THE Watford Observer photographer Jane Parr is moving to Harefield shortly so it seemed like the decent thing to check out her new local.

And I think when she settles in she will find she is living on the doorstep of a very decent local indeed.

This is not part of a chain, this is a pub with its own identity.

You can stand and drink at the bar, you can smoke at the bar, you can play cards, you can talk loudly and you can have a very decent session. A pint of Guinness and a pint of Carlsberg cost £4.90, which is not bad.

Even though the pub was not particularly busy it had a very good feel. You know the sort of place, beer spills on the carpet, smoke stains on the walls; it has a real pub smell and a real pub atmosphere.

For good measure, the publican was even on duty doing a few running repairs. Superglue is a remarkable thing and, with a few dabs here and a few dabs there, he had a broken old chair looking right as ninepence. (I wouldn't sit on it, though).

I'm sure food is available though, for my part, the Guinness was adequate sustenance.

In case you didn't know, Jane is a "northern bird" from Preston. So when she moves into the village she will find the Kings Head right up her street. And I am sure her friends from the office will take great pleasure in joining her there, quite regularly, for a few swift ones after work.

FA

January 30, 2003 11:31