We hear some interesting stories on this site dont we? Is Long Acre still mostly houses?The Red Lion Pub on the corner of Thimble Mill Lane and High Park Street.
I remember it well.
It was the hang out of the local bookie Charlie Connor. He always had a half empty glass of beer on the bar and every few minutes he would come out and see if anyone was waiting to put a bet on.
One foggy day my uncle called me to go and put a bet on for him. I must have been 8 or 9 at the time and he gave me a piece of folded paper with a coin inside. I was told to go to the pub not to his house in Railway Terrace.
I was waiting outside the pub door in High park Street when he came out but before I could give him the bet there was a shout of “cops” and he disappeared back inside.
The next time I was there to give him a bet he remembered me and thought I was the one who called out “cops” and gave me halfacrown. That was a lot of money then.
Bob S