THE Oakwood pub in Leigh has been run by general manager John Tarling and his wife Sally for the past 21 years.

They have made sure the family-run pub is a friendly place for people to eat, drink and enjoy great music.
“The pub has changed a lot over the years since we took over,” said Sally.

“The smoking ban put the focus more towards coming to the pub for a lovely meal and drinks with friends and family.”

They serve hearty pub food with tasty Cumberland sausage bites, tossed in sticky barbecue sauce, with sesame seeds and spring onion, sharers mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon-loaded chips, and foot-long jackfruit nachos topped with lightly spiced barbecue jackfruit, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, vegan mayonnaise and spring onion. And the team are set to launch a new menu in June with even more delicious options to choose from.

The large pub has two pool tables within the venue and outside there is decking at the front and a garden at the back.

“It is great to see people out in the sunshine enjoying themselves. We are going to put more benches in the back garden so there is more seating to enjoy outside,” said Sally.

The pub is always running local events and showing a variety of live acts including jazz on Mondays and live music on Fridays andSaturdays, as well as regular afternoon teas. They also show football and horse racing.

Sally said: “It is nice to be able to celebrate again with friends and family and our music nights are always popular.

“We like to have regular nights and lots of tribute acts. We have got a Tina Turner tribute on Saturday 7 May and she is brilliant. It is a guaranteed fun night with lots of great music.”

The village pub is at the heart of the community and Sally has seen through some changes over the years.

“People are slowly getting back to normality since lockdown, but it is hard for some people who are used to being indoors. People might come out if they have a problem or need to talk and it helps them,” said Sally.

“Being an open ear for people to talk to is part of the job, and the part I enjoy. People aren’t just here for the beer, they want to be around people and to see their friends.”

The Oakwood Pub is located at 564 Rayleigh Road, Eastwood. Call 01702 512819 or visit www. greatukpubs.co.uk/theoakwoodeastwood for further information.