Sussex Drinker, Winter 2011 - Western Sussex CAMRA

Crabtree and The White Swan
Pub Re-Openings
The Crabtree, Lower Beeding, famously
featured in Hillare Belloc’s farrago, The Four
Men, re-opened 8 September.
The new licensees are Simon,
Catherine, Daisy and Hamish
Adamson-Hope. The pub has
been very tastefully refurnished
by Hall & Woodhouse
with a clear
separation between bar and
restaurant facilities.
The White Swan, by the A259 / Station Road
roundabout in North Bosham, has finally
re-opened, to local acclaim, after a major
internal and external refurbishment. It became
run down and finally closed in February 2009
after the previous owners had not only sold
part of the car park for housing but had sold
off part of the actual building as a separate
bungalow!
The aim is to maintain a bar area for drinkers
with a choice of food from a bar menu and a
restaurant for those customers wishing to
dine. The garden has been greatly improved
and the car park extended. Mark Woodhouse
attended and conducted a beer tasting session.
Several members of North Sussex and
Brighton & South Downs Branches attended.
Allen Bartram
North Sussex Branch Chairman
New owners Nick and Tina Irish have had a
considerable struggle on their hands to overcome
some objections against their new
licence but they have been to great lengths to
inform local residents of their plans via
meetings and a website, and to invite observations
and suggestions. The progress of the
refurbishment has been eagerly followed by all.
On the opening night on 23 September a huge
crowd attended, and beer sales were such that
extra supplies had to be urgently found over
the weekend. Four cask ales are to be on sale
including two from Langham, and Dark Star
Hophead has also proved popular.
Pete Brown
Western Sussex Branch Secretary
36 Sussex Drinker: Winter 2011