View Full Version : Has anyone heard from Aqualung recently ?
The reason I ask is because the latest edition of London Drinker, on page 39, has a tribute to a Martin Pope, whose photograph and back story of affiliation with East London and City CAMRA branch, penchant for visiting every Wetherspoons outlet in the country bar the airport ones, and lately having his locals around Walthamstow has more than a passing similarity to Aqualung.
Also Martin sadly passed away on the 22nd of January this year and worryingly Aqualung's last post on these forums was the 19th of January.
Hopefully I am putting 1 and 1 together and getting 57, but if anyone knows anything else.
The reason I ask is because the latest edition of London Drinker, on page 39, has a tribute to a Martin Pope, whose photograph and back story of affiliation with East London and City CAMRA branch, penchant for visiting every Wetherspoons outlet in the country bar the airport ones, and lately having his locals around Walthamstow has more than a passing similarity to Aqualung.
Also Martin sadly passed away on the 22nd of January this year and worryingly Aqualung's last post on these forums was the 19th of January.
Hopefully I am putting 1 and 1 together and getting 57, but if anyone knows anything else.
Sadly, it would seem that you are correct, his obituary here. (http://www.pigsear.org.uk/)
sheffield hatter
03-04-2021, 19:14
... the latest edition of London Drinker, on page 39, has a tribute to a Martin Pope, whose photograph and back story
When I met him in Newcastle Under Lyme I asked him his real name and he told me Martin, but said he preferred Aqualung.
Sad news.
Sad news.
Indeed. I think I know the person who wrote the obituary, so I shall enquire further.
Mobyduck
03-04-2021, 19:57
The reason I ask is because the latest edition of London Drinker, on page 39, has a tribute to a Martin Pope, whose photograph and back story of affiliation with East London and City CAMRA branch, penchant for visiting every Wetherspoons outlet in the country bar the airport ones, and lately having his locals around Walthamstow has more than a passing similarity to Aqualung.
Also Martin sadly passed away on the 22nd of January this year and worryingly Aqualung's last post on these forums was the 19th of January.
Hopefully I am putting 1 and 1 together and getting 57, but if anyone knows anything else.
I hadn't been in contact with him since last July via email , I was enquired about his "abandonment" (as he put it) from PUG, and wondered if he was still with us at the time knowing his health was not good,to which he replied in true Aqualung style, " The Grim Reaper hasn't turned up yet, but without going into details, I suspect he's on his way." He put the record straight regarding his absence from the forum, which I think I should keep to myself out of respect, but seemed in reasonable cheer otherwise. That was back in July and I didn't contact him again, promising to next time I was in his neck of the woods, Covid put paid to that. Yes it is a shame and also a shame he seemed rather bitter , needlessly in my view about certain things, but that I guess was his character. I didn't know his name but he did say he couldn't handle calling me Mick, so Moby it was. Despite stubbornly refusing to post again on the forum I know he was logging on most days since his last abrupt post on 8/5/20, his last log on was the 19th of Jan this year.
bcfczuluarmy
03-04-2021, 22:12
Sad news indeed. He sent me lots of Spoons photos via CD ROM in the post to give my dad who didn't take photos of Spoons until a few years ago for his records of doing nearly all of them himself. Thoughts with his family and friends.
Delboy20
04-04-2021, 07:43
Sad news. RIP aqualung.
One of those times I was hoping to be proved wrong, but I guess not. The reference to Martin being a keen cyclist and the fit looking bloke in the 1982 photo was giving me some hope as that was hard to imagine from the not so agile Aqualung we knew.
RIP Aqualung and I will certainly be getting some Blue Monkey beers in to drink in your honour as suggested in Mike Chrimes tribute.
One of those times I was hoping to be proved wrong, but I guess not. The reference to Martin being a keen cyclist and the fit looking bloke in the 1982 photo was giving me some hope as that was hard to imagine from the not so agile Aqualung we knew.
RIP Aqualung and I will certainly be getting some Blue Monkey beers in to drink in your honour as suggested in Mike Chrimes tribute.
I have contacted Mike, who it turns has known Martin since 1972.
He says that our comrade hardly went out at all after the first lockdown, which - given his weight - was really bad for him.
However, Mike wasn't aware of the Aqualung non-de-plume, but said that it suited him well.
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
Sign me up.
Mobyduck
04-04-2021, 10:30
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
Count me in.
sheffield hatter
04-04-2021, 10:42
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
That's a really good idea, Steve.
Bucking Fastard
04-04-2021, 11:02
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
That's a great idea ,I'm up for it.
Sad news about Aqualung,RIP.
...we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
Great idea.
sheffield hatter
04-04-2021, 18:57
Coincidentally Walthamstow, or more accurately Highams Park is one of the first areas I have targeted for when we’re finally allowed vertical drinking within two feet of other human beings as I have yet to visit the new Wild Card Brewery tap room and Hackney Brewery are meant to be opening their new large tap room almost opposite on the other side of the Blackhorse Road. It’s only a relatively short hop from there to some of Aqualung’s locals, so if they all survive and come out the other side of this lock down we could look to put it together as a small Aqualung memorial crawl for anyone who is interested.
Looking at the list of pubs in that obit by his friend Mike, you'll have your work cut out devising the route: "Latterly his locals were around Walthamstow and Wanstead, the George (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55963/)*, the Drum**, the William** and Rose and Crown**. Over the years they included the Prince [actually Princess, it seems] Of Wales on Lea Bridge Road (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubreviews/55862/), the Anchor and Hope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25006/), the London Tavern (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25018/) (E5), the Wheatsheaf (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24206/) (Borough Market), the Windmill (Tabernacle St) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23452/), the City Retreat (Darts)***, the Angel (St Giles Circus) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22070/), the Leopard***, and closer to home the Cricketers in Woodford (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/52484/). Further afield they included the Vaynol Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/62105/) in Nant Peris, and until lockdown most weeks he was to be seen at least once in the Great Western (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/) at Wolverhampton, a strong candidate for his favourite pub of all."
* I presume the reference is to the Spoons in Wanstead.
** I don't know where these are - is it the William the Fourth in Leyton (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25128/) (which he used to like but his last review expressed disappointment)? The Drum (another 'Spoons) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25121/) is also Leyton. The Rose and Crown can't be this one (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubreviews/25241/) in the Stow as his review was negative.
***No idea about these.
Grateful for any prompts for the others. I mean, Gann will be grateful!
Komakino
04-04-2021, 19:03
Very sad news to hear. Aqualung was one of the most prolific posters on the forum when I joined PUG and always enjoyed reading his contributions. I was planning to order from Blue Monkey before I heard this news, so I'll be sure to raise a glass to him when they arrive.
Mobyduck
04-04-2021, 19:47
Looking at the list of pubs in that obit by his friend Mike, you'll have your work cut out devising the route: "Latterly his locals were around Walthamstow and Wanstead, the George (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55963/)*, the Drum**, the William** and Rose and Crown**. Over the years they included the Prince [actually Princess, it seems] Of Wales on Lea Bridge Road (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubreviews/55862/), the Anchor and Hope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25006/), the London Tavern (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25018/) (E5), the Wheatsheaf (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24206/) (Borough Market), the Windmill (Tabernacle St) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23452/), the City Retreat (Darts)***, the Angel (St Giles Circus) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22070/), the Leopard***, and closer to home the Cricketers in Woodford (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/52484/). Further afield they included the Vaynol Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/62105/) in Nant Peris, and until lockdown most weeks he was to be seen at least once in the Great Western (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/) at Wolverhampton, a strong candidate for his favourite pub of all."
* I presume the reference is to the Spoons in Wanstead.
** I don't know where these are - is it the William the Fourth in Leyton (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25128/) (which he used to like but his last review expressed disappointment)? The Drum (another 'Spoons) (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25121/) is also Leyton. The Rose and Crown can't be this one (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubreviews/25241/) in the Stow as his review was negative.
***No idea about these.
Grateful for any prompts for the others. I mean, Gann will be grateful!
I know he used the William The Fourth (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25128/) very regularly until about five or six years ago, The same with The Drum (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25121/) and also stopped using that so often. He told me that in the last couple of years or so he had started using Ye Olde Rose & Crown (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25241/) more often, maybe when he started getting problems with his legs.
The Leopard (https://whatpub.com/pubs/ELC/14713/leopard-london)was in Finsbury , it's now demolished. I presume The City Retreat was this one (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23519/), also demolished.
Real Ale Ray
04-04-2021, 21:01
Sad to hear this news about Aqualung. Always enjoyed his company on the crawls, and his many interesting and knowledgeable contributions on the Forum. RIP Aqualung
sheffield hatter
04-04-2021, 21:14
I know he used the William The Fourth (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25128/) very regularly until about five or six years ago, The same with The Drum (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25121/) and also stopped using that so often. He told me that in the last couple of years or so he had started using Ye Olde Rose & Crown (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25241/) more often, maybe when he started getting problems with his legs.
The Leopard (https://whatpub.com/pubs/ELC/14713/leopard-london)was in Finsbury , it's now demolished. I presume The City Retreat was this one (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23519/), also demolished.
Thanks, Mick. Somehow this detail makes sadder reading than the simple fact of Aqualung's death, sad as it was.
london calling
04-04-2021, 22:37
So sad to hear the news about Auqalung.Strangly enough I read his obituary last night and thought this guy was an interesting character and then on re-reading it tonight saw all the clues leading to who it was.Sadly missed.
an_ecumenical_matter
05-04-2021, 10:44
Sad to hear, was only on phone to Tony Peach today about any forthcoming trips, pleased to report he's hale and hearty.
Wittenden
05-04-2021, 10:46
Very sad news indeed: I enjoyed his contributions to the forum, and his opinions on various obscure Essex pubs that I was planning on visiting.
RIP Aqualung. If we had a Hall of Fame, you'd be in it.
Very sad to hear this.
I always made a point of chatting to Aqualung early in a crawl as I knew he was likely to be drifting off on his own and I may miss him later. Sadly I'm not very talkative until I've had 2-3 pints so never had a really good chat.
Will definitely try to make a memorial crawl if I'm free.
***No idea about these.
Perhaps this may have been The Leopard. (http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/london/ec1_clerkenwell_leopard.html)
Mobyduck
05-04-2021, 16:40
Perhaps this may have been The Leopard. (http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/london/ec1_clerkenwell_leopard.html)
Yes, Its now demolished.
Pubsignman
06-04-2021, 15:58
Very sad to hear this news - an excellent contributor to this site, particularly his extensive knowledge and reviews of all things Wetherspoon. I'll try to make the memorial crawl too.
RIP Aqualung. If we had a Hall of Fame, you'd be in it.
Very sad to hear about Aqualung.
I had my longest individual chat with him on the Shrewsbury trip after my early arrival for a 'Spoons breakfast. He was already there after his slow stroll from the Premier Inn. After a very informative chat, about pubs and beer of course! it was time for us to walk to The Salopian Bar meetup pub. He said that as he walked very slowly, it was OK by him if I walked on ahead. I said I would walk with him as it was only Five "Aqualung minutes" away and he is a year younger than me! He was always amused when I described pubs as 10 minutes (20 Aqualung minutes) from the station.
After having a drink with him and a couple of other early arrivals at the Salopian, I said "See you later" but we didn't meet up again that day or since.
I also noticed he made almost daily visits to the forum since his last post, hoping he might post again, but after his last visit in January I did have a concerned feeling something wasn't right.
Thuck Phat
07-04-2021, 10:10
Never met Aqualung but enjoyed his contributions here.
Sad news, RIP.
Very sad to hear about Aqualung.
I had my longest individual chat with him on the Shrewsbury trip after my early arrival for a 'Spoons breakfast...
I stayed and chatted to him in the Brewhouse & Kitchen (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/13604/) on the Portsmouth crawl in 2019 when the team moved on. He had some good tales to tell.
Rex_Rattus
07-04-2021, 15:50
I don't remember meeting him on any of the crawls in which I participated, but I guess I might have forgotten a fleeting meeting. I'll make the crawl if I can.
sheffield hatter
07-04-2021, 16:00
I don't remember meeting him on any of the crawls in which I participated, but I guess I might have forgotten a fleeting meeting.
His first one with us was June 2018 in Newcastle Under Lyme.
I first unknowingly saw him about nine years ago at his local, The George (or Leyton George as he called it - nice pub but some very uncivilised customers, thankfully in the minority). On entering, I looked over towards the bar and saw who I initially thought was Bill Bailey, only then realising that this man was too old. It was only when someone posted a picture of him (probably after the Newcastle under Lyme crawl) that I realised it was him, when someone mentioned the 'Bailey' similarity, and his mentions of the Leyton George.
I met him briefly on the Portsmouth crawl but because of his slow pacing, he disappeared after about the second pub and I don't think we saw him again.
I met him again in Shrewsbury but then bumped into him on walking through St. Pancras station a week later, he seated on a bench taking a rest away from the long walk from platform to Tube. I smiled and raised my hand but he didn't recognise me, so I left it at that.
Rex_Rattus
07-04-2021, 18:38
His first one with us was June 2018 in Newcastle Under Lyme.
Thanks Will. I haven't been on one since then so I haven't met him. Probably time I did turn up for one.
oldboots
07-04-2021, 20:25
His first one with us was June 2018 in Newcastle Under Lyme.
He was also with us in the later stages of the Manchester crawl in December that year IIRC
2631
sheffield hatter
07-04-2021, 20:53
Thanks Will. I haven't been on one since then so I haven't met him. Probably time I did turn up for one.
Yes, that would be good!
RealAleRobUK
08-04-2021, 10:00
Sorry to hear this, I can't claim to know the chap personally but I always enjoyed reading his reviews.
Brainypool
08-04-2021, 10:17
Very sad news. I didn’t always agree, but I would always take the time to read anything he wrote here. A really informative reviewer too.
Am honoured to say that I was part of the advanced party to the Wellers Micropub on the NuL crawl when we entered to an empty bar except for this strange bearded bloke tucked away in the corner. We were expecting to meet him at some point during the day and I think it was Neville who finally plucked up the courage to ask “are you Aqualung?”
I don’t remember much about the beer in Wellers, except that it was decent, but I do remember the bars homage to the Mod Father , and meeting Aqualung for the first time.
I take every ones points about a potential crawl and I think we will probably have to use some poetic licence with the term ‘local’ and focus on Walthamstow and on the pubs I know from my discussions with him that Aqualung had frequented but may not have considered his ‘locals’ compared to those aforementioned in the tribute.
As long as the government doesn’t move the goal posts (again) I,ll put something together when it looks like we will be given our freedom for vertical drinking.
Sorry to hear this, I can't claim to know the chap personally but I always enjoyed reading his reviews.
Very sad news. I didn’t always agree, but I would always take the time to read anything he wrote here. A really informative reviewer too.
I also really enjoyed reading his reviews and we did both agree that we may have rather diverse opinions of what constituted a good pub.
sheffield hatter
08-04-2021, 20:10
Am honoured to say that I was part of the advanced party to the Wellers Micropub on the NuL crawl when we entered to an empty bar except for this strange bearded bloke tucked away in the corner. We were expecting to meet him at some point during the day and I think it was Neville who finally plucked up the courage to ask “are you Aqualung?”
I had remembered it as the previous pub, the Lymestone Vaults, but on checking my notes I now think I saw him there and wondered if it was him, but he then wandered off without making himself known. I went to another pub before rejoining the rest of you in Weller's, where the ice had been broken by the time I arrived.
I had remembered it as the previous pub, the Lymestone Vaults, but on checking my notes I now think I saw him there and wondered if it was him, but he then wandered off without making himself known. I went to another pub before rejoining the rest of you in Weller's, where the ice had been broken by the time I arrived.
He was definitely in the Lymestone Vaults, deliberately ignoring us and watching as we discuss between ourselves whether or not we thought it might be him. His post about it here http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?27429-Summer-2018-crawl&p=93691&viewfull=1#post93691 - I always found that endearing as it is exactly the sort of thing I'd do
Bucking Fastard
09-04-2021, 11:32
Am honoured to say that I was part of the advanced party to the Wellers Micropub on the NuL crawl when we entered to an empty bar except for this strange bearded bloke tucked away in the corner. We were expecting to meet him at some point during the day and I think it was Neville who finally plucked up the courage to ask “are you Aqualung?”
I don’t remember much about the beer in Wellers, except that it was decent, but I do remember the bars homage to the Mod Father , and meeting Aqualung for the first time.
I will always remember that first encounter.Aqualung was the only customer in Wellers ,sitting at a long table with a bench seat by the bar.I was struck by how much he resembled his avatar,so plucked up the courage to enquire if he was indeed Aqualung.He answered ..."sitting on a park bench " which as a keen Jethro Tull fan I recognised as the opening line to their song Aqualung.Clever answer to my opening gambit.
He managed to appear in all the PuG crawls from that date onwards,going at his own pace but I'm pleased to have met him and had brief chats with him on all these crawls.He even managed to play Aqualung on the juke box in the Salopian Bar,the kick off for the Shrewsbury crawl which for all of us was the last crawl before Covid.
I will raise a glass of Blue Monkey beer in his memory when I next encounter their ales ,which will then be followed by a whole lot more. I share his enthusiasm for their brews.
Pubsignman
09-04-2021, 11:45
I will raise a glass of Blue Monkey beer in his memory when I next encounter their ales ,which will then be followed by a whole lot more. I share his enthusiasm for their brews.
There's free shipping on Blue Monkey beers ordered from their website this week, should anyone need one last restock before the pubs reopen.
https://bluemonkeybrewery.com/shop/
Pangolin
09-04-2021, 15:32
Very sad news. I met him on several PuG crawls and we seemed to be on a similar wavelength (not to mention both being somewhat ancient, hairy and overweight!). Definitely on for a memorial pint or several in East London, if it comes together.
Real Ale Ray
11-04-2021, 14:59
We had a good chat with Aqualung in the Cask Bar, on the Newcastle under Lyme crawl, mostly beer and music related. He was good company and full of funny stories. Soupy was with us too. We then met him on the train from Stafford.
As you can see from this photo in the Cask Bar, he wasn't keen on having his photo taken
2634
I was glad to see that Martin / Aqualung was one of those who received a public obituary / tribute during Camra's annual conference today.
I was glad to see that Martin / Aqualung was one of those who received a public obituary / tribute during Camra's annual conference today.
That's good to hear. I submitted some from our branch for the slot and wondered if anything would come of it.
I submitted some from our branch for the slot and wondered if anything would come of it.
All submissions were accepted, as far as I know, so I hope so.
I have been given a copy of the eulogy from Aqualung's funeral and some personal memories from his friends and family which contain some very characterful stories - not sure I can really share them here, but I will try to remember to bring a copy with me on the next PuG crawl. However, here's a snippet from one of the recollections:
"Since then I've seen him most weeks and observed his developing obsessions - fell walking, beer, climbing, Pink Floyd, home brew, bus spotting, very hot curries, war games, Chinese cookery, pizza, bingeing at Stamford Hill, cycling, Wales, CAMRA, fireworks, wine making, computer games, darts, cricket on Hackney Marshes, Oasis, Wetherspoons, very strong beer, micropubs and his contempt for those that did not make the grade."
I can only confirm a fraction of these, but the rest sound about right!
Bucking Fastard
07-05-2021, 14:24
Last night TP and myself raised a glass of Blue Monkey Infinity to the memory of Aqualung in The Organ Grinder, Loughborough (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/20818/) a pub he rated 10 and a brewer he rated highly according to his 2014 review.
We didn't stop at the one,and went well past the three pint test before the arctic conditions in the beer garden forced a retreat back to the boat,clutching some take out bottles.:nishelypished:
sheffield hatter
07-05-2021, 15:59
Last night TP and myself raised a glass of Blue Monkey Infinity to the memory of Aqualung in The Organ Grinder, Loughborough (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/20818/) a pub he rated 10 and a brewer he rated highly according to his 2014 review.
We didn't stop at the one,and went well past the three pint test before the arctic conditions in the beer garden forced a retreat back to the boat,clutching some take out bottles.:nishelypished:
A fitting tribute, especially as it involved such a noble sacrifice. Those bottles must have been quite a difficult carry with cold fingers!
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