Snoopy Spotting in Birmingham

You remember the Snoopy Trail which Bookworm Bygrave and I attempted at Trentham Gardens back in May? It turns out that a similar series of sculptures have now popped up at numerous locations across Birmingham City Centre during the school holidays, so I'd better start collecting the Beagles of Brum!

- The Bookworm meets 'Golden Hound' -

I'm going to be taking two bites of the Peanuts cherry this time around, reacquainting myself with some of the installations Emily and I saw at Trentham whilst also checking out any that haven't been repeated from the Potteries event. The Bookworm is my companion for Round 1, a Tuesday 4th August quizzing evening where we spend an hour finding the likes of 'I Need More Space' (the planetary kennel in Piccadilly Arcade) and 'Grrrrnarly Beach Hut', a seaside specimen found at the Great Western Arcade. One favourite we're particularly pleased to see again is 'Golden Hound' with its gilded shimmer populated by observational depictions of flora and fauna. It is currently based inside the Burlington Arcade near the Bacchus Bar steps.

- 'BowWow Haus' -

Of the installations we hadn't seen previously, 'It's Treat O'Clock' makes a sweet impression in depicting a gingerbread house complete with mini-Snoopy peeking out of an upstairs window, all very Hansel and Gretel! That one resides close to the Town Hall whereas 'BowWow Haus' lurks outside the Stalybridge Suites hotel on Corporation Street, instantly standing out with a design influenced by the Bauhaus movement and the geometric patterns of Piet Mondrian. As for the quiz, the Bookworm and I join friends Zoe and Mike at the Barrel Store for an evening of testing trivia. Fuelled by indulgent pizzas, we finish a respectable 5th just a handful of points behind the eventual winners. Steve Coogan anagrams and a festivals connection round go well but we get stumped by a close-up picture of a stapler - never mind!

- A Bespectacled Bull -

Round 2 of my Snoopy Sweep occurs on Monday 10th August in the company of my Chip Foundation colleagues. Assembling at New Street Station, we're amused to see that Ozzy the big mechanical bull is now adorned with a fetching pair of tinted spectacles which add further lustre to his rock and roll personality. Two of the Snoopys - or should that be Snoopies? - are positioned around the wider station concourse: 'Plant Dreams, Harvest Joy' has a greenhouse windowpane effect near one set of ticket barriers while the fruit tree fun of 'Garden of Delights' requires escalator access up into the malls of Grand Central.

- Mr Beardsmore by the 'Riverbank' -

Moving along to John Bright Street, 'Riverbank' is the next Snoopy to report for inspection and conveys a waterside air, helped by depictions of swans and a wading heron. A dramatic Peaky Blinders mural extends most of the way along Hill Street, capturing the likenesses of favourite characters such as Tommy Shelby and Aunt Polly, while a separate artwork on the Navigation Street bridge references the four original members of Black Sabbath. We're really getting a solid impression of Birmingham's indelible imprint on British popular culture around here.

- 'Tales for Tails' -

Continuing towards the Mailbox, Stephen can put his dodgy knee to the test negotiating flights of steps and escalators as we work our way through Harvey Nichols floors and past the BBC Studios entrance. 'Tales for Tails' is located close to the broadcasting hub and is probably the most amusing of all the Snoopy designs - I love the comical wordplay giving a canine twist to well known literary works and authors, hence Romeo and Drooliet, Woofering Heights, Bark Twain and Fetch 22. My accomplices all approve of this one too so it definitely appeals to our collective sense of silliness!

- Beer Stop at the Botanist -

This being a Chip Foundation get-together, there are bound to be a few refreshment stops along the way. We might have tested out the Sixes 'Social Cricket' concept had it still been trading but the Botanist is close at hand, via Holliday Passage and Bridge Street. I'd never been here before but both Nick and Stephen had vague recollections of prior encounters, maybe even dating back to when it was called the James Brindley. Either way, it boasts a prime location looking out over Regency Wharf and Gas Street Basin, with pricing to match such a prestigious setting. As is his custom, HRH subjects the menu to rigorous analysis - we suspect Mr B wouldn't be a fan of their hanging kebabs but could go for an edible chocolate plantpot as served with its own spade.

- 'Bee More Snoopy!' -

Upon leaving the Botanist, any debate over where else to try is quickly resolved by the merest mention of the Prince of Wales - we've scarcely seen Nick being so decisive! Our Cambridge Street call yields a cracking pint of Teignworthy's Gun Dog Bitter plus considered discussion about the punk and heavy metal musical genres, then it's on with the Snoopy stuff. A second glimpse of Town Hall gingerbread residences precedes a Corporation Street study of 'Bee More Snoopy', inspired by the importance of bumblebees to our natural ecosystem. 

- Sabbath Signage in Scruffy Murphy's -

Our earlier chat about the various forms of rock music has reminded me of a certain venue we really ought to visit so - once 'Fungi's House' has been foraged with its toadstool-capped top - we deviate to Dale End for a slice of Scruffy Murphy's. Formerly the Pen & Wig (which itself hosted many live bands in its time) this place pays due tribute to the gods of heavy metal and boasts an enviable collection of mounted guitars, not forgetting a gallery of silver disc records. Extracting ourselves from soft low sofas (easier said than done), we nip into the Square Peg Wetherspoons to taste the remnants of their recent craft cider festival - cue Hecks Slack-ma-Girdle for me and a Scrummage for HRH. At this juncture we must sadly go our separate ways, albeit with 'BowWow Haus' supplying one final Snoopy sighting. Cheers!

The Chip Foundation Does Droitwich

Sometimes the days that stick in your mind the most are the ones that don't quite go to plan but you enjoy them immensely regardless. The Chip Foundation's dance around Droitwich is one that could well linger long in the memory because of missing buses, morning downpours and unexpected pub closures, but we'll keep on smiling whatever the Exploration Gods might throw our way...

- An Artistic Welcome -

Trip Log: Wednesday 3rd June 2026 brings a Worcestershire outing that has been arranged to celebrate my latest birthday. As guest of honour and chief organiser it's imperative I attend but the number 10 bus is conspicuous by its absence and I'm going to be late for the train. Heavy Perton rain is the last thing I need when traipsing to Tettenhall Wood but the other chaps have at least assembled as instructed, collectively catching the 10:50 down from Birmingham. By a process of on-the-hoof recalibration, I progress via Kidderminster to belatedly reach Droitwich at 11:52, greeted by my patient Chip colleagues and an interesting railway station mural which adorns the Hall Brothers accident recovery garage on Union Lane. Kissing couples, lively deer and racing cars all feature as I apologise for being delayed. Let the trip proper commence!

- What remains of the Raven -

Droitwich is a spa town in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire and is a noted site of salt production, with rock salt and brine having been extracted since Roman times. We skip over onto Ombersley Street as our gateway into the town centre, spotting the police station and a selection of 'Hair by...' stylists along the way. There's a considerable promotional presence for the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival, now in its second year and a worthy tribute to the legendary performer of alternative comedy who was born and raised locally. Victoria Square ordinarily would be an attractive spot with the town's library close at hand, but the crumbling mass of what used to be the Raven Hotel is simply inescapable. A handsome timbered building that dated from the 16th century, it had been in a deteriorating condition for some years prior to suffering a devastating fire last August. The site is currently fully fenced off on safety grounds amidst hope of a community preservation project although restoration looks to be a huge task.

- Monarch's Way for His Majesty -

The Raven's sad status means part of St Andrew's Street is closed off so we nip through the adjacent shopping precinct to reach our first pub of the day. The Talbot is owned by Craddocks of Stourbridge and boasts an impressive townhouse frontage at the Old Town Hall end of High Street; internal signwriting suggests it used to be a Hanson's affair and the layout is pleasingly traditional with a front bar, rear restaurant and a curious slightly bulging central passageway. One glance at the ale range means Nick and I immediately home in on Monarch's Way - what else but that for our resident royal? - as a tasty smooth bitter. Scatter cushions featuring pet photographs are a novelty as we chat about cricketing prospects, forthcoming holidays and what our Mastermind specialist subjects would be. I'd probably opt for pop music of the 1950s and 1960s with Ken on FA Cup finals from the same era and Nick tackling the English Civil War, which just leaves Mr B... I'm not sure an encyclopedic knowledge of Warwickshire's recent batting collapses counts somehow!

- Stephen meets Spa Man -

One of Droitwich's most charming aspects is its so-called 'Wonky High Street' where buildings lean at strange angles, the effect of subsidence caused by salt mining. We admire some of the crooked doorways before proceeding at Ken's request to nearby Lido Park, home to an open air saltwater swimming pool which first opened in 1935. The water is heated to a pleasant 23 degrees (positively Mediterranean!) and is fed by natural brine, although we aren't tempted to go for a dip ourselves. Instead we investigate the wider park, meaning Stephen can make the acquaintance of the 'Spa Man' diving sculpture. The park has a fine bandstand (which is being used for some comedy festival performances) and offers fishing provision at Herriott's Pool; Droitwich's cricket and tennis clubs are also in the vicinity, a proper sporting enclave.

- Canalside Chips -

Lunch is in order although my preferred option of the Gardeners Arms on Vines Lane doesn't appear to be open. The Queens Fish Bar can ably step into the breach for our assorted orders involving roe, pies, battered sausage and even a lesser-seen fishcake. We munch these spoils at Vines Park beside the restored Droitwich Canal, albeit our chosen bench gets subjected to galeforce gusts and I have to scamper sharply to retrieve sheets of blown-away chip paper. A statue of St Richard - a 13th century Bishop of Chichester - takes pride of place along with a mosaic documenting Roman salt extraction activities. The tesserae spell out the inscription "Sal Sapit Omnia - Salt Flavours All" with Stephen agreeing that it augments his chips nicely.

- The Railway Inn -

A gentle stroll along the water's edge allows glimpses of Bridges 17, 18 and 19, all of which are short swingbridges carrying footpaths that link to the Saltway main road (although we note that No. 18 is locked out of use and not in the best of condition). Netherwich Basin is a pretty marina mooring base with narrowboats shimmering in the sunshine; the canal effectively runs parallel to the River Salwarpe at this point whereby they both cut a swathe across Vines Park. Emerging onto Kidderminster Road, we make the Railway Inn our second drinking port of call, enticed by the locomotive illustration adorning the pub's exterior. Alas we get a sense of things going through the motions here - we're the only customers and any real ale they did have has run out, resulting in halves of Guinness, Worthingtons and full fat Coca Cola. Daytime telly can't quite compensate for the underlying lack of atmosphere, as much as our entertaining perusals of the Rik Mayall festival programme make a valiant attempt to enliven matters.

- Mr May after a makeover? -

Onwards we trot via a Hampton Road underpass which connects directly onto Friar Street. Two prime watering holes await us within yards of each other, both of them ripe for revisiting after Nick and I first sampled them way back in May 2014. First up is the Hop Pole, a Good Beer Guide mainstay where I'm delighted to see Bathams is a permanent fixture, not just the Best Bitter but their Mild too. I'm feeling in a Mildish mood actually and the resultant pint is an object lesson in how to serve ale perfectly. Where the Railway suffered for lack of patronage, there are no such qualms here; nearly all of the tables are already taken so we squeeze into a raised section watched over by a large cuddly gorilla and another soft toy shrouded in a mass of comedic curly hair - is it a sloth, is it a meerkat, is it Ken in disguise? Who can tell!

- The Old Cock Inn -

When you haven't set foot inside an establishment for twelve years, it's tricky to gauge how much you expect to remember but the Old Cock Inn does evoke a nice sense of familiarity. My archive notes make mention of an ecclesiastical-styled main window and that is evidently still intact (and came from St Nicholas's Church apparently) while the ale range has branched out beyond the Marston's stable to include more guest brewers. Hobsons' Champion Mild is my pick, doing my bit to keep the traditional style alive, and we gather in a cockerel-themed front snug trying to outdo each other in the innuendo stakes. There are at least four different zones within the overall layout, all really nicely decorated, with a boardgame selection available for any dice-rolling enthusiasts. Having first been licensed in 1712, this is a beguiling hostelry in one of the oldest parts of Droitwich so together with the Hop Pole we are most impressed.

- A Rifleman's Finale -

Maintaining such standards will be a tough ask but I'm optimistic that the Arch Rivals micropub could get close, only to discover it isn't open yet. A vinyl records theme is detectable if peering through the windows but there are no signs of life and I'll just have to save it for a future jaunt. Deflated but not totally downhearted, we know the Riflemans Arms back by the railway station is an option having toyed with it as a meeting point earlier - it claims to start trading at 11am but it was closer to midday in this particular instance. Anyway, it's a typical sidestreet Banks's number with a plain bar side and slightly more comfortable lounge, a few sepia photos of the Royal Brine Baths and a handy train departures screen - I've been in better, I've also been in much worse. My closing tipple is a toss-up between Amber and Wainwright Gold with the former just about edging it, albeit sadly not brewed in Wolverhampton anymore. The 17:56 train is ideal in that it takes HRH direct to Warwick Parkway while the rest of us hop off at Smethwick Galton Bridge for our Wolverhampton connections. A testing day but good fun!

Station Surveillance with the Chip Foundation

Episode 95 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles is a momentous day without question. Not only are we marking Ken's recent 76th birthday, we're also celebrating the much-trumpeted reopening of the Camp Hill Line set of railway stations over in Birmingham...

- Camp Hill Line, here we come! -

Trip Log: Monday 27th April 2026 and the remit is simple. Start at Birmingham New Street and cover each station in turn, picking out a pub (ideally one of the closest) at every stop along the way. Ken, Stephen and I convene at Wolverhampton over thoughts of Trent Bridge cricketing prospects - the consensus being that the match between Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire is highly likely to be a draw - before joining Nick on Platform 11a in Brum. Our steed arrives on time for its 10:57 departure, one of the orange and purple liveried Class 196 DMU units, and we board with something approaching genuine excitement. Passenger services ended on the original version of the Camp Hill Line due to wartime economic measures in 1941 so when the timetable was reinstated on Tuesday 7th April it ended a gap of nigh on 85 years.

- Moseley Village -

Upon leaving Birmingham, the train offers views of Millennum Point and then sweeps in an arc over Garrison Street to enter a cutting immediately beside the St Andrews football ground (a place Ken knows very well). The rooftops of Balsall Heath provide a new perspective on this part of town, and after a journey that took us all of nine minutes we pull into Moseley Village just as a systems guy checks the fire alarm for appropriate evacuation messages. Thankfully we're not expected to make an urgent exit and can merrily peruse the two platforms as they stretch towards Woodbridge Road. The original tunnel is pleasing on the eye and there's an extensive forecourt area with huge pots and a paved seating space, although vehicular provision amounts to a drop-off zone with little scope for car parking.

- St Mary's Church -

The station is ideally located close to the heart of Moseley hence a very short walk is all that's required to take us along St Mary's Row past the parish church. Pretty tulips add colour to the triangular patch on the junction with Alcester Road, and our attempts to explore Moseley Park are foiled because we don't have a subscribers fob to hand; admittedly the park is open to all on Wednesdays so I've made a mental note of that for future reference. Pub number one has a special resonance for Ken because he used to play chess here regularly in the 1980s - yes, it's the Fighting Cocks bang on midday opening time. Dating from the Edwardian era (1903 or thereabouts), this is a spectacular example of the Arts and Crafts style whereby I particularly like the weather barometers and a double faced clock. We funnel inside for more architectural marvelling, obtaining halves of Moseley Pale by Birmingham Brewing to slake our collective thirst. The prices are on the steep side and things are quiet - it is a Monday after all - but as a homage to Mr May's pastimes this is a very good fit.

- Kings Heath Station -

Ordinarily we might have hopped on a passing number 50 bus down to Kings Heath but the train needs to take the strain today. The 13:08 working does the trick for the briefest of rides; literally no sooner have we sat down and passed through Moseley Tunnel than we're up again preparing to alight. The new Kings Heath Station has been built on the site of the old one, i.e. at the northern end of the High Street, with orientation arrows pointing out potential for direct access into neighbouring Highbury Park. There are two full length platforms able to handle the four carriage set-up currently used on the line, and although footfall has been slack today it's good to know that capacity is in place should the half-hourly service really take off. The A435 can get really busy around here so there are warnings that the main road should not be used as a dropping off point; any intending passengers should note there isn't a car park.

- Stephen at The Station -

If the Fighting Cocks was an easy decision for choice of watering hole in Moseley, the same can be said of the Station in Kings Heath - the clue is in the name really. We'd done this one before (back in 2012 and also on one of our Cricketing Conclusion September sessions) but a revisit is more than worthwhile, calling in for Timothy Taylor's Landlord in a setting that makes much of its longstanding commitment to the local music scene. Monochrome photographs of musicians adorn the walls and our eyes can also try to cope with vivid green leaf patterned wallpaper, not to mention a cow's head on a shield. Mr B is keeping us up to date with the latest developments at Trent Bridge where Warwickshire have yet to take a wicket.

- Pineapple Road -

The third Camp Hill Line station is now in our sights, this being the exotic-sounding Pineapple Road although it's debatable how tropical the border between Kings Heath and Stirchley might be. Another blink-and-you-miss-it two minute voyage brings us to a stop that might hopefully grow to look nicer over time. At the moment, one side of the tracks presents bare earth where fledgling trees are being planted while the Brum-bound platform has bands of brown blocks which certainly aren't the most visually appealing construction material in the world. Whereas Moseley and Kings Heath are both directly competing with very frequent bus routes, this one arguably has more of a residential catchment to tap into. The two stairwell-cum-lift shafts give feature entrances onto Cartland Road then there is a hairpin driveway off Pineapple Rd itself.

- His Majesty at The Hazelwell -

My pub picks have been praised thus far but things could come unstuck at this juncture. The closest boozer give or take is the Hazelwell, a Sizzling roadhouse just off the Outer Circle bus route which does have a hint of Brewers Tudor about its frontage but is otherwise an ordinary pub. We give it a whirl regardless, catching some of the epic Higgins vs O'Sullivan clash of the snooker titans from the Crucible. They might not serve real ale here but what they do have are cheap Monday deals - cue John Smiths and Thatchers Cider at reduced rates, and suddenly my accomplices are rather taking to the place. So much so in fact that we decide to stay for a late lunch, meaning Ken and Nick feel all fishy whereas Stephen and I go for the gammon, resulting in the actual witnessing of pineapple being consumed on Pineapple Road. These things must happen for a reason and we finish feeding in time to scamper for the 15:42 train.

- End of the Line: Kings Norton -

Historically speaking, Pineapple Road station used to be known as Hazelwell and a rusting relic of an old footbridge (now overgrown with weeds) is a clinging remnant of former times. Remarkably, the ride to Kings Norton - where the line terminates - is one of the longest of the day, using up precisely three minutes or 180 seconds of our valuable time. I've been travelling the West Midlands railway network for the best part of thirty years and for much of that period it's been the same old stops with the same old sights so to actually have something new to explore has turned me into the proverbial kid in a sweetshop - it's been wonderful. I wish the Camp Hill Line every success: welcome back to the fold!

- A Cotteridge Conclusion -

A pub per station is still the instruction so Kings Norton's contribution will be the Navigation, a once-tired looking number which has gained a new lease of life courtesy of Wetherspoons. A sprawling interior has well over 200 tables so they can squeeze in a lot of people, just as well given how busy it is; we end up perched close to the food servery meaning Stephen has to stoically witness chips being paraded across the room at regular intervals. A sunkissed stroll along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal allows a welcome sighting of Kings Norton Junction before we land up in the Grant Arms on Pershore Road, a classic Cotteridge roadhouse which is part of the Craft Union chain. Keenly priced John Smiths and cricketing chat helps us blend in with the swarms of regulars, such a contrast from the quietness of the Fighting Cocks. The number 45 bus spirits us back into Birmingham and our Camp Hill celebration is complete!

Springtime Essentials

March has been an exceedingly busy month and it hasn't finished yet. I need to bring you bang up to date not just with any old outings but with two of the trips that are nailed-on certainties at this time of year. My annual Stafford Spectacular has been successfully staged, followed closely by that Chip Foundation imperative of a jaunt to mark the anniversary of Nick's retirement. Hold onto your hats!

- Highfield Manor -

Firstly we have Stafford on Saturday 28th March where I'm intending on gaining another two stamps towards the Black Country Ales trail. Before any pub-going comes the small matter of some local exploring, beginning as ever with Victoria Park and the statutory sculptural sighting of W G Grace - you'd think after all these years he'd have actually bowled his shot by now! A little mooch along Rowley Avenue brings back fond memories of the Blessed William Howard School, host venue for the Heart of Staffordshire Beer Festival on several occasions, where Nick and I might frequent buddy benches whilst eating oatcakes. The area around Rowley Park Hospital is private property and I don't want to incur the wrath of any security patrols, hence I head the longer way round by passing the gateposts for Highfield Manor.

- Things Turning Desperate? -

The Highfields estate was last mentioned in WME despatches back in 2020 when I braved the Oxleathers for a pint and also noted other local amenities, especially around Western Downs. The area is now ripe for a revisit and this time my focus will be on more of West Way, spotting a family butchers shop, a pharmacy and a Spar store. One open patch of land offers a mural based on comic characters from Desperate Dan to Popeye and Garfield by way of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher. Averill Road presents downbeat flats leading towards the Rowley Park Stadium and then Highfield Grove feels more approachable, revealing 1930s bungalows and the local primary school. Many of the roads are named after famous poets (think Swinburne Close and Coleridge Drive) which reminds me of The Scotlands in Wolverhampton.

- Hawkshead Dry Stone Stout -

Arcing back to Stafford town centre, I make sure to visit that pair of pubs I'd been promising myself. The Bird in Hand has always seemed very busy on my previous encounters there so an early doors sampling makes sense. Oakham's 'The Hare and the Hedgehog' Light Bitter is pleasingly refreshing as I sit in the front bar, chatting to a group of chaps who've headed down from Sandbach for the day - perhaps Black Country Ales need an outlet in Crewe? Their other Stafford contender then beckons in the form of the Shrewsbury Arms on Eastgate Street which can furnish me with Hawkshead's Dry Stone stout, conjuring up visions of Lake District walls. A cheeky Hobson's Pale in the Pickled Pig is an excellent bonus; the Bank House prior to this had been a Thai restaurant and a coffee shop so to see it turned into a rustic ale bar last year is a most agreeable development indeed - I'm impressed!

- A Blustery Beacon Walk -

If Stafford is one March mainstay, the other essential excursion when spring has sprung is the Chip Foundation's Eastertime gathering to mark another year of happy retirement for Nick. In 2026 the allotted date falls on Monday 30th March with Episode 94 of our ongoing chronicles commencing with a Sedgley summoning. Twelve years of leisure is something that needs to be marked so the gang are instructed to gather at the Beacon Hotel circa midday, although those of us who are of an energetic persuasion have the option of a bracing walk beforehand. It's very breezy to say the least but our selected climb soon has us in position to enjoy the wide panorama atop Sedgley Beacon's covered reservoir, whereby you can easily see Birmingham’s skyline in one direction and the Shropshire Hills in the other.

- Deep in Discussion -

That gusty chunk of sightseeing ensures we reach beer heaven at the allotted hour, just after 12 o'clock. Nick’s love of the Beacon Hotel stretches back to his ‘Woodcross Years’ when he was based nearby for work so we've made it our mission to return here at least once a year ever since. Ken has arrived in advance and commandeered the front left snug on our behalf; this is an evocative room of William Morris-styled wallpaper and a black varnished piano, just perfect for respective pints of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild and the Purple Peril Beardsmore equivalent. Monday lunchtime is one of the quietest sessions here so we can happily chat about Cornish holidays and the US-Iran Conflict uninterrupted. When the world seems to be going mad, it’s reassuring to have a timeless escape, great company and excellent beer to help reset one’s equilibrium. Things don’t necessarily stand still here though: last time we came we had the pleasure of sitting in the plain parlour after that was opened up for public access, and the conservatory has since been given a reboot to provide additional seating. Clearly the place is so popular they need ever more capacity to meet demand!

- Swanning about with a Town Crier -

Sedgley has a number of enticing pub possibilities and it would be rude not to include more of its Good Beer Guide contingent. The Bulls Head therefore supplies Holdens hospitality with a bovine streak, Stephen previewing the forthcoming cricket season as wafts of Thai ingredients permeate through from the associated restaurant. The Swan is a new one on Nick, although I had been a couple of times previously. The grey fire door off Ettymore Road is their preferred means of access at the moment, somewhat offputting until you step inside and realise it's a genuinely comfortable old boozer. Plum Chesterfield seating and Hobsons Town Crier make for a highly satisfactory call, speculating about whether HRH will be as active in his 80s.

- Chip Contentment -

Operated by Carolean (an independent bus company I can't recall ever riding on), the 224 bus conveys us to Bilston via Ettingshall Park Farm and Lanesfield. Upon alighting, we collectively swoop upon Chaplins for that avowed local delicacy, battered chips. These have a particuarly pronounced orange hue but hit the spot nicely - chief taster Stephen certainly approves - and with that staple requirement sorted we relocate to the Trumpet in order to catch up with Musti, Lynne and Diane. Holden’s Mild to the strains of Nat King Cole and Gregory Porter is hard to beat, sitting among the displays of saxophones, record covers and the legendary drum kit. If we weren't intent on finishing at the Great Western I could have stayed all evening, but Sun Street awaits (via a 530 Banga bus journey through Rough Hills), and the Chip Foundation's spiritual home can rightfully close proceedings. Holden's '5' Black Country Stout is a fitting finale and - with a bit of luck - we'll be back to do it all over again in 2027. Cheers!

Ale Afoot in Warwick and Birmingham

Two trips in four days makes for a feast of February exploration, although there's quite a contrast to be had between Warwick's aged timbers versus Birmingham's brutalist core. A beer festival in the most memorable of surroundings and a Second City crawl are on the agenda so let's see what occurred...

- HRH's Spiritual Corner -

To Warwick, whereby Friday 20th February saw Jane and I joining His Royal Highness Nick in a county town that never lacks a compelling sense of history. The preamble to this outing had actually seen Miss Woolf and I starting off in soggy Tipton, devouring Pie Factory pastry-lidded dishes with great gusto - for once I rebuffed the chance of suet scrumptiousness in favour of a 'Posh & Becks' Steak and Stilton treat infused with undeniable blue cheese flavour, although Jane still made sure to get a bonus flake with her pudding. A brief encounter with the Flying Scotsman at Birmingham Moor Street precedes us meeting Nick and predictably calling in on our royal's favourite Warwick hostelry, the Old Post Office on West Street. Original owner Tom has recently passed away but his legacy is a special little place with excellent beer and cider, plus a Sacred Heart shrine corner with the Magnificat listed on the resident Psalms board.

- King James's Seat -

Not much can upstage the Old Post Office in truth but there is a beer festival to attend and my what a setting we have. The Lord Leycester Hospital is one of Britain's most intact medieval buildings, comprising a half-timbered complex of lodgings, storerooms, a Master's House and a banqueting hall which have stood the test of time. The site was used by the United Guilds of Warwick as their headquarters before Robert Dudley (the Earl of Leicester) set up a charitable community to meet the needs of injured soldiers in 1571. This function has been upheld right through to the present day, hence the presence of the Master and several Brethren who wear ceremonial attire. As such, the beer festival is a fundraising event held annually in the Great Hall; Nick has attended many times in recent years and has a particular affection for a famous chair where King James I and his specially padded trousers apparently sat in 1617.

- A Perry Pair -

The drinks are almost secondary to the location here but we imbibe most eagerly, perching atop tables that have been pushed to the edges of the hall. Nick and Jane are both of a cidery persuasion, taste-testing the likes of Thistly Cross, Gwynt y Ddraig's Happy Daze and Buck Medium before collectively concluding on the 6.8% goodness of Lilley's Bee Sting perry, ever a joint favourite among my esteemed accomplices. I am therefore left to maintain the ale side of the equation, a duty I perform most admirably courtesy of North Cotswold Morerum Mild (with a snatch of the sailor's tipple about it), Church End Archangel (a 6% heavweight pale) and Green Duck's Space Lord (loaded with grapefruit and tangerine notes). My pick of the lot has to be Byatt's Rye Stout but you know I'm a sucker for the darker brews anyway, then we just have time for a Ronnie's Bar nightcap trying to recognise Rons and Ronalds from the worlds of entertainment and politics - Reagan, Corbett, Barker etc. Excellent fun all round!

- Crossword Concentration -

Trip Two takes place on Monday 23rd February and has the Chip Foundation converging upon Brum for Episode 93 of our ongoing chronicles. Nick has given us a pub collecting remit once we've met within the shadows of bull Ozzy's snarling snout, and a Southside shuffle pitches us promptly onto Hurst Street close to both Chinatown and the Gay Village. One top HRH target - the Sly Old Fox - has been partially sacrificed to become a restaurant and the remaining bar half isn't open anyway, meaning the adjacent Dragon JD Wetherspoons steps nimbly into the breach. Red paper lanterns celebrating Chinese New Year hang across the woodwork as we obtain suitable refreshment, but only after we've figured out which of the many entrance doors actually lets us inside. Titanic's Raspberry Pale fruity ale means that for once His Majesty and I have drinks that rival the Beardsmore lemonade and blackcurrant for pinkness, then Ken has us all racking our brains when completing the JDW magazine's crossword - it’s a tricky puzzle in fairness, requiring expert knowledge of Indonesian Prime Ministers, Californian oil localities and obscure Walter Scott novels so we might have resorted to Google for added assistance.

- Apt for any Chip Foundation outing -

Pressing on, Bromsgrove Street is our means of reaching our next port of call, a wildcard pick from yours truly in the guise of Birmingham's other 'Welly'. While the Black Country Ales place on Bennetts Hill is secure in our avowed affections, its near-namesake the Wellington Hotel is nevertheless worthy of our custom. We've passed this Bristol Street landmark so many times en route to the cricket that we were bound to do it eventually, especially because the building dates from 1890 and is considered a good example of James and Lister Lea’s much-admired public house architecture. Indeed, the upper floors have bow-fronted Regency aspects and the whole premises is Grade II listed even if the historic charm fades a little inside due to the combined intrusions of sports bar and Indian restaurant trappings. Ken at least is approving of their Dennis Amiss signed cricket bat and a framed Blues shirt before conversation turns to coach holidays, the Winter Olympics and general political observations. The Enter Chaos paintwork on nearby Henstead Street suddenly seems highly appropriate!

- The Victoria -

Two establishments within the loose vicinity of John Bright Street now require our scrutiny. The Victoria has a quirky Gin Palace air about it, standing three storeys tall and mostly deep green with gilded embellishments. A comedy evening begins at half past seven which explains why most of the punters suddenly disappear upstairs (it wasn't something Stephen said, honest!) then I shock everyone by having a low alcohol beer, namely Bristol Beer Factory's Clear Head. Sailor-inspired illustrations adorn the inner snug walls - think loveheart tattoos and mermaids - which is in contrast to the continental cafe vibe on show at nearby Cherry Reds. Homemade cakes and gourmet coffees mark this out as being far removed from your average boozer but the beer is good, Pale Brummie and Green Duck Space Lord meeting with our approval.

- Studious Scribbling in the Purecraft Bar -

Our Chip conclusion is the Purecraft Bar & Kitchen in the heart of town, within sight of the Floozy in the Jacuzzi. Purity’s Waterloo Street flagship seems almost deserted at first glance until we realise everybody is downstairs playing Warhammer (or whichever dice-based battle strategy game it happens to be) so initial appearances can be deceptive. I remember this bar launching as a high end concept from the environmentally-conscious Alcester based brewery, and Nick is always keen to support Warwickshire enterprises. Their core range is on full show from Gold to UBU to Mad Goose and the lesser-seen Jimbo, a pint of the latter getting the nod in this case. Notes are jotted, sporting deeds discussed and there's even a closing word from our Royal about a certain disgraced ex-prince, and with that we head home. Cheers!

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!

The Chip Foundation Calendar Crawl

The festive season is all about traditions - Christmas trees, crackers, roast turkey, sprouts - and one of my personal favourite customs is the annual presentation of Chip Foundation calendars at the Great Western, my way of saying thank you to Stephen and Nick for putting up with my photo requests over the preceding twelve months. As has been the case in the last few years, we make a little trip out of the occasion so here's a quick summary of what we got up to...

Mr B and I meet at midday for the number 1 bus across to Sedgley where Nick is already warmly ensconced within the bosom of the Beacon Hotel having maintained his preferred trick of being there bang on opening time. A couple of things have changed since we last came in April, namely that the conservatory has been refitted into more of a drinking zone, and a small room off the main corridor has likewise been brought into public use having previously always been a staff quarters - I guess the pub has become so popular now they need all the space they can muster. The famed Dark Ruby Mild is as good as ever, washed down with an essential and highly drinkable 8% Sarah Hughes half of Snowflake which definitely warms the back of one’s throat! His Majesty meanwhile gallantly does battle with a huge cheese and onion cob so big it takes him ages to eat until it succumbs to inevitable consumption eventually. Stephen is still traumatised by the latest Ashes and Wolves defeats so we avoid sporting topics in favour of more cheerful discussions about political ineptitude and the prospects of war.

- Beacon Hotel Sign -

Onwards and we’ve business in mind in Upper Gornal where a new micropub (the Stripey Oss) has recently opened on Kent Street precinct, just across the road from the Spills Meadow. A willing 1 gets us there easily enough and we locate the arcade unit which used to be a painting and decorating supplies store. The name alone is a novelty - referencing the Black Country dialect's description for a zebra - so some of the incumbent artwork references said animal, as do posters seeking to set up darts and poker teams. They’ve not been going all that long (I think it first launched in mid-October) so there’s a whiff of fresh paint and DIY to contend with. Cask ales mainly get delivered in readiness for the weekend so although they have an Ickle Brewery clip on show we have to make do with the craft keg stuff this time around, Salt’s Alpacalypse being an amusing take on a sessionable pale ale.

- The Stripey Oss -

A few doors up the road is our old friend the Britannia, purveyor of Bathams beers which means Nick and I might get chance to sample the special XXX beer that eluded us at the Lamp Tavern recently. The longed-for dark bull pumpclip is indeed on display so we linger for a relaxed half, recalling fond memories of our first joint Christmas trip back in 2010 when we took up station in the Games Room. Fifteen whole years on, we’re back once more only this time around we prefer to sit in Sally’s Parlour, a classic unspoiled realm of mottled green leather, framed family portraits and antique cash registers. A sprinkling of festive decorations - an elf on a shelf, a toy workshop, tinsel around the carriage clock - gives a yuletide flavour to make the setting seem even more special.

- Pork Crunch in the Parlour -

Catching the bus back to Wolverhampton, I’m keen to pay an inaugural visit to PACK on Queen Square but it isn't open (their trading hours will apparently settle down once more staff are recruited). The Lych Gate Tavern thus gets summoned from the substitutes bench to fill the void. It’s never a hardship coming here regardless, Nick being eager to give it a whirl especially when we realise the dark ales have Saltaire’s Montezuma Triple Choc Stout among their number. A downstairs seat among the tartan upholstery over on the left works well, it not being overly busy although there are a few folks about. Mr Beardsmore leads us on a Review of the Year, reflecting back on notable events and happenings, including his season-long commitment to watching Warwickshire here there and everywhere.

- Holden's Old Ale -

And finally to the Great Western main event, once I’ve snuck into work to retrieve the all-important calendars from my locker. Ken has been in touch and is joining us after playing whist in Harborne - he certainly gets around does our Mr May - so we find him at the kitchen hatch table just inside the conservatory extension. Following on from Snowflake and the Bathams XXX, I complete the Holy Trinity of local heavy hitters by procuring a pint of treacly deep Holden’s Old Ale (£4.95 a pint and worth every penny) - we’re so lucky to have such notable yuletide brews produced on our doorstep. Various Christmas cards are exchanged and now comes the big moment itself. Stephen first had one of my calendars in 2010 with Nick getting one the year after, so the handover has been a seminal gathering for well over a decade. The 2026 editions feature Mr B flanked by Hove deckchairs, red-nosed Rudolphs and recreating his Friar Tuck role at White Ladies Priory whereas His Highness has Jane frickles, Kenilworth sword poses and bits of bellringing to adorn his wall next year. Cheers!