Pub Sign Study Blazing Rag Mosseley Tameside Manchester

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Opening as The Welcome Return, this pub was unofficially known locally from the start as The Blazing Rag, or just The Rag. This was due to its use as a venue finishing line for the obscure bloodless sport of dog trailing. Basically a cloth rag would be soaked in aniseed and then pulled along on a rope trailed behind a horse and dogs would try to catch the rag. After the races, the dusty aniseed soaked rag would be taken into the pub and the winning dog’s owner would throw it onto the fire before collecting his prize winnings – probably cash. The sign depicts the rag burning even while being dragged which is nonsensical. An 1878 landlord was arrested and fined for selling gin for consumption off the premises in breach of his licensing agreement. By 1928 The Welcome Return was officially tied to (owned by) the Openshaw Brewery, but unusually, due to it making brisk trade, the pub was allowed to go on operating as if it was still an independent free house. It was an arrangement that confused licensing magistrates for many years. The long established nickname Blazing Rag was only officially adapted in 1986. Arthur Chappell