Betty's Bar, York

Is this a branch of the Bettys that is also in Harrogate? Excellent but as said earlier a tad pricey…

Yes, it is – http://www.bettys.co.uk Shame they haven’t dedicated a page of their website to the mirror; there’s only a small mention of it on their York page:-

A few years after Bettys opened its doors in York war broke out, and Bettys – in particular the basement ‘Bettys Bar’ – became a favourite haunt of thousands of airmen stationed around York. ‘Bettys Mirror’, on which many of them engraved their signatures with a diamond pen, remains on display today as a fitting tribute to their bravery.

Not sure why they said a diamond pen, it’s more likely to be a diamond ring.

Dean.

Is this a branch of the Bettys that is also in Harrogate? Excellent but as said earlier a tad pricey…………

Planemike

Only just found this thread!

We had a trip to York on Saturday and planned to treat ourselves with a visit to Betty’s, for a cup of tea and a bun. In the morning, on the way, we’d popped into Langlands garden centre, at Shiptonthorpe, where the better half wanted to look at plants…. I left her looking and went off to the gift section where I picked up a book – ‘Heroes of Bomber Command – Yorkshire’. Whilst flicking through, I found a photograph of Betty’s and reference to the mirror, which I’d not heard of before. It mentioned that there are nearly 600 signatures on the mirror, from airmen who’d been stationed locally. My Uncle was stationed at Breighton during the war, so this was not to be missed.

Anyway, enough of the pre-amble! We ended the day in Betty’s (highly recommended, if a little pricey – but well worth it) and sought out the mirror, which is downstairs in the old oak paneled bar near the toilets. We spent quite a time reading the names and then spoke to one of the waitresses, and asked if anybody had done any research on the names. She didn’t know, but said that somebody had listed all the names and asked if I would like to have a look at the list. I was thinking this was probably a regular occurrence and hoped she’d give me a photocopy, but she came back with an A4 binder for me to peruse. The names are arranged alphabetically (didn’t find my Uncle) and are mainly just names, but occasionally the airmen also included their unit and nationality… *** Sqd., RCAF, RAAF etc.

Two of my Son’s University mates work at Betty’s, so there is a chance that I could obtain a copy. I will also contact Betty’s to see if they have any objection to me posting the list on here. I’ll keep you updated.

Dean.

Fairy muff,

then I’ll throw in another Wheatsheaf – this time at Deenethorpe ! :p :p

backatcha!

TT

I’ll see your Wheatsheaf, and raise you The Swan at Lavenham :p

Moggy

Dont hold me to it Steve, but am pretty sure that there is something on it – been a while since I was Elvo way…

Mog – or The Wheatsheaf near Biggin…. leastways I think that was what it was called (?) – BoB signatures on the wall there too…

Thread hijack alert! :diablo:

ATB

TT

A quick google…….

http://www.rcaf.com/6group/bbar.html

John.

And don’t forget its East Anglian counterpart, the ceiling of The Eagle in Cambridge

Moggy

AAAHHHH!!!!!! Thats the one, we know it as Betty’s Tea Rooms and like TT says the fat rascal is brill.

Will have to go and have a snoop next time we are up there.

John.

Thanks Texan Tomcat, I will try Elvington.

FMk6John, the mirror is in the downstairs bar, next to the toilets!

Go along Parliament Street to the point where it meets Coney Street, its just along from ‘GAP’!

Steve, think they have been researched IIRC Elvington have a bit on them.

Well worth checking out oh and have a ‘fat rascal’ while youre there, yum….but be prepared to queue!

ATB

TT

Hell Steve I find myself in York regular and never knew about this one, whereabouts is Betty’s Bar?.

Regards,

John.

Ah, 144 views and no replies. I’ll take that as a “no” then.