As pub entertainment goes, it has to be one of the most bizarre.
Some pubs opt for quiz nights; others for the raucous sounds of karaoke.
After all, how many drinkers can tell the tale about watching an inquest on a particularly gruesome murder carried out in the bar?
It’s one of the unusual tales from the past that makes The Beehive Inn, high on the hills above Ripponden, such a fascinating place.
Local historians Roger Beasley and Susan Lowe told the tale of how a woman called Betty Helliwell was allegedly murdered by her son William.
Betty’s badly-battered body was found by another of her sons, David, in Flat Head stone quarry near her home on September 26, 1862. Legend has it that William and his mother had earlier quarrelled over payment for a cow,
The inquest was held at the Beehive and the jury concluded that there was no evidence that William had murdered his mother, and returned an open verdict. William was acquitted.
Today’s landlady, Sue Milne, has no plans to host any more such hearings but is keen to know a little more about the history of a pub which is thought to date back to 1830.
She and her husband Duncan took over the pub in July 2011 and have built up an enviable reputation for good food and a welcoming atmosphere.
On a cold and wet Saturday night, it’s certainly a welcome sight after the trek up from Ripponden. The drive to the pub involves a twisting climb up Royd Lane, which is single-track in most
places and not for the faint-hearted.
Little wonder that the pint of Black Sheep that I ordered was more than a necessity.
A friend who lives a few hundred yards from the pub had recommended the Beehive. “Good pub food and a great atmosphere” he had said. He was right on both counts.
The pub has been refurbished inside and is divided up into cosy alcoves with stripped wood tables and candle lamps in the windows.
I’m told the beer garden is hugely popular in summer, with spectacular views across the valley, but on a February night it was not to be enjoyed.
One quirk is that there are no printed menus for the food: Sue and Duncan prefer to have the meals listed on a large blackboard at the side of the bar, which serves two large rooms.
The menu changes regularly and there are also smaller blackboards listing the sandwiches, salads and desserts on offer.
Linda opted for a large glass of Shiraz and was delighted that our reserved table was sited alongside a radiator.
The blackboard menu is extensive with at least half a dozen starters and mains stretching into double figures. There are the usual pub classics such as soup and pate, steak and fish, but also some notable rarities.
I decided to be adventurous with my choice of starter and opted for scallops and chorizo sausage, served in a creamy garlic sauce.
It arrived in a large bowl accompanied by hot garlic bread and was exceptional. Scallops can be difficult little beggars if not cooked correctly but these were soft and tender and contrasted well with the bitter taste of the chorizo.
Linda was even more bold and picked the Eastern spiced prawns served in a poppadum basket. It did exactly what it said on the tin, presenting her with several large prawns in a very spicy coating, served inside a shaped poppadum and accompanied by salad and raita. She was delighted.
Her main course was one of the day’s specials, a sirloin stroganoff with mushrooms and rice. The portions were very generous and the sauce was superbly creamy.
I’m a man who can’t resist lamb and after toying with the fish and chips, having spied them on an adjacent table, and the belly pork I plumped for the lamb shoulder served with creamy mash.
The meat was perhaps a little more well-done than I would have preferred but was incredibly well seasoned and free of fat. There were just two small bones to discard and the portion could well have been a Sunday roast for two or three people.
The mash was perfect but I have to admit that the side serving of broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and Chantenay carrots a tad too much for me to manage.
Purely in the interests of research, Linda bravely volunteered to go for a dessert.
There were many interesting choices but she was delighted with her pavlova served with
Chantilly cream and strawberries. It came beautifully presented like an afternoon cream tea scone and was declared a massive hit.
The Beehive
Hob Lane, Soyland,
Ripponden, HX6 4NX
Tel: 01422 824670
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 4pm - 11pm, Sunday noon - 11pm.
Food served 5pm-9pm (12pm-7pm Sundays).
Children: Yes
Disabled access: Yes but different levels in bar
The bill: £ £58.50
Would you go back? Definitely
To follow us on Twitter click here
