We have all seen pubs in own own community closing, the national stat is 25 pubs per week, and Ramsbottom has its fair share. Well one enterprising man from the area is set to reopen one but with a difference. We caught up with Glen Duckett to find out what plans he has for the Eagle & Child.

Tell us how you came up with the idea?
It combines all of my former working experience, I’ve done lots of catering work in my life and when I finished university I decided to take up a career in regeneration. This brought me into contact with youth work, training and education, horticulture and environmental work. I’m trying to bring together a concept that brings together pubs that are no longer fit for purpose into community dining venues alongside employing and training young people particularly those who need the extra support to get into employment and training.

What is the ethos of the concept?
Through EAT Pennines which stands for Employment and Training Pennines we will be working with NACRO to train and employ young people. Our aim is to get more young people to identify with the food sector, from growing, to cooking, to serving. We want to give them the skills so they can make a career in horticulture, hospitality or catering. Our ethos will be about locally sourced food which reduces food miles, contributing to the local economy and investing in our local young people.

What level of support have you had from the brewery?
Thwaites is the brewery and I approached them with a business proposal, the pub has been closed for 18 months so I’m hoping they will back me fully and I can look at rolling this concept out further to other pubs.

When are you due to open and how can people get involved?
We are scheduled to open on Saturday 8th October with a range of family activities and tasters of our great Lancashire dishes. Before then, we’re having a recruitment day for young people who are interested in our training and employment programme. This will be at Ramsbottom Library on the 12th September from 2pm – 4pm so anybody aged 16 -19 can attend to find out about roles available. They will work towards a level 1 qualification on a range of catering and hospitality duties. The only eligibility is that they can’t be in education, employment or training and need to be at level 1. Its an entry level opportunity so they can gain paid work experience, after they have done the training I will help them to find a job locally.

Next year we will be working with Incredible Edible Ramsbottom to develop the beer garden into an education project where people can come and see how food grows and this will also produce food that we will be able to use in the pub restaurant.

The Eagle & Child opens on Saturday 8th October at 12pm

Follow the Eagle & Child on Twitter – twitter.com/eaglechildrammy

www.eatpennines.com

The team at Clock Creative is putting its muscle behind the annual Rake Cycle Climb, taking place on Sunday 16th October at midday in Ramsbottom. One of the main sponsors of the challenging cycle climb, Clock has also designed a commemorative ‘I Rode the Rake, 2011’ T-shirt that will be presented to all cyclists completing the race.

The annual time trial event attracts keen cyclists from across the UK, hoping for the fastest climb, which last year was 2 minutes 29 seconds by former British champion, Matt Clinton. Relatively short at 875 metres, the Rake has a punishing gradient – reaching 25% towards the end – making it a challenge for both solo and tandem cyclists who are invited to give it a go.

Organised by the Lancashire Road Cycle Club, the event is expected to attract its usual 100’s of spectators who line the route from Ramsbottom library to the top the Rake near the Shoulder of Mutton pub. Over 65 cyclists have now entered for next Sunday’s event – the youngest, aged 9 who will be on a tandem with her mother; the eldest in his seventies.

Ann Rimmer of Clock Creative said: “We’re proud to be part of such a thriving village and we wanted to show our support for the event by getting involved and sponsoring it. As a local business we like to champion events such as this on our doorstep – and whilst we won’t be taking part we’ll be cheering the cyclists on!”

Peter Graham, organiser of the event from the Lancashire Road Club said: “The race is a fantastic spectacle and hugely popular in both racing circles and with the numerous supporters who come along. We’d struggle to hold the event without sponsors though and once again this year we’ve been well supported which is great.”

Over the years, a veritable who’s who of cycling stars have done battle with the hill climb, including Tour de France cyclist, Chris Boardman and former Tour of Spain points winner, Malcolm Elliott. Peter
Graham himself once held the course record, in 2 minutes 18 seconds. 
The current record is held by former hill-climb champion Jeff Wright, in 2 minutes 14 seconds.

Other sponsors of the event include Community Foundations for Greater Manchester, Geoff Smith Cycles in Bolton, Ramsbottom Kitchens and the Shoulder of Mutton pub. The Mayor Councillor of Bury, Yvonne Creswell will also be handing out prizes.

Follow Clock Creative on Twitter

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 2 (Jon Robinson 9, Mark Drew 81pen, Andrew Dawson 86)

A much-changed Ramsbottom United line-up took to the field following the disappointing performance against Alsager, and the changes allowed the Rams to end a three-match losing streak against a hard-working and in-form Barnoldswick side. It took just nine minutes for the home side to take the lead, although it was slightly controversial.

A cross from the left from Phil Dean found it’s way to Joel Pilkington on the far side of the box. He flicked it back for the on-rushing Mark Sharples whose low drive was turned home by Jon Robinson, looking suspiciously offside. Fortunately for the Rams, the linesman kept his flag down despite the protests, and the goal acted as a fillip for the home side. Minutes later Grant Spencer sent Sharples through, but a last ditch tackle prevented another chance.

The visitors responded with Hollingdrake and Overson both going close as Garbutt’s drive skimmed Grant Shenton’s bar. The game flowed from end-to-end, as Mark Drew’s free-kick was pushed around the post by visiting keeper Carrington, then Robinson and Spencer combined well but the Town defence managed to repel the challenge.

The Rams almost doubled their lead on 34 minutes. Spencer’s deep cross found Pilkington at the far post and his header was touched agonizingly wide by the sliding Robinson with the keeper well beaten. At the other end, Garbutt blazed a free-kick over before Town’s best chance arrived seconds before the break. The ball fell invitingly for Hollingdrake in the six-yard box, but Shenton was quick and brave to dive at his feet and smother what looked like a certain equaliser. Within seconds of the re-start, Robinson was inches away from connecting with a Sharples cross, before the ever-dangerous Fildes almost equalised when his 20-yard effort clipped the top of the bar.

Play continued to ebb-and-flow, with Robinson seeing a header turned round for a corner whilst Barnoldswick’s Alderson sent in a low drive which Shenton palmed into the path of Garbutt only to see the angled return clear the post.

The visitors upped their game, and were rewarded on 65 minutes when Airdrie’s high free-kick was nodded back from the bye-line to Jordan who had the simple task of knocking it home from two yards out. Robinson should have regained the lead for the Rams but he fired over from six yards out, and Fildes went close at the other end as the game continued at a fair old pace to keep the healthy-sized crowd entertained. Then came a moment of controversy when the visitors were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes. With the ball bouncing harmlessly out of play, the referee adjudged that Shane Birtles had pushed Airdrie as they were both chasing the lost cause. Despite the vehement protests, Fildes calmly took his chance to give the visitors the lead.

To be fair, Town had been in the ascendancy for the previous fifteen minutes, and it looked at that point as though the home side were staring at a fourth consecutive defeat. However, they rolled up their sleeves and finished the game the stronger thanks to two late goals.

Smalley was unceremoniously upended in the box on 81 minutes and Drew scored the equaliser from the spot. Carrington brilliantly denied Lee Gaskell from close range as the Rams went all out for the winner, but it wasn’t long in coming. A corner from the right, after 86 minutes, was half-cleared back to Drew and his long cross was met by Andy Dawson at the far post who gleefully nodded home much to the joy of the Rams bench.

Fildes still had time to twist and turn on the edge of the box, but his low drive was easily dealt with by Shenton, and the visitors were distraught when a last minute appeal for hands just outside the area resulted in a free-kick the other way.

A fine game, played in the right spirit will have lifted everyone at the Riverside. On the evidence of this match, it’s quite likely that both these teams will have a say in the title race, as this proved an excellent advert for North West Counties league football.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED:
Shenton, Pilkington,, Sharples (Gaskell 77mins), Drew, Dawson, Ayres, Birtles, Morley, Robinson (Moore 68mins), Spencer (Smalley 68mins), Dean
Subs not used: Bruce, Pugh

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
SAT 8th OCTOBER – NWCL (A) v Maine Road 15:00
TUES 11th OCTOBER – NWCL (A) v Colne 19:45
SAT 15th OCTOBER – NWCL (H) v Flixton 15:00

CLUB NEWS:
In a bid to continue to increase attendances at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium (already amongst the best at this level and above) the club have nominated Saturday 15th October as “Bring a Mate Day” for the game against high-flying Flixton. It is hoped that by bringing along a colleague, the Rams can show just how rewarding it is to watch quality non-league football for a reasonable fee.

Regular supporters are asked to do their best to cajole friends into coming along and supporting the Rams.

Ramsbottom has been named the 7th best place to eat in the UK. The survey by BBC magazine, Olive lists Birmingham as number 1.

Here is the full list:

Read the full press release by clicking here.

Ramsbottom Police station is on a list of proposed closures along with Radcliffe and Prestwich. What do you think? Do we need it? Does anybody use it?

Here is the full press release:

A comprehensive review undertaken by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) has revealed a dramatic fall in the number of people visiting police enquiry counters.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 0 ALSAGER TOWN 1

The sun shone brightly as the shirt-sleeved crowd, boosted to a healthy 241 by the “Kids for a Quid” initiative of the Supporters Club, turned up to enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment. Sadly, the most fluent moves of the day belonged to the Ramsbottom-based W-Force cheerleaders, the current National Schools Street Cheer Champions who entertained the crowd at half-time.

The game itself was a big let-down, with both sides seemingly indifferent to the occasion. Maybe it was down to the unseasonal scorching temperatures, but neither side produced the quality of football expected, and the end result was a disappointing third successive defeat for the Rams.

Chances were at a premium at both ends, and although the home side had the greater possession throughout, they rarely looked threatening in the visitor’s box. Indeed, the closest they came to scoring was from 40 yards out. A typical Mark Drew free-kick smashed against the bar with the Town keeper well beaten, but other chances were few and far between.

The Rams moved central defender Andy Dawson up front in the hope that his height would cause problems for Alsager’s defence, but apart from a header he put wide from a Joel Pilkington cross, his presence was as ineffectual as those of his team-mates.

A couple of Phil Dean crosses briefly threatened, but the visitors defence snuffed out what little the home side had to offer, and the Rams defence was equally up to the task of dealing with anything Town could throw at them, which, to be fair, was very little.

Skellern should have opened the scoring for Alsager within seconds of the restart, as he beat the offside trap only to see his final effort sail harmlessly over the bar.

It was Skellern, however, who managed to notch the only goal of a game which had 0-0 stamped all over it.

On 67 minutes, following a dubious free-kick awarded for a perceived Pilkington foul, the tiny forward managed to deceive his markers and get his head to the floated ball and nod it past the stranded Grant Shenton in the Rams goal.

In truth, neither keeper had much to do with both forward lines strangely ineffective.

On paper, the Rams have bags of goals in them but two goals in three defeats speaks volumes. Already four defeats have been suffered in ten league games, and that is not the form of potential champions. One can only hope that this is the Rams bad run of the season, and they are getting it out of the way early, otherwise a season that began so promisingly will begin to run out of steam well before Christmas.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED:
Shenton, Pilkington (Spencer 72mins), Pugh, Morley, Dawson, Flannery (Pickup 45mins), Smalley, Drew (Sharples 62mins), Moore, Ayres, Dean
Subs not used: Birtles, Saunders

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
TUES 4th OCTOBER – NWCL (H) v Barnoldswick Town 19:45
SAT 8th OCTOBER – NWCL (A) v Maine Road 15:00
TUES 11th OCTOBER – NWCL (A) v Colne 19:45

CLUB NEWS:
A charity match takes place at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Sunday 9th October, 1pm, when stars from television series Hollyoaks, Shameless and Coronation Street will be playing in a game in aid of a trust fund for baby Alfie Constable. Alfie’s mother, local girl Hayley, died following complications after the birth in March. Admission is just £3 for adults and £1 concessions and the game will be followed by a family fun day in the adjacent cricket club.

That I should then choose a pie-eater as a husband is no surprise. And a choice heartily endorsed by my Dad. But let’s not pretend that they are wholly united in their pie-ety. My dad’s a meat pie man – of course he is, he’s from St Helens. What can be more appealing then greying indiscriminate meat and gelatinous fat inside shortcrust pastry. My husband, on the other hand, is a pork pie eater. I might even dare to say a gastro-pie eater who, unlike my purist Dad, revels in an artisan pie with a hint of cranberry, a Wensleydale topping, or an artfully arranged sliced apple garnish. You could call this division the Holland’s Pies / Farmer’s Market split. The former requires brown sauce, the latter high-end chutney.

Being connected to this pie fervour by both blood and marriage has made me a somewhat unwitting pie connoisseur, with a more highly developed pie palate than I might have envisaged (marked perhaps by my willingness to name our wedding tables after pies). And so, with this rich pie heritage to draw on, and with the invaluable input of my other half, I proffer the Rammy Pie Mile. Ok, arguably The Rammy Pie Three-Miles – a willingness to travel is essential for the pie enthusiast.

1. Walmsley Butchers, 31 Bridge Street, Ramsbottom.
Pie vendors par excellence. All tastes shall be catered for here. Mine’s a minced beef and onion.

2. Peter & Alison, Dellcroft (aka the little deli stall in Rammy market).
The pastry on their hand-reared pork pies is a crumbly delight.

3. The Shoulder of Mutton, Holcombe Village, Ramsbottom.
My husband revels in the gastro-aspirations of these elegant plate pies. But no pastry base? It’s controversial.

4. The Black Bull, Edgworth, 167 Bolton Road, Edgworth.
Rag Pudding anyone? One of the most visually unappealing pies, no, foods, around, but a suet-encased gravy-filled joy. To the uninitiated click here.

5. Park Farm Shop & Cafe, Park Farm, Walmersley, Nr Ramsbottom.
They make pastries without parallel and every plate pie you can imagine. But it’s the Cornish Pasty that is the beacon. Not only delicious, but every component is identifiable (unlike, say, the slurry of the Gregg’s Cornish Pasty)

6. Greenmount Butchers, 12 Vernon Road, Greenmount, Bury.
Purveyors of Cissy Green’s Meat Pies of Haslingden and a perfectly formed dinky pork pie, this butcher satisfies both husband and father.

Article Written by Alex Mayer

Atelier Rose & Gray
10 Market Place
Ramsbottom
BL0 9HT

www.atelierrosegray.co.uk

An Exhibition of Art in Music starting on Friday 9th September to coincide with Ramsbottom Festival featuring work from Sir Peter Blake, Anna Marrow, Richard Evans and Storm Thorgerson.

Sunday 11th September 2011

Start Time: 11:00
End Time: 22:00

The Corner Pin at Stubbins, near the village of Ramsbottom, is steeped in black pudding history.

Since time immemorial the historic public house has paid tribute to the brave men and women who repelled raiding parties from Yorkshire by competing to dislodge Yorkshire Puddings from the ceremonial plinth with finest quality Bury black puddings (kindly now supplied by Chadwicks of Bury…undoubtedly the finest Black Puddings in the world).

An event now enshrined as the WORLD BLACK PUDDING THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS!

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 2 SALFORD CITY 1

If, by scoring in the first minute, the higher league visitors were expecting an easy passage, then they were soon brought back to earth by a fine comeback from the Rams.

After a delayed kick-off due to crowd congestion, Salford took just 34 seconds to open the scoring, and a fine goal it was. Redshaw was played down the right wing, and he raced towards the by-line before cutting inside and firing a fierce low angled drive past the bemused Grant Shenton in the home goal. It certainly shook up the Rams, but instead of rolling over, they dug deep and began to battle back and almost equalised in the third minute when Dominic Smalley dispossessed Ogoo, but fired over. Played at a fast pace before a noisy crowd, the game was developing into an end-to-end battle.

Phil Dean’s cross-shot was kept out by former Rams keeper Robertson, whilst Smalley fired in another cross that missed the far post by inches. An excellent through ball from Ryan Moore sent Jon Robinson through, but again Robertson denied the home side. Salford responded after a long kick out from Robertson sent Morning away on the right, and his inch perfect cross to Giggs saw the visitors manager’s fine volley brilliantly turned round by Shenton. An equally impressive save at the other end denied the home side the equaliser. An incisive low cross from Joel Pilkington found the on-rushing Moore six yards out, and his first time effort was superbly turned over by Robertson, with a goal looking inevitable.

A couple of free-kicks late in the half almost doubled the Ammies lead. Shenton had to be alert to save from Burke, before Giggs saw the home custodian palm his curling effort onto the bar and over.

The home side came out for the second half in a more determined mood, and could have levelled in the 49th minute. Grant Spencer’s free-kick ricocheted off the bar and Dean saw his follow-up sail over. Smalley saw his shot blocked, whilst another Spencer free-kick narrowly evaded a couple of his team-mates in the area, as the home side gradually wrestled control. A Robinson cross missed Spencer, but as it was returned, the same player headed narrowly wide, and Spencer again fired in a free-kick on 68 minutes, only to see it diverted for a corner. It was from this that Ramsbottom finally levelled the scores. Andy Dawson out-jumped the visiting defence to plant a firm header into the back of the net.

Almost immediately Salford replied with a fine move involving Rother and Giggs that resulted in a corner, but this was cleared by Shenton to Smalley whose 60 yard run saw him feed Robinson, but the former Salford man’s volley went sailing over the bar, as the game continued at a frantic pace. Robertson again made an excellent save to deny Robinson from point-blank range, before denying Moore as the home side went in search of a winner. Not that Salford were looking to take the game back to their place. Giggs again sent in a powerful free-kick which Shenton palmed away before gathering the follow-up from Cross. Then substitute Hadley had a glorious chance to win it for City but he put his effort over the bar.

With a replay looking inevitable, three minutes into time added on, substitutes Mickey Saunders and Keiron Pickup foraged down the left, and as Saunders shot was blocked, it set up nicely for Pickup who fired in a terrific shot from 15 yards that had Robertson grasping for air. The ball hit the back of the net to scenes of much joy from the Rammy players and supporters, and great despair for the visitors.

The Rams had triumphed on a night which began with the F.A. Cup on show(courtesy of Ramsbottom Stoves) and ended with a late winner in what had been a terrific game of football between two evenly matched sides who gave the large crowd an excellent evening’s entertainment.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED:
Shenton, Pilkington (Birtles 77mins), Pugh, Morley, Dawson, Flannery, Smalley, Spencer, Moore (Pickup 88mins), Robinson, Dean (Saunders 82mins)
Subs not used: Sharples, Gaskell, Berrisford, Burke

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
WED 7th SEPT – NWCFL v Padiham (A) 19:45
SAT 10th SEPT – NWCFL v Winsford United (A) 15:00