On Thursday 10th October 2024 Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA members presented a special branch award to Frank Collins the licensee of the Dog and Partridge Inn, Sowood . The award was presented in recognition of Frank’s ‘outstanding service to pub customers and to the community over many years’.
Frank first became involved in the hospitality industry in 1945 at the age of 16 years. His father acquired the Dog and Partridge in March 1956 and after his father’s death the pub was run by Frank’s mother, Mabel. His mother then ran the Dog and Partridge for more than 40 years and was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for being England’s oldest and longest-serving landlady. Frank took over the license of the pub in 2000 and has continued to run the pub ever since. He is now, at the age of 95, in turn, believed to be the oldest landlord in England
The Dog and Partridge is a late 18th century Grade II listed public house which is largely unchanged since 1956. It is a classic example of a rural, traditional, real ale pub and has two rooms, plus loos, and is akin to walking into someone’s living room. It has a loyal band of locals, is very popular and is well supported by the community. The pub is filled with old photographs and memorabilia and there is no TV, no juke box and no fruit machines, just the sound of chatter and banter. It is a traditional pub-goers dream venue and serves two cask ales on handpump and a range of other drinks.
Frank is a legendary figure and a true gentleman who looks many years younger than his age. He is energetic, has a very positive approach to life and has an excellent sense of humour. At the end of the evening he treated the locals and travelling CAMRA members to a few old time Cockney Classics and other old time tunes on the pub’s piano.

If you’ve not been to The Dog and Partridge Inn before, it is well-worth a visit. It is located on Forest Hill Road, Sowood and is open from Thursday to Saturday (7pm – 11pm) and Sunday (Noon – 11pm). As the pub is quite small, it is recommended that visitors arrive in small groups only.


