V' r:1;•. 1 i1 h ■’ *•:


1 11 *- ** ■ (1 ft 10 A £100,000 FACELIFT {* r ~ i ", □ « r X - ,.T '.M


In eating, that is . . . at the 'new look' Stirk House


TN a picturesque country setting, just beyond


Gisburn, I found the other day an exciting eating revolution taking place. I had dropped in with my


)j" s - ■ ? .4S “


b .j . *• . •**$!» « '•*;• • :m


8'oV. i- ,; ;le


•; ; ; ; '; & ».' ’It-


wife for a meal at Stirk House Hotel. It was still the gourmet's


delight of old, with a wine list to suit the most expert of palates. But I soon noticed that


the hotel is taking on a new Image, a new look, as the management pushes ahead with extension and modernisation work at a cost in excess of £100,000. which will put Stirk House fairly and squarely in the forefront when it comes to eating out. Stirk House has been


■ This is the intimate corner tar in the new ballroom, which also incorporates a bridal suite for wedding receptions complete with “ get away " door. . J*


Advertising feature


b y LeiflhMorrissey


Read, arrive in a more conventional manner. As well as catering for


“ under new management ” since March, 1967, when suc­ cessful builder Mr George Molyneux and his business partner Mr Tom Connor took over the hotel and formed Molcon Hotels Ltd. Since then, it has all


built on to the existing building, providing seating accommodation for 220, and a novel bridal suite for wedding receptions, com­ plete with a “get away” door. There then followed a new service area for the


been happening. First a new ballroom was


t Mm‘1-r: *d‘- !-•*', v -:?a ‘ I


' 'P L i u


ei


T h is m a p , n o t to s ca le , p in p o in ts th e h o te l. I t is tw o o r th r e e m in u t e s ’ d r iv in g d is ta n c e fr o m th e c e n tr e o f G isb u rn , in th e d ir e c tio n o f C lith e ro e ,


modernised kitchens, a new lounge bar which before was the dining room, the conversion of the old ball­ room into an intimate restaurant, and much more. A fortnight ago a brand new staff accommodation block was opened, with wall to wall carpeting, central heating and a magnificent recreation room. Just recently Mr Moly-


ne. x has been busy recruit­ ing the best staff he can find to fill It —including manager Mr David Belford and Mr Bernard Hamer, the chef. Next, with a start on


phase two in the spring, will come a new 40 bedroom hotel, including an experi­ mental motel. The result, when work is


t) i .IV;' mti $ *> $


j& A M f *.5


r Now a speciality at the hotel is the new, Intimate bestaurant with its candlelight atmosphere and, in the f ackground, a specially built “old type" fireplace which


orms the centre piece.


w A shot of the ballroom, laid out for a dinner party, b ith the cottage-fronted kitchen service area in the


ackground.


complete about next Octo­ ber, will be a new Image for the 16th century build­ ing which first became an hotel In 1933. Mr Molyneux, from Rad-


cliffe, where with Mr Connor he has made his mark in the building trade, is a tall, likeable man who is keen to please He is obviously wound up in the new venture. “ It Is almost a hobby,” he admitted with


a smile. “ When everything is


complete,” he added with confidence, “ Stirk House will be an hotel second to none in the area.” One thing is certain: It


Is, as one businessman found out recently, an Ideal place to drop In for a three-course business lunch at, If you like, a fixed price of 15s. 6d. He arrived by helicopter


on the car park! Others, including people like Selwyn Lloyd and A1


parties large and small, the hotel also specialises in business entertaining and conventions. With 102 items on the


a la c a r te menue, and a “ You want it, we will get


i t '' undertaking by the management, the gourmet is well catered for. The impressive wine list will undoubtedly catch his ex­ pert eye, and if he chooses he can have certain of the meals cooked by his table. Towards the other end


of the scale, the Saturday night dinner dances — at 30s. a head —are proving a popular attraction, with the Don Martin Showband ensuring that things go with a swing. Also popular are the


Sunday family lunches, with playground facilities for the children while parents enjoy a drink afterwards. If it is just a quiet drink you are after in comfortable plush sur­ roundings, then Stirk House is also the place for you. Stirk House, a free house


with its own wine import licence, is steeped in history.


It is a building scheduled as an ancient monument. And stories, both true and otherwise, are plentiful. Stories like the one which offers an explanation as to why ivy has never grown on the front wall of the build­ ing. The lord of the manor, so


S tir k H o u s e H o te l . , . in w h a t m u s t surely be one o f th e a re a ’s m o s t p ic tu r e sg u e s e ttin g s .


men executed In front of this wall — and ivy has never grown there since. But this is part of an


historical past, and the accent at Stirk House is now just as much on the future No expense has been


spared by the management in giving the hotel its transformation, its new image, right down to the menus produced by crafts­ men with specially cut type


archment. s The first set of 20 cost a


pand printed on hand-made


the new image, an explana­ fion of the dishes can oe t ound in English alongside bhe French menu for the c enefit of the ordinary t hap sitting at the next


taggering £300! t However, in keeping with


t ating revolution I men­


able to the gourmet. e This is just part of the


ioned earlier.


ex Work on tbl for die construct^


pected to


n But the Ministr;l oot t° meet the del pbjectors to the!


o f December, a week.


start! _


urchase orders. I J At a public inql


ossings.


ouly, the main grl pbjections were tl gass would be a s i • er to farmers a r |


rless bridges over a! croad were providj


sngineer’s views t | nent estimated tra r


I The Minister, ehis report, has


oints requested. wHe adds that


uiry Jusliii|


cot warrant the pattle creeps or b:|


o ould be given to I cof bridges as amj i uld be justified I


ffected. MIt "’as pointed


n traffic volumes.! q Another objectitf D fences along thif


concerned!


s avid Yorke who I feveral clients. sa| eences would be axtra burden on.


ministry only un| a aintenance of


ser. who conductecl raid that although! mecommend any g inistry policy, h |


longside motorwij t In his report. VJ


viewedest that the “ Reasomi


l who. I understand! fenciable for the maj


i In theory, a la| cng responsible, wil|


waith the exceptio f ys, all trunk ret eences and hedge! wrected on the lail mith the adjoiningl


hat the farmers ' w The Minister pol


mThe policy in ref[ t aintenance on revrunk roads was


aintained by thel Effect!


T y was justified! M he report adds| ef inister regrets p fect which the aass will have uporl cnd other interests! t onvenience or disT merference with s i|


s iew, but the Mil policent felt that nT


ay cause, he is i the tale goes, had some m a n a g e r .


Mr D a v id B e lfo r d . th e M r B e rn a rd Hamer, the c h e f.


f£***************J***f*J*fJ**f**£f9JJ**i0*****09**wttrirw9**irwr*r*0r***r****9!*f!f!!™!!!!^ present their


H o u s e (g u rtm rn


Hotel


ompetitive prices. • BUSINESS LUNCHEONS


faNEWttractive facilities c eor yournjoyment at


Look at our


• FAMILY LUNCHEONS — Daily, and particularly,


Saturday and 1C / /L Sunday. Bring the 1 3 / 0 children, swings slides and see-saws on the lawn.


i'l-V


• WEDDING PARTIES. For a memorable wedding party on the most unforgettable day of your life. Book now. Seating for 220. Small or large parties catered for.


Prices from C l 1 A per head T t I ■ I ” V


i l l l l


• PARTY MENUS for works dinners; BUS INES S FUNCTIONS; BIRTHDAY


per head J § I ■ I "U


PARTIES , ANNIVER­ SARIES from Cl 1 A


o CHRISTMAS' AND NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES. Ring t or write for full details of


his extensive programme.


o OPEN TO NON-RESI­ DENTS — Call In for a: noggin of ale. You will'be pleased‘with'the delightful surroundings.


w This is the shape of things to come at Stirk House. A n artist’s impression shows what the new 40-bedroom hotel p hig, incorporating an experimental motel, will look like,. It is due to be-completed next October, and is the final


hase in a development which will cost in excess of £100,000. < 4 J L : if* «I • COFFEE LOUNGE. Photos: Tony McNulty,


★ NEW RESTAURANT ★ NEW BARS


NEW IMAGE


Surrounded by boskin type seating giving an intimate atmosphere.


The Tudor Bar adjoining the ballroom. The Charles Bar — Lounge. The Cocktail Bar.


★ NEW KITCHENS cuisine.


Wilth the added attraction new sound SHOWBAND.


by DON 15/6 uiimiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiit !j !{ | |!


Under the supervision of the head chef, 3IR !} BERNARD HAMER, well known for his exquisite


★ NEW TUDOR BALLROOM | Our Resident Manager, MR DAVID BELFORD. is


available at all times for your personal attention n


i Dinner anti Dance only 30/“ | |S


DON MARTIN AND HIS SHOWBAND from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight or 2 a.m._ ,


1:! I [5 j |s


Please note: To complete phase one of the build­ ing programme, the hotel will be closed on Mon­ day and Tuesday next p (Nov. 25/26 only) for the


new kitchen equipment. The bars will be open as usual.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FREE HOUSE


Facilities for 200 cars Note new


ADEQUATE PARKING


GISBURN,(Code192935).' 237 — 345 — 485 3 1ines'


TELEPHONE ADDITIONAL LINES


u.-' lines v urpose of installing


iiiiiiiiiiiitHiniiitiHiiiiiimiiMiTinuiiiiiHiiitiiiitiiitiMinimimiimiiiifiMimnmiimNiMntnis •ii


Stirk BonseHotel


OPEN TO NON RESIDENTS h e s id e h t ia l Till! 0*0011 io«eiio»i


B A L L R O O M j; HfThiifl?;tHe sign


wit * the? entrance^ to fl* A59 ■ Clitheroe/Skipion


hich is s itu a t i on . ______ 1000000*0*00*0*000000*100*110^ 0000**0*0****00**00**/*********************** ******'* j;


restaurant i u non oimiin


FUUV LICENSED ! « * :


,5 ,5


oiio


S p e c ia l W in e a n d D in e a ttractio n Plus DANCING EACH SATURDAY to


j ion of dancing to the ji ;5


MARTIN AND I,IS ,'5s i


tiHimiiiiiiHifiim o’s * 5 ....... 1:5


Man violfl Infirm^


:$


6th. t Insp. H. Baron, I


odmitted being dnl Rrderly is the fore! I oyal Infirmary ol


cf the Infirmary v | same violent and <1


wnd using obscenl o as ejected into t l


ad been receiving [ a Thome, who wl


as later charged. wo the police statiq


CLIT1 IN FL1


T h is month


great epics o f pead bo rn navigator-pi]]


G. He was Flight-L: Musson, the son. Or. and Mrs. A. w |


t . The 7162-mile fli| sralia had been peveral years befd ’ lace in November, f osed by the Long :


P The project Partly to , “show


pment Unit. Atlempl


r artly to challenge! oecord of 2,197 mil# l f the Russiai) r a2months earlier, ■ t cross the Pole frl 6o California a ‘


.50o miles. ' Special light alio


he attempt.


ffere fitted into f eour Vickers Welle Bach powered bjl e ristol Pegasus 3s t ngine, which werej


the .pilot "wished to i hito, theifuselage.dt


Space- was so.uu.


«*y the,-navi down, I d thai' he; over Mml-; r- , fc* a*


- . • ? Beat


Of. the fourf'plk lost-over the Ork


one^rfithe';longtta andi’.wis -never- he. ft.^ t^^im possi


hout obscene reml t He was arrested!


o Allison Roderick! f f Carlton Place, Cl tined £5 by Black| arates on Tuesday


oold the court that! t f a telephone caf ahews went to thl cnd saw the accil hasualty departmeil


i “But suppose til bs not reasonable? f t e altered, I hopl tion will be retry


ompensation to es.


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