Sunday 23 March 2014

Ye Olde White Horse Spalding Diversion

Sunday 23rd March 2014


When we first posted that we were going to Spalding a guy messaged us on Facebook and suggested that, as we were in that neck of the woods, we should also visit Stamford where there is a medieval banqueting house that was converted into a brewery.

We had a look on tinterweb and found out it was called All Saints Brewery and is part of the Samuel Smiths group. Well, as we were going to a Sam Smiths pub we thought why not?

It said on the web page that there were guided tours that visitors could take so I rang them to see if there were any tours on the day we were going. I spoke to the landlord, a guy called Mark, and he told me that, unfortunately, there were no tours available that day but if we cared to book another day we would be welcome. I explained that this was the only day we would be in the area and explained about our trips. 

A few days later he messaged me on Facebook and said he'd read our blog, that he now understood and that if we called in he would try to spare us a little of his time. 

Now we had to go.

 Stamford itself is an absolutely beautiful town, with every building being built from stone, giving the whole town a uniqueness that makes it stand out. Every street, shop, pub, and church (and there’s a lot of churches) all come together to make a truly memorable visit. Upon our arrival we had a quick look around the town while walking to the pub. Loads of photo ops. 

 So, this is the detour I mentioned in our post about Ye Olde White Horse. We arrived in Stamford about half past two and struggled to find a parking space (the one drawback to this fine town) and were on the point of giving it a miss until we stumbled on a car park down a little side street. From here it was about a five or ten minute walk to All Saints and, as the whole town is built in old Lincolnshire limestone, it is very picturesque.




Then we arrived at our destination.


Me outside (as usual)

After dads pathetic attempt at finding somewhere to park we eventually arrived at the pub/brewery. Yes, there is a pub too. The front of the building , which used to be a dwelling has been converted into a very handsome drinking and eating establishment called the Melbourne Brothers pub. We had a bit of a look round outside and then went in.


The brewery is round the back of the pub, up a driveway which was access for horses back in the day. An old well was turned into a beer garden feature, all looked mint.  




Why do you always have to take pictures that make me look like a berk?


It's a natural talent of mine......and yours. Anyway, we found our way into the bar and Dad ordered a drink. He had half a pint of Samuel Smiths Pure Brewed Organic Lager which he said was great (his head didn't think it so great Sunday morning after he over-indulged later that night). (WE over-indulged!! You weren't too bright yourself the next day). Yeah, whatever. As I said, he had a lager but I decided to try one of the beers they brew on the premises. They make four beers, all fruit flavours. Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry and Apricot. I had a strawberry. It was okay as it goes but i wouldn't have another. Dad thought it was shite. (Not nasty, just think beer should taste of beer). 



I asked the guy behind the bar if the landlord was about and he pointed out the landlady. I introduced myself and she said she would see if her husband, Mark, had time to see us and off she went. We had a look round inside and it's very interesting, all different levels and stairs everywhere. 



I'd love one of these for my pub
After a few minutes Mark turned up. The pub seemed pretty busy and he'd obviously been working in the kitchen but it appeared he'd dropped everything just to come and talk to us! Brilliant!

Me and Mark

Mark knew everything! What a font of pub knowledge this guy was. And he was a nice bloke to boot! He told us all about the history of the pub, how it was originally built as a dwelling in the 15th century with the brewery being built in 1825 although it would seem that there has been some brewing on the site for several hundred years. He also told us about  a tunnel that led to the adjacent All Saints Church, just across the road. The tunnel was used as an escape route by the monks of the church in the event of any trouble. Once in the building, they would use a hidden door in the fireplace (now the access to the ladies toilets) to access a cellar, and there they would stay until safe. What’s really interesting is that the cellar has a window angled up to the spire of the church, so anyone in the church can signal the hidden monks in the cellar when the coast was clear. Genius.





















 It was hard to get a decent picture so I had to do it like this.

Mark also told us about the brewery, how they still use the original steam engine and how most of the brewery is as it was originally installed. He told us about the recent acquisition of the pub by the latest brewery, Samuel Smiths. He told us about the dates of the original fireplace, and the dates of the extended fireplace. When I say he knew everything, he knew everything! And what really amazed me is that he’s only been landlord there for 2 years! As me dad said though, if you love what you do, it’s easy to remember. 

It was a great place and was well worth a visit, if you’re ever near Spalding; make the time to visit Stamford. Unfortunately we had to cut short our time there and head for Spalding, but we could’ve stayed for the rest of the day…

Yes, as Clint said we could have stayed all day and had a session but it was time to move on. However we highly recommend going to Stamford and if you fancy a tour of the brewery you can find details here http://www.stamford- lincs.co.uk/st/site/placesofinterest/f/48/m/all_saints_brewery.html We shall definitely try to get back there and make a day of it. Cheers for now.

Saturday 22 March 2014

Ye Olde White Horse, Spalding, Part 1

21st March 2014


We're back in business! After 8 months we are visiting pubs again. And this one looked promising.

I'd rang the pub and spoke to the landlady, Sam and she seemed very helpful and quite interested. I'd also contacted the local paper, The Spalding Guardian, hoping they could put me in touch with a local history society or historian but had had no reply. Still, we were travelling with loads of expectation especially as we were making a bit of a detour on the way there (more on that later).

We got to our hotel in Spalding about 4ish and, after checking in with the 70s throwback manager (three piece suit, kipper tie and "pancho" moustache), decided to have a pint seeing as they sold Stella. I'm glad Clint paid 'cos it was like gnats piss. We then went to our rooms and got ready for the big night (we hoped).

My GNATS PISS STELLA face


When we eventually arrived we checked in at our hotel which had the creepiest manager ever, laughing at the most trivial things we said, which made me uncomfortable. Maybe he felt the need to be over-friendly due to his position, but i think we all just want people to be genuine.

After a quick splash o' Brut we headed off for Ye Olde White Horse which, according to Google, was across the canal and down a bit. About a 10 or 15 minute walk which gave us a chance to see a bit of Spalding on the water......... and it's very nice though there are some exceedingly small front doors on the buildings. Anyone know why? Anyway, I got some nice pictures and enjoyed the walk.

Even Dad'd have to duck and he's only 5' 5"

Dinner?


Sure enough, down a bit and across a bridge and there it was, Ye Olde White Horse.


We'd arrived!

It's a very pretty building. I mean, who doesn't like a thatched roof?


Fire insurance companies?



All right, smart arse! We took a couple of pictures and crossed the threshold.


Usual pic of me outside the pub
There were quite a few people in, which is good to see at 5 o'clock, and I made my way further in as the bar area was pretty well occupied. You go up a couple of steps and there is more bar and here there was room to get in and as we approached the bar a woman behind said " Hi, we saw you were on your way. We saw the picture you posted on Facebook!"

This was brilliant!! They'd been interested enough to watch our Facebook page and were expecting us. The lady I was talking to was Sam, the landlady and we were quickly joined by Terri, her barmaid. Terri wanted to see the cigarette cards straight away so after I'd ordered a beer I handed them over and then Sam took me on a quick tour of the pub and Clint went off with Terri into the main bar area.

Clint, Terri, Sam and yours truly

Sam showed me where the original pub ended and the new bit began and showed me all the old photos on the wall and the history behind them as we walked through the lounge and back to the bar where we came in. There we found Clint talking to Terri and an older guy who was sat on a bar stool in the corner. Clint introduced him to me as "Squeak"!

We were off to a flyer! Not only did this seem like a good watering hole, but also, when Dad had contacted them, they were genuinely interested! To the point they had read the blog and recognised us! Well… dad anyway... The landlady was called Sam, and although she had a pub full of paying customers, she immediately took dad on a tour around the pub, and left me at the bar… but after a couple of minutes, the barmaid, Terri, came over for a chat. Sam had told her about our tour, and she wanted to see the cards. She showed them around the pub and before long I was stood next to an old boy discussing the pub. They called him Squeak, I forgot to ask why, and I forgot to ask his real name. But if I’m honest, whatever his real name was, I will forever call him Squeak. 

Terri

So I took root next to Squeak, and Dad came back and we stood talking for the rest of the night. Squeak had lots of old knowledge about Spalding, as he had lived there all his life. He told us a tale about a young woman who was listed as “stolen” from a pub in Spalding and shipped to Australia in the 1800’s, and the pub in question was called The Elephant and Castle. The twist in the tale is that no one can remember, or find any reference to, the Elephant and Castle ever being in Spalding. We had a little Google search on me Google phone (which I am beginning to fall out with!) but came up empty handed. I've had another quick look online since, but with no joy. Any info from anyone out there would be much appreciated, as I’m sure we could get it back to Squeak…

So, as we chatted to Squeak, we had another beer, and another beer,,,,,,,,,,,,,and another beer,,,,,,,,,,,,,ad infinitum. Because it was bloody lovely! It was Samuel Smiths Pure Brewed Organic Lager and I would recommend it to anyone (although I perhaps wouldn't recommend drinking as much as we did).

Well, that's enough for now. Part 2 coming soon, Cheers!!