Dog & Gun, Syston, Leicestershire

I occasionally like to re-visit a pub that's already featured on this blog. Usually with some trepidation it must be said, certainly as far as traditional pub games are concerned where subsequent developments are rarely positive. It's best not to leave these things too long though...

I prevaricated over an exploration of the skittle alley at the Coach & Horses, Markfield for several months before a refurb made the decision for me, the alley now a skittle alley-shaped dining area. It was a similar story with the Gate Hangs Well on the edge of Syston Village, a makeover spelling the end for this traditional Leicestershire skittle alley. Since then, Syston has been on my mind, and a return to the Dog & Gun something of a priority since the pub last featured on here over five years ago.

I'm delighted to say that the Dog & Gun remains a very fine multi-room pub, a backstreet boozer that feels more like a rural village local than its semi-urban setting might suggest. The pub is part of the small Steamin' Billy chain which has successfully revived many struggling pubs in the county, and features a traditional flag-stone floored bar, and a larger modernised lounge bar. There's also a games/function room, which was the principal reason for my visit, though a nice pint of Dark Mild from the local Belvoir Brewery was also a factor.

The image to the left shows how the games room appeared on my last visit, the Leicester Skittles Table showing signs of use, and with a complete set of the hardwood pins and cheeses which are unique to this local game. There was also a nice Jaques Devil Amongst The Tailors, the classic bar-room game. The Dartboard was set-up for league play at this time, the skittles table merely available for casual games and functions at the pub. Things have changed a little since then, though sadly not in a particularly positive way for games enthusiasts like myself.

The Devil Amongst The Tailors seems to have disappeared, though it may still be tucked away somewhere at the pub. More crucially, the Leicester Skittles Table, whilst in a similar play-worn condition, is now lacking two of the three Lignum Vitae cheeses essential to a proper game (and one of the pins has been replaced with a newer king-pin, more of a detail than a problem), though I was told the table rarely if ever gets used these days anyway. The Dartboard is wall-mounted now, though whether league play continues at the pub is hard to say. Sadly, the impressive games aspect of the pub appears to be withering on the vine.

It was an interesting and rewarding visit for me despite these less than positive developments. The skittles table, whilst showing signs of its undoubted age, is a lovely vintage model. Most of these Leicester tables that are still in use for league play have received at least one extensive refurbishment in recent years, essential maintenance to counteract the ravages of weekly competition. But this is usually done locally, and more often than not with brightly coloured vinyl and rubber replacing the original oxblood leather upholstery. The stitched and tacked leather remains on the table at the Dog & Gun (above), possibly padded with horsehair, and it really does make a difference to the overall look of the table if not its playability. As usual with the Leicester version of the game, I can find no indication of who originally made this table.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of my return visit was the sudden realisation that the 'games room' is in fact the pubs original Skittle Alley. Pretty obvious when you look at the photo of the whole room, it's a classic alley-shaped building for the local Leicestershire game of Long Alley Skittles, it just hadn't occurred to me until now. At one end is a bar counter, and at the other is the business end of the alley, all-but concealed behind folding doors and carpet. Un-lock and open the full-width doors though, and the trough and hanging 'curtain' at the back of the alley is revealed in all its slightly tatty, unused glory (above). There's even a couple of old pins lying in the trough gathering dust. A careful examination in front of this area reveals the nine steel seats which make up the frame, concealed but now poking through the carpet in several places (below).

So games appear to be in decline at the Dog & Gun, and I understand there was a plan to convert the alley into a Gin Bar at one time, maybe there still is. But as it stands, it's all still there. A skittle alley under a carpet, the skittles table just a sensitive refurbishment away from coming back into use. Both important elements of the Leicestershire pub games tradition, both just waiting for a revival of interest at the pub. A revival that if I'm honest, may never come, but it'll be worth a re-visit to find out if only for another pint of that Dark Mild.