The Bolton branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is marking its 50th anniversary with a special meeting for members and beer enthusiasts in Bolton. The event will take place on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 7.30pm at the historic Olde Man & Scythe pub in the town centre.
Founded in November 1976, the local branch has spent five decades supporting the Campaign for Real Ale, a national organisation started in 1971 to promote traditional cask-conditioned beers. The upcoming meeting offers an opportunity for the community to gather at one of the area’s most recognisable landmarks to celebrate the milestone.
The choice of venue holds significant local history, as the Olde Man & Scythe is reputedly the fourth oldest pub in Britain. First mentioned in a charter from 1251, the current building is a Grade II listed, black-and-white timber-framed structure that was rebuilt in 1636. While the building has been updated over the centuries, it retains a vaulted cellar from the original site.
The pub is also famous for its connection to the English Civil War. On 15 October 1651, James Stanley, the 7th Earl of Derby, was beheaded at the market cross in Churchgate, near the pub. A chair inside the pub remains as a historical reminder of the event, bearing an inscription that states the Earl sat there immediately prior to his execution.
Today, the pub is owned by Heineken UK and continues to serve cask ale to the community, with beers from local producers such as Bank Top Brewery typically available on the bar.
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