Break with Tradition at Bridgend's Oldest Inn

A special report from Chief Editor, Jonathan David Abraham

When the cat's away the mice will play and Ellena Turner, 41, proved herself a magnificent mouse last weekend as she swept aside centuries of tradition with the single cut of a carving knife.

Popular and hard-working traditionalist, Marten Bland, 62, has been in charge of the Five Bells Inn for over twenty-five years. As custodian of Bridgend's oldest Inn, Marten has been keen to maintain the traditions built up over centuries at 'the Bells'. Many regulars will recall how tenaciously he fought against all day pub opening just a few years ago and those same drinkers remain delighted that Marten has steadfastly refused to install a Wurlitzer in the Public Bar.

Last Friday, Marten set-off for Ireland for a well earned fishing holiday and to "recharge his batteries for the long summer of work ahead". He left the Pub in what he thought were the trustworthy hands of his long suffering head barmaid. Little did he know that his trust would be misplaced as soon as he set-off for Fishguard Harbour.

No food has been served on a Sunday in the Five Bells Inn since it first opened its doors to weary travellers hundreds of years ago but no sooner than Marten's boot was out of the door, Ellena was telephoning the local Wholesaler for beef and vegetables. Suddenly she was asking shocked regulars if they would be interested in "something for the weekend" and the die was cast as the orders rushed in. Chaos reigned in the Public Bar as dinner after Sunday dinner emerged from the kitchens. Realising now that she may have gone too far, Ellena is refusing to comment on speculation that there'll be something on the menu again this Sunday.

STOP PRESS

News is breaking that Ellena Turner has lodged a formal request with Bridgend County Borough Council to rename the Five Bells Inn as Blandie's Bistro.