Mark, Jan and Shirley had a trip to The Waddy at lunchtime – and not a drop of alcohol passed their lips. They met with Simon, the new landlord of the Waddy, to chat through doing some building archaeology surveying.
Having been closed for 18 months, it was strange walking into the unlit pub and not a soul around (not even the alleged ghost saying hello). Shirley was quick to hog the chair next to the coal fire, so she could benefit from its embers.
Simon was interested to hear all the research Jan and Shirley had done on the history of the pub and people who have lived there throughout time. Simon was more than happy to have members of the Group measuring and “surveying” the property before his planned opening in the middle of March.
We took the opportunity to ask if an information Board about the Wadkin could be mounted on the outside, and initial mention of the end-of-project bash in the pub garden (what a frightening thought it will soon be the end of the present project) Simon said yes on both counts and we’ll raise a glass to that!
We look forward to working with Simon and wish him luck on his new venture.
That’s the second of the four buildings we identified as the oldest in the village and working on. We eagerly await the report on Pear Tree Farm, and in April hope to be able to have permission to do some work on Lake View Farm. Jan S is digging (excuse the pun) photos she took during the renovation of Gill House for Mark to look at.