We want our local pub, The Village Inn, to thrive.
A pub closes in England every day, a shocking statistic.
If our local goes, that’s the focal point of the village gone. We got the support of Adam, the pub landlord, and set up a volunteer group – four retired guys and five women with attitude.
The flowers in the pub are now changed every Friday which gives the place a lift.
Adam and his team set out a restaurant -style room at the back of the pub and each table is laid out to a high-dining standard.
For a Saturday evening in March we advertised a four-course Gourmet meal. It sold out in a few days.
David did three nibbles, the gourmet starter and the main course of pheasant. Maurice was David’s commis chef and he also focused on a full array of vegetarian dishes and an olive oil chocolate cake for dessert.
We’d an anxious dry run for friends earlier in the week which gave us confidence. We managed the kitchen professionally on the evening, aimed high to a Master Chef standard. The guests loved it, agreed it was a big success, offered encouraging feedback, and it was very profitable for the pub.
During this year we have plans for more four-course gourmet meals. We’re not trying to change the world but with support from villagers, guests and volunteers we’ll do what we can for our pub.
When the gourmet meal was finished, we left a spotless kitchen and had a pint of Guinness on the house. There’s only one poem for that, with a nod to the poet, Flann O’Brien.
When things go wrong and then go right
For you’ve done the best you can,
When life looks sweet at close of night
A pint of plain is your only man.
When service is done and the kitchen’s clean
And your faces are pale and wan
When punters say “it was a fabulous meal”
A pint of plain is your only man.
