The fifth pub in our expedition, and the first one that I’ve visited before, was the Short Blue in Gorleston. Nathan and I visited most of the pubs in Gorleston a few years ago and this one was a disappointment, but I’m pleased to say that matters were much better this time.
This is a quirky venue in terms of its history, its external feel looks a little like one of the Victorian pubs that have closed, but this is really positive that it’s still going. It first opened in the 1860s and it traded until 1975 when it was sold by Watney Mann and it lost its licence in 1978. That would have normally been the end and it would have become a nice house, but, fortunately it was reopened in 1987 and has traded happily since then.
The pub’s website has a longer history of the reason for the name of the pub, but in short:
“In 1795 a young Scrymgeour Hewett left his native Fifeshire to look after some property in Dagenham for an aunt, where he met, courted and married Sarah Whennel—the daughter of a Barking fishing boat owner. This was to be his introduction to fishing, eventually taking over his father-in-law’s two boats—the small beginning of the Short Blue Fleet.”
From August 1900, there is an early story of tragedy with a tram car in Gorleston that involved the former landlord John Robert Bass. The local newspaper, the Norwich Argus, reported at the time:
“DEATH IN A TRAM-CAR AT GORLESTON
An inquest was held at Gorleston on Tuesday on the body of John Robert Bass, aged about 60, of 50, Springfield-road, who died in a tram-car.
The widow stated that about 6 on Monday morning deceased ate a good breakfast, and left to catch a tram. He appeared in his usual health, and had no occasion to hurry. Generally he had good health, but during the winter suffered from a cough, and he had not had any medical treatment since the spring for this cough.
John Ward, a tram conductor, said that on Monday, just after he got a car out of the terminus, he saw deceased coming along slowly, and he took a seat in the car. Witness told deceased he had got into the wrong car, and he replied, “All right, old chap.” When he moved the car again he saw deceased sitting in it as if asleep. He shook him, but he did not speak. Another tram employee came and looked at deceased, and said he was dead. He was in quite a natural position in the corner of the car with a box of matches in his hand, and his pipe lay on the floor beneath his feet.
Dr Tipple said he was called to deceased, and found him reclining on the seat in the tramcar, and just dead. He had ascertained that he had been under the care of Dr Read for cardiac asthma. Dr Read had found that deceased had a fatty heart, and witness had no doubt death was due to heart failure.
A verdict of “Natural causes” was returned.
Bass was employed by Mr Richards, boat-builder, of Lowestoft. He was formerly a smack-owner, and afterwards became landlord of the Short Blue Tavern at Gorleston, eventually relinquishing this to work at his trade as a shipwright.”
There was just one real ale, Old Speckled Hen, which was slightly disappointing, but there seems to be some Greene King tie going on here. The service was though really friendly, there was a welcoming atmosphere here and a laid-back environment.
The crisps helped the excitement of the beer. The venue serves food from 12:00 until 15:30 on Sundays and we had arrived just towards the end of service, although we weren’t looking to eat here. Well, other than crisps. I liked that the team member mentioned when we entered that they had finished serving, that saved an awkward conversation if we had wanted to eat.
The menus for anyone who might be interested, although they’re mostly only open during lunchtimes. Sometimes less is more though.
Not wishing to moan, and it’s nothing to do with me really, but I’m not keen on these witty toilet door names, for those who don’t speak English they’re a challenge, it would be nice if they could put the symbol on as well.
Anyway, I’m glad that we came to this pub as I felt very welcome, it was clean and the staff were all personable and keen to help. It’s only a small bar, but there was at least a real ale available and they have an excellent reputation for food.