Secret Drinker reviews the Three Crutches pub in Old Watling Street, Higham, Rochester

The ‘caution wet paint’ signs, strung across the pub’s back doors, were almost camouflaged within the carpet of cobwebs and other Halloween decorations covering the Three Crutches.

This Higham hostelry may be undergoing a colourful transformation outside, but inside it’s very much business as usual – and business, believe me, is booming.

Fascination with the name was enough to entice me in but, even though the car park was packed, I still felt the need to question a decorator and check it was definitely open.

Mind you, even a quick peek into the sizeable back garden would have told me all I needed to know as it was already heaving by 4.30pm on a Friday.

A board by the main entrance informs you Rob and his team are ready to welcome you and sure enough, once I was through the door the main man was immediately on hand.

He clearly takes the role of host seriously and when I explained I needed to power up my phone he couldn’t do enough to help, a plug was found and a socket by a comfortable chair located. And then he poured my pint and delivered it.

From that moment on whoever came into the pub, local or visitor, they were greeted enthusiastically, made to feel welcome and thoroughly accepted as an honoured guest.

The team, a barman and barmaid (out front at least) scurried around and were equally helpful – as everyone knows, a successful business needs to engage its staff and keep them on board and on message.

However, Rob did have one major issue, which I discussed at some length with his chief decorator, and that is the particular colour of green chosen by owners Punch Pubs.

Personally, I liked the ‘strong’ verdant hue and mulled over the colour with a fine pint of Old Speckled Hen. Frankly, I was more taken aback when the two guys after me both ordered Guinness and black, I thought this tipple disappeared early in the 1980s.

I wasn’t eating but there were already several groups of people coming in to dine and the kitchen was in full swing.

I saw no sign of a pool table, a dartboard or a jukebox and it’s fair to say a large section of the pub is set aside for dining, but I certainly didn’t feel out of place just calling in for a drink. Others who were simply joining friends for a pint and chat mainly chose to sit at the tables close to the bar, although I should point out there were no stools at the long, wooden bar.

There were plenty of couples in, several family groups and a number of larger parties but overall there is no doubt I was dragging the average age up considerably! Although I did appreciate several songs on the soundtrack, a couple from Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott as well as one from Shaun Farrugia.

Popping outside I was pleased to see the garden was still incredibly busy with everyone seemingly intent upon enjoying a Friday night out.

Back inside, I decided to try a pint of Purity’s Pure Ubu but an apologetic Rob informed me that sadly it wasn’t on and explained, at some length, why the cellar in a pub which dates back centuries, makes it incredibly difficult to offer a large number of ales. He backed up his explanation by kindly offering to show me the challenges of a low-ceilinged cellar.

I was also treated to a sneak preview of the currently-closed front bar which has also been undergoing a transformation to create a warmer, slightly more intimate atmosphere.

The rest of the pub is basically one big, open space, although it is thoughtfully divided by pillars, screens and low-studded walls.

The painters had temporarily put down their brushes in favour of picking up a pint but they promised they would be getting back to work in no time at all and were doing everything they could to reassure Rob about the colour.

It’s good to see Punch putting money into improving this busy pub but there’s no doubt the success is largely due to Rob’s hands-on approach and for a Friday teatime it was absolutely buzzing.

Looking around, it’s clear the Three Crutches holds a whole host of different events ranging from live music to community fun days to quiz nights and even as I prepared to leave there were decorations and balloons arriving in preparation for a party.

The barmaid who delivered them said she is used to having a fast turnaround between lunchtime and the evening with different events and parties dominating the agenda but she was also keen to point out she wouldn’t have it any other way.

With my phone fully charged, I was curious about how a pub could end up being called the Three Crutches, so went online. Known locally as ‘the Three Crootches’ it has apparently played a key role in the history of Higham village for centuries. It is claimed to have got its name after a 13th century murder on the site where the pub now stands. It is said Sir Richard Braybrooke, a Templar Knight, was killed by an arrow through the heart while visiting the lord at nearby Cobham.

The murderer was never caught but a three-sided monument was erected in memory of the knight and on each side there was a cross. The site became known as ‘the Three Crosses’ and developed, over the centuries, into the Three Crutches.

THREE CRUTCHES, OLD WATLING STREET, ROCHESTER ME2 3UG

Décor: The outside was undergoing major renovations, including the area at the front of the pub. Inside it has been fully modernised and Halloween is currently in full swing. There is also considerable work taking place on the garden at the back. ****

Drink: It’s a shame the cellar constrictions make it difficult to stock more ales, but the Speckled Hen was very well kept and there are plenty of other drinks available. ****

Price: A pint of Old Speckled Hen cost £4.70. Unsurprisingly a Cruzcampo lager was more expensive at £5.20, but even topping the fiver mark this is cheaper than at most other pubs. ***

Staff: Landlord Rob Ryan was immediately welcoming and helpful. His bar staff were equally friendly and efficient. *****

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