Bird and Baby renovation planned - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 07-07-2010, 03:02 PM

As this article says, the "Eagle and Child", Tolkien's favourite pub, where the Inklings frequently met - and Downers still do occasionally - is due for renovation. Fortunately for those of us who plan to come to Oxonmoot in September, that won't begin until the end of the year, and perhaps we can hope that things will be done by next year's Oxonmoot.

Rumil · 07-07-2010, 04:11 PM

I hope they put the old pub sign back!

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 07-07-2010, 06:20 PM

The question is: is this good or bad news?
I do hope they don't change the place too much in their renovations. It really is lovely. The atmosphere is great.

Bêthberry · 07-07-2010, 08:10 PM

If they uncover some Tengwar initials during the renovations I shall be highly suspicious.

Mithalwen · 07-08-2010, 05:49 AM

I hope they don't tart it up to much but there aren't many Oxford pubs that have escaped being opened up and modernised...

Amanaduial the archer · 07-29-2010, 07:10 PM

Oh, sigh. That means there'll be building work right down my street all over the start of term...

LadyBrooke · 07-29-2010, 07:48 PM

Just noticed this today...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I hope they don't tart it up to much but there aren't many Oxford pubs that have escaped being opened up and modernised...

If they modernize it, I'll have a fit.

It's on my list of places I want to see in the UK. I'm unable to visit until I A.) Graduate college, get a job, and get the money to go; or B.) get into a college with a study abroad program with a chance to go to the UK. *Thuds head against desk.*

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 07-29-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyBrooke

If they modernize it, I'll have a fit.

It's on my list of places I want to see in the UK. I'm unable to visit until I A.) Graduate college, get a job, and get the money to go; or B.) get into a college with a study abroad program with a chance to go to the UK. *Thuds head against desk.*

Find a friend, work a little, and find some time. That's what I did. Took two years, but I went to the Bird and Baby with a good friend of mine. It was awesome!

I loved the atmosphere.

LadyBrooke · 07-29-2010, 09:51 PM

Still have to wait a while. I'm underage for another six months and in high school till next June and my mom's not going to let me go anywhere. She's already trying to convince me to go close to my home instead of the East Coast.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 07-29-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyBrooke

Still have to wait a while. I'm underage for another six months and in high school till next June and my mom's not going to let me go anywhere. She's already trying to convince me to go close to my home instead of the East Coast.

That's too bad.

We went with my mum. But I chat...

LadyBrooke · 07-29-2010, 10:34 PM

I doubt my mom would want to go. I'm pretty sure she's scared of flying over oceans. She doesn't want me going away for college because she's convinced that they will take advantage of my poor naive self.

Considering all of this started after I said I didn't agree with something the preacher said I think it's more like if you go away you'll no longer be under the influence of an area that hates almost all "liberal" beliefs.

Seriously I'm about this close to printing and highlighting essays showing how fantasy in general is not evil and posting it throughout the town. Oh well, two more weeks and I'll be back at school where at least some of my friends are fellow "liberals".

Bêthberry · 07-30-2010, 05:14 AM

Oxonmoot 2010--last chance for some of us to experience the Bird and Baby before renovations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanaduial the archer

Oh, sigh. That means there'll be building work right down my street all over the start of term...

Aman!!! When will you be arriving in Oxford? Or are you there now/full time? Do you have any interest in coming to Oxonmoot? At the least, let's meet somewhere--B&B, Mitre, Lamb & Flag, or your favourite pub. This would be fantastic! Look for a PM coming soon to an inbox near you . . .

Amanaduial the archer · 07-30-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Aman!!! When will you be arriving in Oxford? Or are you there now/full time? Do you have any interest in coming to Oxonmoot? At the least, let's meet somewhere--B&B, Mitre, Lamb & Flag, or your favourite pub. This would be fantastic! Look for a PM coming soon to an inbox near you . . .

Oh, apologies, looks like a missed a question in my response - yes, from next week, when I move into my beautiful house, I'm in Oxford full time, as it were, at least until next June

Mithalwen · 07-30-2010, 10:41 AM

Aman! How lovely.. I had meant to ask you how your finals went but your post suggests a Masters (that you have to work for

) or other post grad so congratulations!!!

narfforc · 08-03-2010, 06:41 AM

This calls for a picture of the Downers in the snug, I vote for ESTY to organise, well done to her.

narfforc · 09-04-2010, 11:10 AM

When we have our picture taken in The Bird and Baby, we must get the full story of this Desecration.

narfforc · 09-11-2010, 05:10 AM

Less than two weeks away, for those attending.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-13-2010, 07:12 AM

It always seems to come around so quickly. I'm looking forward to it as usual.

The Eagle and Child has already been remodelled and renovated a couple of times since Tolkien's day, so I'm sure it can survive another. In 1962 they extended to the rear and knocked the main bar through into the rabbit room, and I can't imagine them doing anything that drastic this time.

Rune Son of Bjarne · 09-13-2010, 12:46 PM

I have a hard time imagining them changing it too much, the location puts certain limitations to how much can be changed,

Of course it is nice for us geeks if they keep as it was, but I am sure we will continue coming there as long as they keep the name. Anyway, as a pub it is quite al right, but not anything spectacular.

07-07-2010, 03:02 PM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Bird and Baby renovation planned As this article says, the "Eagle and Child", Tolkien's favourite pub, where the Inklings frequently met - and Downers still do occasionally - is due for renovation. Fortunately for those of us who plan to come to Oxonmoot in September, that won't begin until the end of the year, and perhaps we can hope that things will be done by next year's Oxonmoot. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

07-07-2010, 04:11 PM	#2
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	I hope they put the old pub sign back! __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

07-07-2010, 06:20 PM	#3
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	The question is: is this good or bad news? I do hope they don't change the place too much in their renovations. It really is lovely. The atmosphere is great. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

07-07-2010, 08:10 PM	#4
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	If they uncover some Tengwar initials during the renovations I shall be highly suspicious. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

07-08-2010, 05:49 AM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	I hope they don't tart it up to much but there aren't many Oxford pubs that have escaped being opened up and modernised... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

07-29-2010, 07:10 PM	#6
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,347	Oh, sigh. That means there'll be building work right down my street all over the start of term... __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil

07-29-2010, 09:51 PM	#9
LadyBrooke Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The modern day version of Edoras: horses, wind, rolling plains =) Posts: 507	Still have to wait a while. I'm underage for another six months and in high school till next June and my mom's not going to let me go anywhere. She's already trying to convince me to go close to my home instead of the East Coast. __________________ Busy, Busy, Busy...hoping for more free time soon.

07-29-2010, 10:34 PM	#11
LadyBrooke Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The modern day version of Edoras: horses, wind, rolling plains =) Posts: 507	I doubt my mom would want to go. I'm pretty sure she's scared of flying over oceans. She doesn't want me going away for college because she's convinced that they will take advantage of my poor naive self. Considering all of this started after I said I didn't agree with something the preacher said I think it's more like if you go away you'll no longer be under the influence of an area that hates almost all "liberal" beliefs. Seriously I'm about this close to printing and highlighting essays showing how fantasy in general is not evil and posting it throughout the town. Oh well, two more weeks and I'll be back at school where at least some of my friends are fellow "liberals". __________________ Busy, Busy, Busy...hoping for more free time soon.

07-30-2010, 10:41 AM	#14
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Aman! How lovely.. I had meant to ask you how your finals went but your post suggests a Masters (that you have to work for ) or other post grad so congratulations!!! __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-03-2010, 06:41 AM	#15
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Oxonmoot 2010 This calls for a picture of the Downers in the snug, I vote for ESTY to organise, well done to her. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

09-04-2010, 11:10 AM	#16
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	When we have our picture taken in The Bird and Baby, we must get the full story of this Desecration. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

09-11-2010, 05:10 AM	#17
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Less than two weeks away, for those attending. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

09-13-2010, 07:12 AM	#18
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	It always seems to come around so quickly. I'm looking forward to it as usual. The Eagle and Child has already been remodelled and renovated a couple of times since Tolkien's day, so I'm sure it can survive another. In 1962 they extended to the rear and knocked the main bar through into the rabbit room, and I can't imagine them doing anything that drastic this time. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?