The Swan, Town End, Cheadle, has reopened as a genuine free house, and is offering Banks's Original, Banks's Bitter and Marston's Pedigree. The Swan has been tastefully restored, and has a new, clean feel about it. Potters Bar wishes the new owners success with their venture,

The Sportsman, formerly the Dimsdale Hotel, looks doomed to make way for a new 75-seat drive-through McDonalds restaurant. The Sportsman has struggled for identity for many years when, at the beginning of the 1980s its multi-roomed layout was opened up to become first The Lyme Light, then just Lymelites. Later it became a Mr. Q's theme bar as The Sportsman.

Local residents are objecting to McDonalds' plans on road safety grounds.

The Wheatsheaf in Stoke has recently been reopened by J.D.Wetherspoon following a major refurbishment programme. As with all Wetherspoon's pubs, there^’s no music.

Mick and Wendy Cowden of the Crown Inn (Corner Pin to the locals), Chapel Street, Butt Lane, have expanded their operation by taking over the Swan, Swan Bank, Talke. For several years now the Crown has had a reputation for extremely good value in its restaurant, but it is a fairly small pub, and Mick found he was having to turn business away when he was full. His answer has been to open exactly the same style of restaurant, with exactly, the same menu just up the road (or more precisely, just up the hill) at the larger Swan Inn in Talke. Lunch is particularly good value, with fifteen (or is it nineteen?) choices, all at £2.95. Burtonwood Bitter is available on handpump in both pubs, both have lively public bars, open all day, every day for beer

To reach the Swan from the A500), follow the A34 the first lights, turn left Coalpit Hill, and the Swan is on the right, at the top of the hill. Swan: 01782-782722, Crown: 01782-783634.

The Jolly Carter, Dalehall, has sadly closed, Now only the Traveller's Rest remains in Newcastle Street.

London Road Tavern, Newcastle is now the Sovereign Computers distribution base. Though not open as a pub at present, the premises are still licensed, and the bar fittings are intact. There is a possibility that it may re-open as a cyber-pub, selling Real Ale!

Building work has begun on the Smithy, Goldenhill Road, Fenton. Having been closed since mid-1998, this octagonal shaped, former Wem pub, has been badly vandalised, and will require a lot of work to restore it.

The Boat and Horses, Brook Lane, Newcastle has recently re-opened after a refurbishment. Gone are the atmospheric, cosy, little rooms, instead there is now one L-shaped drinking area. Draw your own conclusions on this improvement!!

June 10th sees the election of the European Members of Parliament (MEPs), and once again some pubs are being used as polling stations. How very continental! But although polling commences at 7.00am, drinks will still not be served at the Hempstalls Inn, Newcastle, until the usual 11.00am!

KING'S SHILLING CHARITY DAY SUCCESS

The King's Shilling, in Silverdale Road, Newcastle, held a highly successful charity event on May Day bank holiday Monday, in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I.), who displayed an in-shore rescue boat, and the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, who also had an impressive display of mountain rescue equipment. The local Territorial Army unit were also represented, and their bouncy castle proved very popular.

Hosts Andy and Julie, pictured right, entered into the spirit of things by getting their faces painted - Julie looked great as a tiger, Andy just looked better anyway!!

Andy was kept busy ringing round for more beer to keep the customers happy on the hot sunny afternoon and evening, and is now planning a beer festival for Late Spring Bank Holiday.

New 'Beatrice' Launched

Front Page Pub of the Month CAMRA News Titanic News "Pints of View" Belgium in a Bottle

From the Editor Potteries Pub Preservation Group Trans Pennine Pub Crawl