In today's episode (Wednesday) of 'Pubs that Built Britain', the Hairy Bikers visited Middleton and the Old Boar's Head, which claims the title of the oldest original public house in England.

Sam Bamford often frequented the Boar’s Head where he held meetings and recitations of his poems in local dialect. In his book ‘Early Days’ (1849) he writes of his father Daniel fighting at the Boar’s Head in the ‘Thrashing Room’ (Barn). The fight lasted two hours and ended with Daniel’s powerful opponent being carried away by his supporters.

And Jennifer Reid sang Peterloo; words by Harvey Kershaw, set to music by John Howarth.