ALE Summer 1997 No. 288

Pub News - Villages

Many of the regulars from that ale mecca of East Anglia, The Prince Albert, wandered around like lost souls for a time after it closed. One place offering solace in the shape of excellent real ale and exuberant publican presence is The Green Man, Six Mile Bottom. A good selection of ordinary and best bitter is led by Adnams and throws up the odd surprise such as Slaters from Stafford. The food is outstanding, a meal made into an event by the individual service of your man, Jamie. The wine list is beyond the call of duty too. A pub to savour.

The Branch area's stock of non-real ale pubs continues to take a hammering. A recent visit to Linton revealed handpumps in the Waggon and Horses dispensing Greene King XX Mild, IPA and Abbot. This is that increasing rarity, a food-free locals/drinkers pub with no frills and no pretensions. The small single bar is simply furnished while a back room contains a pool table and little else.

Linton must have suffered the greatest percentage pub loss in the area with four of its seven pubs closing in the last twelve years - The Bell and The Green Hill (both GK), The Princess of Wales (Whitbread) and The White Swan (Ind Coope). The other survivors are The Dog and Duck (GK) and The Crown (Free).

The Milkmaid, Willingham, which previously offered only Greene King beers, is now taking better advantage of its free house status. Adnams Broadside, Morlands Old Speckled Hen and a changing guest have joined the GK IPA and Seasonal Beer. The folk club on Monday nights continues to present high quality attractions such as Alan Taylor, Jon Renbourn and Martin Carthy.

Interesting guest beers have started to appear alongside Wells Eagle at the Admiral Vernon, Over. Thwaites Daniel's Hammer has been the most recent.

New publicans at the Chestnut Tree, West Wratting are Tony and Linda Wheeler, determined that their Greene King IPA and Abbot will be second to none.

In the issue of ALE No. 285 last August it was reported that the Fox and Hounds, Weston Colville was relying on a good summer to survive. That summer never really came up to expectations and the pub closed in April, probably for good.


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