Pubs on the Perimeter
This will be an occasional series of articles for Alesman, highlighting those hostelries on the extreme boundaries of the local branch area. Often they are pubs that are fairly remote in location and sometimes difficult to reach by public transport. However many of them are real gems with regard to traditional values and real ale. The first (published Autumn 2009) is on the Hare and Hounds, Lothersdale. Articles by GC.
Hare and Hounds, Lothersdale
Lothersdale is a pretty and secluded village nestling in a hidden dale amongst the rolling landscape to the west of the Aire valley in the South Craven area just a couple of miles from the border with East Lancashire.
The Hare & Hounds, situated in the village centre, is very much a focal point of the village and a true community pub in every the sense of the word. Joe and Tracy Currie, who have been tenants at the pub for the past 13 years, have recently purchased it. They first came to the pub in 1996 and started from scratch having to re-establish the pub following a three month closure spell. Vaux owned the pub in those days, and their beers featured alongside others. Following the closure of the brewery the pub passed into the hands of Pubmaster who in turn were swallowed by Punch Taverns, and following each takeover the business conditions became tougher until this year when Punch announced that they wished to put the pub up for sale. Joe and Tracy were fortunately in pole position to purchase it lock, stock and barrel and we now have a gain in free houses in the branch area.
Joe and Tracy are committed to seeing the pub become more profitable now they are free from any ties imposed by Punch. Whereas under Punch, they could see no long term future for the pub, there is now a real opportunity for them to purchase their stock at more competitive prices and inject extra viability back into the pub. Joe can buy his beer from wherever, but he is maintaining his two regular cask beers, Tetley Bitter, and Adnams Bitter, as his regulars are very loyal to these beers, and quite right too! On the third pump he has introduced a changing guest ale, as it was in the Vaux days, at least during the summer period. A very attentive Joe keeps all the beers in excellent condition, as though they were his own flesh and blood. He has also signed up to the CAMRA Locale scheme.
The interior is open plan around the single bar, yet cosy with open fires in winter, and there’s a pool room at the rear for aficionados of the baize. The pub also has many other attractions befitting of a true community pub and offers a good range of innovative home-cooked food, with vegetarian options, at both lunchtimes and in the evening. Parties are catered for, and a host of village activities take place in the pub. At Christmas time it’s worth a visit to see the decorations and the collection of musical yuletide toys. It must take ages to set it all up! And if it's a warm sunny day, go and experience the pub's best kept secret: the beer garden at the rear - a secluded little oasis for drinking and dining. The pictures say it all!
Opening hours for the pub are Monday – Friday 12:00-15:00; 18:00-Midnight; Saturday and Sunday 12:00 – Midnight. Food is served 12:00-14:00; 18:00 – 21:00 Monday – Saturday; Sunday All Day 12:00 – 21:00. In winter the pub closes on Monday lunchtimes. Tel: 01535 630977 for further details.
