Good news (and, depending on your viewpoint, terribly bad planning) -
there are CAMRA beer festivals next weekend in  Wigan,  Oldham and
Leeds.
http://www.wigancamra.org.uk
http://www.robcamra.org.uk/
http://www.leedsbeerfestival.co.uk/

The first two are covered transport wise by a Greater Manchester Rail
Ranger (£4), which covers all railway services in the GM area. There
are also tickets which allow bus, tram and train, and any combination.

My inclination is to do Oldham, and then travel across the Pennines
by the scenic Calder Valley line to New Pudsey (for the Leeds fest).
Be warned though, both Festivals close for a couple of hours from 4pm,
and to my uncertain knowledge, there are no decent pubs nearby in New
Pudsey.

Think we're doing Oldham too.   The problem with the Leeds one these days is 
that the capacity of Pudsey Civic Hall has been somewhat reduced by the 
council which leads to queuing

If you are travelling on the Calder Valley line you might be interested to 
know that Moyles in Hebden Bridge has been awarded Halifax and Calderdale 
Camra pub of the year.

It has four rotating guests and Pictish Brewers Gold as a regular and is 
quite near the station opposite the Marina.

The beer quality is superlative (which is probably why it won!)

On Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:27:58 -0000, "Paul Rigg"
 wrote:

>
>
>Think we're doing Oldham too.   The problem with the Leeds one these days is 
>that the capacity of Pudsey Civic Hall has been somewhat reduced by the 
>council which leads to queuing
>
>If you are travelling on the Calder Valley line you might be interested to 
>know that Moyles in Hebden Bridge has been awarded Halifax and Calderdale 
>Camra pub of the year.
>
>It has four rotating guests and Pictish Brewers Gold as a regular and is 
>quite near the station opposite the Marina.
>
>The beer quality is superlative (which is probably why it won!)
>
> 
Thanks, Paul. Given your advice, I may well stay West of the Pennines.

Re Moyles - yes, I've been there. Without a doubt the best place in
Hebden Bridge for good beer. Incidentally, the place that disappoints
me these days is the Fox and Goose.  It used to be such a good pub,
and was one I regularly visited. On my last visit, the beer choice was
poor, the quality worse, and the hospitality non-existent. (Please
don't tell me you're the landlord, or that it's your fave pub!)

>>
>>
> Thanks, Paul. Given your advice, I may well stay West of the Pennines.
>
> Re Moyles - yes, I've been there. Without a doubt the best place in
> Hebden Bridge for good beer. Incidentally, the place that disappoints
> me these days is the Fox and Goose.  It used to be such a good pub,
> and was one I regularly visited. On my last visit, the beer choice was
> poor, the quality worse, and the hospitality non-existent. (Please
> don't tell me you're the landlord, or that it's your fave pub!)
>
>Indeed it _was_ my fave pub.  Robin the previous landlord is a very good 
>friend.

Very sad really.

Might see you at Oldham.   It will be me in the KWVR coat!