August 2007 Archives

After popping into the Old Post Office to see how one pub was trying its best to survive amid the Big Dig inconvenience this column decided to again pay a visit to another facing similar circumstances.
The Baltic Fleet alehouse opposite the waterfront is one of Liverpool’s greatest.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.�
This catch-all catchphrase on the Big Dig "sorry signpost" in Lord Street always brings a sardonic smile to the face.

“Been there, done that one� could be the catchprase for this Pub Column on its three years plus sojourn around our finest alehouses.
It would be especially pertinent for those conveniently placed in the city centre, enjoyed in the occasional break-outs from Castle Greyskull accompanied by Penge’s only honorary Scouser, Arts Editor Mr Phil “I’ve got a luvverly bunch a coconuts� Key.

After the cancellation of the Mathew Street Festival - the latest shambles perpetrated by the Capital of Culture beaurocrats - the Pub Column wanted to get as far away as possible from the Pool this week to drown its sorrows.
Somewhere quiet and soothing to assuage the instinctive need to prowl the city, hunt down some over-paid civic suit person and deliver a satisfying hoof up a well padded jacksy.

There must be one week in which the Pub Column takes a break from a protracted course in catching hepatitis and find an alternative to simply propping up the bar.
So this week Yours Truly paid an alcohol-free visit to Princes Park to see Bernie Carroll, the man who has given a more respectable meaning to that irreverent expression, the piss artist.