aTHE landlord and lady at The Liscawn Inn near Crafthole are Paul and Fiona Ingall. They have owned and run the pub for the past seven years and have two children, James, aged three, and 10-month-old Anna, there are also two pub cats, Pickles and Sox.

They moved from Berkshire where Fiona had her own business, cake decorating, and Paul was a manager at a golf club. Paul explained: 'We thought we'd try owning and running a pub. We liked what we saw and have made a go of it.'

The building has been there since 1310 and the name, Liscawn, has always been associated with the building. The name means The House at the Head of the Valley of the Elder, and the sign for the pub is an elder tree. The building started life as a farm and has a chequered history. It continued as a private members club and a guest house before becoming a pub around 50 years ago.

The pub hosts many functions, being able to hold up to 170 people, and weddings are becoming one of the main events, there being a reception held there about once a month.

It has two bars, the main bar and the 'Snug' bar. When functions are being held in the main bar the Snug bar is opened up for the regulars to use. The main bar is home to a piano which made its way to the pub from Scotland, and although rarely used adds character to the room.

The pub has 12 bed and breakfast rooms to let, all en suite, seven in the pub and five in the near-by barn conversion, one being with disabled access. There are also two self catering units in the barn. Fiona said: 'We find that the residential rooms are fully booked most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays all year round and are fully booked all week during the summer season. '

Value for money

She continued: 'We try to give good value for money and have taken the time and effort to decorate all the rooms to the standard people would like in their own homes, and have tried to make it that little bit special.'

The kitchen is well equipped and is ably managed by Paul Coates and his assistant Stephen Harris who use all local main ingredients and make the specials of the day at the pub.

Paul, from London, has been in the trade for the past 18 years and has worked abroad in places including America, Australia, Italy, Spain and Covent Garden in London. He has worked at The Liscawn Inn since December 2000 and said: 'I just walked into the job here, I came to the area with my girlfriend and this is very apt for what I want to do in the future.'

Working at the pub for the past seven months is Stephen who is currently going through college as well as working at the pub. He said: 'It definitely keeps us busy here. It's very nice in summer.'

The pub is a family run concern with Paul and Fiona at the helm with Paul and Stephen in the kitchen and one housekeeper for the B and B side of the business and other waitresses and helpers. In total the staff, including Paul and Fiona number about five to six depending on the season, although that increases when functions are held.

Yvonne Hobbs from Crafthole worked at pub as a general assistant and housekeeper and is now babysitter to James and Anna. She is currently studying for her introductory certificate to childcare. She said: 'I have worked here for a while, about four years now, but I really enjoy what I do and I still help out with the housekeeping occasionally when I'm needed.'

Judith Cocks and June Martin are regulars at the pub and lunch there with the Ladies Conservative Luncheon Club.

Judith from Portwrinkle said: 'We have been coming here from the time Paul and Fiona have got the place on its feet. I like it here because its not a noisy pub, everyone knows everyone.'

June commented: 'Paul and Fiona are excellent mine hosts.'

Play area

The Liscawn Inn hosts many local organisations for functions such as the local Conservative branch, the Ladies Conservative Luncheon Club, Probus, the Scouts, the badminton club, and many Christmas lunches for the local school staff.

The Liscawn Inn is a dog and children friendly pub, with a children's licence and a play area outside. Paul and Fiona's children not only have God parents, but also God dogs owned by locals from the area as Paul and Fiona are unable to own a dog due to lack of time running the pub. The God dogs are called Sam, owned by Kevin and Pat Penny and Megan, owned by Russ and Ingrid Smith. Cats and dogs can stay at the B and B with their owners.

They serve the children and dogs first. Fiona explained: 'It makes a lot of sense if the kids are served before the parents. The parents can help the chidlren eat their food and have their meal brought out to them afterwards, so they have a freshly prepared and hot meal. That way the children are settled and can go outside to play in the play area and the parents can relax. The parents are also meant to be on holiday, even if it is just for a day trip.'

Hilda Cruickshank visited the pub for a meal and bought her dog, Sophie, with her who was immediately given a bowl of water and some dog biscuits.

Hilda comes to the area frequently to visit her family. She said: 'It's brilliant here. I have been coming here for many, many years. I remember the place when it was a farm owned by the Hoskins.'

The pub is surrounded by eight acres of its own land which Paul and Fiona are leaving natural for the wildlife but are planning to put pathways through. They are also in consultation with South West Water and are discussing the possibility of putting a pathway through their land and on to the reservoir for people to go fishing and use the pub car park.

The Liscawn Inn is one of the few free houses in the area and serves real ales, Theakson's Old Peculiar, Bass and Fuller's London Pride. In the summer, Paul explained: 'We have an extra real ale but it has to be a name that involves birds or animals. We have collected all the previous labels that we have had at the pub. There's quite a collection behind the bar now.'

The pub has a pool table which is used by the local lads but the darts board was removed as Paul said it was a risk to children. Paul added that they may be looking at organising a quiz night at some point.