SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

As an idea for a set of photographs (4 to 6) I was thinking of making a story or theme out of pub names and photographing either the pubs or the signs (or both).Ideally I could get 4 pub names that could be linked or strung together in some. Failing that 4 pubs with the same name.Where is the best place to get a list of current pub names pleaseTIA John

There's a piece of prose (often found framed on Otley pub walls) which tells a story using all the pub names of the aforementioned town, written before the war, I think. I've got a copy of it somewhere. I'll try and find it.

Gandalf wrote: As an idea for a set of photographs (4 to 6) I was thinking of making a story or theme out of pub names and photographing either the pubs or the signs (or both).Ideally I could get 4 pub names that could be linked or strung together in some. Failing that 4 pubs with the same name.Where is the best place to get a list of current pub names pleaseTIA John I've a feeling .....Drapesy might help

Thanks liits, the beerinthevening site came in usefulStraight away I spotted a Fox link withBracken FoxFox and NewtFox and GrapesFox and Hounds Roundhay Foxwhich conveniently are all on my side of Leeds.I see a summer project beckoning

The Bracken Fox at Scarcroft used to be called something else which I can't remember - can anyone put me out of my misery with the answer please ??

BLAKEY wrote: The Bracken Fox at Scarcroft used to be called something else which I can't remember - can anyone put me out of my misery with the answer please ?? The New Inn.

Si wrote: There's a piece of prose (often found framed on Otley pub walls) which tells a story using all the pub names of the aforementioned town, written before the war, I think. I've got a copy of it somewhere. I'll try and find it. Here it is - it was written (by a certain Dick Sumner)many years ago so several of the pubs are long gone.Parts are a bit weedy - especially the bit about 'juggling Cross pipes and a cock and bottle'!!!!'Having an hour to spend in Otley the other evening I thought I would take a ramble around the town and my attention was immediately attracted by a beautiful SUMMER CROSS upon which THREE HORSESHOES were nailed, guarded by a RED LION which stood near a FOUNTAIN, where a groom named GEORGE wearing a BLUE BELL in his coat, who came from a MANOR HOUSE called the WHARFEDALE was giving a WHITE HORSE, a BAY HORSE and a BLACK HORSE a drink, while a handsome WHITE SWAN NEW INN the water was swimming gracefully about.Turning round I saw a WHEATSHEAF standing under the shade of a splendid ROYAL OAK which sheltered the LEEDS HOUSE. Hearing a shout I looked up and saw a man who had stolen a ROSE AND CROWN bearing the stamp of the QUEEN'S HEAD running across the BOWLING GREEN pursued by a crowd of people and a butcher with a BLACK BULL. He tried to effect a JUNCTION with his mate, a conjurer, who was juggling with CROSS PIPES and a COCK AND BOTTLE , but failing in his attempt ran straight into the MASON'S ARMS who was coming out of the DRAM SHOP [a previous name of 'Whitakers'] with a heavy WOOLPACK on his shoulders made from the FLEECE of a prize sheep and with the sound of the RING O'BELLS ringing merrily in my ears I retired to rest aided by the light of the HALF MOON and the evening STAR.'    

Thanks, Drapesy. Saves me finding it. An awful lot of those pubs have now gone.Closed: Summercross, George, Blue Bell, Wharfedale, White Horse, New Inn, Wheatsheaf, Royal Oak, Queen's Head, Bowling Green, Cock and Bottle, Mason's Arms, Woolpack, Fleece, Half Moon and Star.The Fountain is now The Yeoman, and, as Drapesy mentioned, the Dram Shop is Whitaker's. The Leeds House is now a licensed cafe.That only leaves the Three Horseshoes, the Red Lion, Manor House, Bay Horse, Black Horse, White Swan, Rose and Crown, Black Bull, Junction, Cross Pipes, and the Ring 'O Bells.My dodgy maths makes that a closure rate of 76.5%. PS No mention of the Melbourne? (Was next to the Bay Horse.)