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Mechanics Arms

Mechanics Arms, Plymouth

Picture source: Jonathon Nelson


 
The Mechanics Arms was situated on East Street. This pub was present by 1885 and closed in January 2010.
 
My father was brought up in this pub in the late 19th century, which was run by his uncle.
Stella Hockaday (October 2012)
 
Ernest Russell Hockaday (my father) was born in 1906 in this pub, the Mechanics Arms, in Stonehouse, Plymouth, which was owned by his Grandmother, Rosa Burt.
Dorothy Black (February 2014)
 
This pub was closed a few years ago and converted to a restaurant (Rock Salt) . It was separated by a small lane leading to Union St the infamous main road connecting the old towns of Stonehouse and Plymouth as the 'playground' for generations of heavily drinking servicemen from many countries. The other side of the lane is the Lord High Admiral which is still a thriving pub. I was born in 34 George St ( now Stonehouse St) in 1940. It was a terraced house a few doors down from the pub in the wider location which suffered greatly during the second world war. Despite that there were many good times and I clearly recall being outside the two pubs with my family (Randall's) and neighbours and mixing with American soldiers who were assembled in Plymouth before the Normandy DD Landings. One of them was severely injured in France but returned to Plymouth (duly decorated) to marry a girl from the Yelland family living opposite the pub. The Rock Salt and the Lord High Admiral are the only remaining buildings in the old Stonehouse George St. The heart of ancient Stonehouse was ripped out by severe bombing and most of its inhabitants relocated to form new cultural tribes on the rural outskirts of Plymouth in the late 1940's.
Peter Jennings (January 2022)
 

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Contacts
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Name Dates Comments
Chris Knowles 2008/2009 Great little pub, super customers, no help from brewery though.
Leda Scholey 1968/1992 I used to drink frequently in here before and after I married my first Husband Andy Allen . The Landlady was called Sylvia
and her husband was maybe called Fred ? She They were both lovely .great times here along with some good friends , Phil Duke , Maurice & Ray Cunningham , Minnie Miners come to mind . It was always packed , definitely the most popular pub in the area . Had a great Juke Box playing except when ' Bobby ' was on the piano .
 
Other Photos
Date of photo: 1984

Picture source: Lee

Date of photo: 2007

Picture source: Clive Schneidau