The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

THE LAST DITCH

A question

Published by Tom

on

December 82 (13)
This used to be my local when I lived in Cambridge. I remember it as a rowing pub and recall being targeted as soon as I entered on account of my height (6' 7") and (then) general fitness. I declined the proposal to take up the sport and rather regret it.

But I digress. Coming across this picture when digitising my photos it struck me that it's a pub named after an idea. Most British pubs are named after the aristocrat on whose land they stand, heraldic devices, national heroes, landmarks or local legends. I can't think of any others named after ideas.

The closest I can come is "The Old Trip to Jerusalem" in Nottingham, where knights congregated to set out for the Crusades. It might be said it's named for the idea of the triumph of Christendom, or it might be said I am over-reaching.

Any other suggestions?

26 responses to “A question”

  1. Welshcakes Limoncello Avatar
    Welshcakes Limoncello

    Interesting question. Not really an idea but a quotation: there’s a pub in Harrow called “The Case is Altered”.

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  2. Curmudgeon Avatar
    Curmudgeon

    There’s a pub in Stockport called “The Emigration”.

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  3. NewsBoycap Avatar
    NewsBoycap

    There’s a pub in Bolton. http://www.housewithoutaname.co.uk/

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  4. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    That’s a pub named after the lack of an idea, isn’t it?

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  5. NewsBoycap Avatar
    NewsBoycap

    Tom
    Yes that’s as maybe, but apparently the Landlord was up before a Judge for some reason, maybe not paying enough Tax.When the Judge asked for the name of the Pub, the reply was that it didn’t have a name, so the Judge named it The House without a Name.

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  6. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Great story. There used to be a pub near Chester called the First and Last as it straddled the Wales/England border and so was the first in one country and the last in the other.

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  7. NewsBoycap Avatar
    NewsBoycap

    Your probably going to think me some kind of a Nerd.
    The Last Drop, also in Bolton. No not the last drop of your drink, the site of the last man to be Hanged in the town.

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  8. David Davis Avatar
    David Davis

    In Slaidburn, Lancs, there is the “Hark to Bounty”. I have no clue what this is about but it is a suitable abstraction, and therefore must refer to an idea.

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  9. SimonF Avatar
    SimonF

    Not really n idea bu an odd name – my father ran a pub called The Lettered Board In Pickering. Nobody really knew the origin but the locals claimed it was because nobody could read when it first opened.

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  10. james higham Avatar
    james higham

    You can afford to drink in pubs these days?

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  11. NewsBoycap Avatar
    NewsBoycap

    No just window shopping!

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  12. Moggsy Avatar
    Moggsy

    How about the Union, or Union Inn, there are lots of those. Most of them are to do with the political union of the UK and that is an idea.
    Also Names like the King’s head might originally be seen as protesting the protectorate or supporting the cavaliers.
    Would “the Volunteer” be an idea or a serviceman?

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  13. Pogo Avatar
    Pogo

    There’s the “All Labour in Vain” in Dawley… It used to have the most wonderfully politically-incorrect pub-sign depicting two old white women desperately scrubbing a black baby in a tub. 🙂
    IIRC there was a boozer called “The gate hangs well” in Old Hill on the edge of Brum.

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  14. CJC Avatar
    CJC

    Apparently the pub was part of a printing press which gave out free newspapers. According to their website.

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  15. djh02051958@hotmail.com Avatar
    djh02051958@hotmail.com

    David says:-
    There’s a pub in west London called The Anti-Gallican. Named after a political society formed in the mid-eighteenth century to protest against the import of goods from France and the cultural influence of that country.

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  16. Brian, follower of Deornoth Avatar
    Brian, follower of Deornoth

    We have the Free Trade Inn in Newcastle (Byker, strictly).

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  17. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    That’s definitely an idea. As a French patriot (at least when it comes to wine and food) it’s not an idea I can approve of, but it definitely counts.

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  18. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Excellent. Like the Free Press, an idea I can drink to.

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  19. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    The Union is definitely named for an idea, albeit one that has clearly had its day. Not so sure about the others, but good thinking.

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  20. Moggsy Avatar
    Moggsy

    Had my “research staff” working ^_^ (Hat tip guys). Here are a couple more.
    I think there might be a Liberty Bell Pub in Essex somewhere. That must surely be named in support of the idea of liberty and a Freedom House Pub in Sheffield. Freedom is an idea.

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  21. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    My thanks to you and your researchers. Those most definitely qualify.

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  22. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    That’s an idea when an emigrant comes up with it, I guess. Though the pub name is probably commemorating a sad phenomenon (from the point of view of the nation emigrated from) don’t you think?

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  23. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Yes, I read that, but it doesn’t ring true to me. Without that bit of “historical” background, the name would be taken as the celebration of an idea by most patrons.

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  24. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    That’s a dark and splendid pun. I would not have thought you a nerd had you not mentioned it! Thanks for the entertaining contributions.

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  25. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    I agree, but it’s not a very effective expression of an idea as it could neither rally supporters nor opponents. I am guessing that, like the pub name “The Case is Altered”, it’s a mutation of a foreign name – perhaps in this case that of a captured French ship that did glorious service in the Royal Navy?

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  26. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Not really ideas but great names!

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Your blogger

Tom is a retired international lawyer. He was a partner in a City of London law firm and spent almost twenty years abroad serving clients from all over the world.

Returning to London on retirement in 2011, he was dismayed to discover how much liberty had been lost in the UK while he was away.

He’s a classical liberal (libertarian, if you must) who, like his illustrious namesake, considers that

“…government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”

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