PPPG
POTTERIES PUB PRESERVATION GROUPHistory of the Organisation
The "Initiative"
Following the controversy surrounding the conversion of The Bull's Head in Newcastle under Lyme into Scruffy Murphy's Irish theme pub in 1996, members of Potteries Heritage Society and the Potteries branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) together with other interested individuals formed the Potteries Pub Preservation Initiative.
The Initiative soon established a dedicated working group of enthusiasts which included representation from a number of interested groups and professions.
Within a few months the Initiative had made itself known to, and encouraged support from, local politicians, councillors, town planners and other officers, and through articles in the Sentinel newspaper and other publications, the general public.
The Initiative set itself some initial tasks to steer it towards its goals:
- To list the pubs of interest and those features which contribute to their character or architectural merit.
- To explore the mechanisms by which public houses can be protected from demolition or substantial alteration.
- To examine the ways in which public houses can retain their features and character whilst continuing to attract the customers who sustain their revenue.
These are on-going tasks:
After a year as an "Initiative" it became clear that, in order to promote itself properly and finance these actions, the group needed to establish itself on a more stable footing and invite others who share our concerns to become members.
The Group
In July 1997 the Initiative adopted a constitution, elected its officers and established itself as a society called the "Potteries Pub Preservation Group". The Group seeks to encourage a wide and diverse membership who support its core objectives.
The Group meets each month, usually on the third Wednesday evening. The meetings are informal but are to a set agenda and carefully minuted. Different pubs are chosen as venues and the evening is concluded with an informal drinking session in one of our historic towns.
Previous Campaigns
