Wilsons Bar, Wood Street

[Motorhemp]

Ahh I didn't even know Sadie had died, but not surprised having lost all the rest around there, Val Blundell ( Swan/Marlborough/Peppers ) Clive from the Swan ( and Joan who used to cook ), all nice people.

That block included the 147 at the back too, because one night it was Peeing down and Sadie let a gang of us through into the 147 from either Nightriders or the Wilsons there was a connecting door, but I can't recall which building.

Yes you wouldn't think a Gay Bar sandwiched between the 2 biker places wouldn't work would you? But in all my time drinking there, I never heard of any trouble between them.

I also remember going into Nightriders before it was a biker place. It was a skinhead hangout and its name was something to do with Scotland?
Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'? but not sure, that was a long time ago, and only went there to see a band ( can't even remember bands name ) but I was in Leathers and the skins gave me no hassle then either.

In the words of Foz "Happy Days"

It was called the Swinging Apple - there's threads on here about it somewhere but a little before my time. Didn't know about Val - used to frequent the Marlborough a lot including very drunken stay behinds on Sundays with Caesar providing food from his Indian restaurant over the road and Peppers a bit.

Seem to recall the whole block was connected by little passageways and you could go out the 'Riders fire escape and get into Sloanes and once wandered into the 147 when we got lost! Was George one of the original Wilsons bouncers always wore a suit and had scar on his face?

[H_Asbo]

Yes that is George.

Sorry for the delay in Posting haven't been on much with Chrizzy and stuff

[horseflaps]

fantastic stories guys, brings back loads of great memories.

This film ' coast to coast' , it sounds intersting (even though lenny henry is in it)
I will look it up, was it really shot in wilsons ?

[Motorhemp]

This film ' coast to coast' , it sounds intersting (even though lenny henry is in it)
I will look it up, was it really shot in wilsons ?

Seem to remember they kicked everyone out and set up lights so that the balcony was supposed to be the way in and the cast came down the stairs into the main bar as if it were a cellar. Could well be wong though...

I've still not found any Wilsons photo's - have you? Nearest I've come to it is one of Wood Street (opposite direction from my last one and the Wilsons wall is just visible on the left)!



And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.



Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

[H_Asbo]

Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

Ah I recognize the faces but don't know the names, did the guy by the girl have a brother that looks like him?

Also did the guy at the far right ever work behind the bar?

The guy next to him I saw in the Swan quite a few times, but they were just faces in the bar, same as I was to them

[jimmin]

Hi does anyone remember Dinos in wood street mid to late 60's great biker hangout was down in cellar just up from the swan (i think) had loads of bikers there. Remember granda reports doing feature on it and had us bikers following thier camera car round town, Happy Days

[H_Asbo]

Hi does anyone remember Dinos in wood street mid to late 60's great biker hangout was down in cellar just up from the swan (i think) had loads of bikers there. Remember granda reports doing feature on it and had us bikers following thier camera car round town, Happy Days

Before my time, but I was told ( don't know if its true ) that there was a biker gang in the 'pool in the late 50's early 60's called 'The War Pigs'.

[horseflaps]

great pic.........i recognise the tall guy, was he in a local band ?

keep em coming!


Im having trouble tracking down a copy of Coast to Coast, I've checked all the torrent sites, ebay and amazon....but i'll keep digging

[scousejoan]

Hi does anyone remember Dinos in wood street mid to late 60's great biker hangout was down in cellar just up from the swan (i think) had loads of bikers there. Remember granda reports doing feature on it and had us bikers following thier camera car round town, Happy Days

hi Jimmin105174, I remember Dino's well. but every time I try to post my reply to you, I am told, I am not logged in. so I don't know what ya do about that, any mods reading this, I have given up after three attempts. No problem posting this quote though. Jimmin I have tried and tried to post my memories of Dino's, even opened it in a new topic, it's done now it's sorted so have a read.

[shoney]

Seem to remember they kicked everyone out and set up lights so that the balcony was supposed to be the way in and the cast came down the stairs into the main bar as if it were a cellar. Could well be wong though...

I've still not found any Wilsons photo's - have you? Nearest I've come to it is one of Wood Street (opposite direction from my last one and the Wilsons wall is just visible on the left)!



And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.



Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

rooting in New Zealand and Australia means something else, enjoy your time in the cupboard , LOL

[JMLE]

[QUOTE=Motorhemp;104715]
And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.



A lad I work with recognises Richie (2nd from left) who was mates with Gary Dickinson.

[Devo]

I used to go to the wilsons during the day to hang out n play pool. I remember cavesy ram motorpaul statusjoe tommo + burnsey but never owned a camera back then.
Anyone remember the bikers from burscough who used to get the last train to ormskirk at the weekend?

[Spike]

I remember watching the band Sliced Bread playing many a time. Very good they where too.

[lindylou]

It was called the Swinging Apple - there's threads on here about it somewhere but a little before my time. Didn't know about Val - used to frequent the Marlborough a lot including very drunken stay behinds on Sundays with Caesar providing food from his Indian restaurant over the road and Peppers a bit.

Seem to recall the whole block was connected by little passageways and you could go out the 'Riders fire escape and get into Sloanes and once wandered into the 147 when we got lost! Was George one of the original Wilsons bouncers always wore a suit and had scar on his face?

Those passages connected to a club called the 'Timepiece' in Fleet st (at the back of Wood st).

Someone was telling me that they wandered through the passages from the Wood st side and then went through a doorway and found themselves in the Timepiece club in full throttle ! They had a dance in there then went back over to the Wood st side.

The passages were for a fire escape exit route. (we think)

[lindylou]

t
I also remember going into Nightriders before it was a biker place. It was a skinhead hangout and its name was something to do with Scotland?
Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'? but not sure, that was a long time ago, and only went there to see a band ( can't even remember bands name ) but I was in Leathers and the skins gave me no hassle then either.

In the words of Foz "Happy Days"

Was it called the Tartan bar ?