The demise of Boring Brown Bitters, replaced by a sea of exotic craft, is much overstated. Particularly in the suburbs of the Black Country. What Oxley lacks in architectural interest it makes up for with an ability to get you lost, always a bonus. The Claregate is right on the border with Staffordshire, except of course… Continue reading BANKS’S AT SOURCE
Tag: Staffordshire
MANIFOLD CONTRASTS
Nowadays children at Cottenham Village College get to go to China, Berlin and Peterborough for their expensive research trips into modern beer production. Back in ’78 it was Ilam Hall or nothing. I remember the highlight was being allowed to stay up to watch the Home International highlights with teachers well beyond 10pm. I presume it’s… Continue reading MANIFOLD CONTRASTS
BASS AT ITS BEST, NEARLY
Just outside Lichfield in the village of Whittington is the parish church of St Giles where I once attended the wedding of one of Mrs RM’s Uni friends. It cost about a zillion times more than our own wedding; I think her Dad owned the salt mine. I’m sure Mrs RM wants to tell me off… Continue reading BASS AT ITS BEST, NEARLY
LICHFIELD – TIRED OF MICROPUBS, TIRED OF LIFE
“Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms”. Samuel Johnson, on completing the 1770 Good Beer Guide. What a wonderfully underrated little place Lichfield is. There’s not much to do, but its streets are made for walking. Mostly into the back of slow… Continue reading LICHFIELD – TIRED OF MICROPUBS, TIRED OF LIFE
JCBS, TREES AND PEDIGREES
If Middlesex is my least favourite modern county (alright then, it’s really Bedfordshire), then Staffordshire is only bettered by Lancashire. Hopefully someone will start a motion at CAMRA’s AGM to re-establish the old county boundaries in future Beer Guides; that would really upset the applecart in Liverpool. It takes a bit of adventure to appreciate the appeal of… Continue reading JCBS, TREES AND PEDIGREES
IS HANLEY CATCHING UP ?
There aren’t many people with a good word for the Potteries towns, even among it’s many escapees, but Mrs RM and myself (and my parents) love the place. Clearly it helps if you like gritty urban walks, basic pubs and calorific foods, but this is also one of our greenest cities, with some of our most interesting… Continue reading IS HANLEY CATCHING UP ?
AN EMERGENCY VISITORS GUIDE TO TAMWORTH
For the benefit of our Black Country correspondent A quick guide to the many merits of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia, which seem to be lost on the current Rough Guide, Lonely Planet and Fodor’s. I could certainly recommend an overnighter, particularly if the Premier Inn is available cheaply. Ignore Tamworth‘s traditional draws, an attractive… Continue reading AN EMERGENCY VISITORS GUIDE TO TAMWORTH
ALREWAS
Yesterday I had a day out with Dad in Alrewas, visiting the National Memorial Arboretum. One of the highlights of retirement is the opportunity to spend time exploring with parents, as long as you can avoid taking up golf. The Arboretum is a site of remembrance and reflection, and particularly poignant for Dad, who still… Continue reading ALREWAS
KINVER
One of my venues for catching up with ex-colleagues is the small Staffordshire town of Kinver. It’s only a few miles from the Black Country towns of Wolverhampton and Dudley, with the affluence of the many attractive villages leading out to the Shropshire hills. Kinver is worth a visit for its wonderful National Trust caves,… Continue reading KINVER
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