Spook this way

THIS is one of the busiest pubs in York - a Bass Heritage boozer and now home to one of the city's best-known licensing families. Scotsman Bill Embleton and wife Sue have run several hostelries in the city but are best known for their 13 and a half year stint at the historic Olde Starre Inne, just up t'road.

For almost a year though, with daughter Mandi and assistant manager Matt (also ex-Olde Starre), the Embletons have been in situ at The Punch Bowl - a pub also steeped in history.

The boozer's been plying its trade for well over 300 years (although the spectacular mock-Tudor gable was added during a refit in 1931) and has strong historical connections with the reforming Whig party.

Back in the 17th century, the Whigs were bitter rivals of the Tories. Among other things, they preferred punch and the Tories preferred claret (these politicians will argue about anything!).

Any Whig entering an inn bearing the sign of the punch bowl was sure to meet those of a similar political persuasion. The modern equivalent would be choosing to play snooker at the Working Men's instead of the Conservative Club.

Several rare old scraps blew up between the feuding parties with the Tories once entering the pub unlawfully during a general election and claiming that voting irregularities were going on.

Damage ensued and some local leading lights offered the sum of four pounds and a shilling for repairs. Loadsamoney!

More serious damage has occurred, though, with two major fires in the past 150 years.

Now part of Bass, the modern-day Punch Bowl boasts a good range of beers (including the excellent London Pride) and a busy food operation. Visitors can sample the lunchtime menu from noon to 3pm, while late diners can take advantage of the 'two meals for £6' deal from 3pm-8pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 3-7pm Friday and Saturday.

The menu boasts everything from rump steaks to bangers and mash - and there are jackets and baguettes available too.

Visitors might even see a ghost too. The first fire ended in the demise of the landlord whose spook descends into the cellar via a long-gone set of stairs, thereby scaring customers witless. Two women also haunt this atmospheric boozer. One, a grey lady, heard of the death of her lover and, heartbroken, promptly committed suicide.

The second girl suffered a possibly worse fate. At one time it's thought that the building housed a brothel and she was fighting off the unwanted attentions of a drunk when he pursued her through the house and beat her to death. Her ghost is seen trying to escape her attacker.

As it happens, Bill escaped Scotland in 1962 and moved to York. Eventually he spotted Sue working in a chip shop and asked her out.

Even though he's a Jock, he was genuinely gutted when England were knocked out of Euro 2000. "Aye, I was," he said. "Well - I had a whole fiver on 'em!"

Tony 'Tippler' Mallett

This is the last in the series.