A Local Branch Social will be organised every month in addition to the regular Branch Socials. The local social will be a visit to two or three pubs in and around Bolton to show Branch support.
The start of this local social has been moved forward to 12.00 to avoid clashing with the World Cup match at 3.00pm. There will be chance to have a beer or two or three before heading home to watch the football at home or your local pub.
Meet at 12.00 at One for the Road in the food court at Bolton Market.
Old Three Crowns, 14 Deansgate, BL1 1BR. 2 changing, 1 regular Theakston Old Peculiar
It is important that we support our local pubs and be seen to support them. Therefore, if you have a CAMRA t-shirt or polo shirt please wear it if you can.
Any of the above pubs that we don’t visit will be added to the next month’s local social
If you need information on the day please contact Gill on 07967585670
Trains from Bolton 12:10 (alight Deansgate) or 12:22 (alight Oxford Road) or 12.54 (alight Deansgate). Then follow the suggested route on foot with approx walking times in brackets. (Please check train times before travel)
Meet 1.00-1.30pm at Britons Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater St. M1 5LE (Historic Pub Interior) (walk 5 mins from Deansgate or 10 mins from Oxford Rd)
Society (Vocation & Co), 101 Barbirolli Square, M2 3BD (Lots of food available) (3 mins walk)
City Arms, 46-48 Kennedy St. M2 4BQ(Historic Pub Interior) (8 mins walk)
Grey Horse, 80Portland St. M14QX (CAMRA Discount) (5 mins walk)
Molly House, 26 Richmond St. M1 3NB (Food available, CAMRA Discount) (5 mins walk)
On the 14th October 2022 Trafford rejected an application to demolish the Hare and Hounds stating that:-
1. The proposed development would lead to the total loss of a non-designated heritage asset which would have an adverse and irreversible impact on its significance. On balance, the benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the severe harm that would be caused to this non-designated heritage asset. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies L7 and R1 of the Trafford Core Strategy and the NPPF.
2 The proposed development would lead to the loss of a functioning public house as a local community facility, contrary to Paragraph 93 of the NPPF and the principles of sustainable development within it. In particular, the application fails to demonstrate that the existing public house is no longer viable.
You can view details of the application and the council’s descision on thye Trafford Planning Portal here:-
Some good news on the Pelican. On the 14th October the Planning Inspector reject an appeal by New Care(Altrincham) Ltd. against the non-determination by Trafford Council of their plans to demolish the Pelican and replace it with a Specialist Care Home. In his report the planning officer states:-
the loss of the Pelican Inn, a NDHA (non-designated herritage asset) of architectural merit with historic connections to the area, would result in unacceptable harm to the historic character of the area. Moreover, the size, appearance and detailing of the proposed replacement buildings would result in incongruous additions to the street scene, which would have unacceptable and detrimental effects on the character and appearance of the area.
and finds:-
“there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the public house is no longer capable of functioning as a community facility. Consequently, I find that the loss of the host building would reduce the ability for the local community to meet their typical social and cultural needs to its detriment”
the full report, which contains a great deal more information on the factors he used in reaching his decision can be downloaded from the Planning Inspectorate Appeals Casework Portal here:-
Trains to Hebden Bridge run frequently (unless on strike). There is no strike mentioned for 15 October so everything should be OK to travel. Here are just a couple of trains to give you an idea on cost.
Catch the 11.10 train from Bolton Station and changing at Salford Crescent or Victoria will see you arrive in Hebden Bridge at 12.14. The later train leaves Bolton at 11.26, change at Victoria and arrive at Hebden Bridge at 12.48. The return ticket is £22.20.
However, if you buy split tickets; Bolton to Rochdale (£7.10) and Rochdale to Hebden Bridge (£6.20) it is much cheaper. Cheaper still if you have a GM bus pass with train added.
Possible pubs to visit. It is sometime since I visited Hebden Bridge and any who have visited recently may have some better suggestions. Please let the group know if there is something really good, I’ve missed out.
Vocation & Co. 10 New Road, HX7 8AD. Vocations first tap. 4 cask ales and good selection of keg. Food available.
A brass band’s home in the Saddleworth hills has scored first prize as it is named Greater Manchester CAMRA’s Club of the Year.
Dobcross Band and Social Club has been a key part of the village community for many years, and has recently dominated the local branch’s choice as its nomination. But this is the first year it has won over regional judges drawn from the membership of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The club moved away from a tie with a local brewery and now offers members a choice of four real ales, with Mossley brewery Millstone’s Tiger Rut and Joseph Holt’s Bitter equally popular. The last few months has seen a rare regional appearance for Bowland brewery’s Hen Harrier, alongside popular Middleton brewer J W Lees.
But judges mark more than just the choice and quality of drinks on offer. They described the club as “faultless with a friendly welcome and spotless throughout”. They praised the steward’s knowledge of real ale, and were impressed with the wide range of activities from snooker through exercise classes to a book lending library. And all admired the views from what is probably the best located bowling green in Greater Manchester.
CAMRA’s regional judging organiser Tony Evans said: “Our adjudicators are drawn from across the region, although the local branch is not involved in assessing its own nominee. They look for a strong commitment to the local community, and whether the venues are in tune with the wider aims of CAMRA. A friendly welcome and knowledgeable bar staff also feature highly in their assessments. But obviously the condition of cask beer is uppermost.
“Clubs have had to adopt to changing social and spending patterns. Many hospitality premises have had to review opening hours to align with business. Dobcross Band and Social Club manages to open seven days a week and rewards its members with lower bar prices while welcoming all.”
John Holden has been steward at Dobcross for almost 40 years. His commitment to the Club has been recognised by members who named the recently-refurbished comfortable lounge in his honour. And throughout he has championed real ale, picking up awards for the consistently excellent condition of his cask beers. He said: “This is wonderful news. I was proud when the Rochdale, Oldham and Bury branch of CAMRA first named us as its Club of the Year. I always aimed to keep winning, but I didn’t expect this regional award.
“There’s no secret to our success – a welcoming atmosphere keeps customers happy. The committee are always supportive and in tune with the promotion of real ale. Weekends are busy, but band practices mean the club is well-used during weekday evenings too. And we’ve got great hard-working staff, most of whom live local.”
John and club chairman Terry Lawless will be presented with the award on October 8th at 1.30pm. Dobcross will now compete with other regional winners for the national title in the autumn.
Image shows John Holden,Dobcross Band Club Steward.
Further information
David Rigby, Press officer, Greater Manchester CAMRA
Torrside Brewery Tap is open from 12.00-20.00. There are two stations at New Mills. Travelling to New Mills Central is £13.00 with a 15-minute walk to the brewery. New Mill Newtown is nearer but costs £16.50. However, split tickets can save money. There are regular trains to New Mills and Northern are running an offer of a limited number of £1 tickets but they will soon go. Normal prices of a split ticket from Bolton to New Mills Newtown.
An example is catching the 10.22 from Bolton station to Stockport arriving at 11.01 costing £7.10 but those with a bus pas which includes the train can do this for nothing. Catch the 11.08 from Stockport to New Mills Newtown arriving at 11.39 at the cost of £6.00
The suggestion is that people make their own arrangements for the train and meet after 12.00 at the Brewery Tap.
I won’t be going but if you need information on the day please contact me, Gill on 07967585670
The presentation of both the R.O.B branch club of the Year and Greater Manchester regional Club of the Year award certificates will take place on Saturday 8th October 2022 from 1.30pm. All welcome to attend.
We are extremely proud to announce that Dobcross Band and Social Club has been judged to be the Greater Manchester Regional Club of the Year. Well done to all at this vibrant and community focused club. A presentation will be held at the club in the near future, details to follow.
Sue McGrath, licensee of Bugsworth War Memorial Club, was presented with the High Peak, Tameside & NE Cheshire Club of the Year 2022 award by High Peak CAMRA
chairman Ben Zwierink in May 2022. This excellent club also won the award in 2019 and 2020, and acts as a real centre of the local community.
