“PUDSEY has its own personality - it’s a really friendly place and the pub is in a great location in the centre.”

Luke Ward loves being at the helm of The Crossed Shuttle - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week.

One of the market town’s most popular watering holes, the name harks back to the settlement’s roots: for centuries Pudsey depended upon farming and sheep-rearing. Fleeces were woven by villagers in their cottages, moving wooden shuttles across hand looms.

The trade greatly expanded with the emergence of large mills, and when steam power arrived in the late 18th century, Pudsey developed rapidly and was at one time said to be the largest clothing village in the West Riding.

There are two shuttles, crossed, in a frame on the wall at the Manor House Street pub, part of the JD Wetherspoon stable.

“People who come in are interested in the history and the area's textile connections,” says Luke, who has been manager for more than a year and worked for Wetherspoon for eight years.

There has been a pub on the spot since 1770, when it opened as The Black Bull. It was rebuilt in around 1955, and has changed its name twice since, becoming the Crossed Shuttle 11 years ago.

The pub is popular with families eating out. The menu has a good mix of pub classics such as all-day brunch - with a vegetarian option - curries, pizzas and burgers.

“Families also enjoy our general knowledge quizzes on Wednesday eveing," says Luke. Themed quizzes are also held, once a month on a Sunday. "We’ve had subjects like Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel and Star Wars.”

Some of the quizzes attract around 100 players. “It’s an amazing atmosphere. We get sixth formers and college students among our entrants," says Luke.

Tuesday’s steak club and the curry club on a Thursday are also taking off. “We have seven different curries on a Thursday.”

Luke, who studied business management through a Wetherspoon’s apprenticeship degree, has been building up the pub’s selection of ales. A regular ‘tap takeover’ introduces beers from Yorkshire breweries such as Goose Eye, Ilkley, Elland, Kirkstall and Acorn.

Two ten-day beer festivals take place at The Crossed Shuttle in March and October, each featuring around 20 different ales from breweries across the world. “They attract a lot of people,” says Luke.

Inside, the pub has a cosy feel. “It’s very comfortable with a good atmosphere.”

There’s a family area, and a ‘fan zone’ is planned, where guests can watch sport. “I think it will be really popular and be really well-used during events such as the World Cup,” says Luke.

Outside, 27 tables serve more than 100 covers. “It’s great to have so much outside space - in sunny weather the tables fill up quickly.”

The pub has around 36 staff. “We are planning our first staff night out in Leeds,” says Luke. “We are looking forward to it, as we don’t get to do it very often.”

*The Crossed Shuttle, 11 Manor House St, Pudsey LS28 7BJ; jdwetherspoon.com; the next themed quiz is Leeds Rhinos on Sunday October 2 at 6.30pm.