THE MOTTE AND BAILEY
Pirton pub retains its former charm
Situated three miles north-east of Hitchin on the Chiltern hills lies the small community of Pirton. According to historians this attractive village is a prime example of a once fortified settlement. The centre of its defences was the Motte (or mount) and Bailey of Toot Hill formerly known as Lookout ,on which a Norman knight, Ralph de Limisi built a castle.
The name Motte and Bailey has been resurrected in the form of a successfully restored public house previously known as the White Horse. The proprietors of this free house are Leonard and Susan Roberts from Ickleford. The couple are not entirely new to the running of a pub, as Susan’s parents ran the Three Moorhens, Hitchin, for many years. The thought was always there that when their two children, Lisa (10) and Martin (8) were older, Leonard and Susan would seriously begin looking for a pub of their own. They saw the pub advertised in the paper and decided to take their chances. Susan gave up her nursing career and the family moved in, in May 1978.
Leonard, a builder by trade and owner of E.C. Builders based in Hitchin, found the renovation of the century old structure quite a challenge. He had just finished work on two Ickleford cottages and now plans to pull down the barns adjacent to the pub to make way for a car park and build an extension. This will eventually be permanent pub dining room, and the upstairs provide a kitchen dining area and lounge for their private quarters. There are plans in progress for the ground behind the pub to be landscaped and cater for children.
The interior of the Motte and Bailey has been designed and decorated by Leonard and Susan. Sage green is effectively the prominent colour, toning well with the natural brick walls and white paint work. The brick bar front is a very attractive and ornate piece of work too.
In the hope of creating a Norman atmosphere the couple have chosen shields and numerous horse brasses to line the walls. A fine collection of brass door knockers are also on display.
As a free house the beers for sale include Scottish and Newcastle, Greene King Abbott and McEwan’s Export. The new Cavalier lager is also available. A titled lady can be seen walking the bar lounge. She is Sara of Motte and Bailey – a six-month-old Alsatian, who seems to have settled well in her new home. Thursday and Friday of last week were the official opening days for the pub and on display was a papier mâché model of the stockade and mount, made by the local school children for those who did not know the meaning of Motte and Bailey.
The Roberts family hope the opening of their free house will encourage new customers for themselves as well as their neighbours, The Cat and Fiddle and The Fox.
