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Happy days in the Frog and Nightingale (formerly the Fortress and Firkin).
This is a short section on my local pub and the hub of my Chester socializing, the Frog and Nightingale (its name was changed 5 years ago, from the Fortress and Firkin).
Here at the front door, keen Barman Will, chats to a colleague on his mobile phone.
When I originally started drinking there, about 7 years ago, my best mate at the time, was Craig Sutton, pictured here.
Craig moved out of Chester, but if your reading this, please get in touch.
In this picture, Craig is pictured with my first "proper" drinking friend in Chester, Paul Nightingale.
His name became a byword for wild nights and drunken abandon.
Paul moved to Brussels, so the only one of the original 3 friends I met first, Steve, is the only one that still around.
Ultra dependable, he listens to radio 4 and is an expert on all matters relating to current affairs.
On of my 2 main hobby's at the time, was playing pool.
Over the summer, Craig taught me to play, and at one time, I actually represented the pub, in the pool team (I got beat, but at least I had a go).
My 2nd hobby, was talking.
Here you can see me preaching about some or other irrelevance, while those around me attempt to relax.
Its extremely rare to find me without a pint in front of me, whilst drinking in the Frog.
Although bottled Polish lager has become popular, I'm a bit of a traditionalist and prefer pints of Carling (I can drink one in just a few seconds, you can watch me here).
Everyone chilling out, on a Saturday afternoon.
On the left of the picture is Jo Harrison, who I would later introduce to my mate Dan, and they would get married.
On the right of the picture is my ex-wife Sarah, who no longer drinks in the Frog (understandably really).
My 35th birthday.
Some of my old friends form Corning, came down to celebrate along with my Brother and Leigh.
I used to do a regular pub-crawl starting at the firkin on my birthday, but these sort of dried up over time.
The end of an era.
The old Firkin had been taken over and renamed the Frog and Nightingale.
The new years eve party was rocking, Craig was working the bar and we all sat down to dinner and pints.
I remember thinking at the time that it would never be the same after that night.
For a long while after, the old crew became regulars at the Northgate Arms.
But times move on, and we couldn't ignore the calling forever.
Here, the owner Tony pictured on the right, has an impromptu meeting with Nathan, probably the best Barman who's ever served me a drink.
Other notable members of staff include Isabelle, featured on the top left of this picture.
In the centre of the picture is my best mate Dan. A seasoned drinker who has fallen in and out of pub doorways at my side for several years now.
Holding my Dalek money box, is a lad called Craig, one of the original BT Boys.
The brilliant Kev, who sadly no longer works there.
I remember being a bit drink one time, and pointing out to Kev, that there was a pigeon, wandering around the pub.
He commented, I know, do you normally see me walking around with a box ?.
One of the best pictures I've ever taken, showing various members of staff at the bar.
The pub daughter.
On the left of the picture is Laura. Her father Keith is the head Chef at the Frog, and she has come to be known as the pub daughter (she used to be the KP, but now she is 18 is able to work behind the bar).
On the right is here destined-for-trouble friend Lorna.
Me tucking in to Sunday lunch at the bar.
A lot of pubs sell food, which is "cooked" by bar staff in Microwaves.
The Frog actually has a proper Chef (Keith) and a 2nd Chef (Jo) who prepare the food from locally source'd ingredients.
It may cost a pound or 2 more, but you can really taste the difference.
My attempts at journalism and taking pictures in the pub, meet with mixed reactions from my friends.
Here Bret and Danny, attempt to summarize there feelings about being photographed.
Two far more photogenicaly friendly people are Sean and Mandy.
They really are 2 of the nicest people I have ever met, and regular members of my social circle.
On one particular evening, a real Rock musician Michelangelo played the firkin.
It was part of a tour, promoted by a Guitar company, and featured him playing a "double headed guitar".
There was a queue to be photographed with him, and I just thought why not.
During open mike night, you get a "free" pint for getting up and singing a song, playing an instrument etc.
I didn't realize it, but if you get up and tell a few jokes, you get one as well.
I've had a go now 3 times, and although I've now given up stand up (if I ever started) you can watch a video of it here.
Overseas visitors are also common.
Here my friends Oliver and Jessica join is for a drink having traveled all the way from Chicago (well not exactly, they came over to visit family and have a holiday, and just happened to pop into our pub).
Stag doo's are a common site in the pub during weekends.
On this occasion, these lads from Leeds, didn't have a camera with them, so I took a picture for them, and emailed it back to them.
On one particular occasion, the local students had a fashion show as part of there course.
Fashion isn't really my thing, but it was a pleasant enough evening all the same.
One thing I do remember about the occasion is fulfilling a lifelong wish.
A student "band" appeared afterwards, and they weren't very good. They made the mistake of asking if anyone had any requests.
What could I say. I stood up and shouted yes, why don't you stop playing and F**k off.
Seeing laptops and ultra portables out in bars and cafes is not uncommon now.
On one Sunday, I remember a load of students arrived in a taxi.
They had an assignment to complete, and only had a couple of hours.
They actually brought a full sized apple computer into the pub, plugged it in, bought some pints and proceeded to work from there !.
Not a great picture, it was taken with a mobile phone.
At one minute past 12 on the 7th of May 2008.
I was officially 40.
The Saturday following, I had my proper do.
It was a beautiful day and all my friends at outside on the tables next to the Canal.
One of the special moments in my life, I doubt Ill ever forget it.
Occasionally, my friends and I venture away from "home" (the Frog).
On this occasion, a "scouting party" of the Frogs finest, decided to complete the Chester Heritage pub crawl (its printed on a postcard and the goal is to get each of the featured pub pictures, initialed by a member of staff from the relevant pub).
We completed it, and loyally made it back to the Frog before last orders.
The 5th birthday party of the Frog and Nightingale (could it really be that long).
I always remember walking back from the Custom house having watched England win the Rugby world cup and seeing the pub being converted.
In purple is Jo, the 2nd Chef and a great friend.
On the right of the picture, is the famous Richard, who was originally involved in setting up the Frog, has since moved on, but has always maintained a relationship with the pub.
In the center of this picture, is John the Painter. That's not actually his name, he isn't some sort of old style guy like Tom the Wheelwright, or anything like that, I just dont know his surname.
He lives in Nottingham, but spent a couple of months living at the pub, and helping Tony with all sorts of painting jobs.
On the left is his girlfriend, who's name escapes me and on the right is Alex, Tony's partner.
The Frog and Nightingale is one of the safest pubs I've ever drunk in (I take my family there, which says everything).
Will pictured on the left, Tony in the center and Colin one of the door staff on the right.
He really is a charming chap, but I wouldn't want to mess with him.
New years Eve 2008.
Danny took the picture, on the left is Jo his wife, and at the back is his brother Barry and his girlfriend.
Its been commented that I don't look like I'm having a good time in this picture.
All I can say is that 2008 was probably the most difficult year of my life, and I was just glad to see it over.
Kev, Me (wearing the famous Sunter shirt), Tony and the excellent Chris Ingram.
Chris and his wife Blaise write a local magazine called Silicon fish, which I always enjoy reading.
Tony's 40th Birthday (he's younger than me) with Lorain (one of my favorite people in the pub).
Although he runs the pub really well, not much can be said about his dancing.
Some of Tony's "Darn Sarf" friends attended.
I spent a while talking to them, and found some of them to be great fun, and a few others to be annoying "mouth and trousers" types.
One change which Tony made (in addition to setting up a dedicated restaurant at the back of the pub) was to have live bands playing most Fridays and Saturdays (I really made an ordinary night into a great night).
This caught on, and since then the Pub has become known as a major music venue in the city.
Here, the legendary scratch perverts play.
Danny and I arrived and were allowed in free (so many people wanted to watch them perform that off duty staff, were asked to leave , to allow the maximum legal headcount).
A local promoter Jo, with his girlfriend (whose name I dont know) in 2nd room (the pool room in the daytime, used to host additional bands and musicians in theevenings).
Danny Ellis, a local DJ and promoter, mixing some machinery.
My favorite band so far, Audio Farm from Manchester, playing the 2nd room, with Chase and Status (probably Britain's best drum and Base outfit) headlining.
I really liked Audio Farm, they were really great guys and were happy to be photographed (there music was pretty good as well).
They were consummate professionals, but still made time for life's important tasks (hence the pint and the text message to a girlfriend).
