by Lauren Chadwick
THE Woodman Inn is reputed to be the oldest pub in Dewsbury.
In fact, it is so old, it was serving customers when Charles II was King, Isaac Newton discovered gravity, and the Dodo was still walking around in Africa.
Established as a coach house in 1680, travellers passing through Carr Nook would stay at the Woodman for overnight respite, leaving their horses outside in the stables.
The original coach house door is at the back of the pub, under a sign bearing the inscription '1680 CRH', the meaning of which has been a mystery for years.
A free house until 1984, the Hartley Street pub is now owned by Punch Taverns.
Landlady Jane Drury said: "The pub has a long history, which is really interesting.
"Jim Lyman, who was well-known in Dewsbury as a rugby player and also as landlord of the Market House, was born here.
"Well before that, in the late 18th century, it began taking in lodgers. Records go back as far as 1827 as a public house."
Twenty-nine landlords and 180 years later, Eastborough girl Jane and partner John, from Hanging Heaton, are now at the helm.
Jane said: "We have both worked behind different bars for more than 20 years, but running your own pub is totally different.
"We were regulars at the pub and then we were asked by the previous landlord and lady, Mick and Alice Ingham, to take it on after they retired."
As you might expect for a 326-year-old listed building, the Woodman has a resident spirit.
"I call it a presence," says Jane.
"Sometimes you can feel a little breeze on a morning, like somebody just walked past, or we hear things.
"It's not threatening at all. I think it's somebody who is a little bit lost."
The pub holds a general knowledge quiz on Tuesday nights, and has two football teams and a darts team. Jane says they are looking to start up a Wednesday night pool side. It is open from 4pm Monday to Thursday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon.
Soul fans can get on down to the Woodman tonight (Friday) from 8pm and boogie to DJ Dave Whittaker's motown and soul classics
Source: http://www.dewsburytoday.co.uk/ViewArti ... ID=1547445
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