Much of our social history is interwound with our pubs.

These days they are declining at an alarming rate, but over the centuries, pubs have been the focal point of our communities. People have gathered in them to play games, discuss business and politics, plan local developments, hold court sessions or just kick back and enjoy a quiet pint or two.

For many years, much of Bingley’s history was played out in its historic inns – places such as the Brown Cow, White Horse, Ferrands Arms and the Queens Head.

Elizabeth Downsbrough’s last book, The Lost Pubs Of Bingley, resulted from her extensive research into the history of public houses. It attracted so much interest she decided to follow it up with a look at pubs in areas surrounding the town, such as the Royal at Crossflatts and the Fisherman at Dowley Gap, as well as some of today’s pubs in Bingley.

Her new book, Bingley’s Historic Pubs, tells the story of well-known local drinking establishments and sheds light on how they were bound up with the history of the town.

“For more than a century the central role of the pub has been steadily declining,” writes Elizabeth. “As long ago as 1857 there were well over 14 in the centre of Bingley, while only six now remain.

“At least 52 pubs have been lost in the Bradford area in the last four years. If this trend continues it will not be long before we see some of our traditional Bingley pubs also closing for good.”

Elizabeth’s book is an affectionate tribute to the town’s pubs and an interesting glimpse into the stories behind them. She shows how pubs played an important role in Bingley life 200 years ago, when they were the only meeting place other than the church.

“Everything took place in pubs, with landlords and their families playing an important role in the development of local government, the law, transport, commerce and recreation,” writes Elizabeth. “Pubs were not just places to eat and drink, but were pivotal in the development of Bingley.”

Illustrated with old photographs – including the Bingley Harriers of 1937-38 lined up outside the Brown Cow, local lads fooling about in the town’s stocks, last used about 1870, and a group of serious-looking gentlemen in suits gathered for the official weigh-in at the Bingley Goosebrry Show – various aspects of pub life leap off the page.

There’s pub grub from times past – boiled turkey, plum pudding and wine jellies were on the menu at the Fleece in 1892 – and a look at how pubs were used by working men for practical clubs. Watch Clubs, run by Fattorini’s of Bradford at the White Horse and the King’s Head, allowed men of limited income to eventually own their own watches.

* Bingley’s Historic Pubs is published by The Downsbrough Press, priced £15.