Woolpack, Stoke Mandeville

Sad to tell you that there has been a 50% reduction in drinking in Stoke Mandeville since the weekend. That is to say a popular restored local pub The Woolpack burnt down in the small hours of Saturday morning which means there is only one other pub, The Bull left in the village. There is a third pub within the Parish boundaries The Bell but as that is a half mile away I’m not counting this. So a major crisis for the drinking (and eating) classes in our village. The reaction on a local notice board sums it up;

“Disaster!..............This pub has been almost completely destroyed by fire this morning 26 April 2009. This is a terrible loss to the local community.”

The local paper The Bucks Herald reports;

“THE Woolpack pub and restaurant in Stoke Mandeville has been destroyed by a huge fire. he building was described by Bucks Fire and Rescue as 100 per cent damaged by the blaze. Fire fighters were called to the pub, in Risborough Road, at 3.37am on Sunday morning.

It took more than four hours for the fire to be extinguished, and crews are likely to be at the scene for 'some considerable time' yet. Gas cylinders were removed from the two-storey building. Ten crews from Aylesbury, Winslow, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Great Missenden and Amersham attended the scene.”


The Woolpack the morning after


Bucks finest at the scene

The pub was very nicely restored a few years ago and developed a “gastro pub” reputation for excellent food. It had a “cosy” designer interior with a welcoming fireplace, a thatched roof and an adjacent duck pond stocked with our local Aylesbury Ducks. Fire is a major risk with thatched roofs for once it catches hold it continues to burn within the deep thatch. Traditional houses were of wychert (flint / straw / earth) construction with characteristic "dog ear" thatched roofs which over sailed by at least two feet to keep running water off the walls. There are still many wychert and thatch buildings as well as later wood frame and infill thatched cottages throughout Bucks and in Stoke Mandeville village.


Thatched cottage in Stoke Mandeville

Most thatch used in England is made of long wheat straw grown especially for the purpose, these days usually imported from Romania or Bulgaria rather than grown in Norfolk. The straw is built up in layers. After about 40 to 50 years, the top layer is stripped off and replaced. Some very old houses still have a bottom layer of straw at least 600 years old.

The pubs website carries the notice;

"Severe fire has devastated The Woolpack and the pub is now closed until further notice. We have been unable to contact anyone who has already made a reservation with us as our booking register perished in the blaze and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please join our mailing list and we will invite you to our re-opening party in the Autumn."

http://www.woolpackstokemandeville.co.uk/

This other review gives you an idea of the excellent atmospherics at The Woolpack when it was open;


Pub Garden


The Bar

“Very busy pub now that the "Festive Season" is upon us with groups/parties having their Christmas bash. The menu is fairly extensive and will cater for most tastes and changes every few months. Well served drinks. There's always plenty of atmosphere in this pub, can't explain why but its there. Now that winter is upon us there is also a welcoming fire. If like my husband your are over 6' tall you will have to duck in the bar/fire area. All the staff are helpful and friendly except one guy who always comes over as a bit surly but he doesn't detract from the ambience of the place.

Good food/drinks from this highly recommended pub. It is one of a chain but that for once isn't a problem, it shares the same group as the Ferry Inn Cookham and another pub in Wargrave whose name escapes me.”


An Aylesbury Duck (without orange sauce)

So let’s hope the owner’s are able to resurrect this much loved local pub phoenix like from the ashes of this disastrous fire and our community once again has this hostelry as a meeting place and centre of village life. In the meantime we won’t be able to savour old English cider in the garden this summer whilst watching Mrs. Duck lead her little ducklings across the road so the search for a replacement is on! In the meantime expect more sober offerings from your Blogmaster!


The resurected Woolpack?