After a long anticipated wait, The Light Horse Hotel in Murrumburrah will re-open its doors this Friday under the management of Leigh Manchester.
With country pubs and farming in her blood, Leigh will return home after most of her childhood being spent at “Roseville” in Kingsvale. Daughter of Tony and and Judy Manchester, Leigh is looking forward to bringing the great old Murrumburrah watering hole to life again, with icy cold beer, comfy accommodation and mouth watering pub style meals.
The Light Horse Hotel in Murrumburrah is under new management.
Leigh Manchester will be re-opening the pub this Friday June 30.
As a young child, Leigh’s first involvement in a country pub was in 1976, when her grandparents, Bob and Kath Shepherd took over the Royal Hotel at Wombat, before the name changed to Wombat Hotel in later years. With fond memories of the local Wombations and how a country pub was run in those days, Leigh said, “Obviously running a country pub is a lot different today to those days, where patrons would drink until they were full, then drive home. An argument back then, involved two men going outside and returning to the bar together to have a beer.”
Murrumburrah’s Light Horse Memorial and Light Horse Hotel
have become special places for travellers to stop off and have
something to eat and drink, whilst learning about Australia’s military history.
The staircase which takes guests upstairs is a feature of the building.
The Times caught up with Leigh to find out a little bit more about her. When asked how long she had been in the pub industry, Leigh laughed as she contemplated, “I worked at the Criterion in Young in my early twenties. Funnily enough, I would serve my pop his scotch and a dash of water while my Nan did the grocery shopping. I then worked, managed and DJ’d at the Mill Tavern in its hay day. Those were 9 years of my life without giving away my age too easily”.
When asked why she had decided to become a publican, she said, “I feel extremely privileged that I was raised in a country pub and on a farm. The conversations from 11am until 3pm in the bar are pure gold. It is an addictive career, meeting locals and travellers everyday keeps me motivated. In saying that, it is certainly a position you have to love. The hours are long and legislation is tough. But those simple conversations provide the fuel to continue on.”
The bar will be buzzing on Friday night with DJ Cal.Ibre performing
before the pub welcomes Luke Dickens on Saturday night.
When asked what brought her back to the twin towns, she said “The then Commercial was the last pub my pop drank at before he passed away. Do I need to say more? My family has deep roots here and I am excited to be ‘coming home’. When I was approached about taking it on, there was some scepticism in my mind as it was closed. But seriously, look at this big boned old building. How can you not want to love it?
Tab facilities.
Pool table.
With good intentions for the pub and the community, Leigh hopes to work together with other Murrumburrah businesses to keep that end of town buzzing. Freshly painted areas of the Hotel will make the Light Horse feel warm and welcome for patrons, Leigh said, “In small country towns the pub is always owned by the regulars, I see myself as just a custodian who has responsibilites to the town.” The Light Horse will be trading in the colder months from Monday and Tuesday from 5pm and every other day from 11am. Daily bistro specials will be available.
To be a part of the fun this weekend, get down to the Light Horse when Leigh opens the door for the first time on Friday and check out the new Light Horse Hotel Harden Facebook page to see what’s on.
