philmayfield

It's just what I was told by a resident of Belvoir, but that would be over 30 years ago. They may have developed a way of keeping it captive by now! I must investigate further.

It's still there. I never remember it being a restaurant. It's now a luxury home. I think it was recently sold. Ian Moore of IH Moore the electrical contractors used to live there. He owned the care home at Hazleford which was the Star and Garter pub but that's been sold on recently. We used to have some good times down there when it was a pub run by Terry Wanless the landlord.

The old country characters are a dying breed. We used to have lots here, generally from farming backgrounds. We have about three now and they won't be replaced. People in the village are now townie 'incomers', hoping that their kids will get a better education at the village school and the countryside will give a better way of life. Even the teachers commute from the city. The headmaster doesn't drive and he comes in by train from Nottingham. I suppose I'm an incomer, not having been born here, even though I've lived here for 58 years. At least my wife is from recent country stock, Kinoulton

I went to a local home made wine tasting many years ago organised by an old lady who would collect your empty wine bottles.This was before the days of bottle banks. I think elderflower was her speciality. She must have increased the alcohol content by adding extra sugar. Whatever she did I’ve never seen such a collection of paralytic villagers, many of whom were pillars of the church and would not normally let their hair down. A most enjoyable evening was had by all, followed by some embarrassment in the ensuing weeks!

I’ve not tried the Beauvale but I will do now. The local farm shop has an extensive cheese counter. Cropwell produces a good Stilton. It’s close to Colston Basset so the same mould spores must be in the air. Someone I knew who lived in the Vale of Belvoir said you had to be careful about leaving bread out as it rapidly went mouldy. The only Stilton I don’t especially like is Long Clawson which has a characteristic bitter flavour.

Our local farm shop at Gonalston has a Budgeons store. Just down the road at Harrison's garage, Lowdham, a Spar shop has been incorporated and in the next village, Fiskerton, the village shop and P.O is a Mace store. Our village shop closed some years ago so there's nothing within walking distance. There's also an M&S at the filling station in Southwell and a largish Co. Op. plus a couple of other late opening stores.

I love Stilton cheese, especially the Coston Basset variety - they do differ. I also enjoy a fine port but could never pour port into a hollowed out Stilton. Some years ago, when I was in Sweden, I discovered that they drank white port. That's the only time I've ever tasted it.

Not me. I've only had my banjo for three years. I sit in my rocking chair on the veranda and play.

Yes, there's nothing like a few beers to make you start talking gibberish. I'd love a pint of beer but since my gout's under control with medication I won't even look at it. Back in the days when you could go into a pub it was always soft drinks for me.

That sounds just like the Waggon & Horses!

‘An uncouth or obnoxious person’ as defined by the dictionary. Sounds a lot like me actually!

The enjoyment of food and wine is one of life's pleasures but only when taken in moderation.

I used to be in the Young Conservatives many years ago so I do know what it was like to be ebullient!

Have you never been to Leicester and driven down the Khyber Pass?

À chacon son goût!

......but would you rather be in a comfortable lounge sipping a G&T with elegant people or in a spit and sawdust quaffing ale with a bunch of oiks?

Meet a better class of people there though!

Apologies. Ely is a city but Southwell is just a large village. It does have a Southwell City football club though! Edit: It does have a Town Council so I guess Southwell is a town.

The thing about Ely is that it’s a largish town in the middle of nowhere. You never pass through it or go anywhere near it if you’re going anywhere. That’s why it’s retained its unique charm.

I’ve only ever been there once and that was to look at a boat. The cathedral is very impressive. I like the bleakness of the fens especially in winter.

‘Is Ely a sinkhole?’ No it’s quite a nice town really!

Fantastic eyesight!

Looks like a 2 stroke but not sure of the model.

National Provincial was around until 1970 when it merged with Nat. West.

The beauty of ‘Prime’ is the rapid delivery. When my wife’s hairdryer broke I got a new one on the same day! I suppose it depends on how close you are to the shops. Out here the shops are too far away for minor purchases so it makes sense and is cost effective to pay £79 pa. Obviously if I was buying a car or a large domestic appliance I would want to view it first but for the more mundane everyday stuff, online for next day delivery is great. We get a weekly delivery of foodstuffs online from Morrison’s. We are already booked in for a pre Christmas delivery.