The Elephant and Castle, Eyke

Yes I agree what a great pub this used to be, the little extras after closing time we got with a pair of thongs wrapped around a certain part of the anatomony. When we could send the wives home on a Sunday lunchtime, giving the excuse `that the kids were tired1, and then when they had gone, we would be all over the landlady like a rash. Yes those were the days!.
I agree with localad9, this pub or the owners have been targeted from day one. A group of regulars tried to set up a syndicate to try and buy it off of these owners, they had only owned it a few weeks, the ex landlady and a regular were going to try and buy it back even though it was not for sale. Only a couple of years ago the landladies son in law was asked by a regular if he could afford to get rid of the owner. (Why were these people hated so much?) The pub has been blamed and boycotted by one regular (by plastering his excuses and blame on the pub ,on `Face book`) for his own arrogance. because he would not buy drinks back and was punched by another customer. How about the lates & arriving late and staying till 2-3 o'clock in the morning. Were these ladies lazy then?. Being driven home by them at obscene times in the morning because we were too drunk to drive. With regards to the droppings in the pub garden, were these the dogs or customers? The credit that was given when we were broke or had forgot our bits of plastic, I know for a fact that a lot of these loans were never repaid, this credit (even though against the law) was given on trust.
Rumours are that one landlady has been accused of stalking, writing nasty letters. I was told by one of them that she had once been threatened by one of her customers, that stated if she was not careful his wife who was very influential and could have her beer supply stopped. I have heard them being bullied into barring people just because these regulars did not like certain people coming into the pub. These licensees were strong enough not to be bullied, and ignored the requests (threats). To be honest though perhaps the bullies should have been barred .`What planet are these people on? I popped in one day after retuning from a football game to have a quiet pint only to hear a customer bragging on how he would like to stick his willie right up the arse of the landladies daughter (I must say though she is very nice ) I did not appreciate this as a young child was sitting near. This poor young girl what must she have thought. The pub used to be visited by people who have some form of physical disabilities, I overheard nasty comments from some regulars, ridiculing these people and one tried to make himself sick while sitting at the bar. Very funny ! The pub lost more regular custom. again . ! With regards to the landlady touching her dog then serving beer, I would be more concerned about the other parts of a customers anatomony I have seen put in the glasses.
Needtocomment is moaning about an ill fitting door!, the pub is inundated with flies in the summer from the neighbouring farm and no matter what is put in place to eradicate them, did not work, you want this as a food pub ?Would you want to eat here?
One of the landladies said once she could write a book, what a seller that would be, but I think she would be too professional to disclose confidential information. Even though Suffolk boy says there is no professionalism Lets hope there is! The pub has unfortunately got a reputation for drug taking. I remember one of the landladies Staffies nearly died, after retrieving an illegal substance from the pub garden. As far as I know the current owners have never reported their customers but tried to deal with the problem themselves risking their licence and lively hoods, and saving certain reputations. We also want to remember how well our kids were looked after, toys etc were bought for them by Barbs (the landlady) to keep them amused, while we could have a drink or two.
The pub was run by incompetent old ladies was it, who will go bankrupt in 6 months? Well you have achieved what you set out to do from day one, they have gone. It makes me feel ashamed to say I live here and have drank with these regulars and classed them as my mates. I used to feel proud to say I was Saxon, I am not so sure now. What kind of people are we? No wonder the owners feel ashamed to say they owned such a pub, I am surprised they suffered it and us for so long. I apologise ladies for these people! Please do not tar us all with the same brush. Yes I agree with Needtocomment, it is a disgrace to pubs, no wonder the owners shut it. The previous owner had a nervous breakdown,
At least these ladies are only being treated by their doctors for depression, I bet they are wondering what the hell made them buy such a pub. (dump)
I have heard these ladies have returned to nursing (how ironic) Good on you girls x x x, you have not lost hope in us all. We are not all perfect including the licensees but now you all have got what you wanted, lets allow these people to try and rebuild their lives after it has been destroyed by immaturity, selfishness, and nastiness, why keep kicking them when they are down I think some of us should think ourselves Bloody lucky don't you?. A note to those who have had the pub boycotted so you can buy it cheap if it goes to auction (yes I have heard the rumours too)
Lets hope the pub does reopen even though it has the reputation some of you have given it.

1 Mar 2009 17:18