March 2024. Old Swan. Netherton. Dudley. (Part 2 of 2)
I’d gate-crashed (if you can gate-crash something you’re invited to) The Two Pauls Black Country Crawl in Netherton, fearlessly taking on the torture of two hours on the top deck of Dudley buses.
Convinced I’d beaten them into the Old Swan (aka Ma Pardoe’s)
I’d excitedly let them know,
only to find out they were already in Ye Olde Part.
I didn’t even know there was an old part; I’d only seen the one entrance.
But the helpful barman, clearly used to “CAMRA types” wanting to see 3 star heritage, took me on a magical trip that took almost as long as the bus from Dudley; through snugs,
and behind the back of the bar, to the most wondrous room in pubdom.
I think it really might be, unless the Honeypot in Maidenhead has unknown pleasures.
“Wow !” I said, for the second time in 3 days.
In truth, I think I’d missed this room 20 odd years ago when I ticked this legendary brew pub and wondered what the fuss was about.
In truth, the beer (Entire, 4.4%) was better today than back then,
and at £3.30 scarcely more expensive.
Kentish Paul, whose blog post on the Old Swan will be with you shortly, was a figure of contentment,
though two pints of Batham’s in the Vine may have helped. £2.70 his pint of Original.
I felt a little guilty that we’d left the lounge, the heart of the pub, for a private showing of the heritage interior (only occasionally open due to the death of lunchtime drinking).
But not too guilty.
Go. Go NOW.
retiredmartin 
Hi Martin – on my more recent visits, ye olde bar area has been out of bounds with only the restauranty side open, so good to know that all the classic features are intact! Landlord Tim of the waistcoat fame is supposedly retiring in the very near future, he’s done such a grand job maintaining the heritage of a Black Country classic. Cheers, Paul
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Paul.
I had no idea there was an old part, having (I think) bought a pint at the first bar I saw. I suspect the two Pauls asked very nicely if they could take their pints through. One of them will tell us when it does open.
Similar situation in Cannock’s Crystal Fountain this week.
LikeLike
Stafford Paul had done a recce, a couple of weeks earlier, and had asked the landlord if we could see/drink in the old part of the pub.
Glad that he did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did well to get there; t’other Paul did sterling work on the recce.
LikeLike
Landlord Tim of the waistcoat fame went at the end of January last, it is said.
Did Brewer (Paul?) remain?
Nice to hear the beer is in good nick now.
tankard
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t know about Paul, sorry, but the beer definitely in good nick !
LikeLike
There was a very jovial, landlord type, wearing a traditional, black waistcoat sitting behind the bar. You can see him, here. https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m just about to put that pic on Twitter along with your blog, Paul !
LikeLike
Hello Kentish Paul, (been reading your blog for many a year)
Many thanks for your pic of waistcoated landlord Tim Newey. Found it yesterday 👍🏼
That is Most Reassuring to see – coz the internet says dear Tim is going end of Jan last.
We have plans to be there, in the old part, yet again at the end of May. Hope faggots are on the menu.
tankard
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had lanyard-wearing Kentish Paul come straight from work as the bouncer at a nearby ‘Spoons ?
LikeLike
Probably my favourite pub of all time
LikeLiked by 1 person
The next one up isn’t bad either.
It’s a shame the old bar isn’t used much. The lounge/dining room had a fair bit of character despite being the plainer room.
LikeLike
When the original Hoskins Brewery in Leicester had an interest in Pardoe’s their terrific pale Original (?) was available throughout their small pub estate, presumably Hoskins ales were on at the Old Swan too.
The White Horse in Leamington Spa is another where the old part of the bar is only open for functions etc. Shame as it’s lovely inside.
(The Real) Mark
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mark. I was just thinking I’d seen the Pardoe’s beers (with a swan on the clip ?) in pubs in the Midlands over the years.
LikeLike
My memory of our(Dave and Dick) visit was having beer in the newer part. I think Dave knew about the old part and we looked in and it was empty. I will check the photos later unless Dave remembers.
Dick
LikeLike
Don’t feel too bad if that’s the case, I’m certain my own previous visit was to the lounge and it seems we only mad it to the old bar because Stafford Paul asked in advance.
LikeLike
Fifty years ago my asking in advance was letters to Doris Pardoe, and I still have her beautifully hand written replies, in advance of a Black Country coach trip I was organising for my branch, a proper coach not one of those little minibus things. We also did the Jolly Crispin (Simpkiss), Park Inn (Holdens) and Lamp Tavern (Bathams).
There was of course no 1980s “lounge/dining room” then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a vague recollection of reading in “What’s Brewing” (when it was a newspaper) about the layout of the Old Swan, but the pub had rather fallen off my radar Paul.
LikeLike
I remember letters, sort of.
LikeLike
i remember the old swan back in the 1970s. Ma Pardoe as well, sid Allport and Brenda, Liz and Helen their daughters. A watering hole for certain members of netherton Cricket Club, Sid being one of those. Those were the days. Good trade at lunchtimes, men coming out of the steel works . There was also Wally, Blind Norman,Bill Smith and Gladys .Brian Carpenter.Many more . many a happy hour or so had there
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great memories. Still a wonderful pub.
LikeLike
Yes, just a shame that the best room is rarely open with its customers having died over the decades.
LikeLiked by 1 person