ONE of Barnsley’s most famous sons got his name over the door of a second pub last week to mark Yorkshire Day.
The Otley Tavern was renamed The Dickie Bird last week, one of 21 pubs in Otley to assume the name of a Yorkshire celebrity to mark Yorkshire Day.
While it was only supposed to be for the day, the sign was still up this week and assistant manager Brian Jackson said it had been proving very popular with the locals.
“Dickie was an absolute gentleman when he came to see us,” he said. “He was talking to customers, posing for photographs, and he’s agreed to come back and see us soon. We’re going to do a charity event in aid of his foundation.”
The Dickie Bird Foundation which helps disadvantaged children aged under 16 get involved in any sport they choose.
Dickie said it was the second pub to bear its name, after a pub in Ilkley took his name on a permanent basis a few years ago and is still going strong.
“It’s very humbling and I feel quite honoured,” Dickie, 85, told the Chronicle.
“Believe it or not, that’s two pubs to be named after me, and I’ve even had two racehorses named after me.
“To have that and a statue in my home town all while I’m still alive, it’s amazing and very humbling.”
