LAST week’s photo of the lads from Abergavenny RFC standing proud outside the old London Hotel generated so much interest, we thought we’d throw you dogs another bone with the same sort of flavor y’all.

Chronicle reader George Beale brought to our attention that In last week’s picture, sitting pretty in the middle and holding the ball was none other than the notorious JDL Wagstaffe. After being involved in some dodgy dealings the rugby-playing solicitor did a runner from the town in 1938 and joined the French Foreign Legion. Wagstaffe would later earn a battlefield Croix de Guerre in World War 2.

Last week’s picture must have been taken sometime in the late 1930s, We’re not too sure about this week’s. Perhaps you can help?

What we do know is, once again it’s the claret and ambers stood outside the London Hotel in Monk Street.

Originally known as the London Apprentice Inn, the London Hotel was later nicknamed the Bell-ringer’s Arms, due to it being the boozer of choice for the nearby St Mary’s mob who specialized in banging a gong and ringing the changes.

The pub was converted into flats in 1978 but during its heyday it was said to serve a fine tipple.

Jon Davies’s grandparents Bert and Lena Henwood were the landlord and lady of the old London right up until its closure, and Jon recalls, “The archway at the side led to the old stables which I imagine go back to times when people would arrive at the hotel in horse drawn vehicles.

“The pub had a mynah bird called Ringo who was kept in the back room as he was so noisy, he had a number of phrases such as, ‘Any more messing and I’ll throw you out!’ Or ‘Time please!’ But the one I remember most was when he would ask ‘Where’s Michael?’ He would then reply to himself, ‘Up the city!’ Followed by a tuneful whistle."

Just what is it about Abergavenny pubs and rowdy birds?

Boom! Boom!

If you’ve got any engaging and striking pictures from the past (they don’t just have to be sport related!) that could do with an airing and benefit from the oxygen of publicity, then why let them linger and gather dust in the drawer a day longer? Send them to [email protected]. Alternatively you can do things the old fashioned way and pick up the telephone and ring Tim Butters on 01873 852187 (30).