THE Weary Friar is situated in the heart of the village of Pillaton. It was originally called the Royal Oak and is believed to have been a resting place for monks building the church, although before the inn was opened it is thought to have been three cottages.

The pub has been owned by Roger and Susan Sharman for around 13 years. Before buying the pub, Susan, who comes from a family of hoteliers, worked for a brewery. Roger was a lecturer in hotel and catering management and before that travelled the world as a chef from the age of 15. He has cooked in Australia, on cruise boats and in various exotic countries. Roger has also cooked for royalty and was involved with Prince Andrew's stag night celebrations!

Susan's family owned a hotel in Cornwall and when they retired Roger and Susan decided to go into the trade. After three years of looking for the perfect pub they found The Weary Friar and fell in love with the place. Susan commented: 'The moment I walked through the door I knew this was the one for us. Everything just felt right.'

With three young children at the time Roger and Susan found the large flat upstairs ideal for their needs.

The Weary Friar was fully refurbished when Roger and Susan took over and they now employ Richard, as a regular handyman two days a week to undertake any repairs that may need to be made. Susan explained: 'With the building being so old we are constantly finding things that need mending. It's more cost effective for Richard to come in twice a week than for us to wait until something falls down!'

Although the Weary Friar's catchment area runs from Plymouth, Callington and through to Liskeard, the pub hosts many overseas visitors as they advertise overseas and on ferries. Roger explained: 'We find that our longer staying customers are from overseas, but instead of just using us as a base to sightsee we also find they like to eat and drink with us as well.'

Outstanding

The Weary Friar is recommended with four diamonds by the AA; has been awarded the Silver Plate Award by Les Routiers which has said the pub offers outstanding quality, excellent value and warm hospitality and is recommended by the Cornwall Tourist Board and Brittany Ferries.

The Weary Friar has 13 en-suite letting rooms which are usually fully booked through the summer. There is also the Stable Bar which is opened occasionally for meetings and for people to play darts.

The main bar is popular with the locals and there is a restaurant at the back of the pub which can seat up to 70 people with a separate private room off to one side for small special occasions which can seat up to 20 people.

There are two menus at the pub, the house menu in the bar and the Rosary Restaurant menu and the specials board. The menus are designed mainly by Roger although most of the staff and locals put forward their ideas. The house menu is served seven lunchtimes and seven evenings a week and the restaurant is open five nights a week, with Sundays and Mondays being shut. The ingredients are bought locally, even with some of the locals offering their produce occasionally. The specials are made with the current seasonal produce in mind.

When a meal is ordered at the bar you are presented with your own monk to sit on your table and watch over you! Susan said: 'We didn't want to have table numbers so we played on the theme of the Weary Friar and created the table monks. Each are decorated with their own name, running from A to Z. We tried to find monks' names out of the Bible to cover each letter but eventually had to take on other names.'

'Friar Kieron' is the 'walk-about' monk and has had to be replaced by the younger Friar Kieron 2 after the original left Pillaton around three years ago. (Roger and Susan received a postcard from him in Italy!)

The Weary Friar is offering a Christmas lunch and a New Year's Eve buffet this year. The pub is not licensed for children and caters to a more mature clientele although children aged over ten are allowed.

The East Cornwall Hunt still continues a time honoured tradition of meeting at The Weary Friar on Christmas Eve before going on the hunt. Roger was keen to add: 'They haven't caught a fox in 20 years.' This year due to Foot and Mouth Disease there will still be a horseback meeting at the pub on December 22 before going on a ride to a local farm where jumping is available.

Throughout the year there are various theme nights held, including Italian, Chinese and Valentine's. Most of the theme nights are held in conjunction with a charitable cause.

The pub offers two real ales, one being available most of the time - Weary Ale - a specially-made ale for the pub by Blackawton Brewery, the others are a selection from various local companies including Sharps and Blackawton. The wine of the month which is printed on a blackboard behind the bar is Susan's personal choice. She said: 'I try to pick something just that little bit different. Something people wouldn't normally try.'

Roger and Susan employ three housekeepers, Jenny and Loretta and Audrey who retired this week, one manager, David Jordain, two barmen, John and Chris, one bar girl, Jackie, receptionist and waitress, Lisa and various other waitresses, all local girls.

Atmosphere

Jackie O'Melia has been working behind the bar at the pub since August. She lives in Saltash and said: 'The pub has a really nice atmosphere.'

Chris Llewellyn-Jones, the barman at the pub was in having a lunchtime drink. He said: 'I live across the road and work here three nights a week. Friday night is locals night which is always good fun. I enjoy working here, there's a really good atmosphere.'

Tuesday night is the night the bell ringers from the church pop in for a drink after their thirsty work and Monday nights the choir members also frequent the pub.

There are tales of strange things happening at The Weary Friar such as the grey lady in the Stable Bar, and the young couple staying at pub who left the next morning complaining about the continuous striking of the church clock - there is no church clock - and it would be very unlikely to hear the clock all the way from St Mellion. Susan also claims to feel a strange presence in the pub at times. She said: 'I feel very happy walking around here in the dark shutting up. I believe in 'live and let live' and I have threatened whatever presence this is to behave or I'll redecorate the pub in bamboo and pink velour!'

The Weary Friar golf society meet at the pub every three weeks and play on the local courses. Many members of the society have packed their bags and gone to France for a golfing holiday.

Richard Lowther, a bomb disposal expert who spends much of his time out of the country, commented: 'The bar banter in this pub is nothing but golf!'

Richard has lived in the village for 16 years and comes to the pub on a regular basis for a quiet lunchtime pint.

Brian and Nita Riches from Cargreen and Geoff, Jenny and Rachel Molyneux from Bristol came to the pub for lunch. It was the first time any of the group had visited the pub and they all commented that they would be returning!

Brian said: 'We are very pleased coming for lunch here. There was good service with a smile.'

Geoff commented: 'We will certainly be returning to the pub. The ambience is lovely.'

'The welcome is really friendly without being overbearing,' said Nita. 'I can imagine the pub being really full in the evenings and lively.'