News
Helwith Bridge Inn achieves 10 consecutive years in ‘the Guide’
On a dark Autumn night, a minibus full of CAMRA members met up with those who live locally to present Colin Hall and his staff at the Helwith Bridge with an award. The Helwith Bridge is one of the few in the branch area to achieve 10 consecutive years in CAMRA‘s Good Beer Guide, 11 if you count the pub‘s first appearance as a shorter “Try Also” entry. Colin likes trains (as you might guess from the railway memorabilia clearly visible behind him in the photo) and reportedly bought the Helwith Bridge all those years ago because it was next to a railway line. Since then it was thrived. At least 6 cask beers are alaways available, usually more. This is the only regular outlet for both beers from the Three Peaks Brewery in nearby Settle: Ingleborough Gold and Pen-y-Ghent. These are supplemented by Caledonian 80/-, Wells and Youngs Bombardier, John Smiths Cask and two or three other offerings. The annual Three Peaks cycle race starts and finishes here - at least when the entrants set off they know they are coming back to one of the best pubs in the Dales later in the day! Always warm and cosy (a roaring fire burns constantly), the Helwith Bridge is otherwise a very difficult place to leave.
The award will be displayed alongside the pub‘s three Pub of the Season awards from Summer 2007, Spring 2005 and Autumn 2002.
23rd November 2011
Freedom (or Freehold) at last for the Hare and Hounds, Lotherdale
Joe and Tracey Currie, who have been running the Hare and Hounds at Lothersdale for longer than your webmaster can remember, have recently bought the freehold of the pub from pub-chain Punch. The former Websters tied house was acquired by former North East brewers Vaux when Websters offloaded a number of local pubs following the Beer Orders. When Vaux went belly-up, their pubs were taken over by Punch Taverns. Joe and Tracey have maintained a steady course through these turbulent times, concentrating on what matters: well-kept beer (Adnams Bitter and Tetley Cask Bitter), good-value home-cooked food and a friendly welcome. Since buying the pub, Joe and Tracey have added a third cask beer to their range, for the summer at least. This will be a rotating guest and recent offerings have included Goose Eye No Eye Deer, Wells Youngs Waggledance and. Deuchars IPA. The regular beers remain Tetley Cask and Adnams Bitter as these have a strong following amongst the regular customers. The pub's best kept secret is its spectacular beer garden, built into the hillside behind the building and reached through the side door of the pub - well-worth a visit on these balmy summer evenings. Congratulations to Joe and Tracey on their making such a brave move in these troubled financial times. Why not pop in and give them some additional support. Ring 01535 630977 to check opening times.
The Hare and Hounds featured in the 'Pubs on the Perimeter' series in Alesman Autumn 2009. Read the article.
10th July 2009
Quality of the Guide re-sparks old internal dispute
In mid-July a border skirmish (aka joint social) took place between Keighley & Craven and Bradford CAMRA branches. Read Bar Humbug's report from July 22nd 2009..
