Ellie and Fiona get their pub on the right track
CONTINUING my A to Z trek of the area’s watering holes, we open on ‘E’.
There’s nowt in Edgerton, apart from occasionally at the Ukrainian Social Club (Kalyna). Real ale is not normally available, but they have one handpump at Marsh Blues & Folk Club events.
The White Horse in Emley has been a shining star, beer wise, since the Ossett organisation took control. Their regular group beers are complemented by guests from small local and regional breweries. There is always a mild, stout or porter on, as well as a real cider. Hopefully, the recent change in manager will not change much.
The Golden Cock is a Country Pub & Restaurant with beamed ceilings and stone floors, situated in the centre of the village of Farnley Tyas. Part of the six-strong Holme Valley Inns group at which I’ve never had a poor pint or meal. My usual here is Leeds Best.
The Railway, on Bradford Road, sells a selection of ales from the Punch Premier Cask range. Also in Fartown there is a traditional workers boozer with a main road situation. No frills but none needed in this friendly local pub serving Tetleys – the Harp.
A massive contrast at Harvey’s Bar and Kitchen at Fenay Bridge.
If you thought a kebab or burger was food for on the way home from the pub, Harvey’s could put you right. Smith’s Cask or my choice of Yorkshire Blonde to drink with a Prawn and Chorizo kebab. Heaven.
Nearby, the Fenay Bridge is a family themed pub and restaurant perfect for those young birthday meals. Bombadier for dad please.
Not long since I extolled the virtues of the Four Sons at Fixby, my pick there was a pint of Bass just for the memories. When in the area, the Sun Inn and the Roundhill both make it worth nipping over to Calderdale.
Timothy Taylors is served in the nineteenth at Fixby Golf Club.
Mind your head on the low beams when heading for the bar at Jack’s Craft Alehouse and Diner in Flockton.
Formally the George and Dragon, it sells Thwaites ales in a pub that can trace its history back to 1485. Many community-based activities including popular walking group meet here.
Brisk walk, for me, to the Sun Inn and a rising reputation for fine dining with real chef-produced, top-quality pub food. I polished off a Silver King from the four on offer as well as keeping my eye on the 3D sports TV.
geoff.sapphire@outlook.com enjoying being here,” said Fiona.
“Ellie’s experience is vast - she was a trained chef at 21.”
Her philosophy is a simple one, “There’s no pool table, no Sky Sports, just come and enjoy some real ale, stone walls, wooden floors and traditional pub food in pleasant surroundings.
“And it’s going really well, trade is picking up nicely. We’ve had to take on two extra staff, we have a really good time.”
Real ales being served when the Examiner paid a visit included Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Leeds Pale and Wadsworth 6X.
It’s been quite a change of direction for Fiona, who used to work for a Housing Association for 13 years in Wakefield, but says she is enjoying interacting with the public.
She is proud that the pub has Cask Marque accreditation, meaning you should be served a perfect pint every time, and an Environmental Health inspection which awarded it the maximum five stars. It’s her first time as a pub landlord but Fiona says she is “loving it.”
As to the pub’s name, don’t be fooled into thinking it has anything to do with the railway station at Mirfield.
Its name dates back to a bygone era when there was a Battyeford station at the back of the pub.
Asked why they chose this pub Fiona replies: “We looked at a few pubs in Barnsley. Ellie is originally from Darton and we lived in Wombwell for quite some time.
“And we looked at some others around Huddersfield, but this one we just fell in love with – it’s perfect for us!”