Mystery of fireplace discovered in Otley pub (From Wharfedale Observer)

Mystery of fireplace discovered in Otley pub

1:07pm Tuesday 18th September 2007 in Local news By Jim Jack

THE owners of an Otley pub are hoping someone can shed light on the origins of a newly discovered old open fireplace.

Jamie Newson-Smith was carrying out some renovation work to the Red Lion, on Kirkgate, when he came across the hidden fireplace.

And, despite asking regular customers who have been coming to the inn for more than last five decades, he is still no wiser to finding out anything about its history.

He said: "We bought this place back in February and we've just been doing work on it as and when we can.

"There's a gas fire in the small snug room, opposite the bar, and I took a hammer and chisel to it the other night to take it out and found a nice big open fire hidden behind it.

"I'm working on it now and the idea is to get it back in use again, to have a big log fire going. But we're trying to find out when it was last used and people who have been coming here for 50 years can't remember it, so it must have been a while ago.

"The lintel across the top looks a bit unusual, it has two L shapes that push against each other, which I've never really seen before. We'd really like to find out its age and a bit more about it, so I'd really like to hear from anyone who remembers it."

Anyone with information can contact Mr Newson-Smith on (01943) 464217.