January 2024. Prescot.
Six months ago I hadn’t been to Prescot in 20 years; now I’m planning a third trip in rapid succession.
Geographic boundaries are dangerous, but I think this map shows Knowsley. But can that be right ?
10 minutes on the train from St Helens, just before you hit the motorway that divides “Proper Liverpool” from Woollyback-land, I can’t say I was thrilled to be back in Prescot,
but I did get chance this time get a shot of the famous cables for which the town is famed,
along with clocks, and Shakespeare.
Shakespeare ?
Well, they’ve already got a GBG micro named after the Bard, though it was shuttered at 3pm when all sources said it should be open.
I sent a message asking if they were open, guessed that 3 might become 4, and “did” the town a second time.
A strong feminist graffiti game,
a decent non-league ground,
and some great sculpture outside the Shakespeare North.
But it was the little social history museum, as so often, that’s the star.
It takes a bit of finding, tucked away in the library on the second floor of the shopping centre, but once there you get a history of clocks,
some old comics and Hornby memorabilia (from up the road in Formby, I think).
The ducking stool though, is from the Spoons.
Still no sign of life at The Bard, so I took a pic of the Knotty Ash Ales pub for Paul,
admired the wedge house that ought to be a pub,
and stared at shutters for 20 minutes before trudging back to the station.
How I’ve missed unexpectedly closed micro pubs in the GBG.
retiredmartin 
Some kind of issue on that day? Assuming it’s the day you tried to visit?
LikeLike
Ah, the FB link didn’t post. Anyway there’s a FB post that looks relevant.
LikeLike
Yes, a post about a shutter, but the next post said it was open later and then there was a post while I was standing outside with an update on next day’s opening, so very odd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such is world of micropubs.
LikeLike
“so I took a pic of the Knotty Ash Ales pub for Paul”
Thanks.
Lost to Higsons in 1927.
Many breweries failed around then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So that sign is a century or so old, then ?
LikeLike
Yes, signs and most other things were made to last back then.
LikeLike
The hare and hound sign might be a century old . That was the name of the pub from the 1970s into this century but it was always called Tommy Hall’s. Not sure when it officially changed. Further back it was known as the weighing machine. Regards Bill051
Have you got your settings so that non WordPress members are anonymous?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bill, I’ve no idea about any Word Press settings, just an oddity, but if you put your name on the end of the comment (like you did) I can add it on here.
LikeLike
Re The Other Bill, that wisnae me mister. A big boy did it and ran awa’.
LikeLike
I’ve reported him for impersonation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The random openings (or closings) of micros really try your patience don’t they?
Surprised you didn’t pop in for a consolation pint at The Thomas Hall….
…though at least you were able to make up for the lack of micro, with some top town culture.
LikeLike
Something dreadful could have happened of course, so I’m loathe to be critical.
I just don’t know how you find out opening times when you can’t rely on social media.
LikeLike
When I were a lad, pubs opened at 11.00, closed at 3.00, opened up again at 5.00 and closed at 10.30. (Unless it was market hours in Wrexham when they opened much longer) You knew where you stood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’ll be all right once the 2025 GBG has been published, with all the opening times set out for every pub. That should instill a bit of discipline in these micropub operators.
And if not, you can just write to Camra and complain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Will, I look forward to a definitive set of opening times in GBG25. It’s what the nation wants.
LikeLike
Bill, aren’t you busy tonight with that Spice Girls tribute display?
(All I Want To Do Is Up Helly Aa)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I take my hat off to them that they’ve managed to turn a rather slight association with Shakespeare – as a young man, he reputedly worked as a tutor for one of the Lancashire Catholic recusant families nearby – into a grant to build a new theatre dedicated to him.
The area abounds in sporting connections. Apart from St Helens, the Stanley family, the Earls of Derby, who live at Knowsley Hall have given their name to a horse race, the French rugby league and North American ice hockey trophies, and the park which, at least for another season, divides the grounds of the two Liverpool football clubs.
LikeLike
Regarding impersonations this is how you welcomed me nearly six years ago.(Zico?)
<>
Lots of different commenters in those days. Regards to my namesake.
Bill051
LikeLike
Apparently you can’t post into the comments box.The quote between disappeared.
It was
“retiredmartin says
February 17, 2018 at 8:21 am
Bill is the New Kid on the Blog. ”
I’ll get my coat.
LikeLike