The stretch of the Trent & Mersey Canal to the north of Middlewich is a section of the waterways that we only rarely traverse. My first ever encounter with the Stanley Arms was in 1981 when we had a brief stop to have a look at the, then defunct, Anderton Boat Lift. We were only stopped for half an hour and I don't recall whether we went in the pub or not.
The next time I was passing was on the journey to move Emma Jane from Wigan to the Southern Grand Union Canal.
This was a lunchtime stop on Tuesday 23rd July 1991. Back in those days it was a Greenall's pub that did good food.
Although we were up that way again in 2000, we didn't stop at the pub until the lunchtime of Friday 1st September 2006, prior to taking Emma Jane on her first trip (and ours) down on the Anderton Boat Lift.
Unfortunately, this view doesn't really show off any changes to the pub. It was no longer a Greenall's pub, but it still did good food!
Our most recent visit was at lunchtime on Monday 15th August 2016 and the changes from 1991 are much more apparent from this view.
The basic layout of the pub is unchanged, apart from the porch added to the front entrance. Windows have been replaced, one chimney has been reduced in height and a 'smokers hut' has been built in the garden. Inside it was still welcoming and serving good food.
This visit also coincided with trips up and down on the Anderton Boat Lift (first time for the new boat Peggy Ellen) and we popped into the pub whilst waiting for our slot to return from the River Weaver.
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| Anderton Boat Lift |
Greenalls signage still up, and looking surprisingly good.
ReplyDeleteAh, one on my local patch, and one that hasn't succumbed to gastroification.
ReplyDeleteI once heard some classic pub banter in here:
"Do you ride a motorbike then?"
"No, I'm just wearing these leathers and helmet for fun"