Queen's reign ending
As I enjoyed my Friday lunchtime pint with colleagues at the Queen's Head in Steelhouse Lane today, it struck me that an era is coming to an end.
I've been drinking at the Queen's for the past 25 years - not non-stop, of course, but fairly frequently. Come autumn, however, the Birmingham Post & Mail will have moved to posh new offices at the old Fort Dunlop building in Erdington so the Queen's Head will no longer be our local.
That's a shame because it holds some happy memories...and a few distressing ones involving, years ago, heavy losses at poker.
Over the years we've said farewell to departing colleagues, celebrated birthdays, drunk far more they we ought and had a good old chat.
In the days when lunchtime drinking wasn't just common but almost compulsory, it was packed with us journalists, lawyers, police officers, nurses, doctors and even a few respectable people.
There's nothing particularly special about the place. The beer's decent, the decor ordinary and the food simple. But it's a pub in which I've always felt comfortable.
On our last Friday at our old offices, there's bound to be a good few pints sunk at the Queen's and it would be great to see a few familiar old faces from days past. I'll keep you posted.
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Paul Fulford - Features Editor Paul Fulford gives his verdict on the region’s restaurants.
I can't think of any pubs within walking distance of Fort Dunlop.
Oh Dear1
Funny thing is, my early drinking years were spent nearby at the Norton.
But that pub has lone since gone - like the Rod Stewart hairstyle I sported when I was regular there more than 30 years ago.
Talking about pubs, anyone know a place that offers decent food not far off the M6 between the Lake District and Manchester? We're heading that way Sunday and wanna eat.