The great Sheffield down Town pub run 1960-80ish

[old tup 30]

That's a new on me as well although I know

The Mucky Duck was when it was a Sam Smiths house as the landlord some times got the last 102 ,101 or 105 bus home with us.

I used to try and catch the last bus home to Middlewood Road outside The Mucky Duck at 1-10 am after my last watering hole Baileys on Bank Street!.If I missed it a taxi cost around 10 shillings whilst the bus was around 2 shillings,not like last Friday night,Brown Bear to Mosborough £14-30!.Musn,t complain though as my present wife and I are old codgers now so we used our free bus passes the other way earlier on in the day!.The Brown Bear reminded me of the Adelphi a bit although its a lot smaller,Sam Smiths was palatable to my surprise,the place was full from dinner till late ,enjoyed a good time meeting the surviving eight of the old crowd from the 60s!.There are some real characters in there just like the old days in the Adelphi a proper pub not like the bars where immature teenagers pour gallons of alcohol fruit flavoured concoctions down until they don,t know what day it is!.We used to take a pride in holding our drink,not nowadays some youngsters have no pride or self control the women being the worst,laid out in the street showing next weeks dirty washing,screaming and fighting,sad really but one day they will grow up,thats it rant over Adios Amigos!.

[samssong 10]

I used to try and catch the last bus home to Middlewood Road outside The Mucky Duck at 1-10 am after my last watering hole Baileys on Bank Street!.If I missed it a taxi cost around 10 shillings whilst the bus was around 2 shillings,not like last Friday night,Brown Bear to Mosborough £14-30!.Musn,t complain though as my present wife and I are old codgers now so we used our free bus passes the other way earlier on in the day!.The Brown Bear reminded me of the Adelphi a bit although its a lot smaller,Sam Smiths was palatable to my surprise,the place was full from dinner till late ,enjoyed a good time meeting the surviving eight of the old crowd from the 60s!.There are some real characters in there just like the old days in the Adelphi a proper pub not like the bars where immature teenagers pour gallons of alcohol fruit flavoured concoctions down until they don,t know what day it is!.We used to take a pride in holding our drink,not nowadays some youngsters have no pride or self control the women being the worst,laid out in the street showing next weeks dirty washing,screaming and fighting,sad really but one day they will grow up,thats it rant over Adios Amigos!.

I use the Bear my self now and then and you are right it is a throw back to what pubs used to be , meeting places that you could afford to be in and without the smell of bleeeeedin sushi and chips up your nostrils.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 19:50 ----------

 

So here goes ,Sheffields no one ever pub The Mucky Duck (Black Swan Snigg Hill).

Its been called all sorts over the years but to proper Sheffielders it will always be The Mucky Duck .

This is the pub that stands on the corner of Bank Street and Snigg Hill on the edge of Sheffields most neglected and iconic area.

The pub should be a listed national monument with a blue plaque on the wall as some of the greatest bands and solo artists in British musical history have performed on its stage.

 

The manager in the sixties was a big chap called Terry Steeples and Terry had an eye for an act that was on the way up.

 

The greatest star to grace the stage was Sheffields own Joe Cocker who I saw perform there on the 13th November 1968 just as his World wide hit" With a little help from my friends" made him into the International star he was.

 

But Joe had performed at the Duck on various occasions before that time in the early sixties , he was then known as Vince Arnold and the Avengers ,

 

 

This group had a regular

following and always seemed to be playing The Centre Spot Base Green , The Arbourthorne Hotel , or the Black Swan.

 

Apart from Joe I saw A young Elkie Brookes perform along with Robert Palmer and Elkie was (is) one of the best female rockers of all time.

 

Other acts on the Swan include The Clash , Tony Christie, The Sex Pistols and Sheffields best ever Rhythm and Blues man Frank White (Hows Frank goin on ?) .

 

The Friday afternoon builders session at the Swan always had a mucky comedian ( one who told jokes and stories that would not get them a booking in these P.C days)

Two comedians that come to mind are the incomparable Ron Delta ( he also played the Travellers on the Moor ) and the very risky Harry Bendon who's famous last act was his white eared elephant display.

That display entailed his trouser pocket linings hanging out along with his!!!!!.

It made the lasses scream and the lads among us who could compete with Harry some times doing so.

 

Over the years the Black Swan had different names inc The Boardwalk and The complete angler but to Sheffield Folk of a certain age and back ground it will always be known as The Mucky Duck.

 

Below the Swan towards the now assassinated Castle Market stood four more of the Towns well loved watering holes , The Brunswick (now covered up with the grottiest yellow boarding that has ever been allowed to happen in our City) then the Rotherham House later called the Market Tavern (once again allowed to become an eye sore) The Cannon and last but not least The Norfolk on Dixon Lane .

 

Of these four pubs three are boarded up with only the Norfolk still trading ,all the three boarded ones are unique to Sheffield in that they served its most important area for decades perhaps one day along with the Mucky Duck they may be returned to their former glory in this forgotten important corner of our City.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 20:09 ----------

 

I use the Bear my self now and then and you are right it is a throw back to what pubs used to be , meeting places that you could afford to be in and without the smell of bleeeeedin sushi and chips up your nostrils.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 19:50 ----------

 

So here goes ,Sheffields no one ever pub The Mucky Duck (Black Swan Snigg Hill).

Its been called all sorts over the years but to proper Sheffielders it will always be The Mucky Duck .

This is the pub that stands on the corner of Bank Street and Snigg Hill on the edge of Sheffields most neglected and iconic area.

The pub should be a listed national monument with a blue plaque on the wall as some of the greatest bands and solo artists in British musical history have performed on its stage.

 

The manager in the sixties was a big chap called Terry Steeples and Terry had an eye for an act that was on the way up.

 

The greatest star to grace the stage was Sheffields own Joe Cocker who I saw perform there on the 13th November 1968 just as his World wide hit" With a little help from my friends" made him into the International star he was.

 

But Joe had performed at the Duck on various occasions before that time in the early sixties , he was then known as Vince Arnold and the Avengers ,

 

 

This group had a regular

following and always seemed to be playing The Centre Spot Base Green , The Arbourthorne Hotel , or the Black Swan.

 

Apart from Joe I saw A young Elkie Brookes perform along with Robert Palmer and Elkie was (is) one of the best female rockers of all time.

 

Other acts on the Swan include The Clash , Tony Christie, The Sex Pistols and Sheffields best ever Rhythm and Blues man Frank White (Hows Frank goin on ?) .

 

The Friday afternoon builders session at the Swan always had a mucky comedian ( one who told jokes and stories that would not get them a booking in these P.C days)

Two comedians that come to mind are the incomparable Ron Delta ( he also played the Travellers on the Moor ) and the very risky Harry Bendon who's famous last act was his white eared elephant display.

That display entailed his trouser pocket linings hanging out along with his!!!!!.

It made the lasses scream and the lads among us who could compete with Harry some times doing so.

 

Over the years the Black Swan had different names inc The Boardwalk and The complete angler but to Sheffield Folk of a certain age and back ground it will always be known as The Mucky Duck.

 

Below the Swan towards the now assassinated Castle Market stood four more of the Towns well loved watering holes , The Brunswick (now covered up with the grottiest yellow boarding that has ever been allowed to happen in our City) then the Rotherham House later called the Market Tavern (once again allowed to become an eye sore) The Cannon and last but not least The Norfolk on Dixon Lane .

 

Of these four pubs three are boarded up with only the Norfolk still trading ,all the three boarded ones are unique to Sheffield in that they served its most important area for decades perhaps one day along with the Mucky Duck they may be returned to their former glory in this forgotten important corner of our City.

Nearly forgot the Bull and Mouth

Edited December 5, 2016 by samssong

[Boginspro 10]

I love the stories of yesteryear! I never went in any of these pubs (being more of a Marquis of Granby girl!!!) but love the recollections of those who did, Keep them coming,

 

I went there too Scousemouse, usually on Sundays also swimming at the Yorkshire Bridge and sometimes to the Travellers at the end of Brough Lane who only sold cider in the early days. I went on my motor bike so couldn't have a pub crawl (kept falling off) bus to town was safer.

[Padders 2,850]

brilliant posts samssong..bet iv"e stood shoulder to shoulder with you on more than one occasion.

 

 

use to gamble with ron delta in the cavendish casino, what a great character he was..if i won (and i did) upstairs for a T bone steak 17/6d ..dont forget the one and only tony

 

 

white while your on the subject.

 

looking forward to a trip down the Twicker

[samssong 10]

brilliant posts samssong..bet iv"e stood shoulder to shoulder with you on more than one occasion.

 

 

use to gamble with ron delta in the cavendish casino, what a great character he was..if i won (and i did) upstairs for a T bone steak 17/6d ..dont forget the one and only tony

 

 

white while your on the subject.

 

looking forward to a trip down the Twicker

 

Tony White once hit me over the head with the Green Un paper.

My crime was that I was reading it while he was on stage doing his act .

He crept down the stage stairs still singing came up behind me and cracked me with a rolled up one he got from the next table .

He brought the house down as he called me a cheeky bleeeeeder.

He was right

[stpetre 12]

Tony White once hit me over the head with the Green Un paper.

My crime was that I was reading it while he was on stage doing his act .

He crept down the stage stairs still singing came up behind me and cracked me with a rolled up one he got from the next table .

He brought the house down as he called me a cheeky bleeeeeder.

He was right

 

Just as well it wasn't the 'Sunday Times' he whacked you with samssong, Great story tho'. (Oh, and it was Vance Arnold.)

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 22:35 ----------

 

I use the Bear my self now and then and you are right it is a throw back to what pubs used to be , meeting places that you could afford to be in and without the smell of bleeeeedin sushi and chips up your nostrils.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 19:50 ----------

 

So here goes ,Sheffields no one ever pub The Mucky Duck (Black Swan Snigg Hill).

Its been called all sorts over the years but to proper Sheffielders it will always be The Mucky Duck .

This is the pub that stands on the corner of Bank Street and Snigg Hill on the edge of Sheffields most neglected and iconic area.

The pub should be a listed national monument with a blue plaque on the wall as some of the greatest bands and solo artists in British musical history have performed on its stage.

 

The manager in the sixties was a big chap called Terry Steeples and Terry had an eye for an act that was on the way up.

 

The greatest star to grace the stage was Sheffields own Joe Cocker who I saw perform there on the 13th November 1968 just as his World wide hit" With a little help from my friends" made him into the International star he was.

 

But Joe had performed at the Duck on various occasions before that time in the early sixties , he was then known as Vince Arnold and the Avengers ,

 

 

This group had a regular

following and always seemed to be playing The Centre Spot Base Green , The Arbourthorne Hotel , or the Black Swan.

 

Apart from Joe I saw A young Elkie Brookes perform along with Robert Palmer and Elkie was (is) one of the best female rockers of all time.

 

Other acts on the Swan include The Clash , Tony Christie, The Sex Pistols and Sheffields best ever Rhythm and Blues man Frank White (Hows Frank goin on ?) .

 

The Friday afternoon builders session at the Swan always had a mucky comedian ( one who told jokes and stories that would not get them a booking in these P.C days)

Two comedians that come to mind are the incomparable Ron Delta ( he also played the Travellers on the Moor ) and the very risky Harry Bendon who's famous last act was his white eared elephant display.

That display entailed his trouser pocket linings hanging out along with his!!!!!.

It made the lasses scream and the lads among us who could compete with Harry some times doing so.

 

Over the years the Black Swan had different names inc The Boardwalk and The complete angler but to Sheffield Folk of a certain age and back ground it will always be known as The Mucky Duck.

 

Below the Swan towards the now assassinated Castle Market stood four more of the Towns well loved watering holes , The Brunswick (now covered up with the grottiest yellow boarding that has ever been allowed to happen in our City) then the Rotherham House later called the Market Tavern (once again allowed to become an eye sore) The Cannon and last but not least The Norfolk on Dixon Lane .

 

Of these four pubs three are boarded up with only the Norfolk still trading ,all the three boarded ones are unique to Sheffield in that they served its most important area for decades perhaps one day along with the Mucky Duck they may be returned to their former glory in this forgotten important corner of our City.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 20:09 ----------

 

Nearly forgot the Bull and Mouth

 

Thank's for the reminder. Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer were once in the same band..'Vinegar Joe'...

[TORONTONY 10]

I use the Bear my self now and then and you are right it is a throw back to what pubs used to be , meeting places that you could afford to be in and without the smell of bleeeeedin sushi and chips up your nostrils.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 19:50 ----------

 

So here goes ,Sheffields no one ever pub The Mucky Duck (Black Swan Snigg Hill).

Its been called all sorts over the years but to proper Sheffielders it will always be The Mucky Duck .

This is the pub that stands on the corner of Bank Street and Snigg Hill on the edge of Sheffields most neglected and iconic area.

The pub should be a listed national monument with a blue plaque on the wall as some of the greatest bands and solo artists in British musical history have performed on its stage.

 

The manager in the sixties was a big chap called Terry Steeples and Terry had an eye for an act that was on the way up.

 

The greatest star to grace the stage was Sheffields own Joe Cocker who I saw perform there on the 13th November 1968 just as his World wide hit" With a little help from my friends" made him into the International star he was.

 

But Joe had performed at the Duck on various occasions before that time in the early sixties , he was then known as Vince Arnold and the Avengers ,

 

 

This group had a regular

following and always seemed to be playing The Centre Spot Base Green , The Arbourthorne Hotel , or the Black Swan.

 

Apart from Joe I saw A young Elkie Brookes perform along with Robert Palmer and Elkie was (is) one of the best female rockers of all time.

 

Other acts on the Swan include The Clash , Tony Christie, The Sex Pistols and Sheffields best ever Rhythm and Blues man Frank White (Hows Frank goin on ?) .

 

The Friday afternoon builders session at the Swan always had a mucky comedian ( one who told jokes and stories that would not get them a booking in these P.C days)

Two comedians that come to mind are the incomparable Ron Delta ( he also played the Travellers on the Moor ) and the very risky Harry Bendon who's famous last act was his white eared elephant display.

That display entailed his trouser pocket linings hanging out along with his!!!!!.

It made the lasses scream and the lads among us who could compete with Harry some times doing so.

 

Over the years the Black Swan had different names inc The Boardwalk and The complete angler but to Sheffield Folk of a certain age and back ground it will always be known as The Mucky Duck.

 

Below the Swan towards the now assassinated Castle Market stood four more of the Towns well loved watering holes , The Brunswick (now covered up with the grottiest yellow boarding that has ever been allowed to happen in our City) then the Rotherham House later called the Market Tavern (once again allowed to become an eye sore) The Cannon and last but not least The Norfolk on Dixon Lane .

 

Of these four pubs three are boarded up with only the Norfolk still trading ,all the three boarded ones are unique to Sheffield in that they served its most important area for decades perhaps one day along with the Mucky Duck they may be returned to their former glory in this forgotten important corner of our City.

 

---------- Post added 05-12-2016 at 20:09 ----------

 

Nearly forgot the Bull and Mouth

 

Bull and Mouth appears to be still there but called Tap and Barrel Remember the Wheatsheaf on Bridge Street where you could walk out of the door and straight on a special to the match at Hillsborough. That one went years before the others though . Is the Hen and Chickens still open for business?

[biker 10]

That's a new on me as well although I know

The Mucky Duck was when it was a Sam Smiths house as the landlord some times got the last 102 ,101 or 105 bus home with us.

 

I caught those buses home or had to walk (wobble?) home. From the mid 1960,s our pub crawl was Mucky Duck Black Velvet as the ale was poor,Blue Bell,Stonehouse,Saddle,West Street hotel (with games on the football table which we often won,The winners stayed on for free!), Hallamshire and back to the Mucky Duck for a Black Velvet.With at least a pint in each I crawled into work at the steel works at 730 the next morning.Thats probably why my memory of the 1960,s is a little blurred !!!!!!

[stpetre 12]

Bull and Mouth appears to be still there but called Tap and Barrel Remember the Wheatsheaf on Bridge Street where you could walk out of the door and straight on a special to the match at Hillsborough. That one went years before the others though . Is the Hen and Chickens still open for business?

 

From what I read on S.F. Mr. T, the 'Bull and Mouth' seems to have gone to the land of dear departed pubs. As for the 'Hen and Chickens' , I think it is still going and as for it's 'business', it might be more leaning to Monkey type and it's not a pet shop !

[TORONTONY 10]

I caught those buses home or had to walk (wobble?) home. From the mid 1960,s our pub crawl was Mucky Duck Black Velvet as the ale was poor,Blue Bell,Stonehouse,Saddle,West Street hotel (with games on the football table which we often won,The winners stayed on for free!), Hallamshire and back to the Mucky Duck for a Black Velvet.With at least a pint in each I crawled into work at the steel works at 730 the next morning.Thats probably why my memory of the 1960,s is a little blurred !!!!!!

 

About your black velvets at the Swan, well that's what Sam Smiths bitter did to people lol. I used to have black and tans myself.

 

---------- Post added 06-12-2016 at 00:01 ----------

 

From what I read on S.F. Mr. T, the 'Bull and Mouth' seems to have gone to the land of dear departed pubs. As for the 'Hen and Chickens' , I think it is still going and as for it's 'business', it might be more leaning to Monkey type and it's not a pet shop !

 

I explored with street view a while back and a pub called the Tap and Barrel at the corner of Haymarket and Castlegate was definitely the former Bull and Mouth.

 

---------- Post added 06-12-2016 at 00:04 ----------

 

From what I read on S.F. Mr. T, the 'Bull and Mouth' seems to have gone to the land of dear departed pubs. As for the 'Hen and Chickens' , I think it is still going and as for it's 'business', it might be more leaning to Monkey type and it's not a pet shop !

 

As our now 90 year old Chuck Berry would sing " Too Much Monkey Business "

Edited December 6, 2016 by TORONTONY

[samssong 10]

I caught those buses home or had to walk (wobble?) home. From the mid 1960,s our pub crawl was Mucky Duck Black Velvet as the ale was poor,Blue Bell,Stonehouse,Saddle,West Street hotel (with games on the football table which we often won,The winners stayed on for free!), Hallamshire and back to the Mucky Duck for a Black Velvet.With at least a pint in each I crawled into work at the steel works at 730 the next morning.Thats probably why my memory of the 1960,s is a little blurred !!!!!!

 

Mine is blurred as to Wicker pubs ,there was so many of em one blended into the next by the time you had done the full Monty .

[darra 10]

Remember many years ago going into the Berni inn by the Castle Market. Nice steak then quick word with the waitress who would let us pocket the digestive biscuits that people had left from the cheese and biscuits to eat on the way home. Life seemed simpler in them days