Memories with Everards Courtesy of Harry Cogan
My first recollections of Everards Brewery and pubs began in approximately 1968…
I was from South London and had married a lady from Wigston, Leicester where we bought a house. In this year I set up a Petrol Station and a garage car repair business in Oadby and therefore travelled between Oadby and Wigston at least four times per day. As many would be well aware I had to pass the Firs public house and this quickly became the local watering hole for myself and my friends. At this time as far as I remember (being only 27 years old at the time) the beers on offer were Tiger, Beacon and a mild. I seem to recollect that most of us drank a pint of “mixed” and it all went down very well.
At the time the landlord was an elderly gentleman who retired quite quickly and was followed by Terry Spencer the Leicestershire cricketer and his charming wife Margaret. During their reign in charge, your brewery decided to modernize The Firs and make it open plan and very tastefully it was done. After a number of years Terry retired from playing cricket and became a full-time umpire which meant he and Margaret did not have time to give the pub their best, so they retired with Margaret subsequently going to work for Everards as a travelling saleslady and very successful she was too.
After their retirement they were succeeded by George and his wife, I cannot remember their surname but they were a very likeable couple and eventually they moved on to your pub The Craddock in Knighton as managers and the last I remember they took the tenancy of a pub in Desford, The Bluebell I think which was probably an Everards pub.
Also during this period and for several years we used your hotel The Hermitage in Oadby under the management of Peter Neal and his wife who became personal friends of myself and my wife, although over the years I have lost contact. Many happy hours were spent here dining and dancing. My father in law also became gardener and handyman during this period and for many years.
Now after 40 years and many moves including France and a short spell in Italy things have gone full circle and I am back in England drinking Everards again and with the wisdom of age I now drink Tiger as I know when to stop although it took many years to learn.
My local is now the Hearty Goodfellow in Southwell which was closed for about three months last year and which had been without trade for many years before that.
It gives me great pleasure to tell everyone that it reopened last January 2009 with Steve Hussey and his lovely lady Alison Ryan at the helm. It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Steve’s previous hostelry experience that he and Alison have turned this pub around and made it buzz also with great help from their Chef Emma who has been with them for the last six months. They now offer a mouthwatering menu with also a daily special Tuesday-Friday. From my experience the food is excellent and although I would recommend it to anybody, I do not think I have to, it speaks for itself.
Now we come to the even more serious part. Steve always has six real ales on offer including Everards Tiger (my favorite), Everards Beacon bitter and several more. These can all be enjoyed within the pub or the large garden and Barbecue area.
Congratulations to Everards and especially Steve and Alison you have all worked well and very hard to achieve great success.
Harry Cogan.
Written by: Harry Cogan
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