ONE PUB ONLY? Market Tavern CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? Black Bull and then Market Tavern before a bus to the ground SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Why not contact Steve Norris at Shovels in Blackpool and make a weekend of it CHANGES FROM GUIDE New Britannia reported as closed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Market Tavern 33-35 Market St, PR1 2ES   T 01772 254425   G Tracey Hodgson   F No food but welcome to bring your own   MP   BM O 10.30 to 9.30 Mon - Wed, 10.30 - 11 Thu, 10.30 to 12 Fri - Sat, 12 - 9.30 Sun            This busy Preston CAMRA pub of the year (2004) is a comfortable multi-sectioned retreat from the bustle of Friargate and the nearby market. Tracey sets a fine example of how serving quality ales will help to create a friendly pub without the need for pretension. As George Hartley says “the excellent staff take pride in what they do.” “The best for alternative ales” (RA Jones of Preston) The chalk-board records 256 ales so far this year and rarely are they repeated, so it is well worth going here just for the surprises it can offer. My visit was a very refreshing change from other, perhaps more famous, nearby Preston pubs who found it difficult to recognise that every customer is important. In true northern style, one punter said:- “take your missus with you and she can shop at the brilliant market whilst you enjoy the beer. It is so good that we always go back for more and usually the beer has changed again.” (Phil P) The welcome at The Market Tavern session made for an excellent hour well spent. UPDATE:  361 different beers by visiting date this year. BWV 22.11.04:  Brains Rev James,  Cains Traditional Bitter,  Wessex Banger  BWV 11.10.05:  Bateman Valiant,  Brakspear Hop Demon,  Mordue Workie Ticket,  Young’s Old Nick Facebook page                                                   Old Black Bull 35 Friargate, PR1 2AT   T 01772 823397   G Stan Eaton   MP   SK   JB   P   D O 10.30 to 11            Stan has been landlord at the Black Bull for 15 years and the pub has a great reputation for both ales and the quality of the atmosphere to be found. Nine ales are always on sale and seven of those will be rotating from a long list of regional and local beers. The beer choice reflects the local taste for lighter bitters rather than dark porters.            The Bull has a prime location yet is truly a regulars’ haunt. Wetherspoons may be directly opposite but they occupy quite different worlds as far as clientele are concerned. The pub is deceptively large, extending deep to the rear from its timber-framed and tiled frontage. Standing room is plentiful in the bar area but, more comfortably, the pub has several snugs for more intimate sessions.           Stan is an Everton fan who is well aware of the footie and real ale scene. The place has a busy buzz on a matchday, which is matched by more noise when Preston are in their regular play-off action on the big screen. The Black Bull is part of the local papers’ real ale crawl and it provides contrast to its equally good ale pub next door, not included here. BWV 11.10.05:  Cains Bitter,  Boddingtons Bitter,  Darwin Rolling Hitch,  Fernandes Cask Master Bitter,  Hart Temptress,  Leyden Raglan Sleeve,  Marston’s Pedigree,  Staffordshire Special,  Wood Special Old Original Withy Trees 157 Station Rd, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6LA   T 01772 330396  G Bob and Jane Burns   CP   SK   BM   P O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun            The Old Original is an old farmhouse, set back from the main old A6. It is big and roomy with unusual features such as a great beer garden and separate drinking spaces in traditional pub style. The quality of the beers and the general atmosphere reflect the family pride of the landlord and his wife. If you get the same friendliness as I found then the locals will make you very welcome. It was well worth a return visit on the way out of town, returning to the same conversations of earlier in the day. It is relatively close to the motorway making it ideal for the fans who want a pub well away from the ground yet not in town. A beer in the garden, a chat at the bar, a meeting place to organise a taxi to the ground, all would be fine here. Buses do run into town, as does the local railway.  UPDATE:  It was refurbished before being taken over by W+D. The pub retains its village local character and is as popular as ever. Not, however, with the CAMRA guide compilers - well, what do they know? On beer quality and being a great local it will always be in my guide. BWV 22.11.04:  Archers SSB,  Burtonwood Bitter BWV 11.10.05:  Banks’s Bitter,  Jennings Sneck Lifter,  Marston’s Pedigree Plungington Tavern 67 Lytham Rd, Fulwood, PR2 3AR   T 01772 787081   G Anthony Quinn    SP   SK   JB   P   D O 12 to 11            The search for a pub nearer the ground led me around the ring road to nearby Fulwood and the new home of Tony, the former landlord of the Stanley in town. The pub has a undergone a classic refurbishment and has a traditional, but updated, hotel bar feel. This includes distinctive bar and lounge and, as a top draw, (and drawer) a Bowling Green. Make sure Darcy, the dog, stays off it though!           As you might imagine, the pub is at the heart of the local community, offering a proper games room that has lost its space invaders to the lounge. Everything is on a grand scale, yet it remains intimate rather than aircraft-hangar in style. It was good to hear the history of the pub and the Tanners windows and talk footie life with some locals, even if it was of Manchester Utd and their troubles, bless!           The pub is a bus ride from town (No 22/23) and a twenty minute walk to the ground - this is probably quicker than a bus or taxi as the crowds build up. Given the parking issue it would be a great stopping-off point to guarantee a post-match return, which is what many away fans often do. BWV 11.10.05;  Everards Equinox, Tiger,  Fuller’s London Pride,  Greene King Old Speckled Hen,  Theakston Bitter Black Horse 166 Friargate PR1 2EJ T TBC W www.frederic-robinson.co.uk G TBC F No food O 10.30-11 Monday – Thursday 10.30 – Midnight (Friday & Saturday)  12 – 4.30 Sunday S On street           This is busy but friendly pub which appears in the CAMRA National Inventory of Pub Interiors of Outstanding Historic Interest is Grade  II listed and has been a consistent member of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. The pub is close enough to the shops to allow the missus to  have a wander round the shops whilst leaving you to sample the many ales from the Robinson’s brewery. The pub has a central bar with a fine ceramic counter front, it has two front rooms which show photos of old Preston and towards the rear is the main seating area. Furthermore, the pub also boasts an exquisite tiled bar and walls with a fantastic mosaic floor. A covered smoking area has been built upstairs. The Old Tom is only sold in halves BWV :  Dec 2009 Robinson’s, Cumbria Way, Double Hop, Old Stockport,  Old Tom Unicorn, Alex Robinson Golden Cross 60 Lancaster Rd, Preston, Lancashire PR1 1DD, UK W www.hartbreweryltd.co.uk  G Stephen Duxbury                Hart Brewery have opened a brewery tap. I will be visiting soon but should anyone wish to comment on the pub please do so by contacting me. LUNESDALE CAMRA DEEPDALE  LOCAL BREWERY Hart Brewery Ltd The Cartford Inn & Restaurant Cartford Lane Little Eccleston Preston PR3 0YP Telephone: 01995 671686 www.hartbreweryltd.co.uk  WETHERSPOONS The Greyfriar  144 Friargate  Preston  PR1 2EJ  Opening Times:  Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am