The 2008 History Walk started at the Grace Darling Hotel. It also ended there as tired and thirsty walkers settled in for a drink and more chatting about hotel history.
Despite wind and the threat of rain, the ever-popular theme of hotels for this year's annual history walk attracted an attendance of about 40 enthusiastic members and visitors. Based on the research done by the Hotels Working Group - Frances, Anne, Chris and Penny - the walk uncovered some surprising finds down back streets. Most people who spend any time in Collingwood know the Grace Darling (our oldest pub), the Sir Robert Peel, grandly re-built around 1913, the Prince Patrick, former comedy venue now highly renovated inside and fashionably distressed outside, and The Vine with its distinctive corner tower. But have you seen the Bristol and Bath Hotel, the Brandon Hotel, Barnard's Hotel with William Barnard's confectionery shop next door, or the Star Hotel with its distinctive star motif? And have you heard about the publican jailed for a month for aussalting one of his patrons with a lemonade bottle? Did you know that Foster's Lager originated in Rokeby St Collingwood?
If you missed the walk, all this information and more will be found on our website in 2009.
