The penultimate of Wythenshawe's original interwar estate pubs (others bring the Benchill, Sharston, Royal Thorn, Royal Oak and the Peel Hall) the Yew Tree was a local of mine for a short while, and despite a dodgy reputation, was an OK boozer for a game of darts or an al-fresco pint. No real ale though and often no punters either, so it was no surprise to see terminal closure a couple of years ago, after many failed attempts to make a go of it. Local rumours were of flats or a hotel, but Raoshi at the New Yew Tree opened in early 2013 as a bring-your-own Lebanese/Greek restaurant. I'm unsure whether the depressed and depressing Northern Moor district of Wythenshawe can support this as a going concern, but the couple of online reviews to date are very positive.
Going back to happier times, Alan Winfield visited the Yew Tree, with its Yewtopia club next door, in 1994 when it was a Wilsons house and they offered Wilsons bitter and mild. Further back and we see the Yew Tree in 1973, these three photos from 1959, and as far back as 1937 when it can't have been open long. Northern Moor is an under-pubbed area as it is, especially the northern part along Sale Road (I'm sure the area around the Yew Tree used to be known as Kenworthy but can't see it on any maps), with the Gardeners and The Park in the estate and Northenden further afield being the only options now.
Raoshi, Yew Tree Lane. (c) ilovemanchester.
I was reliably informed from the landlady in the Cornishman the the Woodhouse Park was a social club and not a pub.
ReplyDeleteDidn't the comedian Ken Goodwin start his career here....
ReplyDeleteSettle down.
DeleteUsed to go to the Yew Tree on a Friday night With my mate Keith Taylor to see Karl Denver. I have lived in Australia since 1964 and I think Keith still lives in Longley Lane in Northenden. But we lost touch years ago. Good memories.
ReplyDeleteMy Father was the landlord here Ken Thurston he had the Yewtopia done when he was there
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother Hilda Peyton worked for Ken Thurston as the pub cleaner and also ran a little off-licence that used to be next door. My grandfather Tom was a regular. We lived in Orton Ave. Was sad to hear it had closed, thinking about it now makes me smile
DeleteSix of us travelled to the Yew Tree from Warrington every Saturday night in the fifties. Great shows of amateur talent, place bulging at the seams.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know,Chris's cox,he was a landlord there around 24 yrs ago ,does anyone know if big Chris is still alive.
ReplyDeleteWas my local for many years in my youth with my pals George Roscoe & Brian Burkeup until I got married and moved away.
ReplyDeleteHad many a good night in the yew topia room some great acts wish pubs like this were still around.
I remember George Rosco and his sister from the late 60's. Re the Yewtree, coach loads of people use to travel to it for the entertainment them days (I moved away from Manchester in 1976). Sad to learn it has closed. Had lots of laughs there.
Deletedid Karl Denver not record his live album 'Karl Denver at The Yew Tree' in this social club. I have a test pressing of that album in my collection.
ReplyDeletethat would have been in 1963
DeleteDoes anyone! Remember that massive bald dude, who run a lot of the Dorrs in Manchester!?
DeleteHe used to drink in this Pub, when Josy Lamb run the gaff. His name was Peter something!, he was the harshest guy I've ever met! Bro, he was the hardest cuy there in the late 90s, without a doubt. Plenty of People Wittnessed this guy go off and he was so accurate and petcise. Mn was a Legend and let us in Clubs when we bumbed into him. Peter was his name. One really hard guy!
If you were there at that time, you would know. He had a scare on his face. He was such a gentleman, but really, really hard Man.