The Builders Move Into The Stag and Huntsman Hambleden

So it's a couple of weeks now since the pub was drunk dry and the builders have been busy. In fairness to the Culden Faw Estate, they haven't hung around. The place has been abuzz with the sound of diggers, builders, demolition and site clearance. And by all accounts, there were some dark secrets lurking in the kitchen - secrets you really wouldn't want to think too much about! 

 

So as the Stag and Huntsman was cleared, many of us have been wondering what became of some of our much loved artefacts from the various bars? For example, the Tug of War trophy so proudly won at the last Hambleden Fete; the Tommy Helmet that sat with proud of place in the Public Bar; and the dart board which in days gone by was the scene of such competition. Several regulars spoke of taking a screw driver to time honoured signs such as the 'Public Bar' sign on the door.  What became of all of these things will hopefully become clear when the Stag and Huntsman reopens.

But as you can see from the photos, our beloved pub has taken a battering in the past two weeks. The 'quaint'  outside men's toilet is no more. The garden bar has been assigned to history. The digging has begun on the new extension in the garden. Who knows what skeletons might be uncovered but we all hope that the fact that the builders have got a move on might mean that the six month build schedule is met and that we have a pub back in the village before too long. 

No Banter @ Rugby World Cup

What a difference four years makes. Back in 2007 The Stag was the focal point of our support for England's bid to retain the Rugby World Cup. Our passion for the game was heightened by the fact that the Raging Bull - Mr Phil Vickery - was a resident in the village at that time. Phil was a frequent visitor to The Stag and liked nothing more than a pint or two and a game of darts. Having our resident hero leading England only served to bring the tournament closer to Hambleden and made games viewed in the Public Bar even more tense. For those of us who witnessed South Africa lift the cup in Paris that year, our disappointment was certainly pretty intense as we felt for Phil as well as for the whole England team. But overall, The Stag was for those four or five weeks, the focal point of our support for England and once again brought everyone together.

So here we are in 2011. And this weekend as England scraped past Argentina with a sole try from Ben Youngs, we watched in isolation away from the banter and spirit of The Stag. We have to ask why the Culden Faw Estate chose to close the pub just at the start of the Rugby World Cup. Surely the next four weeks would have been highly profitable if they had been sensible and put on breakfasts and screenings (as Andy Stokes did during a memorable Lions Tour back in 2001). But then I guess they don't breed die hard rugby fans in Switzerland where Estate owner Mr Schwarzenbach comes from.

Drink The Stag Dry - No Last Night Blues

So last night was the night. After a suitably stormy day in the village, the evening sun shone for the swansong of the Stag and Huntsman as we know it. An excellent turn out witnessed the loyal staff receive gifts from the Culden Faw Estate for their valued service (so valued in fact that everyone of them was made redundant....). With a buffet served in the dining room and the best staffed bar for some years, the regulars of Hambleden bade farewell to The Stag for the time being.

Talking to friends around the pub, the general sentiment is one of trepidation and sadness. Trepidation at what might emerge from the rubble of the rebuild and sadness at the loss of old friend. That said, the community holds out hope that the new Stag will retain some of its much loved character and that the developers and interior designers manage to understand the customer base that will frequent it day in and day out. It's not about well heeled shooting types looking for a gastro boutique at which to soak their aches in mock Victorian roll top baths. The Stag is a locals pub that serves a diverse community with good beer and (hopefully) honest decent food!

So farewell to The Stag. Watch this space for reports on the build and for the gossip and feedback from those close to this process.....

The Stag and Huntsman Hambleden

This blog will be a chronicle for the major changes about to start at The Stag and Huntsman pub in Hambleden, Oxfordshire. This much loved local hostelry is at the heart of the village and has been for generations. A traditional, unspoilt  local boozer, it attracts a loyal following from the Hambleden Valley and provides a focal point for friends across all generations and walks of life to meet, engage in healthy banter and to enjoy the company and community we are so fortunate to have around us.

Sadly, the pub is about to close (this Sunday, September 4th September) for at least 6-months of major renovations and building work. This is under the orders of new owner, Swiss Financier Urs Schwarzenbach who bought the village from the much respected and sorely missed Henry Smith three or four years ago.  Mr Schwarzenbach has spent a small fortune bringing the fabric of the village up to date and now it is the turn of our beloved pub.

As a regular of the Pub and resident of the Village, I am concerned at what will result. Like most others, we understand that The Stag needs updating -- let's face it, it is a bit frayed around the edges. But for many of us, that's the appeal. But business is business and it's clear the The Stag could be doing better. So as Mr Schwarzenbach embarks on this project, we hold our collective breaths in the hope that his plans do not rip the heart out of The Stag and that the final build keeps the character and atmosphere that has made The Stag such a special place for me and many of my friends here in Hambleden.

Mr Schwarzenbach -- we watch with keen interest and this blog will be an honest, fair and constructive mouthpiece for the mood of the village as the development takes shape. Watch this space for progress.  And do follow updates on Twitter using @StagandHuntsman.