Ale Cry 101

Central Lancashire Branch

Ale

Fighting for drinkers rights in

Winter 2013

Cry

Formerly the West Lancashire Branch

Issue No. 101

since 1973

Paula is leaving the Bitter Suite Paula Bosworth and her business partner Kay Vickery are leaving the Bitter Suite

Paula also won the George Lee Trophy at the New Britannia in 2002 and 2005 while

around the end of January next year.

her parents were the winners in 1999. The pub was in the Good Beer Guide from 1990 onwards.

They lease the pub from Strettles, a Preston-based property company and wanted to extend the lease by around 3 years. Although Strettles were willing to renew the lease at a reasonable price, they wanted a 5 or 10 year lease, so Paula has decided to leave at the end of the current lease and take “early retirement” at least from the pub trade.

Paula has been in the pub trade for 32 years, first as a barmaid in her parents’ pubs and later as landlady in her own right. She started in a pub in Skipton, moving to the Black Horse in Pimlico, Clitheroe and coming to the New Britannia in Preston in 1988.

After her parents, Viv & Terry, retired in 1999 she took over running the pub. The tenancy she had from Enterprise (inherited from Whitbread) allowed her one guest beer but somehow there were usually several unusual guests on the bar. Eventually, she got fed up with the Enterprise restrictions and left the New Brit.

However, she missed the trade and soon reappeared at Strettles Bar opposite the Students Union on Fylde Road in Preston, refurbishing it and renaming it Bitter Suite.

It is very sad to see Paula & Kay going. They have run one of the best real ale pubs

Kay, who had worked with Paula at the New Brit, soon joined her at the Bitter Suite

in the branch area for several years, one of the most pleasurable places in Preston

as partner. Strettles placed no restrictions on what Paula & Kay could sell, making

to drink, and they will be sadly missed. We wish them both all the best in whatever

it completely free of tie. Without the frustration of restrictions on what real ale they

they decide to do in the future. Paula has told me that she has thoroughly enjoyed

could sell, for the last 8 years they have sold an ever changing range of 6 real ales.

choosing and serving all the real ales but I think she will welcome the rest, and the

The emphasis has been on Yorkshire micro-brewers such as Ossett and Salamander,

opportunity to enjoy more of social life.

with beers changing hourly at busy times.

The beer quality has always been excellent, so the pub has been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the last 7 years. It also won the George Lee Memorial Trophy in 2007 and 2008.

Strettles are now apparently offering the lease on similar terms to anyone who wants to take on the pub. The offer of a lease completely free of tie is surely a tempting offer that someone wanting to run a free house serving a range of real ales will take up. Paula is hoping a new lessee will be in place before she leaves so that she can hand straight over to them.

She intends to stay in the area, and we may see her in the future on the other side

Paul Riley presenting Paula and Kay with the George Lee Trophy and certificate

of the bar.

Dave Linley

p2 Chorley, Editorial; p3 Samlesbury; p4 Locale; p5 Clubwatch; p6 Sumners, I’ve saved

plenty; p8 South Ribble, facebook ; p9 Beer Fests p10 Website; p12/13 Lord In si de th is is su e!!! Mountain; p14 Poulton-le-Fylde; p 17 Good Beer Guide, What Pub;

p18 Preston; p19 retracing the 124; p22 Branch Details; P23 MEMBERSHIP FORM .........................................................................and much more

“Just a quick update as to where we are, we should be signing the lease this week which hopefully should just give us enough time to be open for Xmas, possibly w/c 9th Dec, fingers crossed.”

Danny from Railway at Leyland about his new Market Ale House on Hough Lane (see p12)

r hatte

In Chorley, Brookes Arms is once again closed and

boarded up and Harpers has been turned into a shop.

ley r o h C

C

Refurbishment work is being undertaken at Crown on Chapel

40years and 100 Ale Crys >> l a i r o t i >>>> Towards 50 and 150 Ed

This CAMRA branch has been around for half a life time which

ing early December with extensive building work going on at the moment. New licensee means there’s half a life time left.

Dave tells me there will be 5 handpumps and there will be a focus on Lancashire brewed beers. The We’re entitled to be proud of our achievements. pub is free of tie, although we understand that S&N have paid for the cellar refurbishment and But, as Rick Nelson wrote in his retrospective song ‘Garden Party,’ ‘If will be supplying the beer for one of the handpumps. The reopening of Royal Oak was reported memories are all I sing I’d rather drive a bus.’ as imminent in the last issue. It seems that the internal refurbishment has taken longer than expected We start the next ten years from a position where the range of real ales and as yet the pub has not reopened – although the external signage now reads Royal Oak Hotel once available has never been better and in recent months more and more more. Malt N Hops generally has a few Locales on offer and on the most recent visit, 4 of the 5 pubs are converting to ‘free house’ status. Micro breweries are springpumps had a Locale, with beers from Outstanding, Holt, Blackedge and Cross Bay available. ing up all the time, most producing ales of the finest quality.

Pearsons on Market Street normally has something interesting alongside the regular Tetley Bitter, and On the downside, the industry is plagued by a few unscrupulous and on the last visit there was Hobgoblin (well it was Halloween) and Bank Top Volunteer. greedy pubcos, fuelled by the stupidity of Government and banks.

We welcome a new licensee to Elephant & Castle in Adlington. Christine Russell arrives from Joel Taylor writing in the Metro on the 5th November emphasised Bridge in Horwich and has introduced Real Ale on the 2 handpumps. The beers will come from the these points in an excellent article you might find on the internet.

Star Inns range, and initial reports are that they are selling well. Wells Bombardier and Caledonian XPA He referred to comments from Greg Mulholland MP (a good friend of were in evidence on our last visit.

Top Lock at Heapey celebrated it’s 13th annual beer festival real ale) who called Enterprise and Punch ‘Zombie’ companies which in October with over 100 beers and 20 ciders in a 5 day extravaganza. Many of the beers would do not pay dividends and have no growth plans - yet Enterprise paid have been available in the pub during the previous year, but a number of new Cornish breweries their Chief Exec nearly £1m plus pension contributions last year. The were in evidence as well as beers from the Loch Ness brewery (although sadly they didn’t have a beer two pubcos closed more than 5000 pubs between 2008 & 2012 (1/3 called monster!) There have been rumours for some time that Phil Entwistle was giving up his lease on of their pubs) mainly for flats, supermarkets or demolition and whilst this pub and was to be leaving after the beer festival (which explains the pubs omission form the 2014 e.g. the cost of Fosters on the open market rose from £77 to £87 (past GBG). We understand there have been ongoing negotiations between Phil and Star Inns regarding the 6 years) the same keg sold by Enterprise to their licensees rose from refurbishment of the pub and that an agreement has been reached. This is excellent news, as this pub £107 to £151 So: has arguably the best variety and range of Real Ale in the local area. A new licensee at Golden Lion in • When, for example, two of the pubcos Enterprise and Punch are in Higher Wheelton, sees Darren Cooper making the short trip from Royal Oak at Riley Green where he debt by around £10 billion (yes! BILLION) between them it is: has been bar manager for the last few years. The number of handpumps has been cut back to 4, and the • easy to see that those pubcos have the banks that were stupid usual range of Thwaite’s ales are available.

Cavendish at Brindle has seen a refurbishment. enough to back them by the short and curlies; Fortunately the character of this old pub remains, with new decor and seating brightening things up a • easy to see why these pubcos are so keen to unload as many buildlot. 4 beers from the extensive Marston’s portfolio are always on offer Crown at Croston ings as possible, particularly for housing or supermarkets which was closed for a large part of October for a major refurbishment. The pub reopened on 19th October aren’t seen as competition, rather than as free houses which are; and the Thwaite’s shire horses were there to mark the occasion. The work has been quite extensive and • easy to see why so many pubcos are stinging their licensees to the the result is a village pub with a contemporary feel – pleasant surroundings for a meal or a quiet drink. extent that they are earning less than a living wage.

There are 4 handpumps with beers from the Thwaites range, with more of an emphasis on the seasonal The death of 18 pubs a day, the emergence of keg ‘craft brews than is usual for a Thwaites tied house.

Gillibrand welcomes a new ales’, the lack of alcohol education, drinking on the street, the lonelilicensee, Brendan McDonnell, who will be known to Chorley drinkers from his time at Black Horse ness of drinking at home, alcoholism, the favourable treatment of on Pall Mall. He has reintroduced real ale to the pub - Thwaite’s Wainwright - and the range will be supermarkets - these are just some of the challenges ahead. expanded as soon as demand allows.

Adrian Smith We’re up for it so why not join us!!!!

Ed

Street . The pub has been sold and the new owners are hoping to be reopen

The Red Herring

MILL LANE, COPPULL, CHORLEY, LANCS. Tel: (01257) 470130 Ste & Mary welcome you to Coppull’s only freehouse: An oasis in a beer desert.

Guest Ales include: Moorhouses, 3Bs

and many more Good Beer

Guide -Sat night entertainment, we’re in it.

Sun night quiz Ring Mill function room for hire Monday to Thursday open from 3pm Friday to Sunday open from 12pm

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Ale Cry goes to ...........

Samlesbury

including a Senior Citizens lunch menu and buffet menu, which, from our sample, we can vouch for. Also, don’t forget to show your Camra card and receive your 20p discount.

As we were going to the Nab’s Head at Samlesbury Bottoms Soon it was time to to present them with the Autumn Pub of the Season award, we move on, so back thought it would be a good opportunity to renew our acquain- on the bus to take tance with some of the other pubs in the vicinity. Thus it was an interesting back that a group of people lane route past Roach in a minibus arrived at Bridge to get to the the Myerscough Inn New Hall Tavern on Cuerdale Lane, near at Balderstone on a the megakeggery Monday evening, looking for a drink. As brewery once owned at that time of night by Whitbread (spin the pub is busy cater in your grave Samuel Whitbread) and now owned by multinational AB Inbev. Luck ing for the many ily for us they have nothing to do with the New Hall, which is people who have come there for its well renowned home cooked food using high a welcoming pub that has up to six real ales on sale. It being quality ingredients, we were not sure how the idea of a dozen midweek, there were four available, Copper Dragon Best Bitbeer drinkers turning up out of the blue would go down with ter (3.8%) Wadworth’s 6X (4.3%), Deuchars IPA and Shepthe management. We had no need to worry, as we were greeted herd Neame Spitfire. Rob, the licensee, was sat at the bar and with open arms and made to feel very welcome. The pub is a he informed us that he had seen a large increase in cask ale Robinson’s tied house and usually has three of their beers on sales in the last year. He is now selling 12 firkins of real ale a sale. That evening we could choose from Dizzy Blonde (3.8%), week and this was outselling all the other beers.

The New Hall, like the previous pubs, also has a reputation for Unicorn (4.2%) or Cumbrian Way (4.1%). The first two are fine food using locally sourced ingredients. At that time they permanent beers, the other changes. All were in good form. were planning a culinary contest for charity, culminating in an Talking to Lesley Clark, the director of the business running the pub, we were told that they had been there for three years Indian cook off between two locals. The pub itself is divided by wood and glass panels into separate areas for dining and and things were going well. Beer sales were holding up, but has a real fire and a heated smoking area. It is quite handy for with the diners going by 9.30 they would like more casual drinkers for the rest of the night. To this end they have a quiz pulling off the nearby M6 junction 31 for a drink and some food. When Preston North End was in the same division as on Wednesday after 9.30 to draw people in. The pub itself is West Bromwich, I know that several of their supporters comnear the B.Ae factory on the A59 and is tastefully decorated with a wood panelled lounge and small snug. The Myerscough ing up from the midlands went there before the match. Let’s hope this reoccurs some time in the future. is open 12-22.30 (23.15Wed, Thur, 23.30 Fri-Sat) with food available lunchtime till 2pm and 5 -8.30 in the evening (9 Fri) We just had time to go to our final all day Sat till 9 destination before and all day Sun heading back to ‘til 7.30. Just Preston, which was beyond the the White Bull at Myerscough is a Walton le Dale. It is pub called the easily reached by Boddingtons Arms, going along Cuer the name of which dale Lane, down must have seemed Church Brow to the mini roundabout on Victoria Rd, near a good idea when Boddingtons beer was all the rage and being nationally adver- Chorley Rd Corner. On entering we were gladdened to see the pub was very busy on a Monday night and it soon became tised as the cream of Manchester (although brewed in the apparent why. There were twenty plus people playing bingo in City of Salford). Alas, real Boddingtons is no more, and this one of the rooms. What an interesting way to get people into pub no longer sells real ale, so, after checking that this was the case, we moved on. We had arranged the pub of the season your pub, and shows that, with a bit of thought and knowing your market, a pub can be successful. There was still plenty presentation at the Nabs Head for about 9 pm, so we headed of room for us to fit in, in the games area. For the second time there, to be welcomed by Mike Worden, the licensee of this Thwaites tied house. He had laid on a small spread for us and that night, there was some free food available; it turned out we gleefully tucked in, after ordering a round from the bar. A to be somebody’s birthday and we could share in the bounty. full description of the pub and all its facilities appeared in our It is a true community pub, with many other things going on through the week. One to look out for is Tasty Tuesday when feature on the Nab’s in the last issue. Here we told you that there were three handpumps, dispensing Thwaites Original and all cask ales are only £2.00 a pint. The pub actually came third Wainwrights plus one other from their range, which was Nutty in the Community Heroes award in the North West.

The White Bull usually has three real ales with Thwaites Black on our visit. Since then, another handpump has been Wainwright as a permanent and two guests. On this occainstalled, and on the night, we could also sample Henry sion they were both from our very own Hart Brewery, being Weston’s Country Perry at 4.5%. If you go on their web Temptress at 3.6% and 1880 at 3.7%, both very flavoursome. site (thenewnabshead.co.uk) you will be able to see a It was a very pleasing end to our evening out. If you wish to wonderful set of join us on our next outing, look out for details in the future pictures taken on meetings listing in this issue of Ale Cry, or in What’s Brewing. the night by Tim We are planning to go around some of the peripheral pubs in Waterworth, who the Leyland area.

Paul Riley has kindly let us use one of his

Real Ale copyright photos Organic, healthy, with limitless here. Also there flavours A living product - unlike you will see phoney Zombeers and Alcopops details of their daily menus

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Drink Real Ale - Mother Nature’s Choice

Wainwright and Original. The other three pumps will feature ales from the Thwaites portfolio, with an emphasis on the one off’s and seasonal ales produced by the micro brewery plant, as well as guest beers from the Thwaites 1807 Cask Club range. Just after re-opening, none of the four standard Thwaites beers were available, but Epic Pale at 3.5%, Crafty Devil, a late hopped ruby Following the lead of other branches, CAMRA West Lan- ale at 4.5% and Phelan Fine, a 4.4% stout were on the cashire branch (as we then were) launched a LocAle scheme bar together with Gangly Ghoul, a seasonal from in Spring 2009. By doing this the branch was putting into Greene King. practice an initiative that we would actively support those licensees in our area who were selling at least one beer that BOARS HEAD, Hoghton had been brewed within 30 miles of their pub premises.

This 16th century stone built pub has benefited from refurbishment It will soon be four years since the branch's LocAle scheme in recent years, providing comfortable surroundings for drinkers was launched, and on the face of it the scheme has been a and diners alike. Although most of the interior is given over to the food trade, a comfortable lounge area is provided for drinkers and great success. a terrace at the front for use in the warmer months. The two regular This has to be true - the numbers prove it. In the Autumn beers on offer are Thwaites Original and Cross Bay Sunset, both of 2010 Ale Cry we were reporting that there were 18 LocAle which qualify as Locales. The beer on the third handpump changes outlets in the branch area, while just three years later we are regularly, although other Cross Bay beers have been spotted here now aware of there being well in excess of 50 known Lo- in recent months. cAle outlets (see the branch website for the most up-to-date YEW TREE, Heath Charnock information).

Nestled in pleasant countryside on the south eastern edge of the Yet the credit for this success really has to go to Thwaites branch area is the Yew Tree. For many years this pub has had a brewery, or to be more precise to the widespread availability reputation as a food venue, without being on the beer radar. Howof their Wainwright beer. Particularly in the past couple of ever that has now changed and the new owners have installed three years the number of pubs and clubs selling Thwaites Wain- handpumps in the bar. Two feature beers from Blackedge, which wright has greatly increased, and for many of them it has is about as Locale as you can get. Usually the beers on offer are become their 'permanent guest beer' of choice.

Anglezarke, a pale bitter at 3.8% brewed specially for the pub and Pike a 4.0% Pale Ale, although others do appear. The third pump This is great news for Thwaites, and Wainwright is obviis for a changing guest ale, on my last visit this was Lancaster ously a beer that many real ale drinkers are on the lookout Blonde. There is a beer garden with pleasant views for the summer, for. However being practical, tastes change and a beer that and roaring log fires to keep you warm on the coldest of winter was once popular can soon lose its followers. Looking back, days. it does not seem that long ago that Boddingtons Bitter and Theakstons Best Bitter seemed to be everywhere, and as Look out for pubs and clubs in the branch area that are displaying things stand if Thwaites Wainwright were to lose its popu- LocAle promotional material - and larity then the number of LocAle outlets in the area would in particular look out for those displaying the 2013 window stickalmost certainly be drastically reduced. ers. These establishments are to be recommended if you wish to support those licensees who are doing their bit for local breweries While on the subject of Thwaites, I think that they should be (and for the environment). Gordon Small congratulated for their setting up of the on-site Crafty Dan Micro-brewery which has produced a series of interesting Signature Cask Ales in the past couple of years. These beers can often be found in the branch area in the Thwaites tied houses that are members of their exclusive 1807 Cask Club.

Finally, looking to Thwaites long-term future, things seem to have gone a bit quiet regarding their planned re-location to a new brewery site - on their website the latest update on the proposed move is dated 29th November 2011!

Update

In previous articles I have been doing short write-ups on some of the LocAle outlets in our branch area. These appear to have been reasonably well received, but rather than this be a one man show I thought it would be more interesting if I got other people to air their views on the branch's LocAle outlets. To kick things off, the following three LocAle pub reviews have been supplied by fellow CAMRA Central Lancashire committee member Adrian Smith:-

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CROWN, Croston This Thwaites tied house reopened in October 2013 following a major refurbishment. The new look combines the cosy feel of a village local with contemporary decor and lighting and provides a great environment for either a meal or a quiet drink. There is a new menu featuring anything from a sandwich to a full meal, with weekday meal deals available. The four handpumps will provide as wide a range of beers as possible with one pump alternating between

Jo behind the bar

CLUBWATCH In the last issue of Ale Cry we produced a list of all clubs in the branch area that were known to be selling real ale. Recognising that the list was probably far from complete we asked readers to let us know of any

THE

additional clubs that were qualified to be placed on the list.

Since last time two more clubs that sell real ale have come to light - the School Lane Club in Bamber Bridge; and the St Mary's Priory Club in Leyland.

Below are listed the 28 clubs in our branch area that are at this time understood to be selling real ale on a

POTTERS

regular basis. Again we would be interested to learn of any further clubs that can be added to this list, and we would welcome any information about them which can be passed to the branch by sending an e-mail to clcamra@rocketmail.com. Gordon Small

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bamber Bridge Football Club

CLUBS SELLING REAL ALE •

School Lane Club (Bamber Bridge)

•

Broughton & District Club

•

Chorley Cricket Club

Longton VM Sports & Social Club Lostock Hall Conservative Club Our Lady & St Gerard’s Parochial Centre (Lostock

3 Real Ales including:

Hall)

Chorley Subscription Bowling Club St George's Church Institute (Chorley) Victory Park Social Club (Chorley)

• • •

Fulwood Club

•

Fulwood & Broughton Cricket Club Lonsdale Sports & Social Club (Fulwood) Fox Lane Sports & Social Club (Leyland) Leyland & Farington Social Club

• • • •

Leyland Golf Club

•

St Mary’s Priory Club (Leyland) Longridge & District Conservative Club

•

New Longton Sports & Social Club St Teresa’s Parish Centre (Penwortham) BAC/EE Sports & Social Club (Preston) Frenchwood Social Club (Preston) New Meadow Street Labour Club (Preston) Preston Golf Club Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club Thurlby Club, Ashton (Preston) 55th Division Association Club (Preston)

Girl Power

Whittingham & Goosnargh Sports & Social Club

Real Ale’s no longer a man only domain!

If you go to UCLAN why not join theirReal Ale Society.

Details in local pubs: Ferret, Bitter Suite, Guild, Adelphi for from the Students Union office

Good Beer Guide 2014 Winner of Gidlow Paint and pint Competition)

and a real fire

The Original

FARMERS ARMS Bar and Restaurant

• Up to 6 CASK ales at a time.

• A varying selection of real ales from

local micro breweries • Bar open all day until 12pm

• A large selection of freshly made bar snacks •

Sandwiches to T-bones & Ostrich served all day

• Special offers on beers all day everyday.

• Excellent bed & breakfast

accommodation with en-suite facilities available • Single room from £20 (en-suite from £25) • Double room from £25 (en-suite from £30)

Dog and Partridge 44 Friargate Preston Tel: 01772 252217

House Casks Include: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Joseph Holt’s Best Bitter Tetley Mild plus: Weekly Guests From The Punch Finest Cask Range and SIBA Direct Delivery

Smokey-o-Joes 32-Seater Smoking Area Good Value Lunches Including: ‘The’ Curry Fridays TOWNGATE ECCLESTON NR CHORLEYPR7 5QS TELEPHONE 01257 451594

The Big Quiz Thursday Night Rock DJ Sunday

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Time to Remember...........................The Sumners The attached photo was taken on the 3rd of January 1979 and shows the junction of Deepdale Rd and Watling Street Rd. in Fulwood. It had been a White Christmas and the snow was finally beginning to clear from the roads (not much sign of gritting having been done). It shows the old Sumners Hotel and, over the road, The Garrison. At this time, both were thriving pubs, with the Sumners being the most popular, selling a reputed sixteen hogsheads of Boddingtons a week. Seeing that a hogshead held 54 gallons, that was some going; an amount pubs these days can only dream about. You can clearly see the three front entrances to the pub, each leading to its own distinct part. The door on the left took you into the separate vault with its own bar, where all the workmen with their “soiled” clothing could cuss to their heart’s content.

The middle door lead you

into the lounge area where couples could safely sit and enjoy the comfortable surroundings. There was a serving area on your left where the bar staff

from the vault would fit

you in if you could grab their attention. It had a heavy local following, which could, on occasions, be detrimental to the stranger. A friend of ours recalls just moving to the area and going in this bar and duly “waiting his turn” to get served, when someone just walked up to the bar and was instantly asked what he wanted. On raising his objection to this, my friend was told that they always looked after their locals first. As this friend was a ten pint a night man, he asked how one became a local if you didn’t get served and vowed never to go in again. He happily continued to drink copious amounts in his previous local, the Moorbrook, where landlord George Lee ensured that each person got served in their proper order. I suppose that, selling as much as they did, seven gallon here or there did not matter then for the Sumners.

The final

door on the right took you into what could have been another pub, with its own bar and rooms leading off, if it hadn’t been for the connecting passage through to the lounge. This part of the pub seemed to be more popular with the younger end of the pubs following and was the part of the pub that I liked the best. You could look out the back to the garden and it was more “stander” friendly. Both before and after football matches it was the place to go and meet your mates. I am glad that the new pub which replaced this one in the mid eighties still upholds this tradition.

I was against them knocking down the old Sumners for “junction

improvements” as at the time I did not see the need for it. That was of course before all the new developments up Eastway and the building of Sainsburys. The amount of traffic using this junction nowadays would have produced a permanent gridlock here if the pub had not been moved, but looking at the boarded up Garrison, I wonder if they chose the wrong one. Still there is always the possibility that the Garrison could reopen.

Paul Riley.

The

I’ve saved plenty

In the last issue I pointed out that the

Prince of Wales nr. Chorley Market had

started offering 10% discount off real ale

prices when I produce my CAMRA mmembership card.

Well since then I have been to pubs in

our area and also in Blackpool,

Bolton, Fleetwood, Wigan and

further afield and over that

period of time have saved well over

£20 (I’ll try to keep more accurate

details for the next issue).

When you add that to the free entry

I get to beer festivals on production

of my card and my £20 tokens from

Wetherspoons, I’d have to be even

barmier than I am to not be a CAMRA

Prince of Wales member.One of the pubs I call into

most frequently when in Preston is the

Adelphi and just yesterday I saved £2

in there.So if you’re not yet a CAMRA member it makes sense to join and save ££ on your ale. So

Academy far the pubs Adelphi offering discounts in our area are (although that could have changed by the time you read this): Ed Adelphi (Preston)10%, Academy (Preston) 10%, Anderton Arms (Fulwood)20p, Black Bull (Penwortham)20p, Crown (Croston) 20p, Fishers (Preston)10%, Prince of Wales (Chor. mkt)10%, Hayrick (Clayton-le-Woods)10p (Mon-Thu), Plough (Grimsargh)20p

Lamb & Packet

A CAMRA pub of the Season 91A Friargate, PR1 2ED. 01772 200292

Open from 11am ‘til Late

New Menu

Food Served all day from £2.95 Christmas bookings now being taken Good Selection of World Beers 5 cask Ales Including Guests Christmas Specials Heated Outdoor Smoking Area Free Wi-Fi Sky Sports

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CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2012 & 2013 & the only Penwortham pub in the 2014 Guide !

Cask Marque award holder

FFoouurr CCaasskk R woo rroottaattiinngg gguueessttss pplluuss Alleess –– ttw Reeaall A TThheeaakkssttoonn’’ss LLiigghhttffoooott & A Grreeeennee KKiinngg IIPPA &G KKrroonneennbboouurrgg 1 Guuiinnnneessss Miilldd aanndd G 4,, FFoosstteerrss,, M 64 66 16 See our website for this month’s ales Try out our very popular weekly Quiz Night, Chase the Ace plus Play Your Cards Right every Thursday – starts prompt at 9pm 20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members Open Christmas Day Lunch – 12 noon until 2pm 2 pm Open Christmas Night – 8pm 8pm until 11pm

Great beer, great team of staff and a warm and friendly welcome www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk or facebook 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham – 01772 752953 11-11 Monday to Thursday / 11 to 12.30 Friday & Saturday / 12 to 11 Sunday unless we decide to stay open later !

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SOUTH RIBBLE SCENE

Bamber Bridge. The pub iscurrently

undergoing a refurbishment with plans

In the last two editions of Ale Cry I have looked at the pubs in different areas of South Ribble. This time I

thought I would do something different. September was a busy time for local Beer Festivals, and over three consecutive weekends there were events in the South Ribble area.

The first of these took place at the ANCHOR in Lostock Hall over the September 13th-15th weekend.

The people at the Anchor are old hands at holding Beer Festivals, and for over five years now they have been hosting two Beer Festivals each year, these being in May and in September. An indoor and outdoor event, the five beers on the bar were supplemented by 10 beers being sold in a temporary marquee, and while the weather was holding up I found a nice spot in the pub garden. As ever a good choice of beers, this year those in the marquee included two beers from Southport Brewery.

One week later, and just a

few hundred yards away, there was a Beer & Music Festival taking place at OUR LADY & ST GERARDS PAROCHIAL CENTRE in Lostock Hall. This was the fourth annual festival that had been organised by the club committee, and as in previous years the profits were to go to support nominated charities. For this year's Beer Festival there was a strong emphasis on LocAle beers, with most Lancashire micro-breweries being represented by at least one beer. Of particular interest, but selling out before I got there, was the first public appearance of a beer from Lostock Hall's fledgling micro-brewery Bishop's Crook.

Not yet flagging, and seven days later I made

can only hope that it is just as successful

as the first Withy Arms.

are on the up in Leyland, the same cannot

be said of Bamber Bridge, with

event with live music and one which was intended to benefit nominated charities. The Beer Festival had a North v. South theme, with a good selection of beers on offer including two each from both Bowland Brewery and Cross Bay Brewery. I don't know who won the match, but I think I would go for North.

That's it for Beer Festivals, but what pub news is there to report from South Ribble? I think everyone would agree that the pub scene in Leyland has improved dramatically in recent years, and in the coming months it would appear that things are going to get even better. First there is the intriguing news that the landlord and landlady from the RAILWAY AT LEYLAND have taken possession of a former travel agency shop in the town with the intention that it be converted into a ‘pop-up micro-pub’. Located on Hough Lane and to be known as the MARKET ALE HOUSE, the pub is being created specifically to appeal to Leyland’s cask ale drinkers. It will have a capacity for about 60 people, will have limited opening hours, and will not be selling any lagers or spirits. South Ribble Council have given the go-ahead, and all being well the Market Ale House will be opening just ahead of Christmas. And it does not end there. It may have appeared that yet another pub had bitten the dust when the ROEBUCK on Worden Lane suddenly closed during the Summer, but the welcoming news is that the premises have been acquired by the people from the WITHY ARMS at

While things

neighbouring pubs the LANCS &

YORKS and the WHITE BULL both

having recently closed. These closures

had been on the cards for several months,

and although neither pub had been selling real ale at the time of their closure, their loss is significant to the once highly pub-populated Station Road. From these two pubs, you don't have to go too far to find that the former Black Bull is now offices, while the former MacKenzie was demolished earlier this year. It is understood that the Lancs & Yorks is to become a children's nursery, while the White Bull is to become a funeral parlour.

In the last Ale Cry I mentioned that the WALMER BRIDGE at Walmer Bridge would soon be changing hands.

This has now happened, and on a recent visit I found that all was well, with three cask ales being available on the day including one beer from Weetwood Brewery. Gordon Small .

Adrian Smith adds: ”NET’S BAR - formerly the Gregson Lane Social Club is now operating as a pub. It has the feel of a Sports Bar, with a huge TV screen and also a full size snooker table. Where it differs is that there are two handpumps, usually featuring Thwaite’s Wainwright and a changing beer from 3B’s, thus qualifying as a Locale outlet. The WINDMILL at Mellor Brook, long thought to be a keg only outlet has two handpumps. On the list visit they were selling Wainwright and Moorhouses Blond Witch”

my way to the LONGTON VM SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB for their Beer Festival being held on the September 27th-28th evenings. This was their third annual Beer Festival, and as at St Gerards it was an

that it will be re-opening as the Withy

Arms Mark II in mid-December. According to advance reports, the pub will be selling six cask ales and we

* Your

Facebook

local Branch of CAMRA, Central Lancashire, has its own Facebook page. We cover the Preston, Leyland and Chorley areas. Details of: Branch and Social meetings; Committee meetings; AleCry distribution crawls; Brewery trips; local news; etc. * You are welcome to attend any of our meetings and events.

Find us, Like us, Join us *Go to www.facebook.com and search for:

CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch

THE MALT AND HOPS Free ‘One of Chorley’s most

Friday Street House CHORLEY

popular real ale hostelries a long time Good Beer Guide entry, a recognised stopping off point for train and bus commuters,serving a wide and changing range of ‘locales’.

Fancy a game of Draughts come along (alternate Tuesdays).

Quiz night is Wednesday with free hot pot.

The Malt and Hops offers free wifi, sports t.v.and much more.

The Malt and Hops is

on twitter and facebook.

Soon to be refurbished.

Well worth a visit or

two or three or more’ 8

Blackpool CAMRA Beer Festival 2013

Some of the Preston boys and girls enjoy themselves in the Blackpool FC Club

Blackpool and Fylde Young Members play a leading role at their beer festival. If more young people in our area were as interested could we be as successful????

The Angel Lune Street Preston

Wetherspoons latest beer festival was a roaring success. The local branches went that extra mile.

Brad at The At Sir Henry Tate brewers 3Bs Greyfriar added and George Wright took part in his own barrels a friendly competition. to those on the Regular customer Paul who bar from the has visited nearly 700 JDW main festival. branches enjoyed the festivities

Reopened and Renovated

Under New Management 4 Cask Ales £2 Pint Offers During the day

Sun Hotel

01772 252335

Friargate Preston

www.sunhotelpreston.co.uk facebook.com/sunhotelpreston twitter@sunhotelpreston ENSUITE ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE

6 Handpumps in Action

Cask Ale From £2.45

Multi Screen Sky Sports Venue - 4 Boxes - 4 Screens Tell us your sport and we’ll show it 9

Hopefully some of the people reading this article will be computer users, CAMRA CENTRAL

and hopefully at least one or two of you will have already found your way on LANCS BRANCH

the internet to the branch's website.

AND ... THE BRANCH In actual fact the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch website is a relative WEBSITE

newcomer, having only been launched as recently as February 2012. However

The webpage that probably sees the most change is that for BRANCH & LOCAL NEWS. Admittedly this may not contain a comprehensive listing of all local pub news, but it is the intention that each month there will be a handful of the more important news items reported which may be of particular interest to local real ale drinkers.

There is a webpage for BRANCH AWARDS. This lists out all winners of the branch's two awards, the

prior to the creation of this current website, the branch (then known as CAMRA West Lancashire) had three George Lee Memorial Trophy and the Pub of the Season, going back to the very beginning. For most of the previous websites dating back to 1999, 2001, and 2010 respectively.

award winners there is a follow on webpage with a write-up on the circumstances of the award having been

With the branch adopting a new name for 2012, it was considered a priority that we once again get a

made.

credible presence on the internet. After some deliberation it was decided that we would utilise BeerEngine,

Regular readers of Ale Cry will have noticed that we have been giving special mention to those pubs that

a system for branch websites developed by CAMRA nationally. Several other CAMRA branches had

are selling beers that are produced locally. This is reflected on the branch website with a LOCALE webpage

previously also gone down the route of using BeerEngine, among them CAMRA Rochdale Oldham & Bury which lists out all the pubs and clubs in the branch area that are able to qualify to display a 2013 LocAle branch, CAMRA North Cheshire branch, and CAMRA Chelmsford & Mid-Essex branch. Initially former

window sticker.

committee member Steve Eaves took on the role of branch webmaster, and with the help of CAMRA HQ

A webpage important to our active CAMRA members is the BRANCH DIARY. As the name suggests this

man Andy Shaw, he was able to get the branch website up and running within weeks of the branch having

provides information on all the branch's meetings and socials. Upcoming meetings and socials are arranged

been re-christened.

in advance of each new Ale Cry being produced, and normally the webpage will include the branch's activi-

It has to be said that BeerEngine websites are structured to a formula, and to a certain extent you are

ties for a following three month period.

restricted somewhat by the limitations of what it is able to do. This may sound a bit negative, but with no

A recent addition to the website has been the creation of an updated BRANCH AREA MAP. This shows the

other members of the Central Lancashire branch committee having any previous experience of working on

CAMRA Central Lancashire branch boundaries, which have seen some minor adjustments since the last map

a website this fitted the bill perfectly.

was drawn up over 10 years ago. For good measure the map also includes the boundaries of the other five

Since day one the scope and content of the branch website has increased significantly, but what does it

CAMRA branches within the county.

actually contain? On entering, you are initially faced with a welcome from branch Chairman Dave Linley,

Briefly running through the other main options that are available. There is a LOCAL PUBS GUIDE - this

and to the left of the screen there is a Menu to guide you around the website. I will now describe some of

gives basic information on all currently open pubs in the branch area, and also gives information on

the browsing options that are available. Possibly the most visited page on the website is that dedicated to

those pubs that have closed down going back to 2002. The LOCAL CLUBS GUIDE page gives similar

LOCAL BEER FESTIVALS.

information for clubs, but only those that are known to be selling real ale at the present time. The LOCAL

Unfortunateiy we have not yet

BREWERIES page provides information on the three micro-breweries currently operating in the branch

been able to bring news of any

area. The PUB DISCOUNT SCHEME page gives information on those pubs that are offering a discount on

local CAMRA-organised Beer

the price of a pint of beer to card carrying CAMRA members. Finally the GOOD BEER GUIDE UPDATES

Festivals, but what we do try

page gives notice of any local Good Beer Guide deletions and any significant opening hours changes etc.

and provide is advance

As I said at the beginning, the current branch website is not yet two years old. In many ways it still appears

information on all known inde-

relatively sparse, and there are some important features that are missing that we would like to get incorpo-

pendent Beer Festivals (big and

rated at some future date. In particular, it would be good to have a reference library section with back issues

small) that take place in the

of Ale Cry; it would be good to have more information on pubs that sell real mild and those that sell real

branch area. In 2012 we had

cider; it would be good to have more historical photographs of local pubs; etc.

information about 22 different

Statistically what does the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch website actually contain? Counting things up

Beer Festivals, and so far in

I was amazed to find that the website currently has a total of 574 individual webpages, plus there are as many

2013 we have already provided

as 254 photographs and images. I think it goes without saying that the branch webmaster must have been

info on another 34 Beer Fests.

quite busy in the last two years.

The Wheatsheaf 50 Water Lane, Preston, 01772 725917

Open:Mon-Thu 11-11 Quiz Night

Fri & Sat 11-11.30 Thursday Sun 12-10.30 Live Music Fri & Sat All Live Sports

5 changing real ales A Pub + real Cider of the Real Ales £2.10-£2.50 Season Real Cider £2.50 “New Years Eve Party £5 including Live Music, DJ, Buffet and free glass

of fizz at midnight”

Gordon Small (branch webmaster)

The Old Black Bull

Now Free of Ties on Cask Beers This allows us to offer up to 9 local and regional Real Ales at all times

Heated Beer Garden 3D TV - Live Sports on 7 Screens PNE and sports based festivals throughout the Year ‘One of the UKs top 100 pubs 2011’ - Famous Grouse Awards Three time winner of George Lee Trophy “Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year Thanks for Backing us in our Cask Ale Persuit “ - Stan and Michael Central Lancs Pub of The Year A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Thurs Eve a Cask Ale at £1.99 a Pint 33 Friargate - PRESTON - PR1 2AT Tel: 01772 823397 www.theoldblackbullpreston.co.uk 10

The Old Vic

Also known as the Vic and Station

Tel.No.

Find us

Fishergate Preston

Opposite Preston Railway Station CAMRA Recommended Good Beer Guide 2014 7 Handpumps in action Normally 20 different real ales available during the course of a week Two 3D screens - 5 Sports足Boxes Showing: Football, Rugby Cricket, Horse Racing, Darts, Athletics, Tennis, Golf and other major events Traditional pub with traditional lunchtime bar meals Buffets can be arranged

11

Mountain View

Diversification ............. ....... that’s the name of the game

That they were successful is evidenced by their acquisition of the School Lane Club also in Bamber Bridge and the new Withy Arms in Leyland (see back page ad.).

Their original Withy Arms has already been one of our Pubs of the Season.

Is common sense on the verge of defeating the brain dead?

The particular brain dead I’m referring to are the ones who in their slavering race for a quick buck can’t see the wood for the trees - the ones who’ve decided that to increase the value of the funds mummy and daddy gave them to play monopoly with they must follow the lead of Tristran, Sebastion and the other spiffing chaps from Eton and buy up every pub that’s jolly well going for a song and turn them into flats or terraces for the unwashed for which they will pay most of the benefits we are siily enough to pay them.

In the first article I suggested there is a better option than the one

so frequently chosen by the simple minded inbreds.

Downstairs the pub

Upstairs the business

Keep the leisure facility a leisure facility - there was a logic to it being that in the first place - but always remember it is a business and therefore the business premises should have the flexibility All this in just a couple of years so who knows how the empire will grow. They’re a couple of smashing men and I am sure and adaptability to operate as such. they will continue to enjoy working in the leisure industry and Common sense dictates that because leisure was the basis of the in particular the pub trade. creation of that particular business that such should remain its Round the corner from the new Withy Arms in Leyland is the core business with the adaptability built around it. proposed Market Ale House to be located in a former travel agents next to Leyland Market.

In this second article I will look at the increasing number of entrpreneurs taking full advantage of the rock bottom prices The project is the brainchild offered by the incompetent pubcos desperence to be rid of their

of Danny and Alison Hindle capital assets. licensees of The Railway at Leyland. They have turned the Lets look firstly at The Withy Arms in Bamber Bridge.

Railway into a thriving pub.

Danny doesn’t claim that the

When Alan Burdett Market Ale House is an

and Lee Forshaw original idea.

bought the defunct

Withy Trees pub it There are a growing number

was as a base for

their Case Funding in the South of England (http:

risk insurance busi //micropubassociation.co.uk)/

ness. They decided It started in Kent at The

that they wouldn’t Butchers Arms, Herne.

need the whole

premises for

the one business so

what to do with the

Paul Riley chats with Dave rest was the question.

The Market Ale House will

at the bar of the Bamber have 5/6 handpumps which

Bridge Withy Arms They resolved to will be constantly changing

with its six handpumps locate their prime

business upstairs and

It is an excellent example of try their hand at being

diversification. At a time when publicans, operating pubs are closing. the pub below the business.

As you May have read in our main article or in the Preston Parade Jeremy from the ContiNot only did they nental took over the Mad Ferret and had it declared sane. On find it enjoyable Tuesdays during the day the Ferret opens as a Vintage Fair but also lucrative particularly operating as a free house without the luggage associated with a tied house .

12

The business Upstairs

Mountain View (cont)

selling mainly clothing and is proving very popular particularly with students from the nearby university.

The Golden Cross has a chequered past and has flirted with real ale in recent years.

Unlike the Eagle and Child in Chorley which was one of the town’s few hotels but who’s owners hadn’t the foresight to see beyond the simple expediant of demolition for flats (still awaited years later), the Golden Cross’s owners have had the brains to think outside the box and are now hoping to convert the upper stories to flats whilst keeping the ground floor as a pub.

The building is grade 2 listed so planning permission will be dependent on maintaining its character.

Welcome to the 10th

Pendle Beer Festival the muni, colne, lancs, BB8 0ae

Over

Quality local cask ales

100

Ciders, perries, bottled beers

LocAles available

Live entertainment Hot food available Festival glasses

SESSIOnS thursday 30 JAn

5-11pm

Free soft drinks for drivers

11.30-11pm

Balcony seating

Saturday 1 FEB 11.30-11pm

Disabled access

Friday 31 JAn

From

100 Local breweries

Owners TTS Real Estates said “The conversion of the original building will retain and Entry DEtAILS SPECIAL EVEnt , sustain the character, visual LADIES BEEr ExPErIEnCE £5 after 6pm FrIDAy, £3 all other times WEDnESDAy 28 JAn amenity and significance CAMrA members SEE WEBSItE FOr tICkEtS FrEE Entry to all sessions of the original building and its setting” We wish them success and hope that the pub will then have the stability it has been lacking. visit WWW.PendleBeerFestival.co.uk For more inFormation

I hope that the owners of the Queens Queens in Chorley take note of

this example of diversification,

renovate the upper stories and

give the town centre the extra

hotel space it so badly lacks.

I hope to give you more more

encouraging news in the next issue as the idea of diversification takes hold Lord Mountain Lord Mountain is a Leisure specialist - a retired Chief Executive of a leisure charity, an advisor to local authorities on leisure issues, a former university lecturer and assessor on leisure and member of the Institute of Leisure and Amenities Management. Ed

Calling young members We need new blood to replace us old codgers.

If lou look at the Blackpool Fest article you will see some of their young members in action. If you fancy becoming our Young Members Sec. contact me or come to a meeting Smith (see p22) Ed

UCLAN Students We will be leaving leaflets in the Students Union and nearby pubs (The Guild, Ferret, Bitter Suite and Adelphi about helping you develop a Beer Club Ed.

Good old Sam

If they can do it why can’t every brewery and pubco. Keg mild for less than £1.40 a pint and traditional cask Old Brewery Bitter for £1.80 a pint.

Humphrey Smith is well known for his eccentricities. I hope and pray that when he retires the values, value and prices remain. Long live traditional locals

like the Blue Bell Toad

13

PARKERS ARMS Park Road Chorley 01257 261999

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am - 12pm Friday - Saturday: 11am - 1pm Sunday: 11am - 12pm Real Ales from £2. per pint: Jennings’ Cumberland + guest Satelite Sports

RILEY’S RAMBLES - Poulton-Le-Fylde Having reached an age where I have a bus pass, I thought it was about time I used it more for visiting places, rather than just using it to go to town and back, or going to Camra meetings. The disadvantage of using the bus is of course that the journey must be within the range of one’s bladder, especially on the return journey. Having studied the routes available from Preston, I decided that Poulton was just about do-able, with a journey time of 53 minutes on service 80/82 or 65 minutes on service75. Both of these services are provided by Cumfybus, which must be the biggest misnomer for a bus service there is. Bouncing around the back lanes of the Fylde at speed on the hardest bus seats I have encountered for a long while is anything but comfortable. However, the end justifies the means, for Poulton is an excellent place to visit for a few drinks in some interesting pubs.

century as the local council offices, hence the name. Since reverting to a pub and after a refurbishment, this community local has become a popular part of the scene, with live music at weekends. There are various drinking areas, with a back room that is a shrine to Blackpool football club. It has murals of former heroes, such as Stan Matthews and Jimmy Adamson adorning the walls, and incongruously a large one of Charlie Adam, which surely should go. No sign of a picture of Paul Ince though. Upstairs there is a lounge which has just had a makeover which is reputed to be rather special, designed by an interior decorator friend of Adrian, who used to work in the Black Horse in Preston. It includes two handpumps. Down in the main bar on our visit there were two beers from Copper Dragon (Golden Pippin at 3.95% and Scotts 1816 at 4.1%), two from Moorhouses, (White Witch 3.9% and White Mist 4.2%) and Jennings Cocker Hoop at 4.6%.

Bull

Coming back out of the pub, turn right and walk down Church St. a short distance to its junction with Blackpool Old Road.

You will see the Bull straight in front of you, which was The bus drops you off in the centre of town to the north the next pub we went in. If you go on an evening though, of the historic Norman church of St Chad, which is but a there is another outlet for real ale on this corner called the few yards to our first pub, The Thatched House on Ball St. Grapevine Café Bar. It only opens at 6 pm (it does not open Originally an iconic Boddingtons pub, this pub is a must for at all on a Monday) so I am not able to give my impression the real ale enthusiast. It was once offered to Stan and Pam of it, but it is in the 2014 Good Beer Guide, so it must be of our very own Old Black Bull but they decided to stay worth a visit. Formerly an ironmongers and hardware shop, in Preston. Like the Bull, there is an attractive attitude to there is an upmarket café on the ground floor which is open the beers on sale. Besides the one permanent beer (Lytham during the day, the main bar on the first floor and a cocktail brewed Thatched Best Bitter), there is an ever changing bar on the second floor. The stairs up are said to be steep and range of six guest beers. On our visit, there was Tetley narrow so it is advisable to take care. It is described as having Bitter, Saltaire South Island Pale (3.5%) and Elderflower several quality cask ales on sale, with Thwaites Original Blonde(4%), Blakemore Navajo (3.9%), Greenfield Silver and Wainwrights listed as permanents. I will have to go one Oak(4%) and Vanilla Stout(5.25%) plus Old Rosie cider. evening and give it a go.

Meanwhile, we went in the

The pub itself has a mock Tudor exterior, whilst inside Bull which is part of the Stonegate group of pubs, as is the there are four open plan rooms with wood panelled walls and Adelphi in Preston and the Bay Horse Euxton. Comfortable ample standing space around the bar. There is an outdoor and spacious inside, it serves food up till 9pm in an open drinking and smoking area to the rear. Although quite quiet plan area. Though quiet when we were in (it was after 4 o’ on a Wednesday afternoon, it can get very busy at weekends, clock), it is apparently popular with locals and shoppers alike. with sport on TV proving popular. Several beer festivals are It bursts into life at weekends, with a resident DJ on Friday held at various times of the year. For more details on these and Saturday nights, when it becomes a meeting place for the and other events at the pub you can search on their website.

Coming out of the pub and turning left, you will quite quickly night time crowd. Other attractions include live music once a month on Thursday and live sports on TV. When we were come to the Golden Ball on the same road. The pub, which in, three real ales were on sale: Greene king IPA, a special began life as an 18th Century hotel, being one of the oldest from the same brewery called Best Employer Ale (to celebrate buildings in the Poulton area, is now a ‘John Barras’ house, Stonegate winning the award from Publican magazine) at coming under the ownership of the Spirit group. It is a listed building and retains some of its original features. It specialises 3.9%, and Fuzzy Duck Pheasant Plucker at 4.2%. As the second of these was on offer at only £1.45 a pint, we tried in good value food from 12-6pm and has big screens for this. I have subsequently found out that this brew was based all sports. When we were there, it appeared to be popular on a Hardy and Hanson recipe and was only sold in their best with the horse racing fraternity with a relaxed atmosphere, selling cask ale sites, so they must sell a fair bit of real ale. in spacious surroundings. Four real ales were on sale, these

By this time, we had had enough to drink and it was being Tetley bitter again, Thwaites Wainwrights, Wychwood Hobgoblin and the guest beer, Bank Top Old Slapper at 4.2%) time to brace ourselves for the journey home on Cumfybus.

The bus stop is on the opposite side of the street from the Bull Leaving the pub, go straight ahead by the side of the church so is very handy. On the other hand, if the journey sounds and you will come to our next hostelry, the Old Town Hall. arduous to you, there is the alternative of going on the train, It was originally built as a pub, but spent most of the 20th with all its creature comforts, the station being only a few

minutes walk from the Thatched House. That way you could have another drink in the Thatched with the possibility that the range might have changed in the intervening time.

To add to the attraction of Poulton, I have also been told that Wetherspoons are to open a pub there, subject to licensing approval, to be called the Poulton Elk. It could be open by the time you read this. It will be on Hardhorn Rd. a few minutes round the corner from the Bull, going away from the stocks in the old market square. How this will affect the other pubs only time will tell. Paul Riley.

14

The Crown @Croston 01772 972785

e-mail ~ thecrownhotelcroston@gmail.com

A warm welcome awaits from Jo & Rob

20p Discount to Card Carrying CAMRA Members 4 Cask Ales from Daniel Thwaites 1807 Cask Club Range

Home Cooked food served Lunchtimes & Evenings Full breakfast menu Saturday & Sunday from 10am Regular live Acoustic music Ample car parking with a large manicured, secluded beer garden & Boules Pitch

The Crown has recently been tastefully re-furbished and is modern without losing its character and charm

Thecrowncroston @thecrowncroston Mon-Thur 12 to 23.00 Fri 12 to 00.15 Sat 10 to 00.15 Sun 10 to 23.00 Closing times may be later than advertised !

15

CAMRA Pub of the SEASON - The White Bull, Chorley At a time when the traditional town centre local is under assault from all sides it is great to see a thriving survivor like the White Bull in Chorley.

Four of its fellow pubs to the south of the town centre have not been so lucky. With the closure of the Albion, Wagon & Horses, Jackson Arms ( once known as the Nacky), and the Eagle & Child which is now sadly demolished.

The White Bull has managed to hang in there as a beacon for local real ale with its friendly environment, free from the karaoke nightmare that has beset many other town centre locals. This has been due, in no small measure, to the hard work of tenants Kenneth and Margaret Clarke who have been the resident publicans since June 2003. Previously they had the Pleasant Retreat in Lostock Hall.

Many older locals will remember the White Bull as a Matthew Brown pub with its large central bar and rooms running off for pool, darts, and dominos.

The interior has changed over the years, but still retains a large central bar and plenty of seating areas where people can relax with a drink.

There are four permanent handpumps at the bar with one dedicated to Bank Top beers from Bolton. These have included Bank Top Dark Mild, Flat Cap, Bad to the Bone, Old Slapper (which is a particular favourite), and the deceptively strong Bank Top Blonde at 5% ABV! Other beers have included a variety from Coachhouses, Shepherd Neame, Caledonian, and Theakstons.

Derek is usually found working in the cellar while Margaret is the main face behind the bar serving the customers. Derek is also an avid Preston North End fan and season ticket holder, and the pub attracts many football fans on a Saturday afternoon.

The presentation for the Central Lancashire CAMRA Winter Pub of the Season will be held on Thursday Evening, January 16th from 8.00PM. AMBLING ALP

The Railway Inn Steeley lane Chorley LancsPR6 0RD 01257411449 emailrailwayinnchorley@yahoo.co.uk

Jennings Cumberland and 4 changing guest ales

A CAMRA pub of the Season

A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Free pool every Monday Darts and dominoes - Thurdays Free Jukebox every Tuesday

Chorley’s Premier Music Venue Live Music Friday and Saturday Evenings Seasonal music festivals with up to 8 bands

Have a very Happy Christmas and New Year from Graham, Angela and Jamie

16

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2014

CAMRA’s national online pub guide, WhatPub, went live to non

CAMRA members in September. The site has nearly 36,000 real

The 2014 Good Beer guide is now available. The definitive beer guide,

ale pubs listed, with full details on about 24,000 of them.

featuring over 4,500 of the best Real Ale pubs around the UK, selected by

Branches across the country are working hard to fill the gaps and

CAMRA members. The guide also includes a complete listing of all the

to make WhatPub the best online pub guide – in fact the only one

you will need.

known breweries in the UK, a ‘Beer index’ to help you find more information about the beers on the bar and a comprehensive easy to use pub listing that

makes finding a good pub and a great pint simple. Available to order online

there will be full contact information, opening hours, details of

at www.camra.org.uk/shop £10.00 for members and £12.99 for non

facilities similar to what you would find in any of our beer guides,

members (+p&p). Christmas is just around the corner and this book makes

details of the standard beers available and number of guest ales

an ideal ‘stocking filler’, so if you don’t already have a copy, don’t delay –

and a brief description. There will also be a picture and a detailed

order one today. Remember, don’t leave home without it.

map showing the pub location.

The issue of this year’s guide has prompted me to do some digging into previous years and look at the

WhatPub is by far the most comprehensive pub website out there.

entries for the Central Lancashire branch area since the first guide was issued in 1974. A total of 208

By selecting different search parameters, you can view pubs that

pubs have had an entry in the guide, and every year at least one new pub makes the list. For 2014 we

welcome dogs, have disabled facilities, give CAMRA discounts or

have three ‘first timers’; the Bay Horse at Euxton, the Leyland Lion at Leyland and the Red Lion at

whatever else you chose from the extensive facilities list.

Mawdesley.

So what can you expect to find on WhatPub? When complete,

Central Lancashire branch is well on target to complete their None of the branch pubs have been in every edition of the Good Beer Guide. Out of a possible 41 entries, entries, and hopefully by the time you read this, we will have done so. At the time of writing, we have full survey the pub with the most is the Royal Oak at Whittle le Woods, clocking up an impressive 33 consecutive information on over 90% of our Real Ale pubs, although there are still quite a few photos missing. I would like to appearances from 1977 to 2009. The longest ‘live’ streak is 19 years by The Olde Dog & Partridge in take this opportunity to thank all the members of the branch who have contributed to this mammoth undertaking.

Preston.

However, doing the initial surveys is only part of the job – the information has to be kept up to date. In these During the last 40 years, the percentage of pubs in our area that serve Real Ale has increased dramatically uncertain times for the pub industry, there are frequent changes of licensee, temporary closures, changes to and the range of beers available has grown accordingly. However the numbers of pubs operating has opening hours and available beers. With nearly 300 pubs in the branch area, it is difficult to keep an eye on all of decreased alarmingly, particularly in the larger urban areas. Of the 208 pubs that have merited inclusion

them as often as we would like. This website will only be of real value if it is as up to date as possible, and there

in the guide, more than a quarter (55) have now closed, although some of these are only temporary clo-

are two ways in which you can help.

sures and should reopen soon. Nearly all of the closed pubs have been converted into other uses and in

When you go to the pub, please check WhatPub to see if what is on there is still correct. There is a facility on the

many cases, it is possible to tell that the building once operated as a pub. As far as I am aware, only one

site to advise us of anything that is incorrect and we will check and make the necessary changes. Alternatively,

pub is no longer standing. The Borough Arms in Chorley was demolished as part of a road improvement

please email any changes to clcamra@rocketmail.com . There is also a facility to ‘score’ the beers. We have a

scheme. 15 of the pubs no longer serve Real Ale, although while a pub remains open, there is always the

quarterly ‘Pub of the Season’ and an annual Pub of the Year award. In addition to this we have our entries for the

hope that Real Ale will return.

Good Beer Guide. Beer quality is paramount in our selections, and the more people who record scores, the better In future issues of Ale Cry, I am hoping to do a series of articles on some of the closed pubs, although this idea we will have as to the quality of the ales in any given outlet.

Adrian Smith will depend largely on available space in the magazine and, more importantly, availability of pictures of

Over 800 branch members but only a couple of dozen active. If you are one them available to the branch, we would be most grateful. Please contact me at clcamra@rocketmail.com of the inactive majority don’t you fancy if you are able to help.

Adrian Smith doing a bit to help fight the cause? Any Any good at sums?????

Pay £15.50 to join CAMRA and get £20 UNDER help would be appreciated so why not JDW beer tokens, free entry to lots of beer festivals and discount in lots of pubs. Doesn’t seem to add up does it???

26 get in touch (see p22) Ed these outlets. If anyone reading this article has photographs of former pubs in our area and could make

The Spinners at Cowling

Up to 3 cask ales

Massive selection of single malt whiskies

Live entertainment through December New Autumn/Winter Menu

3 course Christmas Menu for £19.95 from 1st December New Years Eve

gourmet buffet, live entertainment £15 Food served; Mon-Fri 12-3, 5-9, Sat 12-9, Sun 12-8 17

77-79 Cowling Brow, Chorley, PR6 9EA Tel: 01257 241622 Email: thespinnersatcowling@hotmail.co.uk

Preston Parade Some bad news for those who liked it when it appeared last Christmas, (including me). The

With the shock news of Paula leaving the Bitter Suite (see front page), speculation is rife as to the fate of this pub, a particular favourite of

Tundra Bar will not be a feature of this years festivities. Jeremy from the Continental, who ran this

real ale drinkers. We may know soon who has succeeded in obtaining

pop up bar last year says, with all the other things going on, there has not been time to do it this year.

the lease of this important free house, but at the time of writing, we can

I hope it does return sometime.

only report the rumours that were circulating. The first to hit the streets was that the Continental, who, as reported last time, have taken over

The Black Horse on Friargate picked up the Pub of the Year prize at the inaugural Alive after Five

the Mad Ferret, were interested in having the adjacent Bitter Suite as

Awards, run by the Preston Business Improvement District (BID). It picked up the most votes in the

well. It was mooted that they would like to be able to knock through the

online competition to find the things that make a night out in Preston an enjoyable one. It’s alright

upstairs to produce a bigger music venue. The Ferret itself (the epithet

during the day too.

Mad having been dropped from its name) now has four handpumps Work will begin on the new Wetherspoons pub on Church St. soon. Situated in the old Trustees

dispensing a changing range of real ales and ciders. It also opens at 12 noon (except Monday when it is closed) and will by now be selling food

Savings Bank opposite the Minster, it should surely do well. Meanwhile, the pub next to it which has

with their resident BBQ expert Dr Sweetsmoke in charge of the kitchen

been trading under the name of Reflex (the old Red Lion) has been renamed Popworld, so you should

which will be open until 11pm. The only drawback for the casual drinker

know what to expect there.

will be on the odd nights when a “headline” act necessitates an entrance Some movements to the north of Preston to report: - The quite recently installed licensees at the

fee.

Grapes in Goosnargh seem to have disappeared and a new person is now running it. It has recently The second rumour was that Arkwrights Brewery might take the lease and use it as their brewery tap as a permanent outlet for their beers. As they also do swaps with their beers, other brewer’s products would be available on the bar, so it would still be an attractive draw.

The third option is very interesting. It has been known for some time that Trish, the landlady at the Sun on Friargate, has had a great longing for a free house of her own, where she has complete choice of the beers she sells.

When the Mad Ferret change came around, enquiries were made. News of events at the Suite has roused her interests once more and it will be taken further. Whoever the winner is in this race, it looks like we will still have a good real ale pub to go to. The leaving do at the end of January will be unmissable.

Back at the Sun, six handpumps now adorn

the bar. You willl find Thwaites Original,

Wainwrights, Bomber, a seasonal, plus two

guests, one of which could be a real

cider. Prices start at £2.45.

Sports are a feature on the four screens which

had a major overhaul, so this came as quite a surprise. Up in Inglewight, the Green Man has been

each have their own box so that you can

having some upgrading work done too and was due to reopen in November with new licensees. When

choose what to watch. There is also free wifi

we have news of the beer ranges, we will let you know. The Saddle at Bartle, a Thwaites tied house,

and ensuite accommodation available.

also has a new landlord who has moved there from the Coach and Horses in Freckleton, so the range

might change there. It was selling Wainwrights and Bomber.

On the other side of Friargate, Warwick at the

Lamb and Packet has decided to concentrate

Back in Preston, the Cotty Brook is now fully boarded up and there also has been a change of

on the core products from Thwaites. He has found that the prices he would have to charge to sell the specials from

licensee at the Cattle Market on Brook St. and the pub is no longer selling real ale. Another one that

Thwaites would make them unsellable in Preston City centre. This means I should be able to find one of my favourite seems to have lost its real ale after another change of licensee is the White Hart in Fulwood. The two beers any time I fancy it, this being Nutty Black, the dark mild based loosely on the old Preston Breweries recipe.

handpumps have been bare for several weeks, apart from Halloween week when Hobgoblin was on

Original, Wainwrights and Bomber complete the line up.

sale, and then nothing.

It was reported in the Evening Post that the locals at the John o’ Gaunt at Ingol are fighting to save

Some good news; The Angel has reopened on Lune St. The

their pub from closure. There are plans to change it to a children’s nursery which would leave them

company previously having the

with no nearby hostelry for them to patronise. A once thriving Boddingtons pub, it does not currently

lease on the pub went bankrupt

serve real ale, but CAMRA believes that all pubs are potential outlets for cask beer, so we have

which lead to it being repossessed

formally objected to its change of use and sent a letter to that effect to Preston City Council.

by the owners of the building, Finally, we welcome Mark, the new licensee at the Plough at Grimsargh. On my recent visit, the

Malkit and Anne Marie Aujla, and Rowanmoor Trustees. The lease

beers available were Caledonian IPA and Autumn Red and Marstons EPA, with Flying Scotsman and

has now been taken by another

Black Sheep Bitter coming up. The pub does a discount of 15p a pint and 10p a half on production of your Camra card. 3 x1/3 of a pint sample paddles are also available.

small pub owning group, who have installed manager Chris

Chris behind the bar

Paul Riley.

Stokes to run the pub. Chris has worked in many pubs in the Preston area, including the Angel itself. He has worked in the New Brit when Steve Holt had it and appeared behind the bar when Sharon had the late, lamented Fox and Grapes. Four beers should be available with initially Jennings, Thwaites, Marstons and Wychwood ales appearing. The range would be changing from week to week and would sell at £2.70 a pint. The pub would be open 10-11 (1am Fri-Sat, 12-11 Sun) with food available 11-3 Mon-Sat. The upstairs room will again be available for hire.

Date for next year’s diary: Thirsty Magpie Beer Festival at Chorley FC Organised by Glen

18

from Spinners at Cowling Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th May 2014. 70+ Real Ales, 10+ Ciders. Live entertainment

Beer and Music 2013 The weather helps and its been the best summer for many a year, so it goes without saying that I’ve enjoyed camping out at this year’s festivals and without a doubt every one has lived up to my expectations. Every year I spend less time at the festivals themselves and more time during the day visiting the neighbouring towns, villages and landmarks, always making sure I’m back in time for the evening festivities.

As I have repeated many times in this column the term ‘folk festivals’ is a bit misleading. At most you will also find everything from blues to rock and roll and many also double as beer festivals.

In fact you will often find a wider range of beers than at many an actual beer test. Because, as usually seems to be the case with my column, space is limited, here are a selection of photos from the festivals and the places I visited on my travels Melodious Mick

Don’t call us Draught Excluders Every alternate Tuesday Draughts is the game at the Malt and Hops.

And it’s not taken lightly, with internationals in the team and competion with teams from the North West.

They could do with some new blood so if you are interested pop in on a Tuesday and have a word with Alan

3 photos taken at The Liddesdale TheSwan in Sidmouth Newcastleton

First and Last Pub - Exmouth

Barbers Shop Quartet in the Swan

Fallen Apples In Volunteer with Cider to complement them

Cathedral Square Exeter

2

Dukes Beer Fest Sidmouth

Whitby Folk Festival

Get back on the bus and carry on we’re not done yet.

RETRACING THE 1 4

At Abbey Village, since the beginning of October,

Mark and Silke have already made an impact at the

Hare and Hounds and aim to fulfil, as everyone has

Earlier this year Ale Cry took you on a Journey on the Chorley to Blackburn Bus service, the 124. Since then

told them, its potential as the hub of the village

a lot has happened to merit this update. Note that the 124 is no more and recently became the No 2 following

community it once was. While presently not open

a reorganisation of the TransDev routes in Blackburn and while it has little affect on our area with only minor

Mondays (until 5pm), two hand pumps were in

time changes the route is continuous now through to Darwen, but you don’t have to go that far to witness

operation serving Golden Pippen (3.9) and Best

marked changes to the local Chorley Hostelries along the route. It all seemed to happen around September

Bitter (3.8) from the Copper Dragon stable. Silke

-October.

First we note the loss of the Harpers which is now becoming a

Mark and Silke

who prepares and cooks all the food served aims to

fancy dress shop but as we drop down out of Chorley onto the A674 it is along the Wheelton-Brinscall-Abbey restore Timothy Taylors Landlord as soon as possible. With the regular Quiz nights on Thursdays (including Village stretch where many pubs have seen change.

Having purchased the Red Lion at

supper) and music at weekends Silke tells me they aim to do what was done before but better and things may

Lower Wheelton we all expected Phil at the Top Lock to transfer over once his annual beer festival was

have a slight German twist from time to time. Hence the bratwurst on the menu and ‘fondue’ is promised –

over, but Ale Cry hears he is now staying put, having agreed new terms with the pub company which will

should be good.

bring on a much needed renovation. That aside it is good to see that the Red Lion has re-opened (Weekdays

Golf and Country Club, Withnell. While the main entrance is on Bury Lane off the A674 get off the bus at

4pm-close, Weekends 3pm- close), where Amy and Harley are installed to provide a cheery welcome and

the fishing ponds, just up the hill out of Abbey Village as you head onto Blackburn. Follow the path round

maintain the Quiz (Wed) and Curry (Thurs) Nights. Phil’s influence can be seen though in the choice of ales

to the main building where Sharon and Simeon will supply you with a good brew and fine fayre after your

from his customary Coniston Ales to a Special Oatmeal Stout (4.5) to warm the heart on a winter’s night. It

walk. At present while building works to extend the facility are ongoing the single hand pump serves up

is anticipated that new tenants will be installed next April.

either Thwaites Wainwright or another ale from the Local 3Bs Brewery. Afterwards you can walk through to

Similarly the Golden

One new entry not included in the previous article is the Oak Royal

Lion at Higher Wheelton has reopened maintaining the same pattern as before in this popular Thwaites house Brinscall to catch the bus back to Chorley or sample those pubs you missed on the way out, on the way in. under the guidance of Sam and Darren Cooper.

The four hand

While all this upheaval was going on ‘Chalky’ and Sandra at the Oak Tree, Brinscall celebrated their first

pumps are delivering Thwaites Best Cask, Lancaster Bomber,

anniversary with a night of music and revelry, as is often the case, washed down with a fine pint of Holts

Wainwright, and Thwaites Original, but alas no Nutty Slack.

bitter in front of a warm fire. This is often accompanied by a selection of ales ‘Wainwright’, ‘Old Speckled

Open from Noon everyday the ale is supplemented by the excellent food

Hen’ or those from the 3Bs Brewery and others.

menu.

at Lower Wheelton, Steve maintains a fine and wide selection of ales and this ever popular venue has

At the Cricketers in Brinscall Hilary has decided to call it

Meanwhile down at the Dressers,

a day after 51/2 years and we wish her well for the future. Tony White

maintained a loyal following amidst the local chaos.

who hails from the Wirral is now installed to maintain the ales. As ever

there is plenty still to discover. Just remember it is now service No. 2, between Chorley and Blackburn – via

an excellent pint of Jennings Cocker Hoop and Cumberland are on tap to

Wheelton, Brinscall and Abbey Village.

So there is no need to go to Darwen John Finlay

be supplemented by an occasional guest from the Marstons list. ‘Ashes’ ale proved popular over the summer and may well feature this winter as the Test series unfolds. We are also promised some new brews possibly even Camerons.

Tony at the Cricketers

19

20

Attention : Pubs, Clubs, Breweries, Pubcos, Suppliers to the trade Compare our target market with local press Read on------

• Our quarterly publication goes right to the heart of your customer base. With an estimated 30.000 ‘interested’ readers ‘Ale Cry’ reaches ale drinkers all over the UK. • Every pub we go in is given customer copies and also pub copies for drinkers to read and return to the bar for others to peruse.

• And it’s not just to local locals - no - no - no.

As all our volunteer • distributors travel around the country and further afield we leave pub copies in pubs we visit on our travels: from Scotland to Devon; from Wales to Yorkshire; from Canada to Germany; from the States to Poland etc., etc., • Contact us (see below) for full details of where they’ve been left and to find out how to advertise with us • Other than word of mouth you won’t find a better way to get your message across - Just ask our current advertisers Double Page £300 Back Page £195 Full Page £175 1/2 Page £95 1/4 £55

21

Dec 5

16 Jan 9

27 Feb 13

24 Mar 13

24

Branch Meetings (8pm): Branch / Socials* Committee # You’re welcome to attend any of our meetings and trips

# Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge) * Christmas - Black Horse (Preston) # Old Black Bull (Preston) * Black Bull (Penwortham) 3 free gallons at Greyfriars # Malt and Hops (Chorley) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * Stanley Arms (Preston) Are you a CAMRA member? if so, recruit a friend and # Leyland Lion (Leyland) you could win 24 pints of real ale to enjoy in Greyfriars * White Hart (Chorley) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Trips: The branch would welcome more members and potential members

joining us on our trips and visits. Our next one is: Thur 6th Feb - Ale Cry distribution Crawl Leyland -Minibus from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station) Leaves at 7.30 - 11pm Stopping conglomerates

turning pubs into superIf you’d like us to arrange markets - just one of many fights CAMRA must fight. any trips give us your Join us in that fight ............. ideas - contact our Social (see page 23) Secretary (see below)

Officers and Contacts:

Branch Details:

Branch Contact/Chairman Dave Linley 01772 735628 Secretary / Web site / Gordon Small 01772 746118

14 Bank Parade Penwortham Preston Treasurer Paul Riley 01772 709272 Vice-Chairman John Singleton 01772 322189 Pubs Officer Adrian Smith 01257 273931 Womens contact: Sue Riley 01772 709272 Social Secretary Steve Enderby 01257 410146 Young Members Vacant (if interested contact Mick Communications (inc.

Clark (see below) membership & editor) Mick Clark 07984 840486

email address: clcamra@rocketmail.com

website- http://www.centrallancscamra.org.uk www.facebook.com CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch Published by: The Central Lancashire Branch Of The Campaign for Real Ale Disclaimer: The views expressed in Ale Cry are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Central Lancashire Branch of CAMRA, or of the Campaign for Real Ale

18 pubs closing every day. The impact on our society is extremely serious.We need your support.

Join us >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Under 26

over 60 You’d be mad noor t to From £15.50 to join: £20 join CAMRA real ale vouchers, and 15 months members hip for the pr of 12 + Real Ale Discounts at hundreds of pubsice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> e p16) >>>>>>>>>>>>(se >>>>>:

3 free gallons at Lion

Another member who has taken on the role of branch contact will win 24 pints of real ale to enjoy at the Leyland Lion. it could be you. We badly need branch contacts i.e. people prepared to keep in touch with a few local >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pubs - passing news on to us, distributing Ale Cry etc. It’s an enjoyable job which takes little effort and could win you 3 gals of real ale. Contact ed by phone or email

Deadline for Adverts and Articles for the Winter Edition:: 7/2/14 Expected Publication Date: 21/2/14

22

Proud supporter of traditional,

Accordingly, in association with CAMRA, we are pleased to announce these AMAZING offers:

AMAZING OFFERS FOR REAL ALE DRINKERS

£20 of JD Wetherspoon Real Ale tokens

15 months membership for the price of 12 if you agree to pay by direct debit

then once you’ve joined :

healthy, British made, real

ales & CAMRA in its fight to bring this healthy, organically produced example of British culture to more people’s attention.

You don’t need an existing member to recommend you to join CAMRA, but if one has, he or she could win 3 gallons of real ale , just by insterting their details here.

Name Membership No Phone No

Chance to win 24 pints to enjoy in Greyfriars, Friargate, Preston for recruiting a friend to CAMRA

Chance to win 24 pints to enjoy in the Leyland Lion on Hough Lane, Leyland for helping keep the branch informed about what’s happening in your local pubs

- Soa.s.a.p.

-fill-inand-thispost-application -it to:- -form -

FAO Gary Fowler

Wetherspoons Membership Offer, CAMRA, 230, Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts, AL1 4LW.

Single Membership (uk & eu) £23 £25 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £15.50 £17.50 Joint Membership (Partner at the same address) £28 £30 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £18.50 £20.50 I wish to Join the Campaign for Real Ale and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of the Association I enclose a cheque for: (or complete dd >>) Signed: Date: .

(If Joint membership - Partners name and signature: Date: .)

W A NEW PUB OPENING! 12th DECEMBER 2013

Withy Arms Leyland Old Town Kitchen Open Midday to 8pm Daily

6 Cask Ales 6 Continental Lagers Large Selection of Draft & Bottled Ciders John Smiths and Boddingtons on draft

3 Worden Lane, Leyland, PR25 3EL We are near to the Big Tesco and opposite the Old Leyland Cross

W A

www.withyarms.com Tel: 01772 301969