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Picture source: Stephen Harris
The Anchor was situated at 20 Star Lane. This pub was present by 1902 and was rebuilt by the Courage Brewery in 1904.  1970s redevelopment meant that it lost all its neighbours but it carried on in a somewhat isolated position until closure in 2001, closing shortly after a rather gruesome murder in the pool room.  It was occupied by a charity for a while and plans to convert the former pub into a lap dancing club were rejected in 2005.
I lived at136, Liverpool Rd, opposite this pub from 1957 to 1971. Some brilliamt memories:  Did our 'Penny for the guy' outside it; chippie next door - queuing up on a Friday around the shop with chips served up in newspaper, I- swear they tasted better! Playing 'knock down ginger' and hiding in pub doorway. Remember 'bookie' standing in the doorway before bookmakers became legal, taking bets. My Dad looking up and down the road making sure no police around, before running across to put his bet on. Shell fish stall. Big treat for me on a Sunday - a bag of prawns when my Dad came back from pub. Going to off licence every day to get a bottle of Guiness for my mother - she was told by her doctor it was a good cure for anaemia (could not believe her luck!!) - taking empty bottles back to the offie and getting 1p on each one. Slipping into pub's back yard and pinching empty botlles to get 1p on each again! - Having my first ever pint with my Dad in there, and him not able to work out why someone my age (19) was able to drink pints! Liitle did he know I could probably drink him under the table at that time - or at least thought I did!! Later years - I remember showing my brother's friend from Dublin, Desi, how to eat Jellied Eels after a heavy night on the beer. Never seen anyone run so fast to the loo!!! Many years after all this took a lovely lady there for a drink and she is now my lovely wife! A lot of happy memories. Sad to see the pub in the state it is now!!
David Mahoney (January 2012)
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Other Photos
Date of photo: 2012	Picture source: Colin Price