THE Eliot Arms at Tregadillett, also known as the Square and Compass, is managed by Jamie Player and Debbie Cooper for J P Leisure Group.

The original building was constructed in the 14th Century and it became a coaching inn during 1625. The building fell into disarray in the early 19th century, becoming a blacksmith's shop. In 1840 the building became a public house and the name 'Eliot Arms' was added to the original 'Square and Compass', as the area was known many years ago as Compass.

During the wars with the French between 1756 and 1815, many French prisoners were billeted in and around the Launceston area. Many of the officer prisoners were Freemasons and it has been established that the Eliot Arms was one of their meeting places.

Their lodge was thought to have been in existence for five years and was known as Lodge Consulte Maconne. The only documentary proof concerning this is to be found in two certificates dated 1762 and 1763. One is in French and the other, in English, was issued to Mr Robert Martin, the organist of St Mary Magdalene Church in Launceston at the time.

Several officers joined the Dunheved Lodge in Launceston. Among its records is information that in 1757 a Capitaine N de Court sent a letter to the Grand Lodge asking if it could supply money for him to obtain his liberty and return to Bordeaux. As the Grand Lodge could not do this they granted him the sum of £20 for his relief.

Jamie and Debbie, who are engaged, moved from Poole in Dorset two months ago to start managing the Eliot Arms. They moved to Tregadillett with Debbie's two sons, Lorne, aged 11 and seven-year-old Liam, two whippet cross dogs, Storm and Tagan, and two 10-month-old patchwork tortoiseshell cats, Toffee and Fudge.

The Eliot Arms is well known for the high quality of food that is served. Since managing the pub Jamie, a qualified chef and Debbie, who also cooks have devised a new menu and keep with the philosophy of not serving fast food, just good food as fast as possible.

The Eliot Pie of the Day has been introduced and other special dishes also include the curry of the day, spinach and mushroom lasagne, crab, prawn and smoked mackerel salad and a new feature of 'Hero Dishes' for people with a big appetite.

To accompany all the meals Jamie and Debbie have introduce a system of picking two options from a list, a mix and match rather than a group of set options. They include: fresh veg, garlic bread, salad, chips, crusty bread and new potatoes. Roast dinners are served on Sunday with a choice of two meats with about three or four vegetables. A set festive menu is available for Christmas and the forthcoming New Years Eve menu is Hogmanay-based.

All the ingredients are bought locally, even from some of the villagers. A vegetarian menu and kids' menu are also part of the main menu, coeliac dishes can be prepared and the sweets are made by Debbie. The sweet menu is constantly changing, there are regular sweets which are popular and other options which Debbie makes up in small batches.

The busy kitchen is where a team of staff work. They include - Caroline Ball, Jo Andrew, Phyllis Blake, Keith Cheeseworth and John Poleatch.

All wines and champagne are served by the glass, small, medium or large (being a third of a bottle). This is possible thanks to a Verre de Vin system. The pub sells Courage beers and Sharps real ales.

The Eliot Arms will hold a series of theme nights from October ranging from French and Spanish to Mediterranean and Indian.

Snuff

The Eliot Arms is full of various curios ranging from 46 clocks to a National Time Recorder for the locals to clock in and out. There are also hundreds of snuff boxes, masonic regalia, old beer bottles and horse brasses which decorate the beams and walls.

The pub is cleaned by Sally Wallington during the week and Claire King at weekends. They also clean the two letting rooms at the pub, one of which is home to a four poster bed.

The front bar is home to an alleged ghost and has a stove which is lit in winter. The walls are decorated with signed photos of famous people who have stayed at the pub over the years. They include, Pauline Quirk, Jeremy Beadle, Frank Bruno and Bob Hoskins. Dogs are welcome in this area of the pub and children are welcome in any of the rooms as they are all away from the main bar.

The games room has a darts board and the pub has recently resurrected the men's and ladies' darts teams and a euchre team. Playing cards and crib boards are available to use.

The main bar has a non-smoking area and fresh flowers are kept on every table. The adjoining restaurant area is home to a collection of various countries' money. Notes are displayed on the walls and pinned to the beams. Debbie has also been busy tidying up the outside of the pub and planting new flowers.

Mick Reading is training to be the assistant manager at the pub, while Richard Tucker, who works behind the bar is also a keen thespian having had parts as an extra in Casualty. He is currently playing the lead in a dramatic production in Launceston.

Sue Hume formerly worked in the kitchen but now works behind the bar. The team of waitresses are - Emily Ball, Sabrina Lake, Charlane Middleton, Michael and Sarah Willshire, Cyndi Jenkins and Leeanne Spencer.

The pub is open all day from 11am until 11pm on Saturday and from noon until 10.30pm on Sunday, with food served every day from noon until 2pm and from 7pm until 9pm. Weekdays the pub is open from 11am until 3pm and from 6pm until 11pm.

Tankards

Ed and Sue Newman had walked to the pub from the steam train station. They were on holiday from Essex for a week and were so impressed they were returning in the evening for a meal.

Ed commented: 'It's quaint and traditional. The service is good and the atmosphere is just right.'

John 'Waldorf Statler' Moore has been a regular at the pub for the past 30 years. He was having a lunchtime drink with his work colleagues from Kensey Foods in Launceston, Brian Layzell and Mandy Dennis who lives in the village. They agreed that The Eliot Arms is a busy pub and that Debbie is a great manageress.

Charlie Sansom, another regular, originally lived in Wimbledon before he joined the Navy for 32 years. After he was stationed at Devonport he bought a house in the village and has lived there since 1972.

Charlie, drinking from his tankard (all the locals have their own tankards and glasses), said: 'I come here most days and it's always busy.'

David Castle has also been coming to the pub for around 30 years. He explained: 'If I didn't like the place I wouldn't keep coming here. All us regulars have cards for clocking in and out and we used to pay something like 10 pence a time which went to charity.'

NFU South West Regional Director Anthony Gibson and his policy advisor, Robert Dean, had stopped at the pub for a meal. Anthony explained: 'We've stopped here before. I think it is the best wayside pub in the region for food. They set an example to others in buying local produce.'