Papermakers Arms, Clifden Place, Broughton. (c) Salford Pubs of the 70s at flickr [1].
The sinister National Front graffiti on the wall outside the Papermakers Arms in the 1970s (yes, it really does say "NF - GET NATIVES OUT") has tactfully been airbrushed out in the version in Neil Richardson's book [2]. It's a sobering reminder of the backward values that existed even in the more enlightened areas of the country so recently. Clifden Place was a row of about 10 houses that overlooked the Broughton Grove Mill on the boundary of Manchester and Salford, just to the east of Bury New Road. The last property, on the corner of Back Roman Road, was turned into a beerhouse in 1869, the Papermakers Arms.
Papermakers Arms, Clifden Place, Broughton. (c) Neil Richardson [2].
The Papermakers extended into next door in 1891 and Groves & Whitnalls owned it by the new century. It passed to Greenall Whitley and remained standing until after the mill was demolished and the houses around become derelict. Shown in the the 1970s when the houses were empty, the Papermakers Arms lasted until 1978 [2]. Clifden Place was eventually swept away as this part of Brougton was redeveloped. These days Appian Way snakes past the former site of the Papermakers, as shown on the map below, marked '9' [2], although Upper Camp Street and Grove Street still survive.
Papermakers Arms, Clifden Place, Broughton. (c) Neil Richardson [2].
2. Salford Pubs - Part 3: Including Cross Lane, Broad Heath, Hanky Park, the Height, Brindleheath, Charlestown and Weaste, Neil Richardson (2003).
In it's early days, What's Doing featured a few Salford and Manchester pub crawls. In May 1976 they visited Higher Broughton and while they enjoyed calling at the Star, Church, Sun, Post Office and Dover; there was no doubt as to the pub of the day. Jem Callaghan wrote,
ReplyDelete"The next pub, the Papermakers Arms, is a real gem - almost a find for it is so well concealed. It stands almost alone in a derelict area down Back Roman Road some two or three hundred yards from the Sun. To somebody not from the area, it seems to be a typical Manchester pub. Three rooms separated from one another by a narrow corridor, all with plain seats and tables and all small enough to seem crowded with a half-dozen regulars in. Etched glass, tiled corridors, wood panelling around the bar. The Greenall Whitley mild and bitter served through metered electric pumps are as good as any I've tasted and the landlord and landlady are both very friendly.
Sadly, the Papermakers is due for demolition in about a years time. It seems hard to understand why, the local trade is not huge, but the area must surely be due for new housing from which trade would benefit. To the planners in brewery and Council it no doubt seems like an ordinary pub the licence of which could probably be transferred to somewhere newer and brighter with plastic and stainless steel replacing the wood and porcelain. But to those who have an interest in where they drink as well as what they drink, its passing would be as sad as that of the Derby to which in some ways it is similar. Will we see a new Phoenix like the tasteless House That Jack Built emerge from the ashes of this old fashioned characterful pub?"
This was my local for about 12 years 1960s and 70s good pub , and a great set of lads the landlord was Walter Higson
ReplyDeleteMy parents, Barry and Susan Evans ran the Papermakers before it was demolished in 1978. Lovely memories. We also have a painting of the pub. My sister and I were only 7 and 8.
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