So, there we were in the Crown, researching the new book on Didsbury books, which as Peter often says is a hard ask, but someone must do it.
And in the course of taking a series of pictures and getting to know some of the pub’s stories we came across the chap who told us we were wasting our time, "because the book on the history of Manchester pubs has already been done and done well".
There were “two of them”, he told us with a slight hint of pity in his voice, “about your age and the book was about the city centre pubs. It tells you all about the history of each one”.
None of which was a surprise to us, given that we are the two who wrote the one on the 78 iconic Manchester pubs, followed it up with the pubs and bars of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and now are doing the same for Didsbury.
Nonplussed by the revelation, our chap went on to tell us some of our own stories.
We listened with interest, corrected him on a detail or two, laughed at his very funny joke, and then wished him a goodbye and hoped to meet him again, as we left to move on to the Royal Oak, where minutes later we met him again.
He agreed to the photograph and the rest as they say is the story.
Now, there is nothing better than falling across your readers, especially when they shower you with praise for a book, which is well researched and written, profusely illustrated with period maps and photographs and has a fine collection of original paintings.
I am of course too modest to want to bathe in the reflected glow of such comments, but will merely make that appeal for stories, pictures, and memorabilia of all thinks Didsbury pubs.
You can leave a comment here on the blog or contact us through facebook and twitter.
All of which just leaves me to talk about the history of the Crown which in 1911 was run by Mr Albert Eggleton, who was a widow, but to say more would be to trespass on the new book, and that would never do.
But, those interested in the place, may want to check out the architecture of the building which has undergone some changes over the years. The clue is here in this 1974 photograph, of which more much later.
Location; Didsbury
Pictures; the chap in the Crown, 2019, from the collection of Peter Topping and the Crown in 1974, J H Black, m42083, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
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| The Crown, 2019 |
There were “two of them”, he told us with a slight hint of pity in his voice, “about your age and the book was about the city centre pubs. It tells you all about the history of each one”.
None of which was a surprise to us, given that we are the two who wrote the one on the 78 iconic Manchester pubs, followed it up with the pubs and bars of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and now are doing the same for Didsbury.
We listened with interest, corrected him on a detail or two, laughed at his very funny joke, and then wished him a goodbye and hoped to meet him again, as we left to move on to the Royal Oak, where minutes later we met him again.
He agreed to the photograph and the rest as they say is the story.
Now, there is nothing better than falling across your readers, especially when they shower you with praise for a book, which is well researched and written, profusely illustrated with period maps and photographs and has a fine collection of original paintings.
I am of course too modest to want to bathe in the reflected glow of such comments, but will merely make that appeal for stories, pictures, and memorabilia of all thinks Didsbury pubs.
You can leave a comment here on the blog or contact us through facebook and twitter.
All of which just leaves me to talk about the history of the Crown which in 1911 was run by Mr Albert Eggleton, who was a widow, but to say more would be to trespass on the new book, and that would never do.
 |
| The Crown in 1974 |
Location; Didsbury
Pictures; the chap in the Crown, 2019, from the collection of Peter Topping and the Crown in 1974, J H Black, m42083, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
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