Who is Robin Hartley?

So the builders behind the renovation of The Stag and Huntsman, Hambleden are Robin Hartley & Company, a local Henley builder by all accounts.

For obvious reasons, it would be good to see examples of their work and to see the quality of the end product they build. So it's rather strange that they don't seem to have website. I would have though that any builder commissioned to renovate a building with such history, character and reputation would be able to show a strong track record.

I guess this is another example of the trust we are all placing in The Culden Faw Estate and Mr Schwarzenbach's advisers and staff. With luck, Robin Hartley and Company will build to a design that will win awards and win over the doubters such as yours truly. But the fact that they seem to not be of any great repute judging by their online profile, is going to be of concern.  Again, only time will tell.

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.

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.