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.....
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