Old Windsor Parish Church on Easter Sunday 2013Although I grew up in Old Windsor, I rarely visited the drinking establishments there, of which there are six. On my most recent visit, I decided to find out what went on behind the doors of Old Windsor’s pubs. Old Windsor is a village of 5,000 people with one recreation ground, one youth center, three hairdressers, four convenience stores, one restaurant, two takeaways, three churches, five pubs, and one members' club.

The Harvester, on the site of The Bells of Ouzely, Old Windsor

My first stop was the Harvester, a popular chain, on the site of The Bells of Ouzely, the oldest pub in Old Windsor. The Bells of Ouzely was built in 1300 and used to supply beer to Windsor Castle. Apparently, six bells, which all had names like Douce and Hauteeter, were being moved from Osney Abbey by monks, and were sunk in the Thames River across the road and that’s how the pub got its name.

The Fox and Castle, Old WindsorMy next stop was the Fox and Castle. Bar persons, Charlotte and Tony, told me the original location was across the road and its original name was the Fox and Punchbowl. The green in front of the pub used to be a pond. The most popular item on their menu is pork belly, which Charlotte loves also.

The Oxford Blue, Old Windsor

Owner, Mandy, took over The Oxford Blue on Crimp Hill, a year ago. The bar is cozy and spacious with a big garden and playing area out back. On April 5th, a Rod Stewart tribute singer will entertain customers. In June, Mandy will hold an Elton John party with chairs set out in front of the pub, so customers can watch celebrities pass by on their way to Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball.

The Union Inn, Old Windsor

Right next door is the Union Inn, a restaurant bar and boutique inn. The manager’s phone was ringing off the hook while I tried to squeeze in a few questions, and a circle of old regulars chatted in a corner. There are several signed photographs of Elton John on the wall.

The Jolly Gardeners, Old Windsor

The Jolly Gardeners has a friendly and quaint exterior, and a comfy interior. They have been included in the Good Beer Guide five years in a row, and welcome dogs and families. But I didn't learn much about the pub on my visit there.

"You'd best come back when the manager is here," said the barperson, "John."

The Old Windsor Club

Next I stopped at the Old Windsor Club. It costs £20 per year to join, but guests are welcome.

“The drinks are half the price here,” said regulars Graham and John. “You can get a pint of Fosters for £2.50. The other places charge about £3.90.”

Fosters, incidentally, is the most popular beer in Old Windsor and vodka is the most popular spirit, straight or with coke.

The Old Windsor Club has a snooker room and a social hall that they use for events such as the Blondie tribute singer booked for April 6th.

The Toby Carvery, originally called The Wheatsheaf, Old Windsor

The Toby Carvery on Straight Road also houses the Innkeepers Lodge. The Carvery menu with unlimited vegetables, roasties and mash is very popular. Two travelling workers told me the drink prices were great, especially for the area.

Great granddaughter of Pete and Pat, wearing leopard print, with friends and family in The Old Windsor Club

Old Windsor pubs seem to be mostly occupied by families or men out with their mates. I did see a few single ladies on my way home, in the Old Windsor Fish shop. So those are the drinking establishments of Old Windsor, home of Saxon Kings.

Authors Colum McCann and Yvonne Cassidy helping out at Book Day

“If you have time, stop by and help us give out some books on Friday,” suggested Nik Quaife, the Irish Arts Center’s Director of Communications and External Affairs. The Third Annual Book Day was held on March 15th.

District 7 Council Member Robert Jackson handing out booksI envisioned myself popping over to their table at Washington Heights, saying hello to Nik and District 7 Council Member Robert Jackson, and meeting author, Colum McCann, who gave out and signed books there. I did not picture myself traveling to Parkchester in the Bronx at 7am. But I am so glad I did.

When I arrived, I saw a tall redheaded man in a green top standing outside the station, but since I didn’t know what my Team Captain, Shawn Farrell, looked like, I called his cell. Sure enough, the man in green reached into his pocket to answer.

Team Captain, Shawn Farrell, of the Irish Arts Center

As soon as Shawn started opening the boxes of books, commuters approached the table to find out what we were doing. My Unification Church training came in very handy in approaching strangers with a smile. And I believe in literature at least as much as I once believed in the Divine Principle.

Eager Readers in Woodside

Participating in Book Day reminded me of how delightful it is to connect with strangers on a positive topic. The guide told volunteers, “New Yorkers are not used to receiving quality items that also happen to be FREE.” Most people were delighted to receive their free books, although some questioned my selections. One man swapped Alice Walker poetry for “A Drop of the Hard Stuff” by Lawrence Block. “This is me,” he said.

Lenwood Sloan and Dr. Mick Moloney discussing Irish and African American history

“Black Irish” by Stephan Talty was a popular choice. This is not surprising considering the hundreds of years of shared history between Irish Americans and African Americans. As I learned at another Irish Arts Center event, Black and White And Green, 37% of Black Americans have at least one Irish ancestor.

Young readers in Washington Heights

When people saw James Joyce’s, “Dubliners,” they smiled in recognition. I tried to give Joyce to a child whose mother said he needed a chapter book. Shawn, gently pointed out, “Actually, that might be a little hard to read.”

I was surprised to see a copy of Susan Orlean’s Rin Tin Tin. I found no evidence of her Irishness online, but I discovered that she had an Irish Setter.

One reader insisted James Joyce was Italian.

“You need to do some studying,” he said, holding “Dubliners” in my face.

I found no references to Joyce’s alleged Italian roots, but I learned that he could speak Italian.

Great literature is universal and—as Nik Quaife said—the Irish have “punched well above our rate for literary giants.”

Volunteers in the Bronx

The Irish Arts Center’s Book Day is a great way to celebrate Irish culture for St. Patrick’s Day. Some people said they loved the book they received last year and would be coming back every year. With so many people using ereaders now, there was something special about handing out print books. Those who received them clearly enjoyed the gift.

Most photographs by the Irish Arts Center