Otley is a Market Town, within the governance of The Metropolitan Borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire. There is also another Otley somewhere near Ipswich in Suffolk, which occasionally causes confusion. The Yorkshire  Otley is in an area called Lower Wharfedale, and the River Wharfe splits the Town in half, with the Town Centre being to the South of the river, but the majority of residences to the North. It was once believed that it had more pubs per head of population than any other Town or City in Great Britain, although some of these pubs have since closed down, although there are still probably 20 Pubs, Clubs and Bars – more than enough to cater for a Population of less than 15,000.

One of those surviving Pubs is the Black Horse which stands in  a imposing Town Centre position, overlooking Manor Square and the statue of Otley’s most famous Son, English Cabinet Worker Thomas Chippendale, whose creations still grace some of the World’s finest residencies. It is an iconic Victorian Pub, beautifully restored by Leeds based Kirkstall Brewery.

The Black Horse hosts Otley Folk Club, who meet every Wednesday Evening in the upstairs room, with a Guest Artist one week, and then the following week being a Singer’s Night  with the opportunity for local singers and instrumentalists to take to the floor and display their talents. An entry charge is made to help offset the cost of Room Hire and the Guest Artist fees!

On Wednesday 19th March is the Club’s Singer’s Night.