THE Eliot Arms at St Germans is owned by Ben and Sheila Lennox-Boyd and has been managed by Tim and Bev Latcham for the past three-and-a-half years.

Previous to managing The Eliot Arms, Tim and Bev were stewards at Plymouth Albion Rugby Club, and ran a pub at Tavistock for nine years. Tim came into the pub trade after leaving the Merchant Navy.

The couple have lived in the Westcountry for the past 30 years and are happy in St Germans, agreeing: 'We hope to stay for good!'

The original building was erected in 1709. Since that time there have been alterations and extensions. There are two stained glass windows behind the two bars, in the public bar and the lounge bar. They are associated with the Port Eliot Estate and the theme of the pub, being elephants, is based on the Port Eliot founders who were merchant traders in India.

The pub has eight bed and breakfast rooms which Bev finds are mainly used by business people who have conferences in the area. Five of the rooms are en suite and any type of breakfast is served from a full English to cereal and toast. Bev explained: 'We find that the B and B trade doesn't stop through the year - there is always someone staying here.'

The pub is children and dog friendly with a children's play area full of books, toys and games and a readily available dog water bowl in the corner of the bar area.

The pub has a full and extensive menu ranging from everyday bar meals to Oriental dishes, steaks, fresh fish and Sunday roasts and also a vegetarian menu.

Choice

All the food is cooked to order by either Bev or part-time chef Philip Crabtree. The food is sourced from local suppliers and a choice of three meats - beef, lamb and pork or turkey - are available for the Sunday roasts.

There are three bar staff at The Eliot Arms - Michelle Stewart from St Germans, Jason Fry and Michila Wilkes. Julia Vickers from St Germans also works at the pub as a fulltime cleaner and Bev's 'Girl Friday!'

Brian Chalmers from St Germans said: 'It's not a bad little watering hole - we all like it!'

His brother-in-law, Derek Rowe from London was also in residence at the pub. He explained: 'I've been here many times. You get a warm and friendly welcome. The food is excellent and good value for money. There is also a good variety - unusual for a country pub.'

The pub serves two real ales - Directors and Courage Best - popular with many of the regulars.

Geffery Moore commented: 'This is a fun pub. you can have a good laugh here. There is good conversation, and a few good characters, and it is a meeting place for the whole village, including the vicar occasionally!'

Julia Vickers and her husband Perry were having a drink at the bar. Julia, who has been working at the pub for about one year, said: 'Tim and Bev are great to work for, they keep you on your toes!'

Perry also helps out occasionally at the pub by fixing chairs that have been broken and any other odd jobs that need doing.

Perry joked: 'I would live here if I could! I like a proper local pub like this - I always have. Everyone will help each other out here and you can always have a good laugh.'

The restaurant area can seat up to 45 people and the pub hosts small wedding receptions and parties although two 'full-blown' wedding receptions have been held at the pub.

John Hookway commented: 'It's a good place to have a chat and a drink.'

John celebrated his 75th birthday at the pub and a picture board with various pictures taken throughout the night are displayed. Perry commented: 'It was an hilarious party!'

One of John's presents on the night was a brandy and lovage dispenser made by Warren Evans who has lived in the village for six years. The dispenser is displayed in the pub as is John's specially engraved tankard.

Laugh

Warren said: 'The Eliot Arms is a really good local. There is a good bunch of 30-somethings who come here regularly and you can always have a laugh with someone in here.'

Warren is also the creator of the Eliot Arms website which can be found under the address of: http://www.eliotarms.co.uk">www.eliotarms.co.uk

Tim and Bev host curry nights, quiz nights and have friendly matches of darts and pool.

Michelle Stewart has worked there for the past two years doing a bit of everything from bar work to waitressing.

She explained: 'This is your typical local pub, it gets really busy over the weekends but if anyone comes in who hasn't been here before by the time they leave we know just about everything about them! I have a good banter with all the locals.'

Michelle and Julia Vickers had their heads shaved last year, during a fund raising weekend, raising money to send chef Philip Crabtree's two sons, who suffer from muscular dystrophy, to Florida for a holiday. Another participant was landlord Tim. He shaved his beard off - Bev had never seen her husband minus a beard and since then he has never grown it back!

A large group of Harley Davidson riders were also at the pub during the weekend, an annual event held on the first full weekend in August. Some had their heads and beards shaved (most of which they had been growing long for years!) and raised £200 'in minutes' for the fund. Other events were also held for the same cause over the weekend raised £1,550.

In total £3,800 was raised by the pub and village and Philip's two boys sent all the fundraisers many postcards from their holiday.

Bev said: 'St Germans is a very self-contained village, everyone helps each other out, fixing items that need fixing or lending bits and pieces. As far as the pub goes, it is a general meeting place for the village. The carnival which has been re-instated is now also a fun day which is being held around the pub in July.'