Don’t worry, Uttoxeter, it’s got a way to go yet.
January 2024. Leek.
But a couple of Guide newbies promised Bass. Oddly, despite a dozen visits over two dozen years, I had no recollection of either Benks or Cobblers,
the latter just yards from the oatcake van and the Titanic pub.
Isn’t golden light pouring out of a pub window on a grey day a wonderful thing ?
Look, I’m not saying the Cobblers has the magic and charm of the Blue Mugge, but it’s a Proper Pub that would grace any Old Codger Day Out,
with a good choice of comfortable seating, a Bee Gees soundtrack,
and if the beer of choice didn’t seem to be the one with a red triangle,
it didn’t seem to make any difference to the quality of our pint, a cool and dry NBSS 3.5/4 to place it in my Top 20 on pure quality grounds. And I NEVER lie about something as objective as beer quality.
“Staying Alive” gave way to Queen,
and it all made sense. All except that two hour delay till Benks opened, anyway.
retiredmartin 
“Isn’t golden light pouring out of a pub window on a grey day a wonderful thing ?”
Well it’s not the same as proper gas lighting in the New Beehive or Nellies up north but I know what you mean.
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I seem to remember the Bag of Nails in Bristol had gas lighting. Or was it all a dream?
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“A Proper Pub that would grace any Old Codger Day Out.” Any ideas for the next one, bearing in mind there’s no rail station at Leek?
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Micropubs will see the death of Wingback Chairs. Two of those in Gloucesters Drunken Duck and everyone else is drinking outside.
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Hi Martin – in one post you’ve convinced me I need to return to Leek urgently. Completely missed the Cobblers when I went a couple of summers ago, which judging by your write up is a serious oversight on my part! Loved Benks though and the Bass there was excellent. Cheers, Paul
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Not just you Paul, I’d never heard of the Cobblers either and I thought I knew everywhere in Leek.
Just wait till that new station gets opened in ’26 (2226).
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