Pubs and lost pubs in and around Otley.

[Si]

BLAKEY wrote: Si wrote: [Unfortunately, the Black Horse is shut once again. I drove past it last evening Si, and just couldn't believe it - I would never have the bravery to be in the pub trade these days. Hi Blakey. Yes, it's a shame. Even though it's one of Otley's architectural gems, the Black Horse has no atmosphere when quiet. Years ago, when it was busy, it was a like a different pub.The other evening, the Junction was packed, with people spilling out onto the pavement, and similarly the Bowling Green (Wetherspoon's) was very busy, so I had a pint in the Rose and Crown (which is between them.) There was only one other customer!    

[BLAKEY]

Si wrote: [The other evening, the Junction was packed, with people spilling out onto the pavement, and similarly the Bowling Green (Wetherspoon's) was very busy, so I had a pint in the Rose and Crown (which is between them.) There was only one other customer!     I've noticed before that the Rose and Crown is often virtually empty but I find the place has no atmosphere at all, and a smile from mine hostess wouldn't come amiss - I've always had the feeling that she dislikes me. We have our Samuel Ledgard Society gatherings there at least twice a year and of course the place livens up on those evenings but there is still no rapport . I remember the pub when it was smaller, before the adjoining cottage was used to extend it, but that was a long long time ago.

[Si]

BLAKEY wrote: Si wrote: [The other evening, the Junction was packed, with people spilling out onto the pavement, and similarly the Bowling Green (Wetherspoon's) was very busy, so I had a pint in the Rose and Crown (which is between them.) There was only one other customer!     I've noticed before that the Rose and Crown is often virtually empty but I find the place has no atmosphere at all, I agree. I only bobbed in for a cheeky one on the way for a Chinese.I prefer the Bay Horse, Black Bull, Whitaker's and the Manor, but my favourite is the Junction.PS Anyone know what's happened to Whitaker's sign? There used to be two above a window each - black with gold lettering (on glass?), one said "Whitakers" and the other "c.1841." The latter has disappeared, replaced by a black painted oblong. (See Drapesy's pic on page two of this thread - the sign can just be seen behind the Christmas decorations.)    

[Phips]

The criminal neglect with which Enterprise treat their supposed infrastructure may be understood by a quick scout around that dear old lady, The Black Horse. Trees are growing out of the masonry facing Manor Square; The bay to Boroughgate suffered collapse of its ornate cornicing due to water ingress some months ago. Restore its grandeur with respect? No chance - it was eventually patched up with a couple of sheet of mdf; The western wall of the former Stables Bistro seeps water to the extent that it now has a healthy crop of moss growing out of it – and a pile of dislodged plaster beneath; Next time it rains have a look around the Stables and see where drain and gutter pipes should be. Finally, for a real frightener, next time you’re stuck in traffic on Beech Hill, have a peer up at the chimneys! The Woolpack had been allowed to get into a similar state (see the crumbling window frames at the side) which was why they got shut – and made things worse by the imposition of a Restrictive Covenant (it cannot be a pub again).How much longer will these custodians of our pub heritage be allowed to get away with such abuse?On a brighter note, The Manor is offering Thwaites draught beers at £2/pint…. P.S. Curiously, The Black Horse is the only older building in the town centre Conservation Area which is not listed - it being post 1900.    Oh - and the Whitakers date sign (which was put there in the 1980's!) has been removed or nicked. The black oblong is the base. I'll get the tale.

[Si]

You're right Phips. It's disgraceful.Coincidentally, someone told me this lunchtime that the Whitaker's signs only date to the mid 80s, when the pub's interior was altered.

[Phips]

True. The Whitakers was closed for about 6 months in the early 1980's, when, like so many of Otley's pubs it was opened out into one room. Pity really as it had a lovely tap room and snug. That's when the '1847' sign was added. All of these changes are noted in the book "The Pubs of Otley - A Pictoral Survey 0f 2008". Mounseys still had one or two in last time I looked. Be a nice Christmas present for someone!

[Phips]

If I knew how to post photo attachments I'd put a few on!

[tyke bhoy]

There are several threads on how in the Technical Forum. http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Thre ... =17However it would appear a pre-requisite is you must use Internet Explorer to do it and even then its a bit hit and miss.

[Uno Hoo]

Had a meal this evening in The Symposium, Idle, Bradford. Overheard the manageress telling some regulars that the owner, Market Town Taverns plc, is due to open a house in Otley quite imminently. Didn't catch the new name. But I think she said the premises are currently The Three Horseshoes. Does this sound feasible? If not, I apologise, as I may have misheard. Also, I didn't trawl previous pages on this thread before posting this.

[BLAKEY]

Uno Hoo wrote: Had a meal this evening in The Symposium, Idle, Bradford. Overheard the manageress telling some regulars that the owner, Market Town Taverns plc, is due to open a house in Otley quite imminently. Didn't catch the new name. But I think she said the premises are currently The Three Horseshoes. Does this sound feasible? If not, I apologise, as I may have misheard. Also, I didn't trawl previous pages on this thread before posting this. The Three Horse Shoes in Bridge Street has enjoyed mixed fortunes over the years, having being called "The Lix" for a while recently. It does have the big advantage of a large public car park at the rear which may be considered an advantage by a large pub chain. It was an official crew change point on the cross town Newall to Bradford Road Golf House service in Samuel Ledgard days and was referred to in the rotas as "3HS."