Christmas Eve 2023. Tonbridge.
You learn something new every day.
On Christmas Eve I learnt my two sons were quite capable of choosing a third Tonbridge pub of the night without my steer,
though the only possible reason for picking the Station House would have been that it was there.
Unmistakably a Craft Union place, a simple affair appealing as much to the lads as the codgers. Nearly everyone under 23, guessed Matt.
This is the place the normal people go in Tonbridge.
I’m a big fan of the Unions, a reliable place for a cheap pint of Doom.
You won’t believe it, it had sold out ! Speckled Hen and Guinness then.
3 pints for a tenner. Matt (living in central Manchester) couldn’t believe it.
Decent beer, too, the Speckly Hen a cool, rich 3.
He couldn’t believe the TV sport, either.
I’m informed this is American Soccer, or “football” as they call it. It’s boring. What’s wrong with showing repeats of the 1976 League Cup final ?
You could have been in an actual USA sports bar in Denver, listening to “Bro Country”.
I’d never heard of “Bro Country”, and not sure I ever want to again. What’s the female equivalent ?
Someone shouts “Are ya listening Dave ?” across the room. But Dave is never listening.
He head for the door, careful not to pick up the wrong scarf.
retiredmartin 
It’s boring and that game was about as exciting as it gets. Would Matt leave Manchester in order to live near lower priced beer?
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Years ago, the Station House was a traditional, and unpretentious two-bar local, popular with railwaymen – when staff could enjoy the occasional drink.
It was thriving as well, now the whole place has been hollowed out, giving a rather soul-less, and barn-like interior. It depends on your definition of “normal” but I don’t know anyone who drinks in the Station House, and whilst it may well have got its act together, the place had a bad reputation, Craft Union or otherwise.
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“Hollowed out” is exactly the word I was thinking of Paul. That said, the folk there were happy enough.
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Martin, as long as the punters are happy, and not causing trouble, that’s fine but as someone who has lived in the town for the best part of four decades, I would question your rather bold statement that “it’s the place the normal people go in Tonbridge.”
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It was Matthew rather than me, and yes it depends on your definition of normal.
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I fear that “normal” is going to be more difficult to define than “proper”
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Or “craft”. Or “cider”. Propose a motion at the AGM ?
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Yes, but I’ll need a seconder.
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I’m sure Caroline from Kendal will oblige if I don’t make it (winch I intend to).
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I’m sure she would.
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