FLYING FISH, DENTON

I have many fond childhood memories of spending time at the Flying Fish, it was my grandparents pub - Martin & Sylvia Watts. Sometimes, in the winter, when we had lots of rain, the water table rose too high and the customers would have to come and buy their beer in wellies!

I well remember the Fish. I lived in Kings Avenue on the Mount and it was my Dad's local from the 1920s to about 1978. I first went their with my parents, Bob and Doris in the early 1950s aged about 11, the landlord then was Bert Eager. In the late 1950s a number of local lads started to go there too and we were made most welcome. My cousin's grandfather was landlord in 1901. He was Bert Grevett.

I claim a senior moment. My cousin's grandfather was Charles Grevett and he was the landlord. His son, my cousin's father was Bert Grevett. The 1901 census shows Charles, his wife Harriet albert aged 13, and Maud Grevett. I'll try not to make any more mistakes. Sorry.

I moved to Powell Gardens in 1970 and can remember the Fish having old Southdown Bus Seats, and duck boards between the road and pub entrance when the road was flooded. Big Beer barrels behind the bar as well. My little dog 'Snuffie' really loved going there and meeting the customers. A regular in those days was Jim Message, caretaker of Denton School, who never buttoned his shirt up no matter how cold it was.

I grew up in Denton and the Flying Fish was my Dad's local... he spent a couple of hours a night there and pre-Sunday lunch there too with my mum. I remember the floods well and I had my wedding reception there in 1986 - so long as I could have Sylvia do the catering. I think the pram race started and ended at the pub too which my mum took part in and my brother and his mate pushed her... lol. I remember Mr Message and his big belly - perhaps that's why his shirts were never done up.. :-) such happy happy memories

I am a fourth (possibly fifth!) generation customer of 'The Flying Fish' as this was my Great Grandfather's local - the family lived in Stone's Cottage just up the road - and he is now buried in the top right corner of the cemetery close to the pub. I'm sure he'd be quite happy about that!

I remember Hannah Nicholls as a baby. I hope your brother and parents are still fit and well. It was a great pub in those days and Sylvia was a great landlady.

I've uploaded a picture of Martin Watts - it's gone in the section under Denton School. Jim Message is in it too, and he's holding Gregory Nicholls - seems likely that he is Hannah's brother? My Mum and Dad, Jim and Jean Pointer were regulars at the Fish too.