August 2026. Coventry.
I thought I’d picked an ambitious crawl around Coventry last Wednesday, and so it proved as we tackled the wonderful terraced pubs of Chapelfields.
Never mind a “scratch ‘n’ sniff” edition of this blog; you need something on your laptop to give you a whoosh of 33 degree heat* as you approach the Nursery Tavern.
This one isn’t in the GBG, yet, but since it’s recently been “Black Country Ale’d” it’s bound to be soon, and frankly the group photo could have been taken in any one of their fifty-odd pubs.
This was the pub where a major argument broke out over the quality of Deacon Blue’s “Real Gone Kid” **,
in another ’80s soundtrack obssessed BCA.
Yes, they’re a bit formulaic architecturally, and sometimes appear to have a few too many beers on (though the BFG here was very good) and that electronic display board isn’t everyone’s favourite, but…
What fantastic service. Wickingman reckons 91 year old Jim has a shout for my Pub Man of the Year; the rather younger barmaid here will be strong competition.
I often tell you that young people will save the world (I don’t know how); this lady was enthusiastic, chatty and a great advert for pubs as well as Black Country Ales.
“Just because she offered you a free slice of black pudding with your batch, RM“.
“Batch ? That’s a cob….etc. etc.“.
“More food !!! On top of THAT lunch ?“.
But it wasn’t just that, it was the automatic top up, the comment on the cob and crisp matching, the works.
Pub of the Day.
*Brits are complaining about the rain now
**A song about my all-time hero (exc. Mrs RM), but not their greatest
retiredmartin 
Pub of the Day – because, despite the batch, none could match the Lamb and Fountain four days earlier.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pub of the Day because of the service with a smile (and a black pudding slice). I had similar service from a young man in the Prince of Wales in Birmingham last year, so Black Country pubs must recruit and train well.
LikeLike
I just wish Black Country would choose a new wallpaper. I don’t mind the TV beer lists ( a couple of local free houses here in North Staffs also have them ) but did they get that wallpaper in a massive joblot?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well yes, but at least they paste it the right way up – unlike a pub in Eccleshall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard a lady praising the friendliness of Shrewsbury and Joules pubs on LBC radio last night but I don’t think she pronounced it correctly (Shrewsbury or Joules).
LikeLike
I don’t think there is a correct pronunciation of either Shewsbury or Jowls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a relief.
LikeLike
Not Shrews, not Shrows, but Shoes.
Jowls not Jewels.
LikeLike
Why did nearly everyone here pronounce Dionne Warwick’s name as if we were Americans?
LikeLike
Is it a William Morris knock off?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a lot of it about. I’m sure gentlefolk who don’t go in dozens of BCAs really like it.
LikeLike
You and your cronies are the only gentlefolk in Black Country pubs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I recently saw an example of it in the house at Mount Priory, near Northallerton, and that explains why I had a sudden urge for a pint of Gravedigger and a corned beef roll/bap/batch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, from Wrexham Wallpaper World as a joblot. Spoons are far more diverse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oi mate. I gotta nice Bass mirror, take its place lovely with that wallpaper.
LikeLiked by 1 person