PUB OF THE MONTH

NOVEMBER 2011 - CATCHEMS CORNER, MEIR

On the outskirts of Meir, travelling along the A50 opposite Tesco, is where you will find our Pub of the Month for November, Catchems Corner.

So where so I start to tell you about this little piece of Heaven? Well, let’s start at the top: this gem of a watering hole is one of the Marstons chain of pubs, and is run by landlady Nikki. Nikki is helped by her wonderful bar staff, June, Stacey and Steve.

By the time of the presentation, Nikki will have been in charge a little over 20 months, and, not surprisingly, this is not the first award won by Nikki and the pub. To date, said partnership has won the Cask Marque Mark of Excellence, plus runner-up in Marstons Pub of the Year (Midlands Region) 2010. Nikki has great experience at being behind the bar, having learned her trade at The Duke of Wellington in Fenton, and having run The Weston Coyney Arms.

Five real ales adorn the bar, with Marstons Pedigree and Banks’s Bitter as standard, plus three guest ales. These are supplied by Brakspear, Jennings, Ringwood and Wychwood breweries. Everyone is assured of a warm and friendly welcome, even non-drinkers, as tea, hot chocolate and a large array of coffee, including cappuccino and espresso are provided.

Two TVs show Sky Sports, ESPN and Euro Sport, plus The Racing Channel. Two crib teams and skittle teams make for regular customer participation, with a view to a darts team as well. The pub has raised nearly £1000 for The Help the Heroes Appeal, plus The Beatrice Charity for local disadvantaged children has also benefited greatly.

As for the pub’s strange name; I have it on very good authority that it comes from the days when men had to stop cattle running out onto the old aerodrome. As this was the last point at which they could be caught, you would often hear cries of “Catch ‘Em!”, hence the name. This is also what the pub sign outside depicts.

The presentation will take place on Tuesday 1st November at approximately 8pm. Opening times are Monday 3pm- 10pm; Tuesday-Thursday 12noon-11pm; Friday-Saturday 12noon-12midnight; Sunday 12noon-11pm. For further details, contact Nikki on 01782 499172.

The above review was written by Dave Payne for the current edition of the Potters Bar. Pick up a copy in one of our local pubs now.

For earlier reviews, please visit the Archive Section