Now straight away some of you will be thinking, "Where's that pub?" which is not surprising as the Fiddlers was known as the Marbrook Tavern, a name created from the maiden and married name of the previous licensees. The Fiddlers has had several names in its 200 year history, the Milton Arms Hotel and the Village Inn being amongst them.
The pub is situated on Cemetery Rd, Hemingfield just 2 minutes from the Wombwell Foundry roundabout on the Dearne Valley Parkway or by the 67 (Barnsley daytime) or 65 (Barnsley evening) buses.
The exterior of the pub is imposing with mock Tudor gables rising to the roof. The internal décor is what I would describe as traditional with Breweriana and old photos, one showing the Fiddlers in the 1920’s then serving Bentley's Rotherham Ales.
At this point I will introduce you to mine hosts, Norman and Margaret Taylor with ample help from son Richard. Norman was born and bred in pubs, growing up at the Golden Lion in County Durham and came to the Fiddlers after spending 30 years in publishing. The pub only offers the one regular real ale, on special occasions a second will appear. When you talk to Norman his appreciation for real ale comes across loud and clear. He is genuinely interested in his customers’ satisfaction, not just grabbing their money.
The pub has four distinct drinking areas, the bar area (always a plus having a bar in a pub don’t you think?), the lounge, the dip and the raised area. We will start with the bar as it is the first place most people go when they enter a pub.
The bar - “L” shaped with the hand pumps on the left hand side, these consist of a single pump serving John Smiths Cask 3.8% which on my visit was in tip top condition. Next to this is a bank of four hand pumps of which one was in use serving Marston’s Pedigree 4.5% (must have been a special occasion).
The Fiddlers is a true free house with total freedom to choose which beers or breweries it uses.
The raised area - this is to the right as you walk in and is where the pool table and dart board are located. The Fiddlers has a pool team and a darts team. This is also the area of the pub where the jukebox is loudest so you have been warned.
The dip - so called as it is down a couple of steps. This is the area where the small stage is located.
The lounge - this is located at the back, past the bar and is a relaxed, comfortable area containing two leather settees. The lounge is also quiet and contains the library, whose books are available for anyone to borrow. Some of the books are signed by the authors, a throw back to Norman’s publishing days.
Entertainment - Monday night is Bingo, Tuesday pool, Wednesday is quiz night with a gallon of beer / lager to the winners, Friday is live music night with acts performing everything from rock and pop to oldies and country & western.
As with most pubs the Fiddlers has its ghost or to be precise 5 ghosts, one of whom inhabits the gent’s toilet and is alleged to say “thank you for calling” to visitors (living in the toilet? Must be a keg beer drinker). All in all I was very impressed not only with Norman’s passion but with the entire pub itself and having spent an enjoyable hour in the Fiddlers it is a place I will be visiting again very soon.
