14th April 2023.
The centrepiece of our Big Brum Bender was NOT, as you might have thought, the trophy room at Villa Park, but rather a recently re-opened heritage pub gem a few yards away.
Shamefully, I’d popped in here last for an emergency comfort break, and owed it some belated custom.
The Bartons Arms (also known as Barton Arms after one of the Barton twins went missing, according to What Pub) is one of those pubs that a lot of pub folk know but few use.
And the pub itself does a decent job of hiding its treasures behind a bushel ball.
But here it is, awaiting clicking of Kentish Paul‘s camera.
Paul and Nick and LAF too better photos than I did, and I think I took the same ones I did when I nipped in for a wee in 2019,
but if anything it looked even better than ever. Getting out of the rain helped.
Two beers (is plenty, often etc etc),
particularly when one of them is an immaculately cool and rich Citra (3.5) avoided by the anti-Citra squad in our group.
And the Thai lunch deal (ribs and Massaman) was also superb, although the odd and fluid rules about “having to order it in the restaurant, no actually the bar is OK, actually not sure” were a bit weird,
No-one had told us that Paul was celebrating a major milestone. He doesn’t look a day over 38.
The Visitors book recalls the Slade classic “Far Far Away”,
but my inscription, no doubt treasured by the staff, notes Bonnie Tyler.
What can it possibly mean ? Stafford Paul will surely know.
retiredmartin 
That room kind of takes the breath away. Wow.
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Love The Barton Arms, your pics don’t do in justice, spend many a Saturday afternoon here, brilliant architecture and a good selection of beers.
I haven’t been here for far too long, must revisit soon.
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You’re absolutely right, Matt; the photos don’t do justice. I reckon I did better on the previous visit, see below;
https://retiredmartin.com/2019/12/18/an-elegant-loo-stop/
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“avoided by the anti-Citra squad” !!!!!!!
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Don’t take it personally
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The anti-Citra squad are attempting to convert him to the joys of Bass.
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“The Visitors book recalls the Slade classic “Far Far Away”,” regarded as their best record by Noddy Holder who is related to Mrs Mudgie though, no, neither she nor I could answer “What can it possibly mean ?”
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Great piece – loved the note in the visitors book and the line about Paul’s 39th Birthday made me chuckle! I was definitely in the Citra fan club (I think…)
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