For Ali and Roadrunna

[lib]

Two snapshots of pictures on the walls of my snug.
For Ali to identify.
Perspective wrong to avoid reflections.

[lib]

and the second one

[Ali]

Wicked

First one is Load Streed, Bewdley

The painter is stood with his back to the River Severn, the riverside streets and the beautiful bridge built in 1798 to replace a previous one (there had been a bridge there since 1447) this one was desinged by Sir Thomas Telford and built by localish contractor John Simpson. The bridge once had a toll house as Bewdley used to main one of the main routes into Shropshire and Wales from the Midlands.

Just North of the bridge and over the Severn runs the pipeline from the Elan Valley lakes in Wales that supply/ied the Midlands with beautiful Welsh water. Some of the nicest drinking water in the country in my view

Also just North West of and touching the banks of the River Severn is the Wyre Forest, behind the painter across the river runs the Severn Valley Railway, an enthusiasts Steam railway which runs from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster and goes past the West Midland Safari Park.

Out of shot closest to 'painter' on the right is the Angel Pub and the fish n chip shop, to the left is the famous Teddy Grays sweet shop. The big building facing you near the church used to be 'Midland Bank' then coming back towards us is the museum and tourist info, then was Banks and Silvers Estate Agency, there was a 'Preedys' newsagent and 'Beards' toy shop. On the right behind the bus shelter, not me but Interflora, then there was 'Timis' the ironmongers, entry into the car park, then Barclays Bank. Out of shot on the right was the George Hotel and also a fab Indian Restaurant and a pub/bar. The church is Saint Annes, in front of it every year is placed the huge lit Christmas tree which 'some norty people' climb every year at the New Year celebs.

Walking away from the painter towards the church if you keep to the left in view ahead was 'Cooks' Florist and at the top of Load street just above the church turn left along 'High Street' which bring me to pic # 2 lol

Pic 2 is a few minutes walk down the High Street with back to the church, turn around and face church and 'The Little Packhorse' is the pub in your painting lib www.littlepackhorse.co.uk/

It was bought by the 'The Very Little Pub Company Limited' as part of the Mad O'Rourkes chain of 21 'little pubs' famous for Desperate Dan Cow Pie and Lumphammer and Sledgehammer bitters. Colm O'Rourke sold out in '98/'99 his company to Ushers, brewery in Somerset, unfortunately the brewery wrecked the chain, and last known of Colm had retired to Cornwall to run a surf shop!

Moving up the street towards the church I recall the Baliffs House Pub, built in 1610, and another one which I completely fail to remember the name of but do remember being covered in shaving foam one evening along with 8 or 9 more of us lol.

Bewdley is and was such a great place to go for an evening out, quite racious.

Thank you for these Certainly brought back some memories from the haze of youth........

[lib]

Thought they would jog some memories for you Ali.

They were bought for me by my best mate and sometime business partner just before he died of cancer; to remind me of the good times we had drinking in Bewdley.

[Madame Moorhen]

Had to google Bewdley. If it is the one in Worcestershire Kerdy is desperate for some info about that county - maybe he has a chance of a houseswap with someone there - but no-one he was talking to (on fb) knew a thing about the county - me included.

[roadrunna]

Hi Lib just seen the pictures, things have changed since then.
They brought back some happy memories....oh I am getting old