23rd June 2009

Much more than a local, it is a listening pub.

The Inn, Greatworth, nr Banbury is much more than a local, community pub, it is a listening pub.

New licensees Mark Fleming and Anne Durnion have spent their first few weeks at this pretty village pub, with its relaxing patio seating area talking to their customers. “We wanted to find out what style of food they wanted on the menu and the pub games they wanted to play,” said Mark.

The food choice is now wholesome, simple and above all, affordable. The all day breakfast is proving to be a big hit as are the home made burgers and curries. The batter for the beer battered fish is of made with Hooky Bitter and all the ingredients are sourced locally. “We wanted a menu that was priced so that people could just decide to pop in and see us and have an evening meal or lunch without it costing them a lot of money,” said Anne.

All the ingredients are top quality but the prices are affordable to ordinary people. “A family will be able to have an excellent meal out without it costing a fortune,” said Anne. Anne is a member of the Campaign for Real Ale and she is looking forward to meeting fellow beer lovers – and is keen to hear their opinions on the quality of the Hooky beers.

Aunt Sally and Jenga will be played outside and the pub is recruiting for a darts team. A beer festival is planned for the 25 September and the fabulous Hook Norton horse drawn dray will visit the pub on the 4 July. Music nights are planned and as Mark and Anne are keen sports fans (Mark supports Coventry City) they will be arranging race nights in the bar.

The couple plan to find out if the Inn has real spirit – at a special dinner in August – a ghost hunter will explore the secret history of the pub. Were the bumps in the night customers going home or something more spooky?

Over the next few weeks there will be a little disruption but business as usual in the bar as a new bar counter is installed.

Being part of the community is important to Mark and Anne – they are helping raise funds for the Greatworth Playgroup Building Fund.

Customers are invited to place loose change into a large glass bottle on the bar, pictured, and when it is full Mark reckons several hundred pounds to the good cause will have been donated.

Mark Fleming and Anne Durnion
The Inn, Greatworth, Banbury, Oxon, OX17 2DT 01295 710976