Norwich pub campaign under way
Tara GreavesIt started as a way to reminiscence about the pubs and clubs of Norwich's past but it is fast becoming a campaign to help secure the future of those that are left.Tara Greaves
It started as a way to reminiscence about the pubs and clubs of Norwich's past but it is fast becoming a campaign to help secure the future of those that are left.
Gini Dorling-Winterbourne started a group for friends on the social networking site Facebook to remember the heady days they spent at their locals, many of which have long since closed or changed names.
As reported on Friday, the group swelled in numbers as people told their friends and it was decided to hold a meeting on Saturday at the Jubliee Pub in St Leonards Road, Thorpe Hamlet - where many came face to face for the first time after chatting online.
And while there was much talk about watering holes of the past, they decided they wanted to do their bit for those pubs that are still struggling by holding regular meetings at a different local each time.
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Mother of one Mrs Dorling-Winterbourne, a former publican herself, said: 'I was sitting at work one day and I found myself thinking about the Jacquard Club in Norwich and that led to other places that I used to go that have since closed down.'
The Evening News has been running a Love Your Local campaign for more than a year in a bid to get people to back publicans in their area.
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The discussion group began as a way of sharing memories and initially 20 people joined but now, after a renewed effort, the group has 141 members.
'I'm delighted that so many people have signed up and I hope that more will come along to the meetings,' said Mrs Dorling-Winterbourne, who was born in the Woolpack in Wymondham, which is now a garden centre.
'We plan to have it at a different pub each time and meet up for beers and chat.'
One of the new people she met was Cheryl Hughes, who lives off Hall Road, but she said: 'We probably speak everyday now online so I feel like I knew her already, there was no awkwardness at meeting for the first time.'
Details of the next meeting will be posted on Facebook.
To sign up for the Facebook group, search discussion on old pubs and clubs in Norwich.
Do you have a story for our Love Your Local campaign? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.
