Pub 45, Day 16 – The Chantrey Arms

By Andy

While the Big Tree is taking positive steps to shed its rough reputation, The Chantrey Arms is in danger of heading in the opposite direction.

A strikingly attractive pub from the outside, the interior seemingly last had a refurb when Margaret Thatcher was Leader of the Opposition.

Green walls, lime curtains, olive upholstery

Presumably, towards the end of the 1970s, some short-sighted painter-and-decorator bought a lorry-load of green paint on the cheap, thinking: “Well it's lasted all decade, I'm sure avocado bathrooms are a trend that's here to stay!”

Suddenly, as the nation woke up to its senses, the poor chap was left with litres of unsellable ware. In an act of evil genius worthy of The Apprentice, he then somehow managed to convince the local landlord to paint his pub the colour of catarrh.

Still, we didn't begin Pubquest to discuss decor, so it's time to talk about beer.

The range of pints was steady if not spectacular, and we opted for Doom Bar – a reliable Cornish ale which accounts for 90% of the output of Sharp's Brewery.

Sir Francis Chantrey

The pub is named after Sir Francis Chantrey (1781-1841), a Sheffield sculptor. Born in Jordanthorpe, he is perhaps best-known for his posthumous philanthropy: upon his death his fortune was used to create The Chantrey Fund, which helped purchase countless works of art for the nation.

According to Margaret Whinney, author of English Sculpture 1720–1830, “Chantrey was rare among the leading sculptors of his time in not having visited Italy at a formative stage in his career.” Rumours that he chose not to go upon hearing that you can't buy Hendo's in Venice are as yet unsubstantiated.

Whether Sir Francis would be more proud of The Chantrey Fund or The Chantrey Arms bearing his name is unlikely to be up for debate. With the locals crowded round watching the football, me and Rob positioned ourselves in the corner feeling somewhat like outsiders.

Having come out in my work clothes, I was feeling particularly out of place – so much so that Rob repeatedly dared me to ask the gathered crowd if they wouldn't mind changing the football over for University Challenge.

Perhaps if we were dressed in green we could have blended more subtly into the background...

Pub: The Chantrey Arms (733-735 Chesterfield Road, S8 0SL)

Rating: 4.5/10

Pint: Doom Bar

Brewery: Sharp's Brewery (Rock, Cornwall)

NEXT UP: Becoming athletes, at The Woodseats Palace...