Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 26th February, 2024)

I have walked past The Silverwell hundreds of times, but I have never been in. It is so nice to see the inside and to see some of the old fittings.
Thank you for this wonderful photograph, Colin.

It doesn't feel cosy and warm in there, even if they still make a coal fire. In need of a good refurbishment to bring the place up to date, but after saying that, customers may like it this way.
A good outside and inside view Colin, you'd make a good estate agent.

Looking at the pub interior, a good roaring coal fire would look great in there. It looks perfect, and with those tall chimneys it would definitely make a great roaring sound.
Cheers Colin.

Mmm..looks cold and dated in there, not my cup of tea for socialising with family and friends.

How nice to have a glimpse inside! We tend to call in at a pub somewhere when we are up at the caravan, usually in Settle or Skipton, but we never think of going in one near home! I believe The Sawn and Railway down Wallgate also has many original fittings but I have never been in. We sometimes don't appreciate what we have got on out home turf!

Needs modernising to the present day. I often wondered what its like inside, now I know, but not for me.

This pub is one for Irene, a throw back to the 50s and 60s. Some great ornaments and fitting there.

I-think the bar should have been left alone. The white paint spoils it. Although I’m not sure it is the original. A ‘funky’ pub would not suit the area.

Colin, is that little scooter your version of Mick’s bike?

I think this room is more of a Vault so quite sparse. The other room is more of a snug with a beautiful fire place with Victorian timber surround. A picture of this might appear at some stage.
A traditional Wigan Pub of old which many bemoan the loss of, so please don't knock it.
Getting back to last nights final comments, I did not have had my glasses on. I meant to say that the BBC's coverage of the Wigan Penrith game was impressive, not impotent!!!!!!

You're absolutely right, Mark... The only things I don't like are the bottom part of the bar, which is white and I think would look much better in dark wood., and the orangey/red floor; I would have chosen a rich burgundy or dark green or even wood or laminate. The dark wood and glass canopy over the top of the bar is lovely, as are the lights and the framed pictures, but then, as you rightly say, the old-fashioned look is just up my street. It wouldn't suit everyone and I'm sure many people would prefer a light, modern look, but it would be a very boring world if we all liked the same things.

DTease, I hadn't noticed that little pink scooter, that would have got me back to the bus station a bit quicker. Although I might have been arrested on the way!
As I said before, I was told it was going to be refurbished soon, I hope Holts have a interior designer with an eye for the traditional.

Not the safest place to leave an handbag.

I should imagine it’s the regulars nearby who use the pub the most. There’s hardly any pubs left.. I agree Irene they have ruined the bottom part of the bar the paint has not been applied very well and it’s chipped off in parts. The top part is really nice. It’s the kind of pub where the clientele know one another. Cosy and friendly.

Colin, it does have the look of a tap room, I'd imagine too that the room would have been bustling at one time, full of chatter and laughing amid thuds of darts hitting the board, the rattling of dominoes and calls of knock on, and not forgetting the throat catching, eye stinging blue fog of tobacco smoke, though all in all folks were having a good night out at their local pub.

I too hope the interior decorators don't knock the hell out of it, they didn't do such a good job of the bar as you can see the red paint under the white, though would that bar be the original and would the initials A A M be the brewery?

Sue at 10:42 is not the same Sue at 8:27 , thank you.

I must have walked past this Silverwell many of times, but I have never been in. It is so nice to see the inside and to see some of the old fittings.
Thank you for this wonderful photograph, Ian.

I have never liked the Silverwell, it has always been a 'bad uns' pub, full of bad uns.

This is one of the most interesting pictures I have seen on PAD for a very long time. I am not particularly interested in pictures of snowdrops or robins as these could be anywhere but I do like buildings and people photos. This one captures something of the past. It also raises many questions although they cannot necessarily be answered. Such as:
Why so small a bar for such a large pub?
Is that blood splattered on the white paintwork of the bar? If so then why?
Why is there a scooter cluttering the bar? Is it Mick’s bike?
Why is a woman’s handbag casually hanging from the bar and unattended?
Why no customers? There does appear to be one and you can see his foot. Is it Garry imbibing a sherry?
Why is there an elaborate wooden pepper mill on the bar but accompanied by a plastic tub of table salt? Were they a set but did someone nick the salt?
Why is the stuffing hanging out of 2 stools?

Questions, questions, questions?

Not a pub to my taste but I hope it does not get renovated.

I imagine the bar carries on into the next room ..I can see part of window.
It’s beginning to be a game of I-spy. Those tiles would be very easy to mop if there’s ever skin and hair flying or even a bun fight. Definitely should have left the bar as it is over the top. The stool looks original but it’s been sat on that much it’s worn the fabric off. I must admit I spent a very pleasurable couple of hours there after a funeral. Seeing folk I hadn’t seen for years. Salt of the Earth people. God luv ‘em.

Old Reekie there is more than likely more than one bar and the pepper mill looks like part of the bars fancy woodwork.

The Silverwell Hotel was originally an Aireys pub, but became a Walker Cain pub in 1926 and an Oldfield's pub in 1933, also having looked closer at the glass panels in the bar, it looks to be just the design of the pattern etched in the glass, and not initials of a brewery as I'd first imagined.
http://breweryhistory.com/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Airey%27s_Brewery_Ltd_pubs

A few more local breweries and Scholes pubs and their nicknames here:
https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=5&id=21159&gallery=scholes&offset=100

I remember now coming past the bar from a room on the left - that was the best room where the mourners from the funeral assembled. It was really nice and comfortable…
I spy a brush in the doorway! Also I think the shoulder bag belongs to the bar maid. She’ll have eyes in the back of her head…it definitely won’t go missing. You can be sure of that. There will be no undesirables allowed in there.

Oh my goodness me! I cannot believe such fabulous comments. You missed my glass of refreshment on the bar. Need to compose myself before responding to each and everyone, can’t stop laughing.
Thanks, Colin

I have been scrutinising the photo for ages to find the "peppermill".....it is actually part of the wooden structure of the bar, and I would say the "plastic salt container" is more than likely a charity collection box! I am definitely going to pay a visit if the ale is so strong that the bar fittings resemble a cruet! Come on, Garry lad.....let's go for a sherry or twelve and we'll go home on the scooter! Hic!

Garry: sherry and coal fires, what can we do with you.

"Vic"?? That would appear to be a shortened version of a different name.

Could be Clog Iron…..

Vic do nothing with me, they are both great (in my opinion).
I hope thats a logical answer ?

“ Garry: what can we do with you”.
You could try joining our elusive friend with his sherry and coal fire…But you’ve no chance!

I'll stay home alone!