Walt's Cafe - by popular demand

Photo:Walt Hall. Carol writes: "this one is a rare one where he hasn't got his braces fastened with a pin or his flat cap on. He was one of the happiest, easy going men I've ever known".

Walt Hall. Carol writes: "this one is a rare one where he hasn't got his braces fastened with a pin or his flat cap on. He was one of the happiest, easy going men I've ever known".

C. Brunt

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Walt's Cafe - by popular demand' page

C. Brunt

Photo:Grandad always kept the grounds spotless. He worked really hard and loved the garden and pond

Grandad always kept the grounds spotless. He worked really hard and loved the garden and pond

C. Brunt

Photo:The pond

The pond

C. Brunt

Photo:The pond

The pond

C. Brunt

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Walt's Cafe - by popular demand' page

C. Brunt

Photo:Bird table and greenhouse

Bird table and greenhouse

C. Brunt

Photo:Bruce - he was one of Granddads favourite dogs

Bruce - he was one of Granddads favourite dogs

Photo:Grandad Walt

Grandad Walt

C. Brunt

Photo:This is Lilly Hall (Walt's wife). Carol writes "My nan often played the piano in the huge hall at the back of the cafe, she was an expert".

This is Lilly Hall (Walt's wife). Carol writes "My nan often played the piano in the huge hall at the back of the cafe, she was an expert".

Photo:My dad, Gordon French, at the cafe when he met my mum, Maureen Hall. My dad's family lived in Blyth at The Homestead and his aunts Olive had The White House cafe near the green.

My dad, Gordon French, at the cafe when he met my mum, Maureen Hall. My dad's family lived in Blyth at The Homestead and his aunts Olive had The White House cafe near the green.

C. Brunt

Photo:My mum Maureen Hall, married Gordon and became French. Mum helped at the cafe.

My mum Maureen Hall, married Gordon and became French. Mum helped at the cafe.

C. Brunt

Photo:Carol French (now Brunt) with Walt at the side of the cafe

Carol French (now Brunt) with Walt at the side of the cafe

C. Brunt

Photo:John French (Carol's brother) with Walt and the donkeys

John French (Carol's brother) with Walt and the donkeys

C. Brunt

Photo:Grandad had lovely gardens by the bungalow at the cafe. My brother, cousins and I loved to play there.

Grandad had lovely gardens by the bungalow at the cafe. My brother, cousins and I loved to play there.

C. Brunt

Photo:Christmas meant late night on New Years Eve, dancing with my nan Lilly Hall at the Memorial Hall in the village at Blyth

Christmas meant late night on New Years Eve, dancing with my nan Lilly Hall at the Memorial Hall in the village at Blyth

C. Brunt

 

A good number of visitors to OurNottinghamshire found Malcolm Marples' page on 'Walt's Cafe' stirred a lot of fond memories.

The café - officially called the Bridge Tearooms - was located at Blyth in the north of Nottinghamshire.

As a result of Malcolm's original article we were very pleased to be contacted by Walt's granddaughter, Carol Brunt (nee French) who mentioned that she had her own collection of photos of Walt and the café.

Carol has very kindly allowed these pictures to be posted on our website - and here they are!

We hope they stir even more happy memories, and if so, please leave a 'Comment' via the link at the bottom of the page.

For information on the Bridge Cafe in the war years, click HERE

Carol's original message to OurNottinghamshire:

 "I'm Walt Hall's  granddaughter and I have some very happy memories of busy times at the cafe, outside on the lawn with what seemed like hundreds of cyclists in the sunshine. My grandad loved everybody, he always had a smile, he lived for the cafe and the bikes.... He knew everything about bikes, my brother John and I always had a good one, and we could make a mean trolley to ride down the hill to the car park..... Fun times... Carol"

This page was added by Website Administrator on 16/09/2014.
Comments about this page

Great to see these photos and the Walt I remember. I only vaguely recall Mrs Walt as she was usually in the kitchen cooking. The picture of the bird house brings back a memory of when I worked as an electrician at the Yorkshire Electricity Board. The job was near to the main Disc Board and there was a birds nest near it, Walt was more concerned about the birds and he stood at the side of me all the time to make sure I didn't disturb them.

One of the photo's mentions the White House Café, and on occasions we cyclists also went to the White House for a meal, and we used to call the two ladies there 'Aunty' - I once got told off for not eating my greens!

By Malcolm Marples
On 18/09/2014

During the 60's the chain-gang would call at Walt's every Tuesday and Thursday evening for a drink, as it would still be open at 8 pm. Mike Mac and Ticker Mullins of the Rockingham Wheelers were regulars on the chain-gang with many others from the Rotherham and Mexbro' wheelers. Walt was such a good friend to all cyclists.

By Les Coe
On 21/01/2015

Just read Les Coes comments, yes I remember the guys very well especially Ticker Mullins who was with mexbro wheelers at the time I was with them. I used to go on the Tuesday and Thursday training runs regularly and it truly was great days. Every cyclist for miles around used to love Walts place, I can even remember Tommy Simpson trying to flog me a saddle sat by the big log fire Walt used to have in winter, it always felt like home especially in winter when you was on your way back home from a long training ride and frozen.

Great days

Vic Marshall

By vmarshall
On 18/02/2015
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