Yorkshire Life Lunch - Ring O’ Bells, Thornton, Bradford

By Esther Leach on April 20th 2010

On a clear day you can see for 40 miles from the lofty eyrie that’s home to the Ring O’ Bells. But on the day of our lunch, guests were too busy admiring the art on the walls and on their plates to give the dramatic Pennine backdrop so much as a second glance.

Owners Ann and Clive Preston commissioned Yorkshire artist Ian Middleton to create a series of open canvasses reflecting the fun and colour of the food and wine business for their restaurant and plan to exhibit at least one new oil painting a month.

In the refurbished bar area guests are greeted by more art, this time photographs. ‘We got permission from the Shackleton family, who still live in the village, to reproduce photographs taken by Leo Shackleton in the 1920s,’ Ann explained. ‘We now have 30 prints on display of wonderful, interesting and historical scenes of family and working life in the village.’

The Ring O’ Bells has a real sense of history about it. The bar area was originally a Wesleyan chapel and meeting room – the graveyard is behind the car park if you care to look – and the restaurant was two mill cottages.

The Reverend Patrick Bronte was vicar of St James and his children were born and raised in the village before resettling in neighbouring Howarth.

A warm, hearty welcome from Ann, Clive and their staff, many of whom have been with them since they took over 18 years ago, soon dispel any thoughts of dour chapels and sour priests though.

‘We all love what we do – and it shows,’ said Ann, greeting each guest as an old friend, or at the very least an old-friend-in-the-making. ‘We’re like a family and our customers are very much part of that. People who visit us once visit us again and again. Babies who had their Christening here still pop in for a drink when they are home.’

Ann and Clive were both high-powered executives when they stumbled on the Ring O’ Bells 18 years ago. He retained his job in the retail sector, but she gave up an international sales role for Proctor & Gamble to take a punt on a new career.

‘My stepdaughter was working here and just happened to mention that  the pub was up for sale,’ said Ann. ‘I made an off-the-cuff comment like ‘that would be a nice little business’, and the next thing I know I’m a landlady.

‘It was a real shock to the system. I thought I worked hard, but I had no idea how intense and draining this business is. It’s worth it though.’

The pub prides itself on serving fresh, locally sourced food in honest, delicious dishes created by head chef Ian Booth, who previously worked at The Ritz in London, and his talented kitchen team.

On the day of our lunch, they served up a fresh, zesty tian of crab followed by a velvety mushroom soup with a swirl of earthy, amber truffle oil.
The main course was a simple but delicious plate of plump, juicy lamb, sourced from just five miles down the road, with a fondant potato and bundle of beans that were bursting with flavour. And the pudding was a trio of sensuously smooth chocolate creations that left everyone sighing with pleasure.

‘I wanted to create a quality country pub and restaurant that has a warm, friendly atmosphere and serves traditional great British food with contemporary flair,’ said Ann, explaining her ethos over lunch. ‘I wanted this to be a dining experience.’

She has undoubtedly reached her goal and is clearly still passionate about what she does, with her lively enthusiasm reflected throughout the business.

‘We embody what’s great about the best British pubs and restaurants,’ she said. ‘Some places have very well trained staff who say all the right things, but you can see when they’re heart’s not in it.

‘We are passionate about what we do here, and are very proud of what we achieve every day. We have heart.’

Canapes

Clive Preston

Norrie Richards

Annie Stirk

Pam Marcantonio and Jo Murray

Donald and Joyce Pratt

Victoria Robertshaw and Nicola Bland

Mike Toyne, Andrew and Shelley Jones

Espresso chocolate mousse, chocolate nemesis and white chocolate pannacotta

Medallions of lamb with a tomato and basil scented lamb sauce, green bean bundle and fondant pota

Wild mushroom cappuccino with white truffle oil

Tian of crab with king prawn and fine herb salad

Laura Card and Anthony Gribbin

Chris Ingle

John Cannon

Sophie Findlay and Catherine Senior

Sanjay Kumar

Ceri Himsworth

Ann Preston

Nick Hall

Lucy Foulds and Adam Hird

Smita and Brian Lymbery

Contacts

Ring O’ Bells, 212 Hill Top Road, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3QL.
Tel: 01274 832296
Email: enquiries@theringobells.com
Website: www.theringobells.com

Open: noon to 2pm every day;
5.30-9.30pm Monday to Friday;
6.15-9.30pm Saturday;
6.15-8.45pm Sunday.

Wine was supplied by Morosini Mills, Bradford, 01274 362994.

Menu

Canapés

Tian of crab with a king prawn and fine herb salad

Wild mushroom cappuccino with white truffle oil

Medallions of lamb with a tomato and basil scented sauce, green bean bundle and fondant potato

Trio of chocolate: espresso chocolate mouse, chocolate nemesis and white chocolate pannacotta

Wine notes

Gonzales Byass Vilarnau Cava Brut NV Catalonia Green apples and floral notes on the nose with a persistent, fine perlage (bubbles). This cava has the perfect balance of acidity and sugars and works very well with canapés, white meat, fish, vegetable dishes and
spicy cuisine.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOC 2008 Tuscany Golden yellow with an elegant, intense and persistent bouquet. This fresh and fruity wine has a good structure and a slightly bitter aftertaste. It combines well with appetisers, crustaceans, fried dishes and fish.

Chateau la Tour St Bonnet Cru Bougeois 2002 Medoc A rich, dark wine with intense cassis flavours and smooth, balanced tannins. Perfect for drinking with lamb and most meat dishes.
Elysium Black Muscat 2005 California Roses on the nose and lychee in the mouth. This heavenly wine (Elysium is Greek for heaven) is wonderful with blue cheese, summer pudding, ice cream and dark chocolate.

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