NorfolkNog

No, not far fetched at all Samuel. Probably the shining example is the White Horse at Upton, shares owned by the community and doing very well too. Even had a visit from Charlie boy recently. Free a pub from a Pubco or avaricious landowner and anything is possible

Yes I think the pedigree of the Kings Head (and the Recruiting Sergeant too) are worth a thought.

That's the one Robin.

Although probably quite within their rights, I suspect Richardsons won't pursue the hirers for the repair costs. Think back a few years to the Oyster Gem saga. Although the hirers were successfully taken to court for failing to navigate safely Richardsons didn't claim costs, probably because it would have been more hassle than it was worth. Just a thought.

Or even better have a pit stop at the Swan for a Humpty Dumpty half way up The track Iain mentions comes out at the side of the Kings Head if memory serves.

I'm with Peter on this one Truly superb pub. It just goes to show that a back street local can be a success with an excellent landlord and free of Pubco tie!

Is this the boy? https://whatpub.com/pubs/COL/11211/dog-pheasant-east-mersea

Certainly hope so!

Agree, the Angel is a nice pub, we always call in and the Humpty Dumpty is the icing on the cake too! There used to be a lovely garden at the back which I think they are going to tidy up.

I didn't realise that Rick, thank you. That makes it even worse, New River are the Grim Reaper where pubs are concerned. I just hope it can be rescued. On a side note I was also pleased to see the Falgate open again and trading regular hours. I wish Ian and Co luck with their venture too.

What a diverse thread! Loved the Maids Head, superb pub, steeped in history. Now a hairdressers or boutique, what a waste. Another victim of Watneys and the subsequent pubcos. I assume it’s a listed building so at least it’s not been demolished or become a Co-op – yet..... Can’t comment on the commuting to London bit. Poor old Potter Heigham! I’m not sure that it deserves such bad press. I always head for the burger van. We tend to go in winter and it’s obviously popular with the locals. Mrs Nog loves going into Lathams, Ok it’s full of tat but that’s its attraction! And the poor old Broadshaven! Never has a pub been so maligned. It’s got exactly the same problem as the Berney Arms. One is owned by a Pubco (Punch) the other by an individual. But they have one thing in common. The owners have not made any attempt to invest in or improve the properties yet have tried to extract every last drop of rent out of them. Small wonder that they are in the state they are in now. You often get comments along the lines that you would have to mad to take either on. I think both pubs could work if the owners were not trying to extract a return from them which is totally unrealistic. In think in both cases the riverside location has given the respective owners the idea that they are a licence to print money which of course they are not. Fingers crossed we may get a positive result on both counts.

Sounds a fun idea. Lifejackets essential I would think! http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/tourism/pub_and_paddle_the_new_way_to_wet_your_whistle_in_norwich_this_summer_1_4533789?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social_Icon&utm_campaign=in_article_social_icons

Yep, you are both spot on the nail there.

It's not made clear in the Fleurets advert but I suspect it's the lease which is up for grabs rather than the freehold, which would limit the possibilities somewhat

Good news indeed Please keep us posted (as far as confidentiality allows of course)

Ha! I shall skate rapidly over the "S" word but would love to see your table dancing one for the meet possibly?

........seriously sounds a very good beer indeed Iain! But yes, you are right, its best served not at room temperature but not too cold either, around 50 - 55 in old money. It sounds an ideal gravity too, you can enjoy a few without getting too carried away although I do like the sound of a cha cha with Grace (if I knew how to do one that is) Good price too for a quality beer. I shall await the results of further sampling with interest BTW - how did the footy go???

Now there's a thought!

Well, in another twist, I see that the Broadshaven is being advertised yet again via Fleurets. It is the lease being advertised so I'm guessing its still in the hands of Punch Taverns. There were strong rumours locally it had been sold, so if this was the case, it may have fallen through. We may never know. Any takers?? Forgot to add, they are advertising the lease of the Bell at Salhouse as well although I think that's Enterprise. All tarred with the same brush

Hi Carol Fantastic film, thanks for sharing with us. And another great job by Video Impact of Loddon too fascinating to see the wooden boat being built, amazing craftsmanship and it was interesting to see the planks being steamed in the steam box. They looked a bit hot! Plenty of flappy things too and the breakfast at the end made me quite hungry! Excellent stuff

Hi Iain Wow! No, not tried that one. It looks good stuff. A million times better than a can of John Smiths! You have excellent taste. Please let us know what you think and fingers crossed for the boys at Ayr United!!!

Us as well Jean! Sadly missed. Hopefully when Mrs Nog is up and about again we'll pop in and pay Paul a visit

White Horse, Neatishead Best pub on the Broads? Well my colleagues at Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA, whose patch covers virtually all the Broads, certainly think so. They have just awarded the White Horse the prestigious Rural Pub of the Year award. The Town winner was the Fat Cat Brewery Tap. Ian Stamp, Pubs Officer for the Norwich and Norfolk Branch, said “It's great to have two first-time winners of our Pub of the Year competition, and both are cracking pubs! "Ricky at the White Horse has taken a quiet village pub, on the verge of closure, and, following a doubtless expensive and sensitive renovation, turned it into a destination venue not just for locals, tourists and diners, with friendly staff and excellent meals, but also for beer drinkers, and a range of real ales and other craft beers which far surpasses expectations. Ian is now the Chairman of Norwich CAMRA and I know visits the pub on a regular basis. Back track a few years and the White Horse was one of the last unaltered pubs on the Broads apart from the White Horse at Upton. It still retained the small parlour rooms and original bar fittings. The small cosy back room had an open range fire and was small enough to hold a conversation with anyone in the room (see photo). I must say I did like it as it was but the problem was that the rooms didn’t really reflect the overall footprint of the pub. Trade was slow and the pub was in the hands of a pubco, Punch I believe. The way things were going was that it could easily have ended up as executive flats which was the fate of the Railway at Reedham. An open pub is preferable to a closed pub any day! So it is necessary to move with the times. Fortunately the current owner came along and made a substantial investment to sensitively renovate the pub and to turn it into the success it is today. The front rooms have been retained but the biggest change is the expansion of the former back bar into the part which was once the yard area. This has created a much bigger bar and eating area together with new toilets and a function room. The pub now sells a selection of quality real ales including those from its own brewery. There are also a range of keg ‘craft’ ales and a wide selection of wines and spirits. The beers are normally from the quality smaller breweries both local and nationally and I’ve not seen any signs of a Doombar take over yet! There doesn’t seem to be any discrimination against drinkers either and I suspect it would class itself as a pub that does food. I personally don’t like to waste valuable drinking time eating. But that’s just me! However the food is certainly very popular and from what I’ve observed is well appreciated. Like any establishment serving hundreds, indeed thousands of meals you will inevitably get the occasional hiccup. Also it must be very difficult when everyone wants feeding at the same time! If I get a beer which is not up to scratch I take it back and complain politely but firmly. I wouldn’t go away and moan about it on a forum. I think equally if anyone does get food or service which they are not happy about, the thing to do is to speak to someone at the time, either the manager or the duty manager. In most cases they will be eager to put things right but in fairness cannot do so when you have left the pub! The White Horse has built up an enviable reputation in a relatively short time and hopefully will provide an oasis for visitors and locals alike for years to come.

There is a connection with the guy opening (hopefully) the Lord Nelson at Reedham. He has, or did have, the lease on the Rising Sun and I think he did have another pub in North Norfolk. I believe it's owned by one of the big pubco's and it would be great to see it sold off to someone like Rick I suspect the Pubco won't want to lose the opportunity to milk more leaseholders in the future.