The White Horse Inn, Priors Dean

Are proper pubs dying out � discuss.....you could spend countless hours debating the sad demise of the Great British Boozer but the length and breadth of the country there are thankfully brilliant landlords and landladies, keeping this veritable icon of our culture alive and well.
So when you see one of Hampshire�s most hallowed inns completely lose its way, then it is quite simply, heart breaking .The White Horse at Priors Dean or as it is fondly known �the pub with no name� has for years been a veritable treasure. The famous Italian chef Antonio Carluccio says it is indubitably his all time favourite and we all used to agree it was a quintessential English country pub.
So what�s happened ....

Well the current landlady seems to neither care about the quality of food coming from her kitchen or about the views of her customers. After years of enjoying this hostelry we were amazed today to discover not one but a number of insects resembling the well known �sea monkeys� happily traversing our water cress and smoked platter. Maybe we should have rejoiced and appreciated our place in the wider scheme of the animal kingdom. Call us old fashioned but we were appalled however keen not to make a fuss, quietly told staff and were told we wouldn�t have to pay for it ( what an act of heartfelt generosity) At the end of the meal we were told �2.00 had been deducted from the bill as an apology for any inconvenience we had been caused. So not only had we been served Hampshire�s finest creepy crawlies but also having been told we wouldn�t be expected to pay for it, we were given a derisory( let�s be honest a rude ) discount.

We asked to speak to the landlady who eventually arrived to tell us that we should calm down as these things happen. As fellow publicans we asked her how often this happens - she said �never� and we replied we�d never had to suffer such shoddy standards before. So we were all agreed on at least one point, this has never happened before nor should EVER happen. So did we get an apology - �NO� � we were then insulted and the landlady tried to quibble with us over �1.50. I know times are hard but come on...! So she ruined our lunch and killed the years worth of attachment and affection we felt for the Pub with No Name.

So it is with deep regret that I sadly announce the passing of the White Horse at Priors Dean � let�s raise a glass to the memory of a truly great boozer � God Bless you and we�ll miss you � Rest in Peace.

11 Nov 2009 16:13