Three weeks ago the Crown and Thistle was covered in Scaffolding.

Two weeks ago the scaffolding came down.

In two weeks time the Crown and Thistle will re-open for another chapter in its long and illustrious history.

The Grade II Listed 17th century Coaching Inn, which John Rushkin called home for a while, and where Douglas Fairbanks Junior parked his boat, and which became a Berni Inn in the 1960s, will re-open on 27th November following a £1.8m refurbishment.

It is the 8th property opened by Oakman Inns, who have just won the Pub Company of the Year award – organised by Restaurant magazine.

I did a piece some time back saying that there was a new cobbler in Stert Street. At first the business was regularly open, but since the start of the summer holidays the opening of the shop has become very erratic, and was last open about two weeks ago. Notices appeared today to say the landlord has taken back possession of the shop because of unpaid rent. Anybody wanting to pick up their shoes needs to provide a receipt and description.