THE Safe Harbour pub at Fowey is exactly what it says it is. For all its many regulars, and the visitors who puff up the hill from the centre of town to make the most of its welcoming atmosphere, it really is a safe and happy haven.

A St Austell Brewery-owned pub, expertly run by Peter and Val for the past four years, it does in fact offer everything that a traditional pub should. It sports a public bar, complete with television, pool table and slot machines for those who relax best in such entertaining surroundings, and also a cosy, deceptively large, lounge bar for those wanting a quieter pint or two. The brass and the old pictures of 'The Safe' (as it is affectionately called) in bygone days, which adorn the walls, ensure that there can be no terming of the inn as modern, and plastic, with no ambience.

It is a retreat, and a meeting place, for a host of locals - being the first pub in the town, and also being sited at the top of Fowey where the majority of houses are. The pub has two darts teams, two euchre teams, two pool teams, and two football teams, Fowey United and Fowey Harbour. Pool is on Mondays, darts on Fridays, euchre on Thursdays and football on Saturdays and Sundays. It is also where the majority of Fowey cricket team gather after practice nights at their pitch at the nearby community college.

Peter used to work for Unigate at the St Erth depot, but after that closed he decided, together with Val, that perhaps running a pub would be a good alternative. He had reason to choose this type of work, for he was born in a pub. His mother was in the trade for 34 years, running The Miners Arms at Mithian and the Lamb and Flag at Canonstown. His grandfather and two uncles had also run Cornish pubs, which means that taking on the role of amiable landlord is definitely in his blood.

Since taking on The Safe Harbour the couple, who have two sons - Ryan aged nine and Luke aged 11 - have upgraded the accommodation the pub offers to visitors. This includes five attractive en-suite rooms, and self-catering accommodation. They have also introduced food for their customers. Delicious, home-cooked meals (80% of which have been cooked by Val) are available at lunchtimes and evenings, while on Sunday traditional roasts can be tucked into. The food is fresh, and local - for example the steaks coming from Kittows butchers in town. Fish also plays a great part of the menu, of course, when available.

Wonderful

A function room is available upstairs, this also serving as the breakfast room. It can hold about 40-50 people, and has wonderful views over the river, being ideal for christenings, birthdays and weddings.

The pub was built in the l820s, and was first known as The Commercial Hotel. It was acquired by Walter Hicks, of St Austell Brewery, in the early l900s, and Peter believes its name was changed in the l950s. When Peter and Val arrived they were the seventh landlords in seven years, but they have been able to add stability. Peter said since their arrival they have discovered the pub has two ghosts, both benign.

They have never seen them, but guests have. There is an old lady seen upstairs (whose face might just be visible in one of the old photographs on the wall), and a fisherman who sits in the corner of the Lounge Bar.

The Lounge Bar is also home to 'Virgins' Corner', so called because it dates back to the time when women did not accompany their men to pubs, and sneaked in for a drink which they initially bought and then took home.

Peter said these drinks were served through a hatch in a corner - but eventually women began to stay awhile, and formed the Old Maids' Corner. The name changed through the years, and the select corner moved to the other side of the bar after the hatch was closed.

The impressive number of pictures on the wall shows that the then Commercial Hotel stood in a busy area of town, being right next to the bus shelter, and surrounded by horses, carts, passengers and customers.

One of its many advantages now is that it has a small car park at the back - a very handy benefit in a town like Fowey with its narrow streets and strict on-street parking rules.

Making the most of its atmosphere on Tuesday lunchtime were 'Burtie' Travers and his wife Diana from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, and their daughter Anna Travers of Ipswich who works for the Eastern Angles Theatre Company based in the Sir John Mills Theatre.

Welcoming

They have been returning to Fowey on holiday for 11 years, and are staying at Rose Cottage opposite the Safe Harbour.

All three agreed it was a lovely, relaxing pub to visit, and extremely welcoming. Diana explained: 'We just love Fowey.'

A senior citizen from St Blazey Gate had called in for a drink after visiting his wife in the nearby Fowey Hospital, and stressed that he always feels at home in The Safe Harbour because Peter and Val are so helpful, and the surroundings are always really clean.

Local postman, Ray Pitcher, popped in for a pint after work, having been up since 4am, while in the evening Andy McCartney relaxed at the bar for a chat with Shaun Smith and Mike Wilkins of the local fire brigade. The Safe is ideal for them, being the nearest pub to the fire brigade.

Enjoying a drink with friends in the Lounge Bar was John Vincent, one of the Troy Players, an amateur dramatic group based in Fowey.

He said he chooses The Safe Harbour because it is so friendly, and because the locals enjoy 'little wind-ups', just to add to the usual entertainment.

Entertainment was certainly on the agenda on Tuesday night for around 22 ladies who term The Safe their local.

They went on a boat trip from Fowey to Lostwithiel and Golant, returning of course to The Safe before time was called.

They made the trip in John Barker's boat, John being a Safe Harbour euchre player.