Hey chaps, a new, cleaner, fluffier Tavern has opened up, and is waiting to serve you.

The tree is still in the yard, but the boxes of trimmings are out of the loft and waiting to be dusted off and placed lovingly around the place.

There is wine mulling by the fire, cider cooling out the back, real ale foaming in the wassail bowl, and for lager drinkers, the pipeline from the gents will be clear in about an hour.

The Chieftans are playing 'The bells of Dublin' (or is it the Dubliners playing 'The bells of Chieftans?) in the background and Bing is warming up the vocals for the 14th rendition of 'White Christmas' and that's just this evening!

Come on in, pull up a stool and settle in for the duration.

LTS