BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers

Subject: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 Jul 17 - 08:52 AM

Many of you will know of the Sam Smiths pub, the Plough, in Whitby which was for years the central focus of the fringe part of Whitby Folk Festival.

Some years ago Humphrey Smith who owns the brewery banned all forms of music, television etc from his pubs.

The news today tells that he has now banned swearing and Bikers from his pubs!

Banning Bikers

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 12 Jul 17 - 09:49 AM

A landlord of my then local pub had a thing about bikes. When I got one, he let me park mine in his designated spot but I, then, (for reasons I can't fathom) was "respectable". He did, (in local terms) quite famously, accuse someone from the village (I was about a mile away in the village above) of being something along the lines of being a "long haired hairy git" - the joke being the "old British motorbikes enthusiast" was actually as bald as a coot - but I guess that's the way the landlord wanted to see it...

Must admit that even I, who had a brief later spell at being a "hairy biker" (although never passed my test - nothing bigger than 250 then), could find bikers intimidating. A group like the Henchman in the area of N Wales if lived in the time liked to make their presence felt...

But to assume everyone (or groups) with bikes are like that is stupid.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 12 Jul 17 - 03:02 PM

This because of the moronic biker gang riding through Leeds City centre a while ago, several of whom were sent to prison yesterday.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Jul 17 - 03:26 PM

I know one or two bikers. We get quite a few 'packs' visiting Sheringham, where they park in the main street and admire eachothers' machines. Many of these bikes are amazing, beautifully maintained.
They also descend on Whitwell, and stop for a burger at 'Bear's Grill'.
I love to see their imaginative clothing; all that black leather and studs. The ladies have wonderful brightly-coloured hair, and most of the men have luxuriant beards.
They are renowned for their kindness, congeniality and helpfulness if anyone is in trouble on the roadside. I've never ever heard bad language from them when in a cafe in Sheringham for example.
One of my friends has a son who is a biker, Big Jason. He's a lovely lad and adores his German Shepherd dog 'Floyd'.
If I was visiting a pub, any pub, I'd be very pleased indeed to see some bikers arrive. The vast majority are absolutely delightful people.
Isn't prejudice annoying?

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Jul 17 - 07:27 PM

That's the kind of decision that 'might' backfire... and I don't mean thru an exhaust pipe.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Jul 17 - 03:52 AM

During the time I rode my Honda 50, I was one mean sonofabitch! I was a rebel, an urban guerilla - living on the edge! You wouldn't have wanted me riding my two wheel stallion through your lounge bar.

People used to say, you just live for speed and thrills Johnny. I just curled my lip and sneered...

my flick knife never told a lie...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Jul 17 - 04:14 AM

Well the above-mentioned Big Jason is well over six feet tall, covered in tattoos, has a bushy beard and an earring in one ear. He's muscular and immensely strong. He drinks in his local village pub and doesn't hold back on the ale. His girlfriend has bright green and blue hair, many piercings and a fearsome leather jacket bristling with studs. If you met them alone on a dark night you'd think your time had come...

But years ago, when one of our kittens got himself shut in a small local furniture restoring factory late one night, Big Jason came at once, forced a window to let the little horror out, then rang the proprietor to explain. He mended the window and set all to rights. He was my absolute hero!

He also dotes on his mum (my friend) does many jobs for her around the house and often brings her a bunch of flowers from a garage when he fills up his motorbike. He's a Big Softy.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Jul 17 - 05:16 AM

A few years ago we had a request from a biker on behalf of his "gathering" at Chippenham Festival. He asked if his mates could walk through the public park - at the time full of tents, traders and folkie things. We pointed-out it was public and one lass made a point of engaging in conversation, she was a big biker too. You wouldn't guess though.
Not all gatherings are "clubs", he (probably a bank manager or such) found it quicker to show himself and present as the representative of the softies they were.
Another Folk Festival - the pub had booked the dates for a bike gathering the same weekend. Apart from the toe wrestling and the actual songs - the ethos was pretty much the same.
But Bikers come with preconceptions they have to live with that. As do BMW drivers!

Wetherspoon ban music in pubs. Except excruciatingly loud TVs usually showing football, accompanied by the assemblage singing. NOBODY bans football!

Life ain't rational. Find a better pub.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 13 Jul 17 - 07:03 AM

It does not take much to be barred from a Sam Smiths pub

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jul 17 - 04:31 PM

Our Wetherspoons generally has the TVs on with the sound turned off, and subtitles. When they have a football match night they advertise it, so you can stay away.

They don't seem to mind people sitting round and singing up one end. The other end's got a wall of books, so you can read. A very civilised hostelry.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:06 AM

Maybe Sam Smith was, or still is, a Mod...??? 🛵

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:29 AM

Over 200 bikers descended into town last night, as they do every Thursday. They gather in a car park by the railway station where a cafe stays open late for them. They are absolutely no bother at all and they do ride some fantastic machines, a beautiful Triton last night.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:46 AM

Raggy - Dunno where you are...

But there's a biker's pub Scally's in Weston Super Mare, that attracts a Thursday evening Biker meet up...

What is it about Thursday's...???

This pub and the bikers have coexisted with the town for as long as I can remember going to the seaside...

Though there might be rumours the tory dominated council is redeveloping the area with extended building work,
maybe with a view to eventually disrupt businesss sufficiently to close it down...????

Redevelopment has already killed of the legendary Hobbits heavy metal club...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:55 AM

Having said all this I did once witness carnage in North Wales, years ago.

The town was full of Mods on scooters, hundreds of them, and quite aggressive.

A lone BSA C15 250cc machine came through the town, all the scooter boys started up their machines to give chase.

Then came a huge thunderous roar as about 150 bikers on big machines, armed with crowbars and scaffolding pipe shot into town and beat the s**t out of the both the mods and their scooters.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 08:55 AM

From stories here and elsewhere it doesn't seem as if SS is interested in his own business. Perhaps it is increasing property values that he's hanging on for, he doesn't seem to respect or value staff or customers in his pubs.
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:05 AM

Makes sense...
Back in the 90s I read that Weatherspoon's core business was property - buying up all those buildings to convert [temporarily ???]
into pubs..
Actually selling cut price beer was an additionally profitable sideline ...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:14 AM

I remember the Mods v Rockers battles! In those days I felt I was more of a Mod than a Rocker. Mods liked the Beatles and wore long droopy khaki-coloured parkas, while Rockers favoured the Rolling Stones and wore studded leather. Sadly, I've never been on either a scooter or a motorbike.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 09:24 AM

My mum and dad were bikers in the early to mid 1950s.. until a lorry wiped them out...
After recovering from injuries and writing off what was a then powerful bike,
mum's family put a permanent stop to all that....

I was born a few years later.... but at least they had 7 care free & child free years to enjoy together.....

I seriously considered arranging mum a surprise bike ride for her 85th birthday..
even if only a side car or 3 wheeler...

But boring good sense prevailed...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:10 AM

I think I'm too young for that but if I was to fall into either camp, I guess it would be the rockers...

That said, the first powered thing I owned was a Lambretta LD 150 which had a pair of individual seats. Sadly, we wrecked it riding round fields (and I was too young then to go on the roads). Next in line was a bike, a James 200...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:17 AM

My biking lineage was

Lambretta GT200
Triumph T110 chopper
Honda 450 (Can't remember the model but it was cafe racer customised)
Honda CD125
Then, many years later
Honda CX500 Custom

If I ever go for another it will be either a new(ish) Enfield 500 or a Vespa GTV300

I think I am either a rod or a mocker.

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:17 AM

My mum has vague memories their last bike was a Matchless 500...???

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:31 AM

I'm way out of date and won't be riding again but I think with a test I never got, candidates for me of old might have been the Honda 400 four or I think a bit later, a Moto Guzzi V50.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:31 AM

Oh - And had a Lambretta SX200 after the CD125 but it was a project that I rode once or twice and never really got roadworthy. Made a few quid on it though :-)

Matchless - Not heard of them for years! A classic British single pot 500 if I remember rightly.

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:35 AM

I used to know someone with a Panther, Dave, apparently a classic thumper... he later got an AJS.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:43 AM

(I think this would be the Panther.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 10:53 AM

My first experience of bikes was at a very young age - My Dad had a combo - BSA Gold Flash with a double adult sidecar. I always thought the sidecar was a 'Panther', which is what reminded me, but from my search just now I think it was a Busmar double adult sidecar. We used to go all over the place, including week long caravan holidays in Wales, with Dad driving, Mum on the pillion, three kids in the sidecar and luggage precariously fastened to the roof!

Like this combo but black and silver.

Fun days!

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 11:01 AM

I believe the Panther (I assume 100) was well suited to a sidecar, Dave so maybe that's your connection with the name?

Did have a ride as "ballast" (and near accident) in a towed by a trike Cossack Ural.. Side car on the right...

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 11:51 AM

Tribal Hooligan Subcultures and their associated modes of transport:

Rockers - Motorbikes

Mods - Scooters

Skinheads - Bovver Boots

Punks - Pogo Sticks



errmmm... bicycles...???? hippies.. folkies.. not exactly that hard or hooligan...are we..????
bit embarrassing really... 😳

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 12:58 PM

When I was ten I had a very solid Raleigh bicycle with rod brakes and a nice loud bell on the handlebars. I was mocked at grammar school (many of the pupils had dropped handlebars and slimmer tyres) One nasty boy (who I quite fancied actually) said it was a 'Roman relic', but I still loved that bike. I called it 'Lucky' and used it until I left home for Uni. I rode it through the woods, out to the farm, beside the quarry pits and it never let me down. I was extremely thin with bandy legs and very long hair streaming out behind, and I suppose I did look a bit weird. But Lucky and I travelled far and wide.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 12:59 PM

Yuppies - BMWs

Lunatics - White transit vans

The Sweeney - Ford Granada

The bad guys - Mk II Jag

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Senoufou
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 01:03 PM

Old Biddies - Ford Fiestas

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: JHW
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 04:25 PM

In 1968 we were camped en masse at Cleethorpes, that ever so long walk back from the pier. Late at night many Angels or similar on bikes encircled our camp fire and singing and we though we were done for. No, they were a more respectful audience than many; listened for a long time, never interrupted until at an unseen signal all rode off. We weren't drinking Sam Smiths, possibly Watneys Party Seven.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 06:18 PM

Raggy - Dunno where you are...

He's in Whitby. The pub in question is so popular due to its location that the owner can afford to offend any imaginable subgroup of society and not see a drop in patrons.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 Jul 17 - 07:29 PM

Hi Jack, the bikers I've mentioned are not at a pub, they gather in a car park (as I mentioned in my post) adjacent to a cafe.

They don't drink alcohol, (or not that I've seen), I'm not even sure I know which pub you think I'm talking about.

Cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Jack Campin
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 04:33 AM

Your first post was about the Angel, so I assumed that was the main point. Your later one was about the cafe at the station, I guess. Which is not owned by Humphrey Smith, is it?

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 05:03 AM

Hi Jack, the pub mentioned in the report I linked to in my OP was the Royal Oak in Ulley near Rotherham.

Re-reading my first pub I can see it is not as clear as I would have hoped and someone (without looking at the link) could have presumed I was referring to the Plough in particular.

Cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: JHW
Date: 15 Jul 17 - 06:07 AM

I go occasionally to the Village Hall in Tunstall, N.Yorks for a song and music session. Across the road the Bay Horse is a Sam's pub so will not allow such diversions; however they have a covenant on the village hall which demands those who use it buy their drinks across the road at the pub! I drink water.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: BobL
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 02:28 AM

Folkies - Morris Minor, VW campervan, Citroën 2CV....

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 10:31 AM

i used to love Steve Tilston's advertising slogan.....have Lada will travel!

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: robomatic
Date: 16 Jul 17 - 02:18 PM

I used to be a biker, and I used to love bottled Samuel Smiths. It's not a brew you can find on tap in the States.

Is the Sam Smiths you refer to in this thread the origin of the bottled beverage? It was available in clear tall bottles with 'shoulders'. It tasted better than champagne and cost about the same, too!

In my first engineering job, when I left after five years I was due a party and a large cake. I had them substitute a case of Sam Smith's for the cake.

Subject: RE: BS: Sam Smiths bar Bikers
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Jul 17 - 01:12 AM

Some bikers are nice people; some are savages. You couldn't pay me enough to work in a pub and tell bikers they won't be served. It's not worth the risk.