in full bloom, and the Hub Marketing Board availed themselves of Aston during a North Brum extravaganza that tasted Tyburn and bothered Boldmere. Two Warwickshire wanderings merit a mention, Nick's local expertise coming to the fore with a Slaughterhouse tap surprise in the county town before my Birthday Bash in Chip Foundation company covered the realms of Rugby, educating ourselves on the origins of the oval-balled sport. 

June: summer comes a-calling courtesy of a Rail Rover centrepiece, most notably including Ledbury (where HRH dutifully adores the Prince of Wales, he likes to be on brand), Knighton (a magical morsel from the Heart of Wales Line), and Chester. Emily brings the excitement of Moseley Old Hall - I need to improve my quoits technique - and Knowle Locks whereas Jane had to cope with gushings of Gornal but got to sample some rather nice ciders. Cricketing matters mean Stephen and I base ourselves in genteel Worthing whilst Warwickshire take on Sussex at Hove; the match largely peters out to end as a tame draw but the presence of Mr Whippy's 99 flakes was much appreciated in the scorching sunshine. 

July: Chairman D9 and Secretary WME work through a variety of evening engagements - the Penn Road Push, Conquering Castlecroft, the Wednesfield Workout - with the latter adding a soupcon of Ashmore Park into the mix. Birmingham becomes beset by bull sculptures so Emily and I make the acquaintance of 'Cadbully', resembling a partially unwrapped bar of Dairy Milk chocolate although I might gloss over my darting performance at Flight Club. A Saturday Solo around Stourbridge scores well, gaining the Glassboys Bar as a new haunt, but it's the wonders of Wales that shine through the most. The Low Hill Community Coach jolly to Rhyl was great, bringing the sights and sounds of the seaside, and how can I overlook that wonderful weekend in Aberystwyth with Miss Woolf. Green cocktails, playing pool (badly) on the pier, tentative paddling and castle ruins - those few days had it all!

August: pride of place goes to Packwood here, with the exquisite house interior largely being down to the efforts of the industrialist Graham Baron Ash. Emily and I enjoy exploring the wider grounds too, especially the Hungry Caterpillar-themed characters in the Kitchen Garden; the Bookworm had also demonstrated her bibliophile habits during an earlier bimble around Bridgnorth, pausing for pizza in the Bassa Villa. It was the Chip Foundations's turn to get a bit bullish (bidding fond greetings to JC Beef, Deliverabull and Moo-seley), and a Bank Holiday walk along the South Staffs Railway Line to Pensnett paid dividends in the form of Bathams Bitter at the Fox & Grapes. Alewise such nectar is hard to top although the tipples on offer at the Great British Beer Festival gave us plenty to ponder over at the NEC. Harvey's Prince of Denmark was simply stunning, albeit the day will be mostly remembered for silly pig hats, game crisps, table football and boxes-upon-boxes of historic beermats - I was in heaven!

September: not quite so divine but nonetheless superb was our Kenilworth crawl for Nick's birthday, cramming in the Ale Rooms and the recently-opened Dictum Wetherspoons as well as perambulating across the Abbey Fields. Further exercise was encountered during Mr D9's Greensforge Gallop, tracking the Staffs & Worcs Canal through Swindon and Hinksford, then we had the small matter of the Tamworth Beer Festival that united Jane and Nick in a shared appreciation of frickles. The cricket season concluded with the Bears firmly in mid-table, albeit my efforts to see any additional action were thwarted by iffy weather affecting both Edgbaston and Nottingham (not that a Beardsmore Billesley day wasn't adequate consolation). Oh, and I mustn't overlook my family holiday in Kent, dabbling with Dymchurch and honouring Hythe - the sunkissed seafront walk I undertook to New Romney was utterly glorious!

October: talking of holidays, October was notable for a Daish's getaway down to Devon for Mr B's 61st. We stayed in the Devonshire Hotel atop a somewhat notorious hill but managed to conquer the steepness with trips out to Teignmouth, Brixham and Newton Abbot (where I was mesmerised by Ye Olde Cider Bar, a totally timeless discovery). A Hub Marketing hat trick gave us Wet Wombourne, a Darlaston doorstep and the estate boozers of Telford - the Mallard at Brookside being the kind of place that makes D9 drool - whilst Miss Woolf was tempted by Tipton, or more accurately the promise of pudding in the Pie Factory. Yum yum!

November: autumnal assignations in the eleventh month of the year always insist on Dudley Winter Ales attendance, 2025 being no exception. Cult of Oak's 1138 Matildine Mild wins the overblown tasting notes award for invoking the spirit of medieval sieges, although the Charlton House potentially had us wishing for reinforcements afterwards. Burslem beckoned for the Chip cohort on a drab Potteries Saturday, dodging Port Vale fans in search of Draught Bass, and there was plenty of porcelain when Emily and I called in on the Coalport China Museum (the subsequent roast dinner at the Woodbridge Inn was the definition of delicious). November was momentous for me moving house, a relocation that would lend itself to a Pattingham and Perton evening returning to the scene of Andy's bus shelter butchery.

December: all of which brings us to the festive season whereby my recent roamings have encompassed the likes of Sedgley and Upper Gornal (for a rare sighting of a Stripey Oss), Newport (a family day with Miss Bygrave) and Kenilworth (the 2025 Festive Forage when Nick and I tackled the Tiltyard and graced the Gauntlet). Fans of Rock & Roll hairpieces would be delighted with the Coventry Quiffmas, the Chairman on top form as regards Whitmore Park and Longford longings supplemented by a cracking breakfast at the New Stadium Cafe. The icing on top of the Christmas cake came care of Baddesley Clinton and its Snowman Trail, where the Bookworm and I met leaping lords and drumming mice. Excellent!

It wouldn't be a WME Review of the Year if I didn't say a huge thank you to all those crazy suckers - sorry, marvellous companions - who have helped make this year extra special. My eternal gratitude therefore goes to Andy (Mr D9), Nick (HRH), Stephen (Mr B), Ken, Jane (The Woolf), Emily (Bookworm Bygrave), plus my family, for putting up with all the Cheers photos, street sign obsessions and general explorational randomness I inflict upon you. It means a huge amount to me, so here's to more of the same in 2026. Cheers!