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Leslie
Robert Linford-Hazel advises 09.11.2004 :-
My
father kept the Red Lion, relinquishing it only when ill health forced him
to. A Far East POW in WW2, he died in 1954.
The trade was brisk at weekends, mostly by a faithful crowd who came some
many miles to enjoy the sing-song etc to piano accompaniment. Dart matches
livened up week nights which were quiet. Close by was Bullards Brewery and
at lunch times one man in particular regularly came in to eat his lunch
and enjoy a Youngs & Crawshays beer.
Along
with a group of friends we held what we called the
"Norwich Jazz Club" playing records of our choosing - Stan
Kenton figured large at the time.
For
the record the bar room was the full width of the front of building with
the bar itself as seen on the left with the Cellar behind. There were no
beer engines, all beers being drawn from the wood. Fresh supplies were
delivered through the front door. The smoke room was behind the bar room
and held the piano. A small kitchen was at the rear and sleeping
accommodation and bathroom were upstairs. Customers toilets were out the
back, a passage on the right of the building led to a small yard and
backed up to the rather derelict yard of Barnard and Bishop.
I have attached a photo of the front of the Red Lion and one of Dad behind the
Bar, also a cartoon drawn by a Mr Royal who lived next door. The one with
the hammer is supposed to be me, the rest are various friends.
I don't think any of us could play anything other than the gramophone ! Loud
ties were also the rage.
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