Some of my solo adventures are planned in some detail, whereas for others I just make it up as I go along. Yesterday's outing definitely comes under the latter category, an off-the-cuff ramble into Staffordshire and Dudley.
My first port of call was Penn, where I was able to say goodbye to the Battle of Britain pub on Birchwood Road. The smoking ban and rising alcohol prices have put paid to many local pubs, the Battle of Britain sadly being one of many to close. It was with some sadness that I took a selection of photos as builders set about demolishing the pub - local history in action I guess, but I doubt the apartments scheduled for the site will have quite the same landmark status.
Next was a walk across Penn Common to explore Gospel End. I discovered the Barley Mow pub tucked away by the clubhouse of Penn Golf Club, and also diverted back into Wolverhampton territory momentarily for a photo of the Old Stag's Head. Gospel End itself added nicely to my ever-growing collection of South Staffordshire villages, although there wasn't too much of interest save for Baggeridge Country Park and the Summerhouse pub.
My walk continued from Gospel End to Sedgley, where I caught the 224 down to Woodsetton for photos of the Cottage Spring and Bramford Arms. Next came Swan Village, with the traditional looking Swan Inn, then I made my way round by the Pie Factory before joining the Birmingham Main Line Canal at Factory Junction. From here to Coseley Tunnel was new canal exploration for me, an intriguing section of canal that yielded views of Beans Foundry, a renowned landmark that now lies derelict amongst industrial wasteland, and a glimpse of the towering Wallbrook Bridge.
Lunchtime saw me in Coseley, tucking into a bite to eat whilst looking out over the avenue of remembrance, a nice location at which to catch my breath again. My feet were given further chance to recover as I caught the 283 into Merry Hill - I really enjoyed the ride, catching a glimpse of the Lodge Farm estate round the back end of Netherton. My stay at Merry Hill was only brief, as I was soon on the 210 route for the short ride up to Brierley Hill. The route is another that is soon to disappear, and at least I can now say I've been on it, even just for five minutes.
From Brierley Hill it was back to the walking with a stroll down to Kingswinford. I took the opportunity to have a closer look at Bromley, including a peek at the Fens Pools and photos of more boarded-up pubs The Fish and The Commercial. Standhills Road took me down into Kingswinford Village for a final flurry of photos focusing on the Bell and Manor Park, and I finished off another fine outing with a ride back to Wolverhampton on the 256.
So there it is, a further addition to the Dudley area series that I've been working on lately. Considering I was only planning on being out for a couple of hours, the trip ended up filling in the whole day as I just kept on walking. Spontaneous exploring just as it should be!
Saturday, April 19
Saturday, April 12
Fifty for WME Worcestershire
It seems ages since I've had a WME landmark to tell you about, so I'm delighted to report that another little milestone has been successfully achieved - what's more, it's one of the smaller galleries that's got reason to celebrate! WME Worcestershire has broken through the 50 photo barrier at long last, meaning that the gallery has effectively come of age, moving from a fledgling development project to something with a little more substance.
As always with Worcestershire, the new photos are rail orientated. The key developments are a couple of new collections - Redditch Station features a train photo and a station view for starters, whilst the Bewdley Station collection presents some of the evocative flavour of yesteryear that comes as standard with the Severn Valley Railway. In the forlorn hope of providing some balance, a token non-rail addition is provided with Upper Severn Bridge at Stourport joining the Staffs & Worcs Canal.
Whilst WME Worcestershire should rightfully claim the headlines, my busiest gallery of late has actually been Exploration Extra, and not before time too having spent the early part of the year being completely ignored. Amongst the new content there are seaside photos of Mevagissey Harbour on Cornwall 2004, a selection of Beeston Station views on Rail Rover 2006, and an array of Devon 2006 additions including Teignmouth Pier, station views at Paignton and Totnes, and a look at the local Exeter bus network as Route K visits Countess Wear. After a spell of winter hibernation, the gallery has burst back into life again come the spring.
Things have been quieter elsewhere but its worth noting a sprinkling of new content as this post draws to a close. WME Wolverhampton receives neat photos of Ashmore Park Library and Spring Hill shops amongst others; a useful view of Yorks Bridge near Pelsall joins the Wyrley & Essington collection on WME Walsall; and finally, familiar WME Staffordshire locations such as Hyde Lock and Wombourne Station make their latest reappearances. The next WME landmark announcemount thus edges ever closer...
As always with Worcestershire, the new photos are rail orientated. The key developments are a couple of new collections - Redditch Station features a train photo and a station view for starters, whilst the Bewdley Station collection presents some of the evocative flavour of yesteryear that comes as standard with the Severn Valley Railway. In the forlorn hope of providing some balance, a token non-rail addition is provided with Upper Severn Bridge at Stourport joining the Staffs & Worcs Canal.
Whilst WME Worcestershire should rightfully claim the headlines, my busiest gallery of late has actually been Exploration Extra, and not before time too having spent the early part of the year being completely ignored. Amongst the new content there are seaside photos of Mevagissey Harbour on Cornwall 2004, a selection of Beeston Station views on Rail Rover 2006, and an array of Devon 2006 additions including Teignmouth Pier, station views at Paignton and Totnes, and a look at the local Exeter bus network as Route K visits Countess Wear. After a spell of winter hibernation, the gallery has burst back into life again come the spring.
Things have been quieter elsewhere but its worth noting a sprinkling of new content as this post draws to a close. WME Wolverhampton receives neat photos of Ashmore Park Library and Spring Hill shops amongst others; a useful view of Yorks Bridge near Pelsall joins the Wyrley & Essington collection on WME Walsall; and finally, familiar WME Staffordshire locations such as Hyde Lock and Wombourne Station make their latest reappearances. The next WME landmark announcemount thus edges ever closer...
Saturday, April 5
Fatherless Barn, Cradley and Hill Top
I've done some good outings recently, but yesterday's was especially enjoyable as I investigated a few more Dudley bus routes before venturing over into Sandwell territory...
First up was the 270 for a ride from Bilston to Dudley - the route is due to be withdrawn, and provided intriguing reminders of Daisy Bank and Wallbrook, with a glimpse of Coseley Swimming Baths for good measure. From Dudley it was onto the 244 to Hasbury, with Baptist End and Hawne particularly catching my eye as being worthy of further investigation.
After various twists and turns through the estates of Hasbury and Hayley Green, the bus dropped me off on Lutley Lane and I began one of my now customary epic walks. Photo targets included the Foxhunt and the Rose & Crown as I made my way along Hagley Road, before branching off up Albert Road past the Button Factory. I emerged onto Drews Holloway and braved the climb uphill to get a photo of the Round of Beef and catch a glimpse of Windmill Hill's shops and post office.
From here I ventured into the Fatherless Barn estate - I could vaguely recall riding through on a 247 or 248, but this was my first proper look. The undulations were putting me off to begin with, but my mood improved after getting a photo of the 210 on Meres Road. I also found the local shops and the Smiths Arms pub to add to the photo count, and came away pleased to have another little piece of the Black Country ticked off and accounted for.
It was now approaching lunchtime so I press on towards Colley Gate, pausing momentarily for a look at the Broadstone pub before heading down Tanhouse Lane. Colley Gate itself is familiar from the No. 9 bus, and I busied myself getting photos of pubs such as the Chainmaker, the Gate and the Chop House.
Perhaps my favourite part of the day came as I ventured into Cradley. I added to my library collection by calling into Cradley Library on Colley Lane, before enjoying a cracking lunch by the war memorial on yet another hill. The pub photos continued with the Old Crown (closed and looking rather forlorn) and the Vine, and I even had a little look at Netherend for shots of the Unitarian chapel and Netherend Square. I arrived at Cradley Heath Interchange with slightly aching feet and was glad of a sit down as the 404A took me off to West Bromwich.
The afternoon's antics centred on exploring Black Lake and Hill Top, starting with a few photos at the Metro stop. The feet were soon suffering again, but the local knowledge I gained was more than adequate compensation. Pub discoveries included the New Talbot, the Globe (heading out towards Harvills Hawthorn), the Dovecote (opposite the local library), and a motley collection down Witton Lane way that included the Junction and some other pub with Albion flags outside that I decided not to bother with for obvious reasons!! The library itself was also intriguing - housed in an impressive former police building with Hill Top Park round the back, the library occupies a tiny little room and is apparently being threatened with closure. I then finished off with a stroll down Holloway Bank and along the industrial grimness that is Potters Lane before arriving at Wednesbury Great Western Metro stop for my tram back to Bilston.
A busy day, making the most of some nice weather for a change and uncovering more of the Black Country in the process. The forthcoming Dudley network changes have certainly given me a great excuse to indulge in some fine trips of late, and I look forward to investigating some of the new routes once the revised network is in place.
First up was the 270 for a ride from Bilston to Dudley - the route is due to be withdrawn, and provided intriguing reminders of Daisy Bank and Wallbrook, with a glimpse of Coseley Swimming Baths for good measure. From Dudley it was onto the 244 to Hasbury, with Baptist End and Hawne particularly catching my eye as being worthy of further investigation.
After various twists and turns through the estates of Hasbury and Hayley Green, the bus dropped me off on Lutley Lane and I began one of my now customary epic walks. Photo targets included the Foxhunt and the Rose & Crown as I made my way along Hagley Road, before branching off up Albert Road past the Button Factory. I emerged onto Drews Holloway and braved the climb uphill to get a photo of the Round of Beef and catch a glimpse of Windmill Hill's shops and post office.
From here I ventured into the Fatherless Barn estate - I could vaguely recall riding through on a 247 or 248, but this was my first proper look. The undulations were putting me off to begin with, but my mood improved after getting a photo of the 210 on Meres Road. I also found the local shops and the Smiths Arms pub to add to the photo count, and came away pleased to have another little piece of the Black Country ticked off and accounted for.
It was now approaching lunchtime so I press on towards Colley Gate, pausing momentarily for a look at the Broadstone pub before heading down Tanhouse Lane. Colley Gate itself is familiar from the No. 9 bus, and I busied myself getting photos of pubs such as the Chainmaker, the Gate and the Chop House.
Perhaps my favourite part of the day came as I ventured into Cradley. I added to my library collection by calling into Cradley Library on Colley Lane, before enjoying a cracking lunch by the war memorial on yet another hill. The pub photos continued with the Old Crown (closed and looking rather forlorn) and the Vine, and I even had a little look at Netherend for shots of the Unitarian chapel and Netherend Square. I arrived at Cradley Heath Interchange with slightly aching feet and was glad of a sit down as the 404A took me off to West Bromwich.
The afternoon's antics centred on exploring Black Lake and Hill Top, starting with a few photos at the Metro stop. The feet were soon suffering again, but the local knowledge I gained was more than adequate compensation. Pub discoveries included the New Talbot, the Globe (heading out towards Harvills Hawthorn), the Dovecote (opposite the local library), and a motley collection down Witton Lane way that included the Junction and some other pub with Albion flags outside that I decided not to bother with for obvious reasons!! The library itself was also intriguing - housed in an impressive former police building with Hill Top Park round the back, the library occupies a tiny little room and is apparently being threatened with closure. I then finished off with a stroll down Holloway Bank and along the industrial grimness that is Potters Lane before arriving at Wednesbury Great Western Metro stop for my tram back to Bilston.
A busy day, making the most of some nice weather for a change and uncovering more of the Black Country in the process. The forthcoming Dudley network changes have certainly given me a great excuse to indulge in some fine trips of late, and I look forward to investigating some of the new routes once the revised network is in place.
Monday, March 31
Don't Give Up The Day Job!
Just a brief note now to report back on a little Rog adventure last Saturday, during which we added to our collection of local Black Country pubs and I even set foot behind the bar!
After a morning spent lurking around Stourbridge, we headed up to Amblecote and found ourselves in The Swan on Brettell Lane. Its the kind of pub I really enjoy visiting, a traditional local providing a nice afternoon pint of Snake Oil and an escape from the rain. Unfortunately I wasn't able to escape Metallica on the jukebox, but I did get my own back with a blast of Adam Faith - Rog still hasn't quite recovered!
It was raining even more when we left The Swan, so we decided to go a few doors up the road to try out the Starving Rascal. Again it was quiet, and we could enjoy watching the cycling and sampling some Old Speckled Hen - I think I'm developing a taste for beer after a few years on the cider. Our exploits continued in the newly re-opened Bell back in Stourbridge, where for a fleeting moment I found myself behind the bar grappling with one of the pumps as Rog narrowly avoided hysterics whilst taking a photo as evidence. A very rare sighting indeed!
After a morning spent lurking around Stourbridge, we headed up to Amblecote and found ourselves in The Swan on Brettell Lane. Its the kind of pub I really enjoy visiting, a traditional local providing a nice afternoon pint of Snake Oil and an escape from the rain. Unfortunately I wasn't able to escape Metallica on the jukebox, but I did get my own back with a blast of Adam Faith - Rog still hasn't quite recovered!
It was raining even more when we left The Swan, so we decided to go a few doors up the road to try out the Starving Rascal. Again it was quiet, and we could enjoy watching the cycling and sampling some Old Speckled Hen - I think I'm developing a taste for beer after a few years on the cider. Our exploits continued in the newly re-opened Bell back in Stourbridge, where for a fleeting moment I found myself behind the bar grappling with one of the pumps as Rog narrowly avoided hysterics whilst taking a photo as evidence. A very rare sighting indeed!
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