Spirit of Uncle Henry's soars again

Epic 10-year reunion bash reunites old friends

THE spirit of Newbury’s former Uncle Henry’s pub rose like a phoenix from the ashes at an epic reunion party on Saturday.

Ten years ago last week, flames ripped through the unique watering hole on the corner of Marsh Lane and Northbrook Street.

Its cave-like interior – brightened by an outlandish, sci-fi mural by local artist Adam Lynch – was second home to an assorted bunch of rockers, goths, punks and other fans of alternative music and culture.

The licensee, musician Ben Holden, said at the time: “There was nowhere else in town like it. It was the people that made it special, but music definitely defined the pub – we’re all mad about our music and the place revolved round it.

“There will never be another Uncle Henry’s.”

But on Saturday, its spirit soared again with a 10-year reunion.

Acts like The Lock Up and Mister Pringle reunited for one night only at the bash, held on Saturday on a specially constructed stage in the grounds of the Taste of England pub off Turnpike Road, Thatcham.

There will be a full report in this week's Newbury Weekly News.

Meanwhile we'd like to see your old photographs from Uncle Henry's in its heady prime.

Email them to john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk