retiredmartin

Definitely a Cream track off Disraeli Gears, I think.

5th December 2022.

I walked the B6292 from central Radcliffe to the New Inn. I really did.

Look ! Here’s proof.

Handsome church, stately town hall,

weird statues that look like they belong in Bromsgrove.

and after 20 minutes the New Inn, the very definition of the suburban red brick boozer.

It opens in five, just time to note the ongoing conversion of an old mill, presumably into a Brunning & Price flats.

Those five minutes are enough for the light to come on, the door open,

and inside a longstanding landlord welcomes me to the bar.

For the second time in a week, I resist the Doom Bar, possibly because this feels like an “Ossett house” even if it isn’t.

I congratulate the guvnor on getting in the Beer Guide, he’s thrilled and tells me it’s taken 21 years, and take a bench seat to watch the interminable extra time at Japan v Croatia.

The White Rat, a bellwether pint is cool, clean and crisp; NBSS 3.5 of anyone’s scoring (just scored before the Tand chases me).

Perfectly matched with the Wotsits, I feel.

You always wonder if you’ll be on your own for the duration, but within 10 minutes there’s half a dozen in, so 4pm opening seems to work. It’s great. What took it so long to grace the Guide.

Suddenly, my phone starts buzzing. Have you seen the Telegraph ?

Time to make a dash for it before I get spotted.