AN HISTORIC border country pub is celebrating its 150th birthday.


The Corner Pin pub in Saltney opened its doors in 1863 as a beer house called the Liverpool Arms.
 

And today the pub is largely unchanged. It has a loyal clientele   with some regulars who have remained faithful to the hostelry  for more than 60 years.
 

Sara Maia, of owners Punch Taverns, said they were “delighted” at the 150-year milestone.
“It’s a fantastic community pub,” she said.
“It has a loyal group of regulars who support the pub and we’re delighted to celebrate this landmark anniversary and recognise its success over the years.”
 

Tony Williams, who has managed the pub for the last 18 months, said a lot of his regulars had been drinking there “for most of their drinking days”.
Like Eric McNally, who has been going to the pub for 55 years, ever since his time working at a local bakery as a 27-year-old.
Mr McNally, who also manages the pub’s football team, said the Corner Pin was where everyone used to go in the evening.
“We used to come down from work,” he said. “And a lot came in from other businesses - from Vitmleo, No-Nail Boxes and the glassworks which made baubles for Christmas trees.”
 

He said that besides a door having moved and the billiards table having gone, things were still very much the same as in the old days. The ale house is still very much a community pub which takes care of its older customers.
And in typically underplayed fashion, Mr McNally said the 150th birthday was just like any other day down the pub.
“We just like going on as we are,” he said.
 

Kenny Liversage, an ex-railwayman from Saltney, first went to the pub in 1955. He was just 16, Albert Lovat was the landlord and there was one small bar which was just for men
“We used to sneak in to the little bar,” he said.
“When we came in, he’d say go in the corner and be quiet. The only lady allowed in was Mrs Lovatt. Everyone had his own seat.”
 

He said it had been like a home away from home for many men and was still his local all these years later.
“Back then people would come in here and be talking about work and there was a very good bagatelle (billiards) team,” he added.
“Now I still come in here. I haven’t changed. This is my local. I’m not a wanderer.
“I come in for an hour or so in the afternoon and then I slip out again for a time later in the evening.
“All the regular lads still come then.”
 

Mr Williams said it was only when Broughton resident Klaus Armstrong-Braun mentioned the amazing age of the pub that he realised its history.
Mr Armstrong-Braun said it was important for people to realise the pub had hit such a special milestone.
“It’s a real community pub with a real community feel,” he said.