The George Inn, Blackawton

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The George Inn

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Ruth Coe

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Spotlight - The George Inn, Blaxckawton

“I don’t think of The George as a pub – it’s more the clubhouse for village life,” said Ruth Coe, landlady of Blackawton’s beloved “local.”

Certainly this quintessential village inn occupies a big place in the hearts of Blackawton villagers, but Ruth found out just how deep that affection was when, before Christmas, her family was knocked sideways by a terrible tragedy. Ruth’s husband, the pub’s gregarious landlord Vic Hall, suddenly died.

“I still can’t quite get used to the fact that he’s not here. I keep saying we instead of I,” Ruth said. “It was the most awful shock. Vic was a larger than life character – chaos but lovely. He was so funny, I am the quiet one. Even when he was grumpy he was funny – in fact even funnier.

“I miss him very much, but the reaction of the village has been a huge comfort. Everyone has been so brilliant and so kind to me and to our daughters. It’s taking some getting used to. He’s left a big void in our lives.”

One thing Ruth is adamant about, though, is staying at The George: “Absolutely definitely. This was Vic’s dream. It’s my pub. I’m staying.”

Vic, Ruth and daughters Fern and Meredith came to The George Inn in March 2002. Vic grew up in Churston, Ruth in Kent, and the couple met while living and working in the frantic world of finance in the City. They went on to run their own successful financial management systems company.

But holidays were spent in Devon, and during a trip to Galmpton, Ruth realised she did not want their little girls to grow up in London.

“Everyone we passed said hello – the postman, a girl on a pony, little old ladies, a man and his dog. Fern was frowning and kept asking ‘Do you know them Mummy?’ then remarked ‘No-one says hello when we buy the paper in London.’ I knew then it was time to change.”

The couple ran a holiday cottage business while Vic commuted to London, but in his heart he was a pub landlord, and he lived his dream when he took the keys of The George.

There’s no awkwardness about setting foot in the bar as a non-local - everyone from bar staff to regulars is keen to strike up conversation and welcome you in. Villagers, holiday makers, children, dogs, pensioners – the clientele is mixed and friendly.

“We’re a proper pub with a good choice of food that is good value. If it’s not on the menu but we’ve got the ingredients we’ll make it for you –vegetarian, gluten free or dairy free is no problem,” Ruth said.

“We don’t do drizzles or foams, we don’t do cocktails. We do good beer, good food, atmosphere and warmth!

“Being a publican is a bit like being a farmer – hard work, and you have to do an awful lot of different jobs through the course of every day. But I believe that you don’t really own a pub, you are the custodian, keeping a tradition in good order before passing it on. There has been a pub on this site for hundreds of years. It’s not just running a business, it’s looking after the community.”

First published April 2010 By the Dart