retiredmartin

July 2026. Rotherham.

Mrs RM’s sports injury persisted into the new week, scuppering a restart of the Cask Camino.

I said “I’m off” and took the tram down into Sheffield, and just kept riding on the Tram Train,

like in a 10,000 Maniacs Cat Stevens song.

Parkgate retail park marks the end of the Sheffield metro line, past Meadowhall and Rotherham Interchange.

It’s where I stopped to let legendary GBG ticker Ian get a SIM (no idea) card on the start of the 2024 suburban Rotherham tickathon. There’s a blue plaque outside the Popeyes Chicken.

Ian had turned down my offer of a pre-emptive half in the family diner across the road from the EE store,

but with limited options for a pint in north Rotherham,

I nipped in the Storyteller, just before midday saw the arrival of the gentlefolk carvery/Wacky Warehouse crowd.

Admit it, you’d love a Wacky Warehouse for old folk.

There’s a South Yorkshire friendly early 90s soundtrack at good* volume.

I’m surprised to see hand pumps, the more so to see two Greene King seasonal beers rather than IPA/Abbot,

and when the barmaid looks bewildered at the task of pulling a spluttering 11:30 pint I fear the worst, already preparing my spiel about “end of barrel, can I have a Carling instead please ?“.

But….the Brightside (£4.80) is at least cool and chewy, albeit a bit too citrusy for my taste. It’s the better side of “GOOD”, though you’ll always wonder what it would taste like in the hands of the Kelham Island Tavern.

I can’t knock the Storyteller; it’s cheery and brings in a mixed crowd, with an area for drinkers and a fine array of local football memorabilia, plus Dion Dublin* taking the stairs to the bedroom on TV.

For a split second, as Natalie Imbrulia is “Torn”, I contemplate staying for a second pint and a Build Your Own Burger for an improbable £6.50, but it’s impossible to work out the instructions and I head out along the Don into town.

Just before COVID I’d stayed in Parkgate and raved about the sunset over Rotherham,

and anyone who likes their countryside mixed with gritty industry will enjoy Parkgate.

I stumbled across the Pad Thai cafe (Rawmarsh Road, facing the Interchange), where you get a superb, bargain plate of noodles.

Makes a change from the Korean chicken at Spoons.

I just wish Rotherham had a few more good (and open at lunchtime) pubs in the centre.

*_{When I say “good” volume, I mean you can hear it and enjoy/detest it but also talk over it.}

**_{Homes Under the Hammer is, along with Frasier, the best programme on TV}