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Pub Guide

Opening Times

Issue 138 Spring 2009

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PUB PIECES

Opening Times has received reports of a number of new licensees at pubs around the area and wishes a warm welcome to all.

The Swan at Offord has reopened under the ownership of father and son Allan and Simon Pearce, who are also tenants of Charles Wells pubs the Territorial in Huntingdon and the Crown and Pipes at Fenstanton. They have bought the Swan from Charles Wells freehold and free of tie. A major refurb has taken place and three real ales are on offer, with Coors being the major supplier. Hydes Mumbo Jumbo was noted there in December.

Kev & Lyn have taken over the Hare & Hounds in Eynesbury. On sale on a recent visit were cask ales Flowers IPA and Fullers London Pride. A third handpump was being sought for a guest ale.

Richard and Caroline Binks are new licensees at Tilbrook White Horse. This is their first pub and they are keen to promote real ales.

At Punch Taverns’ pub the Green Man, Colne, new leaseholders Michele and Richard, formerly Greene King managers at the Granta, Cambridge, are in partnership with Sarah and Dave who already own the lease of neighbouring Punch Taverns pub the White Horse at Bluntisham. At the Green Man Richard is the chef and is providing very interesting new menus for lunch and evenings. A wider selection of real ales can also be expected to be available here.

At Earith a new operator took over both of the village pubs last year. On the real ale front there appears to have been little change at the Crown, but there have been big changes at the Riverview Inn. Here four real ales are dispensed from cooled casks on the dining room bar counter. These appear to change constantly, and the total number that has been dispensed since the change in ownership is proudly displayed in the bar. On a visit last December real ales from Moorhouse’s, Hydes, Robinsons and Brains were available in very good order.

At Warboys both the White Hart and Royal Oak have new licensees and there is a new manager at the Snooty Tavern, Great Staughton.

The arrival of Wetherspoons in Huntingdonshire has been delayed after work started briefly last September and was then halted at their new Weeping Ash pub at the former post office site in New Street, St Neots. Work will resume in August and the opening is now expected to be in February 2010. Original internal and external features of the building are to be retained where possible.

Also in St Neots, the Hyde Park appears to be thriving under the management of Allison McColl and Steve Picton, who have run the pub since last summer. Five real ales are on offer, with regulars including Black Sheep Best Bitter, Courage Directors and John Smiths. Guest beers have included the products of Shepherd Neame and Hobgoblin. Sunday lunches are a recent innovation and there is live music here every Saturday night.

At the Crown, Eaton Socon, 1/3 pint glasses have been noted. CAMRA is campaigning for this little used legal measure to be used more widely in pubs.

We have received rave reviews on the Cock at Gamlingay, where new tenants installed last year are successfully showcasing the quality and variety that can be achieved with Greene King’s cask ale range these days. On recent visits Greene King XX Mild, IPA, Abbot and January’s seasonal 3% reddish Abstinence Ale have all been enjoyed in fine fettle.

Opening Times has been advised that The King of the Belgians at Hartford is not for sale, following an earlier report that it had been on the market. The pub is being run by its freehold owner Peter Reynolds and his son.

Real ale returned to Admiral Taverns’ Golden Knight at Sapley last year. Wychwood Hobgoblin has been reported to be a regular offering.

Punch Taverns’ historic Falcon Tavern in Huntingdon Market Square closed in December after leaseholders the Orchid Group went into administration.

The White Hart at Bythorn has been badly damaged in a fire. The White Hart had been closed for some time and it now appears possible that the building might not be used as a pub again.

Broughton Crown is proving a popular destination for diners and very good food is provided by 22-year old owner and chef David Anderson and his sous-chef Dominic Hall, who previously worked with Gordon Ramsey. At the time of a recent visit, Greene King IPA had returned as the house real ale.

Just outside the Huntingdonshire CAMRA branch area, Greene King’s White Swan at Conington has a new licensee, Sarah Bleet. The rare but renowned cask Greene King XX Mild was on dispense here recently alongside IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Greene King’s seasonal offering. Another innovation here was the provision of a temporary Christmas synthetic ice rink in the pub garden. The rink accommodated up to 40 skaters and sessions were bookable at the pub. Hot chocolate and coffee were post-skate offerings in the pub.