retiredmartin

February 2026. Aldridge. Walsall.

What can possibly compete with a wet Sunday in Letchworth ?

Why, a wet Tuesday in Greater Walsall, of course. Where would I rather be than a shopping arcade in Aldridge, ruminating on my culinary options.

Pig & Potato from the Pig & Potato, Sizzlin’ Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken from the Sizzlin’ Crown,

or Spoons.

It speaks of the addictive draw of the Spoons Korean chicken that I choose the Avion, where I’m reminded that Aldridge is another mining town. Someone will tell me that Wokingham had mines next.

The Avion, a name that always makes me start sing Bryan Ferry’s “Avalon” for no good reason, was an Art Deco cinema (hey ! another one !),

and the typical Spoons displays commemorate visits from some of the great crooners of yore.

Yes, Des O’Connor visited, possibly after a Northampton Town fixture at Fellows Park.

A mixed crowd, almost the “cultural melting pot” that Walsall CAMRA used to describe pubs of all races meet to, er, drink.

I’m starting cautiously, with one of those Erdinger non-alcoholic isotonic bottles.

You can actually see the isotonic in the bubble on the top of the bottle.

And you can see the goodness in that bowl of crispy Korean chicken. Mmmm.