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31-03-2024, 23:01
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/wrapping-up-black-country-or-part-of-it.html)
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We’ve reached the final part of the other Friday’s amazingtour around some of the Black Country’s finest pubs, and we pick up the storyfrom outside Sedgley’s Beacon Hotel, where Stafford Paul and I said farewell toRetired Martin. A short walk back to the A459 then ensued, followed by a bus inthe opposite direction to that which we’d travelled on earlier. Our destinationwas the Britannia Inn at Upper Gornal, the second Batham’s pub of the day andone which, like the first, didn’t disappoint either.
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We arrived shortly before 4pm, although somewhat foolishly Ifailed to take a photo of the pub’s exterior. Having already diced with deathonce, whilst crossing the busy main road outside the Britannia, I didn’t fancymy chances a second time, so readers will have to make do with some shots ofthe rear of the building, along with plenty of the amazing interior. The mainbar at the front of the pub was buzzing and packed with a good mixed crowd ofdrinkers winding down at the end of the working week. This particular part ofthe pub was formerly a butcher's shop, but was incorporated into the mainbuilding, by Batham’s when they took over the place in 1997.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZR8ijnCylumaj-aTnFgUfFOR8jJ-RExw-Z0wshdeFnkmKmB3_Kbzq9vZ5k93fXY1wCCpdprIOLm06RXZe1i _ZtbmL74cTfD3KDEjo5M2xw7xDKL_1oTZS0HsGn9-rXw9OzcxYQNPu4-xrCOTR4rjMZEv5b66xQcsyiiCeKPwWOBydC0CYR75yNrEYtQ/w400-h225/Britannia%20Brew%20house.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZR8ijnCylumaj-aTnFgUfFOR8jJ-RExw-Z0wshdeFnkmKmB3_Kbzq9vZ5k93fXY1wCCpdprIOLm06RXZe1i _ZtbmL74cTfD3KDEjo5M2xw7xDKL_1oTZS0HsGn9-rXw9OzcxYQNPu4-xrCOTR4rjMZEv5b66xQcsyiiCeKPwWOBydC0CYR75yNrEYtQ/s4000/Britannia%20Brew%20house.jpg)
With the two Batham’s stalwarts of Best Bitter and Mild onthe bar, I opted for the former, whilst Paul stuck with the latter. The BestBitter was every bit as good as it was at the Vine.Paul was keen for me to seethe taproom at the rear of the pub, which forms an important part of theBritannia’s nationally important and historic, interior. Upon inquiringdiscovered he the room was closed, to the time being. The reason for the closurewas the taproom was being used to interview potential bar staff and would re-opento the public at 4.30pm.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyISwXso76I2HXpmco565W5_WElWK9R9nFs6iJ4wZVS ECGG2bU6-1hZC_6ns1i5Y7z3TSMXePu0EbFIiCQmCkY3UURd9hC_zDoOxUp yZBBqrjgOF8pnacB-57q6dpeJaXTBXfTIULWyjZBBPi0eveQVMb8jyAkXfKGFAE-6KSGTkeDObuxhrW8dJdLbc/w400-h225/Britannina%20Back%20Bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyISwXso76I2HXpmco565W5_WElWK9R9nFs6iJ4wZVS ECGG2bU6-1hZC_6ns1i5Y7z3TSMXePu0EbFIiCQmCkY3UURd9hC_zDoOxUp yZBBqrjgOF8pnacB-57q6dpeJaXTBXfTIULWyjZBBPi0eveQVMb8jyAkXfKGFAE-6KSGTkeDObuxhrW8dJdLbc/s4000/Britannina%20Back%20Bar.jpg)In the meantime, I took a wander out to the garden, at the rearof the pub, and noticed the adjoining stone-built block, with its colourfulsign on the wall, proclaiming the words “Britannia Brewery – Batham’s.” This ties in with the pubhaving brewed its own beer until 1959, during its tenure under the Perry family who owned the place for manyyears. It was known then as "Sallie's", after the landlady from 1942 to 1991.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG_5tCxFZ_xCH0TI4-l3-rZs-HJJ3pdOXiGZLYKvkJ333OKbFmlTbYoFR4qHglh7KN3EhcioruB DBmpygMXOZdHSvtPJG8NHtZNDEz6QDfTAdm4NVKtQ60QQhW02t 1vkl7kqcYmBd5xTEQIF8rWv1CC_s5XCeBIj9yLcO1kBYtx8Ce1 4qCQZEiKO7Bhs/w400-h225/Britannina%20Back%20Room.1.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG_5tCxFZ_xCH0TI4-l3-rZs-HJJ3pdOXiGZLYKvkJ333OKbFmlTbYoFR4qHglh7KN3EhcioruB DBmpygMXOZdHSvtPJG8NHtZNDEz6QDfTAdm4NVKtQ60QQhW02t 1vkl7kqcYmBd5xTEQIF8rWv1CC_s5XCeBIj9yLcO1kBYtx8Ce1 4qCQZEiKO7Bhs/s3949/Britannina%20Back%20Room.1.jpg)
As promised, the rear taproom re-opened to customers, the interviewshaving concluded for the day. Paul and I made our way eagerly inside and werenot disappointed with what we saw. Paul, of course, had been in the taproombefore, and was pleased to point out its historic features, the most noteworthyof which was the bank of four, wall-mounted hand pulls, complete with a pewterdrip-tray, set against the corridor wall. This arrangement of a servery withouta counter, is now very rare, although a century or so ago, such a set up wouldhave been much more common, particularly in smaller and more basic establishments.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNEdb4-1GQaax3SihMxVtx7Zz0tZxR9C5ogQp89Y8QQB2aVxEc_oyfP-b-kxcgB9WKCSWIC0DUnKtK2D1TkkfqE_bWccDF9mMEQkutsnTbPu XniwitjGNc2yk37Fd4Ci9Erz4OHC4upvokbKpUItbA9iIhNuhJ quPC-xu7Yn7C3J2ekTy_1loObghxs/w400-h228/Great%20Western%20Ext.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNEdb4-1GQaax3SihMxVtx7Zz0tZxR9C5ogQp89Y8QQB2aVxEc_oyfP-b-kxcgB9WKCSWIC0DUnKtK2D1TkkfqE_bWccDF9mMEQkutsnTbPu XniwitjGNc2yk37Fd4Ci9Erz4OHC4upvokbKpUItbA9iIhNuhJ quPC-xu7Yn7C3J2ekTy_1loObghxs/s3569/Great%20Western%20Ext.jpg)
I’m pleased we were able to experience this unusual taproom,but there was still one more pub for us to enjoy, before my visit drew to anend. We finished our drinks and stepped outside to wait for the No. 1 bus that wouldtake us back to Wolverhampton. I don’t remember that much about the journeyback to Wolves, although I suspect the amount of beer I’d consumed hadsomething to do with that, but upon leaving the bus, Paul and I made towards the railway station. There, on the other side of the tracks, and closeto the former low-level railway station lies the Great Western, a former CAMRANational Pub of the Year.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/w228-h400/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/s3787/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/s3787/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg)The pub is one of 20 pubs owned by Holden’s (https://www.holdensbrewery.co.uk/beers/), the largest ofthe family owned, Black Country brewers – I’m not including Bank’s (Wolverhampton& Dudley), as they’re no longer family-owned, and following their reverse takeoverof Marston’s and subsequent tie-up with Danish brewing behemoth, Carlsberg, areno longer a serious player in the world of cask ale and traditional pubs.
Holden’sis still run by the fourth generation of the Holden family, who remain just as proudlycommitted to their history and heritage, as they were when the brewery wasfounded back in 1915. Holden's acquired the Great Western in 1988, and the pub wenton to win National Pub of the Year, three years later. Today the pub interiorconsists of four areas, front bar, long lounge, snug and conservatory at theback, and is Grade II-listed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOQJOFH3aFm-vp-ri6FjsemMWMJ-XqpAKe35Yn4o8yu_y39yPQok2fuNw_DYhmDmRlqQKN2nAbEj2n VcAJDH55AiiDe81ehwMBB08uXVQ9jux9jHFdkejRPYA4Wd3fG6 p9S-xDJI9CtrkS3euaxxC-LvRn8E9CENYdAS34iEPKzc-snkbmPvWXuw7D4/w225-h400/Holdens%20Mild.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOQJOFH3aFm-vp-ri6FjsemMWMJ-XqpAKe35Yn4o8yu_y39yPQok2fuNw_DYhmDmRlqQKN2nAbEj2n VcAJDH55AiiDe81ehwMBB08uXVQ9jux9jHFdkejRPYA4Wd3fG6 p9S-xDJI9CtrkS3euaxxC-LvRn8E9CENYdAS34iEPKzc-snkbmPvWXuw7D4/s4000/Holdens%20Mild.jpg)Paul and I sat in the front bar, where we werelucky to grab a seat, following the departure of a group of drinkers. The placewas packed – it was early Friday evening, and as I looked around, I had the feelingthat I’d been there before. Paul thought the same too but looking back as thevarious photos I’ve taken over the years, and the times I’ve changed trains at Wolverhamptonstation I can’t find any record of my having been there. That includes the visitto Shifnal, which was my first Proper Day Out, (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2019/11/not-so-shifty-in-shifnal.html) with members from the Beer &Pubs forum, back in November 2019.
This aside, the Great Western was on top form, the Fridaybefore last, as was the Holden’s Black Country Mild, which slipped down atreat. Both pub and beer proved a fitting end to what was, in effect another ProperDay Out, and a splendid one at that! My thanks go to Stafford Paul for the groundwork that went into preparing the tour,and especially the hours he put in sorting out local bus routes and bus times.Most of all, though, I’d like to give him special thanks for his localknowledge, company and good humour, and trust that it won’t be too long, beforewe enjoy another tour, that is equally enjoyable and rewarding as this one was.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWcTXykNySgLBbwBZbYgrnOqYQy5tvhyMFGAuDDIo45 SIMMqU3WZ6BDjo542ZzMUfcVysVMV7Kvt81GC5_8eI9VV366ma 4amezu3M_VA0gciHmEd2RxXQ3yzZlHaQZCo2u1Tt5Ya7no6Ey9 Pr8Wqh8FS2l3frPSL11CL9pfRYPW5h1R_GTDZc5baxc8c/s4000/Holdens%20Mild.jpg)
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSVS9sPfpXDWVOf3QjocTtjfaa6tT2rSS1gZZRqj7PC V-fQLtZ3qnc6cymDEdUy5qp7JYFbCbzlYYhf9SHYApYkz3woVioR NO8ZdOxLWZ8YGv5JGBlO4r_XgVblS9Rq0mn-SneZublyueMDtCeSnZa71KJBlQexYT1q3puoCwVG6DLTcDTXrH Cuu6J58/w400-h225/Britannia%20Back%20Room.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSVS9sPfpXDWVOf3QjocTtjfaa6tT2rSS1gZZRqj7PC V-fQLtZ3qnc6cymDEdUy5qp7JYFbCbzlYYhf9SHYApYkz3woVioR NO8ZdOxLWZ8YGv5JGBlO4r_XgVblS9Rq0mn-SneZublyueMDtCeSnZa71KJBlQexYT1q3puoCwVG6DLTcDTXrH Cuu6J58/s3949/Britannia%20Back%20Room.jpg)
We’ve reached the final part of the other Friday’s amazingtour around some of the Black Country’s finest pubs, and we pick up the storyfrom outside Sedgley’s Beacon Hotel, where Stafford Paul and I said farewell toRetired Martin. A short walk back to the A459 then ensued, followed by a bus inthe opposite direction to that which we’d travelled on earlier. Our destinationwas the Britannia Inn at Upper Gornal, the second Batham’s pub of the day andone which, like the first, didn’t disappoint either.
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We arrived shortly before 4pm, although somewhat foolishly Ifailed to take a photo of the pub’s exterior. Having already diced with deathonce, whilst crossing the busy main road outside the Britannia, I didn’t fancymy chances a second time, so readers will have to make do with some shots ofthe rear of the building, along with plenty of the amazing interior. The mainbar at the front of the pub was buzzing and packed with a good mixed crowd ofdrinkers winding down at the end of the working week. This particular part ofthe pub was formerly a butcher's shop, but was incorporated into the mainbuilding, by Batham’s when they took over the place in 1997.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZR8ijnCylumaj-aTnFgUfFOR8jJ-RExw-Z0wshdeFnkmKmB3_Kbzq9vZ5k93fXY1wCCpdprIOLm06RXZe1i _ZtbmL74cTfD3KDEjo5M2xw7xDKL_1oTZS0HsGn9-rXw9OzcxYQNPu4-xrCOTR4rjMZEv5b66xQcsyiiCeKPwWOBydC0CYR75yNrEYtQ/w400-h225/Britannia%20Brew%20house.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZR8ijnCylumaj-aTnFgUfFOR8jJ-RExw-Z0wshdeFnkmKmB3_Kbzq9vZ5k93fXY1wCCpdprIOLm06RXZe1i _ZtbmL74cTfD3KDEjo5M2xw7xDKL_1oTZS0HsGn9-rXw9OzcxYQNPu4-xrCOTR4rjMZEv5b66xQcsyiiCeKPwWOBydC0CYR75yNrEYtQ/s4000/Britannia%20Brew%20house.jpg)
With the two Batham’s stalwarts of Best Bitter and Mild onthe bar, I opted for the former, whilst Paul stuck with the latter. The BestBitter was every bit as good as it was at the Vine.Paul was keen for me to seethe taproom at the rear of the pub, which forms an important part of theBritannia’s nationally important and historic, interior. Upon inquiringdiscovered he the room was closed, to the time being. The reason for the closurewas the taproom was being used to interview potential bar staff and would re-opento the public at 4.30pm.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyISwXso76I2HXpmco565W5_WElWK9R9nFs6iJ4wZVS ECGG2bU6-1hZC_6ns1i5Y7z3TSMXePu0EbFIiCQmCkY3UURd9hC_zDoOxUp yZBBqrjgOF8pnacB-57q6dpeJaXTBXfTIULWyjZBBPi0eveQVMb8jyAkXfKGFAE-6KSGTkeDObuxhrW8dJdLbc/w400-h225/Britannina%20Back%20Bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyISwXso76I2HXpmco565W5_WElWK9R9nFs6iJ4wZVS ECGG2bU6-1hZC_6ns1i5Y7z3TSMXePu0EbFIiCQmCkY3UURd9hC_zDoOxUp yZBBqrjgOF8pnacB-57q6dpeJaXTBXfTIULWyjZBBPi0eveQVMb8jyAkXfKGFAE-6KSGTkeDObuxhrW8dJdLbc/s4000/Britannina%20Back%20Bar.jpg)In the meantime, I took a wander out to the garden, at the rearof the pub, and noticed the adjoining stone-built block, with its colourfulsign on the wall, proclaiming the words “Britannia Brewery – Batham’s.” This ties in with the pubhaving brewed its own beer until 1959, during its tenure under the Perry family who owned the place for manyyears. It was known then as "Sallie's", after the landlady from 1942 to 1991.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG_5tCxFZ_xCH0TI4-l3-rZs-HJJ3pdOXiGZLYKvkJ333OKbFmlTbYoFR4qHglh7KN3EhcioruB DBmpygMXOZdHSvtPJG8NHtZNDEz6QDfTAdm4NVKtQ60QQhW02t 1vkl7kqcYmBd5xTEQIF8rWv1CC_s5XCeBIj9yLcO1kBYtx8Ce1 4qCQZEiKO7Bhs/w400-h225/Britannina%20Back%20Room.1.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG_5tCxFZ_xCH0TI4-l3-rZs-HJJ3pdOXiGZLYKvkJ333OKbFmlTbYoFR4qHglh7KN3EhcioruB DBmpygMXOZdHSvtPJG8NHtZNDEz6QDfTAdm4NVKtQ60QQhW02t 1vkl7kqcYmBd5xTEQIF8rWv1CC_s5XCeBIj9yLcO1kBYtx8Ce1 4qCQZEiKO7Bhs/s3949/Britannina%20Back%20Room.1.jpg)
As promised, the rear taproom re-opened to customers, the interviewshaving concluded for the day. Paul and I made our way eagerly inside and werenot disappointed with what we saw. Paul, of course, had been in the taproombefore, and was pleased to point out its historic features, the most noteworthyof which was the bank of four, wall-mounted hand pulls, complete with a pewterdrip-tray, set against the corridor wall. This arrangement of a servery withouta counter, is now very rare, although a century or so ago, such a set up wouldhave been much more common, particularly in smaller and more basic establishments.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNEdb4-1GQaax3SihMxVtx7Zz0tZxR9C5ogQp89Y8QQB2aVxEc_oyfP-b-kxcgB9WKCSWIC0DUnKtK2D1TkkfqE_bWccDF9mMEQkutsnTbPu XniwitjGNc2yk37Fd4Ci9Erz4OHC4upvokbKpUItbA9iIhNuhJ quPC-xu7Yn7C3J2ekTy_1loObghxs/w400-h228/Great%20Western%20Ext.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNEdb4-1GQaax3SihMxVtx7Zz0tZxR9C5ogQp89Y8QQB2aVxEc_oyfP-b-kxcgB9WKCSWIC0DUnKtK2D1TkkfqE_bWccDF9mMEQkutsnTbPu XniwitjGNc2yk37Fd4Ci9Erz4OHC4upvokbKpUItbA9iIhNuhJ quPC-xu7Yn7C3J2ekTy_1loObghxs/s3569/Great%20Western%20Ext.jpg)
I’m pleased we were able to experience this unusual taproom,but there was still one more pub for us to enjoy, before my visit drew to anend. We finished our drinks and stepped outside to wait for the No. 1 bus that wouldtake us back to Wolverhampton. I don’t remember that much about the journeyback to Wolves, although I suspect the amount of beer I’d consumed hadsomething to do with that, but upon leaving the bus, Paul and I made towards the railway station. There, on the other side of the tracks, and closeto the former low-level railway station lies the Great Western, a former CAMRANational Pub of the Year.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/w228-h400/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/s3787/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSRRUWAIirgba5F7ZN6R6Lepc0DZPRAd0r26mifFTV 8T_Ccl6X4VD35Zg-78FOrmptETkVULdumONm6-YaXHKSefNSOe9uQOa1bp0uAvtfSPIWq4tIjnw-JLPVzncALXym_k2L2Wbv8xEl6DpFQyd5pp3Gac2yduzZ5YBBkb 3TZs0NWENpahBVx0rl8/s3787/Holdens%20pump%20clip.jpg)The pub is one of 20 pubs owned by Holden’s (https://www.holdensbrewery.co.uk/beers/), the largest ofthe family owned, Black Country brewers – I’m not including Bank’s (Wolverhampton& Dudley), as they’re no longer family-owned, and following their reverse takeoverof Marston’s and subsequent tie-up with Danish brewing behemoth, Carlsberg, areno longer a serious player in the world of cask ale and traditional pubs.
Holden’sis still run by the fourth generation of the Holden family, who remain just as proudlycommitted to their history and heritage, as they were when the brewery wasfounded back in 1915. Holden's acquired the Great Western in 1988, and the pub wenton to win National Pub of the Year, three years later. Today the pub interiorconsists of four areas, front bar, long lounge, snug and conservatory at theback, and is Grade II-listed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOQJOFH3aFm-vp-ri6FjsemMWMJ-XqpAKe35Yn4o8yu_y39yPQok2fuNw_DYhmDmRlqQKN2nAbEj2n VcAJDH55AiiDe81ehwMBB08uXVQ9jux9jHFdkejRPYA4Wd3fG6 p9S-xDJI9CtrkS3euaxxC-LvRn8E9CENYdAS34iEPKzc-snkbmPvWXuw7D4/w225-h400/Holdens%20Mild.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOQJOFH3aFm-vp-ri6FjsemMWMJ-XqpAKe35Yn4o8yu_y39yPQok2fuNw_DYhmDmRlqQKN2nAbEj2n VcAJDH55AiiDe81ehwMBB08uXVQ9jux9jHFdkejRPYA4Wd3fG6 p9S-xDJI9CtrkS3euaxxC-LvRn8E9CENYdAS34iEPKzc-snkbmPvWXuw7D4/s4000/Holdens%20Mild.jpg)Paul and I sat in the front bar, where we werelucky to grab a seat, following the departure of a group of drinkers. The placewas packed – it was early Friday evening, and as I looked around, I had the feelingthat I’d been there before. Paul thought the same too but looking back as thevarious photos I’ve taken over the years, and the times I’ve changed trains at Wolverhamptonstation I can’t find any record of my having been there. That includes the visitto Shifnal, which was my first Proper Day Out, (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2019/11/not-so-shifty-in-shifnal.html) with members from the Beer &Pubs forum, back in November 2019.
This aside, the Great Western was on top form, the Fridaybefore last, as was the Holden’s Black Country Mild, which slipped down atreat. Both pub and beer proved a fitting end to what was, in effect another ProperDay Out, and a splendid one at that! My thanks go to Stafford Paul for the groundwork that went into preparing the tour,and especially the hours he put in sorting out local bus routes and bus times.Most of all, though, I’d like to give him special thanks for his localknowledge, company and good humour, and trust that it won’t be too long, beforewe enjoy another tour, that is equally enjoyable and rewarding as this one was.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWcTXykNySgLBbwBZbYgrnOqYQy5tvhyMFGAuDDIo45 SIMMqU3WZ6BDjo542ZzMUfcVysVMV7Kvt81GC5_8eI9VV366ma 4amezu3M_VA0gciHmEd2RxXQ3yzZlHaQZCo2u1Tt5Ya7no6Ey9 Pr8Wqh8FS2l3frPSL11CL9pfRYPW5h1R_GTDZc5baxc8c/s4000/Holdens%20Mild.jpg)
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