March 2024. Sheffield. A second pub on Sheffield’s Folk Weekend, though sadly/happily not in The Perch, which was completely packed for the Youth Sessions. And they say young people spend all their time playing Minecraft. The city was packed with folk carrying guitars and pushing suitcases, and I immediately knew I’d have a job getting… Continue reading WHO MADE “DIXON’S OLD DIABOLICAL” ?
NATIONAL BASS DAY 2024
March 2024. Sheffield. Ian had arranged National Bass Day for the 30th March, so it didn’t take the gloss of the Doom Bar celebrations two days later. Only one place in Sheffield, and by good fortune it coincided with the Folk Weekend. I guarantee you won’t find a better collection of pubs to hold a… Continue reading NATIONAL BASS DAY 2024
TOP 100 PUBS – THE LITTLE MAN, WETTENHALL
`March 2024. Wettenhall. Winsford. A second successive new GBG entry in a remote Cheshire village that I’d never heard of, and acquiring this new knowledge is what makes following the Guide the nation’s Number 1 social activity. Between the salt towns of Winsford and the rambling railway station of Crewe, Wettenhall (looks like Cholmondeston to… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE LITTLE MAN, WETTENHALL
THE WELL-HIDDEN JOYS OF THE UPMARKET CHESHIRE GASTROPUB
March 2024. Hankelow. Audlem. Three pubs in Audlem (pop. 1,991) and another one in tiny Hankelow, home to a rare new GBG tick for me as 2024 becomes a year of revisiting old classics. Hankelow feels a million miles from Nantwich Crewe to the north and Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke to the east, an area of farms… Continue reading THE WELL-HIDDEN JOYS OF THE UPMARKET CHESHIRE GASTROPUB
PRE-EMPTIVE AUDLEM – THE SHROPPIE FLY
March 2024. Audlem. An hour in Audlem before my bran’ new GBG opened a mile up the road, just time for a coffee, though that was harder than you’d think as a village of 1,991 souls apparently needs three (3) churches and two (2) funeral directors and one (1) karate instructor. Mrs RM had felt… Continue reading PRE-EMPTIVE AUDLEM – THE SHROPPIE FLY
So, Is Audlem Really The Start Of “The North” ?
March 2024. Audlem. I’ve been very lax in bringing you the best bits from Mumsnet; I see the perennial “Is it safe to move North” has come up again. ……. You could have predicted the first reply; ….. And no, that’s NOT an April Fools joke. If you think The North is bad, a reminder… Continue reading So, Is Audlem Really The Start Of “The North” ?
WINNING THE CASK LOTTERY AT THE SECOND ATTEMPT
March 2024. Newport. Salop. A last pub of the night in Newport. There’s more than 3 here, but 3 seemed plenty as we’re approaching middle age. “My pub is virtually next door” I called to Mrs RM, which was a bit of a lie as it was 200 yards and it wasn’t the Shakespeare even… Continue reading WINNING THE CASK LOTTERY AT THE SECOND ATTEMPT
bod AGAIN
March 2024. Newport (Shropshire). The rain abated, we made a dash for tea and a tick; Disappointingly, Newport (Salop) only has one “tourist attraction” and it doesn’t open till Friday. So no chance of a cheeky watch battery, porcelain duck or artisan cheese. Last time here, and it was 7 years ago, I described Newport… Continue reading bod AGAIN
ANY (NEW)PORT (PUB) IN A STORM
March 2024. Newport (Shropshire). Oooh, look how close I got to a emotional return to High Offley’s Anchor. Actually, I’d like to go with BRAPA; he should make it his last Guide tick, 7pm on a freezing Thursday in February. We could conceivably have parked a mile or so from the Anchor, but it was… Continue reading ANY (NEW)PORT (PUB) IN A STORM
ECCLESHALL – A BASS, A BAG OF CRINKLYS AND A CHURCH
March 2024. Eccleshall. We decided we’d better get some use out of the campervan now Spring had brought sunny, dry, weather (HA !). Two hours through the Peak via Leek and Stone to Eccleshall. Six pubs here in about two minutes walk, but quite a shake-up from a decade ago. The George, notorious home of… Continue reading ECCLESHALL – A BASS, A BAG OF CRINKLYS AND A CHURCH
