Such is the vandalism visited on our UK public house house estate by "pubco's" and other hooligan owners that one hesitates to recommend establishments for fear that philistines have torn the beating hearts from once-fine and chersished haunts.
On Twitter some excellent commentators are currently listing favourite places of assignation. Look out for the likes of @oldmudgie and @VauxWanderer. Dare I join in? Or will I get that, "why on earth did he rave about that dump" look from those who have been disappointed after following one's blandishments that they simply MUST imbibe at The Old Crow or The Barker Arms.
Back in the day I spent much time in Banks's pubs. There were generally basic but buzzing with life - proper pubs. In the 70's and 80's they employed probably the worst interior designers [sic] available and nothing struck more terror in customers than the news that their pub was to be "done up."
I spent 6 months in the early 80's working in an office in Walsall in the days when having a pint at lunchtime was not a capital offence. On day 1, wearing a suit, I entered the bar of The Prince Blucher. As in the classic Western movies silence befell the chattering mass inside. I edged to the beautiful long oak bar, ordered a pint of Banks's bitter and a bloke leaned across and asked me what I was "up for" assuming my attire presaged a visit to the nearby Magistrates' Court.
I became a, temporary, "regular". The wonderful landlady, Rose, expended much effort trying to persuade me to use the Lounge Bar as my suit clearly identified me as a "gent". But I was happy as I was and loved the place (currently, and probably terminally, kaput.) I left Walsall but heard that The Prince had been given the Banks's "treatment". I eventually went in to find an almost completely deserted whitewashed bar. The superb wooden counter was no more. All character - and customers - had disappeared. But dear Rose was still there and, this time, physically dragged me into the Lounge chirruping about how beautiful it was. I sh*t ye not but I encountered a small room gormlessly decorated with vivid wallpapers - including flock - and featuring, in pride of place, that ghastly print of white horses in the Camargue which was so inexplicably popular in those days. As the reporters used to write in the, also now defunct, "News of The World", I made my excuses and left.....
Should I mention a classic and one of my all-time favourites but which I haven't visited since the 80's? Has it too been despoiled? Pictures suggest not so here goes - The Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses. This place - visited many times during two Northumberland excursions - was run by an incredible chap called Alan Glen. Not only did he attend brilliantly to punters in the small crowded bar but every single week he religiously cleaned the mass of nautical memorabilia festooning every available inch on the walls and ceiling. Is it still a classic? Do let me know when the pumps start flowing again....
@CrowMultimedia
iancrowmultimedia@gmail.com
