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East Cheshire News |
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Historic Inns We want to identify all the Cheshire pubs with exteriors,
interiors, rooms or features worthy of preservation. We invite all our
readers to let us have details of any they know. Whether you are a Licensee
or a pub-user please get in touch. |
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These prestigious awards recognise some of our finest inns. 2006 Prince of Wales, Macclesfield See our East Cheshire awards section for details of these and our seasonal and other awards. |
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Drinkers buy their own pub The Swan at Kettleshulme has been saved from closure
by a consortium of locals. The former licensee, Ian Edmonds, closed the
pub and planned to convert it into a private house. Determined regulars
banded together and after much negotiation, raised the necessary £425,000
to buy the pub. Their first approach to buy the 15th century coaching inn was rejected by Mr Edmonds because he planned to keep it as a family home. But after a campaign to save the pub as an asset to the village, he had a change of heart and said they could have it at the minimum price he was willing to accept. The new owners looked for a full-time licensee to run the business. John Adamson, the Swan's previous landlord for 20 years who still lives in the village, took over the licence until a new publican could be appointed. The pub has been recorded as far back as 1665, but historians believe it could have been built as a wayside stop for travellers 200 years earlier. The 21-member consortium was established after villagers decided the loss of the ancient inn was the final straw following the closure of the post office and the local shop. One of them, Matthew Barnes, said: "You have got to fight to preserve what is good in rural villages. We lost the post office and the shop and we just had to make a stand to save the Swan. When we heard we had been successful it was euphoric." The Campaign for Real Ale is enthusiastically behind this effort. The Swan has established in recent times a reputation for a wide choice of real ales, kept in excellent condition. It has shown great support for Cheshire-brewed beers from our independent micro-breweries. Beer lovers would travel from far and wide to visit the Swan. It is hoped that this reputation will be retained and enhanced by the new owners and not overloked in the euphoria of their victory. The consortium is to keep the Swan as a real-ale pub serving home-made bar snacks, as well as making efforts to re-open the post office on the premises and a delivery point for goods ordered from the internet. The consortium has had the backing of the 300 villagers
with free offers of help with repairs and staffing the bar. |
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CONGLETON - REAL ALE PARADISE? I moved to Congleton four years ago after ten years away.
My first CAMRA activity in the area was contributing to the "Out Inn Cheshire"
pub guide - published in 1998. In those days, Congleton could hardly be
called a Real Ale Paradise. Only two pubs served guest beers and the town
was dominated by the national breweries. Serious drinkers travelled to
Macclesfield on the train or bus. Today the serious drinkers are travelling
the other way. The picture in Congleton has changed almost beyond recognition!
A pub crawl of Congleton was enlightening. The Queens
was a great hit with everyone, with some delightful beers and a friendly
atmosphere. Black Mamba from Sarah's Hop House brewery in Warrington was
the recipient of some mixed scores, ranging from good to excellent, while
locally brewed Caught Behind from Khean was judged very good by everyone
(Yes, you've guessed it, this is an old article and Khean brewery is
no more, but we have left it in as most of this material is very useful).
Top beer of the visit, however, was Beowulf Glutlusty, a weirdly named
and very distinctive beer. Nobdy tried the Abbot, the Ansells Mild or
the Tetleys. Heck of a range. Woodlands is now under new management, and the emphasis at certain times of the day is very much on food. However, real ale is still available. One correspondent had a pint of Boddingtons with his lunch there (which was OK as Boddies goes), but there was also a pump clip for Caledonian Deuchars IPA, although the barrel had only just been tapped when he was there, and it wasn't yet ready to serve. We unaware of anywhere else in Congleton which sells it. We hear that the Deuchars IPA was on good form when sampled later. Bull's Head; at long last one can drink real ale here! He had a good-ish pint of Hyde's Bitter, although another visitor felt it was of indifferent quality. There was another pump clip turned round, for Jekyll's Gold. The Counting House is a little erratic with guest beers. One visit saw only the standard Wetherspoon's line-up of Theakston's, Spitfire, Directors' & Summer Lightning available. Admittedly this is better than most pubs in the town can offer, but when you've gone with the main aim of trying a new beer, it could be a bit of a let-down. The Spitfire was very good though. Another local confirms that as a rule they have two guest beers on at a time with one waiting although sales of guest ale are on the increase and sometimes they are caught out by demand. Two other CAMRA members have been sampling the guest ales and finding them to be on top form. A poster re-awoke my interest in a curry and a pint for
£3.99. However when I read it closely, the only pint that you can have
is a pint of gassy filth or a pint of smooth filth. I seem to remember
some problem along these lines when I last wanted the curry deal. Be careful
if this offer interests you.” The Wharf, Congleton - has introduced a guest ales programme! This is alongside Greenall's Bitter and the far more interesting Greenall's Mild and Timothy Taylor Landlord. The Castle, Congleton - not to be outdone has introduced a second guest ale. Both continue to change regularly. The Queens, Congleton - continues its programme of sourcing its beers from local brewers. Slaters are providing the current beer and excellent it is too. Next due was Old Dog from Weetwood. Real Ale Gain. Good news from the Throstle’s Nest in Buglawton. This former keg-only pub owned by Punch Taverns has taken a turn for the better with the arrival of a new licensee. Russ Smith has added real ales in the form of Draught Bass and a rotating guest beer. Hydes Bitter, Everards Beacon and Old Speckled Hen have all been featured, and have sold well. This is a traditional local, with bar snacks available. Russ, you are doing the right thing: good luck! The Daily Telegraph recently made an presentation to the best 'country-style' pub in England. The Harrington Arms in Gawsworth fought through to the last six, the actual winner being the a pub in Somerset. This honour comes a no surprise to those of us who know and love this beautiful unspoilt inn. The Farmers Arms, West Road, Congleton has reopened
under new ownership, after being closed for several weeks. It has been
refurbished and a good job has been done on it. Although the pub has been
technically one room for years, it has been done in a way that the previous
rooms can be identified as snug alcoves. |
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Wilmslow, Knutsford and Mobberley area Wilmslow Good news from the Ship Inn at Styal over near
Manchester Airport. In charge since May 2004 are Ray and Sheena, formerly
of the Swan in Wilmslow, (when it was a thriving alehouse with a bar full
of guest beers,) and more recently, pleasing the citizens of Stalybridge.
Some interesting guest beers have appeared already, and when I popped
in, not only were the Broadside and Bombardier in excellent nick, but
two beers from Storm Brewing of Macclsfield were in the cellar (Windgather
and Storm Damage). Plans include a much enhanced range of beers, with
locally-sourced real ales, and indeed a later visit revealed no fewer
than four guest beers. The pub has been brightened up by a lick of paint
in the summer. We anticipate great things for the Ship; an attractive
pub, it cannot fail to benefit from the enthusiasm and experience of the
new management. Wilmslow Finally, Hydes Coach & Four had only two cask beers: Light Mild and Bitter. The Jekyll's Gold was temporarily unavailable and the pub now only stocks the Hyde's seasonal brews during the busier summer months. What is to happen to the George & Dragon in Wilmslow? This former Bass pub is of great architectural significance, and must be seen as under threat. What chance one of our local independent brewers taking it on and making a success of a great building, where one of the insensitive giants failed so miserably? We hear a rumour of a possible purchase by Middleton brewer, John Willie Lees. This would be an asset to the town, but we have no confirmation. The attractive Farmers Arms continues to sell Boddingtons in a traditional and busy atmosphere. Further along, a chance visit to the Rifleman's Arms
tucked away up Moor lane away from the centre of Wilmslow revealed a keen
new tenant in charge. Christopher "Kip" Hulme has a track record
in the business, perhaps most notable for our readers being a spell as
assistant manager of the lost lamented Old Mill in Cheadle Hulme. Knutsford The Cross Keys continues to boast the widest choice of real ale in Knutsford. A gleaming bank of five hand pumps greets the visitor. One of the regular ales is the delightful Tim Taylor's Landlord, a beer which has won the Champion Beer of Britain award more times than any other. Three of the pumps feature a regularly changing range of guest ales. On a crawl in March, we had some of the best beer we have ever tasted. Brewed by Slaters of Eccleshall, "Grand un" scored 9 out of 10 on our scale. It only narrowly topped the "Muttley's revenge". The Angel no longer sells Holts Mild, with only the Bitter and a Holts seasonal ale appearing on hand pump. On the edge of town, the Builders Arms has Marstons Bitter starring alongside Banks's Bitter and Original. Nearby, the Legh Arms has had some of the traditional wall panelling ripped out and more of it painted white. The pub looks brighter, but I can't help feeling that it has lost most of what traditional character it still had. Marston's Bitter and pedigree are found here. We hear that one of Knutsford's pair of keg-only pubs has seen the light and discovered the merits of real ale. The Falcon Bearer has been selling Copper Dragon Best Bitter and IPA, alongside a somewhat more predictable Tetley Bitter. We hear that the landlord is very keen on cask ale, and we wish him every success with this endeavour. The pub may soon be renamed, possibly the Henry Royce. Mobberley Up the lane, and opposite the church, the eponymous Church Inn was purveying Boddingtons, Tetley and a decent drop of Pedigree on a recent inspection. Being situated a lofted cover drive from Mobberley Cricket Club, this would be an interesting place to adjourn for a meal and a pint after an afternoon watching the MCC! Having said that, a more imaginative choice of beers would tempt me back more often: I wonder if they are free to change the range? Any chance of some Storm, Beartown or other local beers? The Plough & Flail had changed its range to Boddingtons, Worthington Best Bitter (rare in this neck of the woods), and Draught Bass. This latter was on good form when I visited last year, but I can’t help thinking that the range could show have shown a little more imagination. Subsequent to my visit, however, we learn it is closed and boarded up. The rumour is that it was being sold; does anyone know any more? The Stag at Great Warford changed hands some time ago. The occupants are Laurence Hobday and Alan Burrows, who forecast that by next summer the place will be heaving, with a beer garden in full swing! The kitchens have been completely re-equipped and the whole pub has been redecorated and reupholstered. One room has had a fireplace restored. Food service includes brunch (all day breakfast) available 10.00am (yes) to 2.00pm and Sunday roast 4.00pm to 7.00pm. The beer available is the somewhat unimaginative duo of Boddingtons and Greenalls. The plan is to install a third hand pump, the Boddies will stay (it's apparently very popular!), the Greenalls will go, a possible replacement being Pedigree, and the new pump will dispense a guest beer. A new CAMRA member has been into the Dun Cow at Ollerton, between Knutsford and Chelford. He describes it as very pleasant, but aimed mainly at diners. He thought that you might feel a little uncomfortable if you were just in for a drink (although it has nver stopped me, and they do have some nice settees!). Three cask ales seemed to be available, including Courage Directors and Marstons Pedigree. The food is good, and not too expensive. The range is good and it is all home-cooked. Allostock Chelford and Ollerton The Dun Cow at Ollerton, between Knutsford and
Chelford has become a firm favourite with discerning diners who like good
ale as well as good food. The food is very good, and not too expensive.
The range is good and seems to bel home-cooked. The Dun Cow is rather
like a wine bar or restaurant in atmosphere, with a fashionable decor
and restrained ambience. With a modern, trendy décor and its adventurous
and daily-changing menu, it has become a favourite venue for my wife and
myself. The pub has a welcoming real fire. Lower Peover, Over Peover &
Peover Heath The nearby Bells has always had a reputation as a destination place for dining. We can't say, but must confess to having heard a number of less than complimentary unsolicited comments about the quality of both food and service in recent times. One informant complained to the staff when dish after dish selected from the specials board was revealed to be unavailable. She was told that they are not allowed to remove the names of these dishes without permission from the Area Manager. What sort of management is that? Perhaps the take-over by Chef and Brewer has not helped. The Dog at Peover Heath has a Happy Hour from 5 to 7 on weekdays, with 20p off beers. Real Ales are Hydes Bitter, Moorhouse Black Cat, Weetwood Best Cask Bitter. Copper Dragon also makes the occasional appearance. Alongside home-cooked food, two popular quiz nights a week and regular theme and music evenings, this is a pub that offers just about everything you could ask. "What about a Beer Festival?", you ask. The Annual Dog Beer Festival is held at the end of July. Black Swan, Lower Withington. This pub/restaurant
changed hands, resulting in the previously reported all day opening. Good
news is that the number of hand pumps has quadrupled, beers on offer on
one visit were Theakston's Bitter, John Smith's Cask, Pedigree and Storm
Tornado. The question does arise as to whether the turnover is sufficient
to sustain four beers in good condition. Ashley Holmes Chapel |
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Macclesfield and Bollington area The Plough on Prestbury Road (at the Macclesfield
end of this truncated road) near the town centre changed hands at the
end of 2003 and has been redecorated in a Titanic (the ship) theme. Real
Ales have included Greenalls, Tetleys and two guest beers In recent times,
Titanic (the brewery) beers from Burslem have been sighted, and we understand
that Youngs Bitter has become a regular feature. The Brewer's Arms at the crossroads of Bridge Street and Crossan Street in Macclesfield is now selling two cask beers. This is a welcome development after many years of keg misery when the two hand pumps languished unused on the bar and a mocking sign at the door made a cynical and hollow promise of cask conditioned ales to the unwary visitor. The new licensee is proud to be selling proper beer and offers Deuchars IPA and a guest beer to his much relieved regulars. A second guest beer is promised, once another hand pump has been installed. The Packhorse at Broken Cross in Macclesfield is now selling a guest beer in addition to the traditional Boddingtons. A recent visit found Robinsons Unicorn. A presentation for an Outstanding Contribution to Real
Ale was made to Martin and Vicky Cortvriend, at the time, licensees of
the George and Dragon at Higher Hurdsfield, by Macclesfield CAMRA.
A new landlady Sarah has taken over the Ivy House on Park Lane in Macclesfield. Still selling Burtonwood bitter. The former keg only beer desert Amsterdam Bar in Macclesfield has reopened in new guise as the Swan with Two Necks, and a couple of hand pumps have been spotted. Reports please. ************************************************************************ For National Pub Week- 'There's a pub for everyone'
- we wanted to show what a variety of pubs Macclesfield Town Centre has,
within easy reach of the shops. We also wanted to look at the type of
pubs that might attract people who aren't used to 'little unspoilt gems!'
We began at the Society Rooms, part of a national
chain (Wetherspoons). This is a good meeting place, suitable for everyone
(except children), with plenty of space to sit on a Saturday lunchtime
-but not on weekend evenings, when it is packed! Also excellent toilets.
Sadly one of the guest beers was labelled 'unavailable' (why is it policy
not to turn the clips round?) but we sampled the Janus from Lees and the
Porter's Sunshine before crossing the road to the Jar Bar. Up the hill, and a quick look in at the White Lion, which we have been told has been having a guest ale (Thwaites Gold on a recent report?). Sadly the pump clip was turned (take note, Wetherspoons) so we did not stop but carried on to the Prince of Wales (a Porter's Ale House). Here we were greeted by a display of posters and beermats and presented with key-rings to mark the occasion. There were five beers on offer, all in good condition. The key-ring gave the Website address, on which internet addicts can see who is out in the real world having fun. We opted for the end of the bar out of webcam range! However all praised the beer and the pub received praise from the other drinkers we met there. It too is crowded on a weekend night. Through the car park, across Mill Street and down to the Castle- and a great contrast to the previous pubs. The Castle, on the National Inventory of Unspoilt Pubs, has a small white frontage onto a narrow cobbled back street between the main shopping street and Waters Green. Inside there are four rooms, panelled in dark wood, many gleaming with brass ornaments. There is a small bar and an even smaller serving hatch into the corridor entrance. Sadly the Mild was no longer available, so we had some Theakston's bitter. Last port of call was the ever consistent Waters Green
Tavern, where a final toast was drunk to celebrate the variety of
pubs available. In Macclesfield, the Waters Green never disappoints- certainly the Roosters Special was very welcome after a trip to the Highlands of Scotland where real beer is hard to find. If you only ever go in on the way home from work, find an excuse to drop in at lunch time- the home cooked food is good basic satisfying home cooked pub grub. In Macclesfield the Silkman, which is currently
closed, is up for sale for £145,000. The Star on London Road has
just changed hands. Good luck to the new licensees in yet another former
GBG pub that has been allowed to run down by Marstons. Also a belated
welcome to the new landlord of the Dolphin in Macclesfield who
is a CAMRA member and is now taking delivery of Opening Times each month.
Pubs in West Macclesfield Broken Cross and Henbury Managers Tony and Kath at the Broken Cross Institute
are keen to sell real ale. Recent visits have found Fullers London Pride
and Robinsons bitter. Weekend guests are from the Cask Masters selection.
Thanks to Martin and Vicky, the new folk at the George and Dragon, Higher Hurdsfield for hosting a CAMRA Games night. There was pool, darts in the snug, and two tables reserved for other games. The new Shut the Box was tested and received acclaim and interest- several other pub-goers watching and then venturing a go. The Shove ha'penny board also drew attention. Cask beers on offer included Crouch Vale, Bison Ale and Ruby Mild Bollington A correspondent visited the Vale in Bollington,
for the first time in for me since it re-opened. Beers on were Sam Smiths,
one of the Weetwood range and Storm's Windgather. The Windgather was excellent
(£1.85) The Vale is still quiet - it's going to take a while for trade
to pick up. As summer approaches, they should see more from people out
on the canal, Middlewood way etc. We get the feeling there has been a
marked reduction in business throughout the whole of Bollington. Further
to my last report about the re-opening I can now add that it has no juke
box, pool table, television or electronic games of any kind. The opening
hours are 17.30-23.00 Monday, 11.30-15.00 & 17.30-23.00 Tuesday-Thursday
and all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We are told by the Macclesfield
Licensing Officer that it will be a genuine free house. The Cotton Tree in Bollington has improved considerably since it changed hands a few months back - its clean, brightly lit, all of the idiots have gone, the beer is good and a guest ale policy has been introduced. Along side the Tetley's & Boddingtons recent guest ales have been Waggledance, Archer's Best Bitter and Black Sheep. In Bollington, the Church House after changing hands now sells Tim Taylor’s Landlord, Greene King IPA and the ubiquitous Tetley. While the emphasis is still very much on food, it must be said that the IPA is 38p cheaper than the Redway Tavern just up the hill. The Daily Telegraph recently made an presentation to the best 'country-style' pub in England. The Harrington Arms in Gawsworth fought through to the last six, the actual winner being the a pub in Somerset. This honour comes a no surprise to those of us who know and love this beautiful unspoilt inn. We can recommend a trip to the Plough, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, now run by Mark Broomhead and a much improved pub. Mark has extended the range of beers from merely Greenalls to add Tetleys, Boddingtons and a guest ale from the Pubmaster range, which includes the likes of Archers and Skinners - well worth a visit. There has been much change in licensees and managers in
Bollington: the Meridian is now a free house (the other free house
being the Poachers) run by Dianne and Keith. They are trying really hard
to drum up business which should be commended. Black Sheep Bitter is a
regular beer, with a guest beer also. Regular jam sessions feature on
Monday and Thursday with a Sunday quiz night ever two weeks. It's believed
that Dianne & Keith don't actually own the pub but rent it from a
third party, but this could be just village talk. |
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Langley, Rainow, Sutton, Wincle Langley Honour for the Hanging Gate, Higher Sutton: the
McGrath family have been awarded Cask Marque status. Hydes’ Seasonal beer
'One to Unwind' was superb! Also excellent home-made minestrone soup!
Rainow Sutton The Ryles Arms, Sutton has an extension planned which will include two further hand-pumps- Mauldons plus Bass on when we last passed- haven't been in to try the beer recently- watch this space. We believe extensive developments are planned, with a new entrance, bar area and accommodation, but they are leaving the present area alone and want to retain the appearance of the pub. Hydes bitter and 1744 from Burton on Trent were not bad but not outstanding. The focus is largely on dining with tables laid out with wineglasses etc, apart from the immediate bar area. The food was found acceptable. The Harrington Arms at Bosley has just been taken over by Ian Biggar, son of the landlord of the George & Dragon in Macc. Ian is an experienced chef, so once Robinsons have finished refurbishing the kitchen, you can expect good quality food to be available. Wincle The Wild Boar at Wildboarclough has changed hands.
The previous landlord and landlady had an offer they could not refuse
to take up a pub back "home" in the wilds of Scotland and a new couple
have moved in. They plan to start B&B shortly and have refurbished the
dining room. Landlady Diane Trueman, took over early in February, having
been an assistant manager at a pub in the Lake District for 12 months,
but has been in the pub trade for 25 years on and off. Robinsons are spending
a lot of money on it , including new loos and a complete exterior redecoration.
Real fires were blazing in both rooms when we visited and the Robinsons
Bitter was on top form.
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