102 The Black Diamond - Bardsley

First  visited : 23  June  2000

I've  marked  this  one  in  the  book  as  Hathershaw  but  it's  really  in  Bardsley , just  across  the  borough  border  into  Oldham.

This  one  was  visited  much  earlier  than  the  others  nearby  because  it  was  the  venue  for  the  post -walk  drink  after  a  stroll  up  to  Hartshead  Pike  from  the  nearby  museum  complex  at  Bardsley  Bridge. It  was  the  last  in  a  series  of  evening  strolls  I  led  for   Manchester  Christian  Social  Group  which  were  always  as  closest  to  the  longest  day  as  I  could  get  partly  because  the  previous  group  co-ordinator  had  the  habit  of   keeping  everyone  waiting  for  someone  who'd  said  they  might  turn  up  so  previous  strolls  through  parks  had  ended  up  being  in  the  dark.

It  wasn't  a  great  night  weather-wise  but  I  was  still  disappointed  that  only  four  including  myself  and  Julie  turned  up, the  worst  turnout  I'd  had  for  a Friday  walk.  I  think  by  that  point  it  had  become  clear  that  there  was  a  bit  of  a  clique  at  the  heart  of  the  Group  who  were  supporting  each  other's  events  but  weren't  too  fussed  about  coming  to  those  organised  by  members  outside  the circle  particularly  if  there was  some  effort  involved  in  getting  to  the  start.  Less  than  six  months  later  we  were  out  of  the  Group  after  I  tried  to  break  this  up  by  advertising  the  Group  on  the  internet . I  hadn't  asked  their  permission  having  an  inkling  that   it  wouldn't  be  given  by  the  Calvinist-inclined  new  co-ordinator ; I  think  I  was  hoping for  an  influx  of  new  members  before  they  realised  where  these  people   were  coming  from  but  they  cottoned  on  quickly  and  stamped  on  me. My  initial  response  was  to  fight  my  corner  but  a  moment's  reflection   made  me  realise  the  position  was  hopeless  so  we  left  for  pastures  new  and  the  Group  dwindled  away  into  nothing  over  the  next  couple  of  years.

Anyway  it  was  a  reasonable  walk. Julie  was  still  a  law  student  at  the  time  and  enjoyed  chatting  to  George  who  was  a  magistrate. As  far  as  I  can  recall  the  pub  was  quite  nice  inside  ; the  only  discordant  notes  were   hit  by  the  fourth  person  present ,  Barry, first  by  doing  an  impromptu  dance demonstration   and  then  sticking  up  for  his  absent  friend  Annetta  when  George  and  Julie  started  bitching  about  her, which  made  the  latter  exceedingly  cross.

101 The Dog and Pheasant - Ashton-under- Lyne

First  visited  : 23  August  2015

This  one's  a  bit  further  up  Oldham  Road   on  the  right  hand  side. The  car  park  is  very  well  hidden  to  the  rear  of  the  building. It's  a  large  pub  with   four  separate  but  very  similar-looking  old-fashioned  lounges. Its  over-decorated  with  the  usual  pictures, tea-tins, books  etc  but  unpretentious.

I  went  there  for  lunch  with  Simon  and  Julie. The  pub  was  near-empty  when  we  got  there  though  one  or  two  more  came  in  afterwards. The  young  guy  behind  the  bar  was  very  friendly. The  food  was  OK; the  portions  were  generous , the  prices  reasonable  and  the  quality  average. I  wouldn't  recommend  it  but  wouldn't  put  anyone  off  either. Julie  thought  the  cutlery  could  have  been  a  bit  cleaner.

100 The Dog and Partridge - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited : 21  June  2015

The  Dog  and  Partridge  is  almost  opposite  the  Woodman  , just  beyond  the  lights  at  Wilshaw  Lane.

This  was  quite  lucky  as  the  pub  only  re-opened  about  six  weeks  ago.  I  say  pub  but  it's  pretty  much  a  restaurant  now  with  only  a  small  drinking  area  and  high  drinks  prices.
Inside  it's  fashionably  light  and  airy  with  tasteful  decorations. Simon  and  I  had  lunch  there  and  it  was  quite  good  with  friendly  service. The  food  prices  are  reasonable  rather  than  great  value  but  I  certainly  wouldn't  be   averse  to  going  back  there.  

99 The Woodman Inn - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited : 31 May  2015

The  Woodman  is  about  half  a  mile  outside  of  the  town  centre  where  Wilshaw  Lane  joins  Oldham  Road.

As  it's  in  or  near  to  the  nicer  end  of  Ashton   I  had  some  hopes  this  one  would  be  a  nice  call  but  was  rather  disappointed. The  pub  lives  up  to  its  name  by  having  a  lot  of  wood  panelling  but  it  looks  odd  rather  than  attractive. In  particular  it's  created  a  very  strange  little  lounge  with  just  one  table  in  the  centre  and  any  olde  worlde  charm  cancelled  out  by  a  giant  TV  screen  on  the  wall. Elsewhere  the  seating  looks  a  little  shabby  and  the  walls  are  overdecorated  with  football  and  film  star  posters  without  rhyme  or  reason.

Although  there's  a  handwritten  notice  on  the  wall  warning  that  local  residents  have  got  diary  sheets  ready  to  record  any  disturbance  at  closing  time, the  few  patrons  when  we  called  were  a  handful  of  old  men  checking  out  the  racing. One,  not  noticeably  Scottish,  guy  was  waiting  for  the  Scottish  Cup  Final   on  Sky  which  seemed  particularly  sad. It  was  friendly  enough  but  there  was  no  reason  to  call  again.

98 The Burlington - Ashton-under-Lyne

Not  visited

This  one  was  on  Oldham  Road. It  closed  in  2009  and  remains  boarded  up  and  empty.

97 The Ashton Hotel- Ashton-under- Lyne

Not  visited

This  one  has  me  stumped. I've  got  this  down  in  the  book  as  "Ashton  Hotel- where  do  you  think ?"  but  I've  got  no  idea  where  exactly it  was. It  must  have  been  somewhere  near  to  the  bus  station  but  I  can't  find  any  reference  to  it  anywhere. Any  Astonians  reading  this  please  help  me out  here.

96 Beau Geste - Ashton-under-Lyne

First  visited  :  1987 or  1988

I  used  to  wait  for  my  bus  home  just  the  other  side  of  a  road  into   the  bus  station  from  this  pub  and  occasionally  went   in  it  to  kill  time  if  I'd  just  missed  one  or  had  an  evening  meeting  to  attend. The  bus  station  has  since  been  re-located  and  now  the  shopping  centre  almost  abuts  onto  the  pub  as  seen  above.

I  recall  it  being  quite  pleasant  for  a  town  centre  pub  despite  an  unprepossessing  appearance  from  outside   and  it's  good  to  see  it  holding  out  against  redevelopment.