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TheWickingMan

@ianthurman.bsky.social
121 followers 92 following 675 posts

Walking to the pub with a beer in mind. See also thewickingman.wordpress.com

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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A disgraceful bullying episode and a waste of taxpayers' money. www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
derbytelegraph.co.uk
'I spent £50k fighting the council for the right to walk through my garden gate'
Derbyshire County Council fenced in Helene Ball's rear garden which she has used for 59 years, over a perceived access dispute
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I'm a bit worried that a bloke leading a party with 71 MPs might not turn up for his own party conference. Has anyone seen Ed Davey this year?
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
From 12 noon today I'll be in Youlgrave church pulling pints of Thornbridge various.
Poster for Youlgrave Church Ale Festival.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Remarkable people. I am so grateful for their skill, care and resilience. #HathersagePool #RLSS
A report from the Royal Life Saving Society about the lifeguards who saved my wife after a cardiac arrest in January. Thanks to their efforts (and East Midlands Ambulance Service and Northern General, Sheffield) she made a full recovery.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Didn't much like that pint.
An empty Bass glass at the Brew Tavern, Nottingham. Perfect pint.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Off to Trent Bridge for a sleepy County Championship v. Leicestershire. Lunch in Castle Rock's Embankment, post-cricket in the VAT and Fiddle and a curry to finish. Fine day in prospect.
Matlock railway station. Surprised it's not a micro pub.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Always likely to happen.
A company called Soluble Aspirin Limited has been dissolved.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
A lovely pint of Bass in the remote Ye Olde Butchers Arms at Reapsmoor in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Seems strange that the premises licence is under review because of unspecified police concerns. Glorious views of one of the most beautiful parts of the Pek District.
A view of Chrome Hill aka 'The Dragons Back'. In the Staffordshire part of the Peak District.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The Peak District Enlightenment Society has had a difficult first meeting.
Cardboard with a very weak projection of the eclipse.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
There was surely an opportunity here for CAMRA to build bridges with Sam Smiths. The man had faults but there is a grieving family involved here. This obituary strikes me as misjudged and vindictive. wb.camra.org.uk/2026/07/08/b...
wb.camra.org.uk
Brewing enigma dies
The death of Humphrey Smith at the age of 81 sees the passing of the controversial owner of Samuel Smith’s brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. He l...
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
War of the Worlds time.
Aliens invading or possibly Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
National Park rebrands to promote a new car launch. It's not like we have a problem with car-borne visitors. www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-n...
derbytelegraph.co.uk
The Peak District has a temporary new name - but there's a catch
Motor company Škoda UK has arranged a temporary takeover
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The moment your heart sinks in a country pub. "We're paying separately."
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Any chance the TV channels could stop doing vox pops about politics, with people who start with 'I don't know much about him' and then ramble on? It would stop me shouting at the TV.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Good news, bad news on the veg front. Reasonable haul of garlic (slightly smaller than last year due to drought) and a dead mole, in the veg patch, with a couple of puncture wounds.
Garlic crop just liftedA dead mole that's probably due to a cat.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
BBC News - Severn Trent has avoided hosepipe bans for 30 years. No reason given. A touch of journalism rather than press release swallowing would help. Reality....ST's Carsington was the last major reservoir to come on stream in the UK, shortly after privatisation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Water firm has avoided hosepipe bans for 30 years
Severn Trent says it is proud of its decades-old record despite huge demand on supplies.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
One for @rogerprotz.bsky.social . A fine pint of AK at the Town and Gown, Cambridge.
A quality pint of McMullen's AK Mild.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
It's alright for you lot I've got 4 years of misery from my Argentinian in-laws.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A decent Best Bitter, friendly service and an easy going pub. That'll do nicely.
Old Cannon Brewery tap, Bury St Edmunds.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This week's gameshow is Beat the Blackbirds. Even if it results in complete over-heating. I know there's no such thing as global warming but summer soft fruit nearly over by early July is a bit odd for 600' in Peak District.
Redcurrants and raspberries picked from the slopes of Youlgrave.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Still looking for improvement in his team and taking a swipe at South America. Thomas Tuchel embraces the spirit of Sir Alf Ramsey.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Derbyshire v Yorkshire T20 about to start. Brampton Golden Bud on tap, cheese and onion sandwiches and cake. Life is good.
Queens Park cricket ground in Chesterfield. Awaiting Derbyshire v Yorkshire T20
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
All set for a grand day (well a few overs) at lovely Queen's Park, Chesterfield. Derbyshire v Lancashire. Sterling work from Brampton Brewery.
Derbyshire v Lancashire cricket at Chesterfield
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Don't care what the press thinks...I'm choosing a squad, not the best players. Is Tuchel, Alf Ramsey in disguise?
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
The Strugglers followed up by the Tiny Tavern. Lincoln you've done us proud.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Bit of a struggle to get here but great to see a pub doing so well. Good beer, good staff might be a clue.
Strugglers, Lincoln. Ossett and Hop Union beers on fine form.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Spring declared (until next week), garlic waving and bean sticks in place. Now a game of brinkmanship with the lid of the rhubarb forcer.
A Peak District veg garden with bean sticks in place and garlic showing.A forcing pot with the rhubarb desperate to escape.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
A bit of Northern Soul with Stuart Maconie hosting.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A lovely write up of Burton pub perfection. www.colstoncrawford.com/post/why-the...
colstoncrawford.com
Why The Devonshire in Burton is a success story that defies trends
There are some very good pubs in Burton, a town I regard as my second home, but I don’t think it can be denied that the biggest success story among them over the last few years is the Devonshire Arms,...
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The difficulties of opening for lunch at a pub in the Peak District. Pre-Covid it would have had a decent lunchtime trade.
An empty pub in the Peak District.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Probably throw a trip round the brewery in as well.
Beermat showing a competition for a trip to Madrid. Ironic given Madrid is brewed in the UK.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Probably views that are more common than many of us like to think. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
Pubs don’t deserve special measures | Letters
Letters: Singling out pubs for government help when other high street businesses are also suffering is wrong, writes Michael Newman. Plus letters from John Whitney and Pamela Ellis
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
I don't usually post this stuff but. ..11 days ago my wife had a cardiac arrest. Saved by the team at Hathersage Pool with CPR & defib from pool staff/ Derbyshire Ambulance. She is now home. Forgotten your CPR training? Please refresh your skills. It saves lives. www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-...
bhf.org.uk
Learn CPR in 15 minutes for free with RevivR
Learn CPR free in 15 minutes from home with RevivR. All you need is a cushion and a digital device.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Not looking good for Big Garden Birdwatch. I predict 2 magpies.
Dull wet weather in the Peak District.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Well that's a new way of saying, 'left on the doorstep'.
DHL suggesting a parcel has been delivered to a king when it was left on the doorstep.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Pub perfection at the Flying Childers.
Bass beer at the Flying Childers in the Peak District.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
At least you could have a day out at the home of beer @rogerprotz.bsky.social
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
colstonbeer.blog Good to see that Colston can't resist writing about pubs. Well worth a follow.
colstonbeer.blog
How The Crispin got me (re)started
When I retired from the Derby Telegraph in October 2025, I knew I’d miss writing the regular beer and pubs column that I’d done for 21 years. It was a part of me. Vaguely, I thought I might relaunc…
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
White Rat, Wold Top and Whitby. Wonderful.
Looking out to sea beyond Whitby Harbour.Whitby Abbey and the old town. Sun and snow.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Up there in the top 10 of gigs. @richardhawley.bsky.social and the band were superb and the Sheffield audience went from reverential to ecstatic. What a night.
Richard Hawley and band at Sheffield City Hall.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Superb writing from Henry Jeffreys about solitary drinking in a pub.
Writing about the joy of solitary drinking.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
It's also worth remembering that the Bass campaign and Directory of Bass pubs would not have happened without his knowledge, advice and willingness to share information for the benefit of others. RIP Peter.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
My adult children are endlessly discussing K pop. I'm hoping that Aldi will have their own version of the carbonated drink for Christmas.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Never forget that there are good people around. My daughter (with granddaughter) was driving on a single carriageway A road in Manchester this PM and came to a stop as the clutch seized. Two cars stopped immediately and the blokes got out to push her off the road to a safe place.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
A treasure trove of Charrington pub photos released by the National Brewery Heritage Trust. Well done to them. www.prints-online.com/national-bre...
prints-online.com
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Our hosepipe ban notice now providing emergency supplies.
A laminated notice about a hosepipe ban filled with water.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
As CAMRA reports on its current financial difficulties here's my thoughts from a blog post in 2018. The more things change.... wp.me/p5209G-t5
wp.me
I’m stupid, but it’s simple
The recent e-mail from Jackie Parker, the National Chairman Elect of CAMRA, is well-meaning in its focus on the future of the organisation, but for me it set the alarm bells ringing. In some ways i…
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Fine views over Youlgrave.
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
A lovely article by the other Ian, my Bass supporting compatriot. A perfect description of the institution and Mandy. A fine custodian of the Coopers Tavern. thebeertonian.com/2025/09/04/l...
thebeertonian.com
Last Orders at The Coopers
During her 42 years in the licensed trade, including eight at The Coopers Tavern, Mandy Addis has called last orders more times than she could ever count. But on this final Saturday as Landlady, sh…
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TheWickingMan @ianthurman.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
The weirdest of years for fruit (loads) and veg (poor). 2kg of damson plums off a single tree. Nothing for 10 years before. All I need now is a cider maker to take apples.
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