All Change At The New Inn
| Published: 8th July 2008 10:08 |
Jane and Robbie Costall the landlords of our village pub called The New Inn are leaving us on Thursday 10th July. Robbie stated that during the past 2 years they have enjoyed the village immensely.
There are a lot of rumours circulating in the village at the moment. Some people believe that the pub is likely to be closed and boarded-up like others in South Northamptonshire – a victim of the smoking ban and credit crunch. Others predict that a new landlord will be serving traditional Hook Norton Ales from behind the hallowed bar come Friday.
The reality is that only a very few people know what is about to happen and they’re not telling. When Jane and Robbie first arrived in Abthorpe, one local told them that life in our village revolves round the church and the pub - but the church is open only one day a week whilst the pub is open seven. The New Inn is one of only 40 or so houses operated by the historic family owned Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire that dates from 1849. It is the nearest Hooky pub to Northampton and each Wednesday the brewery’s draymen deliver traditional ales to slake the thirst of discerning locals and beer aficionados from further afield.
All Hook Norton houses are tenanted which means that landlords have the opportunity to build their own business with the support of the brewery. During their time at Abthorpe, Jane and Robbie reintroduced the pub games of Northamptonshire skittles and Oxfordshire Aunt Sally. They established a darts team that played every Monday evening. The pub was listed in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide and commended for its excellent range of Hook Norton ales. Families were welcomed and the pub garden was revamped to make it friendly for children and their parents.
The village wishes Jane and Robbie plus their sons every good wish for the future plus success, prosperity and happiness in the next chapter of their lives.
