We are now in Barnsley, now before you all start telling me "there is no real ale in Barnsley", I am not talking about that desert that is known as the Town Centre, which now has three (Wow) real ale outlets, but the little oasis that is the Town End and Old Town. From Shaw Lane to Old Town there are many great real ale pubs. It is to one of these pubs that we venture today.
The Moulders Arms on Summer Street (just off Summer lane).
The pub dates from 1854 when it was a one roomed working man's pub nestled into a row of artisan terraced houses and was owned by Clarkson's Brewery on Park Rd, Barnsley. The name "Moulders" is derived from the three Moulding foundries that used to be in the area, and the pub may also have been known as the Fitters for a short time. (If anyone can shed any light on this please let me know.) The artisan terrace houses, which covered this area of town, have long since vanished but the Moulders Arms survived.
In the early seventies it under-went major alterations to turn it into the three-area establishment we know today. The aforementioned areas are a darts/stage and bar area, a small communal area near the back and snug like lounge with the bar being central to all three. The pub, recently had a fresh lick of paint both inside and out as well as new double glazed windows fitted.
The Moulders Arms hosts many attractions for its customers. Tuesday is men's darts; Wednesday is a 50s to 80s disco night with music and general knowledge quiz; Thursday is ladies' darts night and Friday is busker's night. Sunday is music quiz night.
The Moulders is always available for parties, barbecues and social events. Barnsley CAMRA occasionally have a charity fun afternoon with pub games, people who attend have a great time and it usually makes a few quid for our charity of the year.
The outside drinking area has plenty of bench seating and a marquee, which is a permanent fixture from April to September, and could be longer now the smoking ban is here.) This area is secured and fenced off.
The present landlord is Conrad; he has had pub experience working at Ardsley House and Town Centre. Kevin (the last landlord) was happy to show Conrad the ropes when it came to looking after the real ales. The pub offers two cask ales with John Smiths cask 3.8% ABV being the regular beer and on my visit the weekly changing guest ale was Green King I.P.A 3.6% ABV which was in excellent condition, Conrad is understandably very proud of his cellar.
Getting to the Moulders could not be easier as its only a 15 minute walk from the bus station or catch a 14 or 43 bus to the 2nd stop on Summer Lane.
Opening hours are: Can change in the winter.
Mon - Thur 4.30pm (Fri 2.30pm) to midnight;
Sat and Sun 12 noon to midnight;
Tel. 01226 215767
