Way back in time, when I was a young man,
There was a place that I went to every day.
A place where I met with friends.
The question “Where are you going?”
The answer was always “Up The George”.
The George, a proper pub.
Public bar for us darters and carders,
Saloon bar for a more gentile drink;
And an off licence so that more booze
Could be bought almost unseen.
The public bar, almost men only,
With forthright conversations
Highlighted with intemperate language;
But when ladies came into the bar
The bad language ceased.
Every evening I would be there
Playing darts or cards,
Drinking beer, chatting with friends;
A place of friendship and humour.
And a place that I think of with fondness.
Mick, The Landlord, with Pauline, his wife,
Made sure there was never any trouble.
It was often boisterous and rowdy,
But never anything happened
That was without fun and laughter.
There were three of us
Who shared our lives,
We always went everywhere together;
To pubs and clubs and rivers and lakes.
Jack, Joe and me, like three musketeers.
The barman’s name was John;
The finest purveyor of beer I have ever seen.
Sunday lunchtimes just look through the window
And our pint would be on the counter
By the time we had put our name on the dartboard.
The darts came first,
Put your name down quickly on Sunday
If you lost a match you would never get on again
So many darters, such good players,
So many laughs, so much fun.
So many characters, so many friends;
There was John and Vic always together,
Great friends who always darted and carded together.
Aged Eric a man of the sea for many years
Always walked side to side as though still on board ship.
Sometimes on a Saturday night
The singing beer would be served;
And there was Don with his wondrous good voice
And his Italian good looks,
Outshining any Venetian Gondolier.
There on a Friday night
There would be Bryn the Clown and Jack the Beard,
Playing euchre against me and my Dad,
For pennies and tuppences;
Not for the money, but for the love of the game.
Then there was Ron, Big Ron
A lovely man who lived a hundred yards from the pub,
But always drove to it.
He was taken from us early in his life,
And I was in one of the fifteen cars following his coffin.
The George, part of my youth;
A very special part;
A place looked back on with fondness,
Happiness and love.
A time of laughter, innocence and joy.
-
Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: December 14th, 2025 02:08
- Comment from author about the poem: In my younger days I used to go up The George six nights a week, great times were had up there and it will always remain in my memory.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 20
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell
Offline)
Comments7
I grew up in these type pubs, no fancy thrills just real people and I remember Christmas was always special, I used to go to the George in Twickenham, I used to hang out with the rugby lads too, good times when pubs were no thrills welcoming the public as if we were family. Great write, now my memories are all coming back. 🌹
They were so great Tedd, so glad I am bringing back good memories to you.
Andy
I never saw ya in either of the Two Georges in our area! lol. A fine write Gold.
You didn't look in the right place Orchi. LOL. Thank you.
Andy
Andy with this piece I half expected Billy Joel's The Piano Man to be the music. A great walk down memory lane to what used to be and those good old days. A treat my friend
So kind soren, thank you.
Andy
You are most welcome Andy
The Pub, the most important building you'll ever enter, it will shape your life.
You might meet your future wife, new friends, chancers, they'll all be there.
The lock in is the best part of pub life, you know you've arrived then.
So very true Paul and strangely I did meet my wife in this pub, her dad was a regular there. Thank you.
Andy
Both evoked very good memories, rich with nostalgia and almost reduced me to tears Andy. As a founder member of CAMRA, I'd settle for a pint of London Pride right now.
Sad that those warm homely pubs have largely been taken over by the large chains.
Thank you for your kind words Dave. Yes I would have a pint of London Pride but there is a pub where we go for lunch once or twice a month that serves a beer called 'Pigs Ear' and it is the best pint I have ever had.
Cheers.
Andy
Send me over pint. Thanks Andy.
And Mario Lanza was part of my youth! We used to sing along to the Student Prince several times a week. 🤩🕊️🙏
Sing on Rik, sing on.
Andy
Drink! Drink! Drink!
Quite an enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories.
Much appreciated Katie, thank you.
Andy
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