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When you got to the Beehive, you would be asked what you would like to drink and your glass would be wiped with a clean cloth. And if your drink came from a bottle, the neck of the bottle was always wiped.
There was also a bit of friendly banter between some who worked on the farms. First one man would say “I bailed 100 bales today”. Then another would have done 550, and so it went on. I remember that someone said that every time there was going to be a hot summer, the eyes of the broad bean would face downhill. Then everyone would bring one of their broad beans - always their best one - until there was quite a pile of broad beans on the counter. Which pot they finished up in I don't know! There was good friendly competition. Sometimes it was just like a harvest festival with men proud of their vegetables or flowers bringing it up to show others.
The cellar which led off from the bar was always cold. I don't know why as it was only single brick, in but summer and winter it was always the same. I would have liked a penny for every time that the cellar door opened and closed as that was where the beer was kept. At first it was just ale, and only later wine was added to the list, and finally a spirits licence was obtained.
I remember one Christmas going to the pub before dinner. After a glass of beer and Happy Christmases all round, Mr Kiteley bought a bottle of sherry from Dorrie which he then handed around. Then someone else bought a bottle and so it went on. I was due to go the Forge House, as mother-in-law did the Christmas dinner. I can’t remember much about the dinner, but I do remember that my wife had put the Parson's nose on my plate and I had eaten it thinking it was a roast potato. I am pleased to say that experience was never repeated!
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