Mark Bravery
@markbravery.bsky.social
Birding mostly in and around London, drinking real ale across most of Britain, following Sutton Utd FC home and away
🍺 Jewellers Arms, Birmingham: another traditional and inviting Black Country Ales pub (oh for a presence like theirs in London!), this one in the fashionable Jewellery Quarter. The unfussy Mystik brown ale from Wiltshire's Stonehenge brewery was my darkest beer of the day.
December 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM
🍺 Jewellers Arms, Birmingham: another traditional and inviting Black Country Ales pub (oh for a presence like theirs in London!), this one in the fashionable Jewellery Quarter. The unfussy Mystik brown ale from Wiltshire's Stonehenge brewery was my darkest beer of the day.
🍺 Wolf, Birmingham: rather noisy bar with quirky art, just out from Snow Hill, where customers engage in doggy talk (pooches present). The only cask offering is Winter Wilds from the city's Glasshouse brewery, and it's decent, another smooth ale, this one with a hint of berries in the aftertaste.
December 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
🍺 Wolf, Birmingham: rather noisy bar with quirky art, just out from Snow Hill, where customers engage in doggy talk (pooches present). The only cask offering is Winter Wilds from the city's Glasshouse brewery, and it's decent, another smooth ale, this one with a hint of berries in the aftertaste.
🍺 Royal Oak, West Bromwich: two-bar, cottage-like pub packed with Baggies fans watching their team losing at Hull on TV (so just as well that @stymiesi.bsky.social isn't here). The Backyard Blonde is another pleasantly smooth ale.
December 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🍺 Royal Oak, West Bromwich: two-bar, cottage-like pub packed with Baggies fans watching their team losing at Hull on TV (so just as well that @stymiesi.bsky.social isn't here). The Backyard Blonde is another pleasantly smooth ale.
🍺 Three Horseshoes, West Bromwich: handsome Black Country Ales pub, and well up to their expected standard, beer and cider flowing from ten handpumps (four guest ales), the spacious, single bar busy yet comfortable this Saturday afternoon. The brewery's Jubilee IPA is satisfyingly smooth.
December 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
🍺 Three Horseshoes, West Bromwich: handsome Black Country Ales pub, and well up to their expected standard, beer and cider flowing from ten handpumps (four guest ales), the spacious, single bar busy yet comfortable this Saturday afternoon. The brewery's Jubilee IPA is satisfyingly smooth.
🍺 Café Metro, Bilston, W Mids: tucked-away gem, almost overlooking the metro station, where locals escape the horrors of Christmas shopping. A live beer board is accessible via a QR code. 🫣 I opened with the pleasant if unexciting Salopian Hop Twister. Hearty cobs available.
December 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
🍺 Café Metro, Bilston, W Mids: tucked-away gem, almost overlooking the metro station, where locals escape the horrors of Christmas shopping. A live beer board is accessible via a QR code. 🫣 I opened with the pleasant if unexciting Salopian Hop Twister. Hearty cobs available.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
UK is expected to experience its coldest Christmas Day in 5 years (2020) with highs around 5C in London.
The European model brings in low dew points from near continent (dry air) and is presenting a cold and sunny day for many. 👍
It will feel colder with a particularly bracing E’ly wind in SE.
The European model brings in low dew points from near continent (dry air) and is presenting a cold and sunny day for many. 👍
It will feel colder with a particularly bracing E’ly wind in SE.
December 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
UK is expected to experience its coldest Christmas Day in 5 years (2020) with highs around 5C in London.
The European model brings in low dew points from near continent (dry air) and is presenting a cold and sunny day for many. 👍
It will feel colder with a particularly bracing E’ly wind in SE.
The European model brings in low dew points from near continent (dry air) and is presenting a cold and sunny day for many. 👍
It will feel colder with a particularly bracing E’ly wind in SE.
🐦⬛ Staines Reservoirs, Surrey, today: my second visit this month, and this time I saw the drake Lesser Scaup, but it was distant on the south basin, among Common Pochards. The Great Northern Diver was again on the north basin. A Black Redstart along the causeway was an unexpected bonus.
December 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
🐦⬛ Staines Reservoirs, Surrey, today: my second visit this month, and this time I saw the drake Lesser Scaup, but it was distant on the south basin, among Common Pochards. The Great Northern Diver was again on the north basin. A Black Redstart along the causeway was an unexpected bonus.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Palestinian citizens of Israel are now attacked daily by Jewish Israeli hooligans, who almost never face consequences. The Kahanist police looks the other way.
Thr latest story is a 9 month pregnant mother, pepper sprayed in Jaffa.
Thr latest story is a 9 month pregnant mother, pepper sprayed in Jaffa.
December 15, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Palestinian citizens of Israel are now attacked daily by Jewish Israeli hooligans, who almost never face consequences. The Kahanist police looks the other way.
Thr latest story is a 9 month pregnant mother, pepper sprayed in Jaffa.
Thr latest story is a 9 month pregnant mother, pepper sprayed in Jaffa.
⚽️ Women's FA Cup 3rd round, Sutton Utd 0 Chatham Town 3: second disappointing result of the weekend, Sutton's women bowing out to higher ranked opponents whose players looked faster, fitter and better organised. In addition to their goals, the visitors struck the bar twice.
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
⚽️ Women's FA Cup 3rd round, Sutton Utd 0 Chatham Town 3: second disappointing result of the weekend, Sutton's women bowing out to higher ranked opponents whose players looked faster, fitter and better organised. In addition to their goals, the visitors struck the bar twice.
⚽️ FA Trophy R3, Walton & Hersham 4 Sutton Utd 1: our heaviest defeat of the Agutter era, against a team two tiers below us, but who'd only lost twice all season. Two second-half penalties, the second accompanied by a red card, sealed our fate. We were light in attack due to injuries and suspensions.
December 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
⚽️ FA Trophy R3, Walton & Hersham 4 Sutton Utd 1: our heaviest defeat of the Agutter era, against a team two tiers below us, but who'd only lost twice all season. Two second-half penalties, the second accompanied by a red card, sealed our fate. We were light in attack due to injuries and suspensions.
🐦⬛ Here's another short video of Pink-footed Geese at Cley Marshes yesterday. These birds flew right overhead, presumably to roost, as I was waiting for my bus back to Sheringham.
December 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
🐦⬛ Here's another short video of Pink-footed Geese at Cley Marshes yesterday. These birds flew right overhead, presumably to roost, as I was waiting for my bus back to Sheringham.
🍺 Marlborough Arms, Norwich: from the beer city that keeps on giving, another hitherto unvisited suburban pub slips into the Good Beer Guide. A rather messy interior is relieved by nice brick features and old ceramic signs. Mostly strong stuff on cask, but the 3.8% Tindall Liberator hit the spot.
December 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🍺 Marlborough Arms, Norwich: from the beer city that keeps on giving, another hitherto unvisited suburban pub slips into the Good Beer Guide. A rather messy interior is relieved by nice brick features and old ceramic signs. Mostly strong stuff on cask, but the 3.8% Tindall Liberator hit the spot.
🐦⬛ Cley Marshes, Norfolk: there's nothing quite like the spectacle (and sound) of many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese in flight.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
December 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
🐦⬛ Cley Marshes, Norfolk: there's nothing quite like the spectacle (and sound) of many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese in flight.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
⚽️ FA Cup 2nd round, Sutton Utd 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 after extra time: deservedly 1-0 up on 90 minutes, against an EFL side reduced to ten men, we then lose a goal and a man in stoppage time, that twin fate repeating itself in extra time. Football can be very cruel.
December 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
⚽️ FA Cup 2nd round, Sutton Utd 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 after extra time: deservedly 1-0 up on 90 minutes, against an EFL side reduced to ten men, we then lose a goal and a man in stoppage time, that twin fate repeating itself in extra time. Football can be very cruel.
⚽️ I'm watching the World Cup draw show and rapidly losing the will to live.
December 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
⚽️ I'm watching the World Cup draw show and rapidly losing the will to live.
Reposted by Mark Bravery
"The price of some foods hit by extreme weather are rising more than four times faster than others in the average shop...the price of butter, beef, milk, coffee and chocolate had risen by an average of 15.6% over the year"
Climate change is not a problem for our grandchildren, it's today's crisis
Climate change is not a problem for our grandchildren, it's today's crisis
UK farmers lose £800m after heat and drought cause one of worst harvests on record
Many now concerned about ability to make living in fast-changing climate after one of worst grain harvests recorded
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
"The price of some foods hit by extreme weather are rising more than four times faster than others in the average shop...the price of butter, beef, milk, coffee and chocolate had risen by an average of 15.6% over the year"
Climate change is not a problem for our grandchildren, it's today's crisis
Climate change is not a problem for our grandchildren, it's today's crisis
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Gaffer's post matcher from the Gateshead home win. #suttonunited www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AFn...
POST MATCH Chris Agutter Sutton United 4 Gateshead 2 NL 29/11/25
YouTube video by Sutton United FCtv
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Gaffer's post matcher from the Gateshead home win. #suttonunited www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AFn...
Reposted by Mark Bravery
Lewis Simper, you nasty little man. 😍
U’s Pitch Side View - Gateshead 29/11/25 NL
YouTube video by Sutton United FCtv
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Lewis Simper, you nasty little man. 😍
⚽️ Sutton Utd 4 Gateshead 2: our third straight league win, achieved after going behind, and without a recognised striker, two goals early in the 2nd half (one a stunner from midfielder Lewis Simper) putting us 3-1 up, our fourth a late solo effort from home-grown defender Jack Taylor. Up to 17th. 🙂
November 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
⚽️ Sutton Utd 4 Gateshead 2: our third straight league win, achieved after going behind, and without a recognised striker, two goals early in the 2nd half (one a stunner from midfielder Lewis Simper) putting us 3-1 up, our fourth a late solo effort from home-grown defender Jack Taylor. Up to 17th. 🙂
Reposted by Mark Bravery
My latest column on Wimbledon Park expansion, and the All England Club's legal stalemate 👇
www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/2565002...
www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/2565002...
Paul Kohler: Wimbledon Park expansion mired in legal challenges
The All England Lawn Tennis Club faces renewed legal challenges over its Wimbledon Park expansion, with campaigners winning the right to appeal, a…
www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
My latest column on Wimbledon Park expansion, and the All England Club's legal stalemate 👇
www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/2565002...
www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/2565002...
🍺 Trinity, Borough, London: pub with an eye-catching frontage, right by Borough tube station, taken from Greene King's clutches by Fuller's. The Christmas party season is already underway here. The Hophead passes muster. This visit completes Gtr London's entries for me in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. 🙂
November 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
🍺 Trinity, Borough, London: pub with an eye-catching frontage, right by Borough tube station, taken from Greene King's clutches by Fuller's. The Christmas party season is already underway here. The Hophead passes muster. This visit completes Gtr London's entries for me in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. 🙂
🍺 Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, London: busy (aren't they all?) Wetherspoon pub on the ground floor of a 1960s building that once housed the DHSS, now doubtless serving modern-day claimants. The Salem (Batemans) Dark Fruits Porter is rich, with damson notes and faint bitterness in the finish.
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🍺 Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, London: busy (aren't they all?) Wetherspoon pub on the ground floor of a 1960s building that once housed the DHSS, now doubtless serving modern-day claimants. The Salem (Batemans) Dark Fruits Porter is rich, with damson notes and faint bitterness in the finish.
🍺 Bugle Horn, Charlton, London: rambling old pub in Charlton Village, where taciturn blokes lurk on bar stools, though some livelier customers have now arrived. Much less appealing than the last pub, but the Marston's Pedigree, not often seen in the capital these days, is satisfyingly robust.
November 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🍺 Bugle Horn, Charlton, London: rambling old pub in Charlton Village, where taciturn blokes lurk on bar stools, though some livelier customers have now arrived. Much less appealing than the last pub, but the Marston's Pedigree, not often seen in the capital these days, is satisfyingly robust.
🍺 Lord Herbert, Plumstead Common, London: comfortable, street corner local with a relaxed ambience and island bar, the walls decorated with portraits of rock musicians, old ceramic signs and pro-Palestine posters. The Wye Valley HPA is on top form; I'm staying for another. 🙂
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🍺 Lord Herbert, Plumstead Common, London: comfortable, street corner local with a relaxed ambience and island bar, the walls decorated with portraits of rock musicians, old ceramic signs and pro-Palestine posters. The Wye Valley HPA is on top form; I'm staying for another. 🙂
⚽️ Here, Mike and I tread through Truro and gaze ahead to Gateshead.
🚨 First League AWAY WIN of the Season! 🚨
🥳 We break down the goals, the fantastic fighting spirit to win the game after a mini wobble & the HUGE importance of building momentum ahead of the difficult winter fixtures.
The #AmberArmy was out in force! 🚌
🥳 We break down the goals, the fantastic fighting spirit to win the game after a mini wobble & the HUGE importance of building momentum ahead of the difficult winter fixtures.
The #AmberArmy was out in force! 🚌
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
⚽️ Here, Mike and I tread through Truro and gaze ahead to Gateshead.