Coventry Pubs

Hi Radford Kid, Your stories of growing up are so like tales my husband tells. He was also from Radford - near the Pilot, maybe there was something in the water in that area. Keep your stories coming - life's too short to be miserable, it's great to have a laugh.

The Pilot was my grandfather's local. He liked it a bit too much because the demon drink did for him at an early age. I remember The Radford as a kid in the 50s, it had a large, very well kept garden and I think I remember a bowling green. It was a really peaceful spot on a warm summer evening. The Market Tavern was heaving at weekends in the 60s. It was the place to see and be seen if you were a Mod. Is the Grapes, just off the Radford Road, still going?

Hi Walrus, Hi all I am sure that if I and many of my age had been forced to survive all the years of warfare that people like your grandad did, I might have spent more time in the pub, like your grandad, Walrus. We just don't know do we.

Yes the Grapes is still going John I was playing darts for them up untill April.

I will be frank with you all. My local growing up was the Red Lion in Corley, I know that's not Coventry, but many a bad hangover came from that pub. Living close to the country side it made a lot of sense to drive out there where there would be no nick nicks (18 yrs old, you all know the story). Then me and my friends moved on to the Sportmans Arms on the A45. It was a little rough up there. Sunday MOD discos ruled for a time. I can recall having my and a friend's 18th party there together so cutting down on costs. And as for Christmas Days back then when all the pubs SHUT. We spent them in the bar at the Windmill Hotel. Nearly all the pubs in that area are still going, and strong too. The White Lion at the top of Browns Lane, The Bull and Butcher, and Red Lion in Corley. The Rainbow in the village, and even the Sportmans, although it has changed its name and is now a hotel.

Hiya Bernie, another good Caludon lad! I only recently noticed that the old alma mater has been rebuilt.

Hello Walrus, you were spot on with the bowling green at the Radford pub and the spacious garden. Do you remember the very large tree in the middle of the garden? I think it was a cedar tree and around the trunk was built a circular bench divided by well-constructed wooden panels, above the panels were window panes (I think). During the summer dad and mum would get the drinks and sit outside in the garden while we played climbing over the gazebo type structure, great fun. If my dad was alive today I would not have enough courage to tell him "they had pulled down his beloved Radford pub". I have a lump in my throat just writing this post. We were so happy without a care in the world. During that time my gran lived in Dugdale Road, as the years took their toll on my gran I would call in to see her and nip to the Radford pub outdoor (off sales) to get her two Corona pop bottles filled, one with stout and the other with bitter (the bitter was for grandad). When my gran did visit the Radford pub she would always sit in the snug where she would rattle away to the Martha Longhurst, Minnie Caldwell and Ena Sharples look alikes. Just a thought, this posting fits well into the topic. Well that's it for now. Colin

Great memories again, Colin - well done

Nice to see you up and running Colin. I enjoy your posts, our childhood is so similar, it is unbelievable that your mate who lost his hand was not my mate who almost lost his because of a "BANGER" I made. In the book I wrote for my grandchildren I left out all of the dangerous things I did on purpose. I do not want them to copy me. But I will say, my own children, 40 and 36, built their own "bazooka" (with a bit of input from me) last year. Powered by hair lacquer, it would shoot an orange 500yds and you would not want to be in the way of it, lol, kids forever. Just to keep the post right, we used the Bull's Head on the Binley Rd for our pop and crisps.

Hi all I am enjoying these posts too. I have not been in the Bulls Head for ages, but we could put that right, hey! I know that I am a good boy who plays trains, but I was no different to any other school boy, as far as mischief went (this content deleted). You see, I was normal. I have now deleted the recipe for explosions.

Hi all If I get all the garden jobs done (some hope, being on here so much (ha ha)) & it cools down a bit, the Bulls Head might be next on my lunch tests. Now see what you have done!! Don't we just love it!

Philip, I can't believe you were ONCE a naughty boy. I hope that you enjoyed your meal; I look forward to your report on the Bulls Head.

Hi Tricia, Am a good boy now. I hope you have a good time in London.

He was never ONCE a naughty boy! It was many more times than that