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Batley: The Cellar Bar is doing a roaring trade with Rail Ale Trailers and now has 5 pumps with Everard's Tiger, Black Sheep and Golden Pippin and two rotating guests. For a healthy snack, pickled eggs are available at 40p.

Batley Carr: The closed Old Shoulder of Mutton has plans to convert to an “education and training centre”. The Woodman (behind the Vauxhall garage off Bradford Road) is a fine example of a true community pub and dispenses lots of Tetley Bitter.

Birkenshaw: Birkenshaw Liberal Club has Tetley's and a rotating guest. The Golden Fleece has varying guest beers and there are plans for a major refurbishment. The George IV has Tetley's and a rotating guest as does the Halfway House which has always sold lots of Tetley's..

Birstall: The Greyhound has Tetley's and increasingly popular rotating guest beers while the Black Bull is being redecorated and continues to offer a frequently-changing microbrewery guest beer alongside Golden Pippin, John Smith's Cask and Sharp's Doom Bar. The Scotland has Tetley's and two increasingly popular rotating guests usually including a locally brewed choice (oh, and pickled eggs). The Pheasant has up to four ales including rotating non-Greene King guests.

Briestfield: The Shoulder of Mutton re-opened after several years of closure and seems to be busy with real ale drinkers enjoying beers from Bob's Brewery and Black Sheep..

Cleckheaton: The Old House at Home has Taylor's Landlord and Copper Dragon Best Bitter while the Rose & Crown is awaiting new management. A good variety of beer styles from Mild to Premium Bitters is consistently available at the Wickham which also offers accommodation and morning coffee. The Priory (formerly the Brown Cow) has Tetley's Bitter and Mild. The Broomfield is a free house with a rotating guest, recently Withins Pale. The Station Tavern (ex-Royal) has a new landlady awaiting delivery of Black Sheep Bitter. Cleckheaton Sports Club has Thwaites Original and Wainwright. The ex-servicemen's club has Tetley's and an occasional guest. Cleckheaton Golf Club has Tetley Bitter. The Marsh is unique in having up to 5 Old Mill beers available including the tasty Old Mill Mild, Bitter, Blonde Bombshell, Bullion and a monthly-changing seasonal beer which is usually rather special. Food is available in the new conservatory-style dining room and there is a large smoking shelter.

Dewsbury: Central Station Hotel has a popular taproom and a varying choice of real ale. The Shepherd's Boy held an excellent beer and cider festival in October; real cider continues to be very popular with at least three always available. A short walk away, Beer Street is a lovely pub with Tetley's Mild and Bitter. Tapps appears to have closed permanently amid rumours that it is to be turned into shops (as if we haven't enough empty shops in the town). Wetherspoon's three pubs in Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton, the Timepiece, Union Rooms and Obediah Brooke, had a fine selection of guests throughout their nationwide beer festival. The Whistler remains closed despite assurances from owners Enterprise Inns. The Black Labrador at Crackenedge has quietly gained planning permission for conversion to housing, with the pub name not being mentioned on the title of the planning application (this happens quite often).

Dewsbury Moor: Plans have been submitted to demolish the Woolpack for housing.

Gomersal: Gomersal Cricket Club has Tetley's and a rotating guest (often from Titanic Brewery). The West End has John Smiths Cask, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Taylor's Landlord and will have a special seasonal beer available through the Winter. The Saw is for sale freehold despite earning a good reputation for food.

Hanging Heaton: The Fox and Hounds have fast-selling Tetley's and up to three rotating guests from near and far.

Hartshead: The Hartshead has Jennings Cumberland and two rotating guests.

Hartshead Moor: The Old Pack Horse stocks Theakston's Lightfoot, Jennings Cumberland and guests, recently Robinson's Young Tom, while across the road the New Pack Horse no longer has real ale despite its popularity under the previous management.

Heckmondwike: Due to management problems, the New Charnwood is for sale; with an 80-seat function room in demand, a good kitchen, restaurant and established real ale bar in a fine, historic building with parking and an attractive garden, this could be a good investment for an enthusiastic, experienced publican.

Hunsworth: The Savile Arms has Tetley's and Theakston's Bitter alongside its food offering.

Liversedge: The Swan has 4 varying ales often including Ossett and Moorhouses. The Toby Jug has Tetley's and John Smith's Cask. The Shears has won the Autumn Pub of the Season award after quickly establishing itself as a welcoming free house with Tetley's, well-kept Black Sheep Bitter, Moorhouse's Luddites Ale (which is a secret blend of beers from Moorhouse's range) and a rotating guest beer. The Albion has Tetley's and occasional guest. The Black Bull has nine real ales with some interesting guests alongside Fuller's London Pride and beers from Ossett's four breweries each of which has some fine and unique beers.

Lower Hopton: Lower Hopton WMC have completed a refurbishment of the function room. The new bar seems to have no handpulls but cask ale is available from the main bar.

Mirfield: The Saville Arms is increasingly popular with a good range of well-kept ales and a conservatory extension is planned. The Shoulder of Mutton and the Flowerpot have new licensees, the Plough has re-opened with new owners while the Thirsty Man is changing hands. Around 1,000 protesters turned out to show their disapproval of the landmark Black Bull being converted into a Tesco Express, across the road from the Co-op and Lidl. The Old Colonial has changed status from a club to a pub and in October they held a mini-festival of rare beers. The Airedale Heifer was reported to have Black Sheep Bitter or Copper Dragon Bitter and Leeds Pale in good condition. The Pear Tree has a selection of well-kept ales and a rotating cider or perry on handpull. The Navigation has three ciders, 5 Theakston's beers, John Smith's Cask and 3 Caledonian beers on permanently including Flying Scotsman, coinciding with commencement of the Grand Central train to London calling at Mirfield. Health permitting, there will be a beer festival with 30+ beers available from Thursday 26^th to Sunday 29^th January.

Scholes: The Walkers Arms has well-kept Everards Tiger. The Rising Sun has Tetley's, Black Sheep Bitter and Golden Sheep plus occasional guests. On our recent visit, the Stafford Arms had Copper Dragon Challenger IPA and a Partners (formerly Anglo-Dutch) beer.

Thornhill. At the Savile Arms, Black Sheep Bitter remains a firm favourite with the regular customers. Guest beers have been served from the Dewsbury brewery Partners, and amongst others Wainwright and Clarks. In the tap room the traditional but rare Bar Billiards game can be played.

Over the border..

Just outside the branch area, the Spotted Cow at Drighlington has Taylor's Golden Best and three rotating guests with one usually from Dewsbury's own Partners Brewery in which they hold a major stake. The 254 and 255 buses pass by here. Also in Drighlington, Manor Golf Club has cask marque and stocks Black Sheep Bitter, Copper Dragon Bitter, Leeds Midnight Bell and Pale and Partner's Blonde.

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For those amongst you who have access to the Internet, the Heavy Woollen Branch of CAMRA has created a Google Map showing details of all the pubs in the branch including a short description and its location. This can be found on the “Where” page.

Batley: The Rose of York continues to trade successfully despite an application, as yet undecided, for conversion to residential use. The Wilton Arms is for sale freehold, a fine opportunity which should do well as a free house.

Birkenshaw: The Golden Fleece is under new ownership and a variety of guest ales is now available alongside Black Sheep Bitter. Trade is currently building up again after an uncertain period so please call in and give Ian some encouragement. With good quality Tetley and guests at the Halfway House and the George IV, the town is worth a visit for a short crawl, perhaps finishing at the New Inn at East Bierley which continues to have four good ales.

Birstall: The Scotland is nowadays a busy, community pub with a fine beer garden which was formerly a bowling green. Tetley Bitter is the big seller with increasing numbers turning to the one or two fine, well-kept guest beers, Leeds Midnight Bell being a recent popular choice despite being a dark ale. Check the branch website for news of a beer festival here. The Pheasant has added Black Sheep Bitter to its line-up alongside Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot and thankfully it once again has a proper pub sign.

Briestfield: It has been reported that a fine country pub, the Shoulder of Mutton is expected to re-open soon.

Cleckheaton: The privately-owned George now has 3 handpumps dispensing a varied range of ales, recently Golden Pippin and Moorhouse's Premier at £1.95 / pint. Monday Real Ale Club sees prices down to £1.20. Keen licensee planning to continue to boost real ale sales. Evenings generally dominated by music while daytime is quieter, as are the rooms behind the front bar.

Dewsbury: The Old Anchor has been demolished. The West Riding had another very successful Summer beer festival. The pub now has a choice of real ciders, some dispensed from some fine, new oak casks on the bar back. Dewsbury Central Station Hotel has a varying choice of ale, Taylor's Landlord being available on our last visit. According to owners Enterprise Inns, the Whistler is about to re-open soon. The Crackenedge continues to have Tetley's and Copper Dragon Best Bitter. The Shepherd’s Boy will be having a LocAle Beer & Cider Festival the last weekend in October, commemorating CAMRA Cider Month, with 20+ beers, ciders and perries. Leggers has Everards Tiger as the regular beer with five more handpumps offering a range of guests including a dark beer and is due to hold a beer festival 24^th - 26^th November.

Gomersal: The Shoulder of Mutton has Leeds Pale, Tetley's, Landlord and a rotating guest. The village is a fine place for a Summer pub crawl, with the West End, Saw, Bull's Head and Wheatsheaf all having a choice of good ales. From the Shoulder, 5 minutes walk takes you to the Scotland and thence to the Black Bull and the Horse & Jockey at Birstall.

Hanging Heaton: The Fox and Hounds has a fine view from the beer garden to help enjoy the Tetley's and popular guest beers.

Heckmondwike: Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter at the unique Old Hall is just £1.58 per pint. Comrades Club has a guest beer, usually Golden Pippin or Black Sheep Bitter. The Queen has Thwaites Nutty Black as its guest.

Hightown: The Cross Keys has Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Wells' Bombardier.

Liversedge: Four handpumps at Lillibet's dispense Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, Westons Traditional Scrumpy and two varying guests, recently Acorn Barnsley Bitter and Shepherd Neame Spitfire. The Shears have Tetley's and Black Sheep plus two guests, recently from Moorhouse's.

Mirfield: The Navigation continued to set the pub beer festival standard with a fine selection of ales in peak condition and low prices at its June beer festival. Don't miss the next one, they are normally held at the end of January and in June and September, so please check the dates on the branch website. A good range from Theakston is always provided and their cooper gives demonstrations on the September Saturday. Regular beers are John Smith's, four Theakston ales, up to five rotating guests, real cider and perry. The Railway has Black Sheep Bitter, Taylor's Landlord and a rotating guest. The Yorkshire Puddin' has Black Sheep, Landlord and two rotating guests. The Old Colonial Club has Copper Dragon's excellent Best Bitter and five interesting rotating guest beers. The recently refurbished Saville Arms is a Free House with 2 rooms plus a games room. Over 21's only, Tetley Bitter, Black Sheep, Ossett Big Red, Golden Pippin, Ossett Yorkshire Blonde and rotating guest are well cared-for. As a result of this positive turnaround, the Saville is the winner of the Pub of the Season award for Summer 2011, an award which recognises efforts by licensees to make significant improvement. The Shoulder of Mutton has Tetley Bitter. The White Gate is a “Sizzling” pub which had Black Sheep Bitter and Marston's EPA on our last visit.

Oakenshaw: The Richardson's Arms has Black Sheep Bitter and up to five guests from Copper Dragon, Abbeydale, Moorhouse's and others. A refurbished function room is available upstairs.

Ravensthorpe: The Bull's Head was reported to be under threat of closure due to complaints about noise, despite the licensee's reported efforts to keep it down.

Roberttown: With help from Brass Monkey Brewery, the Old Colonial Club, CAMRA and active local people, the Bobtown Beer Bash Festival, despite rain showers, had a second stunningly successful one-day festival opening at noon, with apologies to people who experienced long queues and to those who missed out because the six 20-litre boxes of traditional cider sold out at 3:30 and the thirty-three nine-gallon casks of real ale sold out at 6:45. Bar staff were stretched and throughout the day sold beer and cider at an average rate of 6 pints per minute, mostly in halves at first. Overspill to the New Inn created high demand there, with a 15 minute closure of the bar found necessary to allow re-stocking and glass washing. Now, who was it that said there was low demand for real ale? Up the road, the Star has Taylor's Landlord, very comfy seating and good food including a fine Sunday carvery. New licensees at the Fountain have smartened up the interior making it more welcoming and offer three real ales from the Thwaites range, with a guest ale a possibility according to demand, so please go along and create a demand!

Shaw Cross: Increasingly interesting, excellent guest beers have been appearing at the Huntsman.

Staincliffe: The Butchers Arms now features Tetley Bitter and a rotating guest.

Thornhill: The Savile Arms has Black Sheep Bitter as a regular beer with guests from breweries which include Thwaites; Springhead; Timothy Taylors and Salamander. In the tap room the traditional but rare Bar Billiards game can be played. The Alma is under new ownership and they are keen to establish a good reputation for food and real ale with beers from Copper Dragon and Ossett, while locally-sourced ingredients are used for the food where possible in their re-opened and refurbished restaurant.

Thornhill Edge: We are sad to report that Allan Wood, Rugby League legend and popular manager of the Flatt Top, has died as a result of cancer - see obituary in the branch magazine. The pub continues to experiment with unusual guest beers.

Upper Hopton: The Travellers' Rest has Black Sheep and Tetley's Bitter, while the Hare and Hounds is a country pub cum restaurant full of atmosphere with well-kept Black Sheep Bitter and rotating guests, recently Deuchars IPA and Rudgate Ruby Mild.

Whitley: The Woolpack has keen new licensees who are actively promoting real ale and who are planning a beer festival. Greene King and rotating guests are available, recent offerings including Bateman's and Hook Norton.

Woodkirk: The Babes in the Wood has Black Sheep Bitter.

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Congratulations to the management and staff of these pubs and clubs which have recently received Cask Marque approval:-

The New Inn, Roberttown; West End, Gomersal; Butcher's Arms, Staincliffe; New Inn, East Bierley; Black Bull, Birstall; Birstall IDL Club; Black Bull, Liversedge; Shepherd's Boy, Dewsbury; Three Nuns, Mirfield. (If we have missed any, please let us know). Wetherspoon and Greene King pubs are routinely entered for Cask Marque approval.
Cask Marque, an independent trust, was set up to encourage improved quality of real cask ale. Applicants are visited unannounced and beer in the glass tested for temperature, appearance, aroma and taste by trained and experienced testers. The scheme is financed partly by subscription from applicants, so a pub has to pay to be listed and then has a twice yearly inspection to see that quality has been maintained. Note that only pubs who are prepared to pay will be considered for listing, so while it is a worthy scheme, not all pubs are eligible for it.

All beer with the Tetley name is now brewed outside of Leeds, mostly by Marston's / Banks's in Wolverhampton.

Batley: Despite being a popular pub (with hundreds of facebook followers), an application for change of use to residential was submitted for the Rose of York, Batley, one of the few remaining community pubs along Bradford Road. The nearby Talbot has been closed for a while and is earmarked for demolition.

Birkenshaw: The Halfway House has Tetley and a rotating guest while the George IV has Golden Pippin alongside its Tetley's.

Birstall: The Hare &Hounds is to be demolished for housing.

Briestfield: The Shoulder of Mutton has closed permanently

Dewsbury: The Imperial is for sale while the Whistler is closed and has an uncertain future under Enterprise Inns.

The Shepherd's Boy had an excellent beer and cider festival 10-13 March with a wide range of 30 “guest beers” on offer of all colours and strengths and a variety of ciders and perries including a pair made in Huddersfield. Well done to Katie and Robin for winning the Heavy Woollen Cider Pub of the Year award and also being runner-up in the branch Pub of the Year competition.

A month after the very successful Dewsbury Beer Festival, the well-established West Riding Summer Beer Festival is expected to have slaked a few thirsts over June 16^th -19^th.

Gomersal: At the West End, well-kept ales are typically John Smith Cask, Black Sheep Bitter, Daleside Old Legover and Taylor's Landlord.

Grange Moor: The New Inn has closed.

Hanging Heaton: The Fox & Hounds (Cask Marque listed) has 3-5 ales on, often including Landlord. At Easter, a mini-festival was held which was very popular. On 202 bus route.

Heckmondwike: Despite recent refurbishment, the Crown at Flush is set to be converted to flats.

Liversedge: The Old Oak, a landmark pub in Littletown, plan to replace the pub with a supermarket. There is local opposition.

Lower Hopton: The Flowerpot has a new Landlord, Rob who is serving real ale rotating on a single pump but hopes to have more soon.

Mirfield: For the second year running, the Old Colonial Club, Mirfield has wonThird Prize in the Campaign for Real Ale's competition for Club of the Year in the Yorkshire region. When you consider the number of clubs in Yorkshire, this is a major accomplishment particularly as last year's national champion was the Yorkshire winner. The aim of the award is to recognise commitment by the club to quality real ale. In the case of Tim Wood's Old Colonial Club, there are up to six real ales available, Copper Dragon's excellent Best Bitter, brewed in Skipton, being constantly available as a good example of a traditionally flavoured bitter beer, ideal for the drinker who likes to get used to a particular beer and stick with it. The guest beers come from near and far and often include special limited editions and commemorative ales in a variety of styles. Tim has good relations with a number of independent brewers, sometimes resulting in one-off and trial brews being available at the club. The club is listed in CAMRA's national Good Beer Guide. Beer and local sausages are often involved in Tim's many fund-raising events. Last year the club raised funds for no less than 37 different local charities. There is a Royal British Legion memorial in the garden. The club features a large conservatory which is useful for meetings and functions and is a pleasant alternative to the traditional environment of the main bar area which has an interesting collection of mostly military memorabilia. Good value meals are served Thursday to Saturday teatimes and Sunday lunch. Website: theoldcolonial.co.uk
The Navigation has its standard-setting beer festival from 4pm 23^rd June until the Sunday evening. Expect a fine selection of mostly Yorkshire ales all cellar-cooled and handpulled. If you missed it, look out for the next one which may be held in September.
The Pear Tree now has Real Cider/Perry available on hand pull alongside 3 ales.
The Wasp's Nest is up for sale.
Plans submitted by the Yorkshire Volunteer point to its loss as a pub.

The Saville, Mirfield is gaining a reputation for good beer quality, is well-run and welcoming. The managers of the Thirsty Man, Steve and Rachel, are also free-of-tie tenants of the Saville, which has a selection of good-value ales and an over-21 policy.

Oakenshaw: The Richardsons Arms was bought last year by Kevin and Laura who are professional swimming instructors who plan to open a swimming club on the premises. There is enough land around the building to keep the pub and add a 25m pool. Having been in since last Summer, they have found that the pub has regained popularity after many years of decline.
They are selling real ale in healthy quantities and are proud of the quality. Six handpumps are free of tie. Beers on offer on our visit were Black Sheep Bitter (on their super-modern handpull) and 4 Copper Dragon beers; Golden Pippin, Scotts 1816, Challenger IPA and Black Gold. Abbeydale beers have since appeared, other Yorkshire beers to follow. The pub is a U-shaped open plan layout with a pool table and lots of space. A good sized newly refurbished function room is available upstairs. The pub is on the 268 bus route.

Roberttown: The second Bobtown Beer Bash is planned for 16^th July, following last year's incredibly successful, sellout event. Venue is Roberttown Community Centre. Open 12-10, 30+ real ales, ciders and perries, live music and food. Details on web (Google it)
The New Inn are organising a real ale ramble taking in 5 local pubs, on the bank holiday at the end of August, card stamped at each pub then free pint at New Inn.

Shaw Cross: The Huntsman continues to provide some interesting guests among its four ales.

Staincliffe: The Butcher's Arms is gaining popularity with a fine atmosphere and good ale.

Thornhill: Under new independent ownership, The Alma plan to have their own 3.8% “Alma Ale” supplied by Ossett Brewery, to complement a guest ale.
At the Savile Arms, Mild beers featured in the month of May included Thwaites Nutty Black and Springhead Black Tom. Other ales from these two breweries remain firm favourites along with the regular Black Sheep Bitter. A mystery beer will form part of the fundraising for the pub's Tug O'War Team on Saturday 25th June in a Guess the Guest competition.

Thornhill Edge: The Flatt Top continues its policy of rotating guests alongside Tetley and Leeds regulars.

Upper Hopton: The Hare & Hounds had Black Sheep Bitter, Leeds Best and Brains Revd James on a recent visit.

White Lee: The Halfway House has re-opened as Shama Kashmiri Restaurant.

Whitley: At the Woolpack, keen, new licensees have three rotating guests supplied by Greene King. Recently sampled were Olde Trip, St. Edmunds and Okell's Old Skipper.

The Sun at Flockton has Old Speckled plus guest : last Bradfield Blonde.

Heavy Woollen Pub of the Year

The Heavy Woollen branch of the Campaign for Real Ale have awarded their latest Pub of the Year award to the West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms on Dewsbury Railway Station.

Ever since the pub was created in 1994 in a disused part of the Grade 2 listed railway station, it has been a standard bearer for real ale in the district and its fame has spread somewhat further than the Heavy Woollen area. The pub has won the award several times before and has also previously achieved the Yorkshire Regional Pub of the Year award and a runner-up in the National competition. The West was a pioneer of the now very popular Rail Ale Trail as seen on TV when Oz Clarke and James May toured the country and found this to be one of their favourite spots.

Mike, Sarah and the team have worked hard to maintain an interesting selection not only of cask ales but also traditional cider and perry, fine Continental beers and top quality soft drinks. Black Sheep Bitter, Taylor's Dark Mild and Landlord are regulars, with one Anglo-Dutch beer (brewed in Dewsbury) and four guests. A variety of beer styles is maintained by allocating each pump a target style and strength, so the eight pumps give the customers plenty of choice. Some fine woodwork, architectural features and rescued items create an atmosphere as you would find in pubs which existed long before this one.
Good value, wholesome and tasty food is available lunchtimes and some evenings, the latter with some interesting international themes.
Bar manager Lizzie, on behalf of the team, proudly accepted the award from CAMRA Branch Chairman Alan Mapplebeck

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Batley: Four ales on offer at the Cellar Bar, worth a stop on the Rail Ale Trail.

Batley Carr: The Woodman, off Bradford Road behind the Vauxhall garage half a mile from Dewsbury station, has well-kept Tetley Bitter and is a fine example of a community pub thriving without resorting to short term gimmicks.

Birstall: The Black Bull has John Smith's and three popular rotating guests while 5 minutes walk away the Horse & Jockey has Golden Pippin and 2 guests. The Greyhound has had a thorough facelift and has Tetley's and occasional guests.

Carlinghow: The Victoria is a pub of character, waiting for the right buyer to restore its fortunes as a great community pub.

Cleckheaton: Tetley Mild and a good selection of Northern beers is available at the Wickham, the Old House at Home has good Landlord, the Obediah Brooke has a fine choice while the Marsh has 4 or 5 Old Mill beers including Mild and is handy for the bus station.

Dewsbury: Don't miss the Dewsbury & Heavy Woollen Beer & Cider Festival at the Town Hall, 19^th - 21^st May. The John F Kennedy still has a Glentworth beer and can usually be found open from 8pm Thursday – Sunday. The West Riding now has World Food Themed Nights and started with Burns Night having lots of traditional Scottish food and beer, then the Chinese New Year was appropriately celebrated, many more events on the way. There is always a variety of beer styles on offer and customers can see the colours in the shot glasses by the pumps (great idea but some seem to think they are taste samples). The Old Turk had Old Peculier available on the pumps at Christmas. Traditional cider (made only with apples) and perry (made with pears, please don't call it pear cider!) are showing a real boost in popularity and both the Timepiece and the Shepherd's Boy have choices on offer as does the Navigation in Mirfield. The West Riding is promising some soon too. The Shepherd's Boy has a War of the Roses themed beer festival 17^th - 20^th March.

Gomersal: The California, West End, Bull's Head, Wheatsheaf, Saw and Shoulder of Mutton are all worth a visit as is the nearby Scotland. I must check out the Bankfield too.

Heckmondwike: The Queens now has two real ales while across the road the New Charnwood has Taylor's Landlord in fine form alongside three rotating guests, all £2.60 or £2.34 to card-carrying CAMRA members. The district's cheapest cask ale is in the unique surroundings of the Old Hall, a grade 2 star listed building once home to Joseph Priestley, discoverer of oxygen.

Hightown: The Cross Keys has Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and a guest. After a period of neglect and uncertainty, the famous Shears has re-opened after refurbishment under new ownership selling Tetley's, Black Sheep and a rotating guest with real log fires to warm your bones.

Liversedge: The Swan has Tetley Bitter and three guests, Landlord and Golden Pippin often on.

Mirfield: The Wasp's Nest seems to be making way for housing. The Thirsty Man has Jennings and Black Sheep beers while nearby the Saville now has Tetley Bitter, Black Sheep, Golden Pippin and 2 guests, all £2.40 and operates an over-21 rule. The Three Nuns now has two real ales. On Knowl Road, the former Liberal club has been renamed Knowl Club and continues to have well-kept Tetley Bitter and two guest beers. Non-members are welcome to visit. The Old Colonial Club continues to provide up to 6 interesting ales and to raise funds for charity with some novel events, recently a Supper of Sausages for RNLI and in December local MP Simon Reevell worked behind the bar with big-mouthed reporter Danny Lockwood in support of Help for Heroes. Last year the club raised funds for 37 local charities and aims to better that this year. Note that the club now opens at 4pm on Saturdays. The Navigation had its best beer festival yet at the end of January, with a very wide selection of beers in excellent condition helped by all the casks being in the cellar with temperature-controlled lines to the handpulls. Look out for the next one in June. Always available are handpulled cider and perry, John Smith Cask, four Theakston ales including Old Peculier and up to five rotating guests. On 7^th May, the South Pennine Boat Club at Battyeford are planning a Country Fair, with 9 real ales available! The Pear Tree has a keen licensee with regular beers on tap being Golden Pippin & Bombardier with a guest ale selected by its regulars, currently Adnam’s Broadside.

Roberttown: The New Inn has a house beer brewed by Mallinson's. The pub ran a competition for customers to suggest a name for the pale, dry-hopped session beer which is unique to the pub. The winning name was Bobtown Blonde. Abbeydale Moonshine and Leeds Best are also regular beers while the other three pumps always include a dark ale. 16^th July is the date for the next Bobtown Beer Bash.

Shaw Cross: The Huntsman has a tasty house beer and Landlord with 2 guests from near and far, recently featuring Blue Monkey, Goose Eye and Farne Island beers.

Scholes: A new licensee is at the Rising Sun; Carl the chef will continue to provide excellent food to accompany the 3 or 4 ales.

Staincliffe: The Butchers Arms has been tastefully refurbished and has Tetley Bitter and a rotating guest and we are pleased to see it doing well under new ownership.

Thornhill Edge: The Flatt Top has John Smith Cask, Tetley's and Leeds Pale and often has a guest, recently a Saltaire brew.

White Lee: The Halfway House has been sold by Enterprise Inns for alternative use. Perhaps they don't use restrictive covenants any more to prevent pub use but they seem to prefer buyers intending other uses, at least where they have one of their other pubs nearby. Will the Government's new regulations really prevent this?

Whitley: The Woolpack has closed again.

Licensees – if your pub hasn't had a mention, please contact us and tell us what you have to offer.

Providing opportunities for licensees to buy their own pub without being tied, the following Heavy Woollen pubs are among many others for sale freehold. Some are still trading:-

Alma, Thornhill; Rose of York, Batley; Tapps, Dewsbury; Jack D's, Dewsbury; Queens, Heckmondwike; White Bear, Birstall; Old Shoulder of Mutton, Batley Carr; Victoria, Carlinghow; Swan, Mirfield, Imperial, Dewsbury.

A group from Huddersfield and Heavy Woollen areas descended on Fullers brewery in Chiswick recently for a very enjoyable visit, followed by a few halves in the Hock Cellar. Some points of note: all cask beers are brewed using hop pellets, and have an anticipated shelf life of 4 - 5 weeks. Beers, depending on specific gravity, spend up to 7 days in the conical fermenters and then up to 19 days in the maturation vessels. The original brewing equipment (coal-fired copper and both square and round open fermenters) was replaced with new kit in the 1980s and early 1990s. This means those of us who were drinking them in the 1970s were drinking beers which had been brewed on the old equipment! Another point of interest is the lorry weighbridge at the entrance - made by Ashton's of Dewsbury!

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Birstall: The Greyhound has a rotating guest alongside Tetley Bitter. The Horse & Jockey has dropped John Smith's to allow up to 3 rotating guests which are proving popular while the Pheasant has regular promotions on its two Greene King ales.

Dewsbury: The West Riding is branching out again and have taken ownership of the Cricketer's Arms at Horbury, a once-renowned pub now set for a comeback as happened at the Sportsman in Huddersfield. The West itself continues to provide a wide variety of beer styles on its 8 pumps along with a well thought out selection of other drinks. The Gate, Westtown, a pub with a well preserved bar and front lounge, has had plans approved for conversion to residential use, one of many fine pubs lost in the last few years. The Market House, bought for £245k and gutted by developers in 2005 has just been sold for £125k. The Central Station Hotel continues its gradual restoration with some interesting features and fireplaces appearing though it may seem untidy while work progresses. The function room is now partly back in use. 2 or 3 ales are available with Copper Dragon Golden Pippin a regular. The Shepherd's Boy continues to provide real cider and perry alongside its ample selection of Ossett and guest beers and the food service times have been extended

Gomersal: New licensees Adam and Alison at the Wheatsheaf, Gomersal have thankfully got rid of their inherited grey, clinical décor with a very tasteful result. The emphasis is on good food but 2 or 3 rotating guests are on offer, Ruddles County, Everard's Tiger and Lancaster Blonde when last visited. The village continues to offer a fine selection of pubs which have so far escaped the ravages of elsewhere in the locality. The West End offers a varied selection of well-kept ales with Ossett Pale Gold a regular.

Heckmondwike: The New Charnwood have Taylor's Landlord and three fine guests all at a modest price plus 10% ale discount for CAMRA members and if you haven't tried the food then you have missed a real treat.

Liversedge: The Shears has new owners who apparently intend to restore the historic but neglected pub's fortunes. The Black Bull continues to set a fine standard for selection of quality beers.

Mirfield: The Black Bull is being refurbished by Clifton Properties who make pubs available to tenants free of tie and who now have several pubs in our area. The Navigation are finding the handpulled Weston's cider and perry popular as are visits from groups of people doing the booming Rail Ale Trail. There will be a beer festival all day Thursday 27^th January to Sunday 30^th, with as usual all beers cellar-cooled, carefully condtioned and handpulled. The Pear Tree has good food and some fine regional ales to enjoy in plush comfort while the Old Colonial Club has an interesting selection of up to 5 rotating guests alongside Copper Dragon Bitter and once again finished 3^rd in the Yorkshire Regional Club of the Year competition.

Roberttown: The New Inn has re-opened after refurbishment under new, local ownership, with 6 fast-selling handpulled guest beers all £2.40, a pool room plus real food from the restaurant. Beers include all shades and strengths from the likes of Abbeydale, Adnams, Anglo-Dutch, Bateman's, Exmoor, Mallinson's, Potbelly and Riverhead. On 229 bus route. At the Fountain, Thwaites Wainwright was in fine form on our last visit.

Staincliffe: The Butcher's Arms has been attractively refurbished by its new, local owners and 2 handpumps have been installed, one serving Copper Dragon Golden Pippin.

Thornhill: The Savile Arms and the Alma are well worth the short trip from Dewsbury, or you could start at the Flatt Top via the 281/282/283 bus and work your way down the hill, with typically 3 ales on in each pub.

Whitley: The Woolpack recently had a “real ale night” with GK ales under £2 per pint, with food prices to match.

Anglo-Dutch Brewery are celebrating their 10^th anniversary with a special commemorative ale.

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Batley: The Cellar Bar has changed tenancy but so far continues to have 4 cask ales.

Birkenshaw: The George IV, Birkenshaw has Tetley Bitter and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, as does the Halfway House, all beer being in excellent condition on our recent social trip.

Birstall: The Scotland has well-kept Tetley's while the Black Bull has John Smith's, Sharp's Doom Bar and rotating guests and the Horse & Jockey has Smith's, Golden Pippin and a rotating guest.

Cleckheaton: The Wickham Arms has 6 real ales free of tie. The Marsh has won the branch Pub of the Season award for Summer. The new extension with the addition of food has boosted the already healthy trade and four or five Old Mill beers are on offer.

Dewsbury: The CAMRA beer festival at the Town Hall was a great success with around 90 casks of ale supped and looks to be repeated next year as long as enough volunteers step forward. The West Riding followed with a bigger than ever, successful World Sup beer festival, proving the demand for real ale around Dewsbury, more evidence being the large number of customers through the doors all day every Saturday. Meanwhile Leggers are planning a beer festival for November 25-27, check the branch website or ring for details. The Gate, Westtown looks likely to be converted to flats while the Shepherd's Boy has a traditional cider and perry to add to its range of eight ales.

East Bierley: The New Inn has Tetley Bitter, Black Sheep Bitter and two fine rotating guests, Saltaire Blonde and Derail Ale from Box Steam Brewery on our recent visit

Grange Moor: The New Inn has Black Sheep Bitter and Golden Pippin. [ed – Hudds branch area]

Hartshead: Hartshead Club has Jennings Cumberland Ale and 2 or 3 guests in well-kept condition and now opens at 5:30pm.

Heckmondwike: Signs outside the Queen promise real ale to come. The New Charnwood will be holding a beer festival 12-14 November, see advert.

Hightown: Cross Keys has Greene King IPA.

Liversedge: The Swan has re-opened under new, keen management, 3 or 4 ales available.

Mirfield: The Black Bull is being refurbished, possibly available to let free of tie. The Pear Tree has a new, keen tenant and a selection of real ales (e.g. Bombardier, Golden Pippin, Adnams Broadside) and traditional food is now available. The Saville has re-opened free of tie. The Navigation had a good beer festival in June with another planned for 16^th - 19^th September and they have added two pumps to accommodate Weston's Old Rosie and a perry, while the Old Colonial's Battle of Britain beer festival was 17^th - 18^th September. The Railway has Black Sheep and Landlord. The Old Colonial Club recently had a double celebration, with its 10^th anniversary coinciding with the presentation of the Heavy Woollen Spring Pub of the Season.

Oakenshaw: There are plans for a change of use for the Richardson's Arms.

Roberttown: The New Inn has been sold by Enterprise Inns to a couple of real ale fans who will be serving beers from local breweries on 4 pumps, then after some refurbishment the 50-cover restaurant will return with the aim of restoring its previous fine reputation. This should please the good folk of Roberttown who recently showed their liking for real ale by drinking the Community Centre's excellent beer festival dry of 21 firkins of ale and 3 boxes of scrumpy in under eight hours. The only pub in the village selling real ale at present is the Fountain, which has Thwaites bitter and rotating Thwaites guests.

Scholes (Cleckheaton) : The Stafford Arms has Tetley Bitter and 2 or 3 rotating guests and Weston's Traditional Scrumpy on tap.

Thornhill: The Alma has Copper Dragon Best Bitter, Wells' Bombardier and rotating guests while the Savile continues to rotate guest beers.

Thornhill Edge: The Flatt Top Tetley's, John Smith's and guests usually from Leeds.

Thornhill Lees: Morton House Club has Black Sheep Bitter and a guest beer, with a keen steward.

Upper Hopton: The Hare & Hounds has Black Sheep, Leeds Best and beers from Purity, while the Travellers has Black Sheep Bitter and pricey Tetley's.

Whitley: The Woolpack has new licensees with Black Sheep Bitter and rotating guests.

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