Backyard English Pub Hosts 40th Birthday Bash
Is there anything more English than an English pub in an Englishman’s backyard? Probably not. Maybe if the Englishman turned into a plate of fish and chips. But that isn’t going to happen outside of Harry Potter fan fiction.
Last Christmas, Karl Humby’s 40th birthday was about six months away. He wanted to have his birthday party at his own backyard English pub. Of course, any pub he owns in an English pub given he lives in Bournemouth, England. But just any old pub wouldn’t do. He cleared two sheds out of his backyard to make room for a larger prefabricated shell he would turn into The Cannon, his backyard man cave.
The moniker is a tribute to his favorite soccer team, Arsenal Football Club. Karl didn’t want to make a full-on a sports bar, so the name is a subtle reference. Tottenham Hotspur fans might miss it altogether.
The Cannon’s rafters are the perfect place to display Karl’s collection of beer coasters he’s assembled over 22 years. It’s great way to keep them from getting water rings. And visitors can admire them from barstools around two barrel tables or at the bar. The Cannon also features dartboards and a television for Karl to watch his beloved Arsenal take the pitch.
The surrounding backyard also has a couple of seating areas which came in handy for the 30 to 40 guests who celebrated Karl’s milestone birthday with him. With his backyard centerpiece complete, Karl had the 40th birthday he wanted. They played games, held Mariokart and darts competitions, drank adult beverages, and relaxed together.
Now, he enjoys The Cannon most evenings after his daughter goes to bed and his partner turns on her television show of choice in the house. Like any labor of love, The Cannon is never complete. Karl has plans for upgrading the barstools and adding a comfy sofa. No matter what changes he makes to The Cannon, he’ll always remember the 40th birthday party and the work that went into making his backyard English pub a reality.
All photos courtesy Karl Humby.
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