THE Crown Inn, at the small village of Lanlivery near Lostwithiel, has been owned and run by David and Ros Williams for just over 15 years.

David and Ros are originally from Cornwall although they both lived and worked in the Midlands. David owned a small fork lift company and Ros was a school teacher.

Ros explained: 'We wanted to get back to Cornwall as both our families are here and we were looking at running a Post Office and stores, or something along those lines. Then this pub came up for sale, and although we were a bit sceptical we both fell in love with the place the moment we set eyes on it!'

The Inn is one of, if not, the oldest in Cornwall. Built during the 12th Century the building is a traditional Long House. David estimates that the Inn was built around 65 to 70 years after the Battle of Hastings. It was built to house the builders of the first church in the village as it would have taken many years to complete the church.

The Inn is also the 'last stop' before Fowey on the Saints Way walk from Padstow to Fowey. Missionaries, predominately Irish and Welsh, would have walked the peninsula as it was considered much safer than risking the stormy Irish seas and coastline of Land's End. Once reaching Fowey they would have sailed to Santiago and St James de la Compostella to spread The Word.

Welsh and Irish sheep and cattle drivers would have also used the Saints Way walk as a fat stock route. Again they would have stopped for several days at the Inn, as it once owned six acres of pasture land for the cattle and sheep to regain their condition before heading onto Fowey and sailing to France, Brittany and Holland.

These days the Inn offers two letting rooms separate from the main building. The rooms have a private secluded garden with patio and chairs.

The chimney in the pub was built in the 17th Century and has a clome oven and is reported to have a priest hole.

There is a slot running from one side of the chimney to the other. Ros explained that it was used by the 'bad boys' of the day to avoid the revenue men. The slot used to give a clear view up to the only front door from a back room, where the revenue avoiders would drink, before additional walls were built later.

The Crown Inn is not far from the Eden Project. David commented: 'The Eden Project has had the most enormous effect on us and the trade we are getting all through the year has rocketed.'

One group who are on holiday in the area with the specific idea of going to Eden were Gordon and Ann Dogmore and Graham and Carol Phillips from Sutton Coalfield.

Character

Gordon said: 'We were on our way to Fowey and thought it was time for lunch. Ann saw the sign and we came here.'

Graham added: 'It's a lovely pub, we don't get character pubs like this where we live.'

They agreed, after eating their pasties that the food is 'superb' and they definitely struck it lucky coming to the pub.

Chef at the pub is Karen Ellery from St Columb. She has worked there for two years and designs the specials board each day. Karen is helped by second chef Tammy Dumper who has worked at the inn for around nine months and lives at St Blazey.

From the front door the inn has a small hallway which is now a waitress station, with the restaurant, that can seat 70 people, and further on a conservatory which was built around 12 years ago. The inn caters for wedding receptions and the conservatory is used as a meeting room and conference room. Ros explained that before the conservatory was built there were steps down to a small cellar, which happened to be on a level with the Church tower. Ros believes that there could have been a secret passageway running from the church crypts to the cellar at the inn for the protection of the clergy during the various times of persecution.

The other end of the pub has a separate entrance added around 25 years ago. The first bar is called the slate bar as it has a slate floor and next door to the slate bar is the comfortable red room with an original granite fireplace. Just off from the red room is the snug which is usually reserved for locals and regulars.

Around 12 years ago, a local fan of the Archers realised that they were coming up to the 10,000th edition of the radio programme and decided to have a party at his house. When too many people wanted to join in the party was moved to the pub. It became such a major event that television and newspapers covered the occasion and a one-night party turned into a weekend of activities with village signs being changed.

The inn serves three real ales from Sharps Brewery, Doom Bar, Eden and Crown Inn Glory. The inn is next door to Churchtown Farm, a disabled centre, and for every pint of Crown Inn Glory bought two pence of the price goes to the centre.

Residents at Churchtown Farm use the inn regularly and David has installed a special gate for them to come to the inn without helpers.

Brilliant

The inn hosts many events for various charities and, in particular, Churchtown Farm.

The inn had a royal visitor earlier this year. When Prince Charles visited Churchtown to open a new facility, he also popped into the pub for a half pint of Crown Inn Glory.

A mixed darts team plays in the Lostwithiel League in the winter and the Bodmin Premier League in the summer.

The local bellringers meet at the inn after their practice on Monday nights and they also play handbells at the pub at Christmas and on Sunday nights in the summer. The Over 60s Club meet at the inn for a meal once a month and for a meeting with a speaker. There are friendly euchre games played at the pub although they are not in any league.

Dogs are welcome at the pub in the bar areas although they are kept away from the restaurant. David and Ros's dog, Misty, is a big hit with visitors and locals alike.

Pam Bruce has lived in the village all her life and regularly comes in the inn. She said: 'There's always a good atmosphere and it really is the hub of community life.'

The inn was bought by Methodists in 1926, who closed it down. It was used as a private house until 1977 when it was opened as an inn again.

Rick, Pete and Matt were working in the area and came to the inn for a meal after Matt recommended it.

Pete commented: 'The bangers and mash were great, absolutely brilliant!'

Isabel Pitman, David and Betty Pentecost and Dick Coad were also visiting the inn for lunch. Isabel commented: 'I've never been here before but I love old places and you can't get much older than this and the meal was gorgeous.'

Betty added: 'It's a very cosy and comfortable place and it's always busy in the summer.'

Dick said: 'This is as any little village pub should be, we all think it's lovely.'

The Crown Inn employs around 24 members of staff during the summer and 17 during the winter months. Karen Isbell from Par has been working at the inn since Easter. She said: 'It's very busy but there's always a good atmosphere.'

Sue Clark has also worked at the inn since Easter. She explained: 'I work here part-time and although I've never done anything like this before I'm really enjoying it. It's keeping me fit running up and down these stairs!'

Sue also works as a milk recorder, visiting farms around the area.

John Dickson has lived in the village for 11 years and commented: 'It's excellent here. David and Ros are very friendly people and they make everyone welcome.'