July 2026. Bradford.
Back from Bingley at half-five last Monday, Bradford looked a little too quiet. The 10 minutes walk from Forster Square Station to Holiday Inn Express is a row of “value” pubs, one of them offering sandwich, crisps and a pint for a fiver.
As I walk past the Ginger Goose I hear this;
Except, it’s not the record. It’s live music. At 5:30 on a Monday.
“Go ON, go ON !” says Mrs RM, the Mrs Doyle of pubgoing.
Well, why not; the Goose had had a stint in the Beer Guide before the North Parade micros took over, so it couldn’t be that bad.
I hand over a tenner,and get an improbable amount of change back, which I count as Naomi Leigh starts on an emotional“Baby Can I Hold You”.
Blimey, it was only two quid, for a pint of cool, tasty Golden Best.
That’s cheaper than Spoons ! Apparently, virtually everything is £2 on Monday, and there’s quality live music for a packed (and surprisingly mixed) crowd.
Naomi is a musical theatre performer with a wide range of material, who really connects with the old folk under the mirrorball.
Mrs RM sings along to Mamma Mia. She’s just the audience that Manchester City want when they put a permanent Mamma Mia dining experience next to the Etihad in 2028.
But it’s this one that brings a tear to the eye.
“Our Cask Camino is just an excuse to get p****d and eat curry in Bradford, isn’t it ?”.
retiredmartin 