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Saw your request on the Keele Alumni e-newsletter. I have one for Exeter - The Red Cow - This pub was in Red Cow Village, opposite the railway crossing near St David's Station. The pub closed in 2002 and the owner wanted to develop the site for housing but the plans were turned down by the council.  The owner sprayed graffiti over the walls in protest, to the annoyance of his neighbours - he wrote Man City, so I guess they were Utd supporters? The building became increasingly unsafe due to neglect and the council ordered shoring to be erected, with the road being partly blocked in one direction with cones. In 2006 the building was deemed to be so unsafe that it was ordered to be demolished.

Dawn Mayo

This 17th century pub was purchased by Heavitree Brewery in 1900, and owned by them until just prior to closure in November 2002. Due to the empty building becoming increasingly unsafe it was demolished in 2006. The name probably refers to the local breed of cattle, once common; the Devon Ruby Reds. In the 19th century Devon had a large number of tanyards spread throughout the county and I've been informed by the grandson of a South Molton tanner that this breed of cattle provided excellent hides for making leather, unlike some of today's breeds such as the Friesians.

Martin Bodman (January 2015)

Some sixty or more years ago, my brother, who is something of a bibliophile, gave me an old book for my birthday. It was entitled “Sixty Curious and Authentic Narratives and Anecdotes” by Richard Beckley, and was published in London in 1822. In the section devoted to “Circumstantial Evidence , on page 181, is the story of John Miles, which starts with the sentence “William Ridley kept the Red Cow, a public house, at Exeter”, and goes on to relate that having met an old friend, named John Miles, William and he drank at the Red Cow until the early hours. William, who was known to have been carrying a substantial sum on money on the day in question, was not heard of again. Mrs. Ridley reported his disappearance to the Magistrates, who received unsatisfactory replies when they interrogated John Miles, who was then put in to Exeter gaol, to await trial. A bloodied ghost of William was said to have been seen by lodgers at the public house. Miles was found guilty at his trial and duly executed. Subsequently Mrs. Ridley left the Red Cow to keep another ale house. Her successor had various repairs done, including the emptying of the “uncommonly deep” cess pit, in which William Ridley’s body was discovered, with twenty guineas in his pockets. Hard luck on John Miles! ...and William as well, I suppose, although it was his own fault that he got drunk and fell into the “necessary” as the book puts it. No dates are given in the book, but obviously the tragedy must have taken place before 1822. The author seems to have obtained the story from another book, “Theory of Presumptive Proof”, but gives neither author nor date of publication.

Peter Ridley (August 2017)

The Red Cow was (and still is) legendary amongst railway enthusiasts, partly due to its proximity to both Red Cow Level Crossing, at the London end of St Davids station, and the station itself. It was once possible to leave the station platform via the level crossing and go to the pub! In the 70s, 80s and early 90s, diesel loco enthusiasts would head to the pub for either the cider or, more often than not, what was widely regarded as the finest pint of Eldridge Pope Royal Oak ale in Devon, straight from the barrel. The jukebox was always quite eclectic, the pies were always very tasty, and certainly in the period 1989-1992 the landlady Jackie’s Doberman was a very large presence in the pub, and a friendlier animal it was hard to meet. The pool room in the courtyard to the rear was always busy, with messages about diesel locos seen in the area chalked onto the ceiling by the clientele. The pub would frequently see a mass exodus of trainboys if something exotic trundled past. It was also a great place to meet before trudging up the hill to the University Hall or Lemon Grove for a gig. Locals could buy embroidered sweatshirts with the pub name and a Devon Ruby in profile on the breast. By the mid-90s the pub as we knew it had died a death, with piped local radio, Chinese food, and no Royal Oak or strong cider to be had. Last pint I had in there was after this change of management and direction. It was supposedly draught Bass, but it was ice cold and flat. I never went back, and now ‘the Cow’ is gone forever.

Rob Wosley (March 2018)

A shame to see The Red Cow has gone. I have fond memories of it in the late 7Os, great scrumpy cider and atmosphere. I remember trying to act as interpeter between locals and some visiting Sheffield Wednesday supporters when Jack Charlton´s Wednesday were promoted to the old 2nd Division. The accents were mutully incomprehensible but as I remember, everyone was happy as Exeter won the match and Wednesday were promoted. Pleased to see The Victoria Inn,near the football ground is still going even though Devenish Brewery has gone.

Stephen Pearson (December 2021)

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