Work has started on the new Wetherspoons pub on Market Street, Barnsley. The pub will be called the Silkstone Inn and is due to open late September early October. Updated May 2008

The Courthouse Station, Regant Street, Barnsley has a permanent mild available alongside cask stones and a changing guest beer. Updated May 2008

The Longcar, Barnsley undergoing refurbishment in the cellar, the pub is still open. Updated May 2008

The Hope Inn, Cundy Cross is closed and undergoing a refurbishment. Updated May 2008

The Royal, Wakefield Rd is closed after fire, but still up for let. Updated May 2008

The Oakleaf on Day Street has planning submitted for demolition and erection on 9 town houses. Updated May 2008

The site of former Butcher St Club at Thurnscoe has planning for housing submitted. Updated May 2008

Silvers / Rose and Thistle Pub on Wellington St has submitted A4 planning for all floors not just ground floor. Pub currently undergoing a refurbishment. Updated May 2008

Real ale removed at Jump Club. Updated May 2008

Three Horseshoes at Brierley have removed Theakstons Black Bull in favour of Speckled Hen. Updated May 2008

The Old Hall, Great Houghton has started its long awaited refurbishment. Updated May 2008

Enterprise pub up for new licensees: Sun Inn (sign new removed 30/5th), Monk Bretton; Gatehouse, Barnsley; Isaac’s, Barnsley; Wentworth Arms, Mapplewell; Old Post Office, Haigh. Updated May 2008

Punch Taverns also have: Ardsley Lodge, Stairfoot; Gate Inn, Dodworth; Friendship, Gawber; Albion, Hemingfield; Hermit, Higham; Potters Wheel, Hoyland; Prince of Wales Feathers, Worsbrough; Angel, Bolton-On-Dearne; The Fox and Hounds, Shafton and the Countryman, Wombwell Updated May 2008

The Crown and Anchor’s business transfer with the evening Indian restaurant has been good. The Crown and Anchor, Barugh, still offers lunchtime food including Sunday Lunch. Updated May 2008

The Chestnut Tree, Barugh Green is hoping to have a mini beer festival with a music festival over summer. Updated May 2008

Nnew owners have moved into the Fitzwilliam Arms, Elsecar. Reported to have four real ales available. Updated May 2008

Spencer Arms at Cawthorne is offering four real ales, inc Tetley, Black Sheep Bitter, Pedigree and Theakstons Best Bitter. Updated May 2008

The Railway at Royston is still closed after 5 months with no signs for let or sale. Updated May 2008

The Sportsman on Wakefield Rd has new signs saying to let with property development potential. Updated May 2008

The Pack Horse, Royston, was offering Theakstons Mild for Mild month and Sheffield Brewery Crucible Best as a guest beer. Updated May 2008

The new licensee at the Royal Albert, Blacker Hill would like any brewery that can supply in pins to contact him. Real ales were selling but not enough to keep one on permanently. Updated May 2008

The Fitzwilliam Arms in Elsecar is again under new management. On a recent visit I found the two real ales in great form. Updated May 2008

The Coach and Horses on Sheffield Road Barnsley is up for sale as a freehouse, a;so the Queens Head on Kings Road, Hoyland is up for sale. Updated May 2008

The Horseshoe at Wombwell is to hold a mini local ale festival from 23rd to 29th June. Tasting sessions with the brewers is also planned. The Horseshoe, as fare as I am aware is the only pub in Barnsley that offers two draught real ciders, the majority of the time. Updated May 2008

Brad (formerly Elephant and Castle, Hemingfield) is now at the Junction, Broomhill. The pub is offering two real ales John Smiths Cask and Theakstons Black Bull both in excellent condition. Updated May 2008

The Old Hall Great Houghton is again under new management, no real ales though. Updated May 2008

Laurel Pub Company went into administration in mid April, this closed Yates's on Shambles St. Just before it went into administration two new companies were formed which acquired 293 profitable venues, Yates's not being one of them. http://www.yatesbars.co.uk/ Updated April 2008

The Station Inn at Darfield has now opened, offering eight real ales including a mild. Visit www.thestationinn.org for information, however when this link was placed the website was out of date. Updated March 2008

The Royal Albert at Blacker Hill has removed the real ale from sale. Also there is no real ale available at the Monkey, Thurgoland. Updated March 2008

Both the Wetherspoons pubs Horseshoe, Wombwell and the Joseph Bramah are holding a beer festival which ends on the 14th April. Updated March 2008

The Railway at Royston is closed and boarded up. Updated March 2008

The Old Crown at Penistone now has two cask ales Tetley’s and Black Sheep and has a new landlord. Updated March 2008

The Olde Bridge Inn Monk Bretton is  undergoing an extensive refurbishment. Updated March 2008

Refurbishment of the Station Inn (Ex -Goldmine), Darfield is almost complete. Updated March 2008

The new pub at Dodworth is called the Dodworth Valley and is a Toby Carvery. Updated March 2008

The George and Dragon, Barnsley now has a larger cask ale portfolio and on recent visits the beer has been in excellent condition. Updated March 2008

Thornley Arms, Dodworth has John’s Cask , Theakstons Bitter and one Guest. Updated March 2008

The Cock Inn, Birdwell now only has two handpumps Tetley’s and Black sheep other two have been replaced by Johns smooth and keg Stones. Updated March 2008

The Last Orders at Wombwell is now owned by Cains brewery, Liverpool. It’s currently keg only however did have bottled beers and Liverpool lager! After contacting the brewery they seem to be all for adding cask ales to the range. Updated March 2008

It is rumored that KG’s in Wombwell has cask ales available, this will be checked out on our next survey. Updated March 2008

Norman Inn Monk Bretton has removed all their hand pumps (Is it too much hard work?) Updated March 2008

After numerous letters and emails and support from the press, an article in the chronicle with Rob McBride the Landlord of the Railway, Wombwell. He says that the plans for the conversion of the pub into apartments has been put on the back burner! Due to an upturn in traid. Maybe people are finally getting the message! But now plans are apprived the flats can start anytime in the next five years. Updated February 2008

The Gatehouse Barnsley is to hold a beer festival from 21st to 24th February. Amongst the15 beers available over the four day event will be:-
Acorn Galovka at 6% abv
Banks and Taylor Shefford Old Dark at 5% abv
Bazens Black Pig Mild at 3.6% abv
Country Life Old Appledore Ale at 3.7% abv
Mauldons White Adder at 5.3% abv
Purple Moose Madoge Ale at 3.7% abv
Rob has been trying to source beers form all corners of the UK as well as locally produced beers.
The festival will also be hosting a Black Pudding eating race, if you want to get involved then contact Rob on 01226 282394. On the Friday evening the Gatehouse will be presented with Barnsley CAMRA's The Pub of the Season Award. The Gatehouse, Barnsley's Community pub. Updated February 2008

The Railway at Wombwell is to be converted into nine flats dispite Barnsley CAMRA opposing the plans.
A recent survey on 6th February was pleased to see the pub busy with groups of all ages, a true community local.
"This is a blow to the community pub, and just when CAMRA are backing community pubs to help with attracting more people" said Phil Gregg, Barnsley CAMRA's Pubs Officer. "The pub on Wednesday night this week showed that it is popular with all age groups, young drinkers mixing with middle aged and old. The Council have yet again got it wrong".
A recent report by the Sunday Mirror said 67 pubs are closing each month in the UK; this is higher than CAMRA's report last year that said 56 pubs were closing, this only shows that the Councils across the UK are not listening to the local drinkers and just letting pubs be demolished for housing. This only helps to boost the problem of anti social behaviour through supermarket sales. At least in a pub you drink sociably with groups of all ages not standing on a street corner with others of the same age group. Updated February 2008

A licence from Wetherspoons is being sought for premises on Market Street. If the council approves the licence the new Wetherspoons will be called the Silkstone Inn. This will create 8 new full and part time jobs to the town, and also offer the town with another real ale outlet. Again if approved it is hoped to open for October 2008.

When you think of real ale you think of quiet pubs and real fires, but why? Maybe that’s where the older people drink could be one answer, but what of the younger real ale drinker?
The Pulse, a continental style bar on Wellington Street, Barnsley, is one of the latest in Barnsley town centre to offer real ales to the younger drinkers.
On my visit (s) I found the music to be loud but not what I expected. Rock (not heavy) and chart music was being played and danced to, not the house and techno I was expecting. The pub is just one long room with the bar on the left, the outside smoking area is well sheltered and meets the regulations. The Pulse is well lit with decorative modern and coloured lighting and the wall colour is mainly terracotta.
There are a couple of seating areas one as you come in and another at the rear. Music is the main theme here and why not?
The two real ales on offer are Tetley Cask, and a changing guest beer, on my visit it was Black Sheep Bitter both 3.8% abv. Both these beers have a special weekday afternoon price from Monday to Friday 11am till 6pm Tetley’s is £1.25 a pint and the guest beer is £1.70 a pint. Evenings and weekends the price is £2.50 but ask about their membership card, this extends offers.
The pub is open from 11am till late Mondays to Fridays and till 4am on Saturdays and 7pm till 4am on Sundays.
Live music, Barnsley Original Music (BOM) have three bands on each Thursday, and Non stop music seems to be played any other time, but much more subtle on afternoons.
The pulse since its new ownership has moved from a red to a green light in the councils licensing scheme and visiting the pub both when it is busy and quiet I have had no reason to question its new green light status.
A welcome if not different real ale pub. Updated January 2008

The Chestnut Tree at Redbrook has had a refurbishment and offers Green King IPA and Old Speckled Hen. Updated January 2008

The Courthouse on Regents Street, Barnsley has Stones Gold, and two Theakstons beer but is hoping for a more local beer soon. Updated January 2008

The Thurnscoe Hotel, Thurnscoe is on the market, a wonderful opportunity for Wetherspoons don't you think? Updated January 2008

Thawleys in Wombwell has re-opened after the floods in June last year which caused huge amounts of damage to homes, pubs and businesses alike. Updated January 2008

The Railway at Wombwell has applied for planning permission to be changed to flats, Barnsley CAMRA is opposing the plans. Updated January 2008

The Pheasant at Dodworth has been demolished to make way for houses. Updated January 2008

The Pheasant at Ardsley is now offering Acorn Barnsley Bitter and is said to be very popular. Updated January 2008

The Cherry Tree at High Hoyland (a place with no bus service) has added Deuchars IPA to its range of real ales.Updated January 2008

Planning permission has been submitted to Barnsley planning board for flats at the Railway at Wombwell. Updated January 2008

The Woodman at Smithies is closed and borderd up. Updated January 2008

The Pheasant at Dodworth has been demolished. Updated January 2008

An update from Roger and Kris Smith who are to open the Station Inn (ex Goldmine in Darfield)
My name is Roger Smith, I have just seen the reference to the Goldmine at Darfield on the Barnsley Camra site. My son Kris and I are in the final stages of acquiring the old Goldmine, we had hoped the deal would have been finalised by October, this would have allowed the planned 6/7 week re-fit/referb to have been carried out in time for a Christmas launch, unfortunately delays obtaining a premises license and other legal hang ups have taken a couple of months longer than expected and as such we wont be open until early in the new year.
When the Goldmine closed, it was totally stripped of all fixtures and trading fittings so the interior needs everything, from floor renovation and full re-decoration, through to new fixed and mobile seating tables etc. A full bar area overhaul will be carried out and new beer lifting equipment installed. We wish to remove the Spanish Tapas Bar theme and return it to a traditional pub. When complete there will be 7 to 10 rotating cask ales sourced both locally and from independent brewers from all over the UK, these will be supported by a range of continental beers and lagers (bottled and draught). We also intend to stock premium ciders and an extensive range of single malts.
The pub is to revert back to it's original name The Station Inn. After the main trading areas have been re-opened work will continue behind the scenes to re-fit the kitchen area after which we will be able to offer food and accommodate various functions.
Update
Just a quick update on The Station Inn, Darfield, the deal has finally gone through (Monday 14th Jan), we should be receiving the keys in the next couple of days after which the re-furb can begin. Once we have completed the website layout (www.thestationinn.org) we intend to post updates of the progress on there, the contact email is enjoy@thestationinn.org
Kind regards
Roger and Kris Smith - Updated January 2008

The Crown and Anchor at Barugh has had a few changes, during the evenings only what was the restaurant at the rear of the pub is an Indian restaurant. However English meals are served during the day all home cooked by Caroline including the ever so popular Sunday lunches. Neil also recommends the Indian restaurant but this is a separate franchise. The real ales at the pub are selling better than ever with loads of regular John Smiths drinkers now moving to the cask ales. Updated January 2008

The changing face of pubs in Barnsley and South Yorkshire made it onto Radio Sheffield with Margaret Croft on the Toby Foster Breakfast Show. Toby said they found 56 pubs up for sale in South Yorkshire without trying. With the government wanting to build another 3m houses before 2020 more will be demolished before then. The latest pubs for demolition are the Welcome Inn at Hoyland and planning permission has been submitted for housing at Cobbys, Royston. Use it or lose it is the simple message to use here. A poor copy (due to BBC copy protection) of the programme can be emailed to anyone interested, email Nigel Updated November 2007

The Bridge at Darfield is now an Indian restaurant. Updated November 2007

The Goldmine at Darfield is to open again before Christmas with two real ales. Updated November 2007

The Star at Cudworth is serving Marstons Pedigree and Spitfire. Updated November 2007

The Prince of Wales, Barnsley is serving Old Speckled Hen and a selection of bottled beers. Updated November 2007

The Grey Horse at Old Town re-opened on 1st December and I look forward to calling in after its refurbishment. Updated November 200

Work on re opening the Low Valley Arms and Thawleys in Wombwell seems to be ongoing with the Low Valley Arms opening soon, (update now open). Updated November 2007

The Gate Inn and the Station at Dodworth are now both re open however no real ales. Updated November 2007

Hillary and Nigel of the Furnace Inn at Hoyland are due to leave, they have run the pub for over five years, putting Hillary’s heath first they are taking a well deserved break. We wish them all the best. Updated November 2007

Tim and Anna have also come out of the Fitzwilliam Arms at Elsecar. Updated November 2007

Yates in Barnsley is serving two real ales, however you have to know the handpumps are hidden behind a large pillar or you will miss them. Updated November 2007

Glynn the steward at Darfield Cricket Club is hoping to offer a real cider, as a group of members came to the Barnsley Beer Festival and were drinking it most of the night. Updated November 2007

The Grey Horse at Old Town is closing for refurbishment From 15th October to 1st December 2007. Plans for the pub are on display near the bar area. Updated October 2007

Beer enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a wide range of beers from across the UK during an 18-day festival at Wetherspoon Joseph Bramah, Barnsley and Horseshoe, Wombwell as well as other pubs across the UK.
The beers on offer at the pubs will include award-winning ales, speciality fruit and organic beers and foreign beers, as well as new ales never brewed before.
The festival will run from Thursday 1st November until Sunday 18th November inclusive, with all beers priced from £1.39 to £1.69 a pint (TBC)
Customers will be able to sample any three of the real ales in special third-of-a-pint glasses for the price of a pint. Some of the beers that could be on in Wombwell and Barnsley are include Spinning Dog Mutley’s Pit Stop, Titanic Iceberg, Arundel Lazy Willie, Wells Banana Bread Beer, Phoenix Wobbly Bob, Jennings Snecklifter, Smiles Cheeky Pint, Orkney Red MacGregor and Harviestoun Ice Maiden. In addition, two beers from Belgium , Ecaussinnes Fruit Beer and Anker Gouden Carolus Blond will be available.
Three CAMRA award-winning beers from the 2007 Great British Beer Festival will also be available; Nethergate Umbel Magna (speciality winner), York Centurians Ghost (strong ale winner) and Mighty Oak Maldon Gold (golden ale winner).
Wetherspoon festival organiser Jonathan Yates said: "The festival will give people the opportunity to enjoy a superb selection of beers, which are not normally available in their respective areas. We will be serving an array of award-winning ales, together with beers that have been brewed exclusively for the festival. It promises to be great fun and I am certain that customers at the pubs will enjoy themselves."
Tasting notes on all of the beers will be available in the pub. Updated October 2007

A new pub is being built on the edge of Barnsley's area at Broomhill, the development is near the Wetlands Centre and possibly in the Rotherham branch area and not in Barnsley's. The building is by Marston's Brewery. Updated September 2007

The Railway at Royston has taken off John Smiths Cask due to the changes to it. On sale now is Black Sheep Bitter. Updated September 2007

The Junction Inn at Broomhill is closed for refurbishment (21st Sept)

The Cross at Royston has stopped selling Pedigree and the regulars have been complaining about the change to John Smiths Cask. Updated September 2007

The Star at Cudworth will be re-opening serving John smiths cask, however do to quality problems from John Smiths the pub had recently been selling Shepard Neame Spitfire. The new look pub will have live bands playing on Thursdays and the new accommodation area will have all the mod cons, contact 714311 for information. Updated September 2007

Pubs in Wombwell that are still closed after the floods are the Low Valley Arms, Thawleys, and the Lundhill Tavern. Updated September 2007

We have printed in our Jun/ Jul BAR Newsletter that it looked as if the Mill of the Black Monk at Cundy Cross was ready to open soon, but latest reports say Christmas. Updated September 2007

The Ring O’Bells at Silkstone managed to open just in time (after there second flood in as many weeks) for the Brass Bands weekend and a bike rally which saw the pub almost sell out of beer after a triple beer order… Updated September 2007

The Elephant and Castle at Hemingfield is open and so is the Millers Inn at Low Barugh. Updated September 2007

The Old Post Office at Haigh has re-opened after a refurbishment. The pub serves John Smiths and Tetley cask. Updated September 2007

The Countryman in Wombwell is closed and boarded up waiting a possible new tenant. Updated September 2007

J.D.Wetherspoons pubs are holding their biggest ever beer festival from 1st to 18th November. The Barnsley venues are the Joseph Bramah, Barnsley and the Horseshoe, Wombwell. Over the event up to 50 real ales including specials will be served. More information from will be available from this Wetherspoon website link. Updated September 2007

The Tom Treddlehoyle at Pogmoor is now offering Tetley cask, Deuchars IPA and John Smiths cask. Updated September 2007

Phil and Glyn are still running the Cock Inn at Birdwell, and the beer choices are as good as ever. Updated September 2007

The White Bear Barnsley, once the White Bear, the Royal, the Fealty and Firkin and the Assembly re opened its doors late last month and has a fresh modern style as well as two real ales, these are Taylor Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter. Updated September 2007

The Rafters Lounge and Coffee Bar which is the upstairs area of the Waggon and Horses at Oxspring has Taylor Landlord on offer. Updated September 2007

At Royston the Pack Horse is doing well with the guest beers, my last visit had me drinking Hambleton Bitter and Theakston Mild. Updated September 2007

The Wentworth Arms in Penistone were pleased to report that the two guest beers served alongside the Banks’s Bitter were selling very well. Updated September 2007

The Corner Pocket Snooker Club on Elm Row at Hoyle Mill is said to be serving John Smiths Cask, the Cask Sign is clear outside but I didn’t have time to call in and have a drink, it was 10am on a Sunday morning. Updated September 2007

The Travellers Rest at Pogmoor played host to Barnsley MP Eric Illsley
The Publicans Proud of Pubs Week drew to a close last week and MP Eric Illsley was amongst the 100 plus MPs who dropped into pubs during the week, Eric chatted with licensee Terry Unwin about the pubs contribution to the community as well as the smoking ban before pulling a few beers and enjoying a drink at the pub. Mr Illsley said, "The era of the pub being almost exclusively a place for men to drink has in many ways passed. Families are now welcome in most pubs, many of which serve food, and offer a range of entertainment be it showing the football or putting on a quiz or live music.
Countless licensees took part in Proud of Pubs Week, hosting entertainment nights in their pubs, and putting their pub through the paces in a series of different activities. Updated July 2007

The Waggon and Horses at Oxspring is now open after a full refurbishment, the bar offers two real ales and a full new food menu. The Rafters Bar upstairs as also been refurbished and is now the Rafters Lounge and Coffee Bar. Take a look at their website (opens new window) or better still, call in. Updated July 2007.

The Cock Inn, Birdwell, Phil and Glynn are still at the helm due to a few problems with them getting new owners. The reason they are leaving is due to maintenance of the outbuildings. Punch say that the bill is entirely the responsibility of the tenant/rent payer? Seems like a winner every time for Punch. Say the tenant spends the money, and uses the buildings as a restaurant, do you think the rent won’t rise from the extra income? Updated July 2007.

The Cross at Royston is now offering Marston’s Pedigree alongside John Smiths Cask, and a very nice pint it was too. Updated July 2007.

The Talbot in Mapplewell has been offering some interesting guest beers, with some strong ale’s thrown in now and again. This makes for an interesting change of beer styles as well as flavours. Updated July 2007.

The Acorn at Athersley reopened its door after many years in May, however there is no real ale. Updated July 2007.

The Fitzwilliam Arms in Elsecar has been offering some unusually darker ale’s as guest beers, not just the light summer beers that seem to be so popular.  Updated July 2007.

The Lord Nelson at Hoylandswaine has Taylor Landlord on offer, and the Rose and Crown is offering three cask beers with one being an independent guest. Updated July 2007.

The refurbishment plans for the Grey Horse, Old Town will see it knocked through into open plan, basically, traditional pub vandalism… Updated July 2007

The Hermit at Higham is open again after refurbishment offering John’s Cask and Tetley Bitter. Food is also available. Updated July 2007.

The Coach & Horses on Sheffield Road, Barnsley has Marston’s Pedigree and was excellent quality when we called in. Updated July 2007.

Interested in buying a pub or two outright? The sale boards that have gone up at the Goldmine, Darfield now reads “non tied free house”, this is also the same for the sale boards outside the Bush Inn, Kingstone. Updated July 2007.

The Eastfield Arms, Blacker (New lodge) is about to re-open after refurbishment, it also has a new covered outside seating area. The pub is now a Sizzler brand named pub. We don’t know if real ale is available or not at this time. Updated July 2007.

The Acorn in Athersley North looks like it will be opening again soon, after being closed for well over five years this is great news to the residents in the area. Updated May 2007.

It’s all change at the Moulders Arms, Barnsley, just after we went to print in March Kevin and Irene had decided enough was enough with rent increases and left in mid April. The new licensee is Conrad Baranyai and his parents are regulars at the pub, Conrad was manager at Ardsley House’s JJB Bar and worked at Lucorum, in town. He also had a few weeks training with Kevin (the departing landlord), so the pub is in safe hands. On my visit he was getting on just fine, and the IPA was great too. We send our best wishes with Kevin and Irene. Updated May 2007.

Glynn and Phil at the Cock Inn, Birdwell are also leaving the trade due to rent increases. The team here have given the pub their all, and picked up a couple of pub of the season awards along the way, but in thanks for their hard work in turning the once Free House into a profitable estate pub, Enterprise Inns are putting up the rent. We wish Glynn and Phil the best of luck in their chosen careers quite possibly away from the pub trade. Updated May 2007.

The Pheasant Inn at Dodworth is now closed awaiting demolition. The last night of opening was 12th April but Team UK now have a new pub but unfortunately not in the Barnsley area, it’s the Fountain Head at Halifax up near the old Webster’s Brewery. Updated May 2007.

The Old Post Office at Haigh (Free House) has been sold to Enterprise Inns (now not a Free House). Updated May 2007.

The Limes (ex Barnsley Golf Club) at Staincross is now a pub and open to everyone, the pub is going through a lot of improvements and offers John Smiths Cask. Updated May 2007.

The Grey Horse, Old Town is offering two guest beers alongside John Smiths Cask, A refurbishment of the pub is on the cards, let’s hope that it will keep the multi-roomed traditional pub style with its great ambiances. Updated May 2007.

The Manor at Grimethorpe, the Fighting Cock at Platts Common, White Rose in Wombwell and the ex Ram in Kexbrough have all been demolished for housing in recent months, Grimethorpe now only has the Red Rum Pub. Updated May 2007.

The Ash Inn at Wombwell has had a recent refurbishment and now offers two cask ales Johns Smiths Cask and Theakstons Best Bitter. Updated May 2007.

The Courthouse, Barnsley has four real ales on, two Theakstons beers and two guest beers. Updated May 2007.

The Gatehouse, Barnsley is holding a beer festival from 14th to 17th June, on offer will be 12 real ales (from non local breweries), also you will be able to sample these beers in a 1/3 pint glass so if you only want to drink 3 pints in one night, you can happily drink all the beers.  Updated May 2007.

The Thawleys at Wombwell is now owned by S&N (John Smiths). Tom will be providing a selection of guest ales from the companies portfolio. Updated March 2007.

S&N will be buying or have just bought the Lundhill Tavern at Hemingfield. Updated March 2007.

The Old Hall, Great Houghton, there are reports that the real ale here is a bit hit and miss, (it's available, it's not available sort of thing). Updated March 2007.

The Bridge Inn at Darfield has been closed for a couple of months now with a sign saying lease for sale. Updated March 2007.

The Old Moor Tavern, Broomhill has now re-opened after a refurbishment. The pub offers John Smiths cask and guest beers. Updated March 2007.

The Elephant and Castle at Hemingfield, has also just re-opened after a refurbishment due to a flood. Three real ales are available. Updated March 2007

The Furnace Inn at Hoyland has John Smiths cask only on offer after slow sales of the guest beer. Updated March 2007.

The Crown & Anchor at Barugh, the landlord is in dispute with the pub owning company who have put his rent up by a considerable amount. This is an age old problem that pops up far too often. A landlord moves in, makes a good job just like the people at the Crown and Anchor, then wham - up goes the rent. Note to the pub companies - Have you read the fable “The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg”? Updated March 2007.

Ring O’Bells at Silkstone, Greene King are pushing their own products, but the landlord is holding firm and trying to keep the Hardy Hansons Olde Trip and Bitter on. Updated March 2007.

The Fitzwilliam Arms, Elsecar is offering Tetley Cask and a rotating guest beer from the Punch Finest Cask selection. Updated March 2007.

The Grey Horse at Old Town has on offer John Smiths Cask and a rotating guest beer. Updated March 2007.

The Chambers in Barnsley has not had Theakstons Best Bitter on now for a while, however the Pump Clip is still fitted and shows it as being available. A recent visit had me asking them to turn the clip round but to no avail. Updated March 2007.

The Joseph Bramah in town was offering a selection of Acorn beers along-side an Acorn Free Bar… I had to mention to Dave Hughes, Acorn’s Manager, that the beer from the pubs bar was better than the free beer being offered as samples. Dave was not offended at all by my comment and in fact we both praised the managers for serving excellent real ales. Keep up the good work lads’ and lasses’. Updated March 2007.

The Star at Cudworth, John Smiths Cask, has bought back the adjacent building. It’s hoped that accommodation and food will be offered in the extra space. Updated March 2007.

The Meadows at Wombwell is serving Timothy Taylor Landlord. Updated March 2007.

The Tom Treddlehoyle has been refurbished and is still offering John Smiths Cask but the Magnet is no longer available. Updated March 2007.

Old Mill Brewery have now opened the Dove Inn on Doncaster Rd, Barnsley. Three real ales from the brewery are on offer. The pub has been refurbished in the Old Mill Brewery corporate image, a massive contrast from the Doves last carnation. Updated January 2007

The Prince of Wales, Eldon Street North and was asked which guest beer to have next, Black Sheep Bitter or Jennings Cumberland, it was quickly sorted, they will be having both in the next few weeks. Updated January 2007.

The Keel Inn, Canal Street is soon to be offering food from tea time but Lisa was not giving any start dates. The pub is now open 12 noon till 11pm on Sundays. Updated January 2007.

The Gatehouse, Eldon Street is offering ales from Hambleton, Acorn and Wentworth amongst others. It was hoped that the grand opening of the Interchange would bring a facelift to the pub’s frontage as it is used as a bus stop but this will be delayed along with the opening of the new £24 million interchange which may not open till Spring. During January and February it's Steak Night every weekday, 2xSteak meals for £10. And 14th February sees a four course meal for £16.95pp. Contact Rob, 01226 282394. Updated January 2007.

Green King have already sold one of its latest purchased pubs from Hardy Hanson's. The Old Hall at Great Houghton was only owned for three weeks by the company before it was sold to Admiral Taverns. A real ale should be available as we go to print. Updated January 2007

The Halfway House at Highgate is the latest pub in the east of our area to close for housing, however the roof of Welsh slate was quickly removed by the owners, many closed pubs in the area have gone up in smoke. Updated January 2007

The Wentworth at Penistone is now offering two guest beers alongside the Ridings Bitter. Glynn has increased the real ale choice purely because the demand for it has increased. Updated January 2007

The Pheasant Inn, at Dodworth is still offering four real ales from small independent breweries. The choice is always changing and reports say the beer is very good. Don't forget that we are holding a charity race night here on January 24th. Updated January 2007

The Hope Inn at Cundy Cross has been offering one of Barnsley’s most uncommon but constantly brewed beers in the area. Oakwell Barnsley Bitter. While John Smiths Magnet was available at the Mill of the Black Monks. Updated January 2007

At Monk Bretton, the Full House has had some great guest beers from the likes of Bateman's and Hyde's breweries. Updated January 2007

The Low Valley Arms at Wombwell would like a real ale, it is hoped by some of the regulars that this may see the return of Magnet. Updated January 2007