A TRIP WORTH WAITING FOR

November 2007

In the last issue of Ale Cry we told you of the trip to Rufford that never was, there being a mix up over the mini-bus. So three months later it finally took place, and what a cracking trip it turned out to be, with every pub at the top of its form and everybody enjoying every minute of the trip. It was unfortunate that this time around the bus was not full, so good was the trip, that those who couldn’t go where the losers.

We started at the Blue Anchor at Bretherton, which we have tried to visit before, but due to a seance night, we could not get in. This time we found we could, and found two real ales on the bar. One was Draught Bass, which the pump clip proudly proclaimed as the U K’s Best Selling Premium cask ale at 4.4% and Titanic Brewery’s Band played on at 4.1% both at £2.40p per pint. Also enjoying the beers were two locals John Latham and his friend Tom who come up to the pub early evenings to sample the cask beers on offer. John and Tom enjoy the ambience of the pub. The pub itself has a large central bar, the main lounge area and a games area to one side. It is open from 12 – 3pm and 5 – 11pm midweek and all day Sunday, with food available 12 – 2pm and 5 – 9pm, (all day Sunday). One feature that sounded good was a take – away chip shop service 7 night a week from 5 – 9pm.

Rufford itself was the next stopping place and we finally got to the Hesketh Arms, which marks a boundary of branch area. The pub itself has only been reopened relatively recently, it having been shut for several years. Dave the landlord is justifiably proud of the renovations, and it has won an award from West Lancashire Council for it’s redevelopment. The pub is large, with a rustic, wood beamed theme, a central bar with varied seating areas around, some set out for formal meals, but plenty of room for everyone. Four beers were on sale, Jennings Cumberland $.00% at £2.25p, Moorehouses Pride of Pendle 4.2% at £2.30p both of which are regulars, plus 2 changing guests, which on our visit were Northern Dancer 4.2% at £2.30p, and Wold Top Moss Magic 4.6% at £2.35p. All four were sampled by our group and were thoroughly enjoyable. Food here is available 7 days 12 – 2-30, 5 – 9pm and all day Sunday. One other plus it is quite close to the marina on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

It was but a short journey from here another boundary point on our map, the Eagle and Child at Bispham Green. This was extremely busy for a Monday night, and food is important at the Eagle and Child but so is the beer. No less than seven beers were on sale, with a good spread of styles and stregnths, from Moorehouses Black Cat at £1.90p, through Thwaites Original at £2.50p per pint, plus on our visit Copper Dragon Scotts 1816 4.1%5, Southport Carousel 4.00% Grindleton Ribble Rouser 3.8% Derwent Carlisle State Export 4.7% and Hornbeam Golden Wraith 5.0%. The pub overlooks the village green and inside features stone flagged floors and antique furniture. It has a bowling green with good views of the surrounding area, and holds a beer festival in a marquee on the first May Bank holiday every year. The beer changes so regularly (an Allgates beer had just run out as we arrived) that it is like a permanent beer festival anyway, so you don’t have to wait until next May. The pub is open 12 – 3, and 5 .30 – 11.00pm (all day Sunday) and is renowned for its food.

We had to set off back towards Preston, with two more pubs yet to visit The first of these was the Black Bull at Mawdsley, which last time we passed through was closed on Mondays. Luckily for us it is now open on all days from 12 – 11pm (10.30 Sundays) with an extension till Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The Black Bull has been a pub since 1610 and the low ceilings and oak beams bear testament to this. It won the Best Kept pub in Lancashire award in 2007 from Lancashire Life, and is a previous winner. The pub has four permanent beers, which are Robinsons Uunicorn Bitter 4.3% at £2.30p, Jennings Cumberland 4.0% at £2.45p, Black Sheep Bitter 3.8% ditto and Taylors Landlord 4.3% at £2.55p. Besides these, it has one changing guest beer which on our visit was Everards Sunchaser at 4%. Food again features and is available 12 – 2. And 6.30 – 9.0pm (except Mondays), Saturdays 12 – 2.30, 6 – 8.30pm and all day Sunday until 7.30pm. It has a well  kept beer garden and also features 2 boules teams and has a quiz on Thursdays.

Our last visit before rushing back to Preston for the last bus was a pub we have visited a few times before, but it is well worth seeing again, and that was the Robin Hood in Mawdsley. There was a leaving do going on when we arrived and everybody looked like they were having a good time, but Steve the bar manager still had time to welcome us personally and we soon had our glasses filled by the experienced and friendly bar staff. Steve was wearing a suave hat, in keeping with the themed leaving do and we all blended in enjoying another fine selection of real ales. The Robin Hood has three permanent beers, Black Sheep Bitter 3.8% at £2.45p, Jennings Cumberland 4.0% at £2.50p and Taylors Landlord and three guest ales, which on our visit were George Wright Golden Days at £2.45p Caledonian XPA 4.3% and Shepherd Neame Spitfire 4.5% at £2.55p per pint. The pub itself dating from the 15^th century, but substantially altered in the 19^th has been in the same family for more than 39 years, and enjoys a reputation for good food and has its own restaurant upstairs. Bar food is served at Lunchtime and evenings and all day at weekend, but there is plenty of room for those just wanting to try the beers, the pub being open 11.30 – 11.00pm and 12.00 – 10 – 30pm Sundays. Time was catching up on us and somewhat reluctantly we all boarded our mini-bus and returned to Preston, all buzzing at the great night we had just had.

Paul Riley.