High Peak, Tameside & North East Cheshire Branch News – CAMRA Greater Manchester Branches

Pub of the Season Summer 2025 – Jacks Bar, Hyde.

Our Pub of the Season Summer 2025 is Jack’s bar in Hyde. The bar is tucked away in Hamnett Street just off the market square. It is easily missed but well worth a visit. It was previously known as the Tweed Tap since then the bar has undergone a sympathetic refurbishment and now has a light airy and welcoming feel. On the beer front there is an ever changing range of cask beers always in good condition. The presentation took place on Saturday the 19th of July to a packed house of CAMRA members and locals. Congratulations go to landlady Claire Rowbotham and her staff.

Pub of the Season Summer 2025 – Jacks Bar, Hyde.

Pub of the Year 2025 – The Old Hall, Chinley

High Peak branch Pub Of The Year 2025 is the Old Hall in Whitehough, Chinley.

For those of you not familiar with the pub, the Old Hall is quintessentially a country inn. Part of the gritstone building dates back as far as the 17th century. Set in the idyllic hamlet of Whitehough. It is is run by Dan Capper and his partner Holly. They have turned the Old Hall into a very successful operation.

Beers are sourced from a variety of breweries including local micros. Beer quality is consistently high. There is an interesting menu on offer which often uses locally sourced produce. As an added bonus, there is the Paper Mill Inn across the road which is also run by the couple.

The presentation took place on the 31st of May. A large number of branch members attended the occasion making it a memorable event.

Pub of the Season Spring 2025 – The Albert in Disley.

The winner of the High Peak, Tameside and NE Cheshire Branch of CAMRA Pub of the Spring this year is The Albert in Disley. The pub changed hands in March 2024 and Adey Marrow, Sarah Bibby and their team have transformed the pub during that time. In addition to decorating throughout prior to first opening they have subsequently increased the cask beers on offer and now always have four beers on hand pumps. A games room has been opened behind the bar in addition to a refurbished patio area outside at the rear.

Pub of the Season Autumn 2024 – Tapsters, Ashton-under-Lyne

Our Pub of the Season Autumn 2024 is Tapsters in Ashton-under-Lyne.

As he presented the award, Ben Zwierick, Chair of High Peak CAMRA said

“At one time we had to really look for a pub (in Ashton) that was suitable (to receive an award), but the situation has changed. What it tells me is that a bar like this can actually develop other businesses. Once this started others followed. You had to make this a success to begin with and we are very grateful for that. Tapsters is going from strength to strength. It is a very well run pub.”

Pub of the Season Autumn 2024 – Tapsters, Ashton-under-Lyne

Our Pub of the Season Autumn 2024 is Tapsters in Ashton-under-Lyne.

As he presented the award, Ben Zwierick, Chair of High Peak CAMRA said

Pub of the Year 2024 – Northumberland Arms

Back in January 2024 we awarded the High Peak, Tameside and North East Cheshire Winter Pub of the Year award to the Northumberland Arms in Marple Bridge. “The Thumb”, as it is known locally, was then shortlisted for our branch Pub of The Year 2024. It was unanimously judged to be the best pub in our area by all the judges. On the 27th April the pub was very busy as we presented our Pub of the Year certificate.

This was already a special pub in the branch area. It is the only community owned pub. Originally a Robinson’s house it was put up for sale in January 2017. It was successfully listed as an asset of community value. A Community Benefit Society was set up and raised enough money to buy the pub by the end of Sept 2017.

There are 5 handpumps serving 3 or more ales including Track Sonoma and Robinson’s Unicorn alongside other, generally local, ales and a dark beer.

The pub is small and still has multiple rooms so has character that has been lost in many pubs today. A quick look at the notice board will show you how many community events are based at the pub. Although they do not have a kitchen they regularly have mobile street food outlets on the car park at the front. Football and sports are shown but do not dominate. There are plans to make further improvements to the building, create a community cafe and expand the small but perfectly formed beer garden.

While presenting the certificate, Peter Mitchell, branch secretary said

“…the three judges were unanimous that this was the best of the shortlisted pubs we had in the area. The pub is very good all around. It’s absolutely excellent on the community side. It’s owned by the community, it’s managed by the community and It’s totally engaged with the community, it couldn’t be more of a community pub. So I’d like to congratulate everybody who’s involved with it, the shareholders, the people who put up the money to buy it, the management committee who are unpaid and do a fantastic job and to Phil and all his staff who also do an excellent job and of course the community of drinkers who come in here and make it such a fantastic pub.”

The picture shows Peter Mitchell, branch secretary, presenting the award to the landlord, Phil Jarvis.

Pub of the Season Spring 2024 – The Snug, Droylsden.

High Peak’s Spring 2024 Pub of the Season is the Snug in Droylsden. The arrival of the Silly Country changed the real scene dramatically in the area. It now has become even better with another great bar. The Snug has the appearance of a classic local despite the fact that this is a completely new venture. Jenny and Darren McKinnon who run the pub have done a marvellous job in creating a cozy and welcoming local. On the night the branch visited it was already busy despite the fact that it was a Monday evening. Local breweries are well represented with beers from breweries like Millstone and Bridge Beers on offer as well as those from further afield. There was a very good attendance by branch members who all enjoyed the occasion.

The Snug is located opposite the Silly Country across the road from the tram stop so it’s easy to find. Jenny and Darren are pictured holding the certificate with our Chair, Ben, in the centre.

Pub of the Season Winter 2024 – The Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge

This is already a special pub in the High Peak, Tameside and North East Cheshire CAMRA branch area. It is the only community owned pub. Originally a Robinson’s house it was put up for sale in January 2017. It was successfully listed as an asset of community value. A Community Benefit Society was set up and raised enough money to buy the pub by the end of Sept 2017.

There are 5 handpumps serving 3 or more ales including Track Sonoma and Robinson’s Unicorn alongside other, generally local, ales and a dark beer.