Pub update

I know you're all desperate for news of how our local's doing under the new management. Well last Friday we had the first day of food. They were inundated. Partly it was due to the novelty value plus I think I detected a few locals rarely seen in the place hitherto, probably because they were among those who'd fallen out with the old landlord at some time in the past, which was not a difficult thing to do. And one of his most endearing qualities.

The menu was largely based on the old one, with some slightly smaller portions and slightly higher prices (the price of beer's gone up too by the way, plus they've added a second -  "premium" -  lager!) And the food was kind of OK although it fell down in a few areas: the white bread surrounding my bacon and black pudding sandwich was very much of the supermarket sliced variety which is, frankly, just not good enough. But, to paraphrase Rupert Brooke (yes?) thank God there's black pudding still for tea!

The rumour is that the new tenants are both vegetarians which is a bit worrying when it comes to cooking meat. Also on the list of concerns, we know of one member of kitchen staff who lasted about a day, citing "personal differences" or words to that effect. There is pressure: last Friday they had to close the kitchen for a while, they were so swamped. I just hope they don't think it's going to be that busy all the time. In fact, there's a chance that that day will be the busiest in the kitchen that they'll ever have. Now there's a thought.

On the estates front, they've been dredging out the stream by the pub garden. Possibly looking for the bodies of long forgotten drunken farmhands or perhaps some kind of freshwater shellfish to add to the menu. They're also knocking out bits of the old "family room" which could certainly do with it. In recent years it's not seen too many families. All this is turning the car park into a tip, which won't help the passing trade. But it has to be the right thing to do so good luck to them.

I'm aware this blog doesn't have enough photos and the like, making it a rather "media poor" experience. So I'm going to whack on a picture of the recent Mummers play, as I know you're all keen to know more about this ancient and esoteric ritual. Wicker man not pictured.