"Courting" outside Coventry

It was the mention of the Black Horse pub at Exhall, that led me to starting this theme, I wanted to see a picture and couldn`t find one. But then you know how the mind slips on, I thought of a few more venues, me and my wife to be went off to and "got together" (anywhere away from the family). So...... The Boot at Honiley, The Falcon at Shrewley (Landlord `Tom` Dollery, Warwickshire Cricket captain), The Crabmill Inn, Henley in Arden (?), Fleur de Lys Chicken and Mushroom Pies at somewhere over Hampton way, Chicken in the basket at Hunningham, Berni Inn - Kenilworth. Of course, it wasn`t all about courting, I used to take surveyors I worked with for a "business lunch" to the Bear at Berkswell, although my wife and I were regular visitors both before and after we were married (completely spoilt now) Oh, and my father also played for a cricket team "The Ramblers", amazing how many times we ended up at the Green Man in Kenilworth.

Yes, Roger, that's what it was called in those days, 'courting'. The young ones snigger now if you refer to that. The Bear and Ragged Staff was a favourite of ours and the Fleur de Lys meat pies were our favourite too, and we only frequented the pubs with really good food.

Mr Turner. I have visited many of those pubs and got pie eyed in most. Dreamtime. I lived off Fleur de Lys pies for years and remember them well. Not heard of them recently and don't know if they are still made.

Looks like Fleur de Lys pies are still made Fleur de Lys The original factory was demolished Fleur de Lys at Emscote and I expect the pies taste very different to those of our memories

Talking about getting "pie eyed" I forgot to mention The Bull at Meriden. Does anybody remember when they introduced schooners of sherry? Went down a treat especially with the ladies!! Apropos of nothing, but referring to my opening line. My wife to be, on a visit to the Falcon, ordered "Green Chartreuse" - I`m sure it was an experiment, as she got half way through it and gave every sign of `going off`, anyway the upshot was, Jack the ever helpful lad finished it off for her. I won`t say it was the last thing I remember, but it`s a good job there were not the modern driving regulations in those days. Oh! remember how tyres were usable, even when they were just showing the canvas, mind you my puddle jumpers didn`t do much more than 35 mph

Ooooo yes, schooners of sherry, with a cherry on a stick - thumbs up to that one. then the Pimm's No.1, don't know what was in it but I used to like those. I forgot what main road it was on but we always spent a special occasion at the Old Mill and had a lovely Christmas 'do' there once. I would not say our courting days were over but once the children came along we had to curb the menus so to speak !!!!!

Ha yes... The Bull at Meriden... Often took girl friends there. For the current girl on my arm I always bought a Green Chartreuse or another short that had an orange taste. The barman got to know me quite well and he called those drinks Shimmy Lifters. I have no idea why.

"Shimmy Lifter" - I think your barman had it to a "T" While writing another visited pub comes to mind, but I can`t remember the name, at Priors Hardwick. By the way, did Crick ever get "Home Rule"?

I think the pub at Priors Hardwick is/was called The Butcher, haven't been out that way for years. I also frequently visited the Hinckley Knight and the Pretty Pigs a few miles along the A5. Sadly Crick never got home rule but I remember the appeal painted on a railway bridge.

Yes, Norman, I think you are correct, "The Butchers Arms", can`t remember what the attraction was there - perhaps it was just because it was quiet (suitable for courting). Shame Crick never got home rule - you know how "Smithie" used to say "Power to the People", I used to say "Home Rule for Crick" - even when I stayed in Scotland for 20 years (it used to make my wife laugh - daft weren't we?). I remember a little old worlde pub at Ryton near the swimming pool? Oh and one night to remember at the Astley Castle, We sat at refectory tables in this great big old room and feasted on a set menu - mine host entertained us with French bonhomie and went from table to table, taking a slurp at each - we must have been there for at least a couple of hours. Came time to collect our coats - there he was to see us off - not quite pie eyed, but well on the way. Funny how the French had disappeared - I think he said he came from Bolton

Do you mean the Pretty Pigs at Alvecote near Tamworth, Norman. They do a good carvery there but it gets very busy.

The attraction at Priors Hardwick was their pork speciality - gammon, eggs and chips to be precise! You could look out the window and see next week's menu (apart from the eggs and chips, of course) trotting around the yard, it was astonishingly tasty, compared to the usual butchers' pork! Edited by member, 13th May 2016 8:25 am

Norman. I had forgotten the Pretty Pigs, was there a fishing pool there? I am sure I used to fish there many years ago.

Yes Anne, The Pretty Pigs at Alvecote. Knew a girl from Newton Regis, took her there on several occasions on my Matchless G45, detuned for road use. When I realised there was a pool at the back I borrowed dad's car, fishing tackle in the boot, then picked up my date June O**** then off to the Pigs. Had a nice day catching small tench and had the occasional beer to stop me dehydrating in the sun. Sadly never saw June again. Yes Norm, the pool contains a mixture of fish but the only bait that works well is a pinch of bread on the hook. Also keeps small perch away. I have caught pike in there but nothing above 4lbs. The pool is very shallow, average depth less than 3ft. I later took my sons there to teach them the noble art of the angle. Easy fishing without to much weed. Dutchman, Sir. Any edible animal has a duty to turn up on my plate at regular intervals, don't mind being reminded. If the Lord intended us to be vegetarians why did he make animals out of meat?

Yes, Norman, there are plenty of lakes round there, apparently caused by coal mine subsidence. If we have a lot of this wet stuff the pub finishes up in the lake. Roy's auntie and uncle ran it many, many years ago, before my time, and it was said that if it rained heavily the barrels could be heard hitting the cellar ceiling.