Forthcoming Events - Life is one long event full of fun and frolics.
Firstly I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope that all had a fun family Christmas with lots of the alcoholic grape juice and not too many sore heads. I am not sure about you but the first couple of weeks with the white stuff was an apsolute nightmare, no heating, no water, burst pipes, chimney fire and no where to go. My "holidays" did not quite go to plan, so for the first time in 6 years I was really excited about coming back to the oven and kitchen sink.
The new year brings new challenges, with the valley taking on new exciting owners in its pubs, the VAT rate going back up and the recession still being with us (even though we are out of it, so we are told). In awareness of this I am still trying to keep all prices down with a pint of Yew Tree still being £2.10 and Becks Vier at £2.60, and more main courses under £10 so that value for money is still the core of the pub. The quiz night on the first wednesday's of the month at £1.00 to enter and a bowl of my slop still only £4.00, a good night for under a tenner. Oh yes and most importantly insults are still free.
Last year we bought the lease of The Northbrook Arms at East Stratton and so The Happy Daze Pub Company is born, it was always a dream to have more than one pub to fret about. So far so good, not that it really needed much doing to it, situated in a beautiful Hampshire village, with plenty of character, good food, quality local beers and fine wines. Wendy and Simon lead a fun youngish team, with accommodation available in the letting rooms, and a skittle alley. The telephone number if we can interest you in a visit is 01962 774150.
To anyone that knows me will know that around September / October time I get very excited about a little book coming out that to me is the bible, The Good Pub Guide. I wait excitedly with baited breath to see what they say about The Yew Tree. This year I fell off the ground to find out that they had voted me, yes little foolish me as Landlord of the Year. I feel honoured but not worthy and am only amazed that my mother could have written in so many times... It could not be done without everyones help and support, so thank you for making this man very very happy.
This year is especially exciting for me because the gorgeous Julia and I are becoming man and wife in September, yes she must be mad I hear you say, I can only agree. Bright, intellegent and beautiful, she could do much better, yes, but please don't tell her because I love her dearly. We head off on honeymoon for a couple of weeks but fear not the pub is going to be in excellent hands. For the first time in six years you will be able to get a decent meal at The Yew Tree!!!!!!!!!
So until then I will toil happily away at the pub hopefully creating a happy fun experience for customers and staff alike. And a big thank you it is to all of you because without you the pub is just a building with too many pictures!!!