Blockwork Goes Up @ The Stag and Huntsman

It's been a stunning few days in the Hambleden Valley with clear blue winter skies, heavy white frosts and perfect still air. The walkers have been out in droves and the village has been a bustle of activity. All in all a perfect weekend for a beer and a roast lunch at The Stag and Huntsman.

But obviously it is not to be this winter. Visitors to Hambleden continue to be greeted by the renovations and by a web of scaffolding. The building site at the back, guarded as it is by sturdy metal railings, is a picture of industry. Mud, machinery and part built walls now welcome those who find their way into the car park. Those who make a regular pilgrimage to the Hambleden Valley cannot but fail to be impressed by the progress being made. In the last few days, the blockwork to the new extension has really begun to take shape. The photos on the left show just how the pub's entertainment venue, kitchen, store room and manager's flat will look once completed.

The sad thing about looking at this structure as it rises from the ground is the amount of garden it looks likely to swallow up. For Friday night garden regulars, the atmosphere of this most favourite of family evenings looks set to change for ever more. With luck and hopefully with some foresight by the Culden Faw Estate, the garden will retain sufficient space to allow us all to enjoy the last of the summer sun and from which our children can make their excited excursions onto the Dean. 

The saving grace however might be the fact that the garden is also beloved by the walkers who swarm like 'be-sticked' ants along the footpaths and bridleways, guided by dog eared books and in some modern cases, handheld GPS units. The worry however is that the Estate might wish to discourage their patronage given as they are to drinking halves of orange squash and bringing their own sandwiches!


Only time will tell. But as the days count down to the predicted opening of The Stag and Huntsman, all who frequent it, be they be Hambleden regulars or visitors to our beautiful valley wait with eager anticipation. All we need to do now is to see what the builders are doing on the inside!