13/02/2013

WHEN I WAS A LAD…



Most Friday evenings, between 7 - 7.30, I used to meet up with 3 or 4 of my old school mates for a couple of ‘sherbets’. 
 

Holding a preference for Wilson’s bitter, we invariably, met in either ‘The Bowling Green’ or ‘The Church Inn’, in Denton.


The Church Inn; is sadly no longer standing (it was demolished when the Motorway was ploughed through Denton in 1975) 


I know it’s easy to look back on bygone days with rose tinted glasses, but on those Friday nights in the early 70’s, I used to catch the 127 Bus from Guide Bridge to Crown Point, buy a round of 4 or 5 pints of Best Bitter and treat myself to a ‘castella cigar’. Upon leaving that busy pub; usually I’d get a ‘Fish & Chip supper from the ‘Chinese Chippy’ next to the Bowling Green and still have enough change out of £1.00 for my bus fare home!


Compare that with today. Under the hated escalator, introduced by Labour in 2008, beer duty goes up by two per cent above inflation every year. The Coalition has ploughed on with the policy, claiming they cannot afford to overturn it!


It’s now been estimated that by 2020, the average price of a pint of normal strength beer will be £4.86 a pint. In London, where a pint already nudges £5 in some bars, the average will be £5.76.


So to replicate one of my regular Friday nights out of yesteryear, it wouldnow cost me well over £40.00!


Is it any wonder that pubs in the UK are closing at a rate of 18 per day when you can pay £4 for 4 cans at to drink at home? 


I no longer smoke, but I do know people who do. However, I’m led to believe that they very rarely buy their ‘baccie’ from the shops! – Why pay £3.95 for 12.5 grams when they can buy 50 grams for £7.00 on the black market. 


40 years ago the pubs were full and you didn’t get the binge drinking like you do today, It was far more relaxed and good for socialising, now youngsters have to get drunk before they go out!








8 comments:

  1. Wilson's bitter! I used to drink it regularly in the Beehive in Droylsden in the 60's, what a great pint. I can remember buying 3 pints for 5 shilling, that's 3 pints for 25 pence in today's money.

    I now tend to drink in Sam Smith's pubs where the bitter is £1.80 pint or the Lord Nelson in A-U-L, Hydes bitter £1.60 pint.

    They are both busy, so it shows that if the price is OK people will still use them. When you have to pay £3-£4 for a pint, well they are taking the p...

    We used to do a tour of Denton on a Friday night, Red Lion, Gardners Arms, Kings Head etc, etc.

    Where do you drink now C?

    Bill
    http://www.walksintameside.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bill,

    Many years ago, I used to frequent The Gardeners Arms, Edge Lane, Droylsden but in the middle 70's I moved to Micklehurst, Mossley, where we used The Dysarts Arms. Best pint of Robinson's for miles!

    In those days it was run by Alice & Nerk (Never knew his real name!)

    However, 40+ years in the Advertising Industry, with most of them in pubs like The Royal Oak in Didsbury, has now rendered me a non-drinker!

    Having said that, I have been known to drop in to The Railway at Rose Hill, Marple, for a coffee!

    Best

    C

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi C

    Never been in the Dysart's and not a great fan of Robinsons but I have been in the Royal Oak in Didsbury in my younger days.

    Just noticed the link to my walking site, many thanks, it's appreciated.

    Bill
    http://www.walksintameside.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was a regular in The Royal Oak during the reign of the legendary landlord Arthur Gosling. ... I could spend hours regaling the antics of Arthur.

    The best pint of Marston's Pedigree for miles around!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sorry to say that sadly the legendary Arthur Gosling passed away this week but will be fondly remembered by all that knew him, God bless .

      Delete
    2. sadly the Legendary Arthur Gosling past away this week but will be fondly remembered by all that knew him, God Bless

      Delete
  5. I too am a fan of Pedigree. I hope you don't mind C but I have just written a review of your blog on my walking blog. Let me know if you object and I will remove it.

    Bill
    http://www.walksintameside.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bill, you are a 'Flattery Specialist!' - Thank you.
    C

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to comment and express your views, all opinions are welcome but we will not post comments that contain abusive language or are deemed to be offensive or inflammatory.