October 2024. Wymondham. Tip for US readers – pronounced Why-mondy-um.
A long (and expensive, £30.10 for us with Two Together Railcard) rail trip to one of Norfolk’s few gems on a Sunday afternoon,
so best make the most of Wymondham’s gems.
Mrs RM notes the cute backpacks (“suffocatingly Norfolk”), I note the Betjeman.
It’s a short walk into town if you head through the cemetery in the dark, but I’m not doing that to Mrs RM.
Sunday brings early and uncertain closing times, so I called ahead to make sure the Green Dragon would be open in an hour, which proved to be a question too far, and made for the actual GBG newbie.
You might think that suburban micropubs and brewery taps on industrial taps dominate the new Guide entries, but actually it’s clubs. Raquets, Cricket, Constitutional, and this Ex-Services with a line in cover bands.
A lively mixed crowd, and a well chosen range of jam jars.
The visitors book applied vigorously, but I just plead “CAMRA ?” and get a higher rate applied.
Loads going on, from pool players in waistcoats (“Has there been a wedding ?”, “No, it’s Norfolk”),
to a surprising soundtrack that starts with “Are Friends Electric” and ends at the Cocteau Twins.
Who knows what’s in the urn ? Draught Bass ? Mead ? Tea ?
Doom Bar can taste like cold tea at its worst; this was a vibrant pint (3.5), rather livelier than the Rudgate Blonde that the Untappd tickers have gone for.
Mrs RM only had eyes for the hot nuts.
“I’m a stranger in my own country !” says someone at the bar, which as usual is the time to leave.
retiredmartin 
Being Norfolk I’d have expected “I’m a stranger in my own county” !
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Cocteau Twins in a club in Norfolk? I’m impressed.
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I suspect that 1985 indie has just reached Norfolk…
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Better late than never…
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I can assure your US readers if they pronounce the place as “Why-mondy-um” when visiting,or asking for directions, instead of “Wind-um” as the locals do, theyll stand out as tourists, unless its a “Why-mondy-up”
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It’s very important that US visitors can be identified as such, so that pubs know not to allow them to return vinegary pints.
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Yes, Windum or Wyndham is how it’s said locally.
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Just because you’re local doesn’t mean you’re right; just look at the pubs Stafford CAMRA members pick for the GBG.
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I’d rather not look at, let alone go in, some of the pubs Stafford CAMRA members pick for the GBG !
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Whoosh!
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Isn’t that what the Welsh call Worthington?
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No, you’re getting mixed up with Mancunians, who used to call Wilson’s “Whizz”, Martin.
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As in “Sorted for e’s and Whizz” ?
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