Dust to dust
Well, it wasn't much of a pub but none the less, it was a pub and it's a dangerous sign of the times that it's now a pile of bricks with the machine that killed it parked atop it like some triumphant predator. Be it economic pressure on people's leisure spending, increased taxes for spurious reasons of "health" or in this case, pressure from the landowner who wanted to run it down so he could build offices on the site, that's the last dock pub here gone up in dust, which only leaves the bar at the Mission - who have, in fairness, saved the pub sign from the bonfire.
Pubs are a true aspect of British social history, especially those in working class areas and we're running out of them. Modern health and safety discourages a bar near a place of industry. In fact, pretty much anywhere. That pub I visited in Scouse a few weeks back is a perfect example of the pub as a historical document, and this place just gone - in it's scabby, lino floored, pissy beer serving way with clientele that consisted largely of dockers, foreign seamen and local whores for the servicing of foreign semen (hah) accurately reflected it's catchment. Yeah, and I drank in there once or twice too.
So here's to the Lock; rest in pieces.
Pubs are a true aspect of British social history, especially those in working class areas and we're running out of them. Modern health and safety discourages a bar near a place of industry. In fact, pretty much anywhere. That pub I visited in Scouse a few weeks back is a perfect example of the pub as a historical document, and this place just gone - in it's scabby, lino floored, pissy beer serving way with clientele that consisted largely of dockers, foreign seamen and local whores for the servicing of foreign semen (hah) accurately reflected it's catchment. Yeah, and I drank in there once or twice too.
So here's to the Lock; rest in pieces.
© Shadey Mike 2008
posted by Fred the Singing Bandit at 1:07 pm
3 Comments:
Pubs have been with us for around 2000 years - they came over with the Roman invasion.
Before the Reformation in the 16th Century, monasteries were often the major employers in the town and provided care for the sick and poor. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, village pubs took over the function, becoming places to meet, exchange gossip and maybe even find a job. They provided food and warmth, employers often paid wages there and landlords extended rudimentary banking services to customers.
The pub signs are even more fascinating. They've been inspired by royalty, love, religion, heroes, ambition and scandal and, between them, they're an often overlooked pictorial history of Britain.
Pubs are and have always been more than somewhere to buy beer and it's sad that they appear to be on the decline.
Elaine Saunders
Author: A Book About Pub Names
www.completetext.com
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Such a shame have had some fun in that pub! albeit giggling at the local whores and foriegn seamen!
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