Get Down Shepton

Shepton Mallet v Hallen, Western League

Initial plan was to head for Sidmouth, but this was scuppered by the driver of a freight train at Reading, who managed to go through a red signal, bringing the network to a halt for an hour, scuppering original plans.

So instead, headed west to Bath for the bus to Wells, stopping off at the guide pub at Chilcompton. These are the things I learned from that pub.

1. The locals had a ‘reach over the bar and serve yourself’ arrangement

2. 90% of the locals drink the exotic tipple of Cheddar Valley cider and orange

3. If you want cheap lawnmower carburettor membranes, this is the pub to head for

4. Motorcycle CBT refreshers can be held in pub back rooms, and there appears to be no restriction on what the pupils are drinking.

5. Tempering the locals language is only effective if you also do it for the pub parrot.

On to Wells and a quick dash to the market produced the offerings for later.

An unexpected bonus was the Cummins ISBe 135 PS engined, Marshall Capital C39 bodied, 2002 TransBus Dennis Dart SLF, on the 161 to Frome via Shepton Mallet. This is a sub fleet operating out of Wells, ticked for the first time in 2007 whilst it operated the First Capital service to Ruislip Lido.

It was also the filthiest bus I have ever been on, this being the back shelf.

Shepton Mallett grew as a centre for the wool trade.  However, the weaving trade moved to the mechanised north, which saw the town focus on the manufacture of silk and crepe, meaning a proper revival in the 1970s.  Added to the 1970s theme, is that Shepton is where Babycham is brewed/made/pissed.  These days, it is the actual place where the Glastonbury festival takes place, Glastonbury itself being somewhat distant from the Eaves farm.  It is also host to the Royal Bath and West Show, where people with squints go to stroke cattle.  A wander around the moribund centre took about thirty seconds, so I headed for the suburbs.

This took me to the dullest named ground in non-league; the Playing Fields.

Shepton Mallet 0 v Hallen 0,  Toolstation Western League Premier Division

 

 

Shepton Mallet Town FC were a mainstay of the Somerset League, before steping up to the Western League in the 1970s.  They spent ten seasons there before nominally going bust in 1986.  In reality, they dropped the Town suffix, and continued in the reserve teams place back in the Somerset Senior League.  After 15 years of high finishes, they won the league in 2001, and returned to the Western.  This time it was 13 years before they gained promotion, this being their first season in the premier division.

Hallen FC started out as Lawrence Weston, a large post-war housing estate in the north east of Bristol.  By the early 1980s, they had moved to a new ground at Hallen, which saw them join the  Gloucestershire County League.  They then progressed to the Hellenic league in 1992, switching to the Western in 2000.  They were promoted to the premier division in 2004, where they have remained since.

Despite its appearance, the Playing Fields have only been in use since 1956.

The main stand was previously in situ at Street’s Victoria Park, but Shepton bought it off them when Street moved to the Tannery field.

Opposite is a recently built stand, grandly calling itself a ‘pavillion’, but contained the sort of fixed seating around a table you normally only get in a Wimpy. Both were named after dead people.

Letting the ground down, an Atcost monstrosity is also present.  This replaced a a lorry sawn in half that used to adorn the far touchline.

The pitch has a noticeable slope, which seems to be a feature of Somerset.

The Main stand has gone goth and every inch of it now painted black.

 

Fortunately this man had a hi-viz declaring he was the official team photographer, because I’m always confusing them with the unofficial ones.

 

The game was of a decent standard, despite Hallam being third from bottom and not paying players.

However, neither side could muster a goal and it finished 0-0.  They need to bring back the home sides greatest player, Peter "The Shepton Showman" Applegate.

Move home was 161 bus to Frome for the 234 to Trowbridge, where I finally had to succumb to some 153 mileage for the year for the direct service back home.

The aforementioned local foods were a Somerset Charcuterie cider and mustard salami, a Wooton Dairy sheeps milk Dumpling and a blue veined Somerset Cheddar. Shant was just over the gallon of Glastonbury Ales Mystery Tor.

Central Whales

21st March 2015

Llandrindod Wells v Penycrae, Cymru Alliance

Friday night was an opportunity to clear the new stand at Molineux so Wolves v Derby, which was shit so we left at half time as 8 new guide pubs in Shrewsbury was more attractive.

Next morning was the 0900 Shrewsbury – Llandrindod which was a very pleasant surprise to see a class 150/2 produce vice the booked class 153, meaning my 153 mileage for 2015 is still none.

This was a novel sign at the traffic lights.  I don't remember seeing it in the highway code.

Down the Central Wales line, in the footsteps of Offa.

Into Llandrindod Wells.  The town rose to prominance in the mid-18th century as a spa town, with the 'healing qualities' of the local spring waters attracted visitors to the area resulting in an economic boom.  This saw the construction of some splendid civic buildings.  The tourist aspect was further boosted by the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century.

My companions today were Mike and Mad Dai.  Just to state, they aren't an item, although I'd never realised Dai was so tactile until going back through these photos.  See if you can guess which one has been sectioned, for turning up at a Cardiff v Orient game in a suit made of green baize, demanding to talk to Barry Hearn regarding a potential career as a professional darts player.

Conversation centred on his new phone cover, which I’m sure you will agree, is a treat.

In Sixty years time, there will be one of these celebrating the visit of Mad Dai.

Mike was more interested in getting details of the Dolly Parton tribute act.

We cleared the two guide pubs, unfortunately the second of these was not only the local Conservative club, it was also full of people watching the rugby. 

Llandrindod Wells 3 v Penycrae 2, Cymru Alliance

Llandrindod Wells were formed in 1883, but seem very shy about what they did for 130 years.  By 2013, they were in the second division of the mid-Wales league, finishing second and gaining promotion.  The next season saw them win their first 16 games and storm to the League 1 title, and promotion to the Cymru Alliance which is the feeder league for Central and Mid Wales, into the Welsh Premier.

Manager’s notes bemoaned that the keeper had gone AWOL earlier in the week, so he was having to play in goal. Great use of the phrase ‘recognised glovesman’. Player profile was refreshingly honest “Best Trainer – I don’t know because I don’t bother going”.

Pen-y-Cae is a village just outside Wrexham.  Penycae FC were founded in 1982 and have competed mainly in the Welsh National league, which is centred on Wrexham.  They finally won the league in 2011, and were promoted to the Cymru Alliance, where they have stayed since.

The Lant Avenue Broadway  ground sits in a bowl in the middle of a council estate.  There were supposed ground improvements in order for them to be promoted to the Alliance, but you are a better man than I am if you can spot them.

The main feature was the wonderful wooden stand in the corner, which has benefited from a recent lick of paint, though still retained its historic charm.

The fact that I have to state it twice in one report makes it doubt it myself, but these two are not an item.

More made up road signs, though one whose sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with.  Now just to devise one that says 'and take your inconsiderate, fuckwit owners with you'.

Finally a picture of these two when not in embrace.  90% of Dai's wardrobe is Bruce Springstein hooded tops.

Llandrindod were second from bottom of the Cymru Alliance, with Penycae one place above them.  Llandrindod scored in the first minute, then it went 1-1, 2-2 and finally 3-2 for the first home win of the season.

After the game, stopped off at the town centre deli for the compulsory local cheese for the journey home.  Dissapointingly, they only had Caws Cenarth. Opted for Perl Las (blue pearl), Perl Wen (White pearl) and a Sussex Charmer which is a farmhouse cheddar/parmesan hybrid.

Got to the station only to find that the train to Swansea was a 153......

.....so forewent the dogbox action for the T4 Traws Cymru, 3.5 hour bus ride to Cardiff, which was a much more agreeable Optare Tempo.

These have leather seats, wi-fi and tables, like a non-league players coach. A feast fit for a king was had on the bus. The phone cover sits proudly in the back ground.

A twenty minute layover gave the opportunity to grab a photo of the sun setting over Merthyr bus station. Why UNESCO piss around with Machu Picchu when this is at risk, I’ll never know. Out of site is a bloke on crutches having a violent argument with a supermarket trolley.

Train back from Cardiff gave me the opportunity to re-affirm why I detest rugby union so much as a load of Birmingham fans argued with Welsh fans about nothing.

2016 Postscript

By the end of the season, both clubs finished exactly where they were at the time, which meant both were relegated.  They remain in the leagues they departed from, Llandrindod in the Mid-Wales, and Penycrae the Welsh National, though both seemed to have stabilised in those leagues.