The 21st Century Pub

The pub, with origins going back several hundred years, is under threat as never before. Several reasons have been identified, most notably the availability of cheap (but often inferior) booze in supermarkets, tenancy restrictions and high rents imposed on landlords by the pub owners, and the smoking ban. Sadly, until the government recognizes that these little buildings scattered throughout the country are not only an irreplaceable community focus but also a major tourist magnet, unique to the British Isles and Ireland and contributing significantly to our national wealth, we are in danger of losing them forever.

Can I Do Anything?

Yes, turn your computer off now and go straight to the pub.




Sunday, 11 October 2020

Peterlee

 Peterlee

Peterlee New Town was only created in 1948 (the same year as Orwell wrote 1984 - was this really a coincidence?) so most pubs were built in the second half of the 20th century. There are, however, two exceptions in the adjoining village of Old Shotton.



The Royal George, January 2017 
My favourite pub in Peterlee, although it is really in Old Shotton



The Black Bull, Old Shotton, January 2017



The Moorcock in January 2017. Terry Smith and I were the first people to have a drink in this pub. 
We know this because it was still being built at the time. 
We had a couple of bottles of Brown Ale to celebrate.



Four Peterlee lads enjoying the sunshine in 1973 before finding a suitable pub. Tony Doyle looking very suave in his dark glasses.





The site of the infamous Royal Arms which was demolished in 2016.



Terry Smith outside the Royal Arms during a quiet Sunday afternoon in 1973.




Peterlee Working Men's Club

Saturday night entertainment included singers, comedians, strippers and bingo. Not necessarily in that order. Beer was supplied by the long-gone Federation brewery. Unfortunately I still remember how bad this beer tasted.




The Gamecock in 2017. One of the first pubs to open in Peterlee and the first time I had a paid job. I was 14 and employed to stack the shelves, keep the cellar tidy and general cleaning duties.
This is now a Sambuca restaurant.



The Gamecock in 1973



Peterlee Labour Club

This was our club of choice for a Sunday lunchtime session. The selection of free cheese and pickles was legendary and in great demand.



Now called The Peterlee Lodge Hotel, this was formerly The Norseman and one of our favourite pubs in the early 1970s


The Five Quarter in 2017. A relatively new Weatherspoons pub in Peterlee town centre. 



The Hearts of Oak in 2017

I remember this as a smart pub when it opened in the early 1970s.



The present pub sign looking more like aged plywood than seasoned oak.



The Hearts of Oak with the original sign, and the original Terry Smith, in 1973.




The Tree of York Road in 2017. Formerly The Argus Butterfly.

One of Peterlee's early pubs, the Argus Butterfly was home to a 'Jazz Club' in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Surprisingly for such a small provincial pub, several top rock bands played here including Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Mott the Hoople, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Free, Genesis and Julie Driscoll.



The Apollo Pavilion in 2017

The Apollo Pavilion is not a pub, but Peterlee's only architectural claim to fame. Designed by Victor Pasmore, the pavilion was built in 1969 and named after the Apollo Space Programme. English Heritage awarded the pavilion a Grade II* listing in 2011.



Two young lads enjoying a pint of Newcastle Brown in 1973



An atmospheric photograph showing a group of Peterlee friends in the early 1970s. Unfortunately the only thing in focus is the corner of the copper table and a Newcastle Brown Ale bottle.



Gordon Walton and Bill Grady waiting for beer.



A group of Peterlee lads looking forward to opening time on Lindisfarne in the early 1970s.




My brother enjoying a quiet pint in 1973. Doubtless to be followed by several noisy ones.

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