The Ship Victory

Here’s a pub I’ve been wanting to write about for some time. Well, strictly speaking I should say – ex-pub. The Ship Victory, in George Street, was without doubt one of the best, friendly and charismatic pubs in its day.

If you are reading this and thinking about taking a trip down George Street to check it out, I’ll save you a trip. As I said above….it’s gone. Knocked to the ground to be replaced by a bus exchange. It was a huge shame and a huge loss to Chester’s public house landscape when it went.

Was it a good move to knock it down and has the bus exchange proven to be a worthy addition to our city centre? Obviously while reading an article you cannot gauge any time delays in the writing process.

Let me just say I am sitting here, mentally drumming my fingers trying to think of something positive to say about the new bus exchange.

But anyway, this is not an article about the bus exchange. This is an article in recognition of one of the most iconic pubs in Chester, The Ship Victory. And it is also an article to pay tribute to it’s last landlord, Joe Gildea.

Joe Gildea – The Ship Victory

I’ve been fortunate enough to have known Joe for many, many years. Well before his Ship Victory days in fact. We used to go to the same gym in the middle of town for several years. Having found something in common “early doors” – i.e. our love of the same football team – we often exchanged views on our favourite football team and so much more.

Joe is, as many will testify, such an amiable, approachable fella. You know the sort. Someone you speak with for the first time and you feel that you have known him for donkeys years already.

A long lost friend. Or, a long lost cousin. Maybe even, a long lost brother. You feel instantly that you must have had some sort of previous connection with him.

And of course he kept a great pub. As a cask bitter drinker (same as Joe) he also kept great beer. There was always a great atmosphere in The Ship Victory. Anyone attend any of the Billy May nights by any chance? What nights they were.

The Ship Victory – A Little Pub With A Big Heart

Over the years, The Ship Victory became known as the “Little Pub With A Big Heart”

As well as serving great beer, creating a brilliant atmosphere and putting on excellent entertainment, Joe also did his bit for charity. Sorry, did I just say “bit”!!

To say “bit” is a massive understatement, is in itself, a massive understatement. Joe and the pub regulars did a lot for charity. And I mean a “big lot” if there is such a phrase.

Over the years, Joe and the regulars from The Ship Victory raised over £100,000 for local charities. Now that is some going isn’t it!!

Joe sadly lost his daughter, Angela, to breast cancer when she was only 32. In subsequent years Joe set up the Angela Gildea Memorial Fund and also contributed many thousands of pounds to the local charity, Miles Of Smiles.

Joe worked tirelessly in raising funds in Angela’s memory and for other causes. So much so that Joe has been awarded the BEM. In case you didn’t know, a BEM is the British Empire Medal. It is “a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown”

In other words it is a top award for a highly commendable and significant contribution to charity.

I’m sure QE2 was suitably entertained and amused when Joe attended the garden party to receive his well earned award. I’m sure she also may have thought, “I know him from somewhere!!”

The BEM, The Ship Victory and The Irony Of It All

The irony of Joe’s BEM award is that it was awarded in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2014. This was the very same day that Joe retired from his role as licensee of his beloved public house, The Ship Victory.

He had intended to retire in the June of 2014. A date that would have seen him celebrate his 20th anniversary. But the local council – who owned the pub – had already decided to knock it down to build a new bus exchange.

From what some experts know, The Ship Victory was built in the 1800’s. And it was, of course, an iconic, historical building situated in an iconic, historical city.

So, just let this sink in for a moment. The Ship Victory was demolished so that a modern (who said eyesore!!), cold looking bus exchange could be built in its place.

As to whether a new bus exchange was needed there when there was already a bus exchange at the back of the Town Hall is not for this article.

Nor is the obvious safety issues regarding the buses now driving up a ‘sort of’ pedestrianised, Frodsham Street (anyone been knocked over yet?) worthy of a mention in this article.

No, as I said above, this article is about The Ship Victory.

Pub Lovers Came From All Over

It wasn’t just an iconic pub for locals though. Because of its history and its great beers, people from all over flocked to The Ship Victory every year. I wonder if those out of town visitors now consider Chester for a day out so they can stand in George Street and stare in awe at the shiny, new bus exchange? Somehow I don’t think so.

Mind you, I did say I wasn’t going to mention the bus exchange. And I won’t. This is the last time I won’t mention it!!! Honest!!

The Ship Victory – Sorely Missed

Indeed, The Ship Victory was a brilliant pub. And it is sorely missed. I did say at the top of the article that I had intended to write about it for some time. So why now?

Well, there I was channel cruising the other day with the remote in my hand and I stumbled on a programme called “The Repair Shop” on BBC. And, what did I find? There was only a piece on The Ship Victory and, in particular, the restoration of it’s ancient pub sign.

Apparently it’s been on before, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it. So, watching it prompted me to to write this article.

Ye Olde Cottage

Fair do’s, Trevor Summerhill, the landlord of another cracking Chester pub, Ye Olde Cottage, arranged to have the run down sign restored. The sign was a sign-off pressie for Joe as a keepsake souvenir really.

As it wasn’t suitable for Joe to keep it at his new residence, Trevor, offered to give it a “lick of paint” and hang the sign in the back garden of his own Ye Olde Cottage pub.

Well, hanging there it is. But a “lick of paint” – no siree. The sign underwent a full restoration and the project was one of the subjects of “The Repair Shop” programme. It is well worth watching if you haven’t done so already. You will probably find it on BBC iPlayer. It is episode 14 of Series 2.

Joe and his wife Helen were invited to have a look at the sign with its new “lick of paint” only to find it has been completely revamped. To say he was gobsmacked is another understatement.

Fair do’s to Trevor and all those involved in the restoration. It was a great effort. Well done.

Chester Lifestyle

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Things To Do In Chester

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