March 2025. Loughborough.
One cask pump is plenty, often more than enough, but sometimes five (5) pubs isn’t enough,
and a sixth was demanded.
Always best pick one you’ve never heard of, lest folk on Discourse accuse you of only going to the “best” pubs to keep your NBSS averages up.
The Blacksmiths doesn’t look promising, reminiscent of a Stonegate student pub, but Loughborough students aren’t allowed in the town centre, so the trade is blokes watching Cheltenham.
Open plan but comfortable, with the nation’s favourite, and soon possibly only, cask beer.
Two halves, Quinno wilting before getting a fresh burst of energy after I scuttled off for the train.
I thought the Landlord was cool, rich, and edging towards 3.5.
Beer scoring is definitely affected by the presence of Molly Ringwald.
I saw “Pretty in Pink” twice in 1986, a year that dominates the Blacksmiths.
But there’s worse years to theme a pub around, I guess.
retiredmartin 
Have you found a 1964 themed pub yet?
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How about a 1955 one?
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Wouldn’t that have cavemen and pterodactyls in it ?
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Do we need to find one quickly for your birthday party, Paul ?
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The Sultan in South Wimbledon probably qualifies.
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I only have a vague memory of that one now, Jon, but agree South London is where I’d look for a pub like that
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Jon,
Historic interior, Barrick’s pork pies and only thirty miles north-west of Tonbridge.
Best not delay booking it !
But what a shame it is that the Alexandra can no longer boast “knees-up bar, leg over lounge”
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Did they have pump clips in 1964 ?
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Yes Martin, in some pubs and about the diameter of a half crown which would have bought about three pints.
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I think the Stile in Wolverhampton might be close.
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“The nation’s favourite, and soon possibly only, cask beer.” – Time for a campaign to save Doom Bar.
When I used to attend CAMRA AGMs it was always London Pride that was on sale in one of the local pubs even if it was a long way from Chiswick.
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I could run for CAMRA National Exec on a “Doom Bar in every pub” ticket and still get more votes than one of the candidates😉
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And a good point about London Pride, Jon. I’m actually seeing Pride as a guest a bit now, including in Waterbeach’s Sun last week. I don’t think there are many beers capable of national status.
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Any chance of a 1961 themed pub? #PossiblysoontoberetiredBill
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The year Bass merged with Mitchells and Butlers, the year Ansells, Ind Coope and Tetleys became Allied Breweries, 1961 saw the birth of the nasty ‘Big Six’ national brewers.
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Eek! I was born under a bad sign!
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The Dandy said that it was an unusual year because it read the same upside-down.
Or was it the Beano?
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Beano and Dandy are the same upside down, surely ?
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Etu,
I remember noticing that on a new florin on 1961.
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