Pub of the Month

The Horse & Trumpet, Sileby

I (Steve) have spent many a happy hour in this lovely old 5 roomed pub. I consider it my local.

It is what I think a proper pub should be, uncluttered by diners and hushed tones. Everyone is an equal and allowed their fair say, whatever that may be, as long as you respect your fellow drinker.

I spent a good hour with landlady Charlene (pictured above) and fellow guest Lorna the other evening, delving into this 18th century pub’s history, using Charlene’s laptop. The sileby.history.com website suggests that the pub was built by George Pettifor in the 1760s and remained in the Pettifor family until around 1853. There had been 18 licensees up to 1960 and only two of them were ladies. So Charlene is possibly only the third landlady in 260 years.

Charlene showed me around the building, including the two room cellar with modern beer dispensing and cooling system. There are currently 15 cask beers, lagers and ciders on tap, of which 5 are in the real ale category on hand­pull pumps. There’s a large 7 roomed flat upstairs with 18th century uneven floors and beamed ceilings. Rumour has it that a ghost is resident within this old place, but I have only spoken to one regular who has witnessed it. In the old kitchen, which is now the middle room of the pub, there’s a wooden door leading to an old boarded­up cellar. If there is an ethereal presence, it’s down there where he or she will dwell!

Although this is a drinkers pub, there are regular opportunities to feast on some amazing food with popular street food vendors booking the outside pub garden. This year I have enjoyed The Burgerologist, The Curry Club, The Travelling Taverna Greek Cypriot Street Food, BBQ Night, Dave’s Den South African Street Food, Roni’s Fish & Chip Van and we’re only in October.

Of course there’s a whole lot more that makes a real pub what it is. There’s a thriving darts team who won their league last season, and the Grand Union Folk Club have made this pub their home for the last decade, using the large 70 capacity function room on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month for traditional folk club entertainment.

Daniel’s Quiz night brings out the competitive rivalry of many of the regulars every month, and there is a very healthy charitable spirit running through the life of The Horse & Trumpet with annual Charity Bike Rides, sponsored BBQs, garden par􀀂es, and fundraising for those locals in need of a bit of community help.

There are regular live music nights in the function room, and when special sporting events are on there’s a 70 inch TV to watch your local team win or lose with your favourite pint. Every weekend starts with a really busy buzzing Friday night, which to my mind is the measure of this wonderful hostelry. Dozens of local folk, celebrate the end of their working week and the start of their weekend with their favourite tipple or two and friends to share it with.

There’s another reason that, for Mary and I, this pub is special. The Steaming Billy Pub Company bought this pub from Punch Taverns, and opened the doors for the first time under their signage in April 2012 ­ the same month that the very first Soar Valley Life Magazine arrived on doorsteps in our amazing Soar Valley.

The Horse & Trumpet, 6 Barrow Road, Sileby LE12 7LP
Open: Mon 6 ­- 10.30
Tues & Weds ­ 4.30 ­- 10.30 Thurs 4.30 ­- 11pm
Friday Noon ­- 11pm
Sat Noon ­- 10pm
Sun Noon ­- 10.30pm
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