February 18th – In Lower Forster Street, Walsall, there’s a quiet revolution firing up. The Backyard Brewhouse – one of two microbreweries in Brownhills – has bought this closed pub, The Fountain, and reopened it again. By all accounts, it’s a fine house.

It’s an interesting, old-style back-street boozer, sadly surrounded by the remnants of the Jabez-Cliff building, but none the less lovely for that. There are few enough real ale houses left these days, so it’s a real pleasure to see a new one – especially when it’s selling good, local, Brownhills-brewed ale.

I wish the folks behind TheBackyard Brewhouse the best of luck in their venture.