The Cross Keys, Hatfield Peverel

I used to live in Hatfield Peverel and "The Key's" was our meeting place in the early 70's onward's. We would sit in the corner about 10 or more of us. Dave & Rose Marx the landlord/lady were a great couple. Some of us had a taste for McEwans so Dave bless him got it in for us.The pork pie's always seemed to be the same one's but we know that isnt true it was just one of the in pub joke's.Dave & Rose watched as we all "grew up" and got sensible as Dave would put it. I went back to "The Key's" in 2003 for the first time since moving away in 1990. Dave & Rose were still the same and behold the porkpie's were still there.They spoke of Dave's impending retirement,and as I am aware they have both retired and moved on, and alas time had taken it's toll on some of the regular's from the good old day's of the 70's onwards.Good luck to the new landlord/lady and I hope to return to see "The Key's" in the not to distant future.The one change I did notice though is that the toilet's were now inside, many a cold rainy night saw a steady stream of male's using the ladie's that were inside instead of risking a soaking going to the gents across the carpark.Nice one took it's time but you did it.

2 Sep 2008 22:18