Since the closure of the pub there have been a number of reports about the Tumble Down Dick in the News both as a headline feature and getting a mention too.
Here we’ve collected links to as many of those stories as we can, dating back over the last five years, which is about the same time since our beloved pub last closed its doors. Note that the Tumbledown has made the Farnborough News headlines every year since it has shut and has regularly been mentioned as “historic” and “much loved”…
The Tumble Down Dick in the News Headlines
- McDonald’s bid for Tumbledown is imminent
(Get Hampshire, February 19th, 2013) - Listed building blow for Tumbledown Dick battle
(Get Hampshire, January 22nd, 2013) - Report boosts battle to save Tumbledown Dick
(Get Hampshire, January 14th, 2013) - Tumbledown Dick gig to help fund pub campaign
(Get Hampshire, January 8th, 2013) - Tumbledown Dick ‘should not be listed building’
(Get Hampshire, December 28th, 2012) - Sir Gerald supports CAMRA tax campaign
(Get Hampshire, December 27th, 2012) - ‘Save our pub’ cry Tumbledown Dick campaigners
Includes TV footage from Meridian News
(ITV News, November 22nd, 2012) - Drumming up support for Tumbledown Dick pub
(Get Hampshire, November 7th, 2012) - McDonald’s confirms plans for Tumbledown Dick pub
(Get Hampshire, November 1st, 2012) - McDonald’s plan revealed for historic pub
Get Hampshire, 29th October, 2012) - Locals fight to save historic Farnborough pub
(Get Hampshire, Friday 26th October, 2012) - Future looks bleak for popular music pub
(Get Hampshire, February 28, 2011) - Derelict pub ‘should be on historic list’
(Get Hampshire, July 30th, 2010) - Tumbledown owners deny closure responsibility
(Get Hampshire, November 2nd, 2009) - Tumbledown Dick pub campaign gets boost
(Get Hampshire, October 16th, 2009) - Petition is launched to save venue
(Get Hampshire, April 29th, 2008) - Campaign to save music pub
(Get Hampshire, April 24th, 2008) - Customers to fight for live music venue
(Get Hampshire, March 11th, 2008) - Gig pub shut for health reasons
(Get Hampshire, February 25th, 2008)
The Tumble Down Dick in the News Elsewhere
- Sophie appeal boosted by pub music festival
(Get Hampshire, September 03, 2012) - Call for more shops in town centre plan
(Get Hampshire, June 15th, 2012) - Farnborough bands rock GuilFest
(Get Hampshire, July 9th, 2008) - Town centres, airport and mega-depot dominate year
Tumbledown quoted as being expected to re-open after an anticipated £1million refit
(Get Hampshire, April 28, 2008) - Pub, butchers and curry house fall foul
(Get Hampshire, March 4th, 2008)
The Tumble Down Dick in other Media (Blogs)
- The Tumble Down Dick Public House
Rushmoor Borough Council make a statement regarding their position on the public house
(Rushmoor Borough Council, 2013) - Save the Tumbledown Dick
(Keith PP’s Blog, November 18th, 2012) - Save the Tumbledown Dick
(Dicky Carter’s Blog, November 6th, 2012) - The Tumbledown Dick – 15 Months On
(Paul Mackenzie Ross’s Blog, 5th May 2009) - The Tumble Down Dick – Farnborough
RBC Councillor Clifford’s blog post about the Tumbledown
(Cllr Clifford’s Blog, April 9th, 2008)
Admittedly, I’d not heard of the Tumble-down Dick until coming-upon it in page six of the edition of the Reading Mercury for Saturday the 18th August 1858.
My great-great-grandmother, Lucy Lovegove (c.1822-1867), appeared before the Berkshire County Magistrate, at Reading, upon charge of deserting her family in the Union Workhouse at Bradfield (Berkshire); Lucy described as being a widow, of Pangbourne. Having been previously arrested for debt, upon her release she still made no arrangement for her children but instead made her way to Farnborough, securing employment in the Tumble-down Dick as cook, but apprehended there by Superintendent Crook, under a warrant, and brought to Reading.
In her defence, Lucy stated she gave-up her house at Pangbourne and intended to enter the workhouse at Bradfield but had received no wages whilst at the Tumble-down Dick.
The magistrate, William Blandy, in order to give her the opportunity of making arrangements with the Bradfield Board of Guardians for the maintenance of her children, committed her to the House of Correction for six days only.
Having searched online for the Tumble-down Dick, I was extremely disappointment when discovering its possible fate. Good luck to those campaigning for its preservation.
Paul,
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to post. That is a fascinating story, thank you for sharing. Do you have any copies of that piece from the Reading Mercury that we can see please? Our Heritage Team are working hard to gather as much documentary evidence of the history of Farnborough’s Tumble Down Dick which was once owned by Symonds Brewery of Reading. I spoke with a descendant of the Symonds family who told us that much documentary evidence of the brewery and their pubs was lost, so I’m sure he’d also be pleased to see any references to our beloved Tumble Down pub.
Did you sign our petition to save the pub, Paul? It’s at http://bit.ly/SaveTumbly