We reported recently about the planned community buy-out of the Golden Ball, one of York’s traditional, unspoilt, neighbourhood pubs. Well they did it!
A co-operative of 183 members raised enough money to buy the lease with all profits being ploughed back into the pub or the community. Karen Cranfield is the new manager and knows her real ales and it was good to see it last night, comfortably buzzing. There were games going on in the front room, a cosy fire in the snug and live music in the bar by talented brother and sister duo The Sibs. (OK interest declared, they’re friends of ours, but they’re very good regardless). In summer too there’s a lovely beer garden.
But that’s not all. Karen and the committee want to make the Golden Ball a genuine community pub and are open to new ideas. They’ve already held storytelling sessions for kids and starting 5th January the local Bluebird Bakery will be delivering fresh bread to the Golden Ball from noon every Saturday: bloomers, olive and herb, wholemeal, rye and caraway and sourdough loaves will be on sale. And I can confirm the sourdough is fab. I’ve had it from Alligator Wholefoods. Click here for their other outlets.