One for the pot

It sounds like a riddle, but all's explained by this picture (above) that David Solo sends from Aberdeenshire of his aunt and late uncle, Irene and Jack Sharp, behind the bar of the Ye Olde White Bull pub in Salford in town-centre Blackburn in 1960.

The couple were the managers of the then-new pub, which opened in October that year on the spot where its same-name predecessor, with an ancestry going back to 1750, was pulled down the year before -- along with three adjoining properties.

Renamed as the Brewer's Arms in 1979 after a massive revamp of its interior and then Pitcher's Bar four years ago, the new hostelry was then the flagship of the 500-pub empire of now-gone Dutton's brewery in whose back yard it was built.

As such, it was the last word in pub luxury 41 years ago.

Specially-designed cushioned armchairs, settees and stools, made from teak, were a feature of the lounge which took its name from its arched 'Lamella' ceiling of Douglas Fir spars in a honeycomb pattern, modelled on a similar one in London's Royal Festival Hall.

The room's 27ft-long bar, behind which Jack and Irene were pictured, boasted a scallop-fringed canopy. The oak-panelled snug, described as "an admirable haunt for businessmen," had chairs which the Evening Telegraph said had to be seen -- or sat in -- to be believed. Specially designed, they had a bull's head carved on each arm and were covered in heavy tapestry.

The pub also had a 'men only' Salford Bar which was equipped with then new-fangled electric beer pumps which dispensed a precise half-pint.

And if the Ye Olde White Bull's furnishings and decor were lavish, also generous were its measures of spirits.

For it served them in 'Imperial Measure' of one fourth of a gill rather than the stingier 'five out' or 'Lloyd George' measure first introduced in pubs during the First World War.

"People don't want a thimbleful -- they want a decent measure,' said Dutton's chairman Clifford Bowman. But another unusual mark the new pub -- and the one that David Solo wants to rediscover -- was to vanish within weeks. For when it opened, drinkers had a choice of having their draught beer served in a glass or a pottery tankard which featured a portrait of Thomas Dutton who founded brewery in 1799.

The pot mugs -- several of which can be seen on the shelves behind Mr and Mrs Sharp -- proved immensely popular. So much so that within a fortnight of the pub opening dozens had been purloined and soon none was left.

But, David wonders, have you got one of these souvenirs of the era when the rebuilt Ye Olde White Bull was new and Mr and Mrs Sharp were its first mine-hosts. Formerly of Blackpool, Mr Sharp was an accomplished pianist who had made several radio broadcasts and old-time customers of the pub may recall being entertained by him on the Lamella Room's piano.

And others might remember Mrs Sharp for the unusual car she drove - a Hillman Minx with turquoise bodywork with a 'velvet' finish.

"It was a real novelty," says David. "It looked like the sort of flock stuff you see on the inside of a jewellery box.

"She had it specially done by a bodyshop and she kept the car for about 15 years."

He adds: "They went to Anglesey in 1963 where they had their own hotel. Sadly, my uncle Jack died when I was just a tot, but Irene is still alive and kicking and, despite being in her eighties, still works in the local Spar shop at Llanfairfechan where she now lives. Perhaps your readers might know where I might find a tankard as I would like to surprise her with it."

If you can help, tell David at 'Craigowan,' Rothienorman, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 8UD. Tel. 01651-821181. E-mail: david@davidsolo.com

Dutton's ceased production in 1978 when its operations were transferred to the Whitbread group's Samlesbury. Whitbread had acquired the company in 1964.

The brewery was demolished in 1986 for the development of Morrison's supermarket.