A time to reflect

We are now in the second week of the easing of the lock down measures in England. Many non essential shops have reopened, and the traffic levels have returned to normal levels – unfortunately. It has been announced over the weekend, that pubs will reopen on the 4^th July, or at least those with beer gardens, where social distancing can be observed. I will admit that the lock down was tough, especially when we were restricted to one hours exercise and essential shopping trips, but there were also positive things that happened and I would like to reflect on those.

My partner was able to tidy his back garden, and create a vegetable patch. The garden is looking great now with vegetable almost ready to eat, and flowers in full bloom. During the lock down I rediscovered small independent grocery stores, which were a handy source for toilet rolls, and plants. The whole experience of using these stores was one of the things I hope to continue to do. I ventured out late at night on a few occasions for short walks, it was an eerie, yet peaceful time walking in complete silence, with no traffic in the background.

I am a little saddened by the passing of a brief moment in history, when we were all “in this together.” We had the opportunity to change our lives for the better, but few of us took that opportunity.

Back Street Pubs

One type of pub, that is particularly at risk of being lost forever, is the back street pub especially after the pubs reopen. They used to be the heart of the community, but the days when there was a pub on every corner have long gone. I could compile a list of the back street pubs that are at risk of closing forever, some of them were hanging by a thread even before this crisis happened, I really fear for many of these hidden gems.

In this post I will begin by featuring a back street pub that was close to my heart.

The Cavern, New Street Cheltenham

The Cavern was one of the oldest pubs in Cheltenham, It was a coaching Inn when it originally opened as The Compasses in the 1820's. In more recent times it was a popular venue for live music, and was known as the place to go, to listen to Country and Western bands. It briefly went under the name of Nostalgia in the 1990's, but reverted back to The Cavern. My Mother was a a Country and Western music fan, and often attended various gigs that were held there, I would sometimes accompany her, but it wasn't my type of music. The proceedings were often hosted by Dancing Ken, a local celebrity who raised money for charity. He was also a member of The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, so Screaming Lord Sutch would make the odd appearance!
The Cavern closed for good in April 2010, one of the reasons why the pub closed, was it became a victim of the smoking ban. The pub lay empty for a number of years, but work began to convert it into flats in 2016. There was a painted sign advertising Cheltenham Ales on the side of the building, but that seems to have been plastered over. The building is now known as Compasses House – a reference to the original name of the pub.

The Cavern in 1999

You can't really tell because of the quality of this photo, 

but there is a young sapling planted next to the bench 

to the left of the photo. Keep an eye on that sapling.

The Cavern in 2011

The Cheltenham Ales sign

The Cavern in 2016

Compasses House 2020

Remember the sapling by the bench? 

It is now a splendid Silver birch.

The Sherborne Arms, Sherborne Street Cheltenham

I only visited this pub on a few occasions, it was a fairly down to earth back street boozer. I distinctly remember my last visit, because I was ill with food poisoning the next day. It was either the food or the beer! In 2011, the pub was notable for employing the youngest landlady in Cheltenham – she was only 21. Later in 2011, the pub closed for good. It remained empty until 2014 when work began to convert it into a flats, but the skittle alley was left standing. When I was photographing the pub a week ago, I noticed that houses are now being built on the site of the skittle alley. All I can say is whatever outside space they have, must be minuscule!

The Sherborne Arms in 2011

A view of the skittle Alley and the back of the pub, in 2014

The Sherborne Arms in 2014

33 Sherborne Street 2015

New builds on the former skittle Alley in 2020

21st June 2020

There is a backstreet pub that I would like to mention, which I am concerned about. But I will wait until July when the pubs reopen, before I make any further comment.