Stoke on Trent / Longton & Fenton Crawl 23rd February 2013

It was a fairly early start and a bus to Derby then on a train to Longton,an area of Stoke that i have done pubs on different occasions over the years,but the main crawl was to be in Fenton where i had only done four pubs while on a Nottingham Camra bus crawl on 23 February 1991,so a 22 year gap in doing the area.
It  was a very cold day so i was well pleased to find my first pub open before 11am.

Longton

1: The Last Post

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub looked like a Wetherspoons but it is not one.
Once inside the pub was still like a Weterspoons but in need of a refurbishment.
There were three real ales on the bar,i opted for a slow half of Marstons Pedigree which went down well.

I was now going to walk to a new pub which has opened on a new trading estate on the edge of Longton.
Luckily the pub opened dead on 11am for drinks so no waiting,if you want a meal and soft drink the pub opens at 9am

2: The Pepper Mill

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a modern new build Marston tied house which is situated at the far end on the Phoenix Park  trading estate.
The pub had the usual new build layout of a large single L shaped room which is geared up for diners,but drinkers are made just as welcome,there were three Marstons beers on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which went down well.

I was now going to walk to Fenton and i was told about a short cut which was a proper path which went over the the main Derby to Crewe line,but there was no bridge or underpass,i took a long look before crossing here,it was not long before i was on the main road through Fenton.
I took photos of the four pubs i had done there back in 1991 before getting in my first Fenton pub of the day.

Fenton

3: The Angel Inn

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a proper looking back street pub and just the sort i like doing.
The pub had been opened out but was still nice enough and warm on a very cold day,there were four pumps on the bar and two real ales on,i had a drink of Bass which was a very nice drink.

The Duke of Wellington was just down from the Angel but yet to open so i would do it later on my crawl of the area.
After a bit of a walk down the busy city road i was in my next pub.

4: The Royal Oak

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper looking estate pub and just the sort of pub i really like to do,the pub had the usual two room layout,the lounge was in darkness,but the bar seemed quite nice and i prefer drinking in the bars of estate pubs.
There was one real ale on here which was Bass,this went down very well while i thought i could well be in one of the many estate pubs i have done in the Greater Manchester area.

In this area of Fenton pubs are pretty thick on the ground so not far to walk to quite a few pubs.

5: Ye Olde Manor Inne

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a nice looking pub which is situated just off the city road,once inside the pub had an olde worlde feel to it,there were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Worthington Cask which was a decent drink,the pub was also very busy on my Saturday dinner visit which is nice to see.

6: Terrace Inn

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper old school pub that was pretty much unaltered inside with a couple of rooms,there was one real ale on here which was Bass,this went down very well,i quite took to this pub.
The Newtown pub is opposite the Terrace Inn but i would do that later.

I decided to walk down smithpool road to do my next pub.

7: The Regent

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A typical looking 30s built pub that i have never liked the look of,but it was a crawl of fenton so it had to be done.
Very large inside and opened out,most of the pub was in darkness due to a large screen in the bay window showing the Fulham v Stoke City game with only three customers watching it.
There were two pumps on the bar with clips turned round,but i always ask for a real ale anyway,ime glad i did because the landlord said he had Wadworth 6X on,this was a decent drink.
I did'nt really enjoy my visit to this pub.

After a bit of a walk round the bottom side of Fenton i was in my next pub.

8: The Locomotive

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper back street pub that is set among many terraced houses.
The pub had two rooms to the front and a larger dilapidated pool room to the rear,but i still liked this pub.
The pub is a Marstons tied house with two real ales on,i had a drink of Marstons Bitter which went down well,the pub was quite busy on my Saturday afternoon visit with older customers.

9: The Railway

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub is just up from the Locomotive and also looks quite nice from the outside.
The pub has been opened out inside apart from a separate pool room,the Fulham v Stoke game was being shown on a big screen to  mainly younger drinkers.
There were no real ales on the bar,the keg bitter choice was Boddingtons which i think is now undrinkable and the almost as bad John Smiths cold crap,which i had and it was a pretty poor drink.
This is not really a pub to go out of your way to do like i did.

I was now heading back North towards the city road but there was another pub to do along the way.

10: Bench & Bar

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a small back street corner pub that is in a residential area and also quite close to a large and impressive looking brick built church.
There is a single split level room inside,the pub is an unmarked Thwaites tied house,there were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Thwaites smooth which was drinkable.
This is a pleasant locals pub just a shame there was not a real ale on the bar.

After a short walk i was back on the city road and lots of pubs to get through.

11: The Newtown

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub is opposite the Terrace Inn.
Once inside the pub has been opened out into a large single room which seemed to have been done up recently giving it a clean and cold feel which i do not like,music was blasting out to younger drinkers,to my surprise there were two pumps on the bar with one in use,this had Hobgoblin on which was a very poor drink.
I was pleased to leave this pub.

12: The Musician

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a sturdy looking pub with a curved frontage.
The bar room is curved inside just as it is outside,there is also a large function type room which was not in use on my Saturday afternoon visit.
This is a rock type pub with the music to go with it,which i do not mind.
There were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Belhaven Black Scottish Stout which went down a treat.
There were some very lively customers in who were playing air guitars to the music,this pub is not for the faint hearted but i liked it here and would love to visit when it gets really busy.

13: Darcy's

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

 

This is now the only pub left on Victoria road.
Do not be put off by the name this is a proper pub with a good choice of real ales.
There is a single room which is quite comfortable,there was a TV showing the Fulham v Stoke game to a good crowd.
There were four real ales on the bar all from smaller breweries,i had a drink of Lymestone Stone Cutter which went down very well,the other beers were Coastal xxxx,Revolution EP and Cheshire Brewers Engine Vice.
I had a good chat with the young landlady who seemed very knowledgeable  about the local pub scene.
This pub is well worth a visit if in the area.

14: Duke of Wellington

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This looks like a 60s built pub and is just down from the Angel.
Once inside the pub had the usual estate pub layout of two separate rooms,the lounge was out of use,but the bar was quite large and comfortable and also nice and warm on a very cold day.
There was one real ale on the bar which was GK Abbot this went down well enough.
I was quite happy having a drink in this pub.

It was now time to walk uphill into the estates which look over Fenton and the surrounding areas of South Stoke.

15: Pool Dole

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a smart looking estate pub which was on the top of my list to do on this crawl.
The pub had the two separate rooms, i had a drink in the bar which was very busy,there was one real ale on which was Pedigree which went down well.
I thought this pub was well worth the walk uphill,the views were good and the pub friendly.

After a bit of a walk through estates i got to my my next pub.

15: New Penny

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

Another estate pub with two separate rooms,i had a drink in the lounge in this pub which was very smart,the bar was smaller and also not that busy.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which went down very well.
This is a very pleasant and comfortable pub.

16: Old Sal

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is an 80s built pub that Banks's brewery opened,this pub serves the estate that it is in,the pub is now signed as a Marstons house.
Once inside the pub has two separate rooms there is a large bar to the front where i had a drink and very smart lounge to the rear.
There was one real ale on the bar which was Banks's Bitter which went down well.
I found this to be a very comfortable and friendly pub to have a drink in.

It was now a bit of a walk to the top end of Longton then doing pubs i had not done on the way back to the station.

Longton

17: Corner Pin

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A decent looking pub that is set at the bottom of a very steep street.
Once inside the pub has been opened out into a single room but still has a bar area and lounge area,the pub is a Marstons tied house with two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which was a very nice drink.
This was a really nice pub to sit and have a drink in,it was warm so very nice to be in on a very cold day.

It was now a good walk downhill towards Longton train station,the pubs would also go downhill in terms of real ale.

18: Last Orders

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A typical looking town pub which is either halfway up or down anchor road depending which way you are going.
The pub has a single room which seemed fairly smart and also very busy on my late Saturday afternoon visit.
There were no real ales on the bar,so it was a drink of John Smiths Smooth Crap which was crap.

19: The Ashwood

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is an estate pub which is hidden away just off anchor road.
I went in the room to the front so not sure if there was another room,the room was dimly lite and had six unclipped handpumps on the bar,i had a drink of keg M&B Brew X1 which was a decent enough keg bitter.
I do not mind drinking in these types of pubs and was happy enough in here.

20: George and Dragon

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was the last pub on this crawl and probably one of the worst.
This is a large and grand looking pub situated in the middle of Longton.
Once inside there was one large room which seemed to be devoid of any character,there were also no real ales on the bar,i had to settle for a drink of John Smiths Smooth Crap which it was,the pub was also almost empty on my early Saturday evening visit.

Fenton Pubs visited in 1991

Miners Arms

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was a Bass tied house when i visited it with Nottingham Camra,i had a decent drink of Bass to start the crawl on.
Sadly this pub now looks to be in a bad state,but is still standing.

Foley Arms Hotel

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A nice looking pub that is situated next to the Royal Doulton factory shop.
The pub was a Bass tied house with a very nice drink of Bass on the bar.

The Potter

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was an Ansells tied house when i did it back in 1991,the pub still looked functional when i took a photo in 2013.
A decent pub with a good drink of Ansells bitter on the bar.

Malt 'N' Hops

This was a single roomed Burtonwood tied house when i did it back in 1991,the Burtonwood bitter was very nice.
The pub is now a free house with a good choice of real ales on the bar.

I believe this to be a complete list of pubs in Fenton plus a few in Longton.
All photos were taken on 23rd February 2013 

Not sure what the next crawl will be,there is so many to do.

Pubs Galore the Truth

I do hope some members of Pubs Galore read this blog.

This is the full truth of what went on in the last two days,those being Tuesday and Wednesday 10th and 11th of May

I had decided to leave the forum and leave two last threads on it,i had already had a post deleted on Monday so i headed my thread with Lost Post,this thread asked why rob had got it in for me over the years,my conclusions came to either doing more reviews or having a much greater knowledge of pubs in Greater Manchester,i went on to say this is my penultimate thread,the next one was going to give praise to all members who have helped me out over the last six years on the forum,i did note that 18 people had read this thread before it was deleted.
That was on Wednesday,so when i took a look at the forum on Thursday and found my thread deleted i was pretty angry,so on Thursday afternoon i posted a new thread called lost thread which was in a similar way to the previous one but there was a bit of anger but not over the top,honest.

I then found out that i had had a warning about my first thread saying i am not conforming to the forums way of protocol,i really did not know what i had done wrong,i then got four more warnings about my second thread,all of these were from rob,this thread was also deleted.
I then realised that i would not be able to post a thread or do a post on the forum as they were being deleted,so i took another track and decided to thank all members who have helped me over the last six years on the form by doing a PM i think i did about six and then i sent Dave one thanking him and Conrad for all of their help over the years.
I must state that at no point did i say i was leaving the site,i even sent rob a PM saying i was now going to stay on the forum as he had pissed me off,i then noticed while still logged into the forum that Dave had done a thread titled AL 10000 i read this while logged in and thought i would reply but i could not reply as my right to use the forum had been taken away from me without me asking for it to be done,i then packed up for the day.

So now today i have no way of getting on the forum and i do admit i was going to stop posting but i was pushed before i could say what i wanted to.
At no point have i ever told admins that i want to leave the site,far from it,i will continue to do reviews and add photos,the only person who said i was leaving the site was rob who said in a PM for fucks sake get a life and leave Pubs Galore,or something very similar.

This is my blog and can not get anything deleted from it,just think on who is speaking the truth in this subject.


So to sum up i will never be on the forum again but i will be doing reviews and adding pictures to Pubs Galore.

Cheers Alan 

Originally Posted by ROBCamra

Dear Al 10000,

You have received a warning at Pubs Galore Forums.

Reason:
-------
Signature Rule Violation

You are trying to start a final whingeing thread that will end up getting other members of the forum in trouble.

Stop stirring and get on with your life outside of Pubs Galore.

What was wrong with either thread i posted yesterday and today,who do you think you are in telling me what to do,i was going to stop posting,but after you of all people telling me to get on with my life,i will now do the complete opposite,i will never do what you tell me to do,who the *uck think you are.

 Originally Posted by Al 10000

Originally Posted by ROBCamra

Dear Al 10000,


-------

Original Post:

I replied to Rob Camras post which ended in calling me a muppet,in my reply i said i was like a dog with a bone and do not give up and also said i dont like being called a muppet,this reply was not too angry in my opinion but yet again i have had a post deleted from the site.

I have also had a warning that i am not conforming to the forums way of doing posts,because i said S**** and K** in a post,but me being called a muppet on a post and on the PM that the Admin who now seems to run the site sent to me.

I have now given up after lots of trouble between me and the Admin involved,i really dont know in what way i have upset him over the years,it may be that i have done lots of reviews and added lots of photos or my much greater knowledge of Greater Manchester and its pubs,i have only touched the surface of what i have done there.

So to end this will be my penultimate thread,the next thread i do will be in praise of all the help most members have given me over the last six years on the forum.

Cheers Alan

Warnings serve as a reminder to you of the forum's rules, which you are expected to understand and follow.

All the best,
Pubs Galore Forums

There you go again.

Getting angry and abusive, you really are your own worst enemy.

I would suggest some anger management therapy, but I don't suppose you'd listen.

As you've pointed out neither your mother or your wife can stop you.

 

Originally Posted by ROBCamra

Dear Al 10000,

You have received a warning at Pubs Galore Forums.

Reason:
-------
Signature Rule Violation

You are trying to start a final whingeing thread that will end up getting other members of the forum in trouble.

Stop stirring and get on with your life outside of Pubs Galore.

What was wrong with either thread i posted yesterday and today,who do you think you are in telling me what to do,i was going to stop posting,but after you of all people telling me to get on with my life,i will now do the complete opposite,i will never do what you tell me to do,who the *uck think you are.
-------

These are some of the last PMs sent between me and the other Admin involved who said he had nothing to do with me being banned from the Pubs Galore forum.
I hope that any Pubs Galore members who read this updated blog will now see what really went on in the final days on the forum.

Chesterfield Crawl 15th January 1988

This was a Friday dinner time crawl that would be a regular time to do a Pub Crawl as i was put on shifts in my factory job and only did four afternoon shifts leaving me a free Friday.
It was a bus to Derby and then a quick train journey to Chesterfield.
Having already done a large all day Crawl with the wife round the middle of Chesterfield,i had to do some of the pubs in the outer areas of the town,so it was to be a crawl to the North of the town centre.

1: Travellers Rest

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A decent sized John Smiths tied house that was situated on the main road through Whittington.
The pub had a couple of rooms inside and the bar where i had a drink was pretty basic.
There were no real ales on the bar so it was a drink of fizzy John Smiths bitter.

2: The Devonshire

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A nice looking bare brick built pub that was situated on a side street.
The pub was a Wards tied house when i did it,so i was well pleased in doing this pub,the pub was decent enough inside with a few different rooms,i had a drink of Wards Bitter which went down very well.
Such a shame that this is now a long forgotten brewery.

After a bit of a walk through estates i found a proper looking estate pub.

3: Goldminers Arms

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield 29 March 2014

This had the typical estate pub layout of a large and basic bar and a more comfortable lounge,i had a drink in the bar.
The pub was a John Smiths tied house when i did it,i had a very nice drink of John Smiths handpumped bitter.
This pub was still up and running,on a visit a couple of years  ago the pub is now a Marstons house but there were no real ales on the bar just two unclipped pumps.
The Goldminers is now sadly closed to be converted into yet another supermarket.

4: Cricketers Inn

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A decent looking pub that was a Wards tied house when i did it.
The pub was quite smart inside with a couple of rooms,i had a drink of Wards bitter which went down well.
Another Wards tied house done so well pleased.

After a short walk i was in my next pub.

5: Steelmelters Arms

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A pretty standard looking pub but it was a Wards tied house so i was well pleased in doing this pub.
The pub had two rooms that i noticed,i had  a drink in a decent and comfortable lounge,the Wards bitter went down very well as usual.
The pubs name was done incorrectly many years ago by a sign writer who missed out the S from its name as it was originally called The Steelsmelters Arms,this then stayed as it is when  i did the pub.

I was now heading back to the main road after the walk through estates and other side streets.

6: Red Lion

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A smart pub at the top end of whittington road,the pub was a Tetley house when i did it.
The pub was quite nice inside with a decent bar and a more comfortable lounge.
I had a drink of Tetley bitter which was a very nice drink.

7: The Star

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper old looking small corner pub,the sort that are now harder to find when pub crawling.
The pub was a Tetley tied house when i did it,i had a dink of Tetley Bitter which was on top form.

8: Derby Tup

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A Free House so i am not bothered about doing these type of pubs,give me a tied house any day.
The pub was pretty basic inside and empty on my Friday dinner visit,there was a lot of pumps on the bar,i opted for a drink of Wards bitter which was not up to form,the other beers noted were Tetley Bitter,Theakstons XB,Taylor Landlord,Batemans XXXB,Websters Yorkshire Bitter,Pedigree and Ruddles County.
If they had a few less beers on the bar my Wards bitter may have been better.

9: Racecourse Tavern

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A corner pub set off the main road,the pub was decent enough inside.
This was a Stones tied house when i did it,i had a drink of Stones bitter which was a nice drink.

10: The Junction

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was a decent enough looking pub that was off the main road.
The pub was a Wards tied house when i did it,so i was well pleased,i had a drink of Wards bitter which was a decent drink.

I was now heading back towards the middle of Chesterfield.

11: Rose and Crown 

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This looked like a well kept pub from the outside.
Once inside it was a decent enough pub that was a Whitbread tied house when i did it,there were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of keg Whitbread Tankard which was a pretty poor drink.


12: Miners Arms

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A pretty basic pub that is situated on a side street.
The pub was a John Smiths tied house but there were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of keg John Smiths bitter which was very fizzy.
My notes say poor pub with very poor beer.

13: Hare and Hounds

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

An estate type looking pub but situated on a main road.
I liked the look of this pub from the outside,once inside there was a decent sized bar where i had a drink and a smarter lounge.
The pub was a Stones tied house,i had a nice drink of Stones bitter.

14: Crown and Anchor

 
(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield 29 March 2014

A stand alone pub and a John Smiths tied house when i first visited it.
The pub had a couple of decent sized rooms and a decent drink of handpumped John Smiths bitter to end my pub crawl on.
I revisited this pub in 2014 and it had been renamed to The Stonegravels,the pub has now been opened out and was very busy on a Saturday afternoon visit,one real ale on which was Black Sheep bitter.

A decent Friday dinner crawl which netted me four Wards tied houses.

Next up a crawl of Nottingham's closed city centre pubs.