PUBS THAT HAD BEEN THERE AND SOME THAT STILL ARE THERE, AND OTHERS I WAS TOLD ABOUT!….(from what I can remember and also historic ones)
Wow! The story used to go, that if you started at the bottom of Church Street and traversed each pub within the Top O’th’ Town Area and having participated of a gill (pronounced “jill” which = half a pint) in every single pub, that you would be well inebriated by the time you reached the last pub (that’s if you did reach the last pub)……and looking at the map below, I would not be surprised if you didn’t!!!
In more recent history, the local brewer was the Baxter family whom had their brewery at Lower Lane (which was at the top of Spring Lane) (now built on by the West View properties). The Baxter family resided in Helmshore, at the property which is now St. Veronicas Church. The Brewery was later taken over with Beverley’s of Wakefield, then later by Watney Mann and then by Wilsons brewery of Newton Heath, Manchester. Since the 1990’s pubs where subjected to various new laws which in some cases they had to be sold off to comply with the new manopolies commission laws, and so the areas pubs became owned, managed or tenanted by various individuals and as such the old brewery manopoly became much fragmented. Besides Baxter/Beverley’s, there was other regional brewers with pubs in Haslingden such as: Thwaites of Blackburn, Duttons Brewery of Blackburn (now owned by Whitbread),Matthew Brown (Lions Ales) of Blackburn, and Masseys Brewery of Burnley, now incorporated within the Bass Charrington group.
I have tried to list them starting at the very North West boundary. I am sure that I have probably missed one or two within the old township. So any constructive critisism or help or contributions shall always be most welcome. Dont forget to click over the photos to enlarge or click once again to supersize. But here goes:-
The Stonefold, Rising Bridge and Acre Pubs.
Sitting almost literally to the townships north west boundaries was the “George and Dragon” on the brow of the hill at Stonefold village was the Beverley’s pub, which once of a day would have belonged to the old Baxter Brewery. The pub was definitely open in the 1950s, but had closed down long before I was of drinking age. I think the property was taken over by Mr. Dickinson whom had a mobile fruit and veg round. I can remember him coming on a regular day through the week to where we lived at Hud Hey, his van was black in colour.
Also again near our boundary was the “Rising Bridge Inn” (formerly The Bridge Inn). Now I can remember going in this pub on several occasions. The first time probably at the age of around 5 or 6. We were upstairs at a wedding function. I also went in the pub in later years. The Brewery that had this pub was Matthew Brown (Lions Ales) of Blackburn. It had modifications during the 1990’s but never seemed to be a successful pub. Nowadays since around 2006 it has been the Spice Room, Indian Restaurant. And just further up the road in a Accrington direction was the Colliers Arms which was at 651 Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, at the corner with Blackburn Road and Hazel Street. In fact its were the Haslingden direction bus stop is immediately opposite the Hollands Pie factory. The building you see now is only part of the old pub and the old pub used to have "Colliers Arms" painted on the slate roof.
(thanks to Ray and Jackie Ramsbottom for this information on the Colliers Arms)
Leaving Rising Bridge and entering Acre, just at the point on leaving or entering Winfields, we had the “Great Tree Inn”. A Thwaites pub. I did try the odd pint on occasions, the landlord was first Brian Raynor. And later David Cronshaw. They always had a good darts team here and usually won the local darts leagues, or if they didnt the Crown did! The pub was acquisitioned over a couple of decades ago by local entreprenaur Dale Winfield, who did run the pub for a short time with management, then closed it down.
The Hud Hey and Hud Rake Pubs.
The Farmers Glory, on the almost brow of the Hill at Higher Hud Hey is still going strong. It is privately owned.The Griffin on Hud Rake is still going strong. It was a Baxters/Beverleys/Watneys/Wilsons – but is currently privately owned by the Porter Brewery) which did have its brewing industry and its offices at the Pub.
The Station Steps/Railway and Blackburn Road Pubs.
And I do remember going home from school (St James C of E), regularly passing the “Railway Inn” which was at the bottom of Railway Road (off Blackburn Road), before I headed home along the railway sidings towards Hud Hey. (See photo on left). Again this was a Beverley’s pub. I remember the large wooden beer barrels sat near the rear entrance awaiting the draymen’s collection.
The Victoria was and is still at the Station Steps, And it was in my early days ran by Bill and Mary and it was another of the Beverley pubs. Over the more recent years its changed its name to the Magnet, and I think it may have been when “Winker” ran it, also named The Jesters, and is more recently a Italian Restaurant called La Veranda.
Further up the road towards Haslingden , just past the lychgate on the right hand side was yet another Beverley’s pub which was called the “Red Lion”. The pub was still open when I was a child in the 1950s, but by the 1960s had ceased being a pub and was then after a few years sold to some Asian gentlemen whom had it for a domestic residence for a few years before it was demolished along with other nearby buildings.
Regent Street, Market Place and Top O’th’ Town Pubs (See scan of old plan)
“The Regent” on Regent Street (see photo), dates back to the 19th century and was always previously known as “The Grey Mare Hotel.
Then at Market Place, just on the corner with Church Street (right hand
Further up the road towards Haslingden , just past the lychgate on the right hand side was yet another Beverley’s pub which was called the “Red Lion”. The pub was still open when I was a child in the 1950s, but by the 1960s had ceased being a pub and was then after a few years sold to some Asian gentlemen whom had it for a domestic residence for a few years before it was demolished along with other nearby buildings.
Regent Street, Market Place and Top O’th’ Town Pubs (See scan of old plan)
“The Regent” on Regent Street (see photo), dates back to the 19th century and was always previously known as “The Grey Mare Hotel.
Then at Market Place, just on the corner with Church Street (right hand
side) there was “The Swan Hotel” (see photo).
And then as you proceeded up Church Street on the left (or West) side you had “The Bull’s Head Hotel” (see photo immediately below on left), The George Inn, The King’s Arms, and The Golden Cup Hotel, and at the top which corners Communion St you had The Staff Of Life. (later called "The Belt and Braces" and more laterly The Unity Club, its been a private dwelling for the past 20 plus years.
Coming back down Church Street on the East side you had “The Old Hare and Hounds”. And then the “Mason’s Arms” (Th’ Nook Alehouse) and a little lower down you had the “Bird In Hand”.
At Town Gate you had, the Old Hare and Hounds, and the New Hare and Hounds, and you also had the “Waggon and Horses”. There was also the “White Horse” and also the “Old Black Dog”.
Higher up above Church Street and Towngate there is High Street (more or less at the start of what is now Hud Rake) here there was “The Volunteers”
Then on closeby King Street you had “The Prince of Wales”, and across Marsden Square you had the “Market Hotel” (See article below). Also on King Street and the junction of Hargreaves Street you had the Craven Heifer.That is about it in regards to Top O’th’ Town Pubs. (Thanks to John Bedford for contributing to this part of the blog)
Haslingden Central - Deardengate (both Higher and Lower) including Pleasant Street and also Blackburn Road (Central only) and Manchester Road (Central only) and Bury Road.
On Bury Road There was The New Inn (later called The Thorn and nicknamed “The Broken Jaw”…. I do have a old billhead from the 19th Century (see photo) when obviously the pub was also a stablehouse.. I worked on the roof of the pub in the past, and it used to have a flat roof, but in later years this was taken off and a pitch roof was re introduced. The Thorn was also a Beverleys pub. The Pub shut down in the 1990s and in more recent times it has been used as The Mary Hindle Centre.
Coming down Bank Street and into Deardengate, before long on the left hand side you come to Pleasant Street, up here is “The Forresters” (Originally known as "Hark To Tackler") (also locally known these days as Th’ Owd Tack” ) This again was another Beverley’s pub and is now privately owned.
Coming back down onto Deardengate and at the crossroads you have “The Commercial Hotel (once a Beverley’s pub, but now privately owned). and also on the opposite side of the lights you have the Black Bull (previously known as: The Bull, Old Black Bull, O’Dwyers). Again it was another of Beverley’s Pubs years ago, but is now privately owned.
Going South into Lower Deardengate about three quarters down and on the corner with Charles Lane/Peel Street you have “The Roebuck” (previously known as: ). This was originally owned by the Massey’s Brewery of Burnley which was later taken over by the Bass Charrington group. The pub has been in private hands for the past twenty plus years.
A little further down Deardengate and on the opposite corner of Grane Road, you have the Bay Horse Hotel, which was a Thwaites of Blackburn pub, and did have its adjoining stables.
Flip Road, - If you went down Charles Lane and then beared right you would enter Flip Road, and here was another pub on the right hand side called the Dyers Arms (see photo) (better known as “The Flip). I can just about remember this pub has a child, but it ceased trading many years ago and was demolished when the new Bye Pass was built. (Thanks to John Simpson for the offer of this Dyers Arms postcard/photo)
The Old Inn Signs of the Town (by Major David Halstead) taken from a Newspaper Cutting from a article done in the early 1900's. (added to the blog on 18th March 2015)
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF OLD LICENSED HOUSES IN HASLINGDEN MAY NOT BE COMPLETE, BUT IT IS HERE OFFERED AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
The Ring O'Bells was in Lower lane between the Golden Cup and the Staff of Life. The landlord was Tom Hamer, whose wife, Maria (Barnes) was killed while getting a barrel into the cellar along with James Whittaker.
The Gaping Goose beerhouse was where Guide House, the residence of Mr. J.C. Whitham now is.
The Bay Horse public house stood on the site of M. W.H. Smith's gatehouse and was kept by Dicky Rough Cap.
The Roaring Cannon, a beerhouse kept by Henry Rostron, grandfather of Mr. Tom Whitaker, Bury Road, stood where Whitecroft House is built.
Hark up to Tackler, named after a hound belonging to Mr. William Turner was in Pleasant Street, and was kept by Joe Boothman, father of "Joe Doldrum".
A beerhouse at Rakefoot, kept by Abraham Jackson was either the farmhouse in which Phineas Butler lived, or one very close to it.
The Cricketers Arms at Bentgate was the house occupied by Mr. Kay, workhouse master, who afterwards became clerk to the Guardians.
There were at one time three beerhouses in Springside, two in Bell Row and two in Ratcliffe Fold.
Shakespeare Inn, a beerhouse in Deardengate where Mrs. Bell lived, was kept by James Holt, grandfather of Mr. Edward Rostron of Edenfield.
Stop and Rest, was a beerhouse at Hutch Bank, the house were John Holden lived. The old signboard was for several years in the barn belonging to Hutch Bank Farm. John Holden was cousin to my grandmother, Ellen Anderton, formerly Holden.
The Stop and Rest at Rising Bridge had its sign altered to the Colliers Arms.
The Royal Oak beerhouse was kept by a man named Nuttall and was three or four houses beyond Rising Bridge Inn opposite N. Worsley's offices.
The White Lion Inn, Baxenden, was once called Star Inn.
The Hit or Miss was in Higher Lane one of the old houses above Newall's house and reed shop. It was kept by Sutcliffe Baxter, grandfather of Tom Baxter, buried at Broughton in Craven.
There was a public house at Burgess Nook, behind the bank buildings. The house, top-house on right hand side, is still standing. John Grimshaw lived here after the licence was taken away. He made an unsuccessful claim to the Morton Estate.
The Swan Inn, a beerhouse, was at the Turn Sykeside and was kept by William Haworth.
There was a beerhouse at Touch and Take, the licence being transferred to the Woolpack, when that house was built by the Worsley's of laund who owned the property including Lockgate Farm.
The Mountaineers Inn was a beerhouse at the junction of the road at the top of Cribden Clough. It was kept by Harry Barnes (Harry at th'Cribden End) who removed to the Black Dog in Marsden Square and from there to the George Inn.
The Crooked Billet beerhouse was one of the old houses opposite the present Bay Horse. It belonged to the Denny family (Dionysius Haworth) and the last tenants were two sisters named Ashworth. One of them married Mr. Watson, cotton manufacturer of Darwen. Andrew Ashworth (Bluefat) got their money silver spoons and trinkets. After leaving the Crooket Billet the two sisters lived in the middle cottage of the three cottages in Regent St., and after the marriage of one sister the other went to live with Jenny and Matilda Spencer, bonnet makers, near Town Green.
In a list of beerhouses dated 1855, appear among the other names: Seven Stars (Crow Trees at Grane), Mechanics Arms (probably at Helmshore), and the Crooked Billet.
In an interview I had with Henry Stephenson on May 10th, 1919 he told me that the Listers property described as being in Rossendale, was really in Haslingden. The Listers, lord Ribblesdale's family, held property in Oldham as well as Haslingden. The Haslingden property comprised land above Falshaw's chemist's shop (now Heaps) including the site on which stands the Bulls Head, The Geiorge Inn and Kings Arms are built. The Fielding family owned the Bulls Head Hotel and this gave them the right to a pew in the south gallery of Newchurch Church. When Listers leased a public house in Haslingden, one of the clauses in the lease required that the leasee had to keep and maintain a hound for the use of the Listers. (Thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom at Haslingden Roots for kindly supplying this article)
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And then as you proceeded up Church Street on the left (or West) side you had “The Bull’s Head Hotel” (see photo immediately below on left), The George Inn, The King’s Arms, and The Golden Cup Hotel, and at the top which corners Communion St you had The Staff Of Life. (later called "The Belt and Braces" and more laterly The Unity Club, its been a private dwelling for the past 20 plus years.
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| The Bird In Hand awaiting demolition |
Coming back down Church Street on the East side you had “The Old Hare and Hounds”. And then the “Mason’s Arms” (Th’ Nook Alehouse) and a little lower down you had the “Bird In Hand”.
At Town Gate you had, the Old Hare and Hounds, and the New Hare and Hounds, and you also had the “Waggon and Horses”. There was also the “White Horse” and also the “Old Black Dog”.
Higher up above Church Street and Towngate there is High Street (more or less at the start of what is now Hud Rake) here there was “The Volunteers”
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| White Horse Inn, Towngate |
Then on closeby King Street you had “The Prince of Wales”, and across Marsden Square you had the “Market Hotel” (See article below). Also on King Street and the junction of Hargreaves Street you had the Craven Heifer.That is about it in regards to Top O’th’ Town Pubs. (Thanks to John Bedford for contributing to this part of the blog)
Haslingden Central - Deardengate (both Higher and Lower) including Pleasant Street and also Blackburn Road (Central only) and Manchester Road (Central only) and Bury Road.
On Bury Road There was The New Inn (later called The Thorn and nicknamed “The Broken Jaw”…. I do have a old billhead from the 19th Century (see photo) when obviously the pub was also a stablehouse.. I worked on the roof of the pub in the past, and it used to have a flat roof, but in later years this was taken off and a pitch roof was re introduced. The Thorn was also a Beverleys pub. The Pub shut down in the 1990s and in more recent times it has been used as The Mary Hindle Centre.Coming down Bank Street and into Deardengate, before long on the left hand side you come to Pleasant Street, up here is “The Forresters” (Originally known as "Hark To Tackler") (also locally known these days as Th’ Owd Tack” ) This again was another Beverley’s pub and is now privately owned.
Coming back down onto Deardengate and at the crossroads you have “The Commercial Hotel (once a Beverley’s pub, but now privately owned). and also on the opposite side of the lights you have the Black Bull (previously known as: The Bull, Old Black Bull, O’Dwyers). Again it was another of Beverley’s Pubs years ago, but is now privately owned.
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| "The Foresters Arms" (Click over to enlarge) originally known as "Hark To Tackler" and local Th' Owd Tack |
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| "The Black Bull" (Click over to enlarge) for a short time known as "O'Dwyers" |
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| "The Roebuck" (Click over to enlarge) also known local at one time "Eli's Palace" |
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| Bay Horse (Click over to enlarge) The second Bay Horse - the original was opposite York Avenue See photo below  |
The Commercial (Click over to enlarge)
Going South into Lower Deardengate about three quarters down and on the corner with Charles Lane/Peel Street you have “The Roebuck” (previously known as: ). This was originally owned by the Massey’s Brewery of Burnley which was later taken over by the Bass Charrington group. The pub has been in private hands for the past twenty plus years.
A little further down Deardengate and on the opposite corner of Grane Road, you have the Bay Horse Hotel, which was a Thwaites of Blackburn pub, and did have its adjoining stables.
Flip Road, - If you went down Charles Lane and then beared right you would enter Flip Road, and here was another pub on the right hand side called the Dyers Arms (see photo) (better known as “The Flip). I can just about remember this pub has a child, but it ceased trading many years ago and was demolished when the new Bye Pass was built. (Thanks to John Simpson for the offer of this Dyers Arms postcard/photo)
The Old Inn Signs of the Town (by Major David Halstead) taken from a Newspaper Cutting from a article done in the early 1900's. (added to the blog on 18th March 2015)
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF OLD LICENSED HOUSES IN HASLINGDEN MAY NOT BE COMPLETE, BUT IT IS HERE OFFERED AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
The Ring O'Bells was in Lower lane between the Golden Cup and the Staff of Life. The landlord was Tom Hamer, whose wife, Maria (Barnes) was killed while getting a barrel into the cellar along with James Whittaker.
The Gaping Goose beerhouse was where Guide House, the residence of Mr. J.C. Whitham now is.
The Bay Horse public house stood on the site of M. W.H. Smith's gatehouse and was kept by Dicky Rough Cap.
The Roaring Cannon, a beerhouse kept by Henry Rostron, grandfather of Mr. Tom Whitaker, Bury Road, stood where Whitecroft House is built.
Hark up to Tackler, named after a hound belonging to Mr. William Turner was in Pleasant Street, and was kept by Joe Boothman, father of "Joe Doldrum".
A beerhouse at Rakefoot, kept by Abraham Jackson was either the farmhouse in which Phineas Butler lived, or one very close to it.
The Cricketers Arms at Bentgate was the house occupied by Mr. Kay, workhouse master, who afterwards became clerk to the Guardians.
There were at one time three beerhouses in Springside, two in Bell Row and two in Ratcliffe Fold.
Shakespeare Inn, a beerhouse in Deardengate where Mrs. Bell lived, was kept by James Holt, grandfather of Mr. Edward Rostron of Edenfield.
Stop and Rest, was a beerhouse at Hutch Bank, the house were John Holden lived. The old signboard was for several years in the barn belonging to Hutch Bank Farm. John Holden was cousin to my grandmother, Ellen Anderton, formerly Holden.
The Stop and Rest at Rising Bridge had its sign altered to the Colliers Arms.
The Royal Oak beerhouse was kept by a man named Nuttall and was three or four houses beyond Rising Bridge Inn opposite N. Worsley's offices.
The White Lion Inn, Baxenden, was once called Star Inn.
The Hit or Miss was in Higher Lane one of the old houses above Newall's house and reed shop. It was kept by Sutcliffe Baxter, grandfather of Tom Baxter, buried at Broughton in Craven.
There was a public house at Burgess Nook, behind the bank buildings. The house, top-house on right hand side, is still standing. John Grimshaw lived here after the licence was taken away. He made an unsuccessful claim to the Morton Estate.
The Swan Inn, a beerhouse, was at the Turn Sykeside and was kept by William Haworth.
There was a beerhouse at Touch and Take, the licence being transferred to the Woolpack, when that house was built by the Worsley's of laund who owned the property including Lockgate Farm.
The Mountaineers Inn was a beerhouse at the junction of the road at the top of Cribden Clough. It was kept by Harry Barnes (Harry at th'Cribden End) who removed to the Black Dog in Marsden Square and from there to the George Inn.
The Crooked Billet beerhouse was one of the old houses opposite the present Bay Horse. It belonged to the Denny family (Dionysius Haworth) and the last tenants were two sisters named Ashworth. One of them married Mr. Watson, cotton manufacturer of Darwen. Andrew Ashworth (Bluefat) got their money silver spoons and trinkets. After leaving the Crooket Billet the two sisters lived in the middle cottage of the three cottages in Regent St., and after the marriage of one sister the other went to live with Jenny and Matilda Spencer, bonnet makers, near Town Green.
In a list of beerhouses dated 1855, appear among the other names: Seven Stars (Crow Trees at Grane), Mechanics Arms (probably at Helmshore), and the Crooked Billet.
In an interview I had with Henry Stephenson on May 10th, 1919 he told me that the Listers property described as being in Rossendale, was really in Haslingden. The Listers, lord Ribblesdale's family, held property in Oldham as well as Haslingden. The Haslingden property comprised land above Falshaw's chemist's shop (now Heaps) including the site on which stands the Bulls Head, The Geiorge Inn and Kings Arms are built. The Fielding family owned the Bulls Head Hotel and this gave them the right to a pew in the south gallery of Newchurch Church. When Listers leased a public house in Haslingden, one of the clauses in the lease required that the leasee had to keep and maintain a hound for the use of the Listers. (Thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom at Haslingden Roots for kindly supplying this article)
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The older pubs of Haslingden (Click over to enlarge)
Click over to enlarge
Historical Notes - Pubs in Haslingden
I have been going through mum's old photos and found some newspaper cuttings she had kept, this one in particular I think some of you may find interesting. The plan shows the pubs at top 'o town and Sheeps Green. I have had to post it in two pics as I couldn't fit it all under my scanner - still getting used to the scanner
Thanks to Linda Maughan
