Bath Tec School

Pubs

8/25/2009 5:06:42 PM
Hi Mike
 
Did you find the link 'Pubs and their part in my downfall"? I shall be interested to read your input.
 
Keep drinking.
 
Cheers
 
Steve

Comments

- 8/25/2009 5:55:29 PM
Thanks Steve,

Your discussion group on “pubs fondly remembered” brought a smile and a tear.

However my pub experiences (being a country boy) were confined to the occasional Friday or Saturday crawl around town ending up at a shabby Chinese Restaurant in Broad Street where we invariable ordered chicken and sweet-corn soup, sweet and sour chicken with fried rice followed by pineapple fritters – we had much tougher constitutions in those days, particularly in view of the fact that we were drinking Courage BA at 1/9 a pint - self evidently not flush enough to do any serious "bird pulling" in those days, we just talked about it instead! 

My interest arises as a result of a brush with a pretentious and expensive watering hole at the back of the Octagon.  The only city pub we now normally use is the Raven in Queen's Street but it's invariably packed - a measure of how good an honest boozer can be – never mind, the pies are top quality and the beer is well kept

No, my comment was to glean info about good pubs in the city centre that one can take one's better half to for an hour or so before supper or the theatre.  My nights in “spit and sawdust” and folk club dives have sadly long gone!

Any suggestions would be gladly received and acted upon.

Mike 

- 8/25/2009 6:13:07 PM
Broad Street, Chinese Restaurant, Mike ? must have been the Four Seasons, it was either there or the Taj Mahal on the opposite side of the road for an Indian, usually Beef Vindaloo and Rice, cheapest on the menu. It was in the Taj I had my first ever curry, being a bit skint, as apprentices we were wont to be, we ordered the cheapest dish on the menu, Beef Vindaloo, no rice, just the curry, the waiters stood in a circle around the table watching us eat it, faced with an obstacle like that I'm proud to say that we finished the lot, along with three jugs of water, the water was free ! Of course I've since learnt that the worst thing you can do is drink to cool your mouth down, it only makes the next mouthfull hotter. Happy days, skin full of beer, no hope of chatting up a suitable person of the opposite sex, took ages to realise that girls aren't too interested in guys three sheets to the wind and smelling of Double Diamond, so off for a dose of MSG to finish off the evening, constitutions of iron.
 
Stu
- 8/25/2009 7:41:39 PM
Ah, The Four Seasons in Broad Street and my first ever Chinese meal. I remember the Chicken Chop Suey and the Banana Fritter and the price of 3/6p and the start of a lifelong friendship of all meals oriental. Of course, before getting to the restaurant we had sampled the ale at The Oliver, The Christopher Hotel, The Saracens Head and either The Parrot Bar or The Welligton I think. Not bad for a Sunday night especially as it was always the day of rest !! Stu, I think we've had this conversation of old boozing haunts before.........but maybe not. What was the cellar bar called at the juction of North Parade ? Was it the Paris Bar ? We used to nip in there when we went to see bands at the Pavilion. Anyone see any good bands ther in the 60's ? There were so many to choose from then.
 
Rich
- 8/25/2009 7:55:37 PM
Pams Bar, Rich, as for the Pav, The Who, Manfred Mann, The Byrds, Led Zep, Jimi Hendrix, The Animals, DDBM&T, all spring to mind immediately, there were many othres but I'll have to think about it, I'm pretty certain Fred Bannister booked in some of the acts that appeared at the two Bath Festivals, 69 & 70, to play the Pav as well, It's a Beautiful Day and Santana are hovering dubiously in my clouded memory but it might just be wishful thinking, (and there's a few I'm not going to mention 'cos of embarrassment), well it was a regular monday night out after all !
 
Stu
- 8/25/2009 8:38:35 PM
I can only remember "Screaming Lord Sutch (complete with toilet seat - and coffin), Gene Pitney, Beatles, the rest is a blur .. was (one of ) the doormen Cliff Eagle? Does anyone remember the night the ceiling came down? .. excess water. I spent more time at the Regency in the Sawclose in those days (free entry -thanks to Mick Ringham).
Acts there included local bands like, Pete Budd & the Rebels, Colin & Anthony Combo, Chet & the ???? etc.  Usually the higher up the charts the acts were, or the better the music, the less the audience showed their appreciation. The all-nighters were the best thing to come to Bath. I reckon Budd Godfrey was ahead of his time there.
- 8/25/2009 9:16:02 PM
I only ever saw Sutch at the Regency, I think you're right about Cliff Eagles being doorman at the Pav Bill, and Timber Woods as well ?
The all nighters at the Reg we good as well, bar open till 3am. ? carpet of glass around the edge of the balcony, disheveled bodies in (and under) the seats in the balcony, ambulances lined up outside, and they think there's a problem with delinquency now, but it was all good clean fun (mostly, tee hee). I've told Shirl before now that there were times when the Regency looked exactly like the dancehall scene in Quadrophenia, should never have been turned into a Bingo hall, sacrilege.
 
Stu
 
 
- 8/26/2009 12:28:00 AM
Hi Guys.
Didnt you guys have some fun in Bath of a night. I envy you guys when I hear of the bands you had on at the Pav etc. Being a country boy, living at Corsham at the time we could only dream of such things! 'Course we were so hard up that we couldn't have afforded the fare to Bath too many times, even if we could have got home after a gig. Most of our entertainment was more home spun although we did have fun at times.
Unfortunately most of the pubs in Corsham in those days were pretty dire, although often of a Sunday night we would pop in to the Railway at the bottom of Pound Pill, it was no less dire than any of the others, but it was cheap and far enough away from home that you were not going to see anyone you knew. We didn't want parents to find out we were in the pub! Half of scrumpy for sixpence ha'penny and a packet of KP nuts for two pence, so still had three pence ha'penny change from a shilling. Three of us used to club together and buy ten fags for one and a tanner. Living like Lords we were!!!
We did periodically have what could loosely be called parties. These events took place at Tommy Ralph's house, he was a class mate at BTS, had two sisters both of which went to Bath Convent. Their parents used occasionally to go away for the night on a Saturday, perfect opportunity. We always knew several days before hand, so Staurday lunch time three or four of us including Bobby Hale also BTS two years our senior, would descend upon the house and empty out all the furniture, including the carpets. This was deposited in various sheds etc around the neighbourhood. Some chairs were then replaced against the walls of the largest rooms and a loud record player installed and all was ready to go.`By about six PM everyone had arrived and the 'party' was in full swing. There was nowt to eat but everyone had to bring at least one bottle to get in. It kept going usually till the early hours of Sunday morning by which time the booze had just about run out. After most people had gone we all began the massive clean up, those of us sober enough, that is. Once the debris had been cleared away and all the floors washed we all went home to bed. The following moning we all returned to re-install all the furniture and everything was back to normal usually about half an hour before the return of parents.
It was at one of these 'dos' that Jimmy Nixon, also our class at BTS, met his future wife, Sue. She may also have been attending Bath Convent, I'm not sure. Another regular Convent girl at these events was Frances Messer, she was the cousin of Dave Gallop, I think, lived at Batheaston, Dave was also in our class at BTS. I reckon that fourty to fifty teenagers used to turn up at these events and in spite of the alcohol there was never any trouble and everyone seemed to be good natured till the end. Not always coherent and noisy but never any trouble.
We did have a problem one Sunday afternoon explaining away the fact that the coal bunker which hitherto had been empty was now full of empty bottles. Jim Ralph, Tom's dad, was not at all pleased, but we managed to find a couple of full ones just in time! Last seen wandering off towards the allotment, bottle in each pocket and whippet at his heels.
Seem to have wandered off the subject a bit.
It all started in good faith.  Believe me......
Tend to ramble a bit at my age though!!
Getting late again, have to go.
                                               Bi for now.
                                                   John.
- 8/26/2009 2:38:07 AM
John, I consider my nights at the Regency in Bath to be sedentary by comparison to your own, I confess that when I was 17, and  my mother had disappeared to Norwich for a few days to deal with my Grans funeral, all my mates came round (and their girlfriends).
 
We sampled a few bottles, and a few girls ..unfortunately I did not check my mothers bed, someone had used it for "recreational puposes" and left some "tell tale" marks behind of a female nature. Amused was she not !
 
 I was banned from holding any more parties at the house. Went round my mates flat instead ..funny what you remember at this time of night isn`t it.. can`t sleep either .. Catch you all tomorrow, if you want a laugh John. have a quick look at my old school reports for 1959 & 62 in the "old school documents" folder. Morning all ...
- 8/26/2009 9:08:22 AM
Hi Guys,
I think you'll find that Cliff Eagle was a bouncer at the Regency on Sunday nights,complete with his white shirt, yellow cardigan and beer belly. He used to live at Odd Down, Vernham Grove or Old Fosse Road I'm not sure now. I do remember rewiring the place when I was a sparks for the City Council. I also remember the ultra violet lights at the above ballroom, illuminating every poor blighters dandruff if they got under it. Good local bands like Johnny Carr and the Cadillacs, The Kynd, The First Lites, The Mirror and good old Mad Mick Ringham.
 
Stu, I'm not embarassed to own up to bands at the Pavilion. I started with Freddie and the Dreamers, then went through Dave Dee etc, The Hollies, Searchers, Animals, Johnny Kidd, Lord Sutch, Kinks, Who, Manfred Mann with Jack Bruce and Klaus Voorman. The Yardbirds with Clapton and then again with Jeff Beck. The New Yardbirds with Jimmy Page, Statu Quo when they were very poppy and Crispian St. Peters with his Pied Piper. There was also Cilla Black, Sounds Incorporated, Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, The Alan Bown Set, The Equals, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. I'll also admit to liking the Sweet and Mud although I didn't meet them until we were all on the Radio One shows in the early 70's.
 
I can remember all that but don't remember what I had for breakfast !! Funny old World !!
 
All the Best,
 
Rich
- 8/26/2009 9:51:35 AM
Your memory of the 60's is obviously better than mine Rich, it was Hermans Hermits I wasn't going to own up to anyway, damn now I've let it out !
 
Stu
- 8/26/2009 10:28:34 AM
Oooh !! Maybe I would draw a line at Herman's Hermits !!!
 
Rich
- 8/26/2009 10:38:17 AM
Hi Guys
 
Don't forget that scruffy little band from Richmond that went on to be the Greatest Rock n' Rolll band in the world!!! Also seen Sonny Boy Williamson with Gary Farr and the T-Bones and don't forget the Cream also did a gig at the Pav.  All anybody could want, Pub and Pav - happy days!
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 8/26/2009 10:46:55 AM
See, I knew it'd only attract derision.
 
Yeah! the greatest Rock 'n Roll Band in the World, my memory fails me, I'd didn't know The Grateful Dead had played the Pav, and I always though they originated in the States too, well you live and learn.
 
Sorry Steve couldn't help myself, and Charlie's Stud Farm's only about 15 miles away too, don't tell 'im OK ?
 
Stu
- 8/26/2009 10:47:55 AM
P.S.
 
Three  more remembered, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Gene Vincent. I also seem to recall The Pretty Things performed at the Pav.
 
I believe that Cliff met with a sad end and had both his legs amputated before dying prematurely.
 
I mentioned to Sue that one of my old teachers had died, Maureen Williams. Sue is 9 years younger than me and she had Mrs. Williams as a teacher at Oldfield Girls School!!!! Mrs. Williams was a music teacher at Sue's school. Certainly a woman of many talents.
 
Keep on rockin'
 
Steve
 
 
- 8/26/2009 11:16:35 AM
Hi Stu
 
They were only grateful because one or two turned up at their concerts!!! Sorry friend.
 
Some more, Rockin' Berries, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Foremost. Do you all remember it was 4/6 to see the gig and they put the price up to 6/6 for the Beatles!!! What a night, who can forget John Lennon belting out 'Twist n' Shout'.
 
Keep them coming, I am sure we haven't thought of them all yet.
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 8/26/2009 1:20:55 PM
How about Dave Berry and the Cruisers, Adam Fath and the Roulettes, The Mojos, Goldie and the Gingerbreads, Unit 4 + 2, Moody Blues ,Gene Vincent, The Pretty Things, The 4 Pennies, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, The Poets, Fleetwood Mac, The Merseybeats, Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, Them, Rockin Berries,    the Migil 5, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, The Beat Merchants, The Troggs to name but a few. Oh and Moby Grape !!
 
I just found my old autograph book it's not my good memory !!
 
 
Rich
- 8/26/2009 4:34:53 PM
Hi Rich
 
A brilliant memory!!! I am now going to play my two trump cards! The one and only, 'The Killer', Jerry Lee Lewis and the brilliant Downliners Sect.
 
Cheers
 
Steve
- 8/26/2009 11:30:25 PM
Hi all.
Keep it up lads.
As I said, could not get to see any of these bands live at the time, but would have given my right arm.
Keeping an eye on the things you guys have to say, though, its a terrific nostalgia hit.
Super to hear of all the bands that performed at the Pav.
Thanks for few kind words Bill, I thought it was just me that had these strange memory phenomina.
Guess its just me age then?
                                       Bi for now.
                                         John.
- 8/27/2009 8:53:00 AM
Good morning John and all
 
Glad you are enjoying the memories, I know I am!!! I think I have now used every memory cell and I definately need some sleep!!!
 
More acts from the Pav are Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan, the Walker Brothers, P.J. Proby, Dave Clark Five, The Birds (English band), Four Pennies, Nashville Teens and Small Faces. I also think that the folowing appeared but I cannot swear to it (memory problem!),  Procul Harem, Thunderclap Newman and Spencer Davis Group. I look forward to somebody with a better memory able to confirm or otherwise. To the best of my knowledge The Kinks did not perform at the Pav but did do a gig at the old Forum Cinema and I think it was on a Sunday evening.
 
Notice the abscence of C & W and Tamla Mowtown at the Pav, strange.
 
Keep those Pav memories coming.
 
Steve
- 8/27/2009 9:15:36 PM
Hi Steve 'n All
 
I remember Thunderclap Newman didn't turn up ! after that mind's a blank.
 
Stu
- 8/29/2009 12:55:51 PM
Hi Steve,
 
The Kinks did play the Pav twice at least. I saw them twice and on the second occasion took the drinks around to the dressing room and met the band. Tim Giles who was in our class at school usually did the job as his Dad ran the refreshment room at the Pavilion. As I was such a big fan they let me do it. This was when the band wore the hunting jackets and frilly shirts.
 
 
Rich
- 8/29/2009 1:44:18 PM
I don't know about trump cards but how about The Nice with Keith Emerson and King Crimson. We saw KC at Bristol on the Saturday and at the Pav on Monday. What a weekend!!!
 
Rich
- 8/29/2009 6:50:52 PM
I'd forgotten about King Crimson and the Nice Rich, mind you I saw KC so often I've forgotten just where and when, first time I know was as one of the support acts to the Stones in Hyde Park '69, and again about two weeks later at the National Jazz and Blues Festival at Plumpton Racecourse, there were about twenty of us in a small marquee for that one, best I ever saw them was definately at Devizes Corn Exchange about the time of the "Lizard" album, probably 'cos it's my favorite album by KC.
The Nice were absolutely brilliant, with Keith Emerson abusing his Hammond organ in much the same way as Hendrix abused a guitar, knives stuck between the keys to sustain a note while he rolled it about the stage altering the pitch, was never the same when he took up with synthisizers, although I do remember him running out of the auditorium at Cheltenham City Hall with a remote keyboard at an early ELP gig, aparently running up and down the road like a lunatic while the synths screamed on alone in the hall. Incidently Brian "Blinky" Davidson, drummer for the Nice lived about three miles away from us in Horns Cross until his death a couple of years ago.
There were certainly some great gigs back then, I do still try to get out to a few, but finding new stuff that excites as much as it did then is getting harder, still of to see The Willard Grant Conspiracy in a couple of weeks, I do like them but the music does tend to be a bit depressing at times, probably need Prozac for a couple of weeks afterwards.
 
Stu