Joss Ridley, son of Chairman Nicholas and brother of Marketing Manager Nelion, has bought The Compasses Inn, Littley Green, back from Greene King.  The Compasses, also known as the Brewery Tap as it was the closest pub to the Hartford End Brewery, has a fine tradition of real ales poured directly from the cask.  The pub now operates as a Free House and sells Adnams Bitter and two other real ales from local breweries - so far Mighty Oak and Crouch Vale - but other Essex breweries will be making appearances soon.
The pub has an 'Old World' charm with basic furnishings and no televisions, stereos or fruit machines - in fact the only entertainment is a dart board and an old piano which you may have to drag the landlord off to get a drink!  Joss says, "people love this pub because they are able to come here to meet other local people in a friendly atmosphere, whilst enjoying a great pint of beer and simple fare."  The Compasses is also known as the 'Huffer Pub' - the Huffer is a traditional Essex triangular bap that comes stuffed with a variety of  fillings - from the basic Sausage & Melted Cheese, to the more sophisticated "APS" (Avocado & Prawn Salad) to the challenging "OTT" (Sausage, Bacon, Tomato, Mushroom & Melted Cheese) which few people manage to finish!
Prior to taking over The Compasses, Joss worked as a Financial Modeller in London for Deloitte for seven years.  He never saw it as a long-term career and was looking to set up his own business at some point.  Joss says, "when the opportunity came along to buy The Compasses, I jumped at it.  I was looking for a new challenge and a way to keep the family name going in Essex, and this seemed the perfect solution.  I've been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of the locals and I'm very lucky to have inherited some very experienced staff whom I've known most of my life."
Joss is not planning any drastic alterations to the pub - part of the reason he bought it was to make sure his old local did not die.  Given his family background in brewing, Joss was very keen to improve the quality of the real ales and make a feature of the gravity dispense The Compasses is famous for.  He has recently installed a modern stillage which can be viewed through a new window in the bar area and has removed the aspirators installed by Greene King.  He is also creating a new patio area in the garden with pergolas and long tables for evening barbeques and may even show the odd outdoor film if we have a good summer.  And as for setting up a microbrewery?  All he would say was "you never know, watch this space…"

The Duke of York pub at Great Burstead is seeking planning permission for a single-storey extension.

Blank Label… Carling is to remove its logo from Rangers and Celtic children's football tops for the new season in a bid to promote responsible drinking. The move comes two years ahead of an agreed ban by the drinks industry.

The Quart Pot at Wickford has been refurbished and the manager welcomed drinkers and diners to "experience the new look". A local  drinker retorted: "I've just had my toilet redone - it's cream with a new seat! All welcome to drop a load!"

Two regulars at the Reindeer, Black Notley have bought the pub after it was threatened with closure. Kerry and Mick Foy hope to build up trade by making it a real community pub.

Have your beer and drink it… CAMRA membership shot up by 2,600 during a joint promotion with the Wetherspoon's pub chain. New recruits received £20 in beer vouchers to use at Wetherspoon's bars but to prevent binge-drinking they were in values of 50p and dated for use through the year.

Get your own back… Whitbread is introducing an 'eat all you like' concept called Taybarns. You pay in advance, so just get there at 5.29pm (the price goes up at 5.30) and eat your way along a 35-yard food counter. It might not bring back the myriad of breweries they closed but it could make you feel better.