The landscape behind Owd Betts is changing with the building of
Scout Moor Wind Farm, a massive development of wind turbines and
attendant features. The character of the moor will be changed
forever - many local people have protested, and numerous houses in
the area have been put up for sale, but many people have travelled
to the area to see the spectacle of the huge lorries carrying the
masts through Edenfield and have been up on the moors photographing
the turbines. Whether you are pro or con the wind farm, it
certainly makes an impression.
Owd Betts itself is a fine hostelry up at 300m above sea level
and the views on a clear day are superb, across from the moors and
reservoirs, over Bury and surrounding towns to Manchester and
beyond. The stone building was built in 1796 by Richard and Mary
Ashworth, probably as a farmhouse. By the time that the building
passed to their son, John, and his wife, Betty, in the mid 1800s,
it had become an inn named the 'Hare and Hounds.’ Following the
death of her husband Betty continued to run the inn alone and it
was probably during this period that it became known as ‘Owd
Betts.’ In 1893 Betty too passed away, at the considerable age of
93. However, the pub continued to be affectionately known as ‘Owd
Betts’, although it was not until the 1950s that its name was
changed officially.
The pub today is well known for its excellent food and drink,
although it is said that from time to time 'Owd Bett' shows her
displeasure at modern appliances by causing the odd malfunction of
equipment! Even glasses have been known to jump off the shelves for
no apparent reason! However, she doesn't seem to affect the quality
of the cooking, which always gets good reviews.
LATEST NEWS Tables booked! Wordsearch competition - find
caches on paper to win a shiny, trackable mystery prize! Exciting
eh?! Weather forecast for hikers - Rain becoming heavy for a period
in the afternoon before blustery showers and sunny or clearer
spells spread from the northwest. Strong winds developing, with
gales in places. Maximum temperature 10 °C - woohoo!