When pub landlord Alan Bassett ordered his first delivery of Timothy Taylor’s famous ale, Landlord, he didn’t expect his old hostelry to be still serving it up 40 years on.

In fact getting any delivery of the highly-prized beer at all was something of a coup.

In 1973 taking beer from Keighley on a 44-mile round trip over the Pennines to The Woodman in Thunderbridge , near Kirkburton, was seen as daringly adventurous.

But sales manager Tony Howlett was persuaded to send one of his reps, Tom Bird, to see Alan and a deal was struck to supply the picturesque, chocolate box pub, with a small order.

History was made in the sense that it was the first Free Trade pub to sell the world-famous ale.

But the beer flew out of the pumps and it wasn’t long before gallons of the stuff started flowing every week to the delight of punters.

Now a celebratory lunch has been held at the pub for some of the original cast and those of a more recent vintage.

Among those present were Mr Bassett, 84, who sold the pub many years ago and now lives in Almondbury, his wife Margaret; Charles Dent, managing director of Timothy Taylor’s; Graham Leslie, co-owner of The Woodman and Mr Howlett.

Margaret said: “It might seem bizarre nowadays, but 40 years ago selling beer into this pub from Keighley was considered a long way out.

“But they came over and said: ‘we will give it a go’ and it is still being sold here four decades on.

“Alan bought The Woodman sometime around 1962 and left after 25 years and then he retired.”

Mr Leslie, a wealthy entrepreneur who was born in Essex, said: “Alan was the forerunner, he took it on, and I think today is a landmark in the next chapter of the Woodman.

“We have owned it for around 12 months now and this was the first pub I came to for a pint in 1971 when I was 25. I couldn’t afford a meal here at the time!

“I loved the characters in the pub, the location, the whole ambience and it was the first time that I had tasted Landlord.

“I have enjoyed consuming large amounts of it since then, it has a wonderful flavour.

“I am deeply pleased that Charles Dent came and supported our reunion and what they achieved in setting up the first free house trade deal.”

Annabel Smith, one of the few women to champion real ale and Cask Marque's only female beer assessor and training manager, was also at the event.

She said: “For one pub to stick with one brand for so many years is a massive achievement. It’s been sold here continuously for 40 years.

“What 90% of customers want is something that they recognise as familiar and on the bar all the time.”