John Silloth

Pub Sign of the Week: The Shrimper, Southport (1998) More colourful, story-soaked signage to remind you just how utterly shit the corporate, monochrome minimalism that gets foisted upon us today is. At least the pub survives - it's now called the Marsh Harrier. #PubSignThursday

Been drinking there regular for well over 40 years. Barely changed. Any sign of the pub cats?

Pub Sign of the Week: Friend at Hand, West Wycombe (1996). An unbreakable bond of companionship destroyed by 21st-century property developers. The pub was demolished and converted to residential use around 2007. #PubSignThursday

Pub Sign of the Week: Henry VIII, Edenbridge, Kent. Do not mess with this man. Lager drinkers to the chopping block. Superb signage from Shepherd Neame (as expected) although they don't own the pub any more and their name has subsequently been blacked out. #PubSignThursday

Pub Sign of the Week: Oak & Black Dog, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire (1990). Atmosphere in abundance. Has the hound spotted a Cockapoo to play with or is he aware of a malevolent presence lurking in the encroaching mist? #PubSignThursday

Pub Sign of the Week: The Industry, Darnall. Thirsty work as sparks fly at a foundry in Sheffield. Rather poignant imagery really. The pub's converted to housing, the local Wards brewery has closed and the steel industry has shrunk beyond recognition. Hey-ho. #PubSignThursday

Pub Sign of the Week: Lady Chatterley, Eastwood. Excellent present signage at this Spoons close to DH Lawrence's birthplace in Nottinghamshire. It might suggest Mellors and her Ladyship are up to more than merely dead-heading geraniums in the potting shed. #PubSignThursday

Pub Sign of the Week: Rutland Angler, Oakham When pub signs were good. An ordinary looking bloke absorbed in his own thoughts. Artwork unique to the pub. Today's sign is a monochrome, stylised graphic of a fisherman casting his rod. In other words, shite. #PubSignThursday

Central, Gateshead Fantastic coffin-shaped pub with Art-Nouveau vibe in the back rooms. Dark wood fittings. Vast etched windows. Little wonder it's on CAMRA's heritage list!

Pub Sign of the Week: Hansom Cab, York. What's going on here? A potential fare giving the finger to a cabbie who retaliates with the V sign? Named after a 2-wheeled carriage invented by York-born Joseph Hansom. Now the Burns Hotel with a sign depicting the eponymous Scots bard.