BITE user comments - OpusDavos
Comments by OpusDavos
Mike and Viv, the departing landlords, have done a huge amount to get this pub back on track. It is a great shame that the small minded individuals who have posted personal remarks on here cannot recognise their contribution. If all they are capable of is making such ill-founded bitchy and personal remarks it is no surprise that they do not fit into the culture of this fine pub. I suspect that is their low self-esteem and sense of personal inadequacy that makes them feel so rejected. Perhaps when they grow up and get rid of the chip on their shoulder they might perceive the true value in the place.
11 Sep 2008 15:14
Acknowledged to be from CHAPTER 2 - from My Local History by Eric Reeves
The Cross Keys Ghosts
For a time in 1960, the Cross Keys in Harpenden had a relief manager. It was late one night and the relief manager had gone to bed after a normal busy day, but this night was to prove to be unlike any other. Suddenly the manager was aroused from sleep but he did not know why. He lay in bed for a while not knowing what had roused him until he became aware of the murmur of voices coming from downstairs. At first, he thought it might be burglars but that made no sense as they were talking quite loudly. Creeping downstairs, he peered round the bar room door and was surprised to see three figures bent over one of the tables. He opened the door wider to get a better view but as he did so the three figures turned to look at him. All three were dressed in dark, heavy robes and all had shaven heads, he appeared to be looking at three mediaeval monks. The faces of all three were ghastly, glowing with a greenish pallor under the light coming from a street lamp. The relief manager stood for a second frozen in disbelief then turned and fled back to his bedroom where he locked himself in. After that he refused to go into the bar after closing time until the manager returned.
This wasn�t the first time that ghostly monks had been seen in the Cross Keys and it wasn�t the last thing to occur. In 1968 the then landlord, Mr. Johnson, and his wife were tidying up after a normal busy Sunday lunchtime. Suddenly they heard a loud rumbling noise coming from the bar. They rushed to investigate and found a large, heavy ashtray that normally stood on the bar spinning like a top. As they watched, it began to slow down until finally coming to a clattering halt. At the time, the bar was empty and they were at a loss to explain what could have set an ashtray weighing one kilogram spinning like it had been.
Two other occurrences including a vanishing skirt and a disappearing clothes brush. The skirt was of the ancient Bruce clan tartan worn by Mrs. Brenda Johnson and was her favourite. It is therefore understandable that she was somewhat distressed when she found that the skirt had disappeared from her wardrobe. The premises were searched from top to bottom but there was no sign of the skirt and Mrs. Johnson had to accept that it had gone. Three months later she opened the wardrobe to get something out and was rather taken aback when she discovered the tartan skirt on a hanger. As she watched the skirt began to move then it slid off the hanger and fell into a heap on the floor.
The disappearing clothes brush happened when the Johnson�s were in the bedroom one evening getting ready to go out. Mrs. Johnson brushed her husband�s jacket then put the clothes brush on the bed. Mr. Johnson took his hat out of a hat box then turned round to pick up the brush only to discover that it had gone. Again no amount of searching could locate the brush. Three days later the brush was found sitting on the bedroom floor, in the open, next to the fireplace. Where it sat there was no way that they could have failed to see it if it had been there all the time.
17 Aug 2008 12:44
The Cross Keys History - acknowledged to be copied from:-
CHAPTER 2 - from My Local History by Eric Reeves.
The Cross Keys stands on the site of a guesthouse owned by Westminster Abbey up until the thirteenth century. It is from here that the name originated, as cross keys were the insignia of St. Peter. Today the main bar of the pub has two brass keys set in the floor. No detailed history of this building is available, but we do know that it did not survive beyond the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the building, which now houses the main bar of the present �Cross Keys�, was erected. It was connected on the southern side by a passageway, to the end cottage of a terrace of three cottages; the site of these three dwellings was occupied by the show rooms of the Eastern Gas Board.
A century later, a small single storied building was butted on to the northern end of the building; this is now the small private bar.
In the 18th century, another floor was added to this part of the building, and now forms part of the private accommodation.
The tiles and form of the roof are very old, particularly on the rear half of the building. The roof itself rises and sags as it follows the irregular contour of the supporting roof tree. Only minor alterations have been made to the structure during the last two hundred years, and these serve to enhance, rather than to destroy the rustic character of this old building.
When certain modifications were being planned at the rear of the house, the soil to a depth of 3 feet 6 inches was found to be affected by the extensive use of primitive earth toilet facilities, and the ground had to be excavated to a depth of over 5 feet before a suitable foundation was reached. A building that still stands at the rear of the "Cross Keys" was once used as a stable during the old coaching days. Another building served as a brew house where, until comparatively recent times, home brewed beer was produced.
The join in the brick work is still visible at the front of the house.
16 Aug 2008 09:57
The Cross Keys is a much loved 16th century traditional pub of Grade 11 listed standard. In Harpenden, it is unique in that much of its original character has been deliberately and carefully preserved. Indeed, only minor alterations have been made to it's structure over the last two hundred years. This quality attracts a large number of discerning local customers and is a focal point for overseas visitors eager to sample a taste of �olde worlde� British ambience and hospitality.
�The Keys�, as it is popularly known, is steeped in local social history. It is the subject of a local booklet by Eric Rees (My Local History) and is cited extensively in other publications such as The Ghosts of Hertfordshire. It is also something of a flagship for the local branch of CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale). It is perhaps most famous for its connections with the world of Rugby Union. Harpenden Rugby Club, founded in 1920, for many years used the pub as it's headquarters and their close ties still remain strong. In 1965 the National Rugby Sevens club competition was instigated by the then landlord, Reg Johnson. This annual tournament has grown from its original dozen or so competing teams to about seventy at the present time. Over the years, many international players such as Peter Winterbottom and Ben Clarke of the British Lions have graced the competition along with others from all of the home nations. Many photographs adorn the walls of the main bar that depict this aspect of the pub's social importance to Harpenden.
As well as its associations with Rugby, the pub is used as a meeting place for other groups based in Harpenden. The nationally acclaimed Lea Singers have strong associations with the pub, as do Harpenden Choral Society and the Light Operatic Society. Some members of Harpenden Cricket Club, now the proud possessors of the wonderful new Village Cricket Ground often meet in the Keys to analyse their latest performances. Today visitors will often find a bunch of noisy locals arguing over their domino table.
The distinctive pewter bar, the ancient York stone floor, the myriad of venerable pewter pots decorating the ceiling beams (each the property of a local 'character' and each with a story to tell), the open fireplace so welcoming on a cold winter�s day and the gathering of people with such diverse interests and backgrounds these are the qualities which make the Cross Keys a unique social asset to the village of Harpenden.
16 Aug 2008 09:44
The Cross Keys has had numerous temporary landlords over the last 13 years who ran the place down. The place was dirty, the beer appalling and many locals left. The takings halved.
Three years ago we had the arrival of Mike and Viv. Mike and Viv were a breath of fresh air. They have determinedly toiled to get the pub back to a good standard and are responsible for getting the pub into the Good Beer Guide.
This is a much loved and cherished local and they should be congratulated for their tireless efforts.
This was acknowledged last night. The pub was absolutely packed out on Friday night by many locals for a farewell presentation ceremony who wanted to acknowledge their great respect and affection for the couple. They were the only landlords of the last 13 years who showed such care and affection and respect for the oldest pub in town which is a Grade 2 listed building. They will be much missed. Mike and Viv made welcome all those who showed respect for such a hallowed institution and made it clear that those who didn't were not welcome.
These scurrilous comments posted are clearly written by some very sad misfits.
16 Aug 2008 09:24
The Cross Keys, Harpenden
One of the truly local pubs left in the district.
Great beer, fantastic beer garden (probably the best in the area - a rare find) - an oasis in the centre of the town. It also has a heated comfortable smoking area.
29 Sep 2010 14:25