There’s a new look for a 30-year-old skittle alley at the Wye Valley Brewery-owned Vaga Tavern, Hereford, a pub at the heart of its community.
“I’d become concerned about the old alley, which has done such good service for us,” said landlady Becky Clyde, who has managed the pub for 12 years.
“But it needed replacing, and as skittles is such an important part of the Vaga, I was concerned about whether the brewery would make the necessary investment.”
But all it took was a brief meeting with Vernon Amor, managing director of Wye Valley Brewery, to get the go-ahead to replace the old alley, which sits within a function room of the pub.
“It’s fantastic to be upgrading it, because we have two teams in local leagues, summer and winter,” said Becky. “They are really looking forward to playing on it and welcoming all the other teams from around the leagues. The skittle alley completes the pub and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
The flooring is made from maple and has been painstakingly constructed by Phil Rosser, a Vaga Tavern regular. Becky’s 15-year-old daughter, Tilly, does the sticking for the league teams every Friday night.
Vernon said: “I had no hesitation in supporting Becky’s request for the new skittle alley. We know how important our pubs are to the local community.
“The history of skittles in pubs goes back hundreds of years and is something we should cherish. The Vaga Tavern epitomises this and I hope the new alley will play its part in pub life for many years to come.”
