Think of Burslem, and you think of pubs. Arthur Berry certainly did, and Arnold Bennett himself wrote about the merits of the Tiger, the Dragon and the Duck (aka the Leopard, the George Hotel and the Swan), writes Mervyn Edwards. In recent times, Burslem's pubs have been less busy in midweek than Tunstall, and I speak from personal knowledge as a drinker in both towns.

With this in mind, PPPG was happy to promote Burslem pubs as part of the Burslem Festival "Ale Trail". Three PPPG members ambled from the Railway Inn (Longport) as far as the Park Inn (Park Road) calling at participating pubs in between, and noting down a written phrase from each of the interiors. Competition entrants would have to fill in a blank to complete each phrase, hopefully encouraging people to take a fresh look at Burslem's range of pubs. First prize was a gallon of draught ale (not necessarily to be imbibed all in one evening!) at the winner's favourite hostelry.

In Ye Olde Crown, we were given a fair old indication of the lassitude, which is presently besetting the pub trade in the Mother Town. When we explained to the landlord why we had entered his pub, he was aghast that we would want to promote the town's hostelries. "Burslem's dead", he ventured. "I wish I’d never have come here". Suitably impressed with his PR skills, we moved on to the next pub.

As a contributor to this "working pub crawl", I was presented with the opportunity of revisiting some of my favourite pubs in Burslem and Longport, as well as some that are frankly an anathema to me. My favourites in this area are the Leopard (which reeks of history and tradition), the New Inn (a fine, well-run pub with a friendly landlord), the Stag (a timewarp local) and the White Swan in Middleport, one of my nominations for the PPPG's Community Pub of the Year Award 1999.

PPPG is now three years old - a mere infant compared to other groups (such as the Potteries Branch of CAMRA, Newcastle Civic Society and Potteries Heritage Society) with we share certain affinities. However, the Group's crucial role in saving the Springfields Hotel (Trent Vale) from the bulldozer and our high-profile image in the media has given us a firm platform for future growth.

The Group is always looking to increase its membership, but it may interest Potter's Bar readers to know a little more about a few of our members.

Dave Lycett (Co-ordinator has been and is still involved in many local organisations, including CAMRA and the Burslem Community Development Trust. He also likes to keep his eye on environmental issues. He is a former B C D T colleague of Andy Perkin, editor of PPPG’s quarterly newsletter, then Grapevine. Andy is a familiar face in the local press due to his continuing involvement with the Trust as Project Officer

Dawn Tatler our treasurer, is a member of the Arnold Bennett Society and a Burslem devotee in general, whilst beer is a particular interest of John Hopkins (a member of the Brewery History Society) and CAMRA Stalwart, Rob Shanks.

Equally of note are members such as Bernard Frain and Ken Smith, beer veterans who can rattle off many an entertaining tale of local pubs of the past.

In April 1999, we have 17 members, but if you are interested in becoming either an active or a passive member, then please come to our gatherings - the wheels of business are lubricated by a few pints of beer, and there is plenty of opportunity to talk informally on a pub crawl afterwards!

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