Coventry Pubs

I remember the Silver Sword Dutchman but I cannot think what it became when it was no longer a pub. Never go to city centre now.

I was scrolling through some of the Coventry Pubs pages when I noticed back in 2013 that someone (Mick Strong) had mentioned serving his drinking apprenticeship at the Black Prince in Jardine Crescent and did anyone remember it. This pub was run by two of my friends, Sandra and Roy Morgan, until a few years ago. Poor Roy had a stroke 20 years ago so Sandra ran it on her own with the help of one of her daughters, Michelle, who I believe took over when Sandra and Roy moved into a house a few years ago but has since moved on herself. Prior to taking over the Black Prince Roy and Sandra ran the Half Sovereign in Charter Avenue. I think this was in the 70's but I was out of touch with them at the time. I do believe that one of the Morgan brothers also ran a pub, the name of which escapes me at the moment, and I think this was in the Red Lane area of Coventry.

I have only quite recently joined this wonderful forum and have been scrolling through the Coventry Pubs section. I noticed that Dreamtime was asking about the Newlands pub in Tile Hill. This brought back a few memories for me. As a teenager in the 1960's we lived in Rothesay Avenue, not far from the Newlands, and on many occasions my mother would send me up to the outdoor of the Newlands for Two Large Guinness. The landlord was called Dick - a tall quite handsome man and always very smartly dressed. He had a daughter called Marcia and a son called David, who I actually had a few dates with! Some years earlier my friends and I latched on to the old trick of creeping round the back of the pub where the empties were kept and taking a few round to the outdoor to get back 3d on each bottle. Dick soon cottoned on to this though and the bottles were put where we couldn't get at them any more!

Most of the building is now a nightclub Norman but part of the frontage is occupied by Hamilton News.

Thanks Dutchman. Janey. In the 60s when the pool table was in the side room, every Friday lunchtime we went from our work to play pool with our works engineer. As long as we let him win we could stay in the pub but Jim was such a dreadful player that at times it would be difficult to let him win. Wife and I frequently go the Newlands for a meal and it's quite good. I am not normally a fish and chip man but the cod there is something to die for. Had a friend in Rothsay. A man named Len Stanney. Suppose he is dead now, went past his house last year and it looked very shabby.

An update on the Butts Retreat/Fob Watch/Summerland: The pub car park is now being rented separately from the pub so it doesn't look as if the pub will be opening again anytime soon.

The Black Prince closed in 2011 - not sure if it still stands. I'll try to drive past there if anyone really wants as it's not too far from my mum's. The Newlands is still trading though

There was an attractive young lady who worked there as a barmaid in 68 or 69. She was a student at Coventry Art College. I remember that she did have quite noticeably green eyes (coincidentally). I do remember her name and where she lived, but don't think I should disclose that. There were several of us who would meet up there, usually Saturday lunchtime. Pleasant days.

Hi all I visited a (new to me) pub this afternoon. The Vale, in Eastern Green. Just an ordinary Sizzler pub, serving well kept beers. There were folk in the lounge restaurant, but I stayed in the bar, supping my drink whilst watching the Cheltenham festival for an hour. I had previously parted company with my Tuesday friend, at Berkswell, where we had enjoyed visiting Timothy Taylor (in a glass). Being such a lovely sunny day, I only travelled by train to Tile Hill station where I from there, boarded the 360c (the circle bus) & saw The Vale pub. I received a warm welcome from the punters, most of whom were glued to the racing on the televisions. I don't thing that there is a better bus route on our planet for visiting pubs than Coventry's 360 circle route.

The Swanswell undergoing further changes

Last time I was that way I think it was occupied by a taxi firm.

The planning application says it will be an Ice Cream Parlour on the ground floor and part first floor. The Taxi company is to remain. Peter.

I was interested to read about the Fobwatch and wondered if the watchmakers used to conduct their business transactions in this pub. Does anyone know anything further about it. Also the Three Shuttles in Howard Street which was apparently owned by a weaver in the mid nineteenth century. .

Fobwatch was a modern name for the pub, intended to evoke memories of the watchmaking era. Before the 1980s it was always known as The Summerland Tavern. It may have been frequented by watchmakers at one time but no more so than the other pubs in the immediate vicinity such as the Russell Arms and the Union Arms.

The area around the Summerland Tavern was known as the summer land, this was back in Mayor James Weare times. It was the summer grazing land for the livestock. Regards Derek.