I’ve changed from fiction to fact this week. I hope you don’t mind! It’s based on some notes I made when I gave up my own village pub, The Brewers Arms several years ago.
I’ll miss this place and its characters.
I served farmers, local crafts folk, tradesmen and a retired bank robber. A lord and lady, and a couple of faded celebs too. All ages. Some not old enough to be drinking, others old enough to know when to stop – but didn’t.
Sing-song Sid would suddenly start warbling and everyone joined in. When Gladys the Guzzler went to the toilet, she’d drop her false teeth in her Guinness. “Drink this and they’ll bite your bloody nose off” she would shout. People would dance between the tables; on the tables even!
I remember a dart landing in someone’s burger, our resident mouse running along the bar, and my dog Daisy depositing something very unsavoury on the floor of the packed restaurant bar! I recall riotous after-hours lock-ins, screeching karaoke divas and quiz nights with Google cheats!
Now, standing alone in this empty bar I still hear laughter, raucous singing, and the crackling log fire. I smell pub-grub, beer and Smooth Stan’s overpowering aftershave!
As I turn the key and walk away for the final time I take with me nothing but happy memories. What more could I wish for?
Thanks to Donna for hosting. The picture is from the Morguefile photo collection.
How nostalgic.
Hard work but worth it! Thanks Sadje.
You’re welcome Keith
Sometimes it is good to remember happy things 🙂
Indeed it is. Thanks, Angie.
Happy times by the sound of Keith. Love the false teeth in the beer! Great deterrent.
They were indeed. I also had a guy with a glass eye which he popped in his beer to stop people drinking it!
I worked with a guy who had a glass eye and sometimes he’d leave it on his desk when he went for a smoke. At first, it was weird to see it!
That’s so funny!
Thought you might like it!
Pubs nowadays don’t have the atmosphere they used to.
Those that do are few and far between. Thanks, Sally.
Beautiful. Indeed, what more could you ask for?
It was more a way of life than a job, working every waking hour of every working day, but I had no problem with that!
Few are blessed with the perfect job.
I learned early on not to stay somewhere I hated, but to move on to something I liked. Consequently, I’ve had several fun jobs. Now my perfect job is being an author.
I’m with you. Even if it pays less, jom satisfaction is vital.
It must have been so hard to give it up!
It was but I was worn out and needed to slow down a bit! Cheers, Mimi.
Hi Keith – I can believe it was hard work … but as you say worth it – and those memories will be with you forever .. happy stories/tales … what fun. Great post – thank you for remind us what English pubs were like … cheers Hilary
If there wasn’t a word limit with the prompt, could have told a load more stories about it! Sometimes if I’m driving through Horam I turn right down the lane for a couple of miles and drop in for a pint, but sadly the place has changed from shabby-chic to clinically bland and the atmosphere walked out the door with me.
Hi Keith – I spent many a time in Horam, as that was where my uncle lived – who I kept an eye on for 5+ years … and know I went down that road occasionally – but never stopping in a pub down there. Then of course you were near here too – paths can also cross in writerly ways … I hope you’ve recorded those stories … cheers Hilary
One of my daughters was born in Horam, long before I had the pub in Vines Cross. I also had 2 businesses in Horam – a kitchen showroom and a craft shop. What a small world it is! And yes, it’s all recored and I’m currently putting the finishing touches to my story.
Great – so pleased you’ve recorded the stories. I’m sure my aunt would have visited one of your shops … they lived up near the Nursery on Little London Road … was there a hospital there … or was she born at home – like so many children were? Small world – you’re right …
The craft shop was next to the petrol station in Little London Road, just down from the nursery. No hospital, a home birth!
Expected something sad and melancholy, but this was beautiful. Even if things end, they always should leave some happy memories behind.
You are so right, Thanks Enkin.
Thanks for this trip down nostalgia lane. What a lovely revival of memories. Lovely every bit of it, Keith.
I could hope for nothing more. Thanks for your generous words Neel.
One of my Dad’s many jobs was a restaurateur…Yes… tons of work, but fun – so he said
And I was a server in several of my many jobs. But never worked at a bar!
I opened a restaurant after I left the pub, and yes. it was hard work too! Had a great time though. Chees Jules.