Lost locals

London pubs: hearts of oak

The Royal Oak pub in Temple Fortune has closed and London-RIP is, frankly, gutted. Read our obituaries to this little-known, 145-year-old boozer.

Royal Oak RIP part one: the 70s

Everyone has at least one local at some point in their lives � eg a pub where you'll always find someone you know � and the Royal Oak was mine when I was a teenager in the 70s. The strange thing about it then was how out of place it was � the back bar in particular. It was as if a pub from the wrong side of the tracks in a small town had somehow materialised in the middle of a supremely dull, affluent suburb.

For me, it was a place of paralytic teenage drunkenness and occasional, furtive stoned-ness � great, in other words. There was pool and a large room at the back with music, just the sort of things to delight people too young to be in there in the first place. I think the more adult, respectable drinkers hung out in the front bar, although I rarely went in there.

Temple Fortune�s other pub, the Golden Eagle, closed years ago and, although nothing has been confirmed, the Oak has been swiftly wrapped in scaffolding and is rumoured to be earmarked for luxury flats. The final nail in the coffin then, for any sort of community nightlife in the area, and another bit of everyday heritage sacrificed to the seemingly insatiable demand for unaffordable housing. I wonder what it�s like to grow up around there now? Very boring, I should think.

Royal Oak RIP part two: the 80s

The Royal Oak has, begrudgingly, figured greatly in my life. I went through a period of going there in the early 80s meeting up with a group of fellow locals drinking and furtively smoking in the back bar. It even has a place in London musical history in that members of the Pogues, Spider Stacey in particular, would drink voluminously there.

It was my local and although there was nothing particularly memorable about it, perhaps that is the point. The era of the nondescript local boozer serving beer and such gastronomic delights as Scampi Fries seems to be thing of the past. Pubs nowadays seem to be either anonymous, rapidly shrinking, formulaic chains, or gastro pubs. A pub like the Oak was a democratic and inclusive venue in a Victorian building of local historical interest. It meant something.

All life was there. The last time I went there was a choice between an Anne Summers sale and a stripper, as well as young orthodox Jews having a pint. The Oak was clearly never classy but provided a focal point for the neighbourhood. Now it�s gone and an already sedate area is all the more dull. The more seasoned local drinkers are lost without it. Without pubs such as the Oak, the idea of community becomes ever more meaningless.

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Message:	15/15
Date and time:	11/01/2011 at 15:36:45
Sender:	Boozyofficeboy

Ive just noticed my Local the Royal Oak in North Woolwich all boarded up, unless their was a riot their yesterday, it does seem it has sadly closed up for good, the only local pub left in this desoulute area is no more, the demise of the local pub is a sad refection on our society we would all rather not socialise together anymore.

Message:	14/15
Date and time:	27/09/2010 at 19:43:25
Sender:	Phil

Although the Weavers Arms is still there as a pub, is isn't London's premier country, folk and blues venue anymore unfortunately. How Joe Giltrap, the guvnor, got such quality acts to play in a small venue on the Hackney/Islington borders is anyone's guess. At one time it was a little bit of Austin Texas in London with the mighty Butch Hancocks, Robert Earl Keen and Rosie Flores all playing there. British acts such as Wes McGhee, Hank Wangford and the much missed Audio Murphy were also regular performers. The jukebox was brilliant too with Hank Williams and many other country greats. We had to schelp over to the Half Moon Putney last week to see the reformed Ducks Deluxe (who were great). Along with the Windmill in Brixton it seems that the devil that is South London has all the best tunes nowadays! Phil

Message:	13/15
Date and time:	16/12/2009 at 17:49:27
Sender:	Terry

In the late 40's as a child I lived above the Royal Oak in Stanley house with my young parents,we shared a large flat with a couple of my parents friends,all relaxed in the Oak for many an evening.I had a wonderful childhood in Temple Fortune.

Message:	12/15
Date and time:	18/10/2009 at 10:26:33
Sender:	Chris

The Royal Oak is still boarded up. God Bless the Developers. Gavin, get it touch with me at jonachris@sky.com

Message:	11/15
Date and time:	11/10/2009 at 23:27:52
Sender:	Gavin

I've known this pub for several years as a french barman. Great memories of all the commuity who came there during the mid nineties. I woundn't miss the opportunity to come one's more and have a drink in this place which still keep a bit of magic in my heart

Message:	10/15
Date and time:	16/07/2008 at 15:55:08
Sender:	Dawn

Sad to hear that it closed down - I have happy memories of wandering through the bar, watching people playing on the fruit machines, etc when my parents ran the pub (early '80s to mid 90s).

Message:	9/15
Date and time:	02/07/2008 at 19:28:14
Sender:	Malcolm

The Royal Oak was my first introduction to pubs when in my teens, back in the 60's. In those days no food was offered. But there was a family feeling among the locals who gathered there. I thought it had more atmothsphere than the Golden Eagle at Henley's Corner. I live in the U.S. now, but I'm saddened by the knowledge that my old familiar grog shop is no longer there.

Message:	8/15
Date and time:	28/04/2008 at 12:24:14
Sender:	David

Does anyone have any details on what was the only pub underground at Kings Cross station, that sadly disappeared following the Kings Cross fire in 87. If so please email me at dlintonbon@hotmail.com

Message:	7/15
Date and time:	22/02/2008 at 16:19:53
Sender:	Chris

I'm sorry, I made a mistake, there are two pubs left in NW11.

Message:	6/15
Date and time:	22/02/2008 at 15:18:46
Sender:	Chris

I used this demolished building from the 70's until it's closure. To say it is an utter disgrace to close the only pub in the area is an understatement. Not the greatest of pubs, but for years you got to know most of the people who frequented the place. Now the community has been split between two small bars and only one other pub in the NW11 area. As I said, not the greatest of pubs, but do I miss it. Friends who have moved away from the area, now have nowhere to see their remaining friends. The good thing about the pub was its two bars. If you want quiet, you had the front bar, if you wanted noise, there was the back bar. This was like having two different pubs next to each other. Things started to go down hill when the brewery made the pub into one bar, the clientele changed and the food was pretty awful then. I am sure if it wasn't for this change, the Royal Oak might still be there. But then again greed, can make people ( the brewery ) do a lot of awful things. A very sad day was had when this part of Temple Fortune closed. RIP.