January - Grove (Clayton)
The Grove
652 Ashton New Road, Clayton, Manchester, M11 4SQ
The Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Month award for January 2016 has been won by the Grove, Ashton New Road in Clayton. Jim Flynn reports.
If, in these days of micro pubs and multi-beer ale shrines, you are not sure what a genuine street corner community local looks like, and why such pubs are so important to the fabric of many communities, you need look no further than the Grove in Clayton. This classic multi-roomed Holts pub, oozing with history (note the war memorial on the wall) is an oasis in a pub and cask beer desert; it's nearly two miles from the city centre and this is the first pub you will come across! The licensee, Sandra Billings has worked diligently to enhance the community spirit in the pub and her efforts are clearly paying off as it is very much at the heart of social life for many in Clayton. Sandra has been behind the bar in pubs from Sheffield to Middleton and her experience certainly shines through.
Towering over Clayton is Manchester City's Etihad Stadium complex and while the Grove is a great watering hole for cask beer loving fans on match days Sandra is very keen to ensure that fans of both all teams and none are welcome. On one of the walls of the vault is a football montage with badges from numerous teams from across the country (disappointingly nothing from Port Vale...) {Webmaster: This was corrected in time for the presentation!} and in the newly renovated outside drinking area there are City and United walls.
The all-important beers are Holts Bitter and the seasonal and Sandra ensures these are on good form. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to Sandra and her staff on Thursday, 28th January when I'm sure we will all be given a real East Manchester welcome by these very friendly people.
The pub is on the 216, 217, 231 bus routes (the 53 also stops nearby) but your best mode of transport may well be by tram as the pub is very conveniently next door to Clayton Hall tram stop on Ashton Metrolink line from Piccadilly.
Webmaster - read more about the Grove in 1984 (page 8) and 2004 (page 9) of the 243 - July 2004 back issue of Opening Times.