retiredmartin

October 2023. Shipley.

You can’t actually see the dividing line between Saltaire and Shipley, but you certainly know when you’ve crossed it.

And the Crafty Kernel meets every requirement of the “modern micro” playbook, though at least it has a nice protruding sign so you only walk past it 3 times, rather than the median 7 times for a micro.

I’ve no doubt What Pub describes this as “a welcome addition to the Shipley drinking scene” or similar, though in truth north Bradford is awash with small pubs, and perhaps a bit lighter on large ones these days.

But I’ve warmed to these new suburban locals, welcoming to all, over the last decade.

And the Kernel was as jolly as any Proper Pub, particularly when “Kev” joined us just after 2pm opening to tell us he’d left his quid in the swimming room lockers.

THAT’S real drama. THAT’S the storyline Emmerdale need, not a triple murder and a confidence trickster bombing the local pub (whatever).

A cool, rich, Tiller Pin from Wishbone, interesting soft drinks, local art for sale, grazing boards.

“it shows a woman’s touch” noted Mrs RM, which is the sort of everyday sexism I wouldn’t get away with even though it’s absolutely true.

Still not convinced by the upstairs seating, mind, but then those upstairs rooms are never used, are they ?