Going on a pub crawl the around town - but this time in the 1960s
THIS week born and bred Ashburnian BEV OAKLEY takes us on a nostalgic walk around the pubs of Ashbourne
I’M going on a pub crawl in the 1960s. I’m not old enough, of course, and now that I am, it’s not my scene.
I only go in The Wheel at Shrovetide if a Down’ard goals the ball. The last time, therefore, was nearly two years ago, when my nephew, Nathan Harrison had that honour!
I’m starting at The Bowling Green since it is the nearest to my house on Mappleton Road. It is, of course, still thriving today, with a good restaurant too.
I walk down Buxton Road to The White Lion, owned then by Clary Jones and later by that wonderful lady, his niece, Phyllis Stubbs, mother of equally well-known Ashburnian, John Stubbs.
Phyllis was a very sociable lady much loved by Ashburnians. She organised popular outings for years to all sorts of places.
The photo shows a White Lion celebration which I think is Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. This was loaned to me by Ernie Mitchell.
Yes, The White Lion was certainly a popular and entertaining pub! It’s a great shame it’s not there any more!
At the top of the Market Place stands The George and Dragon whose name and depiction is selfexplanatory and is, thankfully, still there today.
When I was a teenager, working at The Diamond Mini Store (now Lighthouse), Mr and Mrs Dodd ran Ye Olde Vaults and their children, Jonathan, Sheena and Sheree, often came in to see me and chat.
The White Swan is close by, next to the bookies, which I would think is very convenient for some!
Next, after Tupthumper
Wibberley’s hardware store is Cash and Co shoe shop, now The Haig
Bar belonging to The British Legion, where my grandad, Neddy Mee, would be found playing dominoes, no doubt.
Down, now, to Smith’s Tavern, where I must admit I went a time or two, as a QEGS sixth former, with my friends, but only very rarely in my case!
After Woolworths is The Wellington - no longer a pub today.
In the other direction, we come to The Green Man well-known then for Shrovetide, for the dinner and the crowd waiting in the Green Man
Yard for the thrower up to emerge and be carried down to Shaw Croft.
Along Church Street is The White Hart, now offices.
We turn and go down Dig Street to The Coach and Horses, which thrived then, but became very forlorn recently, before re-opening the other week, I’m glad to say, and good luck to the present owners!
It’s Shrovetide and I’m hoping to be in The Wheel (which today is run by Steve Bull and his wife and has been for a very long time and is still thriving!)
Heading for The Plough (not now a pub) at the bottom of Old Derby
Road and opposite the C and G Social Club on the corner of Station Street (later Nestles Club).
In the opposite direction, along Station Street, The Machine is the domain of Harry Brailsford, a wellknown man-about-town who used to come into The Mini Store for his ‘green’un’ every Saturday night.
In the other direction at the top of Station Road, next to the Police Station is The Tavern, run by Beryl Green and her husband.
Of course this has been long gone, as has The Station Hotel down Station Road, before turning for the Bus Station.
Well, truly oiled, I’ll stagger home, I think, and try to walk in a straight line!