Jerry's Ramblings

We’re off again with the basement of Watergate House. This will be our third attempt (third time lucky) with working out what to do with this charming grade II listed space, a special property in a special part of Chester.

We love beer, particularly real ale. Yes, we sell more lager and keg beer, but when traditional cask ale is brewed well and kept well, you can’t beat it. We’re relatively spoilt for choice up here in the North West, too.

I suspect many people who pass The Black Bear every day on Whitchurch High Street have no idea what’s just behind it, and to be honest, that’s always been part of the attraction.

It was completely out of the blue and had no input from me, which in a world where you often have to pay to win an award is refreshingly honest.

We opened The Druid Inn, or perhaps I should say re-opened The Druid Inn, a year ago today on Monday 18th March at lunch time. It’s been a really good first year, the pub looks good, has been well received and has made a profit and we’ve comfortably settled in with Gorsedd and its lovely people.

I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. I’m writing this in my study on 5th March and will be posting it on the web site soon.

Let’s start with why I’m a publican, something I’ve often wondered myself. I think it’s all to do with a series of early life influences. I had an Auntie Elalline, my father’s sister, who ran a small hotel in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog called the West Arms Hotel.

An article by Jerry Brunning about taking on The Druid Inn, originally printed in the local publication, the Five Villages Chronicle.