Pub reunion

Story: Michelle Cook

I joined around 30 locals in The Normanton pub on Earldom Road for their reunion. When I arrived the bar was decked with balloons and nibbles. I asked organiser John “Fozzi” Foster what it was all about.

“The idea was to get all of us old drinkers together to celebrate the pubs of Burngreave, both now and in the past.” Thanks to Facebook, people have been contacted from far and wide to relive their Burngreave days. Most still live in the area but others have moved away, one bloke said he had not seen his pals for 35 years.

As the room filled with people and their memories, I became aware that 3 generations were represented. Landlady, Kay spoke of the fun they had 25 years ago with the “pram pushes” at the Catherine Arms and Gower, both now closed. Having fully refurbished The Normanton, she is delighted with the support from local drinkers and hopes to encourage more to enjoy the beer garden and Thursday bingo.

Richard, known locally as “Skateboard,” had travelled from Walsall to be at the night. He said, “It was always a good night in Pitsmoor and Burngreave, we'd have a regular lads' night out every Friday without fail.” Arthur Robinson , now of Darnall, said the Normanton was the first pub he had a drink in. Others joined in to tell tales of the circuit from The Wicker to Burngreave, reeling off lists of pubs long gone, The Station, Brown Cow, Carlisle, Robin Hood, Tea Garden. So what is left now? I followed the growing throng, swelled by newcomers from the Tollgate and Pitsmoor pubs, down Ellesmere Road to find out.

First stop was The Grapes on Gower Street, a traditional boozer, some of the younger folk spoke of enjoying a game of table space invaders there. Next stop was round the corner to The Staffordshire Arms, tucked away near the onion factory, this is a nice pub offering some of the best snooker and pool facilities around as well as regular “turns”, singing acts, on the weekends. Matt Scott, the landlord said he enjoyed drinking in all the local pubs and they were like a little family but were welcoming to everybody, I agree with this as I received a very warm welcome everywhere I went.

The grand finale was in The Royal Oak, complete with karaoke and buffet. All in all it was a top night out in Burngreave. John says he will make it an annual event, but I suspect the lads will be meeting up long before then! says he will make it an annual event, but I suspect the lads will be meeting up long before then!