Pubs are closing at a rate of 40 a week nationwide. The Crown Inn is different - it has reopened after a long period of being dormant. I first went there last June during the European Elections and it is plain to see why it does well: it serves local food, and best of all the local beer is from the Local Allendale Brewery. All credit to the Hick family. There's was another idea to have an evening of political debate in the election, so last night I was grilled on my local campaigning, social housing, and views on the general hospital, tynedale, trident, climate change, international aid, transport, planning laws, rural post offices, banks, local tourism and lots more. It was standing room only but then there were only seats for 50!
Afterwards I stayed for an hour chatting by the bar and having a pint [of Allendale beer of course!] I urge you to go to the pub http://allendale.journallive.co.uk/news/catton-inn-is-bucking-pub-closure-trends.html and try some of the amazing beer - which have wonderful names like Golden Plover, Allendale Wolf and Tar Bar'l Stout
A great community evening, which I really enjoyed.
Canvassing in Acomb and Catton during the afternoon and had spent the morning giving the address to the Beacon Club in Hexham on the subject "Murderers and other miscreants I have prosecuted": a pleasure to be asked and you can never fail an audience when you describe murder trials you have prosecuted and criminals you have put away.
