96 Beau Geste - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited  :  1987 or  1988

I  used  to  wait  for  my  bus  home  just  the  other  side  of  a  road  into   the  bus  station  from  this  pub  and  occasionally  went   in  it  to  kill  time  if  I'd  just  missed  one  or  had  an  evening  meeting  to  attend. The  bus  station  has  since  been  re-located  and  now  the  shopping  centre  almost  abuts  onto  the  pub  as  seen  above.

I  recall  it  being  quite  pleasant  for  a  town  centre  pub  despite  an  unprepossessing  appearance  from  outside   and  it's  good  to  see  it  holding  out  against  redevelopment.

95 The Queen Inn - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited  : 17  May  2015

We  walked  past  this  one  on  the  way  to  the  Theatre  Tavern   a  few  weeks  back  and  I  was  rather  hoping  I'd  missed  it  out  of  the  book.  It  did  actually  close  for  a  period  around  2010  but  has  re-opened.

Actually  though,  our  visit  today  was  quite  enjoyable. The  pub  is  small, cheap  and  cheerful  with  minimal  decor  but  the  barmaid  or  perhaps  landlady  was  very  friendly,  particularly  towards  Simon. The  sandwich  I  purchased  was  quite  nice.

There  were  a  handful  of  other  punters  showing  not  much  interest  in  Swansea  v  Man  City  and  I'm  not  quite  sure  how  they  make  the  Sky  pay  given  the  limited  capacity.

I'm  not  sure  I'll  be  visiting  again  but  it  was  much  better  than  expected.

94 The Robin Hood - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited : 19  April  2015

At  some  point  the  Robin  Hood  changed  its  name  to  The  Theatre  Tavern, reflecting  its  position  next  to  the  town's  Hippodrome  Theatre. The  theatre  actually  closed in  2008  and  was at  one  point  threatened  with  demolition  before  being  granted  listed  building  status. A  charitable  trust  has  plans  to  reopen  it  in  the  near  future.  It  was  under   Tameside  MBC's  management  when  I  worked  for  them  and  many  of  my  colleagues  quietly  regarded  it  as  a  white  elephant. I  remember  one  guy  saying  the  only  people  who  made  it  any  money  were  "Chubby  ( ultra-blue  comic  Roy  Chubby  Brown ) and  Big  Daddy" ( i.e. professional  wrestling ). I don't  know  what  that  says  about  Ashton's  cultural  capital - not  much  I  guess.

Outwardly  this  is  Ashton's  most  distinctive  pub   with  its  magnificent  green  tiling  and  impressive  frontage. What  a  contrast  to  the  inside  which  looks  like  it's  been  gutted  and  is  bare  and  tatty. Don't  believe  the  promise  of  a  lounge  etched  on  the  windows, it's  just  one  large  room  with  a  mini-stage  at  the  far  end. The  seats  were  threadbare  and  dirty  which  may  be  why  the  other  half  dozen  customers  were  propping  up  the  bar.

What  makes  it  sadder  are  the  momentos   of  the  theatre  dotted  around  the  walls  and  autographed  posters  for  the  famous  and  not-so-famous  lined  up  on  the  beams. You  have  Billy  Connolly  and  Val  Doonican  rubbing  against  Susanne  Day  ( ? ), Johnny  Rich  (? ) and  Paul  Deane  Junior  ( apparently  a  Gene  Pitney  tribute  act ).  What's  perhaps  most  interesting  is  a  mounted  display  of  signed  publicity  shots  from  the  stars  of  Coronation  Street  including  the  long-deceased  Bernard  Youens.

I  won't  be  calling  again  but  should  add  that  Simon  enjoyed  it  because  they  were  showing  Mr  Bean  on  the  TV  screen.

93 The Oxford - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited : 10  April  2015

I  wasn't  too  excited  about  going  to  this  one  which  is  on  the  left  hand  side  of  the  A635  just  before  the  first  big  roundabout  at  St  Peter's  Church. It's  unpreposssing  on  the  outside  with  minimal  parking  and  warnings  about  drugs  as  you  go  inside.

It  actually  seemed  quite  a  friendly  place  inside  with  two  separate  lounges,  either  side  of  a  small-ish  bar. It's  quite  plain  with  some  incongruous   1930s  style   adverts  for  sophisticated  cocktails  comprising  most  of  the  wall  decorations.   The  furnishings  were  a  bit  eclectic  ;one  of  the  tables  in  the  lounge  we  sat  in  looked  like  it  had  been  converted  from  a  pool  table  with  the  baize  still  in  place. The  young  barmaid  was  friendly  and  quite  presentable.

It  didn't  advertise  any  food  but  there  was  a  tureen  and  hot  plate  on  the  bar  suggesting  it  provides  something  for  the  football  crowd  when  there's  a  match  on. It's  not  the  sort  of  place  you'd  go  out  of  your  way  for  but  it  rounded  off  our  day  out  pleasantly  enough.

92 The Corporation Arms-Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited : 22  February  2015

The  Corporation  Arms  is  virtually  next  door  to  The  Boundary  and  looks  like  the  poor  relation  from  the  outside. It  doesn't  do  food  but  inside  it's  much  bigger  than  you're  expecting  and  well  kept. It  caters  well  for  the  football  crowd  with  what  must  be  nearly  a  dozen  screens  above  the  long  central  bar  although  today  with  Tottenham  v  West  Ham  on  show  there  were  only  a  couple  in  action. Away  from  the  bar  there  was  a  disco  booth  in  the  corner  which  I  guess  sees  some  action  at  weekends.

I'd  also  give  it  a  mark  for  having  an  attractive  well-endowed  young  barmaid  on  duty  today.

90 Junction Inn- Audenshaw

Not  visited.

I've  recorded  this  one  as  being  in  Ashton, obviously  not  aware  we  were  passing  through  Audenshaw  at  all. It  was  further  up   Guide  Lane  and  is  now  demolished.

91 The Boundary - Audenshaw

First  visited :  29  December  2014

The  Boundary  survives  near  to  the  junction  of  the  A6140  and  the  A6017, not  far  from  Guide  Bridge  station. It's  a  large  pub  with  a  restaurant  in  the  extension  to  its  right.

Inside  it's  nice  and  smart. Simon  and  I  had  lunch  there  - quite  good  value  at  £8.95  for  two  courses  during  the  week - and  were  both  happy  with  the  fare,  although  I'd  knock  a  mark  off  for  the  cold  plate. The  service  was  a  bit  slow  although  I  suppose  they  have  extra  staff  at  busier  times. There  were  a  few  other  diners  there  and  I  would  guess  it  has  a  good  chance  of  surviving  if  they  keep  up  the  food  standard.