Tower and Town, June 2026 (view the full edition)The Village Pub: The HorseshoeWe are very lucky to have one. A personal account of a community asset. The Horseshoe was the Cook family home for many generations. In 1952, after a few years as an off-licence, it officially became a public house. There were two bars. The public bar, where most of the villagers would congregate, in what was quite a small space and the lounge bar, where you were likely to see only one or two people, quietly sipping on their beverage and talking about the world outside whilst casting a wary eye over any interlopers who dared to enter their space. It remained in the Cook family until (some time) in the 1990s when it was sold and then extended to become the building we know today. The paddock at the back was created from what was, essentially, a copse of trees and an allotment. A young Richard Baily was the Landlord and ran the pub until it had to close in early 2000. In that time, I had moved to the village and had become 'one of the locals'. After a short period with no pub (horror!!), it was bought by John and Pam Desmond, and they ran it until they retired in 2022. Many stories could be told about the time they were there, but we haven't the word count! Unlike the fate of so many villages, Minal is extremely fortunate that The Horseshoe found new owners who wanted to keep the pub going. Having purchased it from the Desmonds, James and Clare Richings implemented a substantial refurbishment before reopening to much acclaim in August 2022. The Horseshoe remains at the heart of the community and, whilst it attracts people from far and wide for the excellent food, quiz, and music nights, you will find a host of regulars from the village having a quiet pint or two talking about... well, who knows! Nick Beere |