Landlord of landmark pub dies aged 77
THE landlord of Slubbers Arms, one of Huddersfield’s most traditional pubs, has died aged 77.
Bill Brogan realised his dream over 10 years ago when he bought the free house on the junction of Halifax Old Road and Willow Lane, Hillhouse, for £195,000 from the Yorkshire brewers, Timothy Taylor’s.
The pub which dates back more than 150 years, will be put up for sale and is likely to have no shortage of bidders.
It is one of very few unspoiled, classic Yorkshire pubs and Bill and his wife Kath, maintained its traditions though some of the bric-a-brac which adorned its walls was quietly put away.
Bill, who had always hankered after a pub of his own after helping to organise so many Camra ale festivals, was in his element, though Kath was never as keen and made no bones about it to anyone unfortunate enough to ask.
Sadly, the pub came too late for him in many ways and he began suffering serious ill-health in 2013 with a blood clot on one of his legs which affected his movement.
His daughter Michelle worked behind the bar, however, and the pub carried on.
It would get crowded on Terriers match days with away fans always welcome too and Kath dishing up hot sandwiches and pies.
Few pub landlords would have thought of putting the old Slubbers cistern 1952-1992 on display in the main bar but a former one did and such eccentric touches are what gave the pub its special charm along with its superb roaring fire, stone floors and low ceilings.
Newcomers would always ask what ‘Slubbers’ referred to and the answer is the traditional skill of slubbing, the drawing out and twisting of fibre in preparation for spinning.
And given the pub’s rich historic textile associations there was no shortage of clocking in cards on the walls and photographs of the town’s mills.
David Green, former Slubbers landlord and Huddersfield pub historian and author, said: “He took over from me and was always very agreeable. I met him in Westgate on the day he took over.”
Bill’s funeral service will be held at Edgerton Cemetery on January 5, with only five mourners permitted including his son Darren.