These photographs of the White Hart on Dovecot Street were taken in the early 1980s for an an architectural survey.
Photographs and details courtesy of Chris Bailey.
The White Hart, early 1980s
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
I used to drink in the White Hart, in the the 1970’s. I remember 1974, the price of a pint was 14p. The front bar was generally a mens environment sort of place. There was of course the snug, smoke room and the lounge. It was a real town pub with no frills, unlike the pubs nowadays. I remember the long corridor which led to the former stables at the rear. It was a good pub in its day.
We all thought it was a dump – in the 1960’s. Black Lion & Vane Arms were the ‘in’ places until demolished to build the concrete eyesore which itself has recently been demolished.
The White Hart used to be a “rocker” hangout. Lots of black leather and Brylcream. So the juke box was loaded with rock ‘n roll. Except for one song, Jim Reeves “I Hear the Sound of Distant Drums”, which was a favorite of the older bartender.
One Friday evening, my friend Tim Dunne and I ventured into the White Hart, pockets full of with tanners or whatever the juke box was currently accepting. We selected Jim Reeves’ song about 5 or 6 times and retired to the corner with our pints.
“Distant Drums” played completely through once, but during the second time, all hell broke loose and the regulars were rocking the juke box, getting it to abort the subsequent selections of “Distant Drums” and screaming “Who the **** is feeding the juke box with this ****?”
But Tim and I were very good at sitting with angelic looks on our faces. Another recollection of a misspent youth.