THE Manor House Inn is located in the small but busy village of Rilla Mill in the Lynher Valley.

This pub has a lot more than meets the eye. The current landlady is Marcia Ware. She took over as landlady in June and according to the regulars, she has brought atmosphere, life and excitement not only to the pub, but also to the village.

The pub itself is over 100 years old and is steeped in history. One of the strangest stories told is of an operation.

Legend has it that in the 1940s (when transport to the local hospitals was not the quickest or the easiest thing to find) an appendix was removed from a man on the bar of the Manor by a local doctor.

These days there are no such operations taking place in the bar, but the Manor not only offers a good place to drink, it also serves high quality food. January 4 will see the Manor hold an 'Indian Banquet'.

Bookings have been placed for what is sure to be a night of great fun and great food.

The Manor offers a good place to take a break as well. Attached to it is 'Primrose Vale', a group of luxury chalets.

Built in the early 1990s, each building is named after a Cornish landmark (like the Lynher or the Fal), and the service offers bed and breakfast.

Paul Ede was serving at the bar when we caught up with him, and he was more than happy to talk to us.

He said: 'I have been working for the current landlady for ages and when she needs help I always lend a hand.

'She brings such a great atmosphere to the pub itself, it is great fun to work here.

'I actually work at another pub as well and I am training to go into management full-time and have learnt a lot here as well as where I work.

Atmosphere

'The Christmas parties that go on here are always well attended and are hard work. But they are also great fun to do.'

Becky Dale and Jo Olver were busy waiting on tables when they spoke to us.

Becky has worked in the pub for six years, while Jo came six months ago, around the same time the pub changed hands.

Becky said: 'It has always been good working here. It gets very busy at some points, but I enjoy the atmosphere and the customers we get in. They are all real characters!'

One such character is Pete Bradshaw. Pete and his wife Clare, often come down to the pub to meet their friends and have some food. 'We often are down here for the odd pint or two and sometimes for the odd meal,' said Pete.

'I have been drinking here for ages and can remember many a happy night here.

'The atmosphere is great and the landlady is second to none. She is very good looking and always a good laugh!'

Adrian Webb and Matthew Olver were in the pub for a quick drink and Adrian said: 'The pub here is great and always very friendly to whoever walks in. Nobody is given a cold welcome and Marcia has brought a new energy to the place.'

Matthew added: 'She brings something that is unique and friendly to a pub and the pub doesn't disappoint when it comes to service.'

Local man Steve Bricknell has lived around the area since he was born. Formally living in Upton Cross, Steve now lives in Merrymeet and still travels to the pub for a pint and some food.

'I have always drunk here,' he said. 'I always came down to the Manor for drinks, mainly because it has always been worth it.

'You meet good people here, you can get good food and you can always get a good pint of Guinness.

'Whenever I come back to this area to see my parents, I make sure I come down to the Manor for a drink. I always see someone

'I know and there always is a very warm welcome from all who are in here.'

Curry

Another person who remarked on the warm welcome was Simon Bindon. Simon has just moved into the area from London, where he was in the police force.

'It is the warmest welcome I have ever had and the pub is fast becoming my favourite place to drink,' he said.

'The village and the pub have welcomed us really well.

'No matter who walks through the door or where they come from, there is always a warm welcome from the regulars and the staff.

'The food here is excellent, especially the curry. They are, in my opinion, second to none. The best I have ever tried. It is not only those however that are good.

'There is such a wide selection that is cooked at such a high standard, you could choose anything and not go away disappointed.'

John and Rona Hidderley were in the pub.

Rona said they were there because 'I didn't want to cook today.

'We used to come here a lot, but in recent years we have found it difficult to get out. It used to be a home from home, but we went through a stage of not being able to make it out here.'

John added: 'We are coming back here more often now because we have the time.

The new landlady has made this a nice place to visit and the value for money is excellent.

'I have a big connection with the interior of the pub as well. About 15 to 20 years ago I started on the woodwork in the pub. I opened up the fireplace and many other things in here and I am really proud that the things I made are still standing and are still in use.'

Chris Mason works in the local garage and has enjoyed a drink at the Manor all his life.

'As I live just up the road, it is perfect for me. You don't have to drive anywhere and you can just walk home after a good night out. The pub is very lively and everything about it is perfect.'

'We come here for the best steak in Britain,' was the reply of Trevor and Grace Higgins from Liftondown.

Queen

Trevor and Grace go to the Manor every Friday for food and count the service and the choice of food some of the best in the land.

'Everything is perfect here. The food is great and that has been enhanced by the landlady. It is one of our favourite pubs and nobody would be disapointed to come here.

'Even the Queen would be pleased with what she could get.'