The Hub Marketing Christmas 2024

It seems an eternity since the Hub Marketing Board last staged one of our exploring sessions, what with the Waddle of Worcester back in early August being our most recent meeting. The Chairman has been laid up recovering from an operation - hence the gap in outings - but declares himself fighting fit for a Christmas summit, in which case we're all bound for Birmingham...

- Zimmer Frame at the ready -

It's great to see Mr D9 again after his spell of recuperation as a Bradley Lane rendezvous has us in position for a tram ride across to Winson Green Outer Circle. Nineveh Road presents a succession of terraced houses and discarded furniture, although even with his health travails we wouldn't think the Chairman is in need of a walking frame just yet. Ignoring the abandoned wardrobes and dressing tables, we cast a glance at one of our favourite old shopfronts in the guise of J. Houghton Ltd's television repair unit - it's been shut for many a long year but still retains Grundig and Blaupunkt stickers on its windows.

- The Hub Calendar 2025 is unveiled -

Just over the road is the Hockley Brook, a Desi Bar and Grill which takes its name from the adjacent water course. Formerly the Handsworth Central Club, this impressive establishment features a large restaurant/function suite and a smaller lobby bar. We settle in with an opening pint of Carling each to complete the ceremonial handing-over of the Hub Marketing calendar. The 2025 edition features Combermere closet trees, Louis Armstrong portraits and a few penguin poses, not to mention guest appearances from mascots Gary Woo and George.

- Grinchlike Driving on the 101 -

Talking of George, our resident fluffy feline toy joins the party when we board the number 101 bus for a trundle into the heart of Birmingham. Secretary WME hadn't been on this route for years so he rather relishes getting the chance to see Lodge Road and the Jewellery Quarter again, even if the back end of Winson Green Prison is hardly the most inviting of settings. We haven't had a D9 drive for a while so the Chairman dons his 'Bah Humbug' black Santa hat whilst doing the necessary steering demonstrations. 

- 'Donner' at Cathedral Square -

Alighting on Colmore Row, we pitch headlong into some festive sightseeing courtesy of the latest sculptural trail to hit the centre of Brum. The Birmingham BID Business Improvement District has once again come up trumps with this year's theme being reindeer (as opposed to any snowmen, snowdogs or penguins). 'Donner' duly awaits inspection at Cathedral Square, boasting a gift-box design with plum pudding eyes and candy cane swirls among the sausage shacks. There are nine deer to find in total and they stay on display until 6th January.

- The Pigeon in the Park -

As you might expect, the office Christmas party season is in full swing with many of the pubs in and around Colmore Row absolutely packed to the rafters. We manage to squeeze into the Roebuck and the Old Royal without too much difficulty, the latter having horse racing on the big screens and table reservations for the mysterious Natalie. One novelty drinking haunt we thought we'd try is the Pigeon in the Park, a pop-up bar next to the Cathedral. It's not cheap, even for plastic glass halves of Carling and Blue Moon, but it is fun sitting up top watching all the festive fun taking place around you, plus D9 gets a bonus orange segment to chew on.

- The Secretary meets 'Cupid' -

Our second reindeer discovery requests our presence in the Great Western Arcade, hence 'Cupid' is on hand to greet us with his suitably romantic disposition (having a heart-shaped nose is a nice touch alongside a full quiver of arrows). Whilst in the vicinity, we can't resist checking out the Good Intent as set up by Craddocks Brewery as a not-for-profit concern. Even without the charitable emphasis this is a special place, perfect for getting away from those shopping throngs by supping Cast Iron Stout in the upstairs recesses.

- Canned contemplation in the Belle Vue -

No Hub Marketing Birmingham Bash would be complete without an inner-city discovery or two, so we round off our reunion with a ride on the 82 towards Edgbaston Reservoir. Icknield Port Road is home to the Belle Vue, an ex-Ansells boozer just across the road from a Science of Spirituality Meditation Centre. In this instance, the Chairman's contemplative tendencies are reserved for pondering a can of Carling in disco vibe surroundings, the pub being one of that dying breed of no-nonsense locals you simply don't come across as often these days. Cheers!

An Early Autumn Assortment (2024)

Leaving aside last week's raid on my photographic back catalogue, the last you heard from me in an explorational sense was at the Tamworth Beer Festival so what else have I been up to in September? The 2024 County Championship cricket season is nearing its denouement (with Warwickshire inching away from peril almost despite themselves) and I've been on the prowl for even more animal artistry - time for a catch-up post?

- Play Underway at New Road -

It's fair to say that 2024 hasn't been a vintage year for the Bears with only one Championship win to their name all season. True they have accumulated a high proportion of draws but were nevertheless perched a little too close to the relegation trapdoor by the time the derby fixture at New Road rolled around. Stephen and I were there to see the second and third days play with Worcestershire definitely in the ascendancy, the home side boosted by Tom Taylor's career-best bowling figures of 6/28 in dismissing Warwickshire for a limp 128 all out.

- Blue Penguin -

Solace from such batting aberrations came in the form of more Waddle of Worcester penguins as I added to the initial haul I'd located with Mr D9 in August. This time around Stephen and I had the pleasure of meeting 'Little Blue Makes A Wish' in Cripplegate Park, followed by two riverside specimens along Bromwich Parade ('The Swan', so styled to support the Severn's swan sanctuary designation, and 'Doing the Worcester Wiggle' with an emphasis on tropical fish decoration). A particularly nice find awaited on the opposite bank where 'Blue Penguin' is based on picture book illustrations and celebrates the importance of friendship. 

- Chocolate Sponge -

Made to follow on, Warwickshire admittedly made a better fist of their second innings with Alex Davies (65) and an unbeaten century from ex-skipper Will Rhodes ensuring the match would finish up as a rain-affected draw. Worcestershire might think they were slightly robbed by the weather but the Bears had restored parity by the time the terminal precipitation arrived; one crucial treat that must not be overlooked was being able to sample cake from the Ladies Pavilion, a New Road tradition that has assumed legendary status. A generous slice of chocolate sponge was more than enough to keep me very satisfied!

- OHD appeals for LBW -

And so we move on to the final home game of the season, an Edgbaston clash against Essex which could hardly have gone much worse from a Bears batting perspective. 78 all out gave Warwickshire a mountain to climb, even though the bowlers did relatively well to restrict the visitors to 232 in reply. Oliver Hannon-Dalby has been a shining light leading the attack all season and claimed two early wickets, including the scalp of South African test match opener Dean Elgar. Craig Miles and Ed Barnard were also in on the wicket-taking action but a breezy 69 from Shane Snater would prove crucial in setting up an easy Essex innings victory.

- The Pub at Moseley -

Disappointed about such feeble scorecard impressions, we at least cheered ourselves up with talk of childhood television memories and by teasing Ken Peakman about his West Bromwich Albion allegiances. An evening investigating Moseley's fine hostelries also helped to lift our collective spirits, starting with The Pub at Moseley on the Alcester Road/St Mary's Row traffic lights; previously known as Bohemian (and The Junction before that), this is the sister venue to an emerging chain of similarly titled establishments in Bearwood and Kings Heath. A solid Belhaven Best at £2.90 a pint proved considerably cheaper than the prices being quoted for Carling inside Edgbaston Stadium, that's for sure!

- "One Rather Likes Jaipur" -

Elsewhere in Moseley, we checked out the craft credentials of the Dark Horse for the liquid Crunchie bar that is Blue Monkey's Cinder Toffee Stout - even Stephen was able to sniff out its pronounced honeycomb fragrance from several paces away. The evening was rounded off in style at our old friend the Prince of Wales, which showcased all of its community qualities by hosting writing group meetings and Irish music rehearsals. Whether Nick and Ken would be dab hands with a tin whistle remains to be seen but they did approve of their halves of Jaipur, a Thornbridge tipple that always goes down well where our own resident royal is concerned.

- Well Active Bear -

The fact Warwickshire contrived to lose to Essex in barely a day and a half meant that Mr B and I were at something of a loose end come Friday 20th September. I couldn't say whether Handsworth would normally be high on the list of potential Beardsmore destinations but the promise of a different kind of bear lured us along Nineveh Road and Grove Lane to reach Handsworth Park, a prime example of a Victorian public space which first opened in 1888. Features of note include a bandstand and boating lake but we were primarily interested in a couple of Big Sleuth sculptures which are on permanent display here, beginning with 'Well Active Bear' who depicts various exercising poses outside the local leisure centre. 

- Handsworth Cricket Club -

Our second sleuthing specimen guards the Community Garden near the Holly Road railings, with 'Sun Guardian' standing sentry over the flowerbeds in all his boldly-patterned glory. Both bears are part of the Handsworth Park Public Arts Trail which also comprises carved tree trunk seating, a 'Memory Chest' installation, and the Here & Now bench created specifically for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In between admiring these al fresco exhibits, we made sure to wander over to the Handsworth Cricket Club which boasts a breezeblock pavilion and some practice nets within the wider park grounds. Stephen assured me that despite his extensive umpiring experience, this was his first time visiting this particular cricketing location.

- Remembering Benjamin Zephaniah -

As if we hadn't seen enough already, Handsworth Park's artistic attractions extended to two excellent murals celebrating black culture. The first of these was a montage celebrating local reggae acts from Apache Indian and Pato Banton to Ranking Roger and Musical Youth, while the second was a moving tribute to people's poet Benjamin Zephaniah who sadly passed away in 2023. Adorning the Sons of Rest building, the latter contains a salient quote stating "the people of Handsworth want liberty but that must come through unity and that must come through harmony, through you and me, through I and you". 

- Bemused Beardsmore beside the Astle Gates -

Having marched poor Stephen across most of Handsworth Wood, our efforts are rewarded with a bacon and egg sandwich at the Wattville Cafe greasy spoon followed by a memorable pint at the Royal Oak, a Holyhead Road Desi bar and grill which does much to remember the late hip hop musician Sidhu Moose Wala. Against our better judgement, we concluded our ramble at The Hawthorns home of Wolves' fierce Black Country footballing rivals. A sighting of Tony Bomber Brown's statue was fair enough although Mr B seemed less sure about posing next to the Jeff Astle Gates (which incidentally immortalise Albion's 1968 FA Cup-winning goalscorer). It was deemed best for all concerned that we swiftly caught our tram in case either of us became too indoctrinated in the ways of blue and white stripes. Cheers!