Chip Foundation Chronicles: WORCESTER

The Chip Foundation's Birthday Wheel of Fortune has rolled Nick's way once more, whereby our resident royal has a longstanding affection for Worcester, the 'Faithful City' which stayed loyal to the Crown during the English Civil War. His Majesty has put together an extensive listing of favourite hostelries he wishes to sample again so let's see how the day unfolds...

- Mr Beardsmore's Pigeon Pose -

Trip Log: Wednesday 2nd September 2026 and believe it or not, this is Episode 98 of the Chip Foundation Chronicles - yep, there really have been that many. Our instructions are to meet at Birmingham New Street where the 10:50 Hereford train departs from Platform 10b; our usual quorum is present and correct, with Ken and Nick comparing coach holiday notes about Great Yarmouth and Torquay while Stephen checks who has won the toss between Hampshire and Warwickshire at Southampton. Upon arrival at Worcester Foregate Street, Mr B is put to work posing with the artworks adorning the railway arches. One mural features a cricket bat and ball alongside Edward Elgar, another has a cartoon ensemble of slightly startled pigeons.

- The Saracen's Head -

This outing is primarily a pubcrawl so we set forth along The Tything with the express intention of making the Dragon our first port of call. Alas its 4 o'clock opening hours mean a return look will be required later on, although Nick has now noticed the Black Country Ales insignia of the nearby Saracens Head. This might not be on his master list but he's intrigued enough to make this our curtain-raiser, claiming Jubilee IPA whereas I dangerously dabble with a Hartlebury Hooker. For an outwardly narrow property the building stretches back a long way, culminating in a newly-relaid skittle alley where Ken and I briefly send the pins a-scattering. Conversation (as it often does) turns to politics with some reflection on Andy Burnham's early days in office.

- Gerry Anderson Annuals -

The weather forecast has been iffy all morning and though we're not expecting any prolonged drenchings, there is a high chance of a pesky shower. Sure enough one such squall blows in as we exit the Saracens and a sheltering stop in Worcester's Museum & Art Gallery is deemed desirable. We'd probably have nipped in regardless of what was on display yet an exhibition dedicated to the Supermarionation creations of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson proves well worth seeing. Their puppet-led shows such as Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, Joe 90 and Space 1999 captivated TV audiences during the 1960s, 1970s and beyond, creating a wonderful sense of nostalgia. Nick even had a pink Lady Penelope dinky car when he was younger, hence we have a fun half hour perusing the toys, marionettes and original merchandise.

- Half Centurion in the Cocky Anchor -

On with the tippling task and there are still a few too many raindrops in the air for our liking. Nick might know Worcester well but he'd not heard of the Cocky Anchor so I request it as a WME wildcard, knowing full well it would meet with royal approval. Broad Street is where we find this quiet little oasis, serving up a very nice drop of Kinver's Half Centurion; I like the pub enough on its downstairs micro merits but it's the Victorian Parlour on the first floor which truly makes it shine - what a setting! Carriage clocks, spindle-backed chairs, wicker basket plants and a murmur of learned conversation make this very special indeed so go if you can. The Crown Wetherspoons over the road has its own charms too but mainly serves as a lunching location today, supplying a combination of all day brunches, ham egg and chips, fishy deals and my Cheese Meltdown burger. Our primary topic of conversation here concerns dietary preferences, HRH eating less meat nowadays whereas Stephen is a devout pork disciple.

- A Stout Fellow is King Charles -

I make that three pubs covered already of which none had been on the HRH hitlist so it's high time we tried one of his chosen taverns. Nick has long held a fascination for the English Civil War which means the King Charles House on New Street is an absolute must to visit. This building played a crucial role in aiding the future king's escape following defeat at the 1651 Battle of Worcester. Nowadays it is an inviting public house with many interesting features, including a deep well and even a dungeon! The thought of banishing Stephen down below is quite tempting but the Warwickshire score is such that Mr B is in a good mood. Beerwise we account for Blackheath Stout and Hobson's Champion Mild, both in very good condition.

- Plough Pals -

Ideally we would have followed the King Charles by calling into its next door neighbour, the Swan with Two Nicks. The name alone meant our very own Nick always held this one in the highest regard, but it seems to have had a rebrand, dropped the Nicks entirely and has joined the craze for battleship grey paintwork. Its opening hours preclude a visit this time around so we troop off to Fish Street where the Plough remains as timeless as ever. I have very happy memories of quietly quaffing quality ales here with cricket commentary on the radio, and our latest encounter yields the Mighty Oak combination of Captain Rog Amber Ale and The Old Man and The Sea Stout. We commandeer a table theoretically reserved for a backgammon team, Ken reading about Worcestershire's cricketing move from Boughton Park to New Road.

- Weavers of Worcester -

Pleased with the unchanging pleasures of the Plough, we finish off by retracing our earlier Tything footsteps. The Dragon Inn has gladly opened its doors and is dispensing the full range of Church End wares, from Goats Milk to Fallen Angel to What the Fox's Hat. Nick has got the taste for the dark stuff again so Stout Coffin is his predictable pick whereas I'm leaning more towards Judge Fudge with its traces of sweetness. Ken and Stephen are content to linger a little longer in the Dragon's embrace so Nick and I form a splinter group to squeeze Weavers in before the train. Part of a family-owned small chain of micropubs, this bar showcases beer from the Fownd Brewery (now based in Kidderminster) and is extremely convenient for railway travellers being directly opposite one of Foregate Street station's exit doors. Orbital Abyss is labelled as a 4% Breakfast Stout and slips down a treat in readiness for the 17:24 departure. What a fine way to celebrate Nick's recent birthday, Worcester never disappoints. 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!

Worcester Waddling and Other D9 Stories...

It's been another very busy week for the Hub Marketing Board with a double round of meeting minutes to place on file. First off came a Wolverhampton evening that had the Chairman and Secretary teaming up for a Penn Fields summit, then came the small matter of trying to capture some waddling Worcester penguins...

- The Jeffcock Road Bald Spot -

We'll commence with Monday 29th July 2024 and a solid slice of suburban Wolverhampton. Mr D9 has positioned himself in the Moon Under Water Wetherspoons, digesting an Exmoor Stag while awaiting the Secretary's arrival, and possibly regrets this speedy pint when running to catch the number 2 bus. We alight on Lea Road among the terraces of Penn Fields, albeit our intended first tandem target of the Bruford Arms is closed on account of having its flooring relaid. Jeffcock Road has the Chairman recalling the days of the former 513 and 514 routes, driving trusty Metrobuses and having a head full of hair. Alas these familiar surroundings are now only able to bear witness to the subsequent decline in his follicle coverage!

- D9 Destroyer in the Bradmore Arms -

Putting aside our Bruford disappointment, we make the Starting Gate our opening port of call instead. This Birches Barn Road micropub goes from strength to strength and has attracted a substantial following for an ordinary Monday evening in July; perhaps the £3.30 Happy Hour prices are part of the magnetism? We partake of Ashby Pale and Kinver's Witchfinder General respectively - the latter a hefty 5.5% stout, just what you need on one of the warmest days of the year. Sitting upstairs, Mr D9 is presented with his 'Toilets of the World' tome and is still delighted with said reading matter when we relocate to the Bradmore Arms for a darts duel.

- The Gunmakers gets into the Olympic spirit -

It's been a little while since we last graced an oche so it's understandable if we're both rusty to put it politely. D9 Destroyer gets his throwing arm into gear more quickly than WME Whirlwind, racing into a 3-0 lead and threatening to dish out a heavy Bradmore beating. The Secretary slowly finds his range though and completes his comeback over in the Gunmakers Arms on the corner of Trysull Road and Church Road. The pub's traditional ambiance here is boosted by Olympic Games bunting willing on Team GB to a variety of medal successes, hence we keep half an eye on the progress of the Men's Gymnastics team final. 

- Golden Glow in Penn Fields Bowling Club -

Our ultimate landing point for this sprightly soiree is the Penn Fields Bowling Club off Coalway Road. We'd visited previously (as part of our Clubbing Crawl in early 2020) so we know what we're letting ourselves in for, namely the homeliest of glorified sheds overlooking two pristine bowling greens. Trophy shelves and musty green fabric seating transports us back in time as we savour Holden's Golden Glow and even treat ourselves to a Sam Smith's Taddy Lager for good measure. Club rulebooks and squad photos add to the flavour and the whole place is wonderfully friendly, with CAMRA members requested to sign the visitor book. Super!

- A Proper Priestfield Cuppa -

Normally that would be quite enough for one week but no, we'll fling ourselves forward into Friday 2nd August which has been specially reserved for the Waddle of Worcester, another of those Wild in Art animal sculpture trails which are always great fun. With 80 potential penguins to find later on, we need a fortifying breakfast so Jean's Cafe in Priestfield gets the nod. A Full Monty each is just the job, loaded up with black pudding, fried slices, bacon rashers and pork sausages - it takes some effort to munch your way through that lot but we're up to the task. The cafe has been a fixture on the corner of Hargreaves Street for many decades while the sepia prints around the walls suggest they have their own fondness for Worcestershire.

- Kingsley the Kaleidoscope Penguin -

Via Priestfield tram stop and The Hawthorns, we progress to Worcester Foregate Street with the train journey being enlivened by the silly songs of the day. We might as well declare them early in order to concentrate on our penguin-plotting mission: for the record, our choices this time around are 'Au Clair Du Lune' by Hattie Jacques and Eric Sykes (faux French warbling), and The Veterans 'I'm Jogging' in honour of Mr D9's choice of red shorts to show off his legs. It's then time for us to get serious about sculptures with 'Kingsley the Kaleidoscope Penguin' presenting a multicoloured appearance outside the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum.

- The Chairman meets a Woolly Waddler -

Castle Street connects us to Croft Road in order to meet 'Silk Snowdrops' by the racecourse gates, swiftly followed by two penguins at the riverside gardens. 'Fisherman's Friend' has a bright yellow mac and a bottle of Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins we presume) whereas 'Woolly Waddler' takes no heed of the boilingly hot temperatures by insisting on wearing his Christmas jumper. Over at The Hive we can make the acquaintance of 'Precious Penguin' in geometric shades of black and white, then the main library entrance is guarded by 'Doodle McZenguin' with its creative mixture of patches, some bright and some more restrained.

- Flappity VIP -

As with many Wild in Art events, the underlying aim is to raise money for local charities, in this case supporting St Richard's Hospice who provide end-of-life care across the county. Several schools have got involved in creating penguin chicks, most of which can be found throughout the Crowngate shopping malls of Chapel Walk and Friary Walk. Among those to catch our eye are 'Flappity VIP' (with artists' beret), 'Penny Lane' (a Beatles-inspired Abbey Road crossing) and 'Arlo' (with Maori patterning). Elsewhere in the city centre, we make sure to locate 'Calvin the Copperplate Penguin' in all his bronzed Friary Street glory, and 'Elgar's Enigma' in tie and waistcoat, a tribute to Worcestershire's legendary composer as stationed at The Cornmarket.

- The New Chequers -

After p-p-picking up around half of the penguin colony, we'll waddle next into some Worcester hostelries. Copenhagen Street is home to the TripelB Belgian Beer Cafe, a continental-styled gem purveying tripels, saisons, iambics and more. We opt for the Liefman's Fruitesse and its highly refreshing hit of berry goodness to cool us down after our travails. Venturing towards Lowesmoor, we note the Alma and the Bridge Inn as standard city centre boozers (the latter being handy for the Worcester & Birmingham Canal) before Rainbow Hill has us ascending  Astwood Road to find the New Chequers near the cemetery roundabout. The Secretary loves his longstanding landmark roadhouses so this ticks a lot of WME boxes, from the two room layout to its setting beside the Brickfields Road railway bridge - the number 35 bus even makes timing point stops right outside. 

- In need of a Good Rest? -

Two more targets to the north of Worcester's main centre await discovery next, with Church Road and Barker Street bringing us promptly to the Goodrest Tavern. We sense this would have been a Banks's number back in the day, part of its car park having been claimed for a Co-op store, but it still does the business for Carling quaffing and an Olympics catch-up; Team GB have won gold in the equestrian showjumping, not a sport we know much about in truth! The Chestnut Tree meanwhile is bounded by Lansdowne Road and Somerset Place in a neat little square. We really like this one, mainly on account of a cracking pint of Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring but also because of its Will Killeen portraits of classic comedy performers such as the Two Ronnies, Barbara Windsor and Steptoe & Son. The presence of sound equipment and a vinyl records library suggests they love their music here too.

 - Eighties Eddie with D9 entourage -

The A38 approaches back into the city centre would make for a serious crawl in its own right, such are the amount of cask options along The Tything and Upper Tything. We can't possibly try them all but make a decent fist of accounting for the Lamb & Flag (a narrow-fronted local institution by all reports, again serving high class Timothy Taylor wares), the Dragon (now owned by Church End Brewery which means Gravediggers Mild is an absolute must) and Black Country Ales's Saracens Head (a recent addition to the BCA portfolio which has been subjected to their usual style of refurbishment). Glugging down a Mr Grundy's Big Willie, we happily retire to Foregate Street for our homeward train but there's just enough time prior to the 17:40 departure for us to say hello to 'Eighties Eddie' complete with lurid tracksuit and a sizeable zip. The event runs until 15th September so more waddling may ensue deeper into the summer holidays, but for now we've made a very enjoyable start. Cheers!