retiredmartin

July 2025. Stannington. Sheffield.

Right, let’s finish the Sheffield suburb of Stannington so I never have to go there again.

Actually, it’s a pleasant little place,

proper church,

edge of the Peak, two Co-ops, three pubs. but you won’t believe it has a population of 18,607, which is bigger than Devizes (and Marple).

Pub 3 was referred to as the Top House by Tracy (without an “e”) in the Peacock,

but Crown & Glove is a unique pub name and sounds a bit like The Smith’s first single so we ought to use that.

Of the 3 Stannington pubs, this looks the smartest, like an M & B all day diner,

and perhaps at 3:30pm the lunch trade has gone home, as it’s empty.

Completely empty, bar me. Two bars, no-one behind them, or any sound at all.

If I was still ticking the GBG I’d have been panicking, but “finishing a Sheffield suburb” isn’t that important, and after five minutes I consider starting the 40 minute walk home.

But then I notice the bell.

And ring it, instinctively deadening the noise almost immediately like I do in my Waterbeach local.

Nothing. I walked out, stared into the distance, then returned, unwilling to be beaten.

Oooh, they’re out of Guinness. And Moretti. That’s worrying.

And at that moment, a young man emerged from the kitchen, replete with tales of minor injuries I probably shouldn’t trouble you with. He puts on Aerosmith “Love In An Elevator“, then turns it down. Good lad.

Hobson’s Choice again on the pumps, and this time it’s not not Farmer’s Blonde. Why on earth does a village pub in Sheffield have a beer from Aldershot (OK Tongham) ?

The chatty young man, perhaps a substitute at the bar, is pleased with his pint pulling.

“Oooh, old skool pint, like the Boddies my dad used to drink !”.

And it is beautifully presented, until the foam clears.

It’s not bad, just a tad disappointing (NBSS 2.5), unlike the calamari from the snack menu which rather redeems the visit.

As so often, squid can solve all your problems.