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Pub Names

  • Thread starter Thread starter glaciermint
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glaciermint

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Reading an article about how the Parson & Clerk in Sutton Coldfield got its name got me thinking that there must be those among you who know the history of why a Brum pub got its name and It would be a good idea to record some detail. If nothing else it will stir up memories of the pub itself and that always seems to get many members' keyboards tapping.

Examples which spring to mind are Custard House, Australian Bar, Frighted Horse, Observatory, Eagle & Tun, Moby Dick's, Trocadero, Roost, Farthings, Fanny's, Brown Derby, Glassblowers Arms and many others which have disappeared.

For those interested in the Parson & Clerk, here goes:

The pub was originally called The Royal Oak and on the top of the building two figures were modelled; a parson leaning his head in prayer and a clerk about to chop off the parson's head with an uplifted axe!
The figures had been placed there by Squire John Gough of Perry hall after a bitter feud with the Reverend Thomas Lane over possession of the building. Petty scores were settled, the Reverand kept the Squire out of the building and the Squire instructed two servants to regularly attend church with the sole purpose of forcing the Reverand to read services. After winning a lawsuit the Squire had the figures added when he rebuilt the building in 1788.
The victorious Squire then added a sign which read 'These buildings were licensed houses and were unlawfully withheld and undermined by the Rev. T Lane and Solomon Smith in 1788, afterwards rebuilt by the lawful owner J Gough Esq. Perry Hall'.
The name of the pub itself however was only changed officially in 1891 (info. Sutton Observer).

Further contributions welcome

Bob
 
A lot more modern than that was the "Man in the moon" (out kings norton way.) Got changed to "Man on the moon" on the very day of the moon landings.

But then I expect you already knew that.........:rolleyes:
 
Nice one Alf

I knew that Badger, cos a mate of mine who lived in West Heath went on opening night for free beer! Great example though and I'm sure many people didn't know about the subtle name change

bob
 
Sorry but I have always wondered why The White Swan in Harborne is also called The Dirty Duck depending upon which side of the pub sign you are reading.
 
Good question Jules. I don't know but I've a feeling that there are other 'White Swans' around that are called the 'Dirty Duck' so perhaps its just a joke. Which takes the thread onto a slightly different angle - unofficial names.
On another thread I've questioned why The standard was known as the Cuckoo. I've heard of more than one pub nicknamed 'The wrexham' even when the word isn't in the name. Outside Witton cemetry I used to go in a pub which everyone called 'The Diggers' short for Gravediggers, derivation obvious but I can't even remember what the proper name is!

Bob
 
The kings arms in kings heath is known locally as "the knob" why I don't know but I always remember my father when playing cribbage, would always say "and one for his knob" if playing a king (or maybe a knave, I cant remember)
 
Glaciermint the name of Diggers my old Local is ''The Safe Harbour''

21st July Monday i was at The Man In Moon when they landed in The Sea Of Tranquility ''a step for mankind'' the place was packed not much free beer,it was a good night when they changed the name to The Man On The Moon

The knob Kings Heath there are many theories as to where it got its name
The one i like is that the tram terminus was just outside the pub opposite of the road,and that the driver used to have keep turning the ''Knob'' on the steering wheel to do half circle and end up outside the pub;)Mossy
 
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Bob The Gravediggers is The Safe Harbour, my Mom, Dad lived opposite it for almost 40 years, I lived there for 10 years till I got married

Had some nice times there on Sunday Lunch time with my Dad & his mates.:)
 
Alf your parents must have lived in the buildings at the entrance to the cemetry as they are the only houses opposite the Diggers,
The people who i know Brian and Mary have lived there for quite a few years sadly Brian passed away about 5 years ago he was a grave digger his wife Mary still lives just inside the cemetry gates and does the cooking in the Diggers:(Mossy
 
Stop it Mossy:explode: I'm allowed a Senior Moment once a year:rolleyes:

The Cemetery I meant and there's about 10 of our family in there.

Gran & Grandad 2 Uncles 1 Aunt Mom Dad. can't remember them all:)
 
Sorry Alf,could not resist it, my parents are in there aas well
Am i correct in saying you lived on The Ridgeway with your parents

:DMossy
 
Spot on Mossy lovely place to live a Cemetery in Front Allotments behind and Witton Lakes from my Bedroom Window. What else could a Aston Lad want when we had to move. Got a photo I'll put it on later

Cat also lived there and the question is where is she now?
 
Yes Alf nice place to live..but i dont think so nowadays,who is cat?:shocked:cant find name on members list:)Mossy
 
Thanks both. So back to topic, why the 'Safe Harbour'. Is this some sort of euphemistic cemetery reference? It's a fair way from the coast

Bob
 
O K back on topic the only reason the place is called ''The Safe Harbour'' it's because the canal runs along the bottom of the pub grounds,hence it being a safe habour
 
Dave & Mossy my Mother always use to say don't make a fuss when I go just throw me over the wall.

If you look at the photo again take the last Tree on the right, go forward about 200yards about 10 feet right again an Mom & Dad are buried there.

Did she know something all those years ago:shocked:
 
It looks very much like the plot where I will end up Alf. Bought it when my aunt Floss died. Will share it with her. Pete want's to be frazzled. His choice. Don't want to be morbid but it's a fact of life. Bit late tonight arn't we Alf?. Jean.
 
This early for me at least 1.00am most days Jean.:)

This post is 55mins later than yours
 
What about "The Muckman" at Gravelly Hill, I think the real name was the Gravelly Arms - about where the Armada is now. I can't remember how it got its nickname.
 
Thanks for that one Sylvia. Look forward to hearing from you again when you can remember! :D

Bob
 
Hi Bob, reading the other thread on pubs I realise the "Muckman" was the Erdington Arms, I have found out why it got its nickname, apparently many years ago before Minworth Sewage Works was built, sewage from Birmingham was transported to another site and on the way back the carters used to stop at the Erdington Arms for a drink. I think from memory it was an Atkinsons pub.

Another pub mentioned at the Reunion was "the Bosted Boot" real name The Royal Oak, on the corner of Park Lane and Clarendon Street, Aston, but no-one knew how it came to get the nickname.

I have already mentioned on the other thread that the Vine in Lichfield Road was known as "The Monkeys or Monkey House". Astonian has given a possible reason why.
 
Thanks Sylvia. I've got enough now to get a list started. Looking at some of the others it's remarkable that some pubs go by a nickname for years then everyone forgets why it was ever called that in the first place!
I like the muckman name.

bob
 
Never seen that pic Jean, where was it? Would a Temperance Hotel be classed as a pub do you think. Technically perhaps since it would have been a 'Public House' but I'm not sure.

Today when I was driving down Pershore Road I passed the Sir Harry pub which is by Sir Harry's Road. Who was Sir Harry?

Bob
 
I was hoping someone on the site may recognise it. Maybe it was something to to with the Cadbury family. It is on the front cover of a Heart of England telephone and address book mom bought for me years ago. Ther is no reference to it anywhere in the book whatsoever which I find quite strange. These books were called Nostalgia Ink. Have just found in small print it is in Oswestry somewhere. Still it is a nice picture anyway. Jean.
 
Apparently it is in Oswestry .You can see from a modern photograph (2004) that it still looks similar.
Mike


coach_and_dogs_pub.jpg
 
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