Welcome to the February edition of the Otley Pub Club newsletter. And a special welcome to our new subscribers.
Chilly February has arrived and time to seek out the fires and warmth of our lovely pubs – although there’s still plenty of outside areas – some with heating! – for the more adventurous! And February also signals the start of the 6 Nations Rugby series – great stuff and lots of places advertising coverage of all the games.
We all know that the economic situation is affecting businesses of all sorts, as well as domestic users. With this in mind, it’s understandable that some of our bars and pubs are adjusting their opening hours accordingly. More details as we get them of course. We will try to keep our website up to date, but it’s a very fluid situation so please bear with us and our hard-pressed publicans. Perhaps, check out with the venue to confirm opening times?
A few of our publicans have been taking a well-earned rest after the Christmas and New Year festivities – it was lovely to see so many pubs busy – so don’t be alarmed by closed doors! Many post their opening times on their Social Media. Why not give them a follow? We have most of their SM sites below, or visit our own web site for contact details – Cheers!
And of course a call out to all publicans, if you do change hours/days of opening, please let us know and we’ll endeavour to get the word out there.
We’ve got the usual categories this month of Otley Events, Pub News, Pub Events and our “And Finally” piece features news of Otley Pub Club’s upcoming Book Sale!
Plus, look out for a couple of job adverts at the Black Bull and The Royalty!
Here we go….
OTLEY EVENTS
As usual this time of year, it’s pretty quiet on the events front. But no reason why you can’t go out and support our fantastic pubs and bars!
Otley Pub Walkers
Watch out for more regular meets and walks around the area. Last month’s walk took our intrepids a bit further afield to sample the delights of Headingley and Kirkstall. X84 – Alighting at Arcadia in Headingley for refreshment after that long bus ride. They took in the magnificent Bridge Inn at Kirkstall. Then via the canal towpath onto the equally magnificent Cardigan Arms. Dave’s Pies and Ale and the final destination is Kirkstall Brewery Tap Room. If you haven’t been before do try and visit, it’s….err…..Magnificent!
OPW is for all ages, genders and pets are welcome to join in.
The next walk is planned for Monday 13th February, and this time it’s the lovely (often overlooked) Meanwood Valley Trail – https://meanwoodvalleytrail.co.uk/ We’ll be doing the walk from Golden Acre Park into Leeds. The plan is to aim for the 09:44 X84 to Leeds for those travelling by bus, and all meeting at the bus stop at the entrance to Golden Acre Park at about 10 am. 7 mile walk takes about 3 hours with added time if people stop at GA café or toilets at the start, or 3 Cottages café/toilets on the way. Either way, we’ll aim to get to The Fenton before 2pm, which gives time for a couple of pints before the last free OAP bus home! Or carrying on into Leeds to another pub or two. All welcome! The walk will be done again at a near future weekend date for those unable to make a midweek stroll. Watch this space.
Why not get involved? More detail on this plus other planned walks by checking out their Facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/OtleyPubWalkers
Otley Folk Club
The Otley Folk Club meet every Weds evening upstairs in the Black Horse. Singers’ nights run on alternate weeks. All welcome!
February programme:
• 1st THE GROVE BAND
• 8th Singers Night
• 15th COBALT TALES
• 22nd Singers Night
Turn up to play, join in or just listen!
Check out their website for contact details and events or give them a follow on Facebook:
https://otleyfolkclub.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/otleyfolkclub
Further off but worth noting in your diary (does anyone still have one of them?) – Ok, Smartphone calendar:
Steam Punk Weekend
Initial planning for the weekend of 5th-7th May – sure to be a blast! More news as and when we get it.
212th Otley Show
Saturday 20th May 2023
Otley Walking Festival
Saturday 24th June to Sunday 2nd July 2023 with the pub walks taking place on the 1st and last weekend of the Festival. Always popular. Often overbooked. So, get ready for the actual dates and booking processes nearer the time by liking/following them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OtleyWalkingFestival/
Website: https://otleywalkingfestival.co.uk/
AND HERE’S THE BIG ONE! OPC Yorkshire Day Event 1st August 2023
As you probably know by now, Otley Pub Club try to hold some kind of promotional project for Otley and its fabulous collection of pubs every year if we can. Sometimes we manage to hold it on Yorkshire Day itself, like last year’s treasure hunt round town, and the double-header in 2017 and 2018 renaming the pubs after Yorkshire celebrities – and even getting some of them to visit ‘their’ pubs. Sometimes we have to hold them slightly early or late – like the July Civil War battle re-enactment in 2016 to commemorate troops leaving the Black Bull to go and fight at Marston Moor; or in September 2019 when each pub adopted a different country to welcome the world cycling championships to Yorkshire.
This year we’re definitely aiming for the day itself, and the project will most certainly highlight all the pubs in town – and especially what they mean to the people of Otley. Like all projects, it will take time to deliver, so our work has already started in the background. But the main work this year will be down to you – the great pub-going Otley (and beyond) public! We aren’t aiming to launch the project officially until the end of next month, and we don’t want to give away too many clues just yet. So all we can say is there’ll be a major exhibition opening in town on the 1st of August 2023, and every single one of the exhibits will be provided by you – the residents of Otley.
Look out for more clues in next month’s newsletter, together with details of the launch date.
PUB NEWS
Cross Pipes
Otley’s latest Freehold pub is currently closed. We don’t have any more news as yet. You’ll get it as soon as we do.
Manor House
You may have noticed that an “UNDER OFFER” sign appeared on the Manor, and has now gone again. This is very disappointing, because the offer was from a buyer for the Manor as a pub. They had a survey done and the cost of repairs means they had to put in a much lower offer, which disappointingly Thwaites rejected so it’s back on the market. We are urging Thwaites to be more reasonable and accept that the nature of the repairs should drop price substantially to reflect that. The (Manor) community pub campaign group are meeting again in light of this news. If you are interested in getting involved or supporting this campaign, please drop them an email to: otleycommunitypub@gmail.com
As we said, the Community Bid Team is still in place and the project has 2 key objectives:
- To save The Manor House as a truly historic pub
- To create a unique Community Pub in our famous pub town
The group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/809850323595408
Or, you can follow the Community Pub Group on Twitter: @otleycommpub
More public meetings are planned as the fund raising gets underway. Keep an eye on the Community Pub social media sites and if you want news, get in touch or provide support, all are welcome. Contacts above.
Summercross
Ok. We know we shamefully lost this beautiful pub, but it appears planning applications are now progressing for a 66 bed Care Home on the site. Otley Pub Club has consistently opposed change of use plans for this site and we are now aware that others have raised significant concerns about this specific proposal. There are many objections to the development. Mainly due to the ambiguous nature of the plans and lack of clarity on exactly what is being proposed. There are a lot of documents in the proposal:
https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RLUBK8JBJMG00
As a concerned Otley resident, we urge you to view the on-line docs.
The ODD Campaign (Appropriate Sustainable Development for Otley) https://theoddcampaign.webs.com/ have already submitted questions and they can be viewed on our website.
There’s lots more on this. Including exactly how to register your comments on our website:
http://www.otleypubclub.co.uk/news-and-events/the-proposed-development-of-the-summercross-pub-site
PUB EVENTS
Bay Horse
Monthly music “The Bay Horse Jam” – first Sunday of every month 3pm to 6pm
A message from Jan & Dean:
“Come and join us on Sunday afternoon for an informal music session where you can sing, play, join in with other or just listen. Fresh sandwiches available for purchase. Everyone is welcome!”
Dominoes night every Wednesday from 7.30pm. Includes a free supper. Watch out for the announcement of a Poker night Mondays – dates and times tbc.
Opening hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday & Wednesday: 5pm – 10.30pm
- Thurs: Noon – 10.30pm
- Friday & Saturday: Noon – 11pm
- Sunday: Noon – 10.30pm
Black Bull
Black Bull are looking for flexible part-time bar and waiting staff. Just call in to the pub with your CV for more details.
Disco Night Saturday 8pm til midnight with DJ Fozzie
.
Drinks offers ongoing:
House Doubles £3.50 with a “dash”, £4.50 with Premium Mixer
Double up on Premium Spirits for just £1.50 extra
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 3pm to 5pm 50p off selected drinks
Bar Open:
- Sun – Thurs = 11am – 11pm
- Fri & Sat = 11am – Midnight
Lovely home-cooked food with lots of fantastic reviews. Kitchen opening hours:
- Mon – Sat = Midday – 4pm
- Sun = Midday – 4.45pm
Black Horse
Happy Hour 5pm to 6pm Monday to Friday all beers £3 – Fantastic!
Tuesday = Pie Day! Pie (Kirkstall Core Cask range) and a Pint £9 Served 12-9pm
Wednesdays = BOGOF Burgers – Buy One Get One Free!
Great food menu available here https://blackhorseotley.co.uk/food-and-drink/
And don’t forget the lovely, refurbished rooms
Bar Opening Times:
- Sun to Weds: Midday – 10pm
- Thurs: Midday – 11pm
- Fri & Sat: Midday – Midnight
Kitchen Hours:
- 12 – 8pm (close 7pm Sundays)
Also, at the BH:
“Fancy trying a new hobby? Intrigued to try Life Drawing? Then come along to the weekly #drinkanddraw at the Black Horse. Every Thursday 7-9pm Entry from 6.30pm. £7 a session. Bring your own materials. All abilities welcome!”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackHorseOtley
Bowling Green
Hours:
- Mon to Thur: 8am to Midnight
- Fri & Sat: 8am to 1am
- Sun: 8am to 11pm
Tel: 01943 858980
Tuesday Quiz night from 8pm. Bingo, trivia and potential cash prizes.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/west-yorkshire/the-bowling-green-otley
Cross Pipes (Otley’s newest Freehouse!)
Re-opening soon after re-furbishment.
The Curious Hop Bière Café
Remember it’s in Orchard Gate – the old Groove Pad place.
Here’s a new one!
“Wednesday saw the launch of ‘The Beer and Book Club’ at The Curious Hop Biere Café in Orchard Gate. They’ll meet in the pub on the second Wednesday of every month to chat about whichever book they’ve been reading. The first one will be The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, the novel by Shehan Karunatilaka that won the 2022 Booker Prize. If you want to go along on Wednesday the 8th of March, not only can you get the book at a discount in the Bookshop on the Square, (unless you have it already, of course) but you’ll also get a discount on your drinks on the night. If you like books, and you like beer, why not give it a try?”
They have teamed up with the lovely @acasadialessia across the way. Why not bring your pizza in and enjoy with a huge range of quality drinks? Cheers!
Expect 3 hand-pulled ales, a selection of speciality and foreign kegs, ciders and spirits. We’re dog friendly.
Hours:
- Closed on Mondays
- Tuesday to Thursday 3pm-11pm
- Friday & Saturday 12noon-11pm
- Sunday 12noon-10:30pm.
Upstairs room bookable (free!) for about 20 people. For any more details email bierecafe@curioushop.com
Finally, for anyone worried, the @curioushop bottle shop is still open and trading around the corner on Newmarket.
Pop in and have a drink next time you’re passing. Marcus and the team are sure to give you the warmest of welcomes!
Fleece
Congratulations for achieving 5/5 Food Hygiene Rating from the Food Standards Agency!
Why not join us for our Early Bird menu. Tuesday-Friday 5-6.30pm:
- 2 courses – £17
- 3 courses – £21
Just want a beer? No problem – all welcome!
Bar:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: Midday to 10.30pm
- Friday & Saturday: Midday to 11pm
- Sunday: Midday to 9pm
Kitchen:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: Midday to 8pm
- Friday & Saturday: Midday to 8.30pm
- Sunday: Midday to 5pm (Always very popular – best to book your table)
New menus available on their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/TheFleeceOtley
Tel. 01943 968220
Horse and Farrier
10% off all cask ales for CAMRA members on production of your card!
Regular weekend live acts – check out their Facebook page below for details. Some fantastic artists appearing.
Open Mic night every Thursday at 8pm led by local musician, gig organiser and brewer Paul Briscoe. Everyone is welcome, either to perform or just to sit, drink and listen.
Don’t forget the 4 fantastic rooms for B&B!
Opening Hours:
- Mon to Weds: Midday – 10pm
- Thurs to Sat: Midday – 11pm
- Sunday: Midday – 10:30pm
Food times:
- Weds – Sat: 12-8pm
- Sun:12-6pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehorsefarrier
Web: https://www.markettowntaverns.co.uk/pub-and-bar-finder/yorkshire/horse-and-farrier/
Junction
Live music every Tuesday and Saturday.
Keep your eyes on their social media as there may be last minute alterations to the booked acts: https://www.facebook.com/thejunctioninnotley
Open from midday to 11pm every day
North Bar Social
Open from midday every day and closes at 11pm, except for Friday and Saturday (midnight) and Sunday (10pm)
Covered outdoor seating area with heaters! A must for those chilly afternoons and evenings!
Always a great drinks selection – and remember it’s not all about alcohol. Plenty of low and 0% options plus gorgeous Dark Woods Coffee https://www.facebook.com/darkwoodscoffee.
Watch out for music events at the Woolpack next door plus Street Food vendors regularly setting up.
https://www.facebook.com/NorthBarSocial
Old Cock
Usually post daily on Facebook and Twitter with changing beer options. Give them a follow: https://www.facebook.com/theoldcockotley/?fref=ts
Twitter @TheOldCockOtley
Opening hours: 11am to 11pm
Otley Tap House
Kids still eat for £1! 7 days a week until 7pm. With every adult burger and fries purchased, 2 children can eat for £1 each from the kids menu. T&Cs see their Facebook site – NOW extended until 30th September 2023 – Fan-burger-tastic!
Ale Club has become the all new extended and enhanced Beer Club Happy Hour! The offer now includes all Cask Ales, Coors or Aspall!! From opening to 6pm Mon to Friday. All pints are £3.00
Watch out for live acoustic music sessions Sunday evenings
Monday is Burger offer day (midday to 9.30pm) – burger, fries and a drink for £9.45
Quiz Night every Tues at 8.15pm (followed by Play Your Cards Right):
1st Place – £50 Food and Drink Voucher
2nd Place – O’Deli Group Voucher
All shots £2.50!!!
New cask ales regularly – check out https://www.facebook.com/theotleytaphouse for what’s on today
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 3pm to Midnight (Burgers: 4pm – 9.30pm)
- Friday & Saturday: Midday to Midnight (Burgers: Midday – 10.30pm)
- Sunday: Midday – 10.30pm (Burgers: Midday to 9.30pm)
Menus https://theotleytaps.loke.app/722/menu
Telephone: 01943 466755 (bar) or 0758 4357229 (burgers)
Or, order via the Otley Taps App in house or for home delivery
Otley Tavern
The pool table has returned! And it’s free pool every Wednesday!
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: 2pm to 10.30pm
- Friday: 2pm to 11.30pm
- Saturday: 12pm to 11.30pm
- Sunday: 12pm to 10.30pm
Kitchen coming soon!
All day Saturday – 4 x Corona & 4 x shots of Tequila – £10
Fridays – 12 til 6pm – all pints £2.80
Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/theotleytav
Red Lion
Big screen sports entertainment. DJs Friday and Saturday nights
Opening hours:
10.30am to 11pm daily, (except close midnight Friday)
Roebuck
Menus on their Facebook page and website: https://www.roebuckpub.co.uk/our-food/
Opening times:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
- Sunday: 11:30am – 8:00pm
Kitchen times:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Friday inclusive 12.00 – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 8.30pm
- Saturday 12 noon – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 8.30pm
- Sunday 12:00 – 6.00pm
https://www.facebook.com/TheRoebuckOtley
Rookery Bar & Venue
The new menu has landed and is now available. Some old, some new, call in and see what made the cut. #241cocktails runs from 5pm till 10pm every open day. Mulled wine £4.00
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday – 4 till midnight
- Wednesday – Closed
- Thursday to Saturday – 4 till midnight
- Sunday – 4 till 10.30
The fantastically hilarious Shoe Cake Comedy return for a season of Rookery Comedy Nights
4 comedy night dates for your diary this year, all held upstairs at The Rookery Bar & Venue :
- Friday March 10th – New Act/New Material night with headliners The Halls of Ridiculous https://skiddle.com/e/36276426
- Friday July 7th – Edinburgh Fringe Special! Two 60 minute fringe previews from TV comedian Jonny Pelham & multi award winning comedian Jack Gleadow!https://skiddle.com/e/36277663
- Friday Sept 22nd – New Act/New Material night with headliners The Halls of Ridiculous https://skiddle.com/e/36277776
- Friday Nov 10th – New Act/New Material night with headliners The Halls of Ridiculous https://skiddle.com/e/36277807
Please share and invite your friends
Another date for your diary is Saturday 8th July when the fabulous Mark Morriss of The Bluetones brings his acoustic solo set to The Rookery. Check out the gig and tickets from Rookery’s Facebook site – link below.
Upstairs at the Rookery – Film Club now have their own Facebook site. Check it out for listings and updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1149769698934843/
This month’s Film Club – Sunday 26th February £3 per person per film
- 12.30pm The Goonies (PG)
- 3.00pm Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (12A)
- 6.30pm Beast with Idris Elba (15)
Rookery’s Facebook page for more details/prices/times:
https://www.facebook.com/therookerybar
Rose & Crown
Here’s your week planned out at the R&C:
- Wednesday = Quiz night from 8.30pm
- Thursday = Steve’s (mad) cash prize Bingo – some great, (and some awful) prizes – kicking off at 8pm where there’s money and loads of other really random (and we mean RANDOM) prizes to be won! £10 to play which gives you 6 games – all entrance money then gets split up on each game. If you fancy coming for your tea beforehand, we’ll give all bingo players 10% off your bill.
- First Sunday of every month Live Music Open Mic night from 7.30pm hosted by the fantastic Marshalls & Friends – 5th Feb, 5th Mar, 2nd Apr, 7th May
- Keep an eye on R&Cs social media for more live acoustic sessions
Food wise – there’s Tuesdays to Thursdays “Plenty 4 Twenty” From a set menu, choose 2 courses for 2 people for £20 and also, Tuesdays to Fridays – Lunch and a drink for just £8.99
Bar Opening Times:
Every day Midday to 11pm, except closed Monday and close at 10.30pm Sunday
Kitchen Hours are:
Tuesday to Saturday: Midday to 4pm and then again 5pm to 9pm
Sunday Midday til 6pm (Very popular Sunday roasts & veg options available)
Please note, the evening meals are proving to be very popular and a great addition to food options generally in Otley.
Current menu (and also where you can reserve a table) on the new website: https://www.roseandcrownotley.com/
Telephone: 01943 850180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theroseandcrownotley
Email: roseandcrownotley@outlook.com
Royalty
Congratulations for achieving 5/5 Food Hygiene Rating from the Food Standards Agency!
The Royalty are looking for two kitchen assistants – part time at 20 hours+ and full time at 35+. Duties – work alongside our chefs. Job roles will include food preparation, help prepare and serve meals, general pot wash and cleaning.
– Experience not essential as training will be provided.
– Available to work weekdays, evenings & weekends.
– Competitive rates of pay.
– Strong work ethic.
– Able to work as part of a team.
– Have initiative.
Please contact Andrew with your CV and Cover Letter to Andrew.robertsholdingsleeds@outlook.com
Launch of a new email club. Exclusive news, offers & upcoming events every month. Receive a FREE £5 off voucher on your next visit by signing up at https://theroyalty.eo.page/xtvmn – This month’s offer for club members is FREE ice cream with every kid’s meal!
Cask Club all day Monday. Enjoy a pint or two of cask ale for only £3.25 – The Wharfedale Blond at 3.9% is gorgeous! As are the other options!
Great offer from up t’hill:
2 Meals & A Bottle of Wine – £34.95 All Day, Monday to Friday. Enjoy 2 new choices from our new menu and any bottle of wine.
Also, 2 Meals from the Offer Menu for £19.95 Monday to Wednesday 5-8pm
New Winter Opening Times:
- Monday to Thursday:9am – 1pm Brunch (from 6th Feb 10am-2pm),
12pm – 5pm Restaurant - Friday & Saturday:9am – 1pm Brunch (from 6th Feb 10am-2pm),
12pm – 7pm Restaurant - Sunday: 12pm – 6pm Restaurant
Please note: Mon to Thurs the restaurant will close at 5pm. Taproom and snug remain open for food and drink. Normal booking arrangements apply.
Last bookings 15mins before closing time
Book your table now https://togo.uk.com/makeBookingv2?venueid=890&nv=true
Brunch & Restaurant Menus (incl. Gluten Free & Kids) on Website: https://the-royalty.co.uk/
On Saturday 28th January 10am – 1pm. The Royalty Road Show were back with Coffee & Cars in the car park.
Check out their FB site for future dates and times. Why not give them a follow?
https://www.facebook.com/TheRoyaltyRoadShow Come and view all the amazing cars (and bikes!).
From 6th Feb new times for Brunch Menu from 10am to 2pm.
Next one planned for Saturday 4th March. Watch this space or check their FB site for confirmation.
Shadow Brewing
Pick up your Shadow Brewing merchandise at the bar. Bobble hats, hoodies, T-shirts and caps.
Ian’s doing some wonderful stuff outside of his normal openings. He’s had the men’s and women’s support group (separate events), plus book club meeting, private parties booking the place out – great stuff.
Other than the Tap Room Talks, regular hours are Fri & Sat 6-10pm
Check out Shadow’s Facebook site for dates and times of the mid-week Taproom Talks
https://www.facebook.com/shadowbrewing
Whitakers Arms
“Tuesday 14th February- Valentines Day @ Whitaker’s Arms
3 Course Meal (check out Fbook for great menu!) Including A Drink.
Followed By Live Entertainment From The Main Man Jack, Singing Hits From Bublé, Barlow & More.
Doors Open 6:30pm, Food Served From 7pm.
£35 Per Person, Booking Required. £10 Cash Deposit Each To Secure Booking.
Message Or Call On 01943 968020 To Book”
Bar Opening Times:
- Monday & Tuesday: 11.30am to 6pm
- Wednesday: CLOSED
- Thursday: 11.30am to 6pm
- Friday: Midday to 10pm
- Saturday: Midday to 11pm
- Sunday: Midday to 6pm
Kitchen hours:
- Every day Midday to 3pm (except closed Weds)
Booking recommended for Sunday Dinners – message on Fbook or call 01943 968020
Happy hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 6pm 50p off selected pints and £1 off bottles of wine – Great stuff!
Facebook (for menus, events etc.): https://www.facebook.com/whitakersotley
White Swan
Watch Social Media for regular upcoming Friday live acoustic sessions. https://www.facebook.com/thewhiteswan_otley
All the big screen sports are on!
Open daily Midday to 11pm
Yew Tree
New log burner installed in the bar! Toasty!
Seniors’ Lunch every Thursday 12 until 2pm – JUST £3.99! Extensive menu. Add a dessert for just £1.50 – also, hot and cold drink offers! Brilliant stuff!
https://www.facebook.com/yewtreeotley
The Yew Tree are massive dog lovers, and now have a new ‘doggy carvery’ every Sunday from midday to 4pm. When you eat, your best friend can eat alongside you!!! Just £1.50 per dog for meat scraps, healthy veggies and a little gravy! (All proceeds donated to Moorview Rescue).
All new Quiz Night starts on SUNDAY at the earlier time of 8.30pm. New format, new prizes and free supper! Also, new Eliminator following quiz, with Jackpot builder!
Opening hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 4pm – 11.30pm
- Thursday: 12pm – 11.30pm
- Friday& Saturday: 2pm – 11.30pm
- Sunday: 12pm – 11.30pm
LOCAL CHARITIES AND BUSINESSES…… AT the Yew Tree, we are hiring out the use of our Lounge room FREE OF CHARGE for you to host your own party nights or charity events!
Just send us a message if you’d like to book an evening in! (We are able to provide microphone if needed!).
Phew…that’s it!
But here’s a recurring plea to all the landlords in town – please drop us a line to info@otleypubclub.co.uk if there’s something you want us to put in the newsletter! Although we try to share all your social media posts, we don’t sit reading Facebook and Twitter all day every day and scanning them all every month when we’re producing the news for our 700 readers takes hours. Worse than that, some of the media – even on websites – might be out of date, but we have no real way of knowing, so we might be giving out completely wrong information!
Also please note that the offers and prices are correct to the best of our knowledge. Please check with the venue whilst ordering. OPC cannot be responsible for any discrepancies.
AND FINALLY….
No Pub of the Month article for February – instead here’s news of a fund-raising project for OPC:
WORLD BOOK DAY – BIG BOOK SALE! – (now is that a sale of big books, or a big sale of books?)
Books eh? Lots of us can’t live without them, but many of us can’t live in the same house with all the ones we’ve collected over the years! There’ll be absolute favourites that you’ve read or dipped back into several times, and ones that you’ve finished and enjoyed but never opened again. There might even be impulse buys that you’ve never got round to looking at, or gifts from people who really didn’t understand what you would like! Either way, you’d probably like to free up some more space on your shelves but (like me) you can’t stand the thought of books just being destroyed!
So, to coincide with World Book Day 2023 Otley Pub Club have decided to have a big book sale – starting with a few hundred pre-loved books from the committee members themselves! There’ll be fiction, non-fiction and reference books; horror, SF, mystery and romance; history, biographies, nature and science; dictionaries, recipe books and travel guides; and of course, lots more. But nobody can ever have enough books, which is why we’re asking you to donate any that you no longer need (at the same time as offering you the opportunity to free up some space on your own shelves!)
Any time between now and the start of the sale (see below) you can drop off your unwanted books at:
- The Rose & Crown pub on Bondgate, where the sale will be held (check opening hours here – https://www.roseandcrownotley.com/ – please don’t leave them on the street if the pub is closed).
- Bob’s house at Burras Lynd, Burras Lane – the last house on the right at the top of Burras Lane before you get to West Chevin Rd. (Just leave under cover at the side of the house if there’s no answer.)
- Eddie’s house at 7 Riverside Crescent – leave under the car port if we’re out.
The sale will be in The Rose & Crown starting on World Book Day Thursday 2nd March, from midday when the pub opens and running for at least a week or until the books are all gone.
All we’ll be asking for is a donation for the books – we might suggest different prices for softbacks, hardbacks and collections, but really it’s totally up to you to donate how much you think the books are worth, and what you can afford. What we would love you to do though, is to please buy something at the bar while you’re browsing, as a courtesy and thankyou to Steve for letting us host the sale in his pub. Any money received will help Otley Pub Club with running costs for its website and Ale Trail printing, as well as going towards the cost of our regular projects (like this year’s Yorkshire Day project teased elsewhere in this newsletter)
PLEASE NOTE – We are not connected in any way to the charity “World Book Day”, nor do we claim to be. We are merely holding the sale on March 2nd to raise funds for OPC and draw attention to the work the charity does to change lives through a love of books and reading. “World Book Day” are a charity that operates in the UK and Ireland whose mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. You can find out more about them at: https://www.worldbookday.com/about-us/
Please don’t forget to bring cash, as we won’t be able to take card payments for your donations. Thanks.
Finally, any books that are not sold when we decide to end the sale will be offered to one or more charity shops in Otley – they will not be thrown away!
A massive THANK YOU!!! Otley Pub Club’s JustGiving campaign was launched in July and we are delighted by the donations we’ve received so far – from far and wide!! Remember, our only source of income previously has been our Premier Membership card, which offered discounts at local pubs and bars. We decided post-Covid that this was not in the best interest of our hard-working publicans to beg them for money off when finances were tight. Even more so now in the economic crisis we all face. So we have temporarily suspended the Card scheme.
All of the contributions have provided valuable funds (primarily to pay off long standing debt) for us as we continue our aim of promoting and protecting Otley’s great pubs and bringing in much needed revenue to all businesses in the town generally. BUT, we haven’t closed the appeal. More funds would allow us to do more promotions.
We understand times are hard, but just the price of small round of drinks would help us tremendously. Every little helps. Thank you in advance.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/otleypubclub?utm_term=pAn9rRjkX
Otley Pub Club meet up in a different pub in Otley on the first Thursday of every month to discuss anything and everything happening in Otley and in its pubs, and everybody is welcome to join us. We start at about 7pm to discuss any semi-formal stuff, then finish with that at 8pm and spend the rest of the evening chatting about whatever comes up. We’ll usually visit 3 pubs during the evening.
So, if you fancy perhaps seeing the inside of a pub that you’ve never been in; or you’ve got a burning issue about Otley’s pubs that you’ve been dying to share; or maybe if you just fancy a drink and a chat and all your mates are doing something else; check out the times on our Facebook event page for our next meeting and you can join us at any time in any of the pubs along the way.
We’ll be in these pubs and at least one of us will be wearing something black with an obvious Otley Pub Club logo on it so we’re recognisable!
Next Pub Club Social: Thursday 2nd March 2023. Venues and times will be posted on our Social Media nearer the time. Watch out for the Facebook event.
Well folks, that’s it for this month. Please remember, if you want to get in touch email to info@otleypubclub.co.uk, or why not come along to one of our monthly socials…
Cheers for now. See you all out and about in our #FamousPubTown
The OPC Committee
www.otleypubclub.co.uk
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