Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

Did anyone's Parents or (Ouch this hurts) Grandparents frequent the Thorn during the reign of George Tomlinson 1950s or later until 1975?

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

Too early for me. First time drank there was '72, an old boy called Joe was the landlord. You could always get a decent pint of Thwaites in there; these days, there is nowhere in Church to get a pint of real ale.

There was another old boy called George who was the landlord of the X Guns until the mid-70's.....I can't remember his surname, but he did have a metal plate in his head which used to pulsate when he got excited. You're not confusing the Guns and the Thorn, are you?

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

No the Landlord of the Thorn was George Tomlinson in the middle fifties.
We used to use the church gates as football posts....all the relations of my friends used the Thorn...it was more popular than the Cross Guns.
I don't remember Joe...........In 1972 I was abroad.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

I used to visit both the Thorn and Cross Guns about 64 but no idea of the landlords name of any of them.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

All I can give you is some names of locals that used the Thorn in the 50s & early 60s. They are.....Joe Birtwistle with sons George and Billy. Tommy Douglas and son Alan and Archi Woodcock and son Brian. They would have also used the x Guns and later the Commercial.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

The Birtwistles I didn't know....Alan Douglas (That's your dad?) I thought the name rang a bell but I can't bring him to mind. Brian Woodcock yes I did know.
Some of the older end who drank there then..........Ralph Thornley from the farm just over Church Kirk Bridge......Walter Henderson (My stepfather) from Park Farm...........Wilf Warren......Walt Clegg.
The younger ones would be...Jean Norris.........Stella Finch.....Norman Sumner....Brian Yates......Derek Bamber.....Kieth Mc Kenna.
The minds gone a blank.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

like Doug can only give you a name of a guy who's local was the thorn in that period n later Bill Edwards, lived on St. James Rd. was me gaffer until his retirement a top guy,one of the best, i used to call in fer a pint with him, but that would be after you were abroad.:);)

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

Sorry Cashy didn't know him...the ones I knew on St James Road were Ken Young...lived oppsite the church wall leading down to the poultry farm....
who later had a shop with his German wife opposite Wrists wires and then took the Royal Duke in Blackburn........His nickname was 'Farmer'............A man called Wilson who lived at the big house at the end on the right just before you go over the bridge........he was supposed to be an inventor of some kind......Jennie Yates who was the mother of my friend Brian and his sister Jenita.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

there was a Brian Yates grew up on Maudsley St, royboy wouldn't be the same, was a fair bit older n me?

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

I used to go in there with my Dad, from around the summer of '57 after watching cricket at West End (Polly Umrigar, Chester Watson). I understood that the landlord at that time was the son of the previous landlord - sorry but can't remember names. He did take me into the cellar to see the stream flowing through it which was utilised to cool the beer during the summer months.

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

Just joined Acc web. I was a regular in the Thorn in the early sixties. I remember most of the names you mention. You are right about Gearge Tomlinson being landlord. I also remember playing footy at the church gates (and anywhere else we could find) Remember Brian and Janita Yates, Janita in same class as me at Churh Kirk primary.
Wuff

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

You guys take me back. The landlord of the Thorn was Joe Smith and his wife was Joyce. Kids were Kay, Lorna, Douglas and Daren, who was my age. I lived on St James road being up the youngest of the Gillibrands. Janitor I recall, Julie macDonna, the Jordan's owned the chicken farm. Steve Smith. Poppet at the top of Kirk Road, still there if I'm not mistaken. Mick Mercer is still on St James Road. I get back every is and then and love to swing by and see who's about....

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

I lived in the Thorn Inn from 1967 till 1979. My mum and dad were the landlord and landlady. George Tomlinson had it before my mum and dad, Joyce and joe smith. My sisters are Lynn and kay and I have a brother Daren. My dad died in June 1979 and my mum finally left the Thorn in November the same year. I recall many of the names previously mentioned. I was never aware of any stream in the cellar though! I remember loads if people who were regulars and many who lived locally. It's lovely to see others have memories of it too. I'm Lorna the youngest daughter and have great memories of living there!

Re: Thorn Inn - Church - Regulars 1950s to 1975 ish
 

Used to know your Ian back in the early,mid 60s, Blackburn on friday nights was usually on the agenda.:D Was always a long walk back 2 off at Church n i had to carry on down accy. lol