History of a Southover St pub

A photograph of the pub sign

The first reference to this building in Southover Street being used as a public house is in 1869. It was initially called The Golden Cross.

The present landlord is an Irishman called Cyril Bourke. He took over the pub in May 1988, changed the interior and renamed it, The Geese have gone over the Water. His aim was to change the pub’s image into a place where “artists and people interested in literature could come and talk”.

The pub’s name refers to sixteenth century Irish history when the nobility, artists and poets of Ireland fled to escape English rule. This period is also known as the “Flight of the Earls”. The pub sign shows a picture of a sailing ship leaving Ireland for France.

Comments about this page

  • I lived in the Golden Cross from 1968 to 1997. My mum and dad were the landlord and lady of the pub. It was a great place to live, so much going on all the time. Mnay very happy memories of the pub

    By sharon terry (14/09/2010)
  • Sharo, I worked at the Golden Cross when your Mum and Dad were the Landlord and Lady, approximately 1975.

    By Maureen Howell (13/08/2011)
  • I well remember the Golden Cross. A regular Friday lunchtime haunt for all the Engineering students at Brighton Tech. One of my favourite memories is of their famous “Beanie Pies”, which were mince and baked beans – a positive feast for 25p when you were an impoverished student.

    By Marc Turner (20/07/2012)
  • Is this the same curly-haired Marc Turner who lived somewhere off Elm Grove in the ’70s (Whippingham or Havelock maybe?)

    By Mick Allen (04/02/2013)
  • Well, I certainly lived off Elm Grove in the 70s. Firstly in Brading Road, and later in Bernard Road.

    By Marc Turner (19/02/2013)

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