Allen Clarke's historical novel 'John O'God's Sending' or 'The lass at the Man and Scythe' is a story of the 1664 siege of Bolton. It was initially published in 1891and is set in and around the town. This great
historical portrait of the area is based on factual observations and events. It is set during the English Civil War when Bolton was surrounded by small villages and settlements and everyone travelled by foot
or horseback across the moors.
The story leads up to the fall and execution of the Earl of Derby, with the action taking place in and around 'Ye Old Man & Scythe' which still stands to this day near the execution site adjacent to the
Parish Church on the historic Churchgate. Reputedly the 4th oldest pub in the country some of its history is displayed on the façade and confirms: 'In this ancient hostelry James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby
passed his last few hours of his life previous to his execution'.
The pub retains some traditional features such as wooden beams, leaded windows and stone floors. Despite some modifications to the layout in recent times this ancient inn retains a cosy snug atmosphere. There
is a separate room, often used for weekend jamming and open mic nights, when the place can be very busy.
Today the pub offers a selection of local ales and ciders, including Flat Cap from Bank Top Brewery and Citra from Oakham Ales. Food options are available with pasties being a popular choice among patrons. On
the back wall is a painted mural of the much-missed former landlord John Jewitt. Outside is a small enclosed yard which doubles up as a smoking area.
Location : Grid Ref : SD718093 - What3Words : flat.feed.slice - Post Code : BL1 1HL
"The setting is absolutely critical to my novels. Until I have the setting, I generally don't have the novel at all"; says Elizabeth George. Slaidburn is a charming river-side
village set deep in Lancashire's Bowland Forest. In Elizabeth George's favourite Inspector Linley crime novel
Missing Joseph, it appears as 'Winslough' with the excellent village pub Hark to Bounty identified as the original for the 'Crofter's Inn' where much of the action takes place.
George taps in to the historical account of the infamous Pendle Hill hangings in 1612, where ten witches were convicted of holding diabolic rites, mainly on the evidence of one small child. From this
she develops the novel's central theme of parental love within this small ancient parish of stone cottages surrounded by wide stretches of empty grouse moor and skeletal winter hedges.
It is in the relaxed atmosphere of the Crofter's Inn that news arrives that the vicar is dead! And, it is in the mediaeval court-room - still preserved on the first floor of the pub - that the
inquest is heard. The court-room was used as recently as 1937, and although it acts as a function room these days, it still has the jury benches along one wall, the witness box is used as a bar
counter, and there is a heavy wooden door from the corridor which was used by visiting justices. Nowadays the court-room is accessed from stairs behind the bar but the original entrance is from the
outside staircase shown in the photograph.
One theory for the pub's unusual name dates to the 1870s and is attributed to a foxhound called Bounty whose impatient bark could be heard above the rest of the pack when the Master of the Hunt made
one of his frequent refreshment stops at the inn.
Hark to Bounty is a friendly old stone built inn with a pleasant mix of old and new decor in a line of linked rooms. There is a games room with darts, pool and machines at one end and a well
appointed restaurant at the other. Bright horse brasses hang beside the open fireplaces and outside there is a relaxing garden. Set in good walking country, Hark to Bounty - with its wide choice of
good value generous food and three well-kept real ales - is a great place to visit or stay.
Location : Grid Ref : SD711524 - What3Words : migrate.soon.amplifier - Post Code : BB7 3EP
Copyright T.W. Townsend - the opinions expressed herein are those of the author and any observations were correct at the time of the review.