THE Springer Spaniel Inn at Treburley is known for its excellent reputation and food and has gained much recognition in a wide area.
Dating back to the 18th century the pub originally started life as a cider house. It was named The Sportsmans Arms up until nine years ago when John Pitchford bought the property and re-named it after his dogs.
Bought by Colin and Jacquie Phillips, who also own The Roseland Inn at Philleigh near St Mawes, earlier this year, the pub is now run by live-in managers Matthew Coleman and Cassie Savva. Mel Holt from The Roseland Inn also covers Matthews and Cassie's days off.
Cassie said: 'We have only been here five weeks but it's going excellently. We are getting some very good comments and people are coming back regularly.'
Tom and Cherry Blacker who live about two miles away from the pub are regulars at The Springer Spaniel, so much so they are there every day and call it their 'second home'.
Tom said: 'If we didn't like it here we wouldn't keep coming back!'
Good atmosphere
Cherry explained that they work from home and coming to The Springer Spaniel for lunch gives them a chance to get away from it all.
Tom said: 'We are good friends with John and Margo Pitchford who really turned the pub around. The current owners are maintaining its individuality and it's still the centre of community information.'
Cherry commented: 'There's a good crowd here. Everyone talks to everyone else and there is a nice cross section of people.'
Having lunch at the pub were Nigel, Chris and John. Nigel had been to the pub once before and said: 'I came the week that Colin Phillips took over and we have enjoyed what we've had so far.'
'We will be coming back again,' said Chris: 'There is a nice atmosphere and the staff are very helpful.'
John commented 'We haven't had dessert yet but after what we've had so far I am definitely looking forward to it!'
Locals Harold and Hermina Wilkinson have lived in the village for 12 years. They were enjoying their lunch with their daughter Fiona, who was visiting from London. Harold explained: 'We come here on special occasions and when Fiona visits us.'
The longest serving member of staff is restaurant manager, Mervyn Jane, who has been working there for 11 and a half years. He said: 'It's always busy here but even more so at evenings and weekends. There's always a nice atmosphere.'
Sherry and John Joyce live at St Mawes and were eating lunch at the pub before they discovered that it was owned by Colin, who also owns The Roseland Inn near them. Sherry said: 'We didn't know that this was also Colin's pub, we regularly go to The Roseland Inn and The Springer Spaniel is a lovely pub with good food and a nice atmosphere.'
Charles and Lesley Steel from Polruan discovered the pub about a year ago. They commute between Portsmouth and Polruan and are in the process of moving down to Polruan to retire. They class the pub as a good watering hole on the way and a good place to have lunch. Lesley commented: 'The food is brilliant and very generous, the people are very friendly and welcoming.' Charles added: 'They keep an excellent pint of Guinness and papers of the bar. It's an unpretentious country pub.'
A new menu is being introduced with the old favourites and some new ideas, from the team of chefs - head chefs John Linton and Francis Denford with Martin Putt and Ian Jane. Ian has a mass of qualifications and has been trained by Rick Stein. The meals are freshly cooked and local ingredients are used. The specials board is also changed every day for more variety.
The pub hosts a quiz held every week called the 'Drekly Box' where everyone buys a raffle ticket. Whoever's raffle ticket is picked gets the chance to take £20 or pick a key to open the box and win money which has accumulated over the weeks (now at £200 in week 10). If the key picked doesn't open the box an extra £25 is added each week along with the money lost by the ticket winner. Manageress Cassie said: 'It's good fun.'
Own ale
The pub even has its own ale produced by Sharps at Rock, called Springer Ale which has taken off well. The Springer Spaniel has gained many awards including the best pub in Cornwall 1999. It is featured in Devon Today magazine, the Michelin Guide, Which Country Pub Guide, Which Good Pub Guide, Guide to Great Britain - Places to eat, the Good Pub Guide, Hardens, Egon Ronay and the Independent Quiet Pub Guide.
The pub employs 17 members of staff including Lee Page from Tavistock who has been worked there from when John and Margo Pitchford took over.
The bar is a smoking area and has a woodburner which is lit and kept on during the winter and is very popular place to sit, whereas the restaurant is non-smoking. Matthew commented: 'It is advisable to book for a table in the restaurant, especially at evenings and weekends, and lunchtimes to guarantee a table in the restaurant.
Children and dogs are welcome at the pub - especially Springer Spaniels!