Volunteer Arms, Copley, Halifax

Traditional village pub within 100 metres of the Calder & Hebble Navigation. Opened out inside to leave a L-shaped layout with the bar in the centre, a games area to the left and a lounge in the right-hand side branch - all comfortably furnished and relatively plainly decorated. Also has a terrace seating area along the frontage. I found three of the four handpumps in service, offering Landlord, Wainwright and Bradfield's Farmers Jubilee Ale(£3.40).

Official site of Volunteer Arms - www.volunteerarms.co.uk

Official site of Volunteer Arms - www.volunteerarms.co.uk

Located on a crossroads, this stone-built pub is roughly staple-shaped internally with the central bar facing the front entrance which forms a rough J shape. A pool table occupies a laminate floored left-hand section with the remainder of the pub newly carpeted and containing standard tables and chairs along with upholstered bench seating. One-third height red panelling runs around the majority of the internal perimeter. A lunch-only food menu was advertised and all tables had wooden blocks containing sauces, condiments and menus, proferring varied pub grub fayre. The two-ale line-up comprised Black Sheep Bitter and Moorhouse's Pride of Pendle - the latter £1.60 for a half and in decent shape and a smattering of people of all ages on a Thursday gives creedence to the notion that something right is being done here.