A Grumpy Old Man's Tales

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A Grumpy Old Man's Tales


By Eolwaen

A series of tallish tales told by a group of old men in the tap room of their local pub the Green Dragon in a very isolated village called Bearthwaite, pronounced locally as Burrthet, during their regular Saturday nights out. The stories start when story telling has already become an established tradition. Sasha Vetrov, a Siberian ex KGB officer, is the acknowledged master story teller who has a way of telling almost true stories that is thoroughly entertaining. Gladys the barmaid, married to Pete one of the men, keeps them supplied with drink, prevents things from getting out of hand and supplies the Saturday night supper towards the end of the session. Currently the group comprises those that are named in the tales plus numerous others. Doubtless as things progress we shall come to know more of them.

Drinker.............................................his Wife
Sasha Vetrov....................................Elle
Pete..................................................Gladys the barmaid (42)
Stan..................................................Julie
Alfred Winstanley Alf.......................Ellen
George..............................................Christine
Eric is younger than the rest............Shauna
Gerry.................................................Gwen
Geoff McAlpine..................................Karen
Denis Johansen................................Belinda
Tommy..............................................Vera
John..................................................Margaret
Patrick Pat........................................Siobhan
Dave..................................................Lucy (Stan’s sister)
Harry Maywell....................................Kathleen
Frank................................................Agatha Aggie works for Gladys as a cook
Josh Ellery........................................Dianne They have the chip shop
James Ellery.....................................Stacy (lass in GOM 10). James is a dry stone waller and Josh’s son
Paul..................................................Vera
Bill.....................................................Elsie
Phil...................................................Alice They operate a small water mill.
Gustav..............................................Harriet Bavarian
Harriet...............................................Bert’s daughter adopted by Gladys & Pete
Vincent..............................................Rosie Vince the Mince the local slaughterman and butcher

Others
Josh Ellery.........................................Diane They have the chip shop
James Ellery......................................Stacy (GOM 10) James is a dry stone waller and Josh's son
Frank Graham...................................Ellery She has the hairdressers
Alex Peabody....................................Madge Farmer who rents Sasha's land
Clive McNamara................................Claire Drinker (GOM 15) central heating engineer / plumber
Sean..................................................Pat's wife's cousin who makes poteen
Anthony Tony.....................................Beth Both dentists. Outsider who told a tale in GOM 18 & 23
Albert, Bert.........................................Pete’s oldest brother
Delia...................................................Pete’s & Gladys’ daughter left acrimoniously
Michael Graham.................................Mavis Local police sergeant
Mavis Graham....................................Went to school with Gladys they are close
Philip George, Phil..............................Police constable
Gregor.................................................Sasha's great uncle
Edith....................................................Alf's sister
Sylvia...................................................Alf's daughter
Tom Waymouth...................................A disliked local farmer
Dougie.................................................Denis' great uncle
Isla Gregory.........................................Charlie's first girlfriend
Joan.....................................................Charlie's step gran
Marsha.................................................Charlie's mum's cousin
Jacob...................................................Alf's brother in law. Ellen's brother

A List of Who is Telling the Tales in Which Chapter

1 Sasha
2 Sasha
3 Sasha, Pete
4 Sasha
5 Denis
6 Sasha, Denis
7 Geoff
8 John, Sasha, Stan
9 Gerry, John
10 Pete, Alf
11 Sasha
12 Sasha, Pete, Geoff, Harry
13 Sasha, Geoff
14 Sasha, Harry, Geoff
15 Paul, Geoff, Sasha, Frank, Clive
16 Denis, Alf
17 Charlie
18 Geoff, Sasha, Tommy, Bill, Tony
19 Sasha, Phil
20 Paul, Harry, Alf, Charlie, Dave, Pete
21 Denis, Sasha, George, Harry, Alf, Stan
22 Sasha, Pete
23 Sasha, Eric, Harry, Paul, Alf, Denis, John, Frank, Tony
24 Harriet, Gustave, Dave