Ivor Lewis: Remember the pubs. Yes, I do.

Ye Olde Crossed Scythes Hotel. 

During WW2 the Stable, a dry space sheltered from the weather, was a place for us to play. It was also the place where Mr Marsh, the con, stored his truck. After the War, round about 1949-50 the Brewery parked an Ice Cream Cart there to serve a growing weekend tourist trade. Later the space was enclosed and became a "Used car showroom". The Scouts used the Tea Room for their Christmas Parties. We were entertained with a film show. As I recall, the man who owned the projector only had a couple of films, a silent adventure about the Lock Ness Monster and a Popeye Cartoon.

I wonder if John Perkinton remembers a night when there was an intense storm which dumped goodness knows how much water on Totley. I think the noise woke John and he went to see who was battering at the front door of the Post Office. He was greeted by the contents of Kirby's farm yard which washed, on a tidal wave, through the gap into the shop. How do I know this? Well, at that time I "waited on" at the Crosse Scythes Hotel and had delayed my departure until the rain eased. That was in the days when John and Lucy Warkup officiated. John was an Oxford graduate and later became Classics Master and Librarian at King Edward's Grammar School.

My Grandfather, David Lewis (mentioned in Totley Independent issue 289, through his connection with Totley Hall) was a keen bowls man and a member of the Totley Club. He was instrumental in designing and constructing the Bowling Green at the Crossed Scythes. This was originally turfed with pasture grasses that he had selected from Totley Hall Farm. As a child, taken there one Saturday afternoon, I recall seeing two rather large, brown glazed lions at the entrance to the Green. Later, part of the Green was destroyed to make room for an extended car park. On the night of that rainstorm the Bowling green was flooded leaving a small island in the centre.

The Crown Inn.

Mum and Dad moved back to Totley in late 1938 and settled at No 3, Grove Avenue, a house which backed onto Hillfoot Road and overlooked The Crown Inn. At that time the "Crown" was kept by two old ladies. They had sweets and "Penny" sticks of liquorice which I could buy at the back door. It was easy to run down the garden and cross the lane to purchase a treat. I also played in "The Train Fields".

In 1939, soon after War was declared, Totley C of E School was closed and "Home Service", a form of part time schooling, was instituted. So all children had a lot of free time. The Crown Inn Tea Rooms, which had served the cricket field behind the Inn, was taken over by the Army as a barrack room for soldiers who were sent to guard Totley Tunnel. There were two sentry boxes, one at the top of the cutting and one at the Gangers Hut by the Lines. I used my free time to talk to these old men. They were veterans of WW1 and possibly Territorials or Reservists who were too old for active service elsewhere. Now they protected Totley Tunnel from "Fifth Columnists". It was not long before I invited one of my new pals and his Le Enfield Rifle home. Mum made him a cup of tea while I learned how to use and clean a rifle. For a while we entertained several of these old warriors. Later, younger men who were training at the Rifle Range were billeted with us. So, if it still stands, The Crown Inn Tea Room is a relic from WW2. Many years later I teamed up with Ann Hussey and, encouraged by her parents, we helped a much younger Landlord and Landlady by collecting and washing glasses two or three nights a week.

By 1957 Bert Renolds, who had been running the Prince of Wales at Ecclesall, moved in as Landlord. One Saturday lunchtime "treat" laid on by Bert and supplied by Mr Denniff of Dore was a large plate of freshly boiled Tripes. In the days before "Lager" this delicacy, coarsely sliced, dashed with pepper and salt then laced with strong malt vinegar, was washed down with half a pint of "Bitter". I cannot recall the brewery who supplied Bert's bitter beer but he provided an enjoyable meal few patrons refused. 

The Grouse Inn

I can only remember once visiting the "Grouse Inn", when celebrations were held at the close of WW2. A bonfire was built on the small "Tipping" for the kids while our parents enjoyed hospitality at the Inn. I think we were provided with a box of fireworks. One of the older lads arrived from the Rifle Range with a pocket full of purloined cartridges. He started throwing these into the fire and we took cover on the flanks of the Tipping, enjoying the loud reports as they detonated, listening to bullets whine as they flew, trailing sparks across the night sky.

The Peacock, Owler Bar

I mention this hostelry because it was no more than a moderate walk from Totley. At the Peacock I met Ossie Tyler who, in the mid fifties, was one of the first people to support a younger generation of aspiring musicians. He hosted a loose group of post teenagers, mainly from Holmesfield, who brought their instruments, new electric guitars as well as the good old tea chest base and their voices. I took my Spanish Guitar along and did the usual three chord trick. Ossie must have been one of the entertainment pioneers and a champion of young people.

Ivor Lewis 

Redhill, South Australia. 

Totley Independent

February 2006