BITE user comments - scorpiondragon
Comments by scorpiondragon
The Alma seems to be suffering from "local politics"...
The beers are more or less the same price as those at other pubs in the vicinity and are kept very well and are always consistent. The food is also excellent and reasonably priced with a wide choice available. The current team have turned this pub around from what is was before (not good at all) to what it is now, a clean, very modern, up market establishment... different and a cut above the rest
24 Nov 2011 06:12
Great pub, lovely food, friendly helpful staff... cant see why anyone would want to boycott one of the few remaining clique free pubs in the area.... keep up the good work guys, good to see you back Martin
7 Nov 2011 18:56
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Gary, I'm happy to let it go, which is why I came to see you, I'm not sure what you're referring to about not being able to trust yourself, and as for sorrow, arrogance and petulance, that is definitely not me, but sometimes everyone says things out of turn when provoked.. and sometimes should apologise
As for the villagers, I assume that you're referring to some of your regulars?
Well, I've seen one or two of them around recently and said hello to them as I have no axe to grind with them what so ever. I have many friends around the village who see me a lot differently to the way that you do... like you, I have strong opinions as do quite a few others on this site.. and as I said, I'm more than happy to let it go
29 Oct 2011 13:05
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Gary, as I mentioned in my earlier message direct to your account, as you've no doubt gathered, I rarely use this site these days but if it's me that you are referring to in your blog to George3 (whoever he is - butyou seem to know though !) all I will say is that you must somehow have access to user accounts either via BITE, or some other means of obtaining personal email profiles via their BITE accounts....
Not sure if this is ethical,but I will check it out with BITE
As you also know, rather than carry on mindless blogging, I came to your abode a while back to try and resolve issues face to face, but you wouldn't even come to the door..... Enough said I think
29 Oct 2011 08:50
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
And before anyone accuses me of more blogging,, please be informed gwbawbag53 is NOT me.. I've said all I intend to say,,
20 Aug 2011 12:14
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
"The real big nose" Whoever you are, yes, the company I work for have a t/over of 650 million $, not �,,, and yes, I am a martial artist, didn't say expert, but everyone who knows me and respects me will have either been taught by me, or their children in the area would have been my students at some point ... is it really appropriate to use silly childish comments such as Pratman.
20 Aug 2011 08:40
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Also, what constitutes being a wanker as Guv 2 kindly mentioned?
I have been in global business development for several decades, currently a sales director of a company with a $650 million turnover, been in martial arts for the past 30 years, am a professionally qualified martial arts coach ( Btech NVQ) holding the rank of 3rd dan in Japanese Karate, have competed at the highest level, have taught the art in almost every school in the location, ran my own club for the past 12 years producing many champions and black belts during that time. Gained the trust and the respect of loads of young and older students and parents all around the area...
Does this sound like a wanker and a fat flounder to you guys ??
19 Aug 2011 16:53
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Whoever you are Me the Judge, I thank you for your comments...
I have no gripe with the pub, the customers ( some whom I've known for the past decade or more) nor the staff who are absolutely brilliant and friendly, especially the young lady dating the landlords son,, she is a diamond as are all the other ladies who work at the pub. I've eaten there and the food is very good, as is the chef Josie. I can see where you're coming from with your remark about childish rants. My beef is with the landlord and his attitude towards anyone with an opinion that differs from his. I would gladly make the peace (very doubtful now that he cemented hatred towards me in the pub) shake hands, settle the grievance once and for all, and even congratulate him on his ability as a sleuth, and bury the hatchet (and not in his head either) ... life's too short ...
19 Aug 2011 16:37
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Let me give the correct and accurate version of the events of that day (it was actually Mothers Day so lets get that right first)... Firstly you did NOT serve us with drinks, secondly we waited patiently for almost one hour with the chef coming out to tell us in a polite but clearly stressed manner that we would have to wait even longer due to the fact they were overstretched on that day but we took it in good faith because we happen to like the chef very much. He is a lovely guy. Its a real shame that he fell foul to an issue over a dirty glass after which he left the pub. Back to the day in question,,, 2 hours into the game we asked you what was happening,, your reply was to the effect the restaurant is under the chefs domain which we had to accept. I do not recall saying anything like "get it sorted, but if I did, it would have been justified. We eventually sat down and had a meal which was not good due to the fact we were kept waiting for so long and we had the last knockings so to speak.. we didn't make a fuss as it was a family occasion and yes, we liked the chef and his partner who were continually trying to make the best of a bad day. We did NOT give a tip NOR a brandy,,,(who would after that experience!) but we said not to worry as we understood the pressure they were both under that day. However, the chef GAVE US a bottle of wine ON HIM for having to wait so long which was a very nice gesture on the part of someone who CAN be labelled a real gentleman.
The big issue was over the beer and how you handled the situation
It was nothing at all as you describe, which is no surprise.
Some family members wanted to give your home brew a try.
I ordered the beer and brought it to the table.
There was a look of shock horror on faces as they took a sip.
I tried it too, it was cloudy and it tasted like soap,, brought it to out you and asked for your views,,, out came your stock answer which I understand from others you use on such occasions " no -one else has complained"
My reply was " my family are complaining what can you do
Your reply " was silence,, no effort to draw another pint, give a refund or offer another drink, simply nothing.
I did say the beer tasted rancid but did NOT get in your face as you state.
All I simply asked for your assistance on behalf of my family.
Needless to say, they were all very disappointed, felt let down and left the pub with a bad feeling in their minds. They remember the day very well too.
I'm not going to get into any more of this with you, if you want to meet face to face I've no problem with that, Unlike others I am not intimidated by you, nor the tactics you are using in trying to gain the backing of strength in numbers.
You have got me completely wrong, I do not have to prove my manhood to the likes of you or anyone,, I have spent my whole working life gaining the friendship and respect of people all over the world, maybe I'm just not cut out to be part of village cliques.
Over and Out !!
19 Aug 2011 09:57
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Mr Pils, your vanity never ceases to amaze ! Do you really think in your wildest dreams that only one single person would take a dislike to you ??,, take a look a the previous listings and see there are scores in the village, you could line them them up around the Rec'..... really, I thought you were slightly more intelligent than that. So far as uncovering and revealing is concerned, I think that it is you that may be a COWARD now hiding behind your staff and customers in the argument. Pathetic ... I have never levelled anything against your staff because it is they, not YOU, who manage to keep the place afloat. It seems you are now lobbying for internal support, poor man. And yes, I do respect that family names should not be used on the web (apologies),, however, you may not wish to recall the occasion when YOU upset members of MY family with your total disregard of their feelings during a lunch... you treated us with utter contempt and disrespect, and my family will verify that if need be, if YOU are brave enough to discuss it personally in the pub or out of it !!
There are always reasons for conflict, sometimes it can be settled without too much pain and malice, but where people like you are concerned, your track record in management of people rules this out. You are a very confrontational character......... GW rules OK !!
18 Aug 2011 21:50
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
We can only truly hope and pray that young Master Edwin Wallace does not take after his dear father,,, let's hope he has more of his lovely mothers genes, and lets also hope he is given the opportunity to have an opinion of his own !
15 Aug 2011 11:19
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Wallace, Gromit and other imbeciles,,, have a venture down to the Alma and see how a pub can be turned around from something similar to how the B & W now is under the dire ownership,, see how a pub should be run with style, class and excellent food, and landlords (plural yes and gay) who actually serve drinks to their customers
12 Aug 2011 09:53
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
The Wallace & Gromit road show rolls on at relentless pace,, but sadly without any class or style..... speaking of beer, how many pubs would even mildly consider stocking the dire crap brewed by Wallace, Madcap Rapunzel infiltrator of the world of good ales !!!! Mike Hawthorn ??,, more like a Bella Donna nightcap
11 Aug 2011 21:25
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
How many aliases do you have Mr. Pils ?? Threalbignose and now mcstu74 !! You should be the one certified mentally disturbed having to use different names to champion your awful brews !!
As for being a craven coward, why don't you have the guts to put some really nice guest ales alongside the other "stuff" and see how much more of it you then fail to sell pal .....
11 Aug 2011 12:37
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Oh yes,, whilst on the subject of empty dining rooms,,, take at look inside the B & W Bistro sometime,, what a joke that is,, more like the Marie Celeste decked out with cheap looking curry house style seats ...... what a jerk !
11 Aug 2011 08:07
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Are you really the "real big nose" or merely a Wallace glove puppet ??
You cant even spell properly you silly person, and your grammar is rather like the B & W so called real ales,,, uneducated !!
11 Aug 2011 08:03
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Actually, haven't frequented your establishment for quite a while, its your regulars that you should concern yourself with when they go elsewhere and bang on about how much they dislike you, your beer and your pub,,, over and out !!
10 Aug 2011 12:41
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
What a Wally (no pun intended) !! Your blinkered mindset knows no bounds, do you really believe that only one person is aware of your shortcomings as a person and a host?? Half the village know the score with you pal ! You couldn't stop interfering yourself when Glenn was at the pub (as you do with everyone who works for you),, of course we all know Glenn had a bit of a "problem" but nowhere near as big a problem as you gave him whilst he worked at the pub.. In fact both he and, (dare I say Sean) FILLED the pub, all you have done with the help of that rank bad ale of yours is EMPTY the place !!
Both had problems granted, but they also had charm and personality, even served drinks to customers,, sadly for the few remaining B & W punters, traits that you sadly lack in great abundance
9 Aug 2011 10:18
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Now we have a big nose impersonator, or are you Holsten Pils little mouthpiece?? maybe even one of the unsavoury drunks ruining what used to be a lovely pub, pre GW Holsten Pils era's.....
3 Aug 2011 08:48
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Ah, Mr Pils,,, you come to life..... I was simply passing on comments from others that are not on this site, others that are offended at your distinct lack of people skills. As I said, this is not a hate blog, and I certainly have better things to do than this, but I felt it very necessary report how you allow decent people to be subjected to rounds of foul abusive language and coarse behaviour in your pub.
Cant you see this? Don't you care? Surely, a person with such intelligence as you profess to have would have the nous to deal with such issues, if not, then it is YOU that needs help, big time pal !
1 Aug 2011 08:20
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Some friends of mine dropped by the B & W last night for what they hoped would be a nice quiet drink and relaxing time...
They could just about tolerate staying to finish their drinks before having to leave due to the disgraceful and loutish behaviour from some of the drunken locals,,
Foul language apparently going unchecked as the landlord /owner wasn't around.....
This is not a hate blog,, and it's not a one off incident,, people are becoming increasingly alarmed and put off by this type of behaviour commonplace to this pub.... get a grip landlord !!
31 Jul 2011 19:05
If you like a friendly pub Andrew,,, give the Ball & Wicket a miss
Lousy beer and an invisible landlord / owner who goes by the name of Holsten Pils,,, champions his brew beers, but alas, doesn't drink them himself, and never serves anyone a drink ,,,
6 Jul 2011 17:06
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Mr Pils,, the reference to gallons drank, was the small crowd that descends on the pub, usually on a Friday, treating the pub to rounds of loud coarse language, which you seem to turn a blind ear to,, NOT a full pub of much nicer people as it was in the good days before you decided to return.....
You talk of choice, you give the punters no choice, if they want a beer, they have to drink the awful rubbish that you brew...
Why don't you do as other pubs do,, give customers a choice and bring in some nice guest ales??
Oh yes... cost of sales and margin springs to mind !
5 Jul 2011 16:17
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Shame that Mike Hawthorn cant find its way on to the green for the Carnival along with the other top notch beers on offer,,,
I've tried Dragon Slayer and to be honest, it's streets ahead of MH and the other rubbish on offer at the B & W
Used to be sold at B & W and if it were still there, no one would even think twice about the other so called "beers"
You only have to do a spot check to see for yourself how much of this great beer ISN'T sold !!
Apart from the odd brave soul, the few remaining punters drink bottled beer, Lager or spirits by the gallon,,
Nuff said I think
2 Jul 2011 13:40
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
That's good to hear, even though you must be in the minority
Bet the landlord didn't put his Pils down and get up and serve you
1 Jul 2011 14:30
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
mcstu74,,, you must be one of Holsten Pils few pals
Bloody mindedness isn't on anyone's agenda, just plain speaking and opinions
You only have to visit other pubs in the area to see what's best and what's not !
B & W certainly falls into the latter category, mainly due to the Landlord AND the awful beer,,, if it were that good, why doesn't it figure in any good beer guide?
1 Jul 2011 09:59
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Totally agree with Littlecon,,
The pub has no atmosphere, lousy beer, an invisible host (except to his last remaining clique - note singular)
Mr. Holsten Pils, you are the Landlord (and owner too), am I correct ??
If that is the case, why don't you listen to the comments made by local people who have known the B & W in much better days???
Better still why don't you EVER get off your stool, put down your fancy Pils glass, and serve a drink to some of your few remaining customers
Bar staff may be welcoming - landlord NOT
Easy parking ?? - what a joke !!
AND please learn how to spell,, maybe that's where you are going so wrong,
Best pub in the area - why is it always EMPTY ????
You really ought to go on a course to learn about customer 1st principles of business,,,, clueless, arrogant, bully boy
29 Jun 2011 17:53
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Hale Carnival approaches,, it'll be a very busy time in the evening
Question is,, will the Landlord be a perfect host and look after his customers??
Watch this space as they say !!
26 Jun 2011 20:59
The Ball and Wicket, Heath End
Despite what everyone say's (well mainly the so called landlord Ayotollah Holsten Pils), the brew beer in this pub is unfit for human consumption. The local people posting comments are NOT exaggerating, they would like to be able to choose the beer they drink and not have to bow down and be dictated to by the bully boy named Wallace.
The number of people he has barred could fill the Wicket 3 fold,, just like the old days when there was a landlord present on the premises serving drinks to his clients, and not sitting around in some corner with one of his last remaining cliques.
It's a real pity how this pub has finished up,, an invisible landlord, lousy beer, inconsistent food, bunch of drunks making a racket (but probably keeping the pub solvent) and very smelly toilets !!
The people who really know are not lying,, just being truthful
13 Jun 2011 16:15
Back to scorpiondragon's profile
The Alma, Heath End
Totally agree with you Spike... The Alma has moved up market, very different from the other pubs in the area... all round good value, good beers and lovely food, all at competitive prices
26 Nov 2011 11:44