• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
  • HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
    Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
    im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
    we are now using a backup solution

I must be pig-headed

P

Peter Walker

gone but not forgotten
About 18 months ago I started to set up what I hoped would be a comprehensive database of Birmingham pubs. I have done the same for smaller areas like Croydon, where I live, but there were about eight times as many places in the Birmingham area, so it was quite a challenge. It started off quite well, but I was not used to the Microsoft Excel programme I was using, and I ended up scrambling the data rather than sorting it. That was over six months ago, but I was still able to retrieve some material. Then about six weeks ago I killed off my hard disk, and had no back-up either, so I was left with absolutely nothing. This was very vexing, as I was just beginning to see the benefit of such a document, which many peiple would find useful,
So about two weeks ago, I decided I would start all over again. It all goes quite a bit faster second time round, as I know what to expect, and most important, how to sort and manipulate the data. So over the next few months I should have a fairly complete list of Brum pubs and publicans from 1780s to 1973 over two centuries, from the 1770s to the 1970s, all taken from directories.
If and when I ever finish that I should like to get on with a second attempt at a classified directory of Birmingham trades taken from Robson's excellent 1839 directory. I did a map to go with it, which I have also lost. So that's a long way back in the queue.
Peter
 
Peter, you are gem, you really are. Up for the challenge and not to be daunted one bit along the way. The "end product" will be super I am sure
and totally worthwhile in every way.
 
Great project Peter! :great:I hope it goes more smoothly this time. Must say I admire your sticking power - you obviously don't live by the same code as me: If at first you don't succeed destroy any evidence that you ever attempted it. 8)
 
I tried visiting Peters site and it locked up my computer. This happened to me one time before. What am I doing wrong?
 
I must be pig headed

Peter I admire your tenacity and do hope all goes well for you this time. I am a co-pupil of Osins I'm afraid.
 
Peter,

Hope you have complete success with your project. :happy:

Guess you will be backing up on a regular basis......... :wink:

If you need any help transcribing, I am a retiree with time on my hands :great:
 
Good luck with your project. I've just moved back to Birmingham after an absence of 27 years and all the pubs I knew have gone. I have spent the last 9 months trying to find a traditional pub and I can't find a single pub that I like!!!
All the pubs seem to be glorified restaurants that serve drink as a sideline.:Aah:
 
Good luck with your project Peter. Prodigal-son you should have a word with Peter he seems to find them!
 
By way of a general report, I've done quite a bit towards rebuilding what I lost before, and am making sure it is fully backed up this time. It's all a lot easier when you know roughly what is coming before you get there. I know I could never finish it - even if I was born again.
By way of answers to earlier posts, thank you again RayD for your offer, which I have only just noticed, last time things went pear-shaped when errindoors was packed off to hospital. I will get back to you soon by PM.
To Prodigalson - Hello and welcome to the site. What you say about pubs in Brum applies everywhere else in the UK I fear. If you like drinking without eating at the same time, your best place is the Wellington in Bennetts Hill, in an old insurance office just off Colmore Row. Not only is the range of beers and ciders superb, but if you insist on eating, they provide plates and cutlery to use with any food you care to bring in. And they wash them up afterwards! There are quite a few other places, but we have to be prepared for the odd disappointment - now and then you find a cracker, even today!
Peter
 
Thank you Peter. I shall continue my quest and as soon as I find a propper pub I shall let it be known on this site.
My search for the Holy Grail continues......
:D
 
Try the newly (sympathetically) refurbished Old Contemptibles, in Livery Street nr Snow Hill Station. A gem!
 
I've been to The Old Contemptibles and although it is a very nice cafe it is NOT the type of traditional pub that I am looking for.There are menus on the tables for Gods sake!!!!!!
The Wellington on Bennets Hill is the closest that I have found so far. My only critisism is that there are no bar stools there and I like to sit at the bar.
Thanks anyway but my quest continues......... :)
 
I know its sad for you traditionalists but today I think Pubs have to sell food just to stay open. I wonder if Frothblower could help in your quest.

Have you been to the Griffin Inn at Shustoke I think they only serve food weekdays, its very traditional inside.
 
Thanks Moma P. I could probably get to Shustoke but I'm dam certain I'd never get back:redface:I'll keep searching in Brum.???
 
The best pub nearest to you is 'Duke'. Duke Street, Sutton Coldfield, this
is the only one I know of.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Try The Bull, Price Street - Nr. St Chad's Cathedral, in the Gun Quarter. Sorry, food is served, but it's a good old fashioned 18th century pub with bags of character and atmosphere, and traditional hand pulled cask ales. The bar stools are just waiting for you to park yourself. And Rose the landlady is smashing! :)
 
Shustoke is only just down the Road in real terms from Castle Vale. Prod Son:)
 
researching pubs!

I suggest you add a little water to the drinks! or don't try using your pc straight after doing your research!

But more seriously - thanks I am sure it will be extremely useful.
 
Thank you George 1468. Tried the 'Duke' in sutton. Finally a propper pub!!!!:DThank you very much indeed.
 
Hi Prodigal Son

It sounds as though I live across the road from a pub that you would like. A real regulars regular.

okay it does serve basic pub food, at lunchtimes, weekdays only, got to keep the customers happy.

The only hitch not in Brum sorry


Sue
 
florence butler said:
Try The Bull, Price Street - Nr. St Chad's Cathedral, in the Gun Quarter. Sorry, food is served, but it's a good old fashioned 18th century pub with bags of character and atmosphere, and traditional hand pulled cask ales. The bar stools are just waiting for you to park yourself. And Rose the landlady is smashing! :)
Click to expand...

Tried The Bull. This must have been a fantastic pub years ago when the gun-quarter was at its height.The interior decor is superb with lots of antique pottery on display. Sadly today it is a gastro pub and not at all what I'm looking for. Thanks anyway Florence:)

SBSFamilyhistory said:
Hi Prodigal Son
It sounds as though I live across the road from a pub that you would like. A real regulars regular.
okay it does serve basic pub food, at lunchtimes, weekdays only, got to keep the customers happy.
The only hitch not in Brum sorry
Sue
Click to expand...

NOT MUCH USE TO ME THEN Sue!!!!!!!!!

florence butler said:
Has prodigal-son gone to Shustoke? :D
Click to expand...

Looked up Shustoke on the map. Although it is only about 4-5 miles from me it is extremely awkward for me to get to by public transport (3 bus rides). When spring arrives I'll jump in a taxi and check it out and let you know what I think about The Griffin.:cool:
 
prodigal-son said:
Thank you George 1468. Tried the 'Duke' in sutton. Finally a propper pub!!!!:DThank you very much indeed.
Click to expand...
Hi again, Glad you enjoyed it, I do not know of any more around Sutton.
I haven't used the Duke for some years since a friend of mine died who lived nearby. I would like to use it but with 'drink and drive laws' I don't.
It's to far for me to walk, I'm struggling on my pins. Regards George.
 
Hi Prodigal-son. Glad to know you've found yourself a nice parking spot - the 'Duke.

Mentioned your post to my husband. This pub won't be for you, but other members might want to head over there. 'The Case is Altered', Case Lane, Hatton. A real good unspoiled pub, no food, almost a 'spit'n'sawdust job! Well, that was 12 months ago anyway.

But if you want a change from the Duke, why don't you go out and buy yourself a nice stool, a good cask of ale, and stay at home! :D
 
Aah...........shall we all make a collection for Prodigal son?

Seriously though, it's no wonder you've had difficulty finding yourself a drinking haven. This evening, on Midlands Today, there was a disturbing item about the ongoing disappearance of the Brum pubs.
Fifteen have been demolished in 13 years. It made me feel quite sad! :cry::cry:
 
Although I am a Brummie, I have only just moved back here after living in London for nearly 28 years. A road near where I used to live in London used to have four pubs in it. When I left a few months ago it had only one left and they were talking about closing that one.
Usually what happens is that a large pub chain, (mention no names), moves into the area, charges ridiculously low prices for a pint and puts the established local pubs out of business.:cry:
If you go into one of these large chain pubs you will notice that the customers look like rejects from the Muppet show on acid. Personally, I would rather pay three times their prices and drink in a decent pub surrounded by human beings rather than Fraggles.
Wake up people!!! Use your locals not these drinking asylums.
 
I think we can all agree with your sentiments. This applies to most things we hold dear about our Brummie heritage.:(
I could start going on about losing our local shops to the supermarket 'big boys', but that's veering off topic, and I don't want to get my hand smacked!:shocked:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top