Real Ale, Real Music

Just over an hour across the Pennines from Halifax via the train is Preston, which I discovered is home to a thriving beer and pub scene, with venues ranging from the traditional old boozer to the modern craft bar.... I had been to Preston a few times over the years and visited a few of the city's pubs, but it was generally a case of calling in on the way to or back from some other destination. Based on the number of pubs listed in the 2021 Good Beer Guide it certainly merited a full-blown visit in its own right, so as I had a free Saturday I decided to take a trip over there which also gave me the opportunity to catch up with an old friend who lives in the city.  Preston is situated on the north bank of the Ribble, which is the only river which gives its name to one of the Yorkshire Dales which flows west rather than east. The old town grew rapidly in the 19th century, with engineering and textiles the major industries, and became the 50th city in the UK in 2002. Preston North End

I re-visited Hebden Bridge this week for the first time in a while, and with a gig to go to, I took the opportunity to check out some of the town's fine hostelries.... The last time I had visited Hebden Bridge was a few months ago just after pubs re-opened offering outdoor service only. I visited the Fox and Goose, the Pub, and Nightjar, but the visit was never included in a blog because I seem to recall I wanted to get a proper look at the Pub, which is the new name for the bar previously known as Calan's, once you were able to venture inside again. And that was something I planned to do when I called in again this weekend. I had actually made a visit to Hebden one evening during last week. I had joined the Trades Club a few months ago as several gigs were being re-scheduled there, although many ended up being moved back again, but I had never collected my membership card, and with the first of these gigs re-scheduled for Saturday I thought it made sense so I could get beer at

Football has been back now for a number of weeks and those pubs that have a special affinity with the local team are starting to see a return of football fans coming in to enjoy a pint before and after the game. Just as they have been doing for years.... A few pints and a game of football is a relationship that is as old as the game itself. At the grassroots level, many teams have sprung out of pubs, as they did in the workplace, from within local organisations, social clubs,  church groups, in fact anywhere where people met in any number, many going back to the smoky, sepia days of Victorian England. But the fact that a pub was able to provide refreshment, some sandwiches, or other food, maybe a room for club meetings, and was in any case where people met socially and informally gave it certain advantages. And a few pints back in the warmth of the pub after a hard game on a muddy council-run pitch in the cold and wet maybe with some new bruises is the perfect way to restore the soul.

The return of big music events to the magnificent Piece Hall in Halifax has given a welcome boost to the tills of local bars and restaurants, as well as giving the town a huge lift. Here's some reflections, plus some other news.... Halifax has been buzzing this last few weeks, with big events originally scheduled at the Piece Hall for last year but then postponed due the pandemic finally taking place. And with each event, the town's pubs and bars have been full of gig-goers having a few before and/or after drinks and maybe a bite to eat. And as an gig-goer and part-time bar keep I have seen it from both sides. Artists ranging from Shed Seven, The Specials, The Orielles, Lounge Society, The Cribs, John Grant, and the Kaiser Chiefs were all re-scheduled, while in a recently-announced development, Manchester electro-giants New Order were hastily slotted in and are due to play this week, supported by the excellent Lonelady. And further gigs scheduled for 2022 will see Doves, Nadine

I visited the historical Nottinghamshire market town of Newark-on-Trent last weekend, a lovely place with some excellent pubs. Here's what I found.... Newark is one of those places like Cambridge, Lincoln, and much of that London that I have visited several times in the past but have never blogged about. So last Saturday I decided to remedy that. It was a three train journey: Brighouse to Leeds, then one to Doncaster, and then change for Newark, but it was all pretty seamless, and around twenty past 12 I was limping into town from Northgate Station. I made my way along Appletongate, which according to The Good Beer Guide was the home to a Castle Rock pub called the Fox & Crown. I was building up a thirst for a Harvest Pale, but alas when I got there the place was closed and with blank chalkboards on the wall by the door and window blinds firmly pulled down, it didn't look to be opening anytime soon (a fact that was confirmed to me later in the day). I turned right towards t