Andrew - that would be me, feel free to send me a PM. I don't ring random numbers just to be safe.
It wasn't about the connection of Tolkien to the pub in Lancs, just that the Eagle & Child in Bispham Green (AKA Th'Eagle) has the same name and origins as the Eagle & Child in Oxford (AKA Bird & Baby). Both pubs were on land owned by the Earls of Derby, the Stanley family; the houses in Bispham were part of the estate too. I guess the only real
Tolkien connection to Th' Eagle in Bispham is I used to drink there and I'm a Tolkien nutter. Sorry if that's disappointing.
I guess me and me pals from t'Green were more of a Stinklings than an Inklings.