Mass-Observation Archive

Worktown Collection (1937-40)

Box 3: Public Houses

3/A Pubs and pub activities

Guidelines for pub observers, ts, 1p

"Method of approach on Pub Canvass", index card, ms, EB, list attached, untitled document, ms, 2pp, 8.1.38, BW, pub canvass

"Full licenses", ts, 3pp alphabetical list of premises with full licenses (2 sets)

"Beerhouses", ts, 5pp alphabetical list of premises classified as beerhouses (2 sets)

"Caledonian Inn", ts, 2pp, list of customers' names and addresses

List: "Nicknames Pubs" ms, 1p pub names

Printed booklet: County Borough of Bolton, General Annual Licensing Meeting, 10th February 1937, Report of the Chief Constable

Newspaper cutting "Social Diversions in a Cotton Town", Manchester Guardian, 24.3.38 about Mass-Observation's work in Bolton

Observer accounts

Pub Counts: ts, 5pp, GT and JC number of customers, at the Man and Scythe, the Nags Head and Poplar Inn

"Pubs Count", ts, 1p, 16.1[?] number of customers at the Packhorse, Prince William, Swan, Saddle (vault and lobby) and Yates

"The Good Samaritan", ts, 1p, 3.4.[?], THH, PJ and JF, observation of customers and songs played by pianist

"Public House Count", ts/ms, 1p, 6.4.38, count of customers at Yates

Untitled, ms, 2pp, discourse on the cultural place of pubs

"Midday Drinking", ts, 1p, observations on midday drinking at the Star and Garter pub and other unnamed pubs.

"Tuesday after Easter March 30th. Pub Crawl", ts, 2pp, observation and conversations at the Star, the Fleece and the Nag's Head

"Saddle Inn, Bradshawgate", ts, 1p, 31.3.[?], THH, details of wall notices and overheard conversations

"Royal, Vernon Street" ts, 3pp, 4.4.[?], THH, observation of customers and overheard conversations in the bar parlour

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 21.4.[?], JS, details and diagram of the interior of the saloon at the George

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 22.4.[?], JS, brief description of interior and customers and overheard conversations at the George, Gt. Moor Street

Pubs", ts, 2pp, 23.4.[?], JS, brief description of interiors and customers at the St. George vault, the Balmoral, the One Horse Shoe, the Grapes and Yates Wine Bar

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 23.4.[?], JS, conversations with proprietor and customers at the Dog and Partridge

"Star and Garter", ms, 1p, 24.4.[?], WH, observations of pianist, songs and customers

"The Globe, Higher Bridge St.", ts, 1p, 25.4.[?], THH, conversation with landlord about decline of lunchtime trade

Untitled report:, ms, 1p, 25.4.37, EL, observations at the following pubs: Grapes, Water Street, One Horse Shoe, Bank St; Yates Wine Lodge, Saddle Inn; and the Grapes

"Lord and Lady of the Ale", ms, 2pp, 17.5.37, EL, observations and conversations at the George Hotel; the Brown Cow and the Man and Scythe. Reference to the term "Lord and Lady of the Ale"

"John Brown St. Labour Club", ms, 1p, 25.4.[?], WH, observations at the club

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 26.5, observations of customers and staff at Crompton's Monument

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 27.5, observations of customers and staff in the Star and Garter lounge, the Dog and Partridge lounge and the Three Tuns Vault

Untitled report, ms, 9pp, 8.6; 25.6; 26.6; 1.7; 9.7.[?], observations at the Peel Arms, Waterloo Street, Dog and Snipe, Folds Road; Waterloo Tavern, Folds Road; Woodman Inn, Carlisle Street; White Horse Inn and the House with No Name. Includes diagrams

"Waterloo Tavern, Folds Road", ts, 1p, 8.6.[?], conversations with customers

"Dog and Snipe" Folds Road, ts, 1p, 8.6.[?], description of interior and customers

"Peel Arms, Waterloo St.", ts, 1p, 8.6.[?], observation of interior and customer

"Brownlow Fold Pubs", ts, 1p, 8.6.[?], JS, observations and overheard conversations in the City vault; the Woodman vault and the Lord Ashley vault

"Pubs", ms, 2pp, 15.6.37, EL, observations and conversations at the Kings Arms and Blue Boar

"Woodman Inn, Carlisle St", ts, 1p, 25.6.[?], observations and overheard conversations

"The White Horse Inn", ts, 1p, 26.6[?], THH, description of customers and their drinking at lunchtime and in the evening

"House without a name", ts, p1, 9.7.[?], THH, (refers to self and SH), description of the House without a name, Bradshaw, observation of customers and drinking

Waterloo Tavern, ts, 2pp, 1.7.[?], THH, observation of customers and explanation of the "curio" idea (a raffle) at the Waterloo Tavern

"Parkfield Arms" ts, 1p, 31.7.[?], (index card) observations and overheard conversations at the Parkfield Arms vault

Untitled report:, ms, 4pp, 5.8.37, EL, observations and overheard conversations at the Victory Hotel

"Pub Environment", ts, 3pp, 4.9, JS, observations on pub environment at the White Swan, Palantine and Clarence [incomplete]

"Pubs", ts, 3pp, 23.10.37, EL, observations of customers at the Victory Hotel, the Star and Garter and the Prince William Hotel, Victoria Square

"Bridgewater Hotel" ts, 1p, brief report

"Labour Club", ts, 1p, observations at the club, the Black Horse , the Lord Nelson and unnamed pub, torn ticket attached

"Saddle Inn", ts, 1p, 25.3.38 observations and overheard conversations

3/B Bolton pubs

Observer Accounts

Hope and Anchor: ms, 1p, 18.1.37, JS observations of customers

"Pub Accommodation", ts, 1p, 15.1.[?], enquiry into bed and breakfast accommodation in pubs

"One Horseshoe Vault", ts, 4pp, 21.1.[?], observation of customers and details of argument about the Farr Braddock fight at the One Horseshoe vault

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 11.4.[?], observations at the Pack Horse, best lounge.

"Queens Hotel, Darley St", ts, 1p, 11.4.[?], TH, overheard comments at the Queens Hotel and the Arthur Birks, Bridge St

"Pubs", ts, 2pp, 19.4.[?], JS, observations at the Grapes lounge and the One Horseshoe, Bank Street

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 19.4.[?], JS, conversation in fish and chip shop about pubs

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 22.4.[?], JS, observations at Yates Wine Lodge

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 23.4[?], JS, observations and brief conversation with proprietress at the Stanley, Egyptian Street

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 24.4.[?], JS, observations in the Bank of England vault, Key St. and the Grapes lounge

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 29.4.[?], JS, observations at the Lever's Arms lounge

"Pubs Moses Gate", ts, 3pp, 7.5.[?], JS, observations at the Walkers Arms; the Moses Gate vault; the Railway Hotel and the Walkers Arms big lounge

"Survey of Pubs, Bradshawgate", ms, 4pp,7.5.37, EL, pubs visited: Clarence Hotel; the Queens, the Brown Cow; the Anchor Inn; Balmoral Hotel; Oddfellows; the Red Cross; Pack Horse Hotel; the Saddle Hotel; Swire Lodge Gates; the Prince William; the Swan Vault; and the Man and Scythe where observer had arranged to meet Tom Harrisson.

"Pubs", ts, 2pp, 9.5, JS, observations at the Nags Head lower lounge and the Three Tuns, Bridge St.

"Pubs", ts, 3pp, 11.5.[?], JS/TH/AL, observations of people's smoking behaviour and overheard conversations

"Drink Technique", ms, 2pp, 15.5.[?], observations of people's drinking behaviour at the Balmoral

"One Hour's Spittoon Observation", ms, 1p, 19.5.37, EL, the use of spittoons at the Crofters Hotel vault

"Pubs", ms, 1p, 25.5.37, [OSB], observation at Levers Arms near Leverhulme Park

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 30.5.[?], JS details of the interior of the Crofters Arms vault. Observations of customers at the Blue Boar lounge and the Wheatsheaf parlour.

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 31.5.[?], JS, observations in the Grapes lounge; the Nags Head vault; the Star and Garter lounge and the Saddle vault

"Pubs", ts, 3pp, 1.6.[?], JS, observations and overheard conversations in the Grapes lounge; the Nag's Head vault; the Star and Garter lounge and the Saddle vault

"Pubs", ts, 1p, Coronation day, JS, observations in the Grapes; Yates; One Horseshoe and the Roebuck

Untitled report: ms, 4pp, 2-4.6.[?], JS, count and alcohol consumption at the Grapes; Nags; Star and Garter, and Saddle carried out over four days.

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 6.6.[?], JS, count and alcohol consumption at the Grapes lounge, the Nags Head vault, and the Saddle vault

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 7.6.[?], JS, observations at the Mitre vault; the Falcon vault and the Waterloo vault

Untitled report: ts, 2pp, 8.6.[?], JS, observation of customers' behaviour, comment on the condition of the lavatory

"Untitled report": ts, 2pp, 10.6.[?], JS, observations at the Hen and Chickens vault

"Pub Conversations", ms, 2pp, 11.6.37, EL, observations and overheard conversations at the Victory Hotel,

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 14.6.[?], observations at the Flag vault and the Three Tuns vault

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 15.6.[?], description of bar, customers and their behaviour at the Roebuck vault

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 15.6.[?], JS, observations of customers and landlord at the Kay St. Arms vault

Untitled report: ts, 1p, 17.6.[?], observation of customers and interior at the Crofters Arms vault and the Mortfield Arms parlour

"Pubs", ms, 3pp, 17.6.37, EL, observations and overheard conversations at the Bark St. Tavern, the Beehive Inn, and the Newmarket Inn

Untitled report: ts/ms, 18.6.[?], JS, observations at One Horseshoe parlour

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 18.6.[?], JS, observations of customers and record of drinks consumed, brief description of layout of Packhorse pub

Untitled report, ms, 1p, 18.6.[?], JS, observations at Star and Garter pub

Untitled report, ts, 4pp, 21.6.[?], JS, observations and conversations at the Union Arms vault, Waterloo vault, and the Grapes vault

"Pub Wedding", ts, 2pp, 17.7.[?], TH, observations of wedding reception, no details of venue

Untitled report: ts, 17.7.[?], observations of customers in the Grapes front parlour and the Star and Garter lobby

"Pubs round Brownlow Fold", ts, 3pp, 23.7.[?], JS, observations in the Lord Ashley vault, the Swiss (Cornbrooks); the pub with no visible name; the Mount Street Tavern and the Poplar

"Pub Prostitution", ms, 6pp, 26.7.37, EL, conversation with pub regular; observations of prostitutes' behaviour and overheard conversations

"Pub Conversations", ms, 4pp, 30.7.37, EL, observations and overheard conversations at the Crofters Hotel, the Victory Hotel, and Dan Malley's Club

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 8.8.[?], JS, observations of a meeting (unspecified) in the taproom at the Hope and Anchor

"Victuallers Association", ms, 1p, 13.8.[?], WH, record of meeting with the secretary of the Association

"Bother", ts, 1p, 7.10.37, TH, account of incident between wife and husband about his staying out drinking

Untitled report: ms, 3pp, 21.11.37, JS, observations and overheard conversations at the Caledonian parlour

"Bowling Green, Escrick Street", ms, 2pp, 3.1.38, BWW, observation of customers and conversation with landlord

Victory Hotel, Chorley Old Road, ms, 4pp, 4.1.38, BWW, observations of customers and conversation with landlord

Joiners Arms Hotel, ms, 1p, 5.1.38, BWW, details of alcohol consumed at the hotel

"Saddle (Walker's)", ms, 3pp, 5.1.38, BWW, conversation with customers, diagram of layout, details of menu at the Saddle

3/C Bolton pubs

Library book request slips (10) for books relating to pubs and drinking, JS

Song Sheet, ms, 1p, hand written music score and verses of song "Bradshaw Chorus", Royal Oak Lodge, Bradshaw

Untitled report, ms, 2pp, social and recreational aspects of the public's use of pubs

Observer accounts

Untitled report, ms 6pp, observations of staff and customers in an unspecified pub

"Paying turns, treating", ms, 2pp, TH, account of arrangements for paying for rounds of drinks

"Rev. Saunders and Beverley", ms/ts, 4pp, details of an encounter with Mr Beverley in an unspecified pub. Ts account of same encounter.

"The Grapes by day and by night", ts, 2pp, WRL, description of exterior of the Grapes during the day and at night

"St. Matthews procession", ms/ts, 3pp, TH, details and overheard comments at the procession. Account of conversation with a man in an unspecified pub after the procession.

"Average sales per week", ms, 1p, details sales and deliveries. No reference to a specific pub. Includes a sketch

"Finishers Arms, Picnic and Bowling Club", ms, 3pp, PJ, the setting up of Moss Bank Bowling Club at the Finishers Arms and details of a dispute that led to the pub not being used by club members.

"Saddle Hotel", ms, 3pp, 22.1.[?], HS observations and conversations at the hotel

"Pubs", ts, 1p, 5.5.[?], JS, observations in the Three Tuns, Moor Lane and the Dog and Partridge small lounge

"Caledonian", ts, 2pp, 16.5.[?], THH, observations and conversations

Untitled report, ms, 3pp, 7.6.37, EL, observations and overheard conversations at the Saddle Hotel; the Grapes vault the Nags vault and the Saddle vault.

Untitled report, ms, 1p. 19.6.[?], JS, description of and observations at a pub in Bradshawgate

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 19.6.[?], conversations with the landlord of the Park View Inn

Untitled report, ts, 4pp, 22.6.[?], description of pub interior, observations and overheard conversations at the Waterloo taproom.

Untitled report, ts, 2pp, 18.7.[?], JS, description of a pub in Bury New Road, observations and overheard conversations

"Bookmakers and Runners Re: Pubs", ms, 4pp, 25.7.37, EL account of Robert Ashworth known as "Humpty Dumpty"

"About a Pub Picnic", ts, 1p, 31.7.[?], account of a local pub arranging a picnic outing

"Pub Fights", ms/ts, 2p, 14.8.37, TH, account of a fight between two men outside an unspecified pub

"Fighting", ts, 1p 28.8.[?], TH, details of a fight outside an unspecified pub

"Conversation ...", ms, 1p, 3.9.37, TH, overheard conversation

"Caledonian Conversation Vault and Parlour", ms, 2pp, 4.9.37, TH, overheard conversations

"Conversation Cards in pubs", ms/ts, 2pp, 11.9.37, TH, conversation about card game in an unspecified pub

Untitled report, ts, 3pp, 25.1.38, JS, observations at the Caledonian Club holding a Burn's Night dinner at the Packhorse

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 4.6.39, observations in an unspecified pub on Friday noon and evening; Saturnday noon and evening

"Pubs", ms, 1p, TH, conversation and activities in an unspecified pub

3/D Bolton pubs

Observer accounts

"Trade Union Meetings in Pubs", ms, 1p, details of where unions meet and at what meetings alcohol is available

"Cards", ms, 2pp, description of card game and selection of players

"Strapping or putting it on the slate", ms, 3pp, details of how 'tick' operates, details of customers operating this system in an unspecified pub; examples of actual requests

"Credit", ms, 1p, brief details of customer credit system

"Crown & Cushion", ms, 2pp, WH, conversations about trade with the landladies at the Crown and Cushion and the Beehive.

"Pubs", ms, 7pp, PJ, details of and discussion about a pub-based picnic club

"Customers Taproom", ms, 1p, 1.8.37, details of customers, how close they live to the pub used

"Customers living a distance", ms, 1p, details of how close customers live to pub used

"Vault", ms, 2pp, observations in the vault, bar and parlour at an unspecified pub

"Pubs", ts, 2pp, 28.4.[?], JS, observations and conversations at the Fleece lounge bar includes diagram

"Pubs", ts, 1p, JS, description of bar, observations and conversation in the Globe vault, Bridge Higher St.

"Pubs", ts, 2pp, 9.5.[?], JS, observations at the Saddle, smoking room

"Pubs", ms, 1p, 12.5.[?], JS, observations of customers and what they are drinking.

Untitled report: ms, 2pp, 12.5.37, EL, observations at the following pubs: Crofters Hotel, Caledonian, Hen and Chickens, Grapes Hotel, Saddle Hotel, Yates Wine Lodge, Spinners Arms and the Star and Garter

Hen and Chickens ts, 1p, 17.5.[?], THH, observations at the pub

"Cuntry (sic) Pubs", ts, 5pp, 21.5.37, THH, descriptions and observations at the following pubs: the Crofters Arms, the Lamb, the Bulls Head, Dungeon and the.... Arms

"Pubs", ts, 2pp, 26.5.[?], observations and overheard conversations at the Nelson vault

"Pubs", ts, 3pp, 6.6.[?], JS, observations at the School Hill Hotel, the George and the Royal

Untitled report, ts, 2pp, 8.6.[?], observations and conversations at the Grapes vault, Waterloo St.

"Pubs", ms, 8pp, 27.7.37, EL, details of customers their alcohol consumption in the Victory Hotel

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 27.7.[?], JS, observations at the Man and Scythe (incomplete)

"Pubs", ms, 6pp, 31.7.37, EL, details of customers and their alcohol consumption in an unspecified pub

"The Packhorse restaurant", ts, 3pp, 31.7.[?], THH, observations and overheard conversations at the restaurant

"Star and Garter", ms, 1p, 1.8.37, EL, observations and conversations at the pub

"Victory Hotel Match Count", ms, 1p, 7.8.37, EL, details of the number of matches struck and number of persons present in the Victory Hotel vault.

Untitled report, ts, 1p, 7.8.[?], conversation and observations at the Founders Arms

"Halliwell Lodge Pub", ts, 2pp, 19.8.[?], THH, description of pub exterior. Observations and conversation at the pub

"Waterloo Hotel", ms, 6pp, 26.8.37, EL, an account of an anglers' meeting at the hotel

"Pubs", ms, 2pp, 28.8.37, EL visits to the following pubs: the Nags vault, Scotch vault, Crown and Cushion, Man and Scythe and the Victory. Enquiries as to where customers had been that afternoon.

"Star and Garter", ts, 2pp, 29.8.[?], THH, observations and conversations

"Beehive Vault", ms, 3pp, 23.10.[?], WH, count and observations at the Beehive vault, Lower Nags Head, Deansgate and Barbers, Deansgate

"Talk", ms, 2pp, 23.10.37, THH, overheard conversations at the Crofters vault and the Royal, Vernon St.

Index card, ms, 27.10.37, WH, note of questions asked in two pubs

"Drunks", ms, 16pp, 24.12.[?], JW, account of an incident outside the Duke of Cambridge pub involving the police

"Pub Conversation, Walkden", ts, 1p, 24.1.38, FHC, observations of conversation in an unspecified pub

"Peel Hotel", ts, 2pp, 28.2.38, JAS, observations and overheard comments and conversations

Untitled report, ts, 1p. 4.3.38, JAS, observations at the Packhorse, Yates Wine Lodge, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Grapes Hotel and Levers Arms

Misc papers, 2pp, ts

3/E Temperance

"20th Annual Report of the Bolton Temperance Society 1845", transcript, ms, 5pp, JS

"Interview with Mr. Alex Brown, organising secretary and Mr Joseph Rushton, Honorary Secretary of the Bolton Temperance Union" ts, 4pp, 6.1.[?], BWW

Typed copy of newspaper article, ts, 1p, 3.5, Bolton Evening News application for license extensions. Granted for Coronation Day, refused for the evening

Observer accounts

"Temperance" ts, 1p, 28.4.[?], JS, account of meeting with A. Browne organising secretary of the Bolton Temperance Union

"Oddfellows Ball", ts, 1p, 5.6.[?], JS, observations at the ball

"Oddfellows", ms, 2pp, 13.8.[?], WH, account of a meeting held at a spiritualist church in Deane Road.

"Town Hall steps", ts, 1p, 26.8.[?], [JW], account of a temperance meeting held on the Town Hall steps

Untitled document, ms, 2pp, 21.11.[?], JD, rally of temperance workers

Untitled, ms, 2pp answers to questions on temperance, drinking and pubs presumably by M-O sent back to "the Rural Dean and Temperance Boss"

Index cards (7) short observations, 2 references to secondary sources

Leaflet: Temperance Friendly Societies, Combined List of District Secretaries and Secretaries

Handbills (3) Bolton Temperance Union, Bolton's Drink Bill, 1933

Magazine cuttings, The Spectator, 19.11.37, Letters to the Editor response to an article "The Carlisle Experiment", The Listener, 19.1.38, letter "Drink and the BBC", The Listener, 29.12.37, letter "Drink and the BBC", The Spectator, 12.11.37, letter "The Right Way with Drink", The Spectator, 5.12.37, article "The Right Way with Drink (damaged), The New Statesman and Nation, "Talking about Drinking", The New Statesman and Nation, 20.11.37. Report on the North of England Temperance League conference, The Listener, 2.2.38, letter "Drink and the BBC", Newspaper cutting, "King's Wife-Queen?", no details of newspaper