Inn Focus: The Creaky Floorboard, Kedleston Road, Derby & South East Derbyshire Villages’ Tour Written by Paul Gibson

Inn Focus: The Creaky Floorboard, Kedleston Road, Derby

Heading away from Derby along Kedleston Road, the Jonty Farmer soon hoves into view. Just before here though, on the same side of the road, is an attractive late Victorian double fronted, end of terrace property now known as the Creaky Floorboard. This was home to Jim and Josie Woodman for some 16 years before they had the brain-child of converting it to pub usage, and, in my view, it’s a quite brilliant conversion.

Upon entering, the first thing that strikes you is the beautiful floor tiling in the entrance hall. The two former living rooms off, one with bar servery, are high ceilinged with cornices typical of the period, and eye-catching artwork is indicative of considerable thought having been expended here. Beyond

these front rooms is the former garage, now tastefully converted with a backdrop of posters which include a rare original from the Beatles’ Liverpudlian birthplace, The Cavern. Outside at the back is a delightful, small garden with stylish metal tables and chairs and a water feature.

When the last lockdown ended, the first pub that Trevor Harris, head honcho of Derby Brewing Company, visited was the Creaky and a brace of his beers can usually be sampled here including the aptly named Nailed It. Additional breweries represented when I called were Durham, Leatherbritches and Oakham. Hartshorn’s Ignite from Alfreton Road is frequently featured. In autumn, the opening hours were extended and open mic nights are drawing in new customers who appreciate the ambience and intimacy. The story doesn’t end here though as Jim and Josie have bought the brewing equipment from the now sadly defunct Rowditch Inn on Uttoxeter New Road. Josie is taking the requisite training and aims to be brewing commercially in early 2022. We wish her well and look forward with keen anticipation to sampling the wares of Derby’s newest brewery.

Opening hours:

Closed Monday; Tuesday to Thursday: 3-11; Friday 2-11; Saturday: 12-11; Sunday: 12-8.

written by Paul Gibson

South East Derbyshire Villages’ Tour

Rural south east Derbyshire is an attractive area the Derbeian hasn’t covered before so we’re looking at what’s on offer here, pubs-wise.

There’s only one place to start and that’s Green Lane, Ockbrook, where set back from the road is the venerable Royal Oak. Ever since 30th April 1953, the multi roomed village local has been in the same family and the Queen’s Coronation in June of that year was broadcast to locals outside in the days when many didn’t possess a TV. When Lew and Olive Wilson moved into the Offiler’s (Derby) house all those years ago the rent was £1 a week and bitter and mild were served through handpumps. Two cottages stood in front which were subsequently demolished to make way for the car park as car ownership boomed. Lew and Olive bought the Oak in 1989 but, sadly, Lew passed away in 1994. Steve Hornbuckle had earlier married their daughter, Jean, and together with Jean’s sister, Sally, they’ve continued to make this a destination pub for locals and visitors alike. Olive died a few years ago. Draught Bass is a staple here and with 3 changing guest beers and good fayre to sate one’s appetite it isn’t surprising that the Oak has featured in every CAMRA Good Beer Guide since 1977. And this year’s accolade of CAMRA’s Golden Award saw the Oak in an elite group of just 32 UK pubs considered to have made a significant contribution to pub life during CAMRA’s 50 years.

A little further along Green Lane and set above the road is the Cross Keys run by former local cricketer, Ian Darlington, for the past dozen years. An intimate interior features a selection of old Rams’ players photographs including the first division title winning side in rebellious mood as they contemplate action in the wake of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor’s resignations in 1973. Football fans are, indeed, kept entertained by the Sky Sports screens here. A cursory glance at the menu showed fresh stone-baked pizzas together with burgers, kebabs and halloumi wraps. On the bar were handpulls dispensing Oakham Citra, St Austell Proper Job, Pedigree and Doom Bar. Outside, a marquee has been erected on the astro-turf.

In the shadow of All Saints parish church, sits the long, low slung, White Swan on Church Street. A deep, sub-divided public bar was buzzing when I called on a Sunday lunchtime when I was served a pint of Adnam’s Ghost Ship by a friendly female member of staff. Also available were the strong Thornbridge Jaipur, Pedigree and Taylor’s Golden Best, the latter making a pleasant change from Landlord which catapulted the Keighley, West Yorkshire brewery into the conscience of beer lovers nationwide. The White Swan promotes itself as a “Tapas Bar and Restaurant” and the lounge I sat in was certainly busy with diners. There’s a lovely garden to enjoy at the rear when weather permits.

Near the A52, on Victoria Avenue, is the Queen’s Head, once run by former Rams’ centre forward John O’Hare. This is essentially an open plan, quintessential family dining pub with multiple TV screens and a very large garden. Discerning beer drinkers haven’t been forgotten, however, and I was pleased to see Abbeydale Daily Bread, Doom Bar, 2 Frothblowers (West Midlands) ales and a local beer, Shiny Disco Balls all vying for attention. I opted for a satisfying stout from Frothblowers as I reflected on the pub’s successful beer festival back in August.

Over in Stanton, by the renowned Erewash Valley Golf Club, is the modernised Seven Oaks Inn, Low’s Lane. Neighboroughing Stanton Ironworks was a major employer employing up to 7,000 at its height but, sadly, the last pipe was cast in 2007. Ilkeston born Robert Lindsay started his career here before finding fame as an actor. Several rooms have uniformly contemporary décor and pine is to the fore. This was another busy establishment, packed with diners although those seeking liquid sustenance hadn’t been forgotten with Hobgoblin Gold, Pedigree, Doom Bar and Taylor’s Landlord on draught. I tried the former which didn’t disappoint. Behind the pub is a patio and a marquee containing a games room, ideal for keeping children occupied.

In the middle of pretty Stanton by Dale village is the Stanhope Arms, clearly an inn of some antiquity. Upon entering, the low ceilinged, beamed local has been partially knocked through creating one room but retaining some intimacy, and seating includes cushioned, high-backed pews. The food offering has 1,2 and 3 course Sunday roasts and children’s portions are served at ground floor level and upstairs. A 1956 newspaper cutting describes Stanton Ironworks as “one of the most successful in Europe”. Dogs are welcome and much has been made of the outside areas which include a new split-level decking to the rear. The almost ubiquitous Doom Bar had a house beer for company – Stanhope Ale, and from Brighton, Laine’s Breaker which I hadn’t encountered hitherto. The car park is across the road.

Turning off into Dale Road, the extended, end of terrace Chequers soon hovers into view where Sue and Ian Moon have been mine hosts for fully twenty years. And they intend to be here for a while still. During the lockdowns the couple carried out improvements internally and externally and the whole looks impressive now. This isn’t the first pub to have a heated outdoor area and in the current climate (pardon the pun) it’s most welcome. The most has been made of a big site with caravan and camping spaces available for hire. The split-level interior has a quartet of real ales including Draught Bass and Oakham Citra, contrasting beers suiting different palates but I happen to like both!

Continuing along Dale Road, turn right at the end onto Woodpecker Hill and then sharp left into Moor Lane, where the ivy clad Carpenters’ Arms awaits in historic Dale Abbey. Little remains of the 12thC Abbey except for a Chancel arch and masonry abutting an old cottage but this remains a fascinating settlement to explore. Grade 1 listed All Saints Church is extant and integral to it, once with direct doorway access, is the delicensed Blue Bell Inn. The Hollingworth family ran the Blue Bell before building the Carpenters’ Arms in 1880. The Carpenters’ is on a huge parcel of land with ample area for alfresco imbibing in fair weather. Inside the Carpenters’, there’s a wood panelled lounge replete with frieze and banquette seating, the likes of which have all but disappeared. Also, there’s a cosy side lounge and a separate public bar. East Anglian beers, Adnam’s Broadside and Greene King Abbot share bar space with a brace from Marston’s of Burton on Trent - Pedigree and 61 Deep. Themed food lunchtimes and evenings complete the picture. We’ve come to the end of this particular perambulation, and we hope the Derbeian has shown why it’s worthwhile to visit this part of south east Derbyshire.

Written by Paul Gibson