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"Pub Lotus"

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Atthelimit
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Post  GrumpyBodger Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:29 pm

This subject has just come up on another forum that I frequent.
I've previously asked Alan Morgan if he had any information of the now long defunct Pub in north London.
I'm sure the the late Graham Arnold of Club Lotus was involved with founding of the Pub in 1967 (I think) & Colin Chapman was pictured pulling a pint there.
Do any of the members on here have any information, history about the Pub please?

Cheers
John


Last edited by Trigger on Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:56 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Added reply notification)
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Post  Atthelimit Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:31 pm

Hi Mr grumpy

Re your question, here is some information on the pub and comes from the Lotus museum site. If you look it up and go to newsletter July 2007 NL no3 you will find this and the photos of the pub to go with it. It stands very close to the early Lotus show room which they have bought for the site of the proposed Lotus museum and education centre. For more details see http://www.colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk/Index.htm

The Wishing Well Pub at 5 Tottenham Lane Hornsey was built in 1865 to serve the Hornsey station and rebuilt in 1896. The pub has been through a number of name changes: the Wishing Well, the Fiddlers Elbow and of particular interest to Lotus lovers and the CCMEC, the Railway Hotel.
Colin Chapman was raised in Hornsey (he lived in the old Railway Hotel) and used to test drive his cars round Alexandra Park from his workshop on the Cranford Way Industrial Estate.
The CCMEC have been talking to the brewery which owns the Wishing Well about changing the name back to the Railway Hotel and to give it a Lotus theme. The pictures below show the Wishing Well as it is today. The CCMEC would like to thank the people who work at the Wishing Well and the brewery for their help and support

Railway Hotel, now called The Wishing Well, which was owned by Colin Chapman's father, Stan. The original Lotus works were previously a stable block used by Stan Chapman as stores for the pub.
The company currently operating the pub, The Bar Group, intend to celebrate its link with Lotus through having a display of early Lotus photos and memorabilia in the bar area.
Hope this is what you were looking for?
Kim
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Post  GrumpyBodger Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:58 pm

Hi Kim,

many thanks for all of that, the attachment makes a very good read also.

However, no the Railway Inn is, was the Railway Inn or whatever.
I'm thinking about a Pub in north London that I visited in 1969 & as I believe was only opened one or two years before, by Colin Chapman himself.
The Bar was in typical mid 60's "taste?". The decorations consisted of a few steering wheels & some pictures of Lotus competition cars, Colin Chapman & a few other Lotus notables.
The Pub was actually called "Pub Lotus" a sort of Pun on the name "Club Lotus"
(Ooh is mentioning that Club a bannable offence? Embarassed )
The Pub's life was quite short lived & I've no Idea of where to find any information on it.

You're obviously too young to remember the 60's Kim Wink
Let's see if sombody else remembers it.

Cheers
A not very Grumpy John Very Happy
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Post  Atthelimit Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:30 pm

John

I thought if you could actually remember the 60s you weren't really there!

Kim

Peace & Love
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Post  GrumpyBodger Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:43 pm

I had very strict parents, ruled with an iron rod Sad
Smoked my first joint only 10 years ago & was very happy to realise that I was lucky not wasted my money on the rubbish back then.
I do have some great memories of those times & feel priveliged to have been there when everything was "happening".
The "best years", without any shadow of doubt. Very Happy
I feel very sorry for the teenagers of today.

Surely there's some LDC members who know about "Pub Lotus"? Rolling Eyes

Cheers
John
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Post  the83man Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:59 pm

John,

I've heard about or read about this before although I was much too young to be a visitor, of course!!!! and the rumours are that it opened in north London in 1967 - Colin Chapman was supposedly there on the opening night pulling pints with Elan gear levers. It didn't last long apparently - much too specialised, I guess.

Maybe it's just a nasty rumour as I've never met anyone who has reminisced about it or claimed to have actually drank there....unless that is what you are now doing????

In the early fifties Chapman and the Allen brothers etc used to drink at the Red Cow in Hammersmith for the 750MC meets. Apparently, Donald Campbell was a regular visitor at that time as well. This is where the Birkett relay race was invented. Bill Boddy was another regular.

Mike

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Post  GrumpyBodger Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:57 am

Yep I am sooo old to be able to admit having had a pint in the Pub.
A day trip to London included a Midday pint in Pub Lotus, then as a concession to my Mate watched West Ham play then in the evening met our respective Holiday romances in a Pub on Wapping Wharf. Now that was a Pub; if only I could remember its name.
Now what did I come upstairs for? Embarassed
I also remember the Publicity Photo with CABC; probably what inspired me to visit the Emporium.
That lunchtime the "Pub Lotus" was a pretty lifeless place & it all seemed a bit clinical.
I wouldn't have gone there a 2nd time!
I feel pretty certain that Graham Arnold was involved in the project.

Well, I suppose that at least I should get a "Crackerjack" pen for bieng the only one here to have been there!
Wossat? you may well ask!
Well how about a "Blue Peter" Badge then? Laughing Laughing Laughing

Cheers
"Ol' Grumpy"
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Post  the83man Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:44 pm

I'm so glad that is real.........Now I wnat to see a photo.
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Post  GrumpyBodger Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:36 am

the83man wrote:I'm so glad that is real.........Now I wnat to see a photo.

I'll ask Alan Morgan if he has anything in "the archives"
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Post  GrumpyBodger Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:00 pm

Atthelimit wrote:Hi Mr grumpy

Re your question, here is some information on the pub and comes from the Lotus museum site. If you look it up and go to newsletter July 2007 NL no3 you will find this and the photos of the pub to go with it. It stands very close to the early Lotus show room which they have bought for the site of the proposed Lotus museum and education centre. For more details see http://www.colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk/Index.htm

The Wishing Well Pub at 5 Tottenham Lane Hornsey was built in 1865 to serve the Hornsey station and rebuilt in 1896. The pub has been through a number of name changes: the Wishing Well, the Fiddlers Elbow and of particular interest to Lotus lovers and the CCMEC, the Railway Hotel.
Colin Chapman was raised in Hornsey (he lived in the old Railway Hotel) and used to test drive his cars round Alexandra Park from his workshop on the Cranford Way Industrial Estate.
The CCMEC have been talking to the brewery which owns the Wishing Well about changing the name back to the Railway Hotel and to give it a Lotus theme. The pictures below show the Wishing Well as it is today. The CCMEC would like to thank the people who work at the Wishing Well and the brewery for their help and support

Railway Hotel, now called The Wishing Well, which was owned by Colin Chapman's father, Stan. The original Lotus works were previously a stable block used by Stan Chapman as stores for the pub.
The company currently operating the pub, The Bar Group, intend to celebrate its link with Lotus through having a display of early Lotus photos and memorabilia in the bar area.
Hope this is what you were looking for?
Kim

Well, the mate who went into that Pub with me has done a bit of searching & head scratching.
He thinks that the "Pub Lotus" we visited was once called the Wishing Well & was re-named the Wishing Well after "Pub Lotus" folded.
Personally I'm not too certain, but that's the limit of my information.
Maybe somebody connected with the Chapman Museum could throw some more light on it?

Cheers
John
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Post  GrumpyBodger Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:24 pm

And the Quiz continues.
Lotus Heritage have managed to move things on & to my relief have confirmed that Pub Lotus was not the Wishing Well.

I hope they won't mind me pasting the quote:-


Question

"I contribute to 2 Lotus Forums; one being the LDC
site & the other LotusElan.net.


For some weeks now we have been trying to find out a
bit more about a "Pub Lotus" which I remember visiting one lunchtime whilst on a
day trip to London in 1969.
I think that Graham Arnold of Club Lotus was involved with the venture.
The mate I was with thinks that the Pub was
previously called the Wishing Well & after Pub Lotus failed, resumed its
previous name.


I'd be very gratefull if you could let me know if
that is so & any other information you may have.
Are there any archive Photos of Pub Lotus?"


Answer

This
is partly answered by last months newslettere as we highlighted the sad
demise of the Wishing Well. However the Wishing Well and Pub Lotus were
not the same place. One of regular readers and helpers with
information, Richard Hinton, was at the opening and tells me it was in
Primrose Hill and did not last long.

So far no photo has been found, anyone out there with a copy?
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Post  Atthelimit Thu Nov 26, 2009 3:33 pm

Alterations to my house have forced me into the loft to sift and discard the 25 years worth of tat or valuable memorabilia (depends on your point of view, which seems to be man versus woman at present) and decide what indeed to do with it.

Keep it, sell it or throw it, being the various options before me. However, in order to reach a decision you have to look through all this stuff to “evaluate” it, is it a rare and treasured artifact or just something that was kept that, you were definitely going to do something with one day.


In the course of this very time consuming “evaluation” I came across this photo which I remembered from this thread. Unfortunately the accompanying article made no further reference to the picture but it substantiates what has been said before and adds another bit to the puzzle.


"Pub Lotus" Publotus555


I have lots of stuff to evaluate/liberate and it’s all piled high in the hallway at present so watch out for some more gems from the archive or maybe watch the dustbin man get a hernia carting it all away!

Kim
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Post  GrumpyBodger Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:47 pm

Well that's a Photo that some of us have been waiting for.
You may be aware that I've stirred up the Guys at http://www.colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk/
There's also a thread on this subject on LotusElan.net.
Would you be kind enough to forward this information on to both & Alan at Club Lotus or would you prefer that I do (with your permission of course)?
Many thanks indeed Kim, another link in the chain.

Cheers
John
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Post  Atthelimit Thu Nov 26, 2009 8:45 pm

John,

If you could pass it on for me that would be great, computer on the blink at home, a cloned antivirus and it has screwed things up for me and I can only use the internet at work at present, so time is limited.

Kim
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Post  the83man Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:08 pm

Weh! Brilliant stuff Kim, photo at last.

The weird thing is, now that I've seen it I know I've seen it before. It must be in a book or magazine here somewhere.......... Oh how much fun the Christmas break is going to be!
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Post  GrumpyBodger Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:56 pm

Atthelimit wrote:Alterations to my house have forced me into the loft to sift and discard the 25 years worth of tat or valuable memorabilia (depends on your point of view, which seems to be man versus woman at present) and decide what indeed to do with it.

Keep it, sell it or throw it, being the various options before me. However, in order to reach a decision you have to look through all this stuff to “evaluate” it, is it a rare and treasured artifact or just something that was kept that, you were definitely going to do something with one day.


In the course of this very time consuming “evaluation” I came across this photo which I remembered from this thread. Unfortunately the accompanying article made no further reference to the picture but it substantiates what has been said before and adds another bit to the puzzle.


"Pub Lotus" Publotus555


I have lots of stuff to evaluate/liberate and it’s all piled high in the hallway at present so watch out for some more gems from the archive or maybe watch the dustbin man get a hernia carting it all away!

Kim

Hi Kim,
before I forward this picture on it may be worth considering adding the accompanying article dependent on the content i.e, Pub Lotus info'

Cheers
John
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Post  Atthelimit Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:11 pm

Hi John,

No there really is no point. It was in an article about things that had been left out of a Lotus book and which might find their way into another book at some point.

The article was written by Graham Arnold but it was more to do with him writing a BMW book than it was about Lotus so I don't think it would add anything. It does not even mention the name of the lotus book which it was left out of. It was more a bit of Mr Arnolds self promotion than anything else.


Kim
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Post  GrumpyBodger Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:32 pm

Ah yes, the Man we came to know & love "Pub Lotus" Icon_rolleyes
OK Kim I'll just send on the Picture as previously mentioned.
Cheers
John
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Post  Team Lotus Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:35 am

Hi

Just read your peice on Pub Lotus, I have a selection of proof photographs I would guess from the opening. ACBC and Mrs Chapman are behind the bar, Mrs C with a huge bunch of flowers. Stirling is also in attendence with a Type 18. Bobby Moore is also there.
Would post but do not have a scanner.

Hope that helps

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Post  GrumpyBodger Sat Jan 23, 2010 12:42 pm

Hi Richard,

that is good news, we must find a way of getting them digitalised.
Since the subject was raised there's been quite bit of interest but a lack of information.
The Colin Chapman Museum people are particularly interested in obtaining Photos & any information on the Pub.
Your "fresh Photographs" is a great move forwards.
What was your involvement please.
PM me if you prefer.

Thanks very much!
Cheers
John


Last edited by GrumpyBodger on Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Post  Team Lotus Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:24 pm

Hey John

Where do I start....my 2 elder brothers worked at Cheshunt for about a year prior to Lotus moving to Hethel. We had followed Lotus from the early 60's and I joined as their first school leaver in late 68 with the help of Ted Elliot (assembly manager) and family friend.

Over the years have collected bits & pieces, most from the dumpsters around the factory. About 2 years ago I had a call from a woman saying she had found a box of litho plates (old style printing plates) in her loft. How they got there I have no idea, but went over to have a look. There was about 130, most are general notice board information re works committe, quite a few are very interesting, some marked 'confidential' which relates to 2 proposed models...the 412 Elan, with matt black bodywork and Gold Leaf Team Lotus nose badge etc. The other an bigger engined +2.

Strangly enough one of the plates related to Pub Lotus. I left Lotus in the mid 70's to go into the world of sales, although I have gone full circle, back in 99 I was asked to 'help' with the driver training at Hethel. My 'proper' job is coaching people in public speaking etc. I also run the factory tour at Lotus on Wednesday's and help Clive at Classic Team Lotus, so I guess I have one of the best job's in the world for a Lotus nut.

Sorry your simple question has resulted in such a long reply.

Best wishes

Richard

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Post  GrumpyBodger Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:59 pm

Hi Richard,

well how do I answer that!
My flabber is gasted.
Being who you are & doing what you do, you have all of the contacts imaginable.
You must surely be aware of the Historic value of all of the things in your possession & your own personal Lotus Knowledge?
On the other hand it would seem that those with an intense interest in documenting Lotus History may not be aware of your "Collection".
It may have been a bit presumptuous of me but I have e-mailed my Contact at the Chapman Museum informing him of your Photos & directed him to this Forum so let's watch this space for a while.

In any case your story is worth telling & I feel sure that Tim the editor of "Chicane" will quickly be on your Tail for a story.
Poor Richard, you've pulled the pin & now the Bomb is ticking.
Regarding the Photos; can't you get them scanned at work? They are after all Work related, well sort of.


Cheers
John

P.S. I have a somewhat similar Work background but at BMW. "Pub Lotus" Icon_rolleyes
P.P.S. Oh & I'd love to know more about that "Bigger Engined Elan".
There have been lots of rumours about a proposed replacement of the Twincam by the BDA Engine on LotusElan.net Forum
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Post  TimS Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:02 pm

All very interesting and exciting stuff Richard, as John said, an article for Chicane would be very welcome, I'm sure our members would really enjoy it so feel free to put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard please!
Cheers,
Tim.
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Post  the83man Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:14 am

This is good stuff - some postive information on Pub Lotus - what a breakthrough. As John says, I'm sure that the CCMEC boys will be knockin' at your door.

Incidentally John, I see you got a 'highly commended' in this year's Christmas quiz on the CCMEC web site. Modesty should forbid me ( but has failed) from telling you that I won it last year and was therefore barred from taking part this year. I did it for fun anyway and was told I would have been second...... All this does, of course, is confirm my 'anorak' status and Im sure many will never talk to me again.......
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Post  GrumpyBodger Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:58 pm

Errrm, Mike it was actually "The Wooden Spoon" Prize.
My Lotus History is lousy.
But hey the Winner only got 80% correct
Subject best left alone to spare my blushes "Pub Lotus" Icon_clown
In fact I think I'll offer the Organiser a Pint to keep quiet "Pub Lotus" Icon_wink

John
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