Funny. In the three years I was doing the project (2010-2013) I had some great times.
Yes, it was frustrating not being able to walk properly, but jesus, did I have some good pub crawls, and meet some very interesting characters.
I like the odd pint or two. Honest.
so It was a bit of a labour of love for me.
I could see how so many pubs were struggling, or going to the wall, so I thought it was a worthwhile challenge to record these buildings, before many of them were gone.
Since 2013, we've probably lost at least a couple of dozen of the pubs I photo'd, either be being converted to different use, or completely wiped off the face of the earth.
My only regret, is I didn't start the project a decade ago, or earlier. Many many of the pubs I grew up in from my teenage year through to my 40s, have long gone, and nothing but memories now.
Sad. Very sad.
So anyway. I though that it was important to preserve some of our social history, through photo's.
Once or twice a week, I'd plan a route, resarch where thye pubs where, and take myself off on the bus, to the farthest one out on my planned route, and start walking back towards Liverpool city centre.
Sometimes I would visit no more than two or three pubs that day, depending how remote they were, or if they were on a main thoroughfare, some days I may visit ten pubs.
As I was at the generosity of landlords, I thought it only fare that I patronage them, so I would have a drink in every establishment I entered. Sometimes if it was a remote pub, I might have the car with me, so would be dringing soft drinks. If I was on public transport, I would have a half or a pint of beer, depending how many pubs were on my list for that day.
The most epic pub crawl, was the one from the Grey Chaser, above, in Fazak, along to Walton Vale, onto Rice lane, County road, Walton Road, Scotty Road, to town. If I remember rightly, I did this one in two sessions, as even for me, over 30 pubs in one day was a bit of a tall aorder
I must of visited 20 pubs that first day, and to say I was rolling drunk near the end, was an understatement. I must of had the best part of 20 odd pints that day.
I didn't always get permission, or there was no one there in authority ot say yes etc, so just left it for another time, and carried on. In some cases, the pub wasn't open at the time of passing etc.
In the case of some pubs around the city, I may of asked on two or three occasions at different times, and still never given permission, or refused outright.
Anyway.
From Fazak to town.
Chaser.
Forresters. (closed)
Prince George
Farmers Arms (no permission)
Black Bull (no per)
Raven.
The Windsor (no per)
Joey Orrs (closed)
Prince Alfred.
Prince Leopold(no per)
Bakery (no per)
Oakfield Inn (closed)
Prince of Wales
The Plough(closed)
Shamrock
Prince Arthur.
Queen Victoria.
Black Horse.
The Glebe.
The County.
Segura.
Players
The Cheppy
The Harlech
The Crrisbrooke.
The Red Brick.
The Royal Oak (no per)
Springfield Hotel.
The Salutation.
The Queens Arms.
Thomas frost (no per)
The Clock.
Bradleys.
The Ale House(st Hildas)
The Fountains Abbey.
The Halfway House.
Crown Vaults (no per)
Throstles nest(no per)
Eagle Vaults(no per)
As you can see, it's an epic pub crawl in anyones book, and in the cases of getting no permission, usually once I was in the door, I'd at least have a half of beer anyway.
And to think, thats just one route through the city. Over the course of a couple of years, I had some great times, and met some fantastic people and characters in the hostleries of our fine city.