Cricketers Arms, Keighley

The Cricketers Arms, Keighley, West Yorkshire has been voted Pub of the Season for Winter 2002 by local CAMRA members. This is the second time licensee, John Lindley, and his wife Joyce have won the award since they took over the pub nearly four years ago, the previous occasion being in Winter 2000. Just after taking over in 1999, they also won a Keighley and Craven Improved Pub award.

A small and cosy, friendly locals' pub tucked between two old mill buildings on Coney Lane, the Cricketers is difficult to beat for the quality, range and price of its beers. 6 cask-conditioned ales are always available, these being Moorhouses Premier and Black Cat, Eastwood and Sanders First Light and three ever-changing guest beers. The guests are all delivered direct and come from a list of regular suppliers to the area including: Eastwood and Sanders, Roosters, Durham, Slaters, Archers, Derwent, Daleside, Salamander, Rudgate and many more.

The pub was substantially refurbished both inside and out in December 1999. A new bar was fitted and the old seating was replaced. The unusual 'tram-seating' down the left-hand wall is famous locally. Outside, the name of the pub is neatly carved into the newly-cleaned stone and a pub- sign, painted by a well-known local pub-sign artist, portrays Len Hutton this sign has even featured in the Dalesman magazine!

The Cricketers is open daily from 11.30 to 11 (12 to 10.30 on Sundays). If you appreciate drinking well-kept quality cask beers in a civilised environment (there is no electronic music of any form to spoil the conversation), the Cricketers is the place to be. The Pub of the Season presentation will take place on Tuesday 17th December 2002 at about 8.00 p.m.