K2 nightclub in Keighley exceeded all expectations when the doors opened last night after a £½m refurbishment programme. In less than 12 weeks the nightclub has been transformed into a stylish modern venue with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, new dance floor and cocktail bars. Hundreds partied until the early hours to the sounds of U2 tribute band New2 and K2’s in-house team of DJs. Whilst cocktail flairers turned up the heat, a vodka bar sculpted out of ice kept the crowds of clubbers cool.

K2, owned by local brewer Timothy Taylor, will be open Thursday - Sunday with a totally new mix of entertainment including live bands and DJs playing the very best music until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. There will also be a monthly events calendar featuring tribute acts such as Robbie Williams, Christine Aguilera and The Jam.

For information about what’s on at K2, check out the website where you can also find details about how to become a K2 member www.k2nightclub.co.uk.

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Two more pubs have achieved the rigourous qaulity standard laid down by Cask Marque, the national scheme that recognises pubs who keep and serve fine beers.

The Boltmakers Arms. Manorlands £3,668.80 cheque presentation:
from left are Boltmakers licensees Val and Phil Booth, regular customers Peter Whittaker and Alison Toker, Andrew Daykin, Tied Estate Manager Timothy Taylors and Manorlands fundraiser Carly Balmforth

Keighley & Craven CAMRA Spring 2008 Pub of the Season presentation:
from left are Keighley & Craven CAMRA branch chairman Colleen Holiday, Timothy Taylor’s tied estate manager Andrew Daykin and Boltmakers licensees Phil and Val Booth.

Rosey Prince is once again running the Leeds 10K Charity Run on 22nd June to raise funds for Manorlands Hospice and Jane’s Appeal (Jane Tomlinson).

If you wish to support Rosey please send your cheque to her at the brewery, made payable to the charity of your choice, either ‘Manorlands Hospice’ or ‘Jane’s Appeal’. Please write your full address, including postcode on the reverse of the cheque.

Last year Rosey completed the run in 1 hour 10 minutes and raised £350. Her aim this year is to better both!

Trudy Pilmoor and her partner Simon Brown are the new tenants at the Timothy Taylor owned White Swan, Fence.

This is Trudy’s first tenancy but by no means her first experience of running a pub. Indeed she is extremely well qualified, having managed three successful Timothy Taylor pubs since joining the company in 1999. Most recently she was responsible for overseeing the major refurbishment and then the relaunch of The Royal Oak in Ripon.

Now, along with Simon, she is relishing the challenge of running her own operation. Simon, who is currently working his notice with his job in London, will join her full time in May.

Initially Trudy plans to start serving food again Monday to Friday 5.30pm to 8.30pm and at lunchtime every Saturday and Sunday 12noon to 3pm. Once Simon arrives this will be extended to include lunches during the week.

Trudy commented; “The White Swan is a traditional English village pub and we intend to maintain that ethos, serving fine Timothy Taylor award winning cask ales and wholesome pub food and creating a really friendly atmosphere”.

Timothy Taylor Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin added; “We wish Trudy and Simon the very best of luck in their new venture. Between them they have both the experience and enthusiasm to be very successful and make the White Swan the heart of the community”.

Adele Purton is the new face behind the bar at the Brown Cow, Bingley.

Adele, who up until recently enjoyed a successful career in the Health & Fitness industry, has spent the last year gaining experience in pub management. She has enjoyed it so much she decided very quickly that she wanted to run her own operation.

Having last year been runner-up in the Yorkshire Life ‘Traditional Pub of the Year’ Awards the Brown Cow already has a good reputation for its food. Now Adele is looking to raise standards even further. She commented: “I want the Brown Cow to be the dining pub in Bingley serving fine, home cooked food prepared from quality local produce.”

Being a Timothy Taylor owned pub the food is, naturally, complemented by an excellent choice of traditional cask ales as well as a varied Wine List.

Amongst other plans Adele is also looking at the possibility of re-introducing jazz nights, which were so popular until a year or two ago.

The Dog & Gun in Malsis is the latest food premises to be awarded Craven District Council’s Good Hygiene Award.

The award is only issued to food business operators across Craven who have reached high standards of food hygiene. The Timothy Taylor owned Dog & Gun, which has been run by Ross & Anita Walker for almost 6 years, was assessed on a number of factors in order to be awarded the Good Hygiene Award including:-

1. Food Hygiene Safety, including cleanliness and cleaning procedures of their premises, cooking and chilling practices plus steps taken to avoid cross contamination.

2. Food Safety Management Controls – showing that procedures are in place to control hazards.

3. Condition of the premises e.g. adequate ventilation, washing and toilet facilities, pest control and arrangements for the storage and removal of rubbish.

One hundred and twenty one food premises in Craven have achieved the award since its launch in 2005.

Cllr Robert Heseltine, Portfolio Holder for Building a Prosperous District commented: “We launched the award to recognise and reward the many food businesses across the District who exceed the minimum standards that are required for food hygiene. The award also makes it easy for members of the public to identify businesses meeting such high standards. It’s very reassuring to see that so many have qualified for the award through their regular inspection programme. I’d like to congratulate everyone, and the Dog & Gun in particular, for maintaining such high standards.”

Ross Walker added: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our food so hygiene disciplines are of paramount importance. Nevertheless we are delighted to receive this award from Craven District Council. Congratulations must go to Head Chef Chris McGill and all his team for maintaining such high standards.”

At the same time the Dog & Gun has also been recognised for the quality of cask ales it serves by picking up the prestigious Cask Marque Award.

Cask Marque is an independent organisation responsible for monitoring cask ale quality, with a distinctive plaque awarded to pubs passing the rigorous tests carried out by trained beer assessors for keeping and serving ale to the highest standards.

Timothy Taylor’s Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin said: “As a company Timothy Taylor is committed to maintaining the traditions of the English pub, which means serving quality food and beers. By winning both these awards Ross and Anita have demonstrated they too are dedicated to producing great tasting food and beers.”

Ross added: “We achieved a 100% rating for our cellar management and beer quality from Cask Marque and this is thanks in the main to Assistant Manager Chris Hastings, who is responsible for this crucial side of the business”.

A list of the recipients of the Good Hygiene Award is on Craven District Council’s Website.

Two more Timothy Taylor pubs have picked up the prestigious Cask Marque Award for the quality of the cask ales they serve and both are run by relatively new tenants. Karen Bradley and Gary Riley only took over at the New Inn, Cononley just over 6 months ago, whilst joint tenants David & Pam Hughes and Pam’s daughter and son-in-law Richard & Sam Thorpe have been running The White Horse Inn, Thornton, near Bradford for a year.

Cask Marque is an independent organisation responsible for monitoring cask ale quality, with a distinctive plaque awarded to pubs passing the rigorous tests carried out by trained beer assessors for keeping and serving ale to the highest standards.

Timothy Taylor, who owns both pubs, is committed to achieving Cask Marque standards in all of its 28 pubs.

Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin said: “We are pledged to serving quality traditional cask ale in all our pubs so linking up with Cask Marque is a natural step.”

He added: “Pubs are only as good as the last pint they serve and getting our beers to the customer in prime condition is heavily reliant on the skill of the landlord. By winning this award both pubs have demonstrated they are dedicated to producing great tasting beers.”

Paul Nunny, director of Cask Marque, said: “Timothy Taylor is a highly respected brewer in the industry and we are delighted they and their pubs are committing to Cask Marque and its values”.

There are now more than 4,000 pubs in the UK with a Cask Marque Award.

As well as serving fine ales both the New Inn and The White Horse Inn have built up a growing reputation for the excellence of their food. Both serve freshly prepared home-cooked meals every lunchtime and evening.

This year Timothy Taylor celebrates its 150th Anniversary. To mark the occasion the Keighley brewer is planning a number of events which includes producing a special brew ‘Celebration Ale’. Described by Head Brewer Peter Eells as a ‘Strong English amber ale with a rich golden colour, robust hoppy aroma and full malty taste’ Celebration Ale will be available in draught at selected pubs from the middle of February and in bottles from the middle of March.

To start the brewing process. Assistant Brewer Ewan Sneddon “mashed in” last week under the watchful eye of all the brewing team.

Peter Eells commented: “It is very rare for us to have all five brewers together at one time but we were all keen to be there for what is in effect the start of the celebrations.”

In fact the early morning event attracted quite a gathering of brewery staff, who were joined by Managing Director Charles Dent.

Mr Dent commented: “Timothy Taylor do not as a rule produce ‘one off’ brews but 2008 is a special year and we could not let it pass without allowing Peter and his team the opportunity to create this special beer. I’m sure it will prove popular. It will be a true thoroughbred and a little bit hard to get.”

Alongside Celebration Ale the brewery is also re-introducing Havercake Ale, the beer that proved so popular when it was first brewed in 2002 to celebrate the Tercentenary of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment – now The 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. Soldiers of the famous regiment were always known as the ‘Havercake Lads’. Havercakes, simple oat pancakes, were, in times gone by, the staple diet of many of the Pennine towns from where the soldiers were recruited. Havercake Ale will be available in draught, again in a select number of pubs only, from mid March and in bottles from the end of March.

Running a pub has been a long held ambition of Timothy Taylor beer fan Graham Seabrook and his partner Sara Rowland so when the tenancy of the Timothy Taylor-owned Cross Inn at Heptonstall became available they jumped at the opportunity. The couple, who until recently both worked for the NHS, are passionate about good food and cask beers.

“We have introduced a new menu comprising good quality traditional home-cooked pub fayre”, said Graham. “Having said that, we are anxious the Cross remains a traditional village pub.”

Initially Sara, who is a Nurse Practitioner and Midwife, will combine helping manage the pub whilst continuing to study for a Masters Degree. She commented: “We held an Open Night for the locals on our first Thursday and we were absolutely packed out. Everyone was very welcoming. We have also introduced regular music nights and ‘Open Mike’ nights both of which are proving very popular.”

Whilst the Cross has changed hands a few times in recent years Graham and Sara are keen to stress they are totally committed to making a success of their new venture and that they are in it for the long term.

Timothy Taylor’s Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin commented: “Graham and Sara’s enthusiasm shines through. I have no doubt they will be a hit with the locals and ensure the Cross remains at the very heart of village life. Everyone at the brewery wishes them the best of luck.”

Film director Lucinda Axelsson of film production company Foot Print was in the Ripon area last Wednesday filming the production of Whole Hog Sausages as part of a programme sponsored by Tesco on regional quality food producers. Peter and Ruth Olley have been producing Whole Hog Sausages in Bishop Monkton for 4 years and have built up quite a reputation for quality. As Peter Olley explains: “Basically what makes us different is, as the name suggests, we use the whole carcass, all the most tender and tasty cuts of local pork.”

Whole Hog have now developed several varieties of sausage including one recipe made with Timothy Taylors Landlord beer. So when Lucinda needed somewhere to show the cooked and plated sausages Taylor’s Royal Oak on Kirkgate in the heart of Ripon was the natural choice.

The Royal Oak started serving Whole Hog Landlord Sausages on its new menu which was introduced recently following a major refurbishment last year.

Royal Oak Manager Trudy Pilmoor said, “Our Whole Hog Sausage dish served with mashed potatoes and onion gravy is proving to be one of the most popular main courses. There is no doubt you can taste the distinct flavour of the Landlord beer”.

Peter Olley added, “We are obviously delighted our Landlord sausages are proving so popular. It’s the marriage of two local quality products.”

For further information on Whole Hog Sausages telephone 01765 690680 or email info@properstuff.com.

The Royal Oak serves food everyday until 9pm.

John and Lorraine Mitchell of The Town Hall Tavern certainly know how to serve a good pint of beer. Hot on the heels from picking up the Beautiful Beer Award in June the couple have been recognised for the quality of their cask ales by Cask Marque. Both nationwide schemes include a rigorous inspection and demand the very highest standards of cellar management and beer dispensing. Once poured, the beers themselves are tested for temperature, appearance, aroma and taste.

John and Lorraine, who have run the popular city centre pub for almost 6 years, were presented with their Cask Marque plaque by Timothy Taylor’s Operations Manager Marc Craddock.

Commenting on the latest award John said: “Coming so soon after the Beautiful Beer award this really is the icing on the cake and makes all the hard work we put in worthwhile. We strive to serve the perfect pint every time.”

Awards are nothing new for John and Lorraine, who have regularly won Leeds & District CAMRA Pub of the Season and also been featured in the Good Beer Guide for the last four years.

The brewing industry combined with the beef industry and local businesses in West Yorkshire gathered for a black tie Beef and Beer Dinner last week to raise money for the Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice near Keighley.

250 guests sampled a selection of Timothy Taylor’s award winning beers before sitting down to enjoy prime sirloin of the very finest Aberdeen Angus beef produced by Dovecote Park of Pontefract, suppliers to Waitrose.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Charity auction, which together with a lucky dip hop tub and quiz raised an amazing £40,000. A cheque for £20,000 was also handed over by Sovereign Health Care making a grand total of £60,000. Business entrepreneur Archie Norman and former Chairman of ASDA then captivated guests with an entertaining after dinner speech.

The dinner has now become established as the main fundraising event of the annual Keighley Manorlands Challenge. Brewing industry support came from Timothy Taylor, Carlsberg, Coors, Inbev, Scottish & Newcastle, BBPA, Beautiful Beer and Cask Marquee together with a number of local pubs.

Timothy Taylor’s Managing Director Charles Dent said, “I’d like to thank every member of the Keighley Challenge Committee for all their hard work and commitment. There is no doubt quality beers and the finest beef sirloins make ‘perfect partners’ and prove an irresistible combination for a good party”.

Sue Ryder Care Area Fundraising Manager Jodie Shepherd added, “On behalf of Manorlands I’d like to add our thanks to the Challenge Committee and also say a huge thank you to all the guests for their astonishing generosity”.

It’s just a year since Nick Hindle took over the tenancy at the Fleece Inn, Haworth but in that short time he has turned the village pub into an award-winning business.

Hot on the heels of winning the much-prized Beautiful Beer Award the Fleece has been awarded the prestigious Cask Marque for the quality of its beer.

The Timothy Taylor owned Fleece, once a favourite watering hole of Branwell Bronte, brother of the famous sisters, has long been recognised for its fine ales.

Cask Marque Assessor Stuart Noble said: “I have rarely seen a cellar so clean and tidy. Nick’s attention to detail and standards of hygiene are exemplary and reflect his military background. This professionalism is also reflected in all aspects of back of bar work. What makes Nick so successful is not only these factors but also his enthusiasm for the product and his love of his beers, particularly the complete Timothy Taylor’s cask range. Anyone travelling to Haworth to sample the rare spectacle of all of Taylor’s beers behind one bar can be assured that their journey will not be in vain and that the beers on offer will be of the highest quality and the surroundings of the highest comfort and cleanliness.”

“Nick’s efforts reflect what the Beautiful Beer award and Cask Marque are all about – setting the highest standards of quality and passion for beer.”

Timothy Taylor’s Tied Estate Manager Andrew Daykin added: “Nick’s commitment and enthusiasm shine through in every aspect of the service he and his staff provide. These accolades are just reward for all the hard work he has put in over the last 12 months.”

Earlier in the year Timothy Taylor’s Landlord was voted favourite cask ale in Yorkshire and the North West in the first Cask Marque ‘Best of British Beer Awards’. Split into regions the national awards were organised in association with the Daily Telegraph and the Morning Advertiser. Landlord was the only beer to win two regions.