Crompton 'Salon' 2012??

I've been giving a lot of thought about how to organise our exhibitions next year. The difficulty is that, as many of you are aware, the pub is on the market - as a result it's a bit tricky to programme when we don't know whether we'll still be around. We have a drawing exhibition on currently - organised by Crocus Gallery and the fantastic Green Door Printmaking will be showing during November & December - but I need to make a few decisions about next year... (Those who I've already booked will still have their exhibition as agreed)
What I'm considering is dividing the pub wall space into sections (6/7) and along with the 2 craft cases offer on a monthly first come first served basis. The artist is responsible for hanging their work and taking it down (as usual we'll look after sales where possible, at 0% commission). What is shown is completely up to the artist (with the usual provisos) so it may be new work or work which is gathering dust and needs to be cleared out to make some space. (The idea came about as I have quite a lot of work which is no longer relevant to what I'm now doing and it would be good to try to sell some). It can be a single piece of work or it can be 'piled high'. At the beginning of every month we'll have an 'opening' for the new cycle of work. Hopefully this will result in a really eclectic range of work.
The fee for a space will be an entry for our mail art exhibition which will still occupy the pool room space :) More details soon - but in the meantime can all you artists out there let me know what you think?

The barMate????

If you saw Dragon's Den this week you'll know what the barMate  is.Read an article about it here: http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Opinion/The-Guv-nor/Dragons-Done/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily&c=NHhM%2FF2wC%2FO4bbluFlo5VxmsTEcKyfNa

The Crompton 1945 - 1961

Back in June we had a very special visitor at The Crompton. Richard Land and his wife Marian popped in. Those of you with a copy of Psssst (Anniversary edition) will know that we had a list of all the licensees since the pub opened in 1864 (copy on sidebar). From 1st November 1945 Eric Land was the licensee and from 6th March 1952, after his death, until 4th January 1961 his wife Mabel Land took over the licence. Richard Land is their son and was born in the pub (then known as Queens Hotel).

Eric Land

Mabel Land

Mabel and Richard in the pub garden

Richard and Marian bought along lots of newspaper clippings and photos and have very kindly sent me copies to share here. On January 8th 1954, the Derby Evening Telegraph ran a whole page feature. At the time many of the artistes who played at Derby Hippodrome stayed at the Hotel. It was a really lovely opportunity to talk about the Crompton's past with someone who was a part of it.

The lower photo above is captioned 'Cocktail bar joke between Mr M. Ausell, Mr Wood and Mrs H McLoughlin' Apparently the cocktail bar was in the upstairs front room and was for the use of guests staying at the hotel.

A letter to Mrs Land from Roy Leo who was staying at the Hotel whilst playing at the Hippodrome

Mrs Land standing outside the side entrance to the pub (blocked up now but still visible)

Skipper the dog

Unknown group

Mr. A Watson & Mr. C Bradburn playing cribbage

Mr A Porter, Mr H Fearnehough and Mrs Land

Mrs E Willetts who lived on Crompton Street and had been a regular for 40 years

Mrs Land - caption in newspaper 'close up of the Queen's charming hostess, Mrs Land'

(So - no more landlady, barmaid etc. in future charming hostess please...)

Newspaper caption 'Studying photographs of stage artists who have stayed at the Queen's are Mr and Mrs A. Houldsworth'

Says it all...

Red Nose Day....this Friday,

For more info go to events calender on website or visit our team page HERE.

Tasty Food and Wine.....

Valentine Amuse-Bouche 

The next Amuse-Bouche - with an Easter theme - will be on Tuesday 19th April - get your name down behind the bar and prepare for a delicious array of tasty food. Also coming soon - a series of monthly wine tastings by Spirit of the Place which will take place on the first Tuesday of every month (beginning on the 5th of April with 'Sparklies for the Summer'). More info and how to get tickets will be on the website very soon...

Beer Mat Publication

I have just embedded an issuu publication of (nearly) all the beermats from our 2010 exhibition (- view from the sidebar). I've used the latest beta edition - so any problems let me know! Apologies if I've not included yours or it's upside down etc. but I did my best to include almost everything which involved a very long scanning session! (I have excluded some - so those of you whose children have contributed should be able to safely explore!)