as someone obsessed with a good pub, I enjoyed that read. Thanks Harry. Might consider a humorous post one day on how difficult it is finding a great pub in London (that isn't packed)
Glad you enjoyed it Rosana - and go for it re your piece. After I left the northeast in the 1970s I lived and worked in and around London for nearly four decades so I've seen the inside of many a London pub in my time. There were many I liked yet never really found my 'local'.
Or three at London prices! I'm saving up for my next visit in a couple of weeks. Also plan to visit Wiltshire next spring (but not the Rose and Crown). Nearer the time we'll see if we might meet for a beer or two ?
Yes, meeting up with Sue also triggered memories of our get togethers and not to make you too jealous but the Queens Head also have Happy Wednesday when they knock 20% off draught beer. It may be grim up north but it is cheaper .... 😉
History calls upon you to preserve these places or their memory. I never thought that I'd develop such sentiments until I moved to a place where history is practically around a corner or beneath my feet.
Reminded me of my first pub introduction. I was driving to Bath from London on my move to the UK. I stopped at a roadside pub, near a little village called ‘Box,’ for dinner.
I had the surprise of my life, when concerned if I would get vegetarian food, I saw, written in chalk - ‘Rajma and rice!’
I read your piece with great anticipation. Will Harry find his new local? The reason is, we are about to move in a few weeks. Only two miles away - from the north side of downtown - to the south side. But it means we'll be a far walk from our local. A warm and inviting tavern that always had a few neighbor to chat up. The new neighborhood boasts one bar. So all eggs in that basket. I'll let you know how it goes.
Places go through cycles, although there are generally fewer pubs now. Gateshead has had something of a pub renaissance, and I hope the trend for "micropubs" continues as long as the overheads are kept manageable. Mind you, not enough places have mild on tap for my liking still!
Yes, the advent of the micropub is a great thing and with you on mild too. It was a drink I discovered only after meeting the girl who became my first wife and hailed from Kent. This would have been 1975 and a 'Brown and Mild' was a classic combination in Kent pubs. Not the brown ale I was used to in the northeast but a much sweeter, nuttier flavour. The last time I saw mild on draft was again in Kent but that was probably a decade ago or more. Another combination that many in London drank in those early days was 'Light and Bitter' - again not seen these days. At least, and despite the demise of Vaux Brewery, I can still get my favourite brown ale - Double Maxim.
Loved this piece.
Thanks Teri
as someone obsessed with a good pub, I enjoyed that read. Thanks Harry. Might consider a humorous post one day on how difficult it is finding a great pub in London (that isn't packed)
Glad you enjoyed it Rosana - and go for it re your piece. After I left the northeast in the 1970s I lived and worked in and around London for nearly four decades so I've seen the inside of many a London pub in my time. There were many I liked yet never really found my 'local'.
I’m very pleased you have found a new local Harry. And you can enjoy two northern pints for the price of one southern beer!
Or three at London prices! I'm saving up for my next visit in a couple of weeks. Also plan to visit Wiltshire next spring (but not the Rose and Crown). Nearer the time we'll see if we might meet for a beer or two ?
Yes, it would be good to see you again. Reading about your meet up with Sue Reed brought back memories of our various afternoons chewing the cud.
Yes, meeting up with Sue also triggered memories of our get togethers and not to make you too jealous but the Queens Head also have Happy Wednesday when they knock 20% off draught beer. It may be grim up north but it is cheaper .... 😉
Ok, ok, stop rubbing it in!
History calls upon you to preserve these places or their memory. I never thought that I'd develop such sentiments until I moved to a place where history is practically around a corner or beneath my feet.
Indeed Daniel
Ah that's grand. Glad you found a new place
Enjoyed this article!
Reminded me of my first pub introduction. I was driving to Bath from London on my move to the UK. I stopped at a roadside pub, near a little village called ‘Box,’ for dinner.
I had the surprise of my life, when concerned if I would get vegetarian food, I saw, written in chalk - ‘Rajma and rice!’
That was also my intro to improv Indian food!
I know Box Jayshree (I used to live in Chippenham) but not that pub. Life is full of surprises!!
A small world, then! I used to go to Chippenham often when I lived in Bath!
Small world indeed - I lived there from 2013 to 2022 - after I retired I volunteered in the local museum.
I too, have found a new place for refreshments.
I read your piece with great anticipation. Will Harry find his new local? The reason is, we are about to move in a few weeks. Only two miles away - from the north side of downtown - to the south side. But it means we'll be a far walk from our local. A warm and inviting tavern that always had a few neighbor to chat up. The new neighborhood boasts one bar. So all eggs in that basket. I'll let you know how it goes.
Please do so Peter - might you have read this essay by Orwell on how he imagined his dream pub?
https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/the-moon-under-water/
What a delightful article Harry. Thanks for sharing the link. I predicted it was fictional but my heart still ached for a place such as this.
Yes, mine too!
Places go through cycles, although there are generally fewer pubs now. Gateshead has had something of a pub renaissance, and I hope the trend for "micropubs" continues as long as the overheads are kept manageable. Mind you, not enough places have mild on tap for my liking still!
Yes, the advent of the micropub is a great thing and with you on mild too. It was a drink I discovered only after meeting the girl who became my first wife and hailed from Kent. This would have been 1975 and a 'Brown and Mild' was a classic combination in Kent pubs. Not the brown ale I was used to in the northeast but a much sweeter, nuttier flavour. The last time I saw mild on draft was again in Kent but that was probably a decade ago or more. Another combination that many in London drank in those early days was 'Light and Bitter' - again not seen these days. At least, and despite the demise of Vaux Brewery, I can still get my favourite brown ale - Double Maxim.
Glad you've found your new local, Harry. The walk there will soon see you fit as a lop!
Indeed Sue, I always feel I've worked for my beer after the hill climb 😉
Thank you Marian and Joaquin is correct!
Thank you Ben, that's very kind of you