DESPITE having a Saltash address the Cecil Arms is definitely an integral part of a village - St Stephens.
The pub is situated next to the church of St Stephens-by-Saltash, and so helps give the surrounding, peaceful countryside area all the essentials of a Cornish village. In fact, the Cecil can claim to be probably the only pub in the country that houses the local Sunday school classes.
For about the past three years its lounge bar has become, instead, the home of the Sunday school - the children trooping in there from the church service for their own lessons. Of course, the bar remains shut at such times!
Beer garden
The pub was completed around l902 on the wishes of a local landowner, who built it for his son, Major Cecil. Unfortunately, though, the son became an officer in the Army, and was the first officer to be killed in the Boer War.
The building still retains an elegant Edwardian feel, and is now complete with a beer garden which offers play equipment for youngsters to have fun with.
As such it provides a draw for families on hot summers evenings - an ideal place at which to relax and watch the world go by.
The current landlord is Terry Carroll, a tenant for Entrepreneur Pubs Ltd. In July he would have been in charge for the past seven years.
He moved there initially to take over the reins with his son, Nicholas - but within three months of moving into the Cecil Nicholas gained a commission in the RAF, a career he still enjoys. Terry moving in kept the business in the family, for he took over the reins from his brother, Mike Carroll.
Terry said he knew Saltash well, for he bought his first house in the town in l969, while still in the Army, this being in the Ridgeway. However, while living there he never made his way to the Cecil.
Extended
He explained: 'It's not really part of Saltash. St Stephens really is a village on its own.' He added that the Cecil was not the first pub in the village - there was once an inn sited opposite the church, where there are now toilets.
The building, which houses large lounge and public bars, has been extended over the years.
The public bar includes a pool table, darts, a gaming machine and a television - for customers to be able to keep abreast of the sporting events and the latest happenings on the soaps.
Terry also keeps up to date with the soap 'stories' - so he can contribute to all the discussion in the bar.
Food is available at Sunday lunchtimes, when roast dinners can be tucked into.
Terry explained that the pub is popular with walkers, because of the countryside surrounding it. They can stroll to Forder or Trematon Castle, and down to the river. Foot and mouth restrictions did hinder such leisurely strolls, but hopefully all is now getting back on attractive, rural, track.
The Hash House Harriers also frequently congregate at the Cecil before going out on their country runs, and holidaymakers enjoyed the fresh air, and the peace, at Forder frequently make their way to the attractive pub.
Terry said: 'The sun does seem to bring everyone out, so with summer here trade does seem to increase as regards walkers.'
Quiz nights
However, there are also regulars who have been supping at the counter of the Cecil for many happy years, these including Ron Bragg, who takes a taxi there on most nights.
One of the main draws is the quiz night on Wednesday evening, which Terry has been organising for the past six years, and has proved to be extremely popular.
Enjoying the ambience of the Edwardian pub on Monday lunchtime was regular Iain Stewart Waye who said he lives within handy walking distance of the Cecil, which he described as 'a really good place'.