18/11/25 - On the Trail of The Au-Pairs

Rock and Roll Meltdown

I've never previously heard of the Birmingham band The Au-Pairs before. Having listened to their debut album - Playing with a Different Sex - I can confidently say they are the band the Gang of Four could have been.

It was an article in The Dispatch that gave me the band background and move from right-on equality to Fleetwood Mac style squabbling.

The Au-Pairs, a pioneering post-punk band formed in Birmingham in 1978, built their reputation on energetic performances, politically charged lyrics, and a rare ethos of equality—two men and two women sharing songwriting credits and profits. Their debut album Playing with a Different Sex earned critical praise, and their success took them from local charity gigs to iconic venues like Whiskey A Go Go in LA.

Rooted in Birmingham’s DIY music scene and fueled by the city’s spirit of activism, the group embodied the era’s fight for equal rights and creative freedom. The original line-up—Paul Foad, Jane Munro (Dowsett), Peter Hammond, and frontwoman Lesley Woods—quickly became champions of feminist punk, with influences from second-wave feminism and anti-fascist movements shaping their sound and politics.

Despite their collective beginnings, relationships within the band eventually soured. Recent plans for a 2026 “reunion” ignited a public feud when it emerged that Woods had trademarked the band’s name and would perform with new members, excluding her former bandmates. The dispute centers on allegations about control, songwriting credits, and the band’s legacy, with former members insisting on their equal contributions and Woods claiming creative ownership.

My latest Birmingham AZ walk was taking me to Bohemian Moseley, so it made sense to seek out some of the locations that were key to the bands early development. A quest that took me to unexpected places. 

The First Rehearsal - The Earl Grey

The Pershore Road was also where Paul and Lesley first met - but no one needs to see a picture of a bus stop. The upstairs room of the Earl Grey was where the first rehearsals were held. Now hosting a legal firm, it's a location already marked for exploration as a Lost Pub of Birmingham.  Looks like three of the original line up could use Isaac Legal Services... and God knows what services Teeny Haven are offering from the front of the building.

The Earl Grey

Early Gig Venue - The Fighting Cocks

In better pub news, The Fighting Cocks is not only operational but also a CAMRA Heritage Pub.

The Fighting Cocks in Moseley is a CAMRA Heritage Pub with a rich history dating back to at least 1750. Originally called the "Fox and Dogs," it was first built as the Fighting Cocks in 1778 and later rebuilt in 1899 by Holt’s Brewery. Its name derives from the historical use of the building for cockfighting events, which were popular until made illegal in 1835.

The current building is notable for its original features like glass, windows, and Art Nouveau tiles at the York Road entrance, as well as an L-shaped bar with original mirrors. It maintains much of its historic character with a largely open-plan interior and several segregated seating areas. It is a Grade II listed building due to its well-preserved historic architecture.

Note the dial in the Lower Left

Complete with their own leaflet

The first things one notices are the meteorological devices embedded into the front walls. Not sure if they are working though. The Daily Express are predicting the return of the "Beat from the East", whereas the needle on this device simply points to fair?

In a bid to drum up business, it's 20% of cask on a Tuesday. It's not having much impact. Wetherspoons over the road is packed full of punters on 6% Oakham Green Devil for "£1.89 a pint.

Another Lost Gig Venue - The Carlton Cinema

A concert ticket led to another place to investigate.

The Au-Pairs at the Carlton

A memorial garden is all that remains, taking the odyssey down a much darker route.

The Carlton Cinema in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, has a layered and fascinating history reflecting both its resilience and its cultural significance. Originally, it was a grand cinema serving the local community, but its story took a dramatic turn during World War II. On the night of October 25, 1940, the cinema suffered a direct hit during one of the heaviest bombing raids on Birmingham, resulting in the tragic death of nineteen people watching a film. Despite this devastation, the Carlton was rebuilt after the war and continued operating as a cinema and live music venue until its closure in August 1977, with Twentieth Century Fox proposing its demolition afterward

The film? Typhoon

A newspaper article tells me there is a memorial stone. Some kids went to pay their respects but were outraged by the mess in the park, generating the headline;

Caring kids' fury after finding Balsall Heath cinema bomb memorial garden 'full of rubbish and poo'

Despite walking the found corners of the park, I couldn't even find stone. And if anything, the filth has got even worse. It's been quite depressing walking past the mountains of rubbish piled on every street corner - apparently, the Agency staff employed to complete the work of the striking bin men have gone on strike themselves. Birmingham is not being run as a tight ship.... it's a shite tip.  Even the rats have given up.

First thing spotted in the Carlton Memorial Garden

Depressing walking - in supposedly one of the nicer areas of Brum - but the music has stood the test of time remarkably well. Having listened to the album several times, I am not getting Spotify notification for future gigs for (25%) of the band.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - AZ - Hidden Walks in Birmingham Walk 11 

Previous Birmingham AZ Walks - Walk 1 & 2, Walk 3, Walk 4, Walk 5, Walk 6, Walk 7, Walk 8, Walk 9, Walk 10

17/11/25 - Woodbury Hill and Little Witley Church

The Battle that Never Was

Komoot used to identify a local walk. No pubs on route but two items of interest;

Woodbury Hill

A stiff climb through woodland, so you don't even get the reward of proper views.

Autumn sunshine

There is an information board, but the writing has faded off completely. Can only guess as to whether it was informing about the Iron Age Hillfort, the flora/fauna or possibly the more interesting story of the battle that never was; One of the last times a foreign army "fought" on English soil;

In 1405, Woodbury Hill near Great Witley became the site of a battle that never quite happened. Owain Glyndŵr, leading a Welsh force supported by French allies, took up position on the Iron Age hillfort while King Henry IV’s army assembled on the opposing Abberley Hills. For several days the two sides faced each other in a tense standoff, but supply problems and dwindling provisions forced Glyndŵr to withdraw before a full-scale clash could occur. 

Little Witley Church

Today's Church

A nice approach through orchards. The multi-cache tells me the history - rebuilt in 1867 using the original foundations. Its "doors open", so I can head inside to take the information from a grave to try and work out the final coordinates.

Small, but perfectly formed

I am taken to an unusual viewpoint of Witley Court. Where one can visit a far more ornate church, as the walk takes me along the access road in front. There is no need for a re-visit, as. I was only there in August.

The ruins of Witley Court

Walk Details

Distance - 7.5 Miles

Geocache - 0 Found

Walk Inspiration

13/11/25 - Ledbury to Malvern Link Rail Trail

A Great Pub Guarantee At Either End

A new rail trail that is so new, it hasn't even been published. I noticed it as an advertised Ramblers Walk, where I couldn't make the date. Little information, other than the route detailed on an OS Map. What more do I need?

And the great thing about this walk?

The Prince of Wales awaits in Ledbury, the Nag's Head at Malvern Link. Two of my favourites, that I can never tire of.

I decide to start in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Bull, Red Earth, River Wye

The first half of the walk follows the Geopark Way, climbing Oyster Hill for the day's Trigpoint. Slippery underfoot, as we appear to be in monsoon season, but fine views to the west making up for tricky walking.

The Geopark Way is a 109-mile walking trail designed to showcase the geology and landscape of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark. It starts in Bridgnorth, Shropshire and ends in Gloucester, Gloucestershire.

Herefordshire Trail slapped on

Westward Views

Oyster Hill Trig Point

The Church of St James the Great at Colwall makes a fine lunchstop. Minor investigation and route diversion to get the Multi-Geocache. “Doors Open”, so I can admire the fine ceiling woodworking, complete with a dated beam from 1675. The carpenters’ initials, “RM and RC” also carved.

Colwall Church (St James the Great) has seen several extensions and modifications over the centuries. The core of the church dates to the 13th century, but significant changes occurred in the 15th century with the addition of Perpendicular Gothic features.

Extension on Extension

Fine Ceiling Work

Dated Main Beam

Of course, the item of most interest to me is the Ale House.

Really?  Oh Go On then!

A church alehouse was a common feature in medieval England, built within or beside church grounds for the purpose of hosting “church ales”—communal feasts where ale was brewed and sold to raise funds for parish upkeep, charity, and festivities. These alehouses were important social centers, playing a key role in village life, especially before the Reformation. Over time, most were lost or repurposed as festivities declined and public houses became more common. 

This example at Colwall is one of the few remaining in Herefordshire. Alas, like more contemporary pubs, it no longer functions for its original purpose. We will have to remind ourselves of the joy through this quote.

"About mid-service, they goe in a rowe, after Priest, into the Church-ale-house to carouse"

No carousing for Mappiman today. At least not until the Nag's Head.

Pushing on with the walk, its the Worcestershire Way taking me to a previously undiscovered private railway. The Downs Light Railway running for all of 0.75 of a mile and the oldest private miniature railway in the world. A project devised for entertainment and education at a nearby school.

The usual fine views from the western flanks of Malvern, with the usual issues in finding the best paths to escape it. Much zigging and zagging adding the miles, when you could just roll downhill.

Looking West from the side of Table Hill

The walk ends, as all good walks should, at the pub. 

The Nag's Head, Malvern Link

It’s been almost three weeks since my last cask pint—ice-cold Efes making sense in the 28-degree heat of November in Turkey. The usual exceptional choice available at the Nag’s Head, where I can either nominate my favourite son or have a family reunion.

• Timothy Taylor Landlord
• Otter Bitter
• Hook Norton Old Hooky
• Holdens Golden Glow
• Teme Valley This
• Thornbridge Jaipur
• Bathams Bitter

And this is just the cask - they also have a fine collection of ciders, bottled international and craft.

In other good news – the pub is heaving. Literally no room inside, with every table in the higgledy-piggledy multi-roomer taken. Even outside is busy, but at least covered.

A fine place to while away a couple of hours.

Walk Details

Distance - 10 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Previous Cotswold Line Rail Walks - Worcester Parkway - Foregate Street, Foregate Street to Malvern, Worcester Parkway to Pershore, Pershore to Evesham, Evesham to Honeybourne, Honeybourne to Morton-in-Marsh

22/10/15 - Two CAMRA Heritage Pubs in Worcester

What did you say the Cardinal Did?

So, I found my old CAMRA Book - Heritage Pubs of the Midlands. I plotted the West Midlands and Worcestershire sections into Google Maps. Do you want to be heartbroken? I estimate 25% are permanently closed.

I need to work fast in ticking them off.

A day in Worcester - finishing the Wild About Worcester Way at 11:30am, left me 3 hours to kill before the next bus home. I admired architecture. I waited until midday for the Eagle Vaults to slide the bolt. Contrary to google maps, I could have entered any time after 9am. The apologetic bar staff explained how hard it is to get Google to update business information.

From the side

From the front

The guidebook rattles on about the fine tiling, the dates (1740; tiling added 1890), the Victorian bar, and knocked out walls. Further information is available elsewhere.  Previously known as Young's Mug House and then the Volunteer in 1815, it was the first pub in Worcester to serve women. Right on!

It's not a pub I chose to use - ordinary Marstons belying its beauty. And the Guinness is well over £5. That documentary on NetFlix is not going to pay for itself. 

Certainly worthy of a visit.

Can just make out the Victorian clock backed bar.

More to investigate down the Tudor-building-lined Friar Street. The Cardinal's Hat is my quarry—once a ahead-of-its-time German Bier Keller and now the sister pub to one of my all-time favourites, Nigel's Fleece Inn in Bretforton.

Where Court meets Street

This is a multi-roomer dating from 1760. A narrow corridor leads to a front bar, a sparsely decorated snug room and the destination rear room. Complete with a log burner and wood paneling. 

Best seat in the House

My local is a Wye Valley house, and I can declare that the Butty Bach here is up there with the best.

I thought about announcing it and tagging them on their socials, but I couldn't stop laughing at what the Cardinal had been up to.

Does he want a prize?