Horse Banned From Pub

[j.m@talk]

The new landlord of a pub has said he had no choice when he took over but to ban one of the regulars - a two-year-old pony called Morning Mist.

The mare with a penchant for John Smiths beer was a regular customer at the Port O'Call pub along with owner Tony Manton.

But when Graham Wheatley and Craig Thomas took over the pub, Morning Mist was given her marching orders on the grounds of health and safety.

Mr Manton, 62, is not happy about the changes at the pub, in Marshfield, situated between Cardiff and Newport.

He said: "I don't blame them for what they are doing but it's becoming a 'yuppie' pub.

"Not only have they done away with the pony, but they have got rid of the bar stools and tables and brought in settees and the like.


Peggy is a regular at the Alexandra Hotel in Jarrow
"It's no longer one of your traditional country pubs."

He added: "I only took the pony in for a laugh one day when I was trying to get her used to traffic and people but it proved to be popular with the locals.

"She liked to drink John Smiths. I occasionally give her a can of John Smiths now but I don't suppose it's the same for her."

Sky News caught up with Morning Mist at the pub, and she demonstrated her penchant for Guinness.

An unrepentant Mr Wheatley said: "With the previous owner, when you opened the door to the pub you were confronted by a horse's backside.

"When you are trying to serve fresh, good food, it's the last thing you want to see."

He told Sky News that Morning Mist was still welcome to drink in the pub's car park, but could no longer come in.

[mireland]

[j.m@talk]

Banned the orse ? .............. Nahhhhhhy ya canne do that