The Roscoe is dead-long live the roscoe

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 12:07 am

LS1 wrote: Right, my Grandpa just called me to tell me that the Roscoe was here (circled). From memory i think the Roscoe was a tad further up Chapeltown road from your circle LS1 - I think where youve circled was a shop. I remember the shop right at the corner,thats a strange shape, was a butchers and I think there were 10/12 more shops till the Roscoe,Intersting photo here of the back of the shops - the comments are worth reading too- including someone who lived on Gills Court - which ran at the side of the Roscoehttp://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIde ... SPLAY=FULL

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 12:30 am

Paydirt!Good old Leodis - I suspect this was taken on the same day as LS1 's pic at the top of the page.(November 1968.) You can just see the Roscoe about 3 quarters of the way up the Road - painted white and with a Tetley sign Just visible.Phill - I wonder if you could get the chance to ask Noel if he remembers the Roscoe's address? My guess is 19, 21 or 23 Chapeltown Road.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 12:51 am

Further up Chapeltown Road , on the same side past St. Clements church was this pub - The Prince of wales . It had marvellous green tiles outside (a bit like the City of mabgate). If memory serves it had an ad in the tiles for 'Albion Brewery'. it later became Dutton's, as in this pic, and finally Whitbread - it closed around the same time as the Roscoe and was demolished for the same road widening scheme, but it has never been remembered with the fondness of the Roscoe for some reason. I believe , from my own memories and talking to others, that it was popular with the West Indian community - which the Roscoe never really was. the late lamented Albert Johannson was often to be found here in the late 60s/early70s.The Tetley signs on the building on the right hand side of the pic are above an off-licence.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 1:03 am

Here's my guess at the Roscoe's position on LS1's map - the Blue cross. note the buildings at the back and the passage at the side(i.e top/north) - I believe this is Gills court. Strange that its not marked as a pub - but than neither is the Victoria or the Pointer. This maybe because they were only ' Beer Houses' not full blown 'Public Houses' that could serve spirits.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 1:11 am

Knew we could rely on you Drapsey! Excellent detective work again! I think we can say we've well & truly pin pointed the location now! It's finding that bloody plaque will be the tricky bit ! I'll try remember to ask Noel what the address was too!

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 1:20 am

Bear in mind too Phill that the EXACT location of the Roscoe is (due to road widening) now covered by the south bound 'carriageway' - (centre / right hand lane going south). So the plaque could only ever have been placed in an approximate position.As an aside it's worth noting that the pics posted by LS1 and myself (and some others on Leodis taken at the same time) are concentrating on the traffic . They must be have been taken by a Leeds City Council dept. to show how bad traffic flow is and needs to be improved - part of the process that would lead, 12-15 years later, to the Roscoe's sad demise.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 6:54 am

Just had a look in the Roscoe book Noel give me & it says the pub addresss was no 21 as it had been changed from number 11 when alternate numbering was later introduced. It says the plaque was placed exactly where the tap room stood although it's a miracle if they got it spot on in my opinion! see you tonight if your 'round & about' Tony!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 9:14 am

Well done drapesy looks like you have got it spot on there. The location you mention does make sense as if you look at the pic of Noel and Barry then the distance between the traffic sland and the other side of the road would tie in nicely with the location of the plaque!

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed 12 Sep, 2007 10:28 am

I've got another engagement tonight, which means I'll have to leave you early, or alternatively try another night?I can be at the Roscoe just after 5 if you're both still up for it, That will give us longer to drink, ahem sorry, I mean search?

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 13 Sep, 2007 12:54 am

Wish i'd have know but never mind! i looked all over that site & the plaque isn't there! i was in earlier Tony, got a nice shot of Noels ark, Andy is going to do a story for me too later !