Compendium of Pub Games - Pt.10

This Northamptonshire Skittles Table takes pride of place in the bar of the Royal Oak in the village of Naseby, Northamptonshire. Cribbage and Darts are also played at the pub, which has a good reputation for its beer.

When you get bored with the fried food & ice cream of Matlock Bath, pop in for a pint at Ashover Brewery pub the Princess Victoria. Real ales are the speciality of this traditionally styled pub, but there's also a splendid hop garlanded Darts Board available for the sociable business of gaming.

The image above shows the pin setting and metal 'foul throw' sheet of an unused Skittle Alley at the Nags Head, Clay Cross in Derbyshire. From what I've been told, this is an all too common sight in the Derby/Notts area these days. The pub is perhaps the pick of the bunch in the village, a proper locals boozer, well run and welcoming. It's sad to see the alley covered in pot plants like this, but at least it still exists in good shape, perhaps ready to be rediscovered by younger skittlers in the future. The Clay Cross & District Skittles League is still quite active, with 28 teams playing in 4 leagues, though no pubs in the village which gives the league its name appear to be playing in the league at present.

A giant fund raising Shut The Box at Bedford CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival