THE Victoria Inn is the heart of one of the largest villages in Cornwall - Pensilva. Shared by all generations of the village it is a very friendly local.

The village grew up around the mining in the area, as did the five pubs in the village in the boom years of the 1850s and 60s, The Victoria Inn was the only one that survived to the present day. It had a large extension added before the beginning of this century.

Owned by Robert and Sue Palmer for over three years the pub was a hit from the first few weeks. Robert is a full time production manager in Bodmin and Sue is a clerk at Lamellion Hospital.

They met in South Africa, where they both lived for almost 20 years. Lisa, their daughter was born in Zimbabwe, and the family returned to Britain when she was seven and they have since lived in Andover, Newcastle and Edinburgh, before settling in Cornwall.

Lisa manages the pub during the day and does the most hours on the rota. Paul Finch, her boyfriend also helps out when he's needed and organises many of the pub quizzes for charity. Sue said: 'He's a brainy boy !'

Another member of staff is Sarah Elder, who works two lunchtimes a week.

Linda Vickers, Lisa's grandmother, is visiting the family from her home in Scotland, and especially for Lisa's 21st birthday. She said: 'it's a nice pub, they've really made it something.'

Good mixture

The pub has a separate pool room, bar and dining room, which is mainly used by the Royal British Legion.

It was explained that the older locals mainly use the bar and the younger ones stay in the pool room, and there is good natured banter over the bar throughout the evenings. A regular at the pub explained: 'It's a good mixture, we all get on well.'

The pub has two pool teams, one being the only women's team in the league.

Darren Worden, is a machine driver for a ground works firm and is in the pool team and is very much a regular. He said: 'I'm in here every night.'

The pub hosts the Pensilva football team after matches and there was a darts team until recently.

The pub is proud that they are the Royal British Legion Champions for mixed pool, darts and other traditional pub games.

The golf society also meet at the pub every couple of months.

Sporty landlady Sue is a marathon runner and has run the London marathon three times, the Scottish marathon and various others. She is hoping to run another marathon later in the year.

Brian Elliot lives 'just over the road' and is a regular at the pub. He agreed with the other customers, and said: 'It is a good pub.'

Barbecue

Planned and spon-taneous barbecues are held in the beer garden, at the back of the pub and are popular with the locals. Various trips are organised by Robert and Sue.

Sue explained: 'We hire a coach from Darley Ford and sell the places through the pub. Everyone comes and ages range from 18 to 60, we all have meals together and it's a really good weekend away. We are planning another trip soon.'

Fred and Jean Hill are regulars at the pub and were described as a 'proper Cornish couple. Fred is always sat the corner of the pub with his ale. They are very talkative.' Fred is a member of the British Legion and Lisa said: 'Everyone who knows him, loves him.'

Another regular is Ron Harris, better known as 'Bomber' who is a 'quiet Cornish chap' at the pub.

Adi Philips from Pensilva is a self taught sign writer at Trago Mills. He has been there for five years, starting as an apprentice and is now in charge of the sign writing at Trago. He said: 'I'm in here so much they'll be charging me rent next!'

When asked if he liked the pub, he said: 'If I didn't like the people here I wouldn't come. The atmosphere here is really good, Robert and Sue have been the best landlord and lady. There's never any trouble because no-one wants to mess with Robert. They always make you feel welcome.'

Anna Cacchione, another local explained: 'You always feel welcome here. The younger children are allowed in the pool room until about 9pm but not allowed in the bar without an adult.'

Adi commented: 'It's better than them going around the village.'

A lunchtime regular is Ken Haites. Lisa explained: 'He is very straightforward and to-the-point. He's a nice old bloke.'

Darren Evans was in The Victoria Inn with Gemma Warren. Darren said: 'It's a good pub, I'm in here just about everyday. Weekends are good, all the locals turn out.'

It was the first time Gemma, from Tremar, had been in The Victoria Inn. She said: 'I got a good welcome, the pub's got a good pool table.'

The jukebox is regularly used and two gaming machines are popular with the younger generations of the pub.

An unnamed local, who has lived in the village for a year, said: 'I come in about twice a week. Overall the pub's all right, the staff's great. There's a good atmosphere in the pub. I only live over the road so it's easy to stagger home on a Friday.'

Dog friendly

Brian Allerton was holidaying from Kent and was looking after his brother's farm.

He has only visited The Victoria Inn three times. He said: 'It's nice and friendly and clean. Everyone seems very sociable.'

The Victoria Inn is a dog friendly pub and there is always a bowl of water ready for any visiting dogs.