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Fancy a pint and a spot of knitting?
AS PUBS across Calderdale struggle to pull in punters, one watering hole has a crafty new way of attracting custom.
The Sportsman Inn in Bradford Old Road, Halifax, is home to a knitting circle, where people of all ages and abilities gather for a knit, a natter, and often a tipple or two.
The club is run by Suzanne Carney, wife of bar manager Darren and daughter-in-law of landlord Michael.
Mrs Carney, 44, of Pye Nest, Halifax, said it has created a "real buzz".
"Some of us have a cup of tea, a few of us eat and a couple really like the beer - it's very social," she said.
"We really enjoy it and it's a relaxing thing to do after work."
The club, which formed at the Samuel Taylor craft shop in Brighouse, has seen a surge in membership since moving to the pub which is also having a welcome effect on the till.
Darren Carney, 42, said: "We're a very family-orientated pub and it's bringing people in and creating a bit of a talking point."
Up to 15 women, men and children, aged between 12 and 60, now regularly meet to work on their own items and take part in projects for charity.
"A couple of people have joined us by seeing us here," said Mrs Carney.
Among them are Karl and Barbara Marshall and their daughters Holly, 12, and Laura, 15.
Mrs Carney said: "They saw us knitting cupcakes in the pub one evening when they were on a family outing.
"We invited them to join us and they came along a couple of weeks later, very keen to learn."
Mrs Carney, who was taught to knit by her mum and grandma as a child, said she enjoyed passing on the skill to the next generation.
"Some people say it's a bit old fashioned but then they realise they can do different things, that are modern."
The group, which meets each fortnight, is keen to welcome new members.
The next meeting is on Thursday August 26 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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