Martin arrived in Sheffield in 1976, as an art student with no particular interest to secure work. He became a founding member of The Leadmill, producing their promotional posters from 1980-92 including Pulp, . In fact he went on to supply the artwork for most of the bands, venues and promoters in the city. This expanded to Europe and the USA, where his artwork was sought after by the legendary punk poetess, Patti Smith. The early Leadmill days established him as an “house artist,” producing the shouty style posters, reminiscent of the USA B-movie film promotional material. He even set-up a silk screen printer to aid his art. He was even proficient with a camera, producing shots of The Damned, The Adverts, Roy Harper and Nils Lofgren.
His artwork has prompted quotes from legendary Sheffield musicians on his inspiration:
Richard Hawley who said ” When Martin did posters for The Leadmill, I would look for them on the walls of our city. I have loved this man and his work for many years.”
Pete McKee, renowned Sheffield artist was quoted as saying ” It was Martins Leadmill posters that inspired me to be an artist. I was very fortunate to have him as a tutor on my art foundation course.”
Martin then branched out to managing bands and promoting gigs, by founding the Honey Bee Blues Club in 2014, in venues like The Leadmill, Dorothy Pax, The Greystones and smaller pubs across the city. His legacy, Honey Bee Blues Club currently holds around 6-8 gigs a month around Sheffield. Bands such as Fargo Railroad Company, Ash Gray, 20ft Squid band and Banjo Jen owe a lot of their success to Martin and his tenacity in hosting gigs whatever the attendances.
His last event was to bring the young rock ‘n; roll band The Molotovs to The Clubhouse in October. I am sure the Honey Bees Blues Club collective will carry on his work and assist local bands in their quest for fame.
Martin will be sadly missed by the art, music and licenced trade community which he served so well.
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) condemns Government over lack of action to support publicans and boost consumer choice at the bar
Laws governing the relationship between pub owning businesses and the tied tenants who run those pubs won’t be changed or improved, the Government announced yesterday.
It comes as the Department for Business and Trade published its response to a statutory review of the Pubs Code for England and Wales – a set of rules governing the relationship between pub-owning businesses and their tied tenants.
Consumer group CAMRA wanted to see changes to give tied pub tenants more choice over which beers they offer, including the right to a guest draught beer or cider from local and independent producers instead of having to buy a restricted range of stock at set prices from the pub-owning company.
The Campaign for Real Ale also urged the Government to beef up the Pubs Code so that more publicans could benefit from protections and rights when it comes to the way they are treated by big pub-owning businesses.
Without changes to make sure tied pub tenants are treated fairly and are able to turn a profit under their contracts, it is feared that more pubs will be forced to close and be lost to their communities.
Instead of making improvements to the laws around pubs and tied tenants in response to changes to the industry in recent years, the Government decided not to act.
“The lack of action to improve protections for pub tenants and to improve choice for consumers at the bar is deeply disappointing,” said Nick Boley, CAMRA Campaigns Director.
“Changing these laws to allow a better range of beers on offer from small, local and independent breweries would have increased choice for consumers. It’s not fair that large pub-owning businesses can restrict landlords to buying certain beers often at above-market value and prevent them from supporting small, local breweries by offering these beers on tap.
“CAMRA is also worried that the existing Pubs Code isn’t meeting its key principles – that tied tenants should be no worse off than other publicans and that they can expect fair and lawful dealing from pub owning-businesses. Research carried out by CAMRA last year found that less than a quarter of tied tenants who responded said that they were treated fairly and lawfully, or that they were no worse off.
“The Government needs to re-think this decision to do nothing and instead improve the Pubs Code so that we can see a thriving pub sector in England and Wales where the rights of pub tenants are protected, and consumers have a diversity of venues to choose from. Otherwise, the current corporate stranglehold will only tighten, and we risk seeing more pubs shutting their doors and being lost to our communities.”
Mark, who sadly passed away on 22 October aged 82, was the landlord of the Grouse Inn at Froggatt Edge near Longshaw, a pub he had been at for 58 years with his father being the previous landlord!
This rural pub is owned by the family and is quite traditional and unspoilt – it has a cosy lounge with open fire, conservatory area suitable for walkers with muddy boots and a dining room serving home cooked food. Regulars are treated like family or friends!
The Old Queen’s Head is the oldest non-religious building in Sheffield and one of only three medieval timber framed buildings in the city that still remain. The building is widely considered to have initially been a hunting or fishing lodge that was associated with Sheffield Castle, and tree ring dating indicates that it was constructed sometime between 1503 and 1510. The building is likely to have been constructed for the 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, who took an active interest in local affairs and transformed Sheffield Manor Lodge into a vast Tudor country retreat in 1516. The building was originally located on the North West edge of the Sheffield Medieval Deer Park surrounded by ponds, and initially had a much larger L-shaped footprint.
There are tunnel openings within the cellars, and it is rumoured that these connected with Sheffield Castle and Sheffield Manor Lodge. The first written reference to the building is in a 1582 inventory for the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, where it was referred to as ‘the Hawle at the Poandes’. The Earl may have used the building to throw banquets for guests who came to hunt wild fowl, and the inventory recorded rich and plentiful contents. Many of the road and place names in the immediate vicinity refer to the aforementioned ponds, which now no longer remain. The Earl kept Mary Queen of Scots under house arrest in Sheffield between 1570 and 1584, and it is believed that she visited the hall and surrounding ponds.
The building is constructed using oak supporting beams. These were likely infilled by wattle and daub, and the building would originally have had a thatched roof. The building is jettied, where the upper floor projects beyond the lower floor, and has a fireplace believed to be original. Historic timberwork and carving is located internally and externally, and the building has 5 carved oak heads. These are believed to depict the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, Bess of Hardwick, a King, a person coming out of a fish’s mouth, along with a further unknown carving.
Sometime between 1582 and 1637, it appears that the building was let out to tenants and its status declined. There are later references to the building having been used for ducal washing and also as a wash-house to Sheffield Castle and Sheffield Manor Lodge. By the beginning of the 1800s the building was being used as a house, and the first known image of the building is a watercolour by BK Dale from 1815.
A three storey building was constructed to the rear of the hall in 1840 and this became a public house. James Pilley may have been the original landlord, and is listed in an 1849 directory as running a beerhouse at 2 River Street. The pub was initially called the Queen Hotel, likely in reference to Mary Queen of Scots, and the entrance door and signage can be seen in a photograph from the mid to late 1800s. The establishment reportedly expanded into the hall sometime after 1862, and was identified as the Queen’s Head Hotel from 1864. The Old Queens Head was subsequently restored by John Smith’s in 1950 and then refurbished and extended by the Tom Cobleigh pub chain in the early 1990s.
Today the building is grade II* listed, but is largely surrounded by modern high rise development and Sheffield Interchange. Despite this, the Old Queen’s Head remains of great importance to those with an interest in heritage pubs, historic buildings, local history and the paranormal. With regards to the latter, the building is said to be haunted by ghosts including a Civil War soldier, a medieval child, a hunting hound, a lady in white, and a pub local from the 1970s!
Our Through the Hopback series sees us experimenting with Nectaron, a hop that we have never used before! We’ll be showcasing it in a 3.9% pale ale, and we’re really looking forward to the promised tropical fruit notes sure to tantalise the tastebuds.
New to our Restoration series, we’ll be releasing a classic English Porter (5.0%). Considered to be one of the oldest beer styles in the world, malt is the true star of the show here, with six different grains carefully selected to give a rich, rounded, deep and chocolatey character. Expect light roasty toasty notes layered with unctuous caramel, followed by a balanced bitter finish.
We’re teaming up with Knaresborough’s Turning Point Brew Co for the next version of our Wanderer, which this time takes the form of a Cascade IPA (6.0%). It’s a homage to one of the USA’s very first IPAs, and as the name suggests is single hopped with Cascade. Expect a crisp, vibrant and beautifully balanced beer with rounded citrus notes and a light floral character, leading the way to a zesty grapefruit bitterness in the finish.
And, you guessed it, the Christmas beers are on their way! Starting with Doctor Morton’s Rude Elf, a classic pale ale at 4.1% with Centennial and Chinook hops. We’ll also have a festive addition to our gorgeous stained glass inspired series of pale ales. Look out for them on a bar near you!
CAMRA has announced the upcoming release of its groundbreaking new perry book from writer Adam Wells, which will be the first consumer guide to one of the UK’s most traditional drinks.
Despite being largely unknown outside of the UK, perry – a drink like cider but produced from pears rather than apples – has for centuries been compared to fine wine and champagne in countries all around the world. Although it fell out of fashion in recent years, it’s making a comeback with producers creating both new and traditional perries to great acclaim.
CAMRA’s championing of cider and perry at its festivals over the last 50 years has been credited with playing a significant role in keeping perry alive and now the Campaign is going further to promote and support this traditional drink.
A new consumer focused guide to perry is slated for publication by CAMRA Books in 2024, penned by drinks writer, presenter and founder-editor of the popular ‘Cider Review’ site, Adam Wells.
Following the success of recent title Modern British Cider, which raised over £5,800 in KickStarter funding, CAMRA Books will again be offering readers the chance to be part of the whole publication journey. A new KickStarter is due to launch as part of CAMRA’s October Cider and Perry Month celebration, and will bring exclusive offers, events, tastings and perry news for those who sign up.
“This book will for the first time shed light on a drink shrouded in so much mystery and history.
“When made well (and it is not easy to make well!) perry is the finest beverage of any kind made on these shores. I can’t wait to read what Adam discovers about perry from the UK and beyond!” said Ciderologist Gabe Cook, author of Modern British Cider and previous winner of CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year Award.
Gillan Hough, Real Ale, Cider and Perry Campaigns Director for the Campaign said, “Perry is a long-underappreciated drink, so we’re thrilled to have Adam on board to do this book justice.
“There are very few books about perry, and these are mainly technical manuals for producers. It’s nearly 50 years since CAMRA beer festivals first served cider and perry, so a consumer-focused perry book is long overdue!
“As well as producing a delicious drink, perry pears are also of huge ecological value, with trees taking decades to mature before producing fruit for centuries. Now is a critical time as countless perry pear varieties have already been lost, and others are down to a single mature tree. The best way to keep these orchards viable is to enjoy everything perry has to offer, and I hope Adam’s book will be a catalyst for many more consumers to rediscover perry.”
Author Adam Wells said, “The last five years or so have seen an incredible upsurge in the interest in and quality of aspirational, high juice content perry. Not only in the UK, but in its other ancient heartlands of France and Austria and in newer perrymaking countries around the world.
“Though there are excellent pomological works written on perry pears, as curious drinkers discover this shy, secretive and often magnificent drink, the absence of a dedicated guide to perry is increasingly striking. Covering growing, making, pear varieties, styles, appreciation, history, countries and producers, I hope this book provides a contribution to a much longer conversation and a useful resource both for long-standing perry lovers and those discovering the joys of great perry for the first time.”
No-one, in their right mind, would open a brand-new pub on Friday the spooky old 13th of the month… would they? Anyway, on Friday 13th May last year, the Boston Arms opened its doors for the very first time. They needn’t have worried, though. Opening night went very well, and the pub has gone from strength to strength ever since.
The pub is situated in a former insurance brokers’ office in the Woodseats area to the south of the city. The conversion to a pub included the installation of a distinctive suspended ceiling, and proper wood flooring. Three hand-pumps grace the bar, with the beers usually from independent breweries, and always one from a Sheffield brewery. Eight keg fonts add to the range, and the eclectic ‘fridge of fun’ is a must for fans of small-pack, or take-out for later!
The Boston Arms has been described as ‘the biggest micro-pub in the city’ and understandably so. The front bar area, rear lounge, and a room up some (reasonably steep) stairs have now been complemented by the recently opened ‘secret garden’ and converted out-building – the Boston Bothy – adding yet more capacity. The Boston retains the micro-pub ethic throughout, with no slot machines, no pool table, no sport on big screens – just good beer and good banter, and a well-chosen selection of background music.
But pubs these days need to rely on more than booze and banter to survive. The Boston Arms has excelled in this area. A full coffee menu is available from local roasters Smith Street Coffee, and artisan cakes and pastries will tempt anyone to start the diet tomorrow. A weekly charity quiz is well supported, and live music has proved popular. More left-field events have included night choirs, a ceramics workshop and live dog-portait painting (really). All in all, a true community local.
With its dedication to decent beer, in comfortable surroundings, and a genuine emphasis on the local community, it is little wonder that the Boston Arms has taken just over a year to go from Friday 13th start-up to Sheffield CAMRA Pub of the Month.
Richard Hough
Award being received by manager Robbie Macdonald from Beer Matters magazine editor Andy Cullen
An attempt at an Ale Trail on the Penistone Rail Line which runs between Barnsley and Huddersfield. The first part of the line opened in 1850 between Huddersfield and Penistone, with the other part following later. It is designated as a “Community Rail Line” and covers a 27 Mile Route (from Sheffield to Huddersfield).
Dodworth – Dodworth Tap
After changing trains at Barnsley and hopping om board the train to Huddersfield, the first stop on the Penistone Line was Dodworth. The village is known as being a former coal mining village and the memorial stands in the centre of the village with some great history about nearby pits.
The pub I called into here is called “Dodworth Tap”, formerly known as the Station Inn, but opened in July 2020 after the amazing renovation work which makes the pub look so good. A large inside area with a huge stone fireplace along the back wall, alongside a great sized outdoor area.
A great choice of 5 real ales on the bar here to choose from, “White Rat” from Ossett Brewery was my choice, one of my favourite beers which never disappoints. Was great to meet up with the couple being The Great British Pub Crawl aswell here. Check out their adventures HERE.
Can also try Thorneley Arms further down the road if you want more time in Dodworth.
Silkstone Common – The Station Inn
The next station on the line was Silkstone Common. This one is a literal walk off the platform and into the pub, “The Station Inn”. A really warm and welcoming village pub full of locals when I entered. Sunday Lunches are served aswell as other food events during the week.
A choice of 2 real ales on the bar here, Timothy Taylor “Landlord” and Bradfield “Farmers Blonde”. I went with “Farmers Blonde” from Bradfield Brewery. A great easy drinking blonde beer.
A huge outdoor beer garden to the left of the pub (next to the train station entrance), which includes some small wooden cabins so lots of seating for the summer months,
Penistone – Penistone Tap and Brewhouse
Back on the train again, getting off this time at Penistone. Penistone station used to be the junction for the Woodhead Line which was a line linking Sheffield, Penistone and Manchester. The old part of the station can still be seen.
Around an 8 minute uphill walk brings me to the town centre where the pub “Penistone Tap and Brewhouse” is located. This micropub opened in 2021 and also acts as the brewery tap for “Woodland Brewing” which was formerly known as Whitefaced, the brewery being located on the rear of the ground floor.
A choice of 2 cask ales and 8 keg beers here. I started off with “Eternal Summer” from the in house brewery Woodland Brewing. A delicious easy drinking golden ale. Followed by “Catharina Strawberry and Guava Sour”, a tasty and tart sour beer from Triple Point Brewing in Sheffield.
Penistone – Penistone Beer Shop
A few doors up is “Penistone Beer Shop”, a great place to drop into to get a few drinks for the train journey home. Packed full of bottles and cans from local Yorkshire breweries plus ones from further afield.
If you want to jump off at Shepley there are two local pubs The Black Bull and The Farmers Boy that are worth calling into both selling real ale.
Denby Dale – The White Hart
Next stop on the line is Denby Dale, on coming into Denby Dale Station you go over a large viaduct which is Grade II Listed. It was originally built of wood but replaced by the current structure in 1880.
A short 7/8 minute walk downhill from the station and through the small village brings me to “The White Hart”, a pub which looks fantastic on the main road through the village, with lots of outdoor seating to enjoy the sunshine (although it was quite clouded over today).
A choice of 3 real ales on the bar here, 2 from Timothy Taylors Brewery and the other from Theakston Brewery. I went with “Landlord” from Timothy Taylors Brewery in Keighley. An award winning beer.
Stocksmoor – Clothiers Arms
The next stop along the line is Stocksmoor. Its claim to fame being it was the birthplace of Ben Swift Chambers, the church minister who, in Liverpool, founded St Domingo’s parish football team, which became Everton Football Club. A picturesque small country village.
“The Clothiers Arms” is located next to the station, a large country inn style pub, with outdoor seating on decking at the entrance to the pub. It offers food a number of days a week. A very traditional style pub inside.
A choice of 2 cask ales on here, Bradfield Brewery “Farmers Blonde” and Tetleys Cask. I went with the “Farmers Blonde”, a favourite of mine and always tastes great.
Brockholes – Rock Inn
Next call is to Brockholes, another small village along the line. A 7/8 minute walk downhill brings me to “Rock Inn”, a Thwaites pub situated on the banks of the River Holme. It was refurbished in 2014 and is full of character and charm of a village inn.
Really busy local pub, a number of cask beers available here including Wainwrights and Bombardier. I went with a pint of “Wainwrights” a lovely golden beer from Marston’s Brewery. Enjoyed overlooking the river in the rear beer garden.
Berry Brow – The Railway
Last call on the Penistone Line before getting back into Huddersfield. This time its Berry Brow. A short 4 minute walk downhill from the station brings me to “The Railway”, a very popular pub, and a very warm welcome on entering the pub. Lots of outdoor seating here being a front and a side beer garden. Also has food offerings at certain times.
Five cask beers available on the bar today. Bradfield Brewery, Moorhouses Brewery, Abbeydale Brewery, Recoil Brewing and Ossett Brewery. I went with “Upbeat” a special beer from Moorhouses Brewery based in Lancashire.
A walk back up to the station to head to Huddersfield on the train to finish off the Penistone Line Ale Trail.
The Golden Fleece is the opposite way from the railway station if you have longer to spend here.
Huddersfield – Kings Head
Two pubs located on Huddersfield Station. Started with the “Kings Head”. Always a busy place with lots of beer choices (both cask and keg). Huddersfield is covered in more detail as part of the “Transpennine Ale Trail“
Went with “Piccadilly Gold” from Cloudwater Brew Co in Manchester. A great classic beer, easy drinking.
Huddersfield – The Head of Steam
Located on the opposite side of the station is “The Head of Steam”, a 2 roomed pub which also offers food. Huddersfield is covered in more detail as part of the “Transpennine Ale Trail“
A great range of cask and keg beers in here. 14 cask and 8 Keg. Went with “Pork Scratchings – Best Bitter” from Northern Monk. A really interesting beer, a smoky tasting English Bitter. Really enjoyed this.
You may recall the winner of the 2023 Champion Beer of Britain, Elland 1872 Porter, was announced back in August.
The process has now begun for the 2024 competition and involves CAMRA members voting for beers to be entered into the competition. All regularly brewed real ales are eligible and all members are entitled to vote, choosing their top 5 beers in each category. Voting closes on 1 November after which beers go through regional judging via blind tastings at various beer festivals, culminating in judging at the grand final in London with the winner announced at the trade & media day at the Great British Beer Festival.
We’ve teamed up with our good friends at Ossett Brewery to create a hybrid between two of our much loved core beers! After making Silver Moon at their place earlier this year (no prizes for working out this was a mash-up of Moonshine and Silver King!), our recipe is a fusion of Deception and White Rat. Name currently TBC but expect a delicious and classic pale ale with a robust bitterness and fruity character.
Doctor Morton’s Four Yorkshiremen make a return, with Simcoe and Amarillo hops giving notes of spicy pine coupled with juicy stone fruits, and a pleasant citrus bitterness.
And a special double release is coming up too. Archangel and Dark Angel will both be 4.5% and feature the same hops, but one a pale and one a stout! This has been a really fun project so we’re looking forward to trying them side by side.
From our Brewers Emporium, the freshest variation of our Heathen APA is a showcase of new innovations which are making waves in the beer world! Incognito Heathen (4.1%) is single hopped with Mosaic, which this time is added in Incognito and Spectrum form – these are cutting edge hop products which bring maximum flavour impact in a super efficient, more environmentally friendly way. Expect big citrus notes, a punchy tropical character, and a clean, zesty finish.
And finally, we’re joining the battle for the Soul of Sheffield, with a 5.6% amplified IPA brewed in collaboration with Sheffield institution and legend of late nights, The Leadmill. Single hopped with Vic Secret for a clean and vibrant character with oodles of tropical fruit notes riffing alongside a delicately herbal finish. At the time of typing, we’re awaiting the outcome of the public hearing which takes place on 18th September, but whatever happens, #wecantloseleadmill.
