Stafford's Lynton Tavern was the first pub to take part in the "Smoke Free Staffordshire" scheme initiated by South Staffordshire Health Authority, writes Paul Mudge. Two sections of the lounge in the Lynton Avenue pub have been set up as no smoking areas, with fans to blow away any smoke that drifts in. The Lynton sells Ind Coope Burton Ale, Marstons Pedigree and Tetley Bitter.

Scheme Promoter Heather Temperton explains that the several pubs involved have been well publicized and that there had been no detrimental effect on bar takings, with many new customers being attracted.

Pubs interested in no smoking areas should contact Heather on 01785 220977, ext. 5953 (day).

The Woolpack at Weston has now had many months of uncertainty.

Soon after being bought by Marston's in May last year drastic plans were prepared which would have greatly extended the dining areas at the expense of the thriving public bar. After representations from CAMRA and locals, these plans were replaced by a more acceptable scheme, which extended both the drinking and the dining areas.

Now that Marston's have been taken over by Banks's, it looks as if a refurbishment of the pub is likely an outcome, which many would welcome.

The Marston's Bitter and Pedigree have, however, remained in fine form throughout this unsettling year.

Weston's other pub the Saracen's Head, changed hands in March, with Fred Dunn and his family leaving after over six years there.

Slater's Eccleshall brewery is doubling its "tied estate" with the purchase of the Wolverton Arms in West Street, Crewe.

Renovation work at this former Greenall's pub is taking several weeks, but the introduction of Slater's award winning ales will significantly improve the choice of beers in the town.

Slater's latest seasonal brew is a refreshing 3.8% abv beer called "Top Notch", a name suggested by Stafford CAMRA member Paul Mudge. The pale coloured, well-hopped beer, which was launched at the George, Eccleshall on 1st April, is expected to prove popular throughout the summer.

The Wolverton Arms, pictured boarded up, the Eccleshall Brewery’s new pub in West Street, Crewe, is to revert to its original name "The Monkey"

Enterprise Inns of Solihull, who are now halfway towards their target of 5,000 pubs, have recently acquired two local pubs, the Pheasant, Stone and the New Victoria, Stafford.

The Pheasant, in Old Road, changed hands on 7th March after being run for 16 years by John and Margaret Wright. Having thoughtfully, extended the pub and steadily extended the range of Real Ales, the Wrights' will be a hard act to follow.

The New Victoria, in Browning Street, had been owned since the mid 1980s by Terry and Chris Hill. Several years ago four or five Real Ales were avai1able, but in recent years only keg has been on offer

It is understood that Wetherspoon's are buying the Crown Hotel in Stone from Bass.

The historic Crown has a prime location halfway along the High Street, and it could be expected to be the town's leading pub. Whilst some brewers would have boosted trade by promoting their decent beer, Bass have apparently decided to dispose of the premises.

If the sale take a Crown Hotel will undoubtedly by revitalized by Wetherspoon's, a company that has succeeded by recognizing the demand for good value Real Ales in music free pubs with no-smoking areas.

Wetherspoon's also hope to open a pub in Cannock by July. They are currently convening premises in High Green.

With just over 300 pubs, Wetherspoon's are now a quarter of the way towards their target of having an outlet in nearly all towns.

The Red Lion at Cranberry is yet another country pub threatened with closure for conversion to a private dwelling.

In January, planning permission for change to a "single dwelling unit" was approved.

The Red Lion, which is four miles North of Eccleshall, has recently been selling cask Worthington Bitter and Draught Bass.

The Gayton Hotel, which closed last year, is for sale at £240,000 as a "remarkably individual detached country residence". "Ample hard-standing" is an estate agent's lingo for a former pub car park!

The old Royal Oak at High Offley has again been up for sale, this time at around £140,000.

The Eagle, Stafford, closed on 7th March, St. Patrick's night, when Audrey Feenan retired after 29 years at the Newport Road pub.

The Feenans' had moved to the Eagle from the Trumpet, having entered the licensed trade in 1963.

The Eagle, which was one of the few remaining unspoilt pubs in Stafford has been bought by St.Modwen Developments who have ambitious plans to develop a large area around the pub, which is just yards from Stafford railway station.

The Eagle's Grade II listing should prevent any too drastic changes to the building, but there are fears that a change of use may be planned by St.Modwen, which is headed by Uttoxeter Racecourse owner, Stan Clarke.

Many people are calling for the Eagle tale reopened as a pub as soon as practical and this commendable campaign will inevitably strengthen the longer the pub remains boarded up.

The Swan Inn, Stone, opened to the public on Saturday 24th April, just three days after the license was granted.

Renovating a run-down old pub to high standards could be expected be a lengthy, problematical process, and this has certainly proved to be the case. The perseverance of Brian and Geoff Blundell and Robert Smith has, however, paid off, and it's clearly a case of "better late than never."

One of only two Grade II listed pubs in Stone, the Swan has been carefully restored and once again has three distinct areas - a central bar, with a lounge and snug at either end. It has a traditional feel, but is comfortable rather than basic.

With eight cask conditioned been, the Stafford Street pub has the widest range in Stone. Regularly available are three Coach House brewed "John Joule^" ales, such as Old Priory, Victory Brew, and Swan Bitter These are supplemented by five regularly changing guest beers from small independent breweries, such as Leatherbritches, Burton Bridge, Titanic and Kelham Island. Two traditional ciders are also stocked.

The coming months will see the conversion of the Swan's stables into a micro-brewery, and it is hoped that the first Stone brewed ales for a quarter of a century will be ready by the millennium.