Exiles - what do you miss about Leeds the most?

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 1:56 am

Imperial, only ever had that in the North East. What was that about?

liits · Post by **liits** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 3:17 am

Cardiarms wrote: Imperial, only ever had that in the North East. What was that about? Quite a few pubs in Leeds sold it for a while, back in the early 80's. We sold it in the Manston [but only in the Lounge, not the tap 'oil].I can even remember the prices Mild 51p, Bitter 53p, Imperial 57p. [1981 prices!] Imperial never caught on, most people refusing to pay the extra for what they considered to be a pint of "mixed". Some kind souls, who'd never heard of Imperial even accused the manager of making it himself from the left-overs on the tables [that went in the Mild [joke]].

Patexpat · Post by **Patexpat** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 6:40 am

well as this thread has been revived - can I share with you all that right now I have a craving for sticky bread spread with lots of butter to go with my Yorkshire Tea? (Brought in by a friend earlier this year!)

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 9:30 am

Yeah, I was near redcar the other week and had a pint of Imperial. I havent seen it in Leeds for ages, and was starting to thinkthat I had imagined it. Wonder why you can never get it here and seems to be more readily available in the North East?

Si · Post by Si » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 10:55 am

Geordie-exile wrote: Si wrote: Geordie-exile wrote: Friends and family of course but not much about the city itself. I returned to Leeds for a couple of years in 2005 and then came back to the north east not so long ago. Si - I used to live just down the road from the Five Wand Mill! Leeds has changed so much from the place where I grew up. I don't just mean the built environment - it just seems to have become so impersonal, like it's lost its identity. I dunno - I suppose you could say that about a lot of big cities but it didn't feel so impersonal when I was growing up. I disagree with the comments about Kirkgate Market. I've always disliked it [not the exterior, rather the poor quality goods, the dirt and the smell] and LCC seem hell bent on running down what's left of it. People from here, can you believe, actually go on coach trips to Leeds market. Lord knows what they think when they get inside. And Kirkgate itself is a disgrace.I think [some of] the new developments on the riverside will be slums in 20 years time. Whoever approved that block at the side of the magnificent Corn Exchange wants shooting. The city centre traffic system is notoriously bad. Give me the north east anytime. You want plain speaking? You got it. You want magnificent countryside on your doorstep? You got it. You want fantastic beaches within half an hour's drive or less? You got it. Great pubs? And many with FREE bands? You got it, most nights of the week. Vibrant city centre? Examples of great architecture, iconic structures, strong culture? Yup. And the houses are cheaper. Perhaps I should shut up about it or you'll all want to come. The Five Wand Mill was my local c1979! It served Tetley Imperial at the time. Lived on Rectory Road, and then Woodbine Street. I also remember The Honeysuckle, The Crown and The Azure Blue (Blue Azure?)Nice fresh bagels from Stenhouse bakery of a Sunday morning (is it still there?)I liked the North East very much (me mam is a Geordie) but I still prefer Leeds!Cheers Si Sorry to report, Si, that the Five Wand Mill is no more. Demolished to make way for new homes.On the plus side, I've just moved into a flat behind the John Dobson designed Bensham Church, which itself is due to be converted into dwellings. Thanks for letting me know, Geordie-exile. What a shame. It was a decent boozer back in 1979, before the refurb. I remember that the barmaid, who we called Ginger, also had a refurb at the same time. She had very long red hair, and when the pub reopened, she'd had a crew-cut!I don't think Imperial was popular in Leeds because it was brewed to North-Eastern tastes. Slightly "fizzy" with a huge bubbly head, though I guess that could be the way it's pulled up there - no sparkler and - one pull - a half - two pulls - your pint, mate!

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 8:54 pm

Read what one ex Leeds loiner thought on returning to the city of his youth, written in the Stockton & Darlington Times.http://archive.darlingtonandstocktontim ... 09.htmlI'm quite a bit younger than the rev Mullen , who went to the same school as me in Leeds, but having visited Leeds a few months ago myself I can see what he's getting at.Like everyone else I miss the fish and chips most . I seem to remember that in Leeds you always helped yourself to salt & vinegar on the counter , every where else they ask you if you want salt and vinegar then sprinkle it on themselves, which is a bit daft. Am I right?

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 10:02 pm

Curious, he seems to mourn the passing of the Norwich union building. http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 111_160261

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 10:05 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Imperial, only ever had that in the North East. What was that about? I remember drinking it in Whitby - a long time ago, but I was told that it was sold in the North East to compete with Cameron's Strongarm. I'm not sure what gravity it was - but it certainly seemed to be quite potent.

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 11:32 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Curious, he seems to mourn the passing of the Norwich union building. http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... 111_160261 Or possibly the Standard Life building on the site until 1969

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 11:37 pm

Ok, he had a 30 years hiatus, he can go and multiply off. Change happens. Ironically the new building harks back to the shape of the old Standard Life building. http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL