HISTORY Gornal's Lost Pubs

Lost Pub Memories Email Us Here Beth Moore runs the Noise: Creative Learning children and parents initiative in Gornal. The Yampy 'Lost Pubs of Gornal' appeal got me talking to my family, especially my mum Jennifer Robinson (nee Witton), about gone-but-not-forgotten pubs, their landlords, and their relatives. Mum is only 52, but well remembers a pub called The Swan (not sure if it was 'Old' or 'White'). There was a picture of a swan on the window. The pub stood on the corner of Humphrey Street/Lake Street, where a 2 storey block of flats is now. The pub was licensed by Jack Collins and Lona Collins (nee Beardsmore). Lona has sadly died but Mr Collins lives in Turners Grove. I went to school with their grandson Ian Collins. The Shakespeare in Kent Street Upper Gornal was tenanted by my Great Uncle Reg Witton and his wife Joan. They have three daughters, two of whom still live in Gornal. I remember spending a very late New Years Eve with them in the pub. Reg then went on to manage the Labour Club in Upper Gornal, and has since retired to Gornal Wood. After Reg left the pub, Anne and Fred Rowley took over. My brother and I were friends with their son Craig. I used to walk to school with him and when it was raining he would meet me with his fishing umbrella! My brother Duncan Robinson, played pool for the 'Shaki' until Anne and Fred left. As a child I adored the Crooked House (not actually 'lost' but it always looks like it's on its last legs!). My grandad or my parents would take me there for Vimto with a straw and a crusty cheese and onion cob. We would walk there as I only lived in Manor Drive, and feed the horses on the way in Brickiln Lane. My grandad would tell me stories of the pit and of family members who worked there. He also told me ghost stores about the haunted bridge over the track! I remember the geese. When my dad was not workiing in the summer he would pick me and my brother up from school at lunch time and we would go there. The Cross Keys in Ruiton Street, now yet another development of new homes, was managed by 'Tommy' Newell, he is still around too! The Waggon and Horses next door was at this time run by the Lodge family. I remember well the Durham Ox, it was here that I had my first alcoholic drink, with many friends including Zona Harlow, Jane Hale and my then boyfriend Matthew Harper. We would sit in the side room until we picked up enough courage to go and sing along to the piano! One Christmas Day around 1990 there was a private party to which we were invited with Zona and her parents. The bar was open and we all helped ourselves! I also frequented the Pig on the Wall around the same time and (mis)spent many an evening dancing to early nineties music at Sunday Night Discos (actually the music was mostly Mowtown). Prior to being the 'Pig' the pub was known as the Bricklayers Arms. Until it was de-licensed it was run by the Hammonds. They had a son called Michael, whose mother-in-law is a resident at the Hollies in Sedgley. Although not really a pub, I remember fondly the Catholic Club behind St Peter's. I was baptised and confirmed at the church around 6 years ago and we had a parties there. The club is now condemned due to subsidence allegedlly caused by invasion of the party wall by builders. I have some photographs at home. The last pub I fondly remember is Eddie O'Neill's on the main road from Upper Gornal to Sedgley - and I can't remember the name. The whole family always seemed to be around! I remember stories of people who went 'night fishing' at the pub. In the back room was a hexagon shaped pool table. Young Eddie - the same age as me - tragically died a few years ago. The pub has long since been demolished and turned into bungalows. And a final but very important memory: In the eighties, at the height of the breakdancing craze, my friends Tracy Flavel, Nadine Hickman, Joanne Brooks etc. (they know who they are!) would gather in the porch of the boarded up White Chimneys with our stereo and sheet of lino kitchen flooring to practice our moves.