Back to my February theme : occupational pubs. The Engineers is a delightful old pub in Sowerby Bridge, as unpretentious as lard and as solid as a bag of bricks. There were a number of engineering works in Sowerby Bridge and most West Yorkshire towns would have a pub with a similar name during the first half of the twentieth century. Often they would have acquired their name because they were the meeting place of the powerful Amalgamated Engineering Union. I can still remember my father, who was no great frequenter of pubs, going to "the Engineers" to pay his union dues, although, in his case, it would have been the Engineers' Club in Halifax rather than the eponymous pub in Sowerby Bridge.
I have been unable to find out very much about the history of the Sowerby Bridge Engineers. It looks like a fairly typical post-1830 Beerhouse Act establishment, but obviously more research is required. As always, I will rededicate myself to its completion.
You make it sound like some kind of protection racket run by the Kray twins.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the more important question is - How's the beer there?
ReplyDeleteThis building looks very much like the ones in the next town to us, Fergus.
ReplyDeleteExactly how many pubs ARE there in England, Alan? (And more importantly, how many have had the pleasure of YOUR custom?)
PS - is the street named after the Earls of Derby?
ReplyDeleteMy mother, a triplet, was nearly adopted (along with her other 2 sisters) by the old Earl. Gran had 12 kids and he thought she couldn't cope (they were minor celebs in Southport at the time).
The long local history in England must be fascinating! Just to look up the history of a word takes you many interesting places.
ReplyDeleteOur history here is very brief. The Western Canadian prairies have been settled just over 100 years. Before that there were a few traders and missionaries.
I love the angle of that bench seat, Alan. I guess it straightens up after a few pints?
ReplyDeleteThis January the daughter moved to Tunbridge Wells,Kent where her new hubby resides. I dare say I shall get to frequent a pub or two when I visit. That should be a part of the tour, right? The pub experience here is not the same.
ReplyDeleteWell I like the similes! Although "unpretentious as lard" is well on its way to becoming vestigial here in the US.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a pretty down-to-earth sort of place.
ReplyDeleteOh what a great place this appears to be! It's funny though, I'm not sure which I look more forward to your titles or the post! You come up with the best ever titles! they always lend such an opening of a story....!
ReplyDeleteMy husband would make straight for that pub- because he’s a retired engineer, not because of the beer (of course not).
ReplyDeletelove this picture Alan!
ReplyDeleteNever been to that one in SB. Years ago I remember going to what I think was the Puzzle Hall with a bloke called Shaun.
ReplyDeleteI get mixed up with Sowerby Bridge pubs.Is The Engineers the one with the backdoor that leads to the canal bridge that gets you to the Railway Station? If So, I have happy memories of stumbling out the back After-Hours (dead drunk!) to catch the last train back to Hebden Bridge.I seem to remember,I got the timing down to a rare fine Art!
ReplyDeleteLooks Great. I love the sound of Sowerby Bridge - great name for a town
ReplyDeleteI bet the bench straightens itself out after a few rounds:)
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