This picture of the Grapes Hotel in Gee Cross is c.1910.
It looks very different in 2007.
Neither picture helps me answer the query I recently received from Eric Downs who writes
An argument has ensued about the gents at the front of the Grapes Hotel. There is a photo in the pub taken when it was owned by Bells I think at the turn of the 20th century before it received a face lift by Robinsons. In the photo the gents is attached to the pub but my memory going back to 1930s puts the gents as a separate structure closer to the pavement at start of Wych Fold and adjacent to Booths well. Can you confirm this? Do you have a photo of the front of the Grapes around that time. The gents was certainly there 1949-50I haven't the faintest idea but maybe someone else knows.
Well Gerald, so far this question as got me beat, lets hope Lizzy returns soon and can ask her Dad who might be able to throw some light on this.
ReplyDeleteIt does look different now than then.
ReplyDeleteMy dad thinks that the toilet outside was a public toilet which was lit by a light! The gents at the Grapes was outside, but is now inside after some structural alterations. But the gents at that time was no better than the ones outside. For anyone local it is well known that Robinsons don't seem to spend much money on their pubs and a lot of the toilets, even ladies are still outside.
ReplyDeleteI believe a lot of internal changes are on the cards for the pub, possibly to the detriment of some traditions that have been taking part there for many many years.
p.s. I have just won a postcard on ebay which is supposed to be the Grapes in 914-18, you will be interested to see how it is then, not much different from today
ReplyDeleteWell done Lizzy tell your Dad thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing about the Grapes and Hyde Chapel, have you heard the rumour that there is a tunnel that goes from the Grapes to Hyde Chapel
ReplyDeleteThere never was an underground passage from the Grapes to Hyde Chapel. The original barrel drop was on the front of the building underneath the tap room window and was taken out of use when a new barrel drop was sited in the back yard, giving fuel to the rumour of a secret passsage. The urinal on the corner, next to Booths Well was a public one. The Grapes urinal was on the front, next to the Commercial room window and in front of what later became the massive double coach house doors.
ReplyDeleteBoth 'facilities' were almost back to back, divided by the driveway leading onto the car park and giving access to the bowling green. Lizzy said that the gents toilet that replaced the outside one were no better, how did she know that? I remember the toilets at the Grapes, both outdoor and indoor as being very clean and exceptionally well maintained. I think that urinals should still be outdoor, nothing like fresh air to keep everything smelling sweet!
My gran used to own this pub I have old taps and silver tankers from their and my nan has old pics.
ReplyDelete