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The public were able to use three rooms at the Beehive - the bar, the ‘Doctor’s room’, and the Tap room. The bar counter faced you when you went in. Although it was very small, nearly everyone used to stop there. In fact if 9 or 10 stood there it was full, but that didn’t stop most from standing to drink, though there were some seats. I think it was a sign of weakness if, after a full day's work you had to sit to drink.
In winter, the bar was very cold. There was no heating on the public side of the bar and only a small paraffin oil stove for whoever was serving the drinks. So most people stood with their top coats on
My father-in-law for one used to go off for his drink each night, at about 9:30. And when he got home, he would say “Why I left a warm fire to go and drink cold beer in a cold pub I don't know”. But he did, like many others.
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