Herman Lofthouse was a wel-known character in the village. From the late 1920s until the mid '60s he was the chauffeur, part-time gardener and gamekeeper at Farnhill Hall. This story was provided by his grandson, John.
Every single night, come rain, wind, storm, etc., Herman would walk down through the village, from Sunny Bank, to The White Lion. His dogs were always with him: in the '40s and '50s, there were a pair of lurchers called Billy and Brownie.
The dogs would often run on ahead to secure Herman's regular seat - in the corner of the tap room, left-hand side, near the fireplace. The dogs would make themselves comfortable under the seat.
I guess he kept Tetleys in business, drinking their dark mild every night for at least 30 years.
At closing time, the three of them made their way back home to Sunny Bank. The dogs may have run ahead going down, but I think they may have pulled him home on the return trip.
John Lofthouse (Posted 27/04/2013)
The photograph, undated but probably taken in the 1950s, shows Herman, in his regular seat,
with Edgar Hudson and John Smith.