A typical Cumbrian Welcome
(Note: I hope not! - Ed)
Extracts from letters sent by Ray and Monica Seavers, now of the Bush Inn at Talentire, to friends at the Black Bull in Great Eccleston and the
Cartford Country Inn in Little Eccleston (Two real ale venues you should visit if you find yourself on the Fylde Coast):
“‘There's nowt as queer as folk’ is a favourite saying of an old mate and drinking companion. I was reminded of the saying a few Saturdays ago
after an early morning shopping visit to Penrith to acquire yet more Christmas presents for my wife's incredibly large family. Having filled
the car with the purchases and emptied my wallet of notes we set off home with the intention of stopping for lunch on the way.
As I am no legal expert I will not name the hostelry concerned in case I can be sued for relating this tale of the events that followed but
suffice it to say we took a short turn left off the A66 and stopped in the car park of an hotel. At first all seemed well. Monica ordered
coffee and a pint of Theakstons Black Sheep for me as I made myself useful holding Christmas decorations as a cheerful barmaid fastened them
up. Lunch was ordered and I sat back enjoying the beer. Everything seemed as it should be until I noticed the arrival behind the bar of a
young man missing one thing that all his colleagues possessed….a smile! The scene was therefore set for the arrival of a party of eleven
hikers. Now I would have thought that eleven thirsty and hungry chaps would have appeared like manna from heaven to any establishment at a
quiet time of year for trade. After all eleven meals accompanied by drinks goes a long way to paying bar staff wages . However back to the
events. This being Cumbria and December it will not surprise you to hear that they were a little damp. I repeat damp. Not dripping water all
over the carpets. Not depositing mud from their boots and certainly not making a mess of any description. One chap warmed himself by a radiator
as another attempted to hang his fleece on the edge of the same device while a third ordered copious amounts of drinks at the bar. At this
point young Mr No Smile rushed from behind his bar and demanded that the assembled party should not use his establishment as a drying room
as the smell would go through all the rooms. Things have certainly changed from my younger days of rock climbing in this area. In those
times Mr No Smile would have had an excellent chance of changing his name to Mr Empty Bar for such an attitude. Some words of advice Mr NS.
In country areas expect to serve people who enjoy outdoor pursuits. If you want to mix with people wearing Gucci suits and Italian shoes
try London. But beware! Cigar smoke smells worse than fresh air or a damp jumper.
What a difference from the welcome extended to Mrs S and myself by Albert and Shirley from the first moment we met them at the Punchbowl Inn at
Great Broughton. Now this couple know how to treat folk. An open fire on a cold evening, a changing selection of real ale kept with expertise,
a cheery word for all who pass over their threshold, and the wit and repartee to keep anyone amused. This is what pubs are about. The centre
of village life run by a couple that care about their community and go out of their way help others enjoy life as much as they both do.”