THERE are a number of adjectives, or phrases, to describe the New Inn at Tywardreath - including welcoming, central to the village, an ideal spot for locals, and a general meeting place. How-ever, new would not be one of them.

The New Inn does, in fact, date back to l775 when it was originally owned by the Rashleigh family.

Lillian and Anthony Hall, who are the current friendly St Austell Brewery tenants, have at their fingertips an impressive amount of historical detail for a pub which continues to feature large in village life.

It was sold to St Austell Brewery in l932, but up until then it had been in a number of hands, including being leased by James Polkinghorne, owned by Mary Polkinghorne, and run by her son-in-law Stan Olver. Other tenants, dating from l878, have included Letitia Cook, Reuben Coombe, Prynn Richards, Sid Rundle and many others.

A newspaper cutting of l827 details how twin daughters were born to the aptly named Mrs Beer of New Inn, while an advert dating 7 October 1871 outlines how the 'convenient and old established New Inn, near Par Station' was to be let. It was said to be a successful business with 15 rooms and offices, including a 'commodious dining room', and was a venue for public dinners. Other attributes were an 'excellent garden with stabling, a coach house, and orchards and meadows which can be let.'

The building standing adjacent to it was once the town hall, and it was here that monthly petty sessions were held, together with Highways Board meetings.

Anthony and Lillian used to be customers, rather than tenants. They moved into the Inn last year in whirlwind time. Lillian explains that they went for an interview on the Thursday, and by the Monday were serving behind the counter.

Since then they have quickly established themselves. They carried out improvements and refurbishments, which mean they now have three bed and breakfast rooms to let for anyone wishing to stay in an ideally placed village for touring and sightseeing. They open their extensive garden for Tywardreath events, and also let the playgroup hold their sports there.

Relaxing

Anthony, who enjoys a shrewd bet on the 'geegees' now and then, has arranged two successful outings for customers to the races at Newton Abbot, and the second harvest festival has just been held. This - following on from an initial event organised last year - involved an auction and raised £400 for the village fete.

The vicar, the Rev Chris Malkinson, gladly attended the packed occasion. The auctioneer was customer Brian Matthews, and local lady 'Audrey' made the harvest loaf. Last year £300 was raised, but this was organised quite speedily, and this year Lillian said more advanced notice was given.

The Inn has three rooms - the pool room, public bar and darts room. Teams run from there include pool, darts, euchre and quiz teams who mostly play in St Austell-based leagues. Friday is darts night, Thursday euchre, Sunday quiz night, and pool is held on Wednesdays. Anthony joked that he plays for the euchre team occasionally - when they are desperate!

The quiz team notched up an impressive second place in the league last year, although this could have been higher still if they had not missed one quiz.

The welcome at the New Inn is enhanced by six-year-old Jack Russell, Sally, and a black cat called Dibbles, who originated from a farm but has found pub life extremely relaxing.

Bar snacks, such as toasted sandwiches and the odd curry or two for the regulars, are provided by Lillian - who has also proved to be an excellent gardener as well as cook. Both she and Anthony have worked on the pub's garden, gazebo and hanging baskets, which are just coming down as autumn bites, and won a second prize in the Tywardreath in bloom contest.

Customers are currently collecting money for a memorial bench for one of their long-time regulars, Jack Matthews, who sadly died recently. The bench will be placed nearby to the pub, and will be made by Nick Ball, who pops into the New Inn if work commitments allow. Nick, from Tywardreath, also stressed how friendly his local - the only one in the village - is. The plaque for the bench is being organised by Lillian.

Also enjoying the comforts at the bar of the New Inn on Tuesday was David Pinckston who had his first drink in the pub around l955. He spent many years in the Navy, but has now retired, and so has rediscovered the delights of his local.

David is a dab hand at woodwork, and adorning the wall of the pub there is a wooden ship made by his fair hands, and an excellent model of the bar itself - together with some model cricket bats. The cricket bats recall a time when the pub had a cricket team, but they had to stop playing when the local pitch, at Par track, was ripped up.

Another customer was Len Cardwell who has so enjoyed his holiday in Cornwall - visiting the area from Kirby in Yorkshire - that he has decided to settle there. The relaxation offered by the New Inn may well, he said, have been one of the contributory factors to his decision.