A photo of The George And Dragon, Norton High Street, which was described as 1930s. Is this the true definition of a Public House?, it really looks like it was somebody’s house, that was opened to the public.
Photo and details courtesy of Jonathan May.
Picture Stockton Archive 
Whenever I passed this public house, I used to imagine going inside and saying to the barmaid “Is George In?”
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Exactly as I remember it growing up in Norton, the back entrance on Mill Street was were the Beer was off loaded. The back area of the Pub was altered into a large lounge after the war, had a few drinks in there in my time. The Top House, George, Swan, and Red Lion were our training grounds, the old hands taught us how to drink play domino’s and darts, rather a costly education.
They will all have changed now as it is many years since I was in any of them.
Maybe when lockdown lifts I will go and see?
Frank.
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Frank, I guess the old hands knew what they they were doing if they taught you in that order? drinks first, then play dominos or darts!
This place is still very recognisable today, with the upper floor retaining the original window layout and the outbuilding at the back. Shame the lovely arched doorways & windows were removed, especially as the new windows are in the same places & no bigger than the old ones. I guess it needed an updated modern look at some point.
https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2018/09/06/george-dragon-norton/
https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2018/03/07/mill-street-norton-c2017/
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J.May. We sat watching then if someone went to the bar or was otherwise engaged we were allowed to sit in, you played for money or on the Dart board for beer. In time you became the person taking the money from the young fools. It was Billiards in my day snooker was for the underclass who needed more balls to hit and in Sloans you had to have half a crown in your pocket for the final knockdown. It did teach me gambling was a fools game play to your strengths, a lesson I took to heart. Many a young Sergeant coming in to the mess and wanting to sit in our Solo school also learned that lesson.
Frank.
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At first I thought you meant that the building was thought to be 1930s before realizing you meant the photo! It certainly looks as if it was built as a private house,
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Is that Norton High Street rather than North? I suspect it may well be.
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