- The Linthouse -
Being a Wolverhampton lad, it pains me somewhat to note that every single one of this quintet is a pub from within the city's boundaries - in fact the first three all hail from the Wednesfield area, starting with the Linthouse on Linthouse Lane near Ashmore Park. Positioned next to a Jet garage with an alleyway through onto Shardlow Road, this place had a strong footballing allegiance to Wolverhampton Wanderers. I only remember going here once, for a family meal that involved steak and kidney suet puddings in the front bar. Houses now occupy the site.
- Noah's Ark -
If you were to continue back along Linthouse Lane towards the Wood End roundabout, you'd soon reach our next bygone boozer. The Noah's Ark had a very typical 1960s Ansells design although the building we see above replaced an earlier inn circa 1964. Perched on Wood End Road close to Long Knowle Library, it would have been in direct competition with the grander Pheasant just down the road. Nowadays it has been converted into a One Stop convenience store with adjoining hairdressing salon.
- The Cross Guns -
The third of our Wednesfield trio is the Cross Guns on Lichfield Road, nestled between two blocks of shops that included stores such as Portland Eye Care, the Penguin Cafe and the much-missed Max Millward's Records. A fairly plain redbrick offering, I recall having Sunday roasts here on occasion with my Nan and Grandad, although curries are more likely to be on the menu in its current guise as the Masala Lounge Indian restaurant.
- Staffordshire Volunteer -
I lived in Bushbury for the best part of thirty years and in that time the local pub scene was absolutely decimated, not that I can hold myself in anyway responsible you understand! One victim of this declining demand was the Staffordshire Volunteer on the Northwood Park estate, a box boozer which stood on Collingwood Road opposite the Broadway shopping parade. Known affectionately as the Vol, it too became a One Stop store after ceasing to trade.
- Fox Hotel -
Let's finish in Wolverhampton City Centre with reference to the Fox Hotel, a watering hole which would have been a noted landmark for anyone driving around the Ring Road (albeit any architectural appeal was distinctly dubious). It overlooked the Penn Road roundabout from the end of School Street at a time when the Indoor Markets would still have been operational, but is now just a car park space with little trace it was ever there.
Great work for posterity.
ReplyDeleteWolves does look rather bereft of boozers these days, so particularly pleasing the Posada was so good
Been in the Chindit lately ?
Thanks Martin - as time goes on I am becoming aware that my pictures do have some historical value, especially as more pubs disappear. Wolverhampton has certainly lost its fair share in relatively recent memory that's for sure! Thankfully most of my personal favourites have survived intact, including the Posada and the Great Western. I have been in the Chindit a few times this year and it seems to keep ticking over ok, albeit perhaps quieter since the longserving landlord retired. Beer still more than decent with an emphasis on blonde/golden/pale ales. Cheers, Paul
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