AUGUST PUB AND BREWERY NEWS
Bath and Surrounding Villages
Jubilee, 91 Whiteway Road, Bath
There has been a fire at this already-closed pub on the northern outskirts of Bath. There was no information at the time of writing on the extent of damage. The pub, however, had been permanently closed for some time. Planning permission had already been obtained for its demolition and the erection of nine dwellings on the site.
Westgate, 38 Westgate Street, Bath
This city centre pub has recently been acquired by Greene King. We understand that this is the first Greene King owned pub in Bath.
East Somerset
Woolpack, 2 Warminster Road, Beckington, near Frome
We understand that this large roadside pub is shortly to close in order to undergo a major refurbishment.
George Inn, Long Street, Croscombe, near Wells
For the second time this friendly village locals pub has been awarded the accolade of Bath & Borders Branch Rural Pub. The certificate was presented to landlords Peter and Veryan Graham by branch chairman James Honey on the evening of Thursday 9 June. The George first won this award in 2009.
West Wiltshire
George, 67 Woolley Street, Bradford-on-Avon
The George is beginning to look like the real ale place to go in Bradford-on-Avon. The pub is now serving up to six beers regularly on gravity with a range that has included not only beers from the comparitively new Devilfish brewery but the even newer still Willy Good Ales (see later on).
King’s Arms, 24 Coppice Hill, Bradford-on-Avon
It sometimes seems that you gain one pub and then lose another. Only back in February, just up the hill from the King’s Arms, the long-closed Bear re-opened following an extensive refurbishment. In May the landlord of the Greene King owned King’s Arms left and the pub closed. In June it re-opened as an Indian restaurant.
Plough, 49-51 Trowbridge Road, Bradford-on-Avon
The landlord of this large roadside pub sadly and unexpectedly died in June.
Three Horseshoes, 68 High Street, Chapmanslade
Following a refurbishment this pub re-opened at lunchtime on Wednesday 18 May. The pub is now owned by the same company that has recently acquired and majorly refurbished the Rose & Crown in Trowbridge and who also own the Duke of Cumberland at Edford, near Radstock. The Three Horseshoes was visited by members on Thursday 7 July. The pub, rather like its two sister pubs, has a light, open feel. All the drinking and dining areas are knocked through but retain separate characters. A large open fireplace commands the area to the left of the main entrance and bar, where there are comfy chairs and sofas and a generally cosy feel. To the right of the entrance and opposite the bar is another distinct area with wood-block flooring. Beyond that there is a large carpeted area which, with very much with diners in mind, is laid out neatly with tables and chairs. There is a beer garden out back and a relatively large car park to the side of the pub. The range when we visited consisted of 6X, Butcombe Bitter and Milk Street Beer. We understand that the latter is a guest and that the guest policy of the pub at the moment is to alternate Milk Street and Devilfish beers. Thatcher’s Heritage cider is also available.
Red Admiral, Hackett Place, Paxcroft Mead, Hilperton
This is a completely new pub. Situated in the retail area of the extensive Paxcroft Mead housing development to the east of Trowbridge, this Martson’s owned pub opened its doors in May. The Red Admiral is very much a food and family orientated pub. There are five Marston’s related beers, with Pedigree heading the range. Meanwhile the food, in the opinion of one of our members who visited te pub on Tuesday 28 June, was very nice.
Golden Fleece, Folly Lane, Shaw
This pleasantly situated rural pub is technically just outside the Bath & Borders branch area. The pub changed hands in around May.
Rose & Crown, 36 Stallard Street, Trowbridge
This Grade II listed pub re-opened at 5pm on Thursday 16 June. Now owned by the same company that has recently acquired and refurbished the Three Horseshoes at Chapmanslade, and which also owns the Duke of Cumberland at Edford, the Rose & Crown has undergone a thorough renovation and refurbishment. The pub was visited by local members on the evening that it opened, which was very well attended. The whole atmosphere of the pub has been transformed. This once cosy pub now has a light, modern, open feel. The two bars have been knocked through but retain separate layouts. The Rose & Crown still feels like a two bar pub. The left-hand bar is laid out with tables and chairs and is clearly very much the dining area of the pub. Meanwhile the right-hand bar has comfy chairs and a more spacious feel. To the rear of the pub is an outdoor area, enclosed on three-sides, wich makes a pleasant sun-trap on warm summer days. The Rose & Crown was once something of a land-mark with its vibrant pink painted walls. Over the years the paint had begun to fade and peel and the rendering itself had started to crack. The rendering has now been repaired and the exterior of the pub smartly re-painted a more sober light grey. Meanwhile the pub has widened its appeal. Catering not only for drinkers and diners but also for people who may simply wish to drop in for a quick coffee or a light snack. The is a smart move as the pub is only a stone’s throw from Trowbridge station. Finally the beer range during opening night consisted of 6X, Butcombe Bitter and Bombshell from the new and local Devilfish brewery.
Fox & Hounds, 6 Deverill Road, Warminster
This popular freehouse, just off the town centre, has been awarded the accolade of Bath & Borders Community Pub of the Year. A special social was held by the branch on the evening of Tuesday 14 June to hand over the certificate.
Yew Tree, 174 Boreham Road, Warminster
This Marston’s owned pub on the southern edge of the town has recently been taken over by new landlords who are clealry putting a lot of effort into turning this the Yew Tree into much more a community pub.
BREWERY NEWS
NEW BREWERY ALERT
Willy Good Ales, Hartley Farm Shop, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 2JB
This is a new microbrewery that has only recently gone into production. Only bottled beers were produced up until around the end of May. Early June saw the brewery’s first cask beer, Willy Hop, making its debut in at least two pubs in Bradford-on-Avon, namely the George in Woolley Street and, we believe, the Three Horseshoes on Frome Road. Willy Hop is also available in bottled form alongside a wheat beer and a double IPA. The bottled range is available from the Hartley farm shop and Troughs in Avoncliff.
SEPTEMBER PUB NEWS
Bath and Surrounding Villages
Curfew, 11 Cleveland Place West, Bath
This Wadworth’s owned pub closed in August following the sudden and unexpected departure of the comparitively new landlord. However, it has now reopened under new management.
Hop Pole, 7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Road, Bath
New landlords took over at this Bath Ales owned pub during the summer.
Saracens Head, 42 Broad Street, Bath
A refurbishment of this pub, which has entrances on both Broad Street and Walcot Street, has been underway since the summer. The pub is staying open during the work.
Westgate, 38 Westgate Street, Bath
This city centre pub, recently acquired by Greene King, closed in the summer and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.
East Somerset
Inn at Freshford, The Hill, Freshford, near Bath
There was a change of landlords in the summer at this large and picturesquely situated old inn, which together with the nearby Cross Guns at Avoncliff, are owned by, and are mai outlets for, Box Steam Brewery.
Farmers Arms, near Spring Gardens, Frome
This pub, situated on the northern outskirts of Frome, has gained planning permssion for change of use to a private residence. The pub was placed on the market but failed to sell as a pub at an auction held earlier this year.
Old Globe Inn, 31 Vallis Way, Frome
This pub, which seems to have been repeatedly closed and re-opened in recent years, does now seem to have closed for the long-term. The future of this pub is uncertain.
Packhorse, 13 Christchurch Street West, Frome
This attractive two-bar pub, which closed temporarily in May, closed again the summer on what seems a longer term. The future of this pub is uncertain.
West Wiltshire
Cross Keys Inn, Lye’s Green, Corsley, near Warminster
New landlords took over at this tucked-away Wadworth’s owned pub in September.