Over the decades, many of Gedling borough’s pubs have been either demolished or converted into shops and flats.
Gedling borough residents have shared their memories of their neighbourhood pubs that now closed.
From small community inns to biker boozers, many pubs and bars have closed in across the borough over the years.
‘The Westdale Tavern was a strict, but great pub’
Andy Lamb said: “Dot and Norman were the tenants. They ran a strict, but great pub back in the day. I did my best to drink it dry!”
Andrew Vennell said: “I’ve still got some fantastic memories in that pub. I started drinking in there when I was 14. Dot and Norman were fantastic, and the pub was always bouncing with great people – thankfully, I’m still in touch with them.
Kim Lacey remembers landlady Dot chucking a young lad out the pub. “She was holding on to his ear and was dressed in a beautiful lounge suit at the time.“
John Speirs remembered: “The Cavo, Goose and finish at the Tavern. Three in each and then a bag of chips from Fearn’s chippy.”
“Ever Friday I would buy a full 20-pack of fags and still have the rest of my payday money burning a hole in my pocket to spend of beer. Great days and many long chats with Dot during quieter times in the week. Pubs aren’t the same anymore. Great days!
‘I had some wonderful times in The Grey Goose’
Vanessa Sixsmith said: “The ‘Dirty Duck’ – also known as The Grey Goose. I worked the weekends there for about three years whilst I was at college in the 80s. It was classed as a fun pub then. I had some great times there.”
Liz Ball said: “My boyfriend at the time was always being chucked out of Dirty Duck. He always had to grovel to get back in the next day as it was my favourite pub and I refused to drink anywhere else!”
Jeremy Peel remembered: “Biker night at the Mucky Duck or some called it ‘Dirty Duck. Always had a great night there.”
John Moody Grey told us: “Always loved the Goose or as we knew it as the Dirty Duck. It was a great pub and had some wonderful times in there.”
Andrew Vennell: said: “Loved the Grey Goose. Monday night was bikers’ night – until the plod got involved. Greggy was on the bar with the Starbucks running the pub.”
Gary Souter: The ‘Dirty Duck’. Loved Biker Night on Mondays. I used to dread Tuesday at work. Would often call in sick!
The Cavendish was ‘my dad’s home from home’
John Wilson said: The Cavo! My dad worked there and Mum said should take his bed there as he spent more time in that pub than at home.
Christian Wheeldon said: “The ‘Cavo’ iss the pub I miss most. I met wife there.”
Michael Robert Bent told us: “The Cavendish was another good Nottingham Forest pub.”
Windsor Castle
John Wilson said: “The great Windsor Castle run by Jean and Claude who were great people and loved them to bits. We had a good darts team.”
“Fond memories of this place,” said Ray Jones. “A few of us would drink in their at lunchtimes when we worked at Tesco. Had a few beers in there after work too. Shame its gone. Nothing else round that way now.”
Sue Clough said: “Am I dreaming this or did a woman with a fox on a lead used to come in? I wasn’t on any drugs. I did like a drink though.”
Ronnie Winter said: “The old pub was my favourite back in the 70s. Had my first legal drink there.”
Other pubs
Rog Scott said: “The Elmhurst on St Albans Road in Arnold. I had many a lock-in there with landlord and landlady Keith and Renee Whittaker.”
Alan Wright misses the Toby Jug on Carlton Hill. “That was a proper pub,” he said. “Lots of memories of the time when the pub was ran by Betty and Bill.”
Mike Boorman:”I had my first drink in the Caroline Club in Netherfield. I remember that Hi-Ho Silver Lining was in the charts at the time.. My Aunt June Stokes took us in. They were cracking days for an eight year old.”
John Moody told us: “I loved the Balaton Club in Gedling. Rudi was a great owner and I had some amazing late nights in there.”
Richard Brown contacted us with a memory he wanted to share.: “I always remember my Dad used to go in there in the 50s when it was the Miners’ Club. He worked at the pit. I would always toast his memory in there after he’d passed.”
Reg Conway has fond memories of the British Railways Social Club, better known to locals in nearby Netherield as the ‘Brasso’. It was a cracking place. Big Graham in there used to reminded me of Giant Haystacks. He was a lovely bloke.”
No mention of Jackie Bells…. shame!