COB, BAP, BARM, BUTTY, SANDWICH…

January 2025. Sheffield.

Back in Sheffield for a night, finally. I’d forgot what “home” looks like.

The boiler was making a horrible noise so I turned it off, I had a discussion about Mum’s funeral arrangements that threatened to be more traumatic than death itself, and decided I needed a walk in the chilled Sheffield air.

Which inevitably means “Stop at a pub“.

I popped in the first one.

Now, the Wellington is a great pub, as good as the Hare & Hounds in Manchester or Cambridge’s Live & Let Live. So good I called it my Pub of the Year a year ago.

But I hadn’t popped in since last March, when an afternoon listening to Old Codgers dissecting Jethro Tull albums over pints like today’s foamy Big Trip Technologic.

(Almost) perfect. Bench seat, Wards tat, women drinking a bottle of wine, everyone else on pints of cask, as pubby as Sheffield pubs get.

Just not quite as crisp a pint as the Wellington can be, a 3.5 rather than a 4.

Talking of crisps…

I’d popped in for a pint, but if you can resist the snacks in the Welly you’re stronger than me, or Roy581, or pickpick.

Note the divergence of words to describe a bread based comestible.

Cob, roll, barm, butty. Butty ! I go bap, just to start a fight.

Pint of Neepsend Ikatere, giant cheese and onion bap, packet of Pipers. Six English pounds.

Don’t you wish you lived in The North ?

Unknown's avatar

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

18 thoughts on “COB, BAP, BARM, BUTTY, SANDWICH…”

  1. Sorry to hear about your mum, Martin (I’m belatedly catching up with a week of your posts in between caring for my own elderly parents).

    I suspect that the cob/bap/barm division of the country might somewhat resemble the sparkler divide once mapped by Tandleman.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I’ve lived in the North (and Cambs).

    I have to say, I’m more than happy with Worcester.

    Especially as it’s not far from the Black Country for more unique beery experiences.

    Like

    Reply

  4. Martin,
    I have to make do with visiting the North, ten nights last year or thirteen if you include north of the border.
    I was reminded yesterday that I could do worse than Staffordshire with my bus pass getting me to Stone where, like Stafford, “the North End” is the best bet for Proper Pubs. The Pheasant, a Victorian street corner local was quite busy at 1.30pm on a winter Tuesday while so many other venues would be shut. Three lads with a combined age probably equalling my age were playing darts amongst other cheerful beer drinkers. The Holdens Golden Glow was drinking well ( a reminder that I’m not far from the Black Country for more unique beery experiences ) and my Stone baked pork pie was £2.

    Like

    Reply

  7. A sandwich involves slices of bread, from a loaf, with a filling. A roll is also bread but self contained and also has a filling. However, fillings such as cheese and onion or tomato seem to be more suited to rolls. Personally, I think the best rolls are served in Black Country pubs.

    The East India Arms in the City used to have the biggest selection of sandwiches which I have come across with (from memory) about 140 on offer from opening time until they ran out. They also had excellent Youngs beer. Now there is Shepherd Neame and no food so no point in going unless you need the tick.

    [IPW]

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to tandleman Cancel reply