NEHL - The Joiners Arms featured its own Quoits Ground in the backyard from at least the 1880s and as early as the 1890s. The first reference is in 1884 when the pub was under the ownership of Mr David Smith. A "fair assemblage of spectators" gathered next to the Joiners Arms to witness a match between William Wilson of Hunwick Station and J Wheatley of Hunwick. The match was 10 yards distance with two inch pins and clay ends. A "very even contest resulted" with Wilson winning by one chalk.

There are a number of other references through to the 1890s, with matches shared with the Two Bay Horses down the lane. The setup in the backyard no longer remains.

History of the Joiners Arms:
The Joiners Arms is one of many pubs to have stood in the village since the 19th century. It was opened around 1879, with the first publican being Samuel Goy. He was also a labourer at a local colliery - likely either Hunwick Colliery east of here of North Beechburn in the west. He probably got a licence for his own house, and converted the ground floor.

He was not the landlord for long however. A Mr Smith took it over by 1882 and hosted rabbit coursing and quoits in the field behind the pub. Coursing was the Greyhound racing of its day, though used live rabbits rather than stuffed ones. It's of course banned today. In later years it was taken on by John H Watson and "Tidler" Temby, who was also the local village milkman.