The Davenport Arms in Woodford, also known locally as The Thief’s Neck, is celebrating 25 years with licensee Yvonne Hallworth at the helm, with a special event on Saturday 27th February.
The Hallworth family are the longest serving family in Robinsons 300-strong pub estate; a publican family dynasty that has spanned over five generations, the family pulled their first pint of Robinsons bitter at the pub in February 1932.
Licensee Yvonne reflects on her life at the pub: “I have so many early memories of the pub. I was only three when I moved here, at the time my Dad was the licensee. My whole life has revolved around the pub so it’s great to be celebrating such a fabulous anniversary with my regulars and family.”
Regulars enjoy a pint of Robbies in The Davenport Arms, locally known in Woodford as The Thief’s Neck alsocalled
The Robinson family acquired The Davenport Arms, Woodford, in 1922 but this historic hostelry – once part of the famed Capesthorne Estate – dates back to the 18th Century in which the Davenport family were the game wardens to the King’s hunting preserves.
Legend has it that the tree which stands outside of the pub was used to hang wrongdoers, hence the nickname ‘The Thief’s Neck’.
The Davenport Arms is a former holder of a Greater Manchester Pub of the Year award and, as of 2015, has celebrated 29 consecutive years in CAMRA’s National Good Pub Guide.
Yvonne continued: “The pub has been around for hundreds of years so by comparison my time as licensee has been short but even during that period there have been so many changes to the pub trade. The rising costs of running a pub and three recessions have certainly been low points but the opportunity to have worked so close with my family and to have my regulars is something I wouldn’t have changed at all.”
The Davenport Arms will be hosting an event during the day of Saturday 27th February with plenty of family activities and a visit from Robinsons Brewery’s award-winning Shire horses, Wizard and Hopnik. In the evening, the pub will be closed for an exclusive party for regulars and family members.
William Robinson, Managing Director (Pubs Division) of Robinsons Brewery said: “We are extremely proud of our long and successful working relationship with the Hallworth family. The pub’s continued success is a testament to the hard work of Yvonne and her family and from everyone at Robinsons we want to congratulate Yvonne on her silver anniversary at The Davenport Arms.”
Closing, Yvonne said: “It’s going to be a great day for the whole family. So we would like to extend an invite to customers, new and old, to come to The Davenport Arms and help us celebrate our wonderful pub.”
The Hallworth family have been at The Davenport Arms since 1932 and have no intention of giving up pulling pints for their customers!
The Davenport Arms invite you to celebrate with them during the day of Saturday 27th February. For more information, visit http://davenportarms.co.uk/ or call 0161 439 2435.
