TheTramp 139 Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 More mystery and conspiracy, not really the word to use, more than twenty years ago a friend of mine was a regular ( and crazy ) winter visitor to northern Scotland, one evening he came across a man with a Nottingham accent working in a pub, lots of conversation and eventually the Pretty Windows murder came up, the barman clammed up and found something else really important to do, never got into conversation with my friend again. It's just like ghost stories really aint it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bomber 9 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 in the early sixties the manager used to make the barstaff clean the windows once a day when they wasn't busy ,hence the saying pretty windows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Maybe wrong: fox& grapes / aesops fables/ immortalised on glassware-even windows? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 The Pretty Windows name probably derived from the art deco-styling. The frontage and both windowed sides of the pub were very distinctive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 Dropped into the newly refurbished "Pretty Windows" yesterday afternoon I can report the Castle Rock have done a fine job, I did think it would have been a lot more busier, but quite full even the new outdoor seating was full, the Castle Rock Harvest Pale was also in fine form, Mrs Red did have a gripe no Malibu? but 10 different Gins on offer? On the way back into town dropped into Bunkers Hill & the quite new Saltbox which were both packed with ice hockey fans in over sized shirts! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Visited yesterday lunch time & very nice too A little pricey but where isn't in the city centre these days Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ge off 4 Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 OK....... my parents Sam & Vi Wakefield were the landlord/lady of the Earl Howe at the time of the Fox & Grapes Murder, it is the next pub about 100meters up Carlton Rd. I was about 14 yrs at the time of the murder. Sam & Vi were interviewed several times by the police in the hope that the murderer may have previously visited the EH and they could help with enquiries, obviously a forlorn wish. I understood from my parents who were Sneinton born and bred that the F & G was nicknamed "Pretty Windows" because in the distant past someone who had been barred for brawling in the pub took exception to the ban and smashed all the pub windows one night after closing time in retribution for the perceived injustice. The nickname for the pub typifies Nottm. city humour which I love some much, I like this explanation and have had no reason to question it these last ~57yrs 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,535 Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 Nice first post Ge off,welcome to the forum Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 1 hour ago, Ge off said: ... my parents Sam & Vi Wakefield were the landlord/lady of the Earl Howe at the time of the Fox & Grapes Murder, it is the next pub about 100meters up Carlton Rd. Welcome to Nottstalgia Ge off. You may - or may not - be aware that the Earl Howe these days appears to be in a strange state of limbo. Looks like a pub, but probably hasn't been one for some time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,594 Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 Welcome to the forum, Ge off. Nice to see there's someone else who lives in Cambs.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ge off 4 Posted September 25, 2017 Report Share Posted September 25, 2017 I heard through friends of the sad state of the pub there are cellars cut into the sand stone which were used as air raid shelters in the war. When I lived there I explored a short distance along them however brick walls had been built to bar full access. It was believed that they form part of the well known underground system that Nottingham is famed for and perhaps they extended as far as the castle. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 On 8/27/2013 at 9:38 PM, mary1947 said: Is there any member who can answer the question of why The Fox and Grapes is called Pretty Windows? Maybe the window where pretty? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
letsavagoo 956 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I've read about this previously. Radford Red is on the money. It had stained glass and intricate designed windows hence the nick name. It is not Ge Off's smashed window story. This is on the BBC crime watch site quote The father-of-two was killed as he left the pub, well-known for the intricate design of its windows, to take the family dog for a walk shortly after midnight. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-24600834 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted April 7, 2020 Report Share Posted April 7, 2020 On 9/11/2013 at 5:21 AM, mick2me said: Shame Nipper Read was busy with the Krays Detective Leonard “Nipper” Reid died today aged 95, I believe there is a Nottingham connection? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-52201667?at_custom3=Regional+BBC+East+Midlands&at_medium=custom7&at_custom2=twitter&at_campaign=64&at_custom4=3368D3E4-78F1-11EA-A13B-DF8596E8478F&at_custom1=link Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted April 11, 2020 Report Share Posted April 11, 2020 Didn't he keep a pub after he retired Beeston Rylands way ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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