Nature. Pubs. Chester FC and footy in general. UK Geography.
Joined January 2014
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Jun 11
Pub Sign of the Week: Bittern, Bitterne, Hampshire (1997)
Marvellous. Full marks for setting, plumage posture. Google Earth Pro suggests there's still a decent sign in situ - not one that's succumbed to the trend for simple slhouette in muted grey black.
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Jun 4
Pub Sign of the Week: Farmers Arms, Wilmslow (1995)
I'm seeing a cross between TV farmer Ted Moult and comic Jimmy Edwards.
A modern take would see the farmer filling in a subsidy form sat amidst a lifeless expanse of intensively managed Italian ryegrass.
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May 28
Pub Sign of the Week: Old Neptune, Whitstable, Kent (1988)
The jovial Roman sea god looking happy with his world. Resembles a seaside saucy postcard that's missing its caption.
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May 26
Volunteers Inn, Keighley
From the outside in the unprepossessing category but well worth darkening its portals. A cheerful local, fine war related prints and a lovely drop of Dark Tranquility.
Hats off to the Keighley Civic Society who rescued the pub from permanent closure.
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May 21
Pub Sign of the Week: Rake & Pikel, Chester
Is this a painting by the likes of Jean-François Millet or is it a homage to their style cleverly crafted by a sign illustrator? Either way it's a damn sight better than the slate-grey name only horror we see today.
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May 19
Clifford Arms, Great Haywood, Staffs.
Strayed off the Shugborough Hall estate and, by pure serendipity, found this cracking pub. Tiled floors. Banquettes. Local bric-a-brac. Ticked lots of boxes for me. And the Draught Bass was in immaculate condition.
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May 19
Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs 3-1 Mynydd Llandegai. North Wales Coast West League Premier Division.
Fabulous backdrop at the Cae Clyd despite rain clouds shrouding the mountains.
An enjoyable game. Both keepers excel as the Quarrymen consolidate fourth place.
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May 18
Grouse, Carrog
Fabulous views of the River Dee even on a murky May evening. JW Lees Bitter OK but reaffirmed my opinion that it never tastes as good away from its east Manchester heartlands.
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May 14
Pub Sign of the Week: Railway Hotel, Ringwood (1983)
Not quite sure what Stephenson's Rocket is doing on the edge of the New Forest. Nice signage though so we'll forgive this bit of symbolism over accuracy!
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May 13
Flying Childers, Stanton-in-Peak, Derbyshire.
Strong contender for "Pub of the Year 2026" (one I'd hitherto not visited before). Superb beer (Thornbridge, Bass), traditional and cosy. Virtually faultless.
Will take something special to eclipse this.
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Apr 18
0xford City 1-2 @ChesterFC
On the ropes a bit second half but, after some dogged defending, hung on for a vital win.
Both goals here. Think our first just crossed the line!!!
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Apr 16
Pub Sign of the Week: Duke of Portland, Lach Dennis (2001)
A fine depiction of snooty, detached superiority - the footman almost obscured by a heavy fug of cigar smoke.
The pub, if we can call it that, is now the Cheshire Grill Country Pub & Steakhouse.
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Apr 9
Pub Sign of the Week: Gate Inn, Osbaston, nr. Market Bosworth (2000)
Oh to be pain free with no moment of doubt about vaulting a hurdle. And, if you fell over, your body would quickly forgive you. Nowadays, it requires military planning to negotiate a stile.
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Apr 2
The pubs of Cartmel. Everyone gossiping about the other! Royal Oak my favourite for the Fell beers closely followed by the Priory. Not cheap. A wincing £3.15 for a half in the Cavendish.
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Apr 2
Pub Sign of the Week: Pipe & Gannex, Knowsley (1995)
Former prime minister and ex-Huyton MP Harold Wilson was often seen with his pipe and raincoat - part of his public persona as a pragmatic man of the people. Should have had a pint in his left hand then!
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Mar 26
Pub Sign of the Week: The Ermine, Chester (c.1992)
Excellent artwork of a Stoat in winter fur except for that trademark black-tipped tail. Later re-named to the Flookersbrook. Long since closed and now an abandoned eyesore ripe for re-development.
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Mar 19
Catastrophe in Aberystwyth where the marvellous sign for the Starling Cloud has been replaced by truly abysmal lettering only. Absolute disgrace.
If you tolerate this, your children will be next.
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Mar 13
One for Pier Review - the pier fanzine I'm never going to produce. Penarth. Lovely structure. Opened 1898. 220m in length. Art Deco pavilion. One of only seven that survive in Wales. Views to the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel and across to Brean Down.
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Mar 12
Merthyr Town 1-2 Chester - National League North. Att: 1,104 (away c.120)
Up the head of the Valleys to Penydarren Park for a night of relentless whispering sheets of drizzle riding in the wind. Suffering the weather made the glorious last gasp winner taste all the sweeter.
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