September 2025. Batley.
The suburban towns of Leeds aren’t undiscovered gems, but I really ought to have a better understanding of places like Batley, back with a GBG newbie this year.
Ten minutes stroll from the station gives you a good sense of the faded grandeur of the mills,
it’s a little like Bradford’s Little Germany district.
Though here the local cuisine is fried chicken, three in a row along Bradford Road.
Barely a pub in sight, keg or cask, once you leave the Station’s Cellar Bar.
So no surprise the Spoons clears up on a Monday afternoon, though I’m the only diner,
and even then it’s only the “Dublin inspired” Spice Bag with caramel fudge brownie for pudding. More salt and sugar than you should eat in a year to go with a chewy pint of Wobbly Bob.
Some of you may be wondering how I’m so fit with that diet and the answer is that I’ve got something to make a dash for at the end.
The Union Rooms is running a day trip to Blackpool, which wouldn’t have scanned as well as “Bangor” in 1979.
It’s a social club sort of Spoons, where blokes my age sing “He Ain’t Heavy” better than Allan Clarke and then order taxis to a pub half a mile away.
I don’t see anyone walking in Batley as I take the town trail,
a route highlighting solid woollen wealth but little to occupy the pub man.
But plenty for the fried chicken fan.
retiredmartin 
I had one of those Spice Bags a couple of weeks ago and felt so disgusted with myself afterwards that I have not eaten any junk foods since.
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I’m so sorry you’ve been put off junk food, Alan.
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Probably a good thing.
I thought I could feel.my arteries hardening whilst eating that Spice Bag
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“but I really ought to have a better understanding of places like Batley, back with a GBG newbie this year.”
(looks at the pic below)
Well, that explains the ‘bat’ part of Batley.
“Ten minutes stroll from the station gives you a good sense of the faded grandeur of the mills”
At least there won’t be any more ‘trouble at mill”*
* — Monty Python, Episode 15, (it’s the lead into the Spanish Inquisition sketch)
“Though here the local cuisine is fried chicken, three in a row along Bradford Road.”
Blimey. That’s worst than nail salons in downtown New York.
“More salt and sugar than you should eat in a year to go with a chewy pint of Wobbly Bob.”
Do they have those De-Fib thingies on the wall so people can jump start your heart?
(sorry, AED is the proper term I think)
“Some of you may be wondering how I’m so fit with that diet and the answer is that I’ve got something to make a dash for at the end.”
I thought it was merely the long walks with the occasional mad dash due to inclement weather.
“where blokes my age sing “He Ain’t Heavy” better than Allan Clarke and then order taxis to a pub half a mile away.”
(slow golf clap)
“a route highlighting solid woollen wealth but little to occupy the pub man.”
(sigh)
“But plenty for the fried chicken fan.”
I think restraint is in order for any commenting here.
Cheers
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Well I have to say, Russ, this is an impressive comeback by you. You seem to be getting more out of my blog than I put in.
I’d read on the town information board that statue featured an odd animal, but completely forgot it was a bar (honest). Good spot.
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RM, yours was the first BBB (Brit Beer Blog) I came across years ago. I think my muse lines up with your dry humour. 😏
PS – I saw that that building has bats on it, but didn’t realise it was also a bar! 😁
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I’m greatly honoured by that, Russ.
Generally not many people get my humour. Personally I find BRAPA similar, and Duncan very funny and interesting. He should write more but gets distracted by moths.
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Don’t make me blush.
And yup, I rank Si then Duncan/LAF (tie?) in that order as well.
I’m behind with Si, haven’t even checked Duncan, and that doesn’t even include LAF, Mudgie and Paul! (not even hours in the day)
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All good I think, just with different focus and style and free time to blog.
I’d love a free week just to read of Si’s posts properly.
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You’d need to stop blogging yourself in order to do that!
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