It’s the 19th Century, and a woman sits alone in Bolton’s oldest pub Ye Old Man and Scythe having a quiet drink in the snug.
Suddenly she looks down, terrified, to see her hands and other parts of her body mysteriously streaming with blood. Fleeing in fear, later she discovers that she hasn’t got a single scratch on her. Not one.
This is just one of many blood-curdling tales to come out of Britain’s fourth-oldest pub, which today sits rather innocently in the town centre, looking the picture-perfect idyll of old-world country drinking.
Inside, it’s a different story. Indeed, time appears to have stopped here – or rather it remains very fluid for the estimated 53 different spirits that haunt the pub to this day.
From a 17th century Earl beheaded by Royalists directly outside (in a chair that is still there now), to a little girl called Jenny that’s known to pinch guests and pull on ladies skirts, the old pub is not short of ghoulish regulars.
ADVERTISEMENT
Broken glass and moving furniture is a regular occurrence here and, according to landlord Richard Greenwood, ghostly activity happens on an almost daily occurrence.
He even says that none of his female staff will enter the cellar any more because, apparently, when they do they are touched by the spirit of a young boy – although there are also stories of a young woman hanging herself down there many years ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
The old pub’s history can be traced back to 1251 and includes hundreds if not thousands of slaughtered townsfolk and.a brutal massacre that once saw blood running through the streets outside its doors.
The ancient building is said to be home to a huge range of spirits – including a ghost dog that’s known to lick the live-in manager’s feet when he lets them hang out of bed in the middle of the night.
Apparently, sometimes he’s woken up by his wet feet – but other nights, he stirs only to see the dog peacefully sleeping at the foot of his bed.
ADVERTISEMENT
A handful of patrons stand in the front of the Olde Man and Scythe pub in Bolton
Its murderous past dates back to the English civil war and the storming of Bolton, which saw the town seized by Royalist forces in 1644.
In the spine-chilling battle that ensued to defend the town, around 1,600 soldiers and civilians were mercilessly slaughtered and left to lay in pools of blood outside the front of the Old Man and Scythe, or Cider ‘Ouse as it is often known today.
As if that wasn’t enough, the pub was then the scene of another gruesome murder just seven years later when James Stanley, the seventh Earl of Derby, was dragged from its bar and beheaded outside after a few hours of drinking.
A still from the pub’s CCTV footage shows a hooded figure standing behind the bar / Image: The Old Man and Scythe.
In truth, the more we discover the more things just get stranger and stranger.
The Olde Man and Scythe made headlines first ini 2014 after CCTV captured a hooded figure emerging from the bar, surrounded by flickering lights before everything cuts out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two years later, it hit the headlines again when The Earl, whose spirit is said to haunt the old pub today, was allegedly “stolen” by Chinese artist Lu Pinguyan in 2016 – leading to international attention from the world’s media.
Artist Lu Pinguyan claimed at the time the ‘burglary’ was “an act of protest against England’s colonialist past”, leading the landlord to write and demand the late Earl’s safe return.
People stand outside the Old Man and Scythe in a black and white photograph
Suffice to say, then, this has to be one of the weirdest buildings in Greater Manchester. Not that stops locals in Bolton from popping in for a drink today.
From the outside its all black and white wooden beams, but step inside and you’ll find leaded windows and stone floors that date back to the early 20th-century.
Sitting near the Parish Church on the historic Churchgate, today it retains a cosy snug and a separate drinking room that in times past was often used for folk sessions and open mic nights.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the back wall you’ll find a painted mural of the much-missed former landlord, John Jewitt, and outside there’s a small enclosed courtyard that doubles as a smoking area.
With adventurous ales provided by Enterprise Inns and topped up with brews local brewery Bank Top, there’s some good beers to be found on tap here – promising a pleasant afternoon of drinking if you can overlook their more spooky clientele.
Why not pop in for a pint on the weekend and see if you can spot any ghostly spirits for yourself. We double dare you.
Lantern Pike – the countryside walk with amazing views, an old railway line, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, with an optional stop at Marmalade Coffee Shop for a bacon sandwich and some caffeine.
Then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
Lantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc GroupLantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Instead, turn off to the right to cross the River Sett and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and back down the other side, passing the Lantern Pike pub (we won’t judge if you pause for a pint here), cross the road, and join Snake Path.
This will take you past Twenty Trees, which is literally a group of trees standing on its own, and back into Hayfield.
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in the last year.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
You can see a map of the circular walking route at alltrails.com.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Feature
Hairspray lands at the Palace Theatre, proving to audience members that you really can’t stop the beat
Oli Lowe
Energetic ensemble numbers, lavish costumes and stand-out performances: Hairspray welcomes everyone to the 60s in its latest tour production.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hold very fond memories of the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, a cinematic masterpiece that breathed new life into the already iconic musical. I bring this version of the show up because until last night it was my only experience of the story.
Yes, much to my shame, I had never seen a live production of the show but after coming out of the Palace Theatre last night, I can now say that Hairspray‘s latest tour production is just as fun-loving – and as free wheeling.
From start to finish, Hairspray is a vibrant, colourful, high-energy show which takes you on the journey of teenage misfit Tracey Turnblad as she deals with the struggles of pursuing her dreams, in the face of adversity and a 1960s America that seems determined to halt progression.
The entire cast gave stellar performances from leading lady Alexander Emmerson-Kirby in the role of Tracy, all the way through to the ensemble who constantly wooed me with brilliantly executed dance routines, filled to the brim with swinging-sixties dance moves.
I’d like to take a second to highlight some standout performances, which in my opinion elevated the show to new heights. Starting with Neil Hurst in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s ‘larger-than-life’ mum.
Neil was a constant comic relief throughout a show that whilst generally lighthearted does tackle some serious issues such as unrealistic female beauty standards and racial segregation.
Neil, alongside his comedic partner Dermot Canavan, gave a standout, belly-laugh performance of their duet ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. It truly had the audience in fits of laughter and lauded huge applause from the entire theatre.
On to Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle and Michelle Ndegwa as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle. Both gave superb renditions of their solo numbers and showcased their experience in every scene they were in.
Murray’s rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs (still always caught off-guard by that name) was impressive, to say the least, with the performer delivering big and bold vocals, all whilst being held upside down by a group of the male cast.
Meanwhile, Michelle Ndegwa’s version of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ was spellbindingly beautiful. It carried with it the weight and severity of the number, all whilst delivering knock-out vocals that were filled to the brim with pain and suffering.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16th July 2024 in ManchesterStunning vocals all around.
Finally, a small shoutout to Reece Richards as Seaweed. Growing up (and occasionally to this day) I tried many times to stumble my way through Seaweed’s big number, ‘Run And Tell That’, and let me tell you from experience, that’s one damn hard song to sing…
Reece delivered the number expertly, all whilst dancing in a routine that even just watching, made me feel slightly exhausted. Props to Reece… One day I will nail that opening high note (I won’t).
All in all, Hairspray delights, delivering laughter, splendor, and high fuelled entertainment from start to finish – we’d consider a must-see if you’re a fan of the film, especially.
The show runs through till 27th July and with limited tickets still available, there’s no reason to not get yourself down and enjoy an evening of mesmerising, musical fun. You can grab yours HERE.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16 July 2024 at the Palace Theatre in ManchesterSeriously, give it a go.