‘Steve’s himself and he says what he thinks...there’s a lot of banter but nobody gets offended’
another few hundred years. Steve’s pride and joy are the three pianos and he likes to tinkle the ivories a bit himself.
Classically trained pianist Trevor Woodison pops by and treats everyone to a medley of tunes, everything from Debussy to the theme from The Godfather.
“This place is putting the pub piano back on the map,” says Trevor. “There’s no piped music here so people appreciate live music. I get asked for everything from Mozart to Madonna.”
Hearing him play, Steve pops his head around the door, scratches his salt-and-pepper beard, and adds: “Some of the best opera singers in the country come here as well.When they get going they can crack the glass. Brilliant.All this talk reminds me I’ve got the blues and soul singer GenoWashington coming over to sing in the summer.We’re selling 500 tickets for that and we’ll have eight local bands playing in a field at the back as well.”
The eclectic mix of music intrigues another regular, art critic Rachel CampbellJohnston who lives nearby and often brings along musicians and singers. Photos of musical evenings hang on a wall of the main bar, opposite the “memorial” wall of snaps of regulars who have died.
Catherine Barlemoor, who lives nearby in Simonsbath, tells me: “Since Steve took over he’s been determined to run the pub as a community. Once when we came up we ran out of petrol, so he used a can of fuel to get us home. In society we’ve all been sanded down, moulded what to think, but Steve is not like that. He’s himself, he says what he thinks and there’s a lot of banter but nobody gets offended.” Another regular, Martin Coombes, is celebrating his 64th birthday and a neighbour, Helen Greenidge, has baked banana cakes and brought them to share out. Cook Nadeen Cole has knocked up some very enjoyable chilli con carne for £5 a plate, which was better than anything you’ll get in a chain pub. She accepts orders via email. Steve’s daughter Vashti, 24, an estate agent, said: “This is a typical sort of night. People celebrating their birthdays, music and laughter. Dad seems to have a knack for creating the right atmosphere.”
Her sister Flo is a teacher, and brother Alfred is studying rocket science at Edinburgh. The one subject Steve will not talk about is his former wife.
“We get on very well, I’ll not have a bad word said about her but she likes to stay out of all the madness,” he says, swigging another pint of Exmoor as Hitler darts out of the front door for some peace and quiet.
Just as well. Seconds later 10 Welsh “beaglers” arrive for a drink. They’ve spent the day looking for 30 beagles which they have lost on the moor.
“Don’t tell Steve,” jokes Helen. “He’ll want to get on a horse and look for the dogs.”
HAVING written and directed currently touring stage farce Bang Bang! – this week in Peterborough – John Cleese, pictured, remains tempted to also take to the stage and perform in the show.
While having so far resisted appearing in the production, with a cast including Only Fools And
Horses actress Tessa Peake-Jones, the Fawlty Towers star admits: “I might have a go at it. But I’ve just turned 80, so I don’t want to do it every night. I’d be completely exhausted.”
Hip and knee replacement surgery prevents Cleese from delivering his once trademark “silly walk”.
LOYALLY accompanied by canine companion Bowie while back in Britain starring in touring theatre show The Cat and the Canary, Britt Ekland lovingly announces: “Happy sixth birthday to the best little dog in the world.
“What an extraordinary life we’ve had together on both sides of the ocean.”
Bowie is a miniature pinscher/chihuahua cross and arrived following the passing of the star’s previous pampered chihuahua, Tequila.
Having been romanced by the likes of Peter Sellers, Sir Rod Stewart and Warren Beatty in her time, the 77-year-old Swede maintains she now prefers the company of dogs to “snoring” men...