A First Illicit Drink

A Memory of Walsall.

After leaving school I worked for a short time at Walsall Co-op in Bridge Street. One of my colleagues was a rather raffish young gentleman and 'man about town'. One day he invited me, which I thought a great honour, to have lunch at The Priory Hotel. I thought that it was all terribly grand despite the fact that it was only meat and two veg in an upstairs room. Afterwards he suggested that we go and have a drink in The George. I was at the time fifteen! Into The George we went with me feeling a mixture of bravado and sheer terror. I was asked what I wanted to drink and having no idea but the words mild and bitter were floating around my head I asked for half of the latter, drank it quickly, stuffed my hands in my pockets and whistled nonchalantly as if I was merely with my older brother. The George was a lovely Art Deco building as smooth as a Fred Astaire film, with the four pilasters an echoing reminder of the ones that graced the front of the old George and which are still reputed to exist. It was a sad day when this elegant curving building was demolished as it so complimented The Bridge. When it was down I took the opportunity to take a photograph up High Street as I thought that this was only the second time since the building of the original in the 18th century that this view could be glimpsed. The photograph is in the Local History Centre. What has this masterpiece been replaced with? A supermarket!