22/07/22 - From Mark E Smith to Karl Marx - A Prestwich to Salford Pub Walk

Distance - 5.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Best Pub Walks in and around Manchester - Walk 2

It was an excellent blog that brought the Foresters - an ugly looking community pub in a non-descript Manchester suburb - to my attention. A lovely read about the disappearing breed of pub men that goes on to mention that this pub has some famous former patrons. No surprises that one is Mark E Smith but could you imagine bumping into the Velvet Underground's Nico in such a place?

I marked the Foresters as a "must visit" and a decent looking route from Heaton Park to Salford could easily be adapted. The 66 bus dropping me off at the back door.

A pint before the walking starts.

If I can work out how to get served. The rear entrance leads to a corridor of doors.  Should I pick the one labelled "the vault" or "lounge". Going safe with the lounge, leads to a central bar where the staff are engaged on their social media. I don't want to bring attention to myself by shouting, so over to the Vault I go. At least I have had a good look around the pub.

Spot the Bar Staff

The Vault is the more likely place to be offered contraband, so I head back to the lounge to sit amongst the safety of the old boys.  A gentle atmosphere, where every one is acknowledged on entry by name.

Jospeh Holts and the bitter was good enough for Indie pop stars of much repute, so good enough for me.

Where do you go sightseeing on Friday Evenings?

One day, all chippies will have a mural

I contemplated a first ramble munching on chips but look carefully and you will see the queue is out the door. An urban walk along the Bury New Road before the Golf Club leads to the housing estates of Kersal.

The aim is to pick up the River Irwell at the cliff.  An extraordinarily empty landscape, where the river meanders in a series of horseshoe bends before it turns into a ship canal.  You wouldn't believe how close to the cities you are.

The River Irwell from a footbridge

The empty space of "The Cliff"

Getting closer to the River..... Manchester ahead.

The walk terminates at another pub famous for its former patrons.  The Crescent closed down in 2017.  It's Grade II listed and despite looking like its been left to rot, could be making a comeback.

Got half hour to spare and want a look inside - Youtube has a video

Originally, it was named the Red Dragon - and used by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 1860s.  Rumour has it, and its always rumour, that their Communist manifesto were honed over drinks.

And all I do in pubs is try and think of one-liners for Untappd check ins.  

And the future?  A 2021 Manchester Evening News article suggests that it has been brought, aptly by Chinese investors, and will come back to life as the a live music/real ale venue. Reverting to the Red Dragon name.  

I don't necessarily hold out much hope.  The Baggies have Chinese investors and so far, they have borrowed £10m from the club and are investigating how to sell the ground. 

Lets hope these pass the "Fit and Proper" test of pub ownership.