Trifter

THE Star Inn at Netherton, six miles north-east of Rothbury in Northumberland is the last pub in England. It stands at the end of the road running into the foothills of the Cheviot Hills.

The Star is the only pub between Liverpool on the River Mersey and Broughty Ferry, near Dundee on the River Tay to have had a mention in every single edition of The Good Ale Guide, published by CAMERA (Campaign For Real Ale).

It is the ultimate family business with current landlady Vera Morton-Wilson being the granddaughter of the publicans who took it over in 1917.

“They came here from the Grey Horse in East Boldon after it was burnt down,” says Vera. “It took them all day in a pony a trap.”

Vera was born in the Star and the bar is quite like an ordinary living room in a family house. It really is the plain and simple room that can be expected from a pub which was built at the end of the 18th Century.

The Star is at the centre of a living and energetic community which welcomes visitors. The furniture is a hotchpotch of varying styles in sharp contrast to the boring uniformity that is inflicted on us in most of today’s themed pubs.

Linoleum covers the floor and the fine glass panel in the door is protected by highly polished brass bars. The bar has a tiled fireplace.

Of course one of the main selling points of a country pub is the quality of its beers. The serving area is a hatch about one yard square. Vera keeps one beer, which is dispensed directly from the cask and is a really good pint.

“We had Castle Eden Ale in when we were put into the first Good Beer Guide and I do not see any reason to change. I find that its better to do only one beer and do it right, than to do two or three which might be iffy,” said Vera. “We only sell lager in cans.”

“It is a walk-in cellar, we do not have any cooler. There is only a stone gallery which keeps the beer cool. Tapping the barrel directly and serving the beer by gravity means that we do not have any lines to keep clean. Nobody ever complains about the standard of the beer.

“We have no music, no television and no gaming machines. People have to make their own crack.”

I know that during many years of walking, skiing and camping in the Cheviot Hills, the sight of the Star in the distance made that last long mile seem a little easier and shorter. The Star being six miles away from Rothbury and up a road that peters out into the hills tends to be quiet during the week. The outdoor activity fraternity are inclined to visit the Star over the weekends. This group includes people of all occupations and status.

“Friday night is our really busy time and we often have groups coming in,” confirms Vera. “If a busload is coming, they generally let us know. It is impossible to have real ale at the ready all the time. You have to spike it, let it work off and tap it.”

The Friday Night Specials are confirmed by Stan Whillis who is a regular customer of the Star.

“You get a real education then, there are doctors and undertakers, farmers and builders and there is always some fantastic conversation. Some nights it is just about impossible to get a seat.”

The Star Inn at Netherton is one lodestone that can be depended on not to change and it will never let you down.