Many thanks for mentioning in your excellent publication that I am about to hang up my bar towels.

I reopened the John Barleycorn, Duxford in Feb 2009 (after six months closure) on a three year contract. At 67 I had no intention of staying any longer. We in the village thought that a bit of the village died when this wonderful old pub closed.

Since the Barleycorn reopened we have joined Cask Marque and our five cask ales have consistently been awarded 100% on inspections. We were the first to win the Greene King Head Brewer's Club award, we gained 4 stars with the English Tourist Board for our outstanding food and good service, we have been awarded Training Pub of the Year and our young Assistant Manager, Karina Honey, won Apprentice of the Year.

Our barrellage has grown from 119 brls pre-smoking ban to 224 now – not a bad result in a difficult trading environment. I would like to thank all the team at the Barleycorn for an outstanding effort and Greene King for their support and for letting an old pensioner have one last go.

Kindest regards
Bernard Lee
(All the best to Bernard for the future – he's apparently intending to offer training services so his vast experience won't be lost to the trade. Let's also hope that whoever takes on the Barleycorn is able to build on the great work already done there - Ed)