ROY Cundall has never strayed far from the sea. He used to be in the Royal Navy and when he retired bought a fishing boat, aptly named 'Gratuity'.

After a year of fishing, he decided, with his wife Judith, that perhaps he would enjoy running a pub more, and together they became managers of The Ship Inn at Mevagissey. Just over six years later they joined forces with Chris Bird, surprisingly a highly successful manufacturer of taps in Bromsgrove, and took over the then dilapidated Galleon Inn on Fowey's waterfront. Since then they have never looked back.

They are in partnership at the Galleon, with Chris as owner, and since they took over the reins Chris has been inspired to go on and buy three further pubs, one of them the former Wych Way Inn at Par, now re-named The Royal. Each has a different landlord as partner. Initially when Roy, Judith and Chris looked at The Galleon - which had been closed for two years - they thought they would start with minor renovations, and then move on to more substantial ones. However, they soon discovered the whole building needed gutting, which enabled them to redesign it in style.

Garden

It now boasts a long, main bar which is welcoming, light and cosy, an extension complete with an array of tables for those wishing to dine on The Galleon's mouth-watering food, a front patio overlooking the river where there is always a rush for seats - especially in sunny weather - and an attractive garden area resplendent with hanging baskets and a canopy. The main bar, which still retains its original outer wall was once an extremely long bar indeed - stretching right through what is now the garden, and up to Fore Street.

The fact that they were able to build right from scratch means Roy could include facilities which past experience had told him would be necessary. A central system plays relaxing music throughout the pub, but there are numerous built-in controls which allow customers to alter the volume where they are sitting. A modern ventilation system means the atmosphere can be altered quickly and easily, and there is impressive lighting.

There are also seven en-suite bedrooms upstairs - on floors which decades before housed Behennahs billiard saloon run, Roy has been told, by a blind ex-serviceman. Today's facilities upstairs also include a breakfast room for residents, and a separate kitchen from the pub where the full English breakfasts, and alternative breakfast choices including those for vegetarians, are prepared. The en suite accommodation has been available for three years, and repeat bookings, and new bookings brought about by recommendations, are now being made.

Friendly

In the height of the summer 30 people are employed at this friendly, busy pub, which is a draw for both locals and visitors alike. The food, the majority of which is homemade and which features fresh fish from Mevagissey and from supplier S and J Fisheries in Plymouth, is available throughout the year from noon until 2pm at lunchtimes and 6-8.30pm Mondays-Saturdays and 7-8.30pm on Sundays. The delicious dishes on the set menu and the specials board are prepared by Judith and by Sheree Lease.

A wedding reception for 56 was recently held in th extension, and birthdays and company 'dos' are frequently enjoyed at The Galleon, with the Fowey bowling club holding their end of season dinner there.

A resident band including keyboard, guitar and harmonica players keep customers entertained every Sunday lunchtime - with two keyboard players alternating each week, and a percussionist appearing every fourth week. They play jazz, blues and Cajun music, while in the winter on Friday nights another band features at The Galleon, playing more popular music.

The busiest week of the year is, of course, Regatta Week, when Roy, Judith and the staff have very little time to do anything but expertly serve the throng of customers. They do have time, however, to be involved in an annual charity fishing competition organised by Foye Tightliners Angling Association and which this year raised £1,500, half of which was given to Doubletrees special school at St Blazey Gate.

One regular is Doris Kelly of Polruan. Although aged 77 she walks from Polruan to Bodinnick and then travels to Fowey on the car ferry, before strolling through the town to her favourite pub. After a refreshing drink, and a welcome sandwich perhaps, she strides out and returns the same way. Others enjoying the food, or the cask ales this Tuesday lunchtime were regulars John and Carol Eardley of Fowey with their friends Michael and Diane Moreton of Stoke on Trent. Also taking in the wonderful river view were Shirley Sweeney of Cubert and Linzi Clement of St Austell. Visitors at the long bar, made from ash wood, mixed with many locals, some of them members of the pub's two pool teams.

Roy said that initially they set themselves targets for The Galleon, but when the first was surpassed within the initial year of trading, these quickly altered. For around four years modernisation and rebuilding dominated their winter plans, but now all that hard work is reflected in a Galleon Inn which has been cleverly reborn from the empty building they first set to work on.