Welcome to the July edition of the Otley Pub Club newsletter. And a special welcome to our new subscribers.
Apologies for the late publication this month. It was due to holidays and, well, just enjoying the sunshine!
Well, what a fantastic month we’ve had in our wonderful town. Hopefully you managed to get out and about and enjoy the numerous events.
We’ve had the fantastic 40th anniversary Otley Carnival, which was blessed with nice weather for a change. Huge congratulations to the new committee on their inaugural event. Hopefully setting the platform for many years. Many thanks to the volunteers and contributors and of course the brilliant people of Otley and beyond for making it such a success.
Also, the ever-popular Otley Town Centre Cycle Races were again a great event for the town. Huge crowds and a welcome, much needed income to local businesses.
The Otley Walking Festival was blessed by generally good weather. Locals and visitors from far and wide enjoyed a week of some fantastic walks. Again, many thanks to the volunteer organisers and guides.
A big shout out to Otley Pub Club fan Andy (Stevo) Stephenson, who has upgraded the Otley Pub Club website – cheers buddy. We think it looks really nice. Not quite the finished article and more needs to be done. Why not have a look at pages such as Pub Updates, Lost Pubs, and the Famous Otley Ale Trail? If you spot something that needs attention, please let us know. We urge all publicans to view their own pub page (in the Pub Updates section) and keep us up to date with any changes required. It is difficult for us to keep everything updated (we do try!), but we need you help! http://www.otleypubclub.co.uk/
And of course, we’ve said goodbye to David & Eileen & family and the team from the (now up for sale) Manor House, who had a rare old send off last weekend. David’s invite asked everyone to come and join them in drinking the pub dry and by all accounts, they had a bloomin’ good try! Otley Pub Club would like to thank them all for the fantastic music, fun and hospitality across the past decade. And the best of luck for the future. Sláinte!
As a final footnote to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, Otley Pub Club (OPC) presented a prize last week to the winner of their pub re-naming competition. The Pub Club ran the competition online in the run-up to the Jubilee holiday weekend, and then asked the Otley Town Mayor, Councillor Linda Hoare, to choose the winning entry. Amazingly, Viks Booth was the only person to suggest the name that won, The Jubilee Arms, and she was presented with her prize of a magnum of red wine in her favourite pub – The Junction. Viks loved the prize but said she prefers cider so probably wouldn’t drink the wine herself, but said it would make a fabulous treat for a friend!
The OPC Secretary, Bob Brook, thanked everyone who took part in the competition. He said “First of all, congratulations to Viks for choosing the name, and to the Otley Town Mayor for helping with the competition. Otley is known far and wide for the number and diversity of its pubs, and Otley Pub Club is committed to preserving them all and to promoting them whenever possible. It’s great to have the opportunity to play a fun part in major occasions like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and to attract people to use the fabulous pubs in town. Just this week, research by real estate consultancy Altus Group showed that pub numbers in England and Wales have fallen by more than 7,000 in the last ten years. It’s incredible that we still have over 20 traditional and modern pubs and bars open and serving their customers in Otley. Finally, I also have to say a huge thank you to Otley Town Council and to Otley BID for sponsoring the project. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to carry on promoting and supporting the pubs in town in the way that we do.”
We’ve got the usual categories this month of Otley Events, Pub News, Pub Events and our “And Finally” piece, which has an exciting new event!. Here we go….
OTLEY EVENTS
Steam Punk weekend – 16th/17th July. If you haven’t been introduced to this type of event before, please do make sure you’re out and about. They’re a great crowd with some spectacularly amazing outfits. Check out Visit Otley page for more info: https://www.visitotley.co.uk/event/otley-steampunk-weekend/?instance_id=5020 or just google Steam Punk and have some fun!
Otley Pub Walkers is an informal walking group, formed by people who enjoyed the Otley Pub Club ‘4 pubs walk’ in the 2021 Otley Walking Festival, and thought it would be a good idea to keep pub walking events going all year round!
Otley Pub Walkers don’t charge for any of their events, and they are open to all comers. Watch their social media pages for the next event.
You can find out more about this and any of their other events on their social media. https://www.facebook.com/OtleyPubWalkers ; https://twitter.com/otleybootsnbeer ; and https://www.instagram.com/otleypubwalkers/ . Or if you’d like them to let you know directly whenever they’re planning another event, you can contact them at otleypubwalkers@gmail.com
Their latest event has been advertised:
“News of 2 events taking place this Friday, July 15th. First is a circular walk (approx 5.5 hours) starting at The Buttercross in Otley at 10:45 – taking in Otley Golf Course, Burley, stepping stones to Asquith Arms (refreshment!), then Covvy Hall Farm to Clifton village. Down across the fields to the Roebuck Inn and more refreshments. (See our Facebook Events for more detail – apologies to those of you who work on Fridays, or have child care responsibilities. We’ll be organising weekend walks as well soon.) Second is an informal gathering of Otley Pub Walkers at which some current ‘regulars’ will be present, and to which everyone is invited. If you fancy finding out what we’re all about; coming on one of our future walks; or introducing us to some walks (and pubs) of your own, why not join us for a drink? You could always just sit at the other side of the pub if you’re not sure – then if you don’t like the look of us you can leave, and we’ll be none the wiser! We’re meeting at 6pm Friday 15th July in The Rose & Crown on Bondgate in Otley”
Otley Live 2022
Plans well under way for what promises to be another excellent event this year. Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July 2022 – A whole weekend of live music in Otley. Currently 10 Venues and 50+ bands/artists. Be sure to block the weekend off in your diary and watch out for more details on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/otleymusic
It was a fantastic event last year. Give them a follow to keep in touch with acts, venues, times etc.
Otley Folk Club and Festival 2022
The Otley Folk Club meet every Weds evening upstairs in the Black Horse. Singers’ nights run on alternate weeks. All welcome to participate or just listen!
And also, the fantastic Otley Folk Festival is back on the weekend of 16th-18th September. Always a great event for the town. Expect the usual concerts, street entertainment, pub sessions and sing arounds. Watch out on social media for programme of events, acts and venues to be listed shortly.
Otley Victorian Fayre 2022
Yet more great news. The Victorian Fayre returns on Sunday 4th December 2022. Always a great day. Be sure to put the date in your diary!
PUB NEWS
Manor House – Here’s the latest…
The 6 month moratorium, part of the Asset of Community Value legislation, has been triggered on the historic pub in Otley, to give the local community longer to secure it’s future as a pub.
What this means is that after an initial 6 week block on the sale, an interested party has indicated an interest to buy. This interest triggers a further 6 month block on the sale during which time ANY party can get involved in a bid to keep the Manor House as a pub.
Otley Pub Club has not triggered the moratorium itself, but will work with potential new owners or a community group that wishes to raise funds and bid for the pub.
To recap, current owners Thwaites of Blackburn have decided to sell the Manor and tenants David and Eileen Stefan had a farewell weekend, to end their nine years at the pub.
In the case of the Black Horse Hotel in Otley, where the Asset of Community Value moratorium was also triggered, Kirkstall Brewery then came in and bought the pub at the end of the sixth months, so there is a similar opportunity for a local brewery or small pub company or an individual to buy the pub. Otley Pub Club will campaign to keep the Manor as a pub and will support any new owner or a community bid and will oppose any attempts to change the use of the pub.
Prospective new owners and community groups can take a 3D tour of the pub on Otley Pub Club’s website, thanks to the work of Apollo3D.
The Manor has a reputation for folk music, with sessions and open mic evenings and it has long been the post concerts venue of choice for musicians on the annual Otley Folk Festival weekend. The Manor has a historic late 1am licence meaning that many people, often including other pub and hospitality staff, gather there at weekends.
The pub has separate areas giving a traditional and cosy feel and in the winter, there is an impressive open fire. In the warmer months, the surprisingly large outdoor terrace at the back is a pleasant place to enjoy the weather, along with a marquee for music and an impressive, seated smoking shelter.
So it is a great opportunity for the right owner and Otley Pub Club look forward to working with whoever comes forward to buy the Manor House as a pub, whether this is a commercial operator or a community bid.
Rob Skinner, Chair of Otley Pub Club said:
“There is now a six-month period in which we can secure the future of The Manor House as a pub, as it has been since the 19th Century. The Manor House is a proper community local, with huge history and a reputation for music.
We hope that either a new operator will agree to buy the pub or that a community group will raise the funds to do so. Either way, The Manor can be a successful pub and we look forward to working with others to secure the future of this famous and much-loved pub”.
Greg Mulholland, President of Otley Pub Club said:
“We urge Thwaites to commit to working with us and the community, to ensure that the Manor remains as a pub. The Manor is both a historic pub and a unique one and very important as the most easterly pub in Otley.
“We hope that new owners will approach us and work with the community to ensure the Manor remains as a pub and reopens again once it has been purchased and its future is secure”
Here’s hoping we can save this iconic Otley pub!
PUB EVENTS
Bay Horse
New, 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.
They’ve been doing some great charity work as always – this time for the Hug-on-a-Tray girls. Raffles, hampers etc – great stuff!
Opening hours:
Mon & Tues: 4pm to 11pm
Weds & Thurs: Midday to 11pm
Fri & Sat: Midday to “Late”
Sun: Midday to 11pm
And don’t forget the Bay Horse Courtyard Bazaar on the last Sunday of the month to coincide with the Farmers’ Market
Black Bull
Karaoke & Disco Nights every Friday and 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
Black Horse
Now offering “All Day Breakfasts” on Saturdays and Sundays (vegan and veggie options available)
Great food menu available here https://blackhorseotley.co.uk/food-and-drink/
And don’t forget the lovely, refurbished rooms
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thurs: midday to 11pm
Fri & Sat: midday to 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
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!”
Also, also, Get Booking! The Queen’s Jubilee Afternoon Tea 2nd to 5th June 2022 @ £12p per person – bookings only.
Bowling Green
Enjoying the new extension? Looking great inside and out. And don’t forget to spend your CAMRA vouchers!
Tuesday Quiz night from 8pm. Bingo, trivia and potential cash prizes.
Cross Pipes (Otley’s newest Freehouse!)
Re-opening soon after re-furbishment.
Fleece
Bar:
Monday to Saturday 11.30am til 10.30pm (Food – Midday to 8.45pm)
Sunday 11.30am til 7.30pm (Food – Midday to 6pm)
Steak & Wine Days – all day Weds & Thurs. 2 x rump steak dinner with a bottle of house wine only £30. Saving £16.85
NEW SATURDAY OFFER, any 2 1/2lb beef burgers from the menu and 4 bottles of beer £30. Saving £9.90
FISH N FIZZ FRIDAY OFFER, 2 x fish n chips and a bottle of Prosecco only £30. Saving £12.85 Or, just a bottle of Prosecco? £13.95 all day Friday.
Call to book on 01943 514886
https://www.facebook.com/TheFleeceOtley
Horse and Farrier
Unfortunately, our kitchen will be closed from the 4th July until Wednesday the 13th July.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience this will cause but we still hope to see lovely smiley faces in for a drink or 2!
Food now on 7 days a week. And don’t forget the fantastic rooms!
Monday and Tuesday will be a smaller menu and full menu run for the rest of the week with a delicious Roast on Sunday.
Bar Hours:
Mon to Weds: Midday – 10pm
Thurs to Sat: Midday – 11pm
Sunday: Midday – 10:30pm
Food times:
Mon – Thurs: Midday – 8pm
Fri & Sat: Midday – 9pm
Sun: Midday – 6pm
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.
A further message from our good friend Paul Briscoe at the H&F:
“Hi everyone. I can now confirm that going forwards I will be running an open mic on the second SUNDAY of every month from 6pm at The Horse and Farrier in Otley. This will be in addition to my regular Thursday night slots at the pub. The first one will take place this coming Sunday (10th July).
Ordinarily, these will be held in the upstairs function room at the pub to create the more “intimate” atmosphere that some prefer. However, in the summer months, if the weather allows, they may be held in the outside area to the rear of the pub. The weather forecast for this coming Sunday is looking very promising, so our inaugural session may well take place outside!
When the open mic is held upstairs, I have asked that at least some of the tables can be removed to give us more space. This shouldn’t be a problem and there’s no doubt that the room itself is an excellent-sounding performance space.
Please come and join us for what promises to be a special night!”
Junction
Live music continues every Tuesday and Saturday.
Plus, first Sunday afternoon of the month = acoustic sessions from 3pm 6pm
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
Open from midday every day and closes at 11pm, except for Friday and Saturday (midnight) and Sunday (10pm)
Always a great drinks selection – loving the new outside setup! Can’t wait for the warmer evenings!
https://www.facebook.com/NorthBarSocial
Old Cock
Great drink selections. Usually post daily on Fbook with changing beer options. Give them a follow: https://www.facebook.com/theoldcockotley/?fref=ts
Opening hours: 11am to 11pm
Red Lion
Big screen sports entertainment.
Roebuck
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 11:30am – 8:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/TheRoebuckOtley
Rookery Bar & Venue
Upstairs at the Rookery – Film Club Sunday 24th July £3 per person per film.
12.30 The Bad Guys (U)
15.00 Logan Lucky (12A)
18.00 Ambulance (15)
Vote for your favourite on their Facebook site.
August movie “Fight Off” Round #1 sees “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” vs “Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs” – you vote! Round #2 is “The Lost City” vs “Indianna Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” – get voting. You have until Weds 20th July – not long now!
Open 4pm each day except Saturday open at Midday
Closes Midnight except Sunday when it’s 10.30pm
https://www.facebook.com/therookerybar
Rose & Crown
Owners Stonegate Pub Partners, formerly Enterprise Inns, have a new manager in place. Welcome to Otley, Steve Cockburn.
Opening Times:
Every day Midday to 11pm, except Monday open at 5pm
Kitchen Hours are Weds to Saturday: Midday to 4pm and then again 5pm to 9pm – the evening meals are proving to be very popular and a great addition to food options generally in Otley.
Sunday Midday til 6pm
Current menu: https://www.facebook.com/theroseandcrownotley/menu
Telephone: 01943 850180
Here’s a new one on us. Bring Your Own Cheese aka BYOC. Every Tuesday from 8pm. Got to give this a try! … message from Steve:
“So….. starting next Tuesday we’re launching our BYOC Night!
The rules are simple, bring some cheese with you to add to our existing cheeseboard that we’ll have set up and feel free to help yourself to the range of cheese, biscuits, pickles and fruit.
Of course, if you don’t bring cheese with you, you can still join in. Just pop £3 into the honesty box and help yourself.
Let’s see how big we can make this cheeseboard!!”
Royalty
New Al Fresco area is lovely! Also, The View at The Royalty – it’s a new Breakfast and Lunch takeaway cabin in the car park!
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.
Yes, a lovely new menu https://the-royalty.co.uk/menus/main-menu/ including extensive new gluten free options https://the-royalty.co.uk/menus/gluten-free-menu/
NEW Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday: Midday to 9.30pm – food til 8pm
Sunday: Midday to 7.30pm – food til 6pm
Last bookings 15mins before closing time
Book your table now https://togo.uk.com/makeBookingv2?venueid=890&nv=true
https://www.facebook.com/theroyaltyotley
Shadow Brewing
An update from Ian:
“While the women’s ‘taproom talk’ is going well and a small community seems to have formed, the men’s hasn’t really taken off. I’m convinced in the concept but maybe my execution of it hasn’t been right, so I’ve offered it to a group called Men In Need Together – MINT (https://www.mintproject.co.uk/) to take over. The first one will be on Tuesday 5th July and then fortnightly afterwards and is being hosted by Paul, one of our regulars. The women’s night remains unaffected and will remain on the last Wednesday of each month from 8pm.
We’ve had a lot more community groups using the taproom for meetings and private events. We now have two book clubs and have welcomed amongst others Wildlife Friendly Otley, Otley Sailing Club, and Otley 2030, who are using the taproom as a base. We’ve also pleased to be hosting many of the Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in town for English language lessons.
In terms of beer, we’ve still got our best selling Phantom Signs in cask and are rotating other local breweries on the other hand-pull. Three Castles IPA is now on keg rather than cask (to keep it fresher when the hot weather finally arrives) and we’ve also just done another batch of Ghost which proved very popular at The Stew and Oyster. Also the Porter isn’t far away!”
Great stuff Ian. Fantastic community resource being well utlised – thanks on behalf of the town!
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
Tap House
Ale Club Midday to 5pm Mon to Thurs. All pints of cask ale are £2.80
Fabulous food and drink offer every Monday from midday to 9:30 pm. Any burger from the Otley Burger Co. with fries and a drink for £8.95.
Quiz Night every Tues at 8.15pm (incl Play your cards right)
1st Place – £50 Otley Burger Co Voucher
2nd Place – £20 Bar Tab
3rd Place – £15 O’Fresh Voucher
Picture Round – £10 O’Deli Voucher
Beware of older Twitter accounts for Tap House. The correct one is @OtleyTaps1 aka The Otley Taps. Older accounts are still out there. You might want to update your Twitter “Follows”. The old ones are @OtleyTap and @OtleyTapHouse – cheers!
All shots £2.50!!!
New cask ales regularly – check out https://www.facebook.com/theotleytaphouse for what’s on today
Tavern
16th July Beach Party! Come and try one of our holiday inspired cocktails. Anyone dressed in beach-wear come to the bar to claim free shots!
Opening Times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 10.30pm (Monday close 7pm)
Friday to Sunday: 11am to 11.30pm
Wednesday Quiz Night start at 8pm
Karaoke Friday nights and Sunday afternoons
Great drink offers – Happy Hour(s) – Monday all day! Tuesday to Friday 4pm to 7pm – 50p off beers
Free pool Tuesdays – other times 50p per game
Check out events on their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/theotleytav
Whitakers Arms
Home cooked food served daily 12pm-4pm (Closed all day Wednesdays)
Opening hours:
Mon – Thurs: Midday to 9pm (Closed Weds)
Fri & Sat: Midday to 11pm
Sun: Midday to 6pm
Happy hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm 50p off selected pints and £1 off bottles of wine – Great stuff!
Live music, plus regular karaoke/DJ nights. Keep your eyes peeled to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whitakersotley
Cocktails Now Available Daily Here @ Whitakers – 10 To Choose from at £7 each or 2 for £12!!!
Or….
If you can’t make up your mind, why not take a spin on our Cocktail Wheel for just £5 and let lady luck decide!!!
White Swan
Watch Social Media for regular upcoming live acoustic sessions. https://www.facebook.com/thewhiteswan_otley
All the big screen sports are on!
Open daily Midday to 11pm
Yew Tree
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).
Seniors’ lunch deal every Thursday. Main course and a drink for just £4.95. Cottage pie, scampi, chilli, lasagne plus lots more AND a selected hot or cold drink. Served Midday to 2pm
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!
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….Otley Pub Club Yorkshire Day Treasure Hunt!
We’ve suspended Pub Of the Month for this month to bring you news of a new event for Yorkshire Day (1st August if you didn’t know!)
The Treasure Hunt will be a family-oriented stroll around the town solving clues as you go. Free (we may ask for a donation towards costs!), and just for a bit of fun, you don’t have to go into the pubs themselves, but you might want a thirst quencher for yourselves and the little ones! The quiz itself will be downloadable from our website – just watch our Social Media for release date, or email Eddie at info@otleypubclub.co.uk and I’ll send you the quiz when it’s ready. You’ll have a week (31st July – 8th August) to complete the answers and get them back to me. All will be explained in more detail on the quiz sheet – Good Luck!
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 below 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 4th August 2022. 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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