Other Stuff

Black Horse, Low Fell

The following images are related to the Black Horse on Kells Lane, Low Fell which has a special connection to our family, as according to our father, the BH, his local was 39 steps from our house. We've all (Four sons and several grandsons) treated the BH as our local from time to time but none more so than Rob who used to hold court there any day you cared to call. Some of the following BH related images were on Rob's original website,

How come the Black Horse had this shirt draped over its roof?

Why the Black Horse? Because that's where this wheeze was plotted...allegedly

Here, the keeper of the sign, as was the expression back then, was James Wardle. If you think this sign is elaborate, given that publicans come and go, let me tell you James Wardle was here for 35 years (1879-1914). I recall seeing another Wardle, his son, on another old pic. In my Dad's day it was Bill Coxon and the current one is Tim Robinson

Back in Thomas Wilson's day when he wrote his poem The Pitman's Pay he makes a reference to Geordy and the notes explain that the keeper of the sign of the Black Horse, one of the first houses on the Low Fell was Geordy Grundy for organised "cock fightin', cuddy racin' and all other pitman's amusements on pay night

Remember, the garage/car saleroom next door, before it morphed into a restaurant

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These are paintings by Jim Harker hung in the lounge of the Black Horse, Low Fell

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