Beer and Skittles

Quiz Time!

A few years ago I set the questions for the Bogarts quiz when Mark Turnbull, then regular quiz master, was on holiday. Over a year later people were still talking about my first quiz as the worst Bogarts quiz ever (the winner got about 8 out of 25). In honour of that and in a co-production with my God Spot page, why not try probably the world's first pub-friendly bible-knowledge quiz! For most of 2007 my friend Andy and I took it in turns to run the quiz, but Mark is now back in the saddle.

Bogarts

Until a year or so ago I was often to be found in Bogarts Bar and Grill. However, in a familiar turn of events, the management used the profits from Bogarts to fund other less successful businesses; Bogarts itself was allowed to become extremely run down, until it too was no longer profitable. The introduction of the smoking ban last July meant that Bogarts natural "odour", previously masked by a strong smell of cigarette smoke, asserted itself, and the pub closed in early March 2008. The owner, Tom Melillo, applied for planning permission to demolish Bogarts and the adjacent buildings, and erect a block of flats and shops instead. Naturally he did not mention this to any regulars, and the public notices "publicising" the applications were situated in a corner well away from the pub. Tom's applications would almost certainly have succeeded, but fortunately, with only days to go before the end of the period when objections could be lodged, the applications became known to the former regulars. In just four days we managed to send 31 letters of objection, and organise a petition against the plans, ensuring that the plans would be debated publicly. We turned out in force for the meeting, by which time the Peterborough Civic Society was on the case. Two former regulars spoke at the meeting. We were delighted when, against the recommendation of the planning officers, Tom's plans were voted down by 5 votes to 3.

Just a few weeks later, Bogarts is open once again. The new manager, Dennis, whom I remember from Mamba Village a few years back, has already sorted out the problems with the sanitation, and is now trying to resolve problems with the cellar and get real ales back on tap. It's early days yet, but I hope Dennis will be successful, and will be able to raise the money needed to buy the building from Tom.

Pub Games

To teach myself a bit more about making web pages, I programmed an alcoholic game for you to try. Unfortunately you'll only get the full effect with Internet Explorer, though it does work with other Browsers as well.

Mild

If a pub has mild ale I usually drink that in preference to bitter. The Brewery Tap has Black Dog Mild, the Wortley Sam Smith's Mild.

The Wortley Almshouses

While Bogarts was shut some regulars took refuge once again at the Wortley Almshouses, probably the quietest pub in the centre of Peterborough as there is no music. A pint of mild or bitter in the Wortley only costs around £1.30 - less than half the price of beer in most London pubs. It is currently my favourite pub in Peterborough: since there is no music, customers are forced to talk if they want any entertainment, and as a result it is a very friendly place. Most of my friends on MySpace (PG) are at least occasional drinkers there, and several are regulars.

The Brewery Tap

One of the best known pubs in Peterborough is the Brewery Tap, a large and imposing building which was once the city's labour exchange. For almost 10 years it has meen threatened with demolition, as it sits in the centre of an area due for redevelopment. The recent "credit crunch" and the down-turn in retailing means that is probably safe until the next property boom. Despite its excellent Thai menu, wide range of beers, and comfy sofas I find the Tap too large and noisy to feel really at home there, though it can be a pleasant place for a group of friend to go foe a chat on quiet nights.

However, the Brewery Tap is an excellent venue for events such as the Randall Rootz festival.

On Tour

Since 2002 I have spent around ten days each year in Southwold, a small and very picturesque town in Suffolk, famous for Adnams Ales. It is well worth a visit. I especially recommend the pier, which has a very unusual collection of amusement machines.

In October I visit the tiny village of Langsett, near Sheffield, for its now annual Hunter's Moon Festival. I first heard about this festival when I was invited by someone at a gig by Angry Man, one of Peterborough's finest, (and most misleadingly named), bands. The beginning of the main ritual is very atmospheric: I usually half expect someone to be plucked out of the audience and sacrificed.

Quiz Time! A few years ago I set the questions for the Bogarts quiz when Mark Turnbull, then regular quiz master, was on holiday. Over a year later people were still talking about my first quiz as the worst Bogarts quiz ever (the winner got about 8 out of 25). In honour of that and in a co-production with my God Spot page, why not try probably the world's first pub-friendly bible-knowledge quiz! For most of 2007 my friend Andy and I took it in turns to run the quiz, but Mark is now back in the saddle.	Bogarts Until a year or so ago I was often to be found in Bogarts Bar and Grill. However, in a familiar turn of events, the management used the profits from Bogarts to fund other less successful businesses; Bogarts itself was allowed to become extremely run down, until it too was no longer profitable. The introduction of the smoking ban last July meant that Bogarts natural "odour", previously masked by a strong smell of cigarette smoke, asserted itself, and the pub closed in early March 2008. The owner, Tom Melillo, applied for planning permission to demolish Bogarts and the adjacent buildings, and erect a block of flats and shops instead. Naturally he did not mention this to any regulars, and the public notices "publicising" the applications were situated in a corner well away from the pub. Tom's applications would almost certainly have succeeded, but fortunately, with only days to go before the end of the period when objections could be lodged, the applications became known to the former regulars. In just four days we managed to send 31 letters of objection, and organise a petition against the plans, ensuring that the plans would be debated publicly. We turned out in force for the meeting, by which time the Peterborough Civic Society was on the case. Two former regulars spoke at the meeting. We were delighted when, against the recommendation of the planning officers, Tom's plans were voted down by 5 votes to 3. Just a few weeks later, Bogarts is open once again. The new manager, Dennis, whom I remember from Mamba Village a few years back, has already sorted out the problems with the sanitation, and is now trying to resolve problems with the cellar and get real ales back on tap. It's early days yet, but I hope Dennis will be successful, and will be able to raise the money needed to buy the building from Tom.	Pub Games To teach myself a bit more about making web pages, I programmed an alcoholic game for you to try. Unfortunately you'll only get the full effect with Internet Explorer, though it does work with other Browsers as well.
Mild If a pub has mild ale I usually drink that in preference to bitter. The Brewery Tap has Black Dog Mild, the Wortley Sam Smith's Mild.	The Wortley Almshouses While Bogarts was shut some regulars took refuge once again at the Wortley Almshouses, probably the quietest pub in the centre of Peterborough as there is no music. A pint of mild or bitter in the Wortley only costs around £1.30 - less than half the price of beer in most London pubs. It is currently my favourite pub in Peterborough: since there is no music, customers are forced to talk if they want any entertainment, and as a result it is a very friendly place. Most of my friends on MySpace (PG) are at least occasional drinkers there, and several are regulars. The Brewery Tap One of the best known pubs in Peterborough is the Brewery Tap, a large and imposing building which was once the city's labour exchange. For almost 10 years it has meen threatened with demolition, as it sits in the centre of an area due for redevelopment. The recent "credit crunch" and the down-turn in retailing means that is probably safe until the next property boom. Despite its excellent Thai menu, wide range of beers, and comfy sofas I find the Tap too large and noisy to feel really at home there, though it can be a pleasant place for a group of friend to go foe a chat on quiet nights. However, the Brewery Tap is an excellent venue for events such as the Randall Rootz festival.
	On Tour Since 2002 I have spent around ten days each year in Southwold, a small and very picturesque town in Suffolk, famous for Adnams Ales. It is well worth a visit. I especially recommend the pier, which has a very unusual collection of amusement machines. In October I visit the tiny village of Langsett, near Sheffield, for its now annual Hunter's Moon Festival. I first heard about this festival when I was invited by someone at a gig by Angry Man, one of Peterborough's finest, (and most misleadingly named), bands. The beginning of the main ritual is very atmospheric: I usually half expect someone to be plucked out of the audience and sacrificed.