Blue Boar

[GrumpyBlue]

What do they do these days? IIRC used to be some sort of rather ordinary IPA.

When I went in it was just Doom Bar - pretty dismal

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

When I went in it was just Doom Bar - pretty dismal

Doom Bar used to be, about 20 years ago, a fair pint. Mass marketing, manufacture and poor standards have seen it become average at best.

 

[GrumpyBlue]

Doom Bar used to be, about 20 years ago, a fair pint. Mass marketing, manufacture and poor standards have seen it become average at best.

Precisely - which is why me and my drinking mates avoid it in our local (in Cornwall). I only tried it in the Spread for research purposes!

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

In NewQuey, a few years ago, on recommendation, i tried Cornish Lager from a local brewer, and certainly that was a good, refreshing pint AND not at all like the huge brands. Big isn't always better.
I am constantly surprised how often local free houses ignore or decline local breweries such as Leigh or St George's.

 

[Cockle43]

A pity there's almost none of it left now, I find it so cramped in there.

Yes, a shadow of it's former self as a building, sadly. Watched a number of bands in the hall and a good sized car park fronting Vic Ave...

 

[The Big Dady]

The old original Blue Boar was a massive Public House in its day, in the photo below marked as dated 1905 but I believe it is actually 1923 (More later) as you can see the Gaiety Cinema next to the massive Blue Boar Dance Hall (Both Demolished 1998/99)


In the aerial photo below, you can see clearly the old massive Dance Hall, and the old Cinema (White Building) next to it. You can see the old buildings on the East side of Victoria Avenue which were demolished to allow Victoria Avenue to be made into a Dual Carriageway, and the old pub stables to the South.



The cinema next to the Blue Boar must be in the running for the record for the most name changes in such a short time! It opened in December 1917 as the Star Cinema, run by Mr. J. Holloway. It was a very basic structure, but did have a small balcony. In 1920 it became the Priory Cinema (prop: H. W. Elston), in 1923 the Gaiety Cinema (Confirms date of first pic) (prop: B. S. C. Thomson), in 1925 the Ideal Cinema, in 1926 the Gibbs Cinema (prop: S. C. Gibbs) and in 1928 the Picture House. It closed in 1932, never having been converted to sound.

The building was used as a social club, for discos and, finally, a gymnasium, before laying derelict for many years. It was finally demolished in April 1999. Housing now occupies the site.

 

[rigsby]

The old original Blue Boar was a massive Public House in its day, in the photo below marked as dated 1905 but I believe it is actually 1923 (More later) as you can see the Gaiety Cinema next to the massive Blue Boar Dance Hall (Both Demolished 1998/99)
View attachment 18620

In the aerial photo below, you can see clearly the old massive Dance Hall, and the old Cinema (White Building) next to it. You can see the old buildings on the East side of Victoria Avenue which were demolished to allow Victoria Avenue to be made into a Dual Carriageway.

View attachment 18621

The cinema next to the Blue Boar must be in the running for the record for the most name changes in such a short time! It opened in December 1917 as the Star Cinema, run by Mr. J. Holloway. It was a very basic structure, but did have a small balcony. In 1920 it became the Priory Cinema (prop: H. W. Elston), in 1923 the Gaiety Cinema (Confirms date of first pic) (prop: B. S. C. Thomson), in 1925 the Ideal Cinema, in 1926 the Gibbs Cinema (prop: S. C. Gibbs) and in 1928 the Picture House. It closed in 1932, never having been converted to sound.

The building was used as a social club, for discos and, finally, a gymnasium, before laying derelict for many years. It was finally demolished in April 1999. Housing now occupies the site.

View attachment 18622

Anyone know what year the second photo is from?

 

[The Big Dady]

Anyone know what year the second photo is from?

I think it is 1966ish (Edit: not 1998 as originally posted) just before Victoria Avenue was made into a Dual Carriageway and going by the cars, I did put that date on the pic tag/name

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I think it is 1998 just before Victoria Avenue was made into a Dual Carriageway and going by the cars, I did put that date on the pic tag/name

That’s not 1998!

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

View attachment 18634

That’s not 1998!

Certainly looks like the late 70's.Maybe a motoring enthusiast could enlighten us?

 

[kaymac]

I reckon that‘s the 1960’s, Vic Avenue was flattened about that time and Churchill Gardens was opened in the mid-60s

 

[Swiss Tony]

A wild guess would be 1966.

 

[The Big Dady]

Yep I think you are right 1966ish

Now edited

 

[TrueBlue]

True Blue

I know a few people who would visit the Blue Boar, But no decent Real Ale even if it is a free house.

@The Pub Landlady here is some feedback for you Michelle

 

[OldBlueLady]

The building was used as a social club, for discos and, finally, a gymnasium, before laying derelict for many years. It was finally demolished in April 1999. Housing now occupies the site.

View attachment 18622

I'm sure I remember going to discos in here in the late 70s/early 80s - back in the days where you could be out late at night in the area as a young woman, and feel safe!

 

[rigsby]

Certainly looks like the late 70's.Maybe a motoring enthusiast could enlighten us?

Those houses on the left were long gone by then. Plus the cars would suggest your a decade out....Not a Capri or mk3 Cortina in site

 

[Cockle43]

Those houses on the left were long gone by then. Plus the cars would suggest your a decade out....Not a Capri or mk3 Cortina in site

The houses and shops were being boarded up and being demolished through 1968 and into 1969 as I started travelling through there for school by early 70's the dual carriageway was open.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

The houses and shops were being boarded up and being demolished through 1968 and into 1969 as I started travelling through there for school by early 70's the dual carriageway was open.

Yep the Southend Timeline website has a picture of the Garons on the corner being demolished in 1969.

Southend Timeline Victoria Avenue Gallery History of Southend-on-Sea.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Yep the Southend Timeline website has a picture of the Garons on the corner being demolished in 1969.

Southend Timeline Victoria Avenue Gallery History of Southend-on-Sea.

Thanks for that - had forgotten about the old bridge that you used to cross the roundabout!

 

[slapheadsteve]

Real Ale on in Blue Boar, on a trial basis (Not Today)
Watch this space but should be for Bromley game. Elephant School. Aussie Blonde, or
Brentwood Blonde.
They are weakish beers 4.0% and 3.8%. Both local beers Brewed in South Essex.
Hopefully this will become a permenant. helping Local Pubs and Local Brewery's.
Will keep you all informed, what is happening. Thanks True Blue.