Chairman
ADRIAN SMITH
t: 07495 448555
e: chairman@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Membership Secretary
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Treasurer
DAVE WOOLCOCK
e: treasurer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Secretary & Webmaster
GORDON SMALL t: 01772 746118 e: secretary@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Pubs Officer
RICHARD LANGFORD t: 07974 799224
e: pubsofficer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Pub Protection Officer
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Cider Officer
EDD FLETCHER e: cider@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Social Media Officer
Welcome to our Winter 2022/3 edition of Ale Cry. The news from the pub and brewery world is rather depressing at the moment, with spiralling utility costs pushing prices higher. This coupled with all round inflation leading to less disposable income; pubs are being squeezed from both sides. However we are still finding that local pubs are selling a great range of beers –long may it last.
Takeovers and closures of breweries have become commonplace in recent years. Older CAMRA members (myself included) will talk longingly of long-closed breweries and the beers they drank in their youth, beers which got them started on their love affair with real ale. To that ever-growing list we can now add Jennings of Cockermouth (closed and the site to be redeveloped) and the former Charles Wells Eagle Brewery in Bedford; still open but sold to Spanish brewers S.A. Damm. Both of these disposals have been overseen by Carlsberg Marstons. In addition to this, Molson Coors have closed the National Brewery Museum in Burtonon-Trent. This was an excellent museum with a wealth of artefacts – who knows what will happen to them now? There does seem to be a lack of respect for our brewing heritage from the global breweries who now dominate the beer scene where the only thing they really care about is money!
Pub closures are nothing new. Locally we see them every few months, and very often we shrug our shoulders and say, “well what can you expect, not a great pub, wrong place etc. etc.”. Every so often we hear of iconic pubs under threat, either from the developer or simply not being able to trade in these
difficult times. One such pub whose future is threatened due to financial pressures is the Old Swan in Netherton (West Midlands). Ma Pardoe’s, as the pub is known locally, is one of the four home-brew pubs listed in the 1974 Good Beer Guide and is included in the CAMRA National Inventory of Pub Interiors. This is a magnificent pub, and one does wonder if places like this are unable to survive, what hope is there?
As ever, if you have any thoughts, comments or feedback (about Ale Cry, the local branch or CAMRA nationally) please get in touch with us via email, you will find a contact list in this magazine, or better still, come along to one of our forthcoming meetings or events. Please also remember to visit our website www.centrallancs. camra.org.uk for all the latest information and local news and if you are on Facebook, please search for CAMRA Central Lancs and like our page. In addition, you can now follow us on Twitter, search for CAMRA Central Lancs.
We also produce a monthly newsletter which is emailed to Branch members on the 1 st of each month. If you are not receiving this, it might be because we do not have an up-to-date email address for you or perhaps because your membership options need changing. Please go to https://camra.org.uk log in and go to edit membership details/marketing preferences in the Members’ Area to amend your details and options.
Wishing all our readers the very best for the festive season and for 2023.
STEWART GRIEVE e: socialmedia@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Ale Cry Editor
ADRIAN SMITH t: 07495 448555 e: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
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www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk @CAMRA_CentLancs
CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch camra_central.lancs
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The Pub of the Season for Winter 2022/3 has been awarded to the TAPS & WINE BAR in Walton-leDale. Housed in the former Conservative Club building, the pub opened in late November 2019 following an extensive renovation. This of course was not the best time to be opening a new venture, as the pub was forced to close for lockdown the following March. With all the changes in rules and some problems over planning permission for the outdoor drinking area, it was only in August 2021 that the pub fully reopened.
The pub is run by Sean and Debbie O’Hagan who have lived locally all their lives. Debbie runs the pub while Sean has a day job as a project manager, while being heavily involved with beer selection, cellar work etc. Sean has also used his building skills in the refurbishment, with most of the work being done by him.
The term micropub is often thrown at all new pub conversions, but this one is anything but micro. There is a substantial lounge on the ground floor with the bar across the far end. On the upper floor there is a newly opened function room and outside there are a few covered booths for use in warmer weather. The bar houses six handpumps and fifteen keg taps, providing a wide selection of
beers. The cask beers come from a range of breweries, predominantly from Yorkshire and Lancashire, and will usually include a dark beer. The pub posts their beer range on the Real Ale Finder app, so it’s easy to find out what is available before visiting. For those of you who don’t drink beer, there is also a good selection of fine wines and gins. A kitchen is being fitted upstairs and a food offering should be available in the New Year.
The Taps & Wine Bar has become the go-to pub for lovers of real ale in Walton-le-Dale, but seems to be less well known outside the local area. There is easy access, as the 125 bus (Stagecoach: Preston – Chorley – Bolton) and the 152 (Transdev: Preston – Blackburn – Burnley) stop almost outside the door, so
why people haven’t been making more noise about this excellent pub is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps the problem lies in the appeal of places like Preston and Chorley, which have become real ale tourist destinations; so a town with one great pub gets somewhat overlooked, which is a great shame.
The pub is open from 5pm – 9.30pm Thursday, 4pm – 11pm Friday, 3pm – 11pm Saturday and 2pm – 9.30pm on Sunday. There is occasional live music on Saturday nights.
The Pub of the Season Presentation will take place at the Taps & Wine Bar on 26th January at 7.30pm. Please do join us to discover why this pub has won this award and to enjoy some great ales in a friendly and welcoming environment.
ADRIAN SMITHAlot of you may have noticed that the WINCKLEY STREET ALE HOUSE has been closed for a while. Well, the long wait for its reopening will soon be over. It was supposed to have been sold to the bar manager, Jonny, last February, but has not reopened since. Apparently, some remediation work was necessary before the business could be transferred over. This has now been sorted out, so we hear. The place will have to be re-fitted and restocked etc., but we can look forward to it reopening, hopefully, before Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, the WINTER LODGE, on the corner of Friargate and Heatley St. has opened again for the run up to the festive season. Specializing in German beers and gluhwein, it proved very popular last year and did actually sell a real ale in the form of Moorhouse’s White Witch. We would expect it to do so again this year.
Just around the corner from there, the NEW BRITANNIA has had a major refit with a £138,000 refurbishment. While retaining many of its original features, it has been given a facelift with a more modern feel. One of the more controversial moves was to take out the pool table, which was not received with universal approval. In its place is an illuminated digital dartboard which is proving very popular. Money was
also spent on improving the cellar. Real ale will still feature and on a recent visit Ringwood 49er was on sale, with some other beer waiting to be put on the bar.
A couple of issues back we told you of plans by Ryan Hayes of CHAIN HOUSE BREWERY to open premises in an alleyway between Friargate and Market Street where he would brew and sell his beer that he currently produces in his garage in New Longton. Ryan still has plans to open a microbrewery and tap room in Preston but has moved the location to a former joinery workshop on Market Street West, close to the previous site. It is thought that the new site is more likely to suit the needs of a microbrewery, being a single-storey
building and having a more prominent frontage on Market Street West. The new proposal, which includes office space and storage as well as the microbrewery and tap room, states that it will be a benefit to the area by upgrading a tired looking building and adding to the variety of high quality hospitality venues around the Friargate and Market St. areas. Let us hope that Preston Council, which passed his previous proposals, will quickly approve these latest plans and we can enjoy what would be a welcome addition to Preston’s attractions.
One proposal for a micropub, however, has hit the buffers with Preston Council refusing permission to turn a neighbourhood newsagent into a bar. Planners have thrown out the proposals, saying it would have an adverse impact on people living nearby. The owners of the shop on Broadway in Fulwood wanted to open it as a drinking establishment with seating outside. These proposals did not go down well with local residents and several objections were raised, which were taken up by local councillors. Fears of noise and unruly behaviour were stated by planners as part of the reason that the location was considered unsuitable.
Good news at the MARKET TAVERN Gavin has been accepted onto the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) guest list, which means he will be able to get a much greater range of guest beers on the bar in addition to beers that he can get off the Heineken guest list. Don’t forget that he offers a 10% discount on production of a current CAMRA membership card, making it great value for some interesting beers from around the country.
The PARKSIDE CAFE on Blackpool Rd. near Lane Ends has opened for business, but there does not seem to be any sign of real ale being sold there yet, even though it is owned by the same people that have
have been raised about their future plans for the bar/ bistro part. Let us hope that they have success in getting plans approved for their vision.
BARNEY’S (ex piano bar) in Church St. is up for sale. It does not currently sell real ale, but has done in the past. It is being offered for £475,000 by the owners, having had a major refit costing £100,000 a couple of years ago. With the multi-storey housing development going on down Pole Street, it was anticipated that there would be a resurgence of that area of Church Street. It could happen, for at one time that area of town was a thriving one with pubs such as the Lamb and the George being very popular places to enjoy a drink.
During recent months we were delighted to present a couple of awards
to pubs in the Preston area. NIKO was announced as our Cider Pub of the Year in the spring, but for a variety of reasons, the presentation was delayed until the autumn. The TAP END at Ashton is our Best New Real Ale Outlet for 2022, and in this case, we managed to
present the award to licensee Simon in more timely fashion.
Finally, the GUILD ALE HOUSE has introduced The Dirty Dozen Club, whereby by joining, you receive a card on which you get a stamp every time you buy a pint and then you get your thirteenth pint for free. It costs £5 to join, but after this, after filling up a card, you get a new card for free ad infinitum. If you go in there regularly, you soon get back your initial investment and every thirteenth is a free pint. I have had several free pints already. PAUL RILEY
the Crafty Beggars Ale House in Fulwood. It is open from 9am until 3 pm daily for breakfasts and lunches, but some objections
In previous years there have been Christmas pop-up bars in Preston, but in 2022 it looks like they have now arrived in South Ribble.
First there is WINTER WONDERLAND, a new bar which opened in Leyland at the beginning of November. Located on Hough Lane in the former Barnardo’s Charity Shop premises, this temporary Christmas-themed bar comes under the same ownership as the neighbouring No. 55 Bar. An article in the
Lancashire Post has reported that it was to be selling a range of German-style beers as well as Wainwright Gold as a cask ale. This is wrong but interesting as the No. 55 itself has also recently started selling Wainwright Gold on draught, but unfortunately it is not the cask-conditioned version.
A Christmas bar has also been announced for Longton, with THE GROTTO planned to open in December. Whether or not this will be selling any real ale remains to be seen.
Earlier this year I wrote about the long-closed Sir Robert Peel at Waltonle-Dale, commenting that the building ‘still sports a hanging pub sign, but as time goes on the picture of Sir Robert Peel is gradually fading away’.
It would now appear that I was a little premature in writing off this pub, as in August there was an announcement that it did still have a future, with Wallis Cycles of Higher Walton stating that it was their intention that the pub be re-opened as a cyclingthemed café bar to be called the BOBBY PEEL Their initial announcement mentioned the stocking of Belgian beers, and also revealed that cask beers would be supplied by Crankshaft Brewery. Moving on a couple of months, and there have been further statements that work on a ‘new fully renovated bar’ is progressing well, and that a grand re-opening was being planned. By the time that this Ale Cry is produced I anticipate that the re-born Sir Robert Peel will be up and running.
Another closed pub that may still have a future is the NABS HEAD at Samlesbury Bottoms. The pub had previously been up for sale, but now Thwaites Brewery are advertising that the tenancy is available for a 12-month period.
The Anchor at Hutton closed as a
pub in October 2021, with an announcement that the premises were to be converted for an alternative use. The strong rumour was that it would become an American Diner, and a year later this has proved to be correct with the appearance of HICKORY’S HUTTON, a branch of the Hickory’s Smokehouse chain.
Although primarily an eating establishment, Hickory’s Hutton does cater for drinkers who are not dining. However, unfortunately at this time there is no real ale available. What they do have on sale is a 5% house beer, Hickory’s Pale Ale brewed by the Purity Beer Company and priced at £5.25 a pint. Looking on WhatPub it appears that there are many branches of Hickory’s Smokehouse that are serving real ale, notably their branches elsewhere in the north west at Chester, Southport, and the Wirral. Perhaps the Hutton branch will fall into line before too long.
In previous issues of Ale Cry I have featured a particular area of South Ribble looking at the pubs and the beers that are available on a particular day. This time I have decided to do something different, and have paid a visit to the two brewery taps that are located within the borough.
First I visited the CRANKSHAFT BREWERY TAP which can be found in an industrial unit on Boxer Place, just off Comet Road in Leyland. Three beers are usually available on handpump, and on my visit on a Saturday afternoon these were Propshaft (a 3.8% Lancashire Golden Ale), Leyland Badger (a 5% Lancashire Stout), and 1511 (a 4.7% American Cream Ale). A good choice of beers, and while I was there another beer, Sherpa (a 4.2% Pale Ale) also made an appearance. The brewery tap has limited opening hours, being open only two days a week, Fridays from 12 noon to 9pm, and Saturdays from 2pm to 9pm. It has some wooden bench seating inside, and there is also seating outside for use in the warmer weather. For anyone wanting to visit the Crankshaft Brewery Tap the hourly 112 Preston to
Croston bus stops nearby, running until the early evening.
A few days later I made my way to the BEER BROTHERS TAPROOM, which like the Crankshaft Brewery Tap is also located within an industrial estate. The Beer Brothers Taproom can be found on Ranglet Road in Walton Summit. This bar is open seven days a week, although it does not stay open late some evenings, closing at 6pm Mondays to Wednesdays; 9pm on Thursdays; 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays; and 8pm on Sundays. The Taproom offers a selection of up to four cask beers, eight kegged beers, and two kegged ciders. Naturally my interest was in the cask beers, and when I visited the Taproom on a Thursday afternoon there were two beers on handpump – Golden Sky (a 3.8% traditional English Pale Ale), and Altbier (a 5% Dusseldorf lager/beer). Inside, the Taproom has seating alongside the brewery equipment, whilst outside there is plenty of room for their customers under cover. Food is now available from 7.30am to 2pm, Monday – Friday from a new catering unit at the front of the premises. It can be reached by catching the 125 Preston to Chorley bus, which stops nearby, although after 7pm there is a longer walk to a bus stop as the route changes.
While writing about breweries and brewery taps I should also mention the CHAIN HOUSE BREWING COMPANY,
which has been located in South Ribble for the last five years. By the time this Ale Cry appears it will have upped sticks and re-located to Market Street West in Preston, and it will also be a brewery with its own brewery tap.
GORDON SMALL
This is the 50th year of CAMRA Central Lancashire branch, and for much of that time Manchester brewer Boddingtons has been a major player in the branch area. Famed for Boddingtons’ Bitter, this was a beer to split opinions. Some people would travel miles to visit a Boddingtons’ pub, while others were happy to stay well clear of it.
When the branch (then known as CAMRA West Lancashire) was formed in 1973 there were plenty of Boddingtons’ pubs in the Preston area, but strangely there were none in the Leyland and Chorley areas. Historically this situation had arisen due to Boddingtons’ acquisition of the Joseph Hull Brewery (located in Glovers Court, Preston) in 1899. More recently Boddingtons’ had added to their pub estate with the takeover of JG Swales Brewery of Hulme in 1970. A 1957 inventory of Preston’s pubs lists 18 Boddingtons’ houses. However by the time CAMRA came on the scene 16 years later several of these pubs had gone. Who now remembers the Butchers & Commercial on Brook Street, the John O’Gaunt on Avenham Lane, and the Sailors Home on Marsh Lane? Furthermore two of their pubs, the Duke of Sussex on Kent Street, and the Wellfield on Adelphi Street, had been disposed of and were now Greenall Whitley outlets.
The branch’s first Real Ale Guide came out in 1975, and listed were 23 Boddingtons’ pubs. There were 15 pubs in Preston, with the other 8 pubs being located in the more outlying areas. Around the same time Boddingtons themselves produced a promotional booklet which provided summarised information about their extensive tied house estate. In this booklet they were particularly keen to stress that many of their pubs in the Preston area had been rebuilt or recently modernised.
Everything was going well for Boddingtons until 1989, this being the year that the Strangeways Brewery plus their many pubs were acquired by Whitbread. This proved to be the beginning of the end, although for a time in the 1990s Boddingtons’ Bitter became a national beer brand and was to be the most commonly-found beer in the branch area.
It is interesting to look at what has happened to the 23 Boddingtons’ pubs that existed when CAMRA Central Lancashire branch was founded. Most of the Preston pubs have now gone, while many of the other former Boddies pubs have also gone through testing times.
The first Preston pub to close was the THEATRE on Fishergate. In January 1987 it was reported at a CAMRA meeting that it was to be refurbished – the following month it was reported that it had been sold by Boddingtons for a ‘fortune’. Later that year it was demolished, with a gas showroom being built on the site.
There were no more casualties until after the Whitbread takeover. The second pub to bite the dust was the NEPTUNE on Strand Road, which closed in 1992 and was quickly converted for residential use. The Boddingtons’ booklet described this pub as having ‘quite a docker clientele’, but it was the demise of the neighbouring British Aerospace factory that probably finished it off.
Next to go was the OLD ENGLAND on Ribbleton Lane. It closed in 1999 and was to stand derelict for over 20 years, becoming quite an eyesore before being demolished in 2021.
The STEAMER on Fylde Road (affectionately known by many as
the Yacht Club) had undergone an official name change in 1986, becoming the Fylde Tavern. It continued under this title until 2011, when it was closed to become a Shisha & Grill establishment. Closing in 2012, the GREYHOUND on London Road was another to be closed and have an afterlife
as an eating establishment, with it becoming an Egyptian restaurant and takeaway.
Opened in 1964, the JOHN O’GAUNT at Ingol had presumedly been built to replace its Avenham Lane namesake. It was closed in 2014 and was converted into a children’s day nursery.
The original SUMNERS on Watling Street Road had closed in 1985, being demolished to make way for a road widening scheme. It was replaced by a new Sumners, which itself was closed in 2018, quickly falling into disrepair, before being demolished later that year.
These were not the only closures in suburban Preston. Other pubs closing their doors were the SELBORNE in Frenchwood (2003), the ROYAL OAK on Plungington Road (2007), the ACREGATE on New Hall Lane (2008), and the BELLE VUE also on New Hall Lane (2014).
50 years on, just four of the Preston pubs are still in business, these being the CONTINENTAL on South Meadow Lane, the LANE ENDS at Ashton, the OLD BLACK BULL on Friargate, and the ROYAL CONSORT on Meadow Street. These days the Continental is extremely popular, having twice been nominated by CAMRA Central Lancashire branch for the Lancashire Pub of the Year award. However it should be remembered that it has also had some
troubled times, being closed and left derelict for 18 months before it re-opened in 2008 under the present management.
Away from Preston most of the branch’s former Boddingtons’ tied houses have survived the years, but there have been a couple of casualties. The TALBOT at Chipping closed in 2006, although for quite some time it did have the appearance of a pub that could yet re-open. The VICTORIA at Walton-le-Dale, which once had ex-Coronation Street actor Bernard Youens as its landlord, closed in 2008 and was very quickly demolished to make way for housing.
The OLD OAK at Hoghton closed as a pub in 2017, briefly becoming an Italian restaurant called the San Lorenzo. This enterprise lasted about a year before the premises became the Oak, once again a pub but this time an establishment with a greater emphasis on food.
Like the Continental in Preston, the SWAN at Higher Walton was another to come back from the dead. It was closed for two years, before re-opening in 2014. The PLEASANT RETREAT at Lostock Hall has in recent times also had several short spells of closure.
Interestingly earlier this year there was an announcement that it was to get a £190,000 facelift and be transformed into the Tap & Barrel, a craft beer house.
The WITHY TREES at Bamber Bridge was for a time Irishified as Shifty O’Shea’s, and then later it had a spell being known as the Top House. In 2011 it got a new lease of life as the Withy Arms, being the first of four pubs owned by the enterprising Bamber Bridge pub company.
Completing the line-up of former Boddingtons’ pubs from 1973 are the SUN at Chipping and the WHITE BULL at Walton-leDale, two pubs that appear to have come through the last 50 years relatively unscathed.
The brewing industry has gone through many changes since CAMRA Central Lancashire branch came on the scene. What will happen in the next 50 years – will anyone still remember Boddingtons’ Bitter? GORDON SMALL
Our branch recently had a wonderful coach trip to Halifax which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who went on it. For those of you who could not make our day out, it is well worth a visit to this charming Yorkshire town, there being loads of good pubs in the town centre, a wealth of interesting architecture and a regular direct train service from Preston, taking just an hour and a quarter to get there.
12th Century parish church. The pub is the oldest licensed pub in Halifax, being over 400 years old. The pub has a comfortable lounge with a room leading off and serves good value meals at lunchtime. It opens up at 11am and has five changing beers available.
Going back towards the station, look out for a narrow road called Blackledge on your right. This leads up to an entrance to the world famous Piece Hall, where you will find the SQUARE CHAPEL BAR, situated in a modern extension to the listed chapel, which dates from 1772. The modern long bar has up to five cask ales and is handy for exploring the Piece Hall. The bar opens at noon except for Monday and Tuesday when it only opens at four. Also, it only accepts card payments.
From here, turn right at the Railway pub, and go up to Union Street, then turn right again to reach the MEANDERING BEAR The modern and tastefully decorated Bear
comfortable, Scandinavian-style modern bar opened in 2019. With three tiered seating areas and covered outside drinking area, it was highly commended in the 2022 Pub of the Year competition. With six real ales, always including a dark one, which on our visit was 4T’s Stout at 5%, it has a good range of styles of ales. No need to worry about opening times here, it is open 11–11 all days except Friday and Saturday, when it stays open till 11.30.
Arriving at Halifax railway station, it is a short distance to the main road. Turn left, walking about 250 yards or so to reach the first pub, the renowned THREE PIGEONS. You should not miss this pub as it is on CAMRA’s National Inventory for its important historic interior. A striking octagonal drinking lobby forms a hub from which five distinctive rooms radiate. The Art Deco pub, originally built by Webster’s Brewery in 1932, is now owned and maintained by Ossett Brewery and you will find at least four of their beers on the bar, plus up to three guests from near and far. Please note that the pub only opens at 3pm during the week (noon at weekends), so if you arrive early you will need to change the order in which you visit the pubs.
Alternatively, if you turn right outside the station and look for Upper Kirkgate you will find the RING O’ BELLS next door to the
only opened in 2019 and is on a split level, the pumps being at a higher level than the lounge. Named after a Grizzly bear that escaped from the local zoo, the bar has five changing real ales. It is closed on Mondays, only opens at 4pm on Tues and Wed, noon on Sat and 1pm other days. Apart from Fri and Sat when it is open till midnight, it closes between 9pm and 11pm depending on the day.
Come out of there, turn right to find Westgate on your left where you will quickly find the KOBENHAVN a minimalistic but
From here, go up out of Westgate, turn left to reach the main road, then turning right, go past the Victoria Theatre to find Powell St. on your right. On the left hand side of the street you will see the VICTORIAN CRAFT BEER CAFE . Much expanded from when it originally opened in 2014, there is now abundant cosy seating with wooden panelling on various levels around the oak tiled bar. Always ensured of a warm welcome, there is a fantastic selection of up to 9 changing cask beers from all over the country. These included on my visit an unusual light mild from Utopia of Devon at 3.6% with all kinds of beers up to a 6.8% IPA. There are also umpteen keg lines selling Belgian and world beers. Again, there are no worries about opening times; it being open noon till 11 all days (Midnight Fri/Sat)
Going back to the main road, turning right, you will come to the Wetherspoons pub, the BARUM TOP and opposite it the BOW LEG WITH BRASS . You should need no explanation of what to find in
the Barum Top, it being a good example of what makes them so popular. The Bow Leg with Brass is a large open plan pub with multiple TV screens for watching sport and usually has 3 guest ales on. To get to the next pub, go down George St, bearing left to Crown Street, down which, look on your right for a narrow passageway and you will find the UPPER GEORGE , which is well worth seeking out. A cosy, traditional pub with a central bar with comfortable seating areas off and a pool room, it attracts a mixed clientele with its friendly staff and easygoing atmosphere. It has a large screen for sports and has live music on Friday nights. What also attracts is the selection of up to seven changing
real ales. On our visit the range stretched from Withens Pale at 3.9% to Elland Porter at 6.5%. There is also an outdoor courtyard which is very popular in summer. The pub is a Greene King pub badged as a John Barras outlet. It just shows what can be done with Greene King pubs. The Upper George opens at 11am (12 Sun) and closes at 11pm (12 Thurs, 1am Fri/Sat).
To reach our next pub, come back out of the George, turn right and go down to reach Princess Street where you turn left towards the Town Hall, where opposite on Wesley Court you will find the GRAYSTON UNITY , a quirky small bar in another listed building, dating from 1862. With seating in front and to the side of the bar and a covered back yard seating area, it is officially the UK’s smallest music venue, with open Mic nights on Wednesdays and also Sunday sessions. In summer there is outdoor seating to the front. It serves Goose Eye Chinook Blonde (4.2%) and up to three changing guest ales. No food, but cutlery is provided if you bring your own. It is closed Monday and only opens at 4pm on Tues – Thurs, 2pm Fri, 12.30 Sat and 1pm Sun. Closing at 8pm Tue/Wed, 10pm Thur, 11pm Fri/Sat and 7.30 Sun.
From here you can go past the Town Hall and turn right down Market St. This leads back to the Westgate area and a short walk back to the Railway Station for the journey home.
To get to Halifax on the train from Preston, catch the York train which are more or less every hour at about quarter to the hour. It is a direct train and, say you catch the 10.46, you will be in Halifax for 11.52. Return trains from Halifax to Preston leave at about 28 minutes past the hour with the 18.38 train arriving in Preston at 19.39. The current day return fare is £17.70 each. There are no duo tickets for this route, but of course you get one third off with a railcard of some description.
Besides the Piece Hall, Halifax is home to Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, handily placed adjacent to the railway station and also nearby is the Calderdale Industrial museum. Nearby attractions include Sibden Hall, the home of Anne Lister, famous from the television series Gentleman Jack. It could be worth having an extended mini break In Halifax, giving you more time to try out the excellent pubs of the town. PAUL RILEY
Correction to Riley’s Rambles 130 –Sowerby Bridge. I must apologise to our Scottish readers for not mentioning in my last article that Andrew Carnegie the philanthropist, although having spent most of his life in the USA, his parents having emigrated to there when he was 12, was born in Dunfermline, so actually he was Scottish, and should be described as Scottish-American. Happy to put the record straight.
This is our final instalment in our look back at the closed pubs of Preston. In each of the previous 12 articles we have covered a distinct geographical area. This time round we are picking up the ‘stragglers’ around the edges. Many of the pubs in this issue were modern estate pubs and short lived; one open for as little as 8 years. There is little or no information readily available about most of these pubs, so we must content ourselves with the pictures. As these pubs are spread across the city, we will attack them from west to east.
Our first pub is the WEAVERS on Longridge Road, near to Red Scar and the crematorium. A modern pub (probably dating from the 1960s) it carried the name BEES KNEES towards the end. It closed in 1992 and was subsequently demolished.
Next comes the LION on Langden Drive on the Moor Nook estate. Built by Matthew Brown, it had a reputation as a rough pub, with one former landlord quoted as saying ‘holding the fort at the Battle of the Alamo would have been easier
than being the landlord at The Lion’. Towards the end of its existence it was renamed the Witt’s End –allegedly so named because the brewery were so fed up of it being vandalised by the locals that they decided to have one last go of making it a going concern before they finally gave up, as they were, supposedly, at their wits end. It made no difference
as a few months later in 2000, it was burnt down in an arson attack and never rebuilt.
Moving slightly north, our next pub is the BROOKFIELD ARMS on Croasdale Avenue in Ribbleton. Another Matthew Brown pub built for a new estate, there is no record of the pub ever selling real ale, although it probably did in the early years. It was
closed in 2000 and demolished 2004
At the junction of Lytham Road and Sir Tom Finney Way stood the ROYAL GARRISON. Reputedly there was a secret tunnel from the barracks to the pub cellar which was once used by officers. Given the proximity of the barracks and Deepdale Football Stadium, this should have been a thriving and successful pub, but it closed in 2012, with its final demise blamed on poor trade and a run of temporary managers in later years. Having stood derelict for seven years, it was announced in 2019 that the pub was to be turned into eight flats, but the only happening of note since then is an arson attack in 2020.
Staying in this part of Preston, our
next pub is the shortest lived of the lot. The TOY SOLDIER was built on Deepdale Retail Park in 1998, and perhaps unsurprisingly given the name, had a large children’s play area. It only lasted until 2006 when it was demolished to make way for more retail units.
By contrast, the NEW SHIP INN on Watery Lane dates from the mid 1890s, although there has been a pub bearing the Ship name on this site or in the immediate area since approximately 1794. For a time in the 1980s, the pub bore the name
the Jolly Roger. The pub had a large concert room which was in use until almost the end. It closed in 2011 and was turned into a restaurant.
The JOHN O’GAUNT, on Cottam Avenue in Ingol, was built by Boddingtons in 1964. Another of the ‘estate pubs’ it had a lounge for live music and the public bar contained a sizeable trophy cabinet and was the headquarters for Ingol Rangers F.C. Real ale in the form of Boddingtons’ Bitter featured from the start although this had been discontinued by 2004. The pub closed in 2014
and was converted into a children’s nursery.
Fairly close by, another new estate pub was the FALKLAND HEROES on Village Green Lane in Tanterton. Built by Matthew Brown in 1983, it was named to commemorate the Falklands War and was decorated with badges, pictures and other memorabilia. A single large room with a central bar it was serving real ale in 1992 in the form of Theakstons Best Bitter but following a serious fire in 2002, the building was demolished.
Finally we come to the SAVICK, which was a large plain looking estate pub on West Park Avenue in Ashton. It was built by Matthew Brown to serve a new housing estate and had a separate lounge and games room. The 1992 Preston Guild beer guide notes it as selling Matthew Brown Dark Mild and Theakstons Best Bitter, stating that it was a recent convert to real ale. This clearly didn’t last too long, as by 2004 it was no longer doing so. The pub closed in 2008 and was subsequently demolished.
ADRIAN SMITHAll the excellent photographs used to illustrate this series of articles come from the Jim Holderness collection, and we gratefully acknowledge this and being able to use them. I hope readers have enjoyed these articles and, for those of you old enough to remember some of these closed pubs, has brought back some happy memories.
The 50th Edition of the Good Beer Guide was released on 27th October. This guide lists not the ‘best pubs’ but the pubs where you can find the best quality real ale in the country – more than 4,500 of them. There are styles of pub for every taste – from country inns through urban style bars to backstreet boozers.
Whenever a new guide is released, there is always plenty of comment on social media (mainly from the people who never miss the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at CAMRA) and it normally covers two areas – the guide is out of date before it is published and/or we’ve selected pubs that aren’t very good. This year has been no exception; so I’d like to take the opportunity to put our side of the argument.
Firstly, is the guide out of date? There is inevitably going to be a time lag between final selection of the pubs and the book being printed. There is always the possibility that a pub will close, or a change of licensee lead to a reduction in beer quality or availability. Many of the pubs that are included are Free Houses,
with a constantly changing array of beers on offer, and it is never going to be possible to tell our readers exactly what is going to be on the bar. Opening hours can change –and for this reason we have omitted these from the guide for the last two years. Our recommendation to anyone using the guide is to cross check the information with the entry on WhatPub before setting off. This will give up to date (or as up-to-date as we can get) information on each entry and fuller information than is available in the book. The website is available to members and non-members completely free and can be found at https://whatpub.com. The one area in this year’s guide that is out of date already is in relation to the foreword, which we proudly announce was written by HRH The Prince of Wales. Of course, by the time the guide was printed, HRH had become King Charles III, but the message and sentiment are unchanged and worth reading.
The second criticism is that we’ve selected pubs that aren’t very good. The selection of the pubs in any area is down to the individual branches and relies on contributions from our members – through scoring beers and making their thoughts known. If you think we’ve got the local pubs wrong – by all means tell us, but even better, why not get involved and help us make a better selection next year?
We don’t produce full lists of our pubs that make the GBG, although the local press invariably get hold of a copy and splash the information across their social media sites. This time round 5 of the branch pubs make the guide for the very first time, so we’re going to give them a special mention. These 5 pubs all have one thing in common – they have only been in existence for a few years at most, some of the new breed of micropub that has changed the drinking scene in many towns across the country.
The longest established of these is the SHED & GARDEN in Chorley. It opened in 2017 (just called the Shed), but following expansion into the adjoining unit and a change of name, the beer quality has improved significantly. The pub not only makes the GBG for the first time, but was
awarded the Branch’s Most Improved Pub Award for 2022.
In Adlington, the OLD POST OFFICE only opened in 2021 and serves as the brewery tap for the Escape Brewery in Westhoughton. Unusually for a micropub it has a sizeable garden with pleasant views. This pub was our Pub of the Season for Autumn 2022.
LOSTOCK ALE in Lostock Hall opened in 2020 and shortly afterwards expanded into an adjoining unit. With 6 handpumps, serving mainly beers from local microbreweries, the pub was our Pub of the Season Winter 2021/2.
The other two are both in Preston. CRAFTY BEGGARS in Fulwood opened in 2020 while TAP END at Ashton opened in 2020 and was the Branch’s ‘best new real ale outlet’ for 2022.
While it is encouraging to see new real ale pubs making their mark and getting in the guide, it is also great to see long-standing entries clock up significant milestones. The WHEATSHEAF in Croston has notched up a creditable 10 years running in the guide, which is even more noteworthy given that this is pubco owned. Even more amazing is the SPINNERS ARMS (Bottom Spinners) in Adlington which has now achieved 20 consecutive years in the guide. Both pubs will be getting the special Dave Linley award in the New Year for their achievement.
The 2023 Good Beer Guide is on sale at all good booksellers and direct from CAMRA. The list price is £16.99, reduced to £14.99 for members. With Christmas just around the corner, this would make an ideal stocking filler for the beer lover in your life (or just buy one for yourself).
ADRIAN SMITH
Iwould like to start this round-up of the Chorley area with an apology. In the last issue of Ale Cry I talked about the RIVINGTON and managed to upset a few people with my description, particularly my comments about a non-pubby feel and it being a tea room attached to a bowling club. So, let’s set the record straight. Firstly there is no bowling club. There is however a bowling green behind the building. From the outside, it doesn’t particularly look like a typical pub and when inside there are likely to be loads of people eating sandwiches or cakes with teas and coffees. But make no mistake, this is a pub … and a very good one. They shift prodigious quantities of real ale; mainly from Abbeydale, and their Deception is on a par with anything you’ll find elsewhere in the branch. Neil and his team are doing a terrific job, which goes some way to explain why the pub has (once again) made it into the new Good Beer Guide.
So onto the news, and there is plenty of it this month. The FLAT IRON was closed for a short period for a major refurbishment and has now reopened with licensee Matt Rees back at the helm. The interior is much improved with a new bar and a much more
welcoming feel. There is a major focus on real ale, with four cask ales on most times plus a real cider. The range is still settling down, but the quality recently has been great and with a £1 a pint discount for CAMRA members (from an already low daytime price of £3 a pint) this has rapidly become a worthwhile addition to the town centre drinking circuit.
Developments in the market have seen changes at the BOB INN. The separate lounge unit has gone, with a new lounge being fitted out adjacent to the bar. The cellar has moved into a different unit, giving Steve more space to work with. This new layout is, in my opinion, an improvement on the original setup and with the additional seating provided within the market hall being a huge bonus.
A second bar has appeared in the Victoria rooms part of SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE , with four handpumps on it. The intention is for this bar to have four regular beers; Timothy Taylor Landlord , Oakham Citra , Titanic Plum Porter and Vocation Bread & Butter , leaving space in the taproom for five changing beers of varying styles. In addition, the deal with Vocation is likely to mean one of their other beers being regularly available in the taproom.
Further down Chapel Street, Latch Bar has reopened, rebranded as VESTRY , with a similar offering to before, but sadly no real ale.
Turning now to the growing chain of pubs owned by Brendan Ferguson, BOOTLEGGERS has been closed for a refurbishment but has now reopened with
two real ales on offer. It is many years since the COLLIERS ARMS on Pall Mall has served real ale, but two handpumps have been installed and on a recent visit beers from Bowland were on offer. Meanwhile, the former Artisan Ale House has been added to the chain. It is still being refurbished at the time of writing, but should have reopened as the SPEAKEASY by the time you read this. Again there will be two real ales on offer and there are plans to add a kitchen to allow for a food offering in the New Year.
A new bar at 38 Market Street in due to reopen in February 2023. We don’t have a name for the venue yet, but we understand it will feature a number of cask ales as well
During the last quarter we’ve had a couple of award ceremonies in the area. The SHED & GARDEN was voted our Most Improved Pub and the OLD POST OFFICE in
Adlington was our Summer Pub of the Season. Extensive write-ups on both these awards were included in the previous Ale Cry. Both presentations were made to packed houses, reflecting the popularity of both these venues.
TC’S SPORTS BAR opened at Chorley RUFC in Astley Village back in July. This is serving two cask beers (one of which is Doom Bar).
Out at Limbrick, the BLACK HORSE reopened in August under new ownership. There is a more adventurous food offering including tapas, pizzas and Mediterranean style cuisine plus up to four cask ales. This is one of the oldest pubs in the county and deserves to do well.
Not all the news is positive. The IMPERIAL in Chorley has been closed for a few months due to outbreaks of violence both inside and outside. However the council are allowing it to reopen under new management. This is a pub that hasn’t served real ale on a consistent basis for many years, and it seems unlikely that this will change, no matter who is running it.
The TOP LOCK at Heapey has closed again, with the latest tenants unable to make a go of things without a kitchen being in place.
Tenants at the MINSTREL have been told that the building has been sold to developers and it will close on an unspecified date in the future, leaving yet another large housing development with no pub within walking distance.
Back in town the future of the long closed SWAN WITH TWO NECKS has finally been resolved, with plans announced for conversion into supported accommodation for vulnerable adults. It is good that this wreck of a building is at last going to be used again, but a great shame that this once vibrant pub has indeed served its last pint.
Finally, and to leave you on a positive note, it has been announced that Chorley will be holding another Pub Festival next April, from 20th to 23rd. Details of venues and activities will be announced in due course, but at least you can put the date in your diary now.
ADRIAN SMITH
All over the country, hundreds of pubs are offering a discount to CAMRA members. All you need to do is to show your membership card. We used to list all the pubs operating this scheme in every Ale Cry, but stopped doing so when we came back out of lockdown – mainly because we were unsure who was still offering the discount.
Recently we have been contacted by members asking why we no longer promoted these pubs. There are one or two new entrants to the scheme, so, back by popular request, we have a list of those pubs we believe are offering a discount to members. We will not be
publishing the list in every issue of Ale Cry, but anyone wanting to know which pubs offer the discount facility can check at www. whatpub.com
Given the pressures being placed on pub operators at the present time, you might find that a pub has removed the discount, but that we are not aware. If this turns out to be the case, please do not complain to the pub, but do report the change to us.
If you are a licensee and are interested in joining the scheme, please contact pubsofficer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Ancient Oak Merrytrees Lane, Preston PR4 0NZ 20p a pint
Anderton Arms Longsands Lane, Preston PR2 9PS 20p a pint
Applejacks 83 Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3WH 50p a pint
Bamber Bridge Football Club Irongate Brownedge Road, Bamber Bridge PR5 6UX 20p a pint
Bay Horse Wigan Road, Euxton PR7 6JH 10%
Black Bull 315 Garstang Rd, Preston PR2 9UP 20p a pint
Black Bull Inn 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham PR1 9BA 20p a pint
Bob Inn 24 Market Place, Chorley PR7 1DA 20p a pint
Broughton Inn 502 Garstang Road, Broughton, Preston Broughton PR3 5HE 20p a pint
Flat Iron 21 Cleveland Street Chorley PR7 1BH £1 a pint
Fleece 39 Liverpool Road, Penwortham PR1 9XD 10%
Guild 99 Fylde Rd, Preston PR1 2XQ 10%
Hopwoods Tap House 149 Church Street, Preston PR1 3BU £1 a pint up to 8pm
Lane Ends 442–446 Blackpool Rd, Preston PR2 1HX 10%
Malthouse Farm Moss Lane, Whittle-le-Woods PR6 8AB 10%
Market Tavern 33–35 Market St, Preston PR1 2ES 10%
Mill Tavern 15 Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton PR5 4DJ 20%
Old Leyland Gates Golden Hill Lane, Leyland PR25 3PG 10%
Plough 187 Preston Road, Grimsargh PR2 5JR 20p a pint / 10p a half
Poachers Lostock Lane, Bamber Bridge PR5 6BA 10%
Preston Grasshoppers RFC Lightfoot Green Lane, Fulwood PR4 0AP 10%
Prince Of Wales 9–11 Cowling Brow, Chorley PR6 0QE 10%
Prince Of Wales New Market Street, Chorley, PR7 1DB 10%
Ribble Pilot 35 Mariners Way Ashton, Preston PR2 2YN 10%
Smiths Arms Lea Lane, Lea Town PR4 0RP 20p a pint / 10p a half
Tap & Vine 69 Liverpool Road, Penwortham PR1 9XD 10%
Trades Hall Club 154c Station Road, Bamber Bridge PR5 6TP 10%
Walton Fox South Rings Business Park Craven Drive, Bamber Bridge PR5 6BZ 20p a pint
War Horse Buckshaw Avenue, Buckshaw Village PR7 7JD 10%
Wellington 124 Tulketh Rd, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 1AR 25p a pint
White Bull 135 Market Street, Chorley PR7 2SG 10%
Wings & Beer Co. 37–38 Cannon Street, Preston PR1 3NT 10%
Yarrow Bridge Bolton Road, Chorley PR7 4AB 10%
The name “Chipping” is derived from the Old English “ceping”, which means “a market” and the market here developed near the bridge over Chipping Brook at the entrance to the vast Royal Forest of Bowland east of the village.
This country walk is a short, but exhilarating circular from the village of Chipping towards Parlick Fell to the north, taking in some fantastic countryside and history of the area along the way. Chipping is without a doubt one of the most picturesque villages in our area, with its 17th century cottages, public houses and shops. In years gone by there were four lovely country pubs in Chipping; the Dog & Partridge (c.16th century) a little out of the centre on Hesketh Lane; the Talbot Arms (c.1739); Tillotson’s Arms (c.1836) and the Sun Inn (c.1636). Sadly, only the latter two remain open, but the pub buildings still stand and hopefully await better times ahead.
Coming into the village from Longridge by car you’ll arrive at the junction with the Sun Inn to your left, turn left up the hill and 200 yards on the right you’ll find the village car park. If travelling in by bus, just follow signs for the car park. Once parked and ready to go, look across and you’ll see St Bartholomew’s Church on Church Raike, with a red phone box adjacent.
Take this turn, which is Malt Kiln Brow and head downhill to an old stone corn mill, known as Kirk Mill, where Chipping Brook runs alongside the road to the right, one of seven water-powered mills on Chipping Brook that existed in the mid-19th century.
Kirk Mill dates back to the 1500s but was converted to a water-powered cotton spinning mill in the 18th century and around 100 years later it became the home of H.J. Berry Ltd, chair makers and joiners; their signs remain in the village to this day opposite the junction with Church Raike. The old mill master’s mansion, Kirk House, the mill manager’s house, Grove Cottage and the 1823 workhouse were also clustered together on the Chipping Brook.
Useful Information
Distance: 3.9 miles (walking boots/shoes are advisable)
OS Map: Explorer OL41 Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale or Landranger 103
At this point the road turns uphill past the mill, which now stands empty, presumably awaiting conversion into accommodation. As the road levels off, the Mill Pond appears on your left over the wall.
Buses from Preston: Travel on the no. 1 to Longridge and then catch the no. 5/5a to Chipping. A Central Lancs Day Rider ticket costs just £5.20 and an all-day bus pass on the no. 5 service is £4.
The path then leads to a metal footpath sign near the wood.
From there, follow the path, keeping the wood on your left and you’ll cross another stile before the path eventually veers left into the wood towards a wooden footbridge. Cross the bridge and follow the path to the right and then head up the hill towards a stone cottage on the horizon, called Windy Hills…you’ll work out why!
Head across to the road and turn left walking gently uphill out of the village. You’ll pass a number of houses on the road and then shortly afterwards come to a junction with a road forking off to the right.
Walk alongside the pond for 100 yards or so and just towards the end you’ll see a cobbled drive on your right with a public footpath and stile clearly marked in the entrance.
Cross the stile, walk up the hill and head straight on to the next stile, which has a handy “dog flap”. Ahead, you’ll see a row of telegraph poles, head for the nearest one and you’ll find a way marker pointing in a ‘north westerly’ direction.
Car Park in Chipping: £1.80 for 4 hours or £2.60 for 8 hours.
The path takes you to a gate on the left of the cottage where you join a farm track; turn left over a cattle grid and down the hill. The track goes over the stream then takes you back uphill where it crosses another cattle grid and meets a single-track road. Opposite is a footpath sign pointing straight ahead towards a farm, but ignore this and turn left, making your way up the gentle incline, whilst enjoying wonderful views of Parlick Fell to your right.
The road then makes its way downhill and you’ll come to a junction where you turn right into Fish House Lane, meandering your way down into woodland and past several stone buildings that provide further glimpses into the area’s industrial past. These properties were once a corn mill called Wolfenhall Mill, now a private house and selfcatering accommodation called Wolfen Mill Country Retreats.
As you walk through, the road begins to climb quite sharply, but rest assured, this is the start of the last ‘climb’ of the day! At the top, pause for breath and turn right at the junction continuing to head uphill for about a ¼ of a mile. As it levels off, look to the right along a narrow lane and you have clear and unobstructed views of Parlick Fell.
the left of the barn, climb over and turn immediately right, walking along the back of the building and up to a wooden stile.
Directly opposite across the field you can see a second stile which then leads you onto a concrete farm road. Turn left and make your way down to the lane where you turn right and walk back into the village to St Bartholomew’s on Church Raike.
Your adventure has now come to an end and it’s time for some well-deserved sustenance at either of the fine hostelries in the village, the Sun Inn or Tilly’s (previously the Tillotson’s Arms), both of whom provide food and fine cask ales and will hopefully reinforce your view that this really is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Cheers!
RICHARD LANGFORD
On the left, opposite the junction you’ll see a stile.
Cross the stile and make your way downhill keeping to the left side of the broken stone wall, which then gives way to a row of trees. As you near the bottom you will cross a small stream in the corner of the field.
An old stone barn can just be seen through the trees and the path leads you along the edge of the field towards the barn, crossing the stream again over a couple of stone steps.
A stone wall-stile can be seen on
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It was announced this week that there was to be a change of ownership of the PLAU in Preston. The lease has been taken over by the people who run Fino Tapas. There is a small amount of refurbishment going on with expected re-opening in late November, with a revised drinks offering, hopefully still including real ale.
The future of the TULKETH TAP in Ashton is under threat, with reports of anti-social behaviour giving rise to another licensing review.
The BOBBY PEEL in Walton-le-Dale re-opened on the 18th of November. Internally the pub looks much smarter, but sadly there is no real ale. This is despite a Facebook announcement that Crankshaft beers would be available, as referenced in the South Ribble Scene article.
The future of the closed SEVEN STARS in Chorley now seems to be settled. The building is to be converted into one room flats aimed at young professionals.
In Chorley, the new bar on Market Street hopes to be opening in January and will be called BAAA 38. We understand the slightly unusual name relates to the fact that the shop premises previously sold knitwear!
For
These are the events we are aware of in the local area over the next few months. For full details, please refer to the festival websites/ social media. If you are holding an event, please let us know so we can promote in Ale Cry. There is no charge for this listing.
Atherton: Bent & Bongs Beer Bash, Atherton Roller Rink, Atherton 2nd–4th February
Colne: 17th Pendle Beer festival, The Muni, Colne. 2nd–4th February
Burton–upon-Trent: Great British Winter Beer Festival, Burton Town Hall, King Edward Place, Burton-upon-Trent 16th–18th February
Wigan: Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival, Robin Park Leisure Centre, Loire Drive, Wigan 2nd–4th March
Oldham: 33rd Oldham Beer & Cider Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street, Oldham 31st March–1st April
With a print run of 5,000 and magazines available in pubs and clubs across the area and beyond, an advert in Ale Cry is probably the best value targeted advertising around.
Quarter Page £70
Half Page £115
Full Page £210 Back Cover £230 (not currently available)
If you are interested in advertising in Ale Cry, please contact editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk for further details.
The next issue of Ale Cry will be published on 1st March 2023. Deadline for copy and advert submission is 1st February 2023
Digital versions of this and previous Ale Crys are available at: https://issuu.com/clcamra
Branch meetings may be subject to last minute change. Updates will be posted on the branch website, and our social media channels.
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