February 12th 2001.
Author C.Skelton.
Historical Content Mr Ces Mowthorpe (With thanks).
Photograph the Ces Mowthorpe collection c1904
A Brief History of the Buck Inn
Situated in Bridlington Street, Hunmanby North Yorkshire.
The Buck Inn gets its name from the Buck family who lived in the property we now know as the Buck Inn. The Buck as it is now, is the result of three cottages being joined into one. Around 1904 it was only the middle cottage of the three that was known as a drinking house, as pubs were called in those days (probably only had a license to sell beer, not spirits. Two separate licenses being required in those days). In the late forties the landlord was a Mr and Mrs Clifford Parker. Then came the popular Gerry and Molly Squires and their two sons, Stuart and Paul. Gerry could often be found playing his piano on a Saturday night when all the regulars would join in and sing along. The Squires left the Buck around Feb 1962 to take on a pub in Grimsby. Where upon, the legendary Les and Jean Bamkin took over. This for many people in the village was the start of a popular phase for The Buck, which lasted up to the retirement in 1978 of Les and Jean. Like many famous comedians Les had a catch phrase, which often had people in stitches. At carefully chosen moments Les could often be heard explaining to some stroppy customer "P--s off "two words for which he will always be fondly remembered.
Les, Jean their daughter Julie, and son in law Jim Mason came to the area from their home city of Manchester.
The cost of moving to Flamborough (their first port of call) was an amazing £23! The known owners of the Buck have been Hewitts, Moor and Robsons, Hammonds, Charringtons through to its present owners Bass.
The Buck was perhaps one of the first pubs in the area to install a pinball machine (although Mowthorpes coffee bar, at the top of Stonegate had one), which proved very popular. Some regulars would compete to attain the highest score with Les and Jean sometimes offering a prize for the winner. At this time (1960s/70s) a pint of best bitter would set you back a mere 1s-1d (one and a penny), 51/2p new money, a shot of spirits 2s-6d (two and six), 121/2p in old money. Darts and dominoes were popular pub games then as they are now. In the early 70s the Buck had much success with its darts teams who won promotion during three successive seasons. They also won the team cup on two occasions, the first one without conceding a leg all season (still a record perhaps). Some players who made quite a name for themselves then were Dick (Jackets) Coates, Frank Nestfield, his son Albert (Nessie), Ken Ward, Mickey Moore (Moorie), Steve (Dobbo) Dobson, his brother Andrew (Kono) Dobson, Frank (Cush) Bushby, Ken (Carpie) Carpenter, John (Rocket) Robson, Tony (Rando) Randerson, Alec Penny, the late and sadly missed Alan Purdy, Peter (Jock) Skelton and, eye sight permitting Stephen (Shet) Sinclair the captain. (The nickname Shet was actually given to him by the afore mentioned Les Bamkin who would remark upon Steve entering the Buck in the hot summers " ey up here comes Short Shirt Steve" a reference to the short sleeved shirt that Steve would be wearing. From Steve to sleeve, from sleeve to shirt, from shirt to shet). On the dominoe front who can forget the likes of Arthur Hill, Annie Burgess, George Brignall, Tom Pilmoor, Billy Mitchell, Tony Sutton, Stan Smith, Frank Stubbs and Edward Story, not forgetting Arthur Shipley (Ship) to name but a few. All classic Hunmanby pub characters.
In actual fact the Buck became a very good seat of learning re, the art of darts and dominoes, players came from far around to sign up and play during the winter seasons. Dominoes was not however a cheap game to play (among some of the wily old characters), and was often played for high stakes. For example a game was played for half a crown 2s-6d (12.5p) new money, plus one old penny for every peg you were behind, this meant that if you hadn't turned the corner on the peg board (a board used to keep score) so as to speak it could cost you over 5s-0d (five bob), 25p per game. A lot of money in those days as five shillings 5s-0d would buy you 4.5 pints of bitter (£7.80 being today's equivalent).
After the retirement of Les and Jean Bamkin, Howard and Joan Richardson took over at the Buck and remained there until 1992. Howard and Joan simply continued to run the Buck in the time honoured tradition that the locals were now accusstumed to. Howard and Joan moved back to Scarborough after around 15 years of pint pulling and the tenancy was then taken on by Stuart and Sue Brown, who moved on after a couple of years. Next came David and Angela Smith who stayed approx 18 months before handing over to Geoff and Annelei Allen. Geoff became well known for his loyal support of Manchester United for which he had to endure some rather over zealous leg pulling. However being the good sport that Manchester United supporters are well known for, no offence was ever taken. A six-week period then followed when the Buck was run by temporary staff appointed by the brewery, until Mr Bill and Jeanette Barker took over who remain to this day.
Like most pubs in the village the Buck has undergone lots of alterations.
The mock Tudor frontage being added about 1912. The bar area and the front room has had many a facelift, the first was in 1951 when Messer's H.C.Mowthorpe and Sons, doubled the size of the bar area by knocking through to the cottage next door. New toilets were built at the rear and the lounge to the left of the main entrance was modernised. Peter Warcup and Brian Downes were two local men employed by Mowthorpes, who were involved in carrying out this work. More alterations took place in 1984, which were complicated by a wall almost collapsing, rendering half the pub being closed due to it being a danger to the public. However when all the legalities were sorted out relating to this building work, and the brewery accepting responsibility for the resulting repairs, the alterations were completed. These alterations included demolishing Tommy Dobsons cottage at the rear and also brought into use the property next door, (Botts cottage and shop), which had belonged to the pubs owners, Bass. This resulted in more public accommodation. Live music is provided most weekends and the Buck still runs a darts team as it has for many years, plus pool and domino teams. Food is available most days and local organisations are most welcome to use the Bucks facilities.
The Buck is situated on Bridlington Street, which runs north to south through the village. To the rear is Cross Hill (village common ground) providing ample car parking for visitors wishing to use the Buck.
Although the writer has concentrated on the period 1940 to 2000 (mainly the 60s/70s). There are I am sure many more interesting facts and figures etc that could be written about the Buck. However I have based this short history on the period I am most familiar with, should any one else wish to add, correct or contribute, to the history of the Buck, please contact me with details.
This is the all conquering darts team.
Back row left to right,
Andrew (cono) Dobson, Steve Dobson, Frank (cush) Bushby, Ken Ward,
Albert Nesfield, John (rocket) Robson.
Front row left to right,
Ken (carpy) Carpenter, Peter (jock) Skelton, Stephen (shet) Sinclair,
Mickey Moore, Alec Penny, Unknown