ONE of Lostwithiel's pubs has a new name, and a new look, for the new Millennium.

The Monmouth in Parade Square has now officially been re-named The River, following a highly successful 'launch' party at the weekend.

Over the past year it has undergone extensive redecoration inside which has given it a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. This means that the long L shaped bar is well able to accommodate a wide range of customers.

At one end is a pool table, tables and a large screen for Sky TV, while at the other is an area with relaxing chairs and a sofa where people can 'chill out' - in the words of landlady Hannah Dennis.

Hannah, who had been working at the Cornwall Coliseum, became landlady at the weekend and is busy assimilating herself into Lostwithiel life. She has been helped by the fact that she has lived in Fowey and her father, Walter Dawson, was actually born in Lostwithiel.

Revamp

She said: 'Once the locals realised who my father was, then that was fine!'

The River has been owned by Jamie Brown of the Spooky Pub Company for about a year. Revamping the interior was the initial phase of his rejuvenation plan for the pub, and this was followed by a repainted exterior, and the provision of an impressive new sign, care of The Trophy Warehouse, and the owner's design. Future plans include the provision of excellent food, and perhaps using the function room, on the first floor to create a restaurant. Discussions with architects may incorporate an idea of providing stairways from the bar up to this eating area.

In the meantime Hannah is concentrating on getting to know the locals, and organising pool teams etc if they so wish, as she said she is well aware of the importance of local trade. The pub is a free house, serving Courage beers, including Spooky Lager, brewed by Courage especially for The Spooky Pub Co. Jamie said he hoped a Spooky Bitter would follow, and stressed that the pub serves beer at the most reasonable of prices.

Launch party

A well received disco ensured that the launch party achieved all expectations. The event was held on Sunday so that many of Hannah's friends from Gossips nightclub at Carlyon Bay, which is also owned by Jamie, could attend. Her grandparents were also there, and really enjoyed themselves, so she explained that a wide age range felt it was an evening to remember.

Hannah is also planning to investigate the history of the pub in as much depth as possible, and is aiming to browse around the town's museum. She has found reference to the ship The Monmouth, which the pub was previously named after. The ship, which carried 64 guns, took part in a moonlit battle with the French ship, the Foudroyant, of 84 guns, on 28 February 1758. Among its crew was James Baron, the second son of the then vicar of Lostwithiel, Rev Jonathan Baron.

There was much discussion before the new name was chosen. It was intended that it should reflect the local area - and the Fowey river flows not so very far away from the front door of The River. The River Cober, a small tributary of the Fowey, also runs nearby.

Lostwithiel is the lowest bridging point on the Fowey, and the highest point to which the tides reach. In fact such was its success as a port in centuries gone by that around 1300 it handled more trade than Fowey town itself, as Bob Acton explains in his booklet about circular walks in the Fowey area.

He also explains that Parade Square was once known as the Bull Ring because about 200 years ago bull baiting took place there.

Among those enjoying The River's new ambience on Tuesday lunchtime was Nick Barber, who moved to Castle, not very far from the pub, in July. He is involved, with Jamie, in the re-opening of Webb's Hotel in Liskeard, and was just about to leave for London to attend a select function in Leicester Square.

He, and his wife Navin, were so impressed with the Cornish way of life that they decided to live locally, and their six-year-old daughter Sabrina is now a happy pupil at Fowey primary school. A number of co-incidences led them to buying Castle, which Nick wanted to purchase the instant he saw the building - which was where Rudolph Hess was interned for nine months after his unexpected arrival in Britain during the early years of the Second World War.

Great future

Also enjoying the atmosphere were Sarah Ping and Simon Allen. Sarah has moved to Lostwithiel from Fal-mouth, especially to work at The River. She is living on the premises, and said that she so enjoyed the official opening night that she is sure that the pub has a great future.

Simon, a friend of Hannah's, was also impressed by the party evening, and as a result had returned for a quieter, lunchtime drink.

He highlighted The River's 'welcoming feel' and said that he will be returning a few more times - until October 30 when he is jetting away for the winter to Denver, Colorado, where he is to snowboard, and work. He hails from St Austell, but has been living in Newquay, having been drawn by the surfing opportunities. He now intends swopping the sea for the mountains, as he has already tried out snowboarding in the French Alps and found it exhilarating.

On his return to Cornish soil from his American sojourn, however, The River will probably be one of his first ports of call.