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News & Features
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- Category: News & Features
It with a heavy heart to bring you this news.
This week, Manchester said goodbye to one of its most cherished publicans. Nancy passed away peacefully at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond one of the city's most famous pubs.
There are pubs, and then there are institutions.
In Manchester, few places deserve that title more than The Peveril of the Peak. With its unmistakable green-tiled exterior standing proudly against a skyline that has transformed around it, "The Pev" has welcomed generations of locals, visitors, musicians, workers, football fans, and curious tourists through its doors.
But for more than half a century, the true heart of The Pev wasn't the building.
It was Nancy Swanick.
For over 55 years, Nancy dedicated her life to The Peveril of the Peak. She became far more than its landlady; she became one of the defining faces of Manchester's hospitality. Warm yet wonderfully forthright, fiercely protective of the pub's character, and deeply proud of what it represented, she ensured that The Pev remained exactly what it had always been—a proper pub, full of history, conversation, laughter and community.
As Manchester grew skywards and neighbourhoods changed beyond recognition, Nancy stood firm. She resisted unnecessary modernisation, preserving not only a beautiful Grade II-listed building but also the atmosphere that made it so special. Countless people walked through its doors expecting to visit a famous pub, only to discover something much rarer: authenticity.
That authenticity came from Nancy.
Generations of regulars became extended family. Visitors from across the world returned time and again because they knew they would find the same warm welcome. Her influence reached far beyond the bar itself, helping to preserve an important piece of Manchester's social history.
The timing of her passing feels especially poignant. Just days before, The Peveril of the Peak had received national recognition as the UK's Best Pub as ranked by Time Out Magazine —a fitting honour for a place that Nancy had devoted her life to. It was a reminder that while buildings can become iconic, it is the people inside them who create their soul.
Those who knew Nancy speak of her determination, her humour, her generosity and her unwavering commitment to doing things properly. She understood that a great pub isn't measured by how fashionable it is, but by how it makes people feel when they walk through the door.
In an age where so much changes so quickly, Nancy became a symbol of continuity. For thousands of Mancunians, she represented a city that values character over trends, community over convenience, and tradition without ever feeling stuck in the past.
Although Nancy is no longer behind the scenes, her legacy will live on. The Swanick family have confirmed that The Peveril of the Peak will remain in family hands, continuing the values she spent decades protecting. Every pint poured, every story shared across the bar, and every new visitor discovering The Pev for the first time will become part of the legacy she leaves behind.
Manchester has lost one of its great characters.
The Pev has lost its matriarch.
But legends never truly leave the places they helped build.
The next time you find yourself standing beneath those famous green tiles, take a moment to raise a glass—not just to one of the city's greatest pubs, but to the remarkable woman whose passion, resilience and kindness made it a home for so many.
Thank you, Nancy.
Manchester won't forget you.
The Pev was under the care of Trafford and Hulme branch from 1997 until the formation of the Central Manchester branch in 2016.
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- Parent Category: News & Features
- Category: Pub News
Frequent flyers of The Moorfield Sale will have undoubtedly noticed that it had closed for a while.
Well the good news is that it's reopened as.... just merely 'The Sale' (Imagine the discussion at the marketing meeting coming up with that one!)
Anyway, after sampling what they have to offer at the Sale I can confirm that there are 4 handpumps, however, the Old Golden Hen wasn't on despite the clip showing. When I pointed out the clip should be turned, this was met with silence and a blank stare. The practice of leaving pump signs visible when not on seems to be an industry norm now.
I tried the Deuchars (well kept but bland) and the Abbot Ale which was in decent form and just about merited a 3 score. 2 halves cost £4.60 so clearly not trying to compete with Wetherspoons and its ilk.
It seems like even more of a food pub now and beyond the bar, it has been given a restaurant feel (quite well done IMHO). Even the bar area, where the fruit machines remain, is geared up for food. There is a terrace and large patio area out the back in front of a large car park. This was very popular on the warm evening of my visit.
Service looked stretched and somewhat fraught and I assumed this was understandable teething problems.
Overall, a significant improvement and very pleasing to see real ale back on. The continuity of this and its quality should ideally be regularly checked.
It was nice to see a few people drinking cask from my observation.
Watch this space!
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- Category: News & Features
Sadly The Trafford and Hulme branch recently lost a long standing member John Ison.
John along with other like minded Cask Ale enthusiasts re-invigorated the Trafford and Hulme Branch in 2003/4.
From this time on the branch increased the number of socials and attendances at meetings also began to rise, the Chorlton Beer and Cider Festival took off around this time and John was an enthusiastic volunteer.
John was an old school pub surveyor, doing the rounds of branch pubs and reporting back his findings in the pre-digital age.
Many members would receive a Christmas card, hand delivered, from John and his wife Janice wishing us all the best right up to 2023.
Rest in peace dear friend.
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- Parent Category: News & Features
- Category: General Articles
A (very) small contingent of the branch travelled to the Old Post Office in Lymm on Wednesday February 7th to join North Cheshire branch at their presentation to brewer Mark Dale of the North West Regional Silver bottled beer (4.3% and below) for Lymm Bitter.
Our trip was to present, what turned out to be the 'other half' award, bottled beers 4.4% and over (silver again) but to sister brewery Dunham Massey (where Mark also brews) for their Dunham Porter.
Gary Chester, regional Brewery Liaison Coordinator & National Executive member presented the Lymm award and North West Regional Director Ralph Warrington presented the Dunham Massey award to a very surprised and delighted brewer!
We sampled many of the draught ales including Dunham Dark, Lymm Bitter, Chirotherium (specially requested for the night) and Dunham Winter Warmer and all we're on fine form
Lymm brewery is currently not on operation due to Mark brewing at Dunham but he hopes to get it up and running again soon (quote 'a few hours').
Pictures
Ali Warrington (Brewery Liaison Officer for both breweries, left), Mark Dale (right, brewer) and the Lymm Bitter award
Ralph Warrington (left), Mark Dale (right, brewer) presentation of the Dunham Massey award
Ralph Warrington (left), Mark Dale (centre, brewer), Gary Chester (right), pictured with both awards
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- Parent Category: News & Features
- Category: CAMRA News
At present Pubs enjoy significant protection in the Planning System. The government plans to remove this for some pubs. It is proposing to use "High Street Rental Auctions" to bring disused commercial properties – including pubs – back into use, by letting Councils auction off a lease for between 1-5 years.
These leases would allow pubs to be converted to other uses, divided up into multiple units, or gutted of their bars, cellars or other integral features. Concerningly, there would be no obligation to reinstate the pubs fittings at the end of the lease – in fact developers would be able to apply to make the conversion permanent.
This would be a significant loss of protection for urban pubs, and CAMRA is calling for the Government to think again on these plans.
You can use the CAMRA campaigning tool here
to e-mail your MP about the campaign. You can find more out here:-
https://camra.org.uk/pubs-and-clubs/pubs/high-street-rental-auctions/
and the official goverment page is here :-
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/high-street-rental-auctions/high-street-rental-auctions
More Articles …
Subcategories
CAMRA News Article Count: 25
The latest news from Trafford & Hulme CAMRA
Pub News Article Count: 78
News from pubs across the branch area.
General Articles Article Count: 17
Articles and features about branch activities & anything else beer, cider or pub related.
Newsflash Article Count: 6
Branch Event Reports Article Count: 5
Reports on Branch Events including Pub Crawls, Brewerey and Festival Visits.
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