Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...
Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.
The Combermere Arms takes its name from the adjacent abbey which was founded in 1133 by Hugh de Malbanc, Lord of Nantwich. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the 22,000 acre estate became the property of Sir George Cotton as a reward for his service to Henry VIII. Most of the abbey buildings except the abbots' house and hall were pulled down, and the house has undergone several remodellings since, although an exceptional oak hammerbeam roof and screen still form part of today's house.
The most notable of the Cottons was Sir Stapleton Cotton, born in 1772, who became a brilliant general and fought under Wellington at the Battle of Salamanca. He was created a peer for his services, becoming Viscount Combermere, and was also Governor General of Barbados and Commander in Chief of Ireland and India.
Sir Stapleton was in military service for 73 years and fought in 17 battles, and was so proud of his prowess on the battlefield he incorporated his medals on his coat of arms, as you can see on the pub signs. Whilst plainly an exceptional man, he was noted for being vain, and was caricatured by Thackeray in his work 'The Book of Snobs' as Sir George Tufto, whose "breast sparkled with innumerable decorations".
Sir Stapleton
An equestrian statue of Sir Stapleton stands at the end of the Grosvenor Bridge in Chester, opposite the entrance to Chester Castle. It is his coat of arms that gives the pub its name.
Strangely, it's been difficult to find records of the pub before the turn of the century. There is a useful book for local historians called 'The Alehouses and Alehouse Keepers of Cheshire 1629-1828', and although the Combermere Arms is mentioned in the index, sadly no detailed entry for the pub is included.
The 'Cheshire Village Book', compiled by the Cheshire Women's Institute in 1990, states that the pub was built in 1540, and the Cheshire Conservation Department reports that the present building incorporates late 17th Century and early 18th Century work, with some original exposed joists. But that's about it so far, so we'd be most grateful for any interesting titbits and especially any early photographs of the pub.
The Cheshire Village Book also records a frequently-told story of two clergymen who sorted out a troublesome ghost in the pub by trapping it in a bottle (Ghostbusters?). They then buried the bottle under the front steps of the pub, and legend has it that if it is ever broken or disturbed, the ghost would be released.
I'd been told this story via email from Lizz Easton in Australia, a former Burleydam resident, so I phoned the builders on site to tell them to keep an eye out for any suspicious bottles - and strangely enough they were digging out the front steps there and then - but sad to relate, the only bottled spirit they came across was behind the bar. The temptation to actually plant an old bottle and scare-up the boys was of course immense. The steps and old front door have now been removed, and are replaced by a 'cellar drop' where barrels of beer are delivered.
Spot the Lord
Another ghost story concerns a photograph taken in the library of Combermere Abbey in 1891 by Sybell Corbet. The figure of a man can faintly be seen sitting in the chair to the left. His head, collar and right arm on the armrest are clearly discernable. It is believed to be the ghost of Lord Combermere who died in 1891, having been struck and killed by a horse-drawn carriage. At the time Sybell Corbet took the above photo, Combermere's funeral was taking place some four miles away.
The photographic exposure, Corbet recorded, took about an hour. It is thought by some that during that time a servant might have come into the room and sat briefly in the chair, creating the transparent image. This idea was refuted by members of the household, however, testifying that all were attending Lord Combermere's funeral.
In 1919, Sir Kenneth Crossley, founder of the Crossley Car Company and an MP, bought the estate, which was then five thousand acres. In 1992, his great-granddaughter, Sarah Callander Beckett inherited the estate, and lives in the Abbey with her husband, Peter Beckett.
The chap who owns the farm behind the pub, Ian Barton, told us that his grandfather, Argy Barton, bought the pub along with various other farms and parcels of land in 1917 from the Combermere estate for £1000 - less than one-thousanth of its value today. It was run by a tenant before being sold to Greenalls in 1930. In 1948 May Kendall of Nantwich was the licensee, on a yearly rate of £30.
Dave and Margaret Sutton bought it from Greenalls in 1996, and we bought it from them.
If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...
Manager
Pia originates from a land far, far away called Sweden. Often referred to as 'the Swedish lady' her dream is to get Fermented Swedish herring on the menu but fortunately Craig has held firm. Pia has worked in a number of B & P pubs and had a stint at head office. Naturally she loves Abba, Volvos and a decent rose wine. Pia and her husband Greg run the Combermere together.
Manager
Originally joined B & P in 2006 as a roving deputy before stints at the Armoury, Glasfryn, Cross Foxes, and Dysart Arms. In 2013 Greg decided it was a jolly good idea to own and run his own pub before deciding it was an even better idea to come back to B & P and take over the reigns at the Combermere in July 2022.
Deputy Manager
Craig joins us from The Cock O'Barton after 12 years in their management team. He's an avid golfer and if he's not on shift, he's more than likely improving his game either on a driving range or on a course in any weather. His passion for rum and whisky is unparalleled, test his knowledge and ask for a recommendation from our collection.
Assistant Manager
Dan is a well travelled gent who loves nothing more than to share his stories with anyone willing to give him an ear at the bar. Dan has spent time in and out of our sister pub the Armoury while on his travels and has now joined us as a valuable member of the management team. He loves nothing more than ending a shift with a Rosé Spritzer and a pickled egg.
Assistant Manager
Sammy joins us after a 5 year break from the industry, however the pull of pub life was too much to live without. Sammy loves nothing more than walks with her hubby and their dogs in her spare time.
Supervisor
Jane is the mum of the pub. She has 3 lovely children who have now all flown the nest. She spends her spare time cooking, singing, baking and doing yoga. Staff love to see what tasty treats she brings in on a weekly basis to try and she is also known for challenging some of the younger staff to see if any of them are as flexible as she is when it comes to the downward dog.
Bar/Waiting
Sue has worked at the Combermere now since November 2012 so is a fully fledged long standing member of the crew! Living on the farm around the back of the pub does have its benefits; not far to stumble home after a few of her favourite G and T's! Fun Facts: Sue used to ride Italian motorbikes in her spare time, has a greyhound called Cheeky and a cat called Stinky!
Head Chef
Craig's career has gone full circle and he joins us from the Dysart for the second time. He has returned after spending his time within the company and out, expanding his ever-growing knowledge of the kitchen. His main passions in life are golf and food but he's asked us if we'd say it's his four children and his fiancé Taylor.
Sous Chef
Michael joined us from the Dysart quickly becoming a key cog in our kitchen. Persuaded to the pans by brother Johnathan he hasn't looked back since and strives to have his own kitchen in the future. The better footballer of the Hallam twins, be sure to ask him about new dishes or his beloved Everton FC if you see him enjoying a drink at the bar.
Commis Chef
Bryn joined us after years working at a kennels. A late starter to kitchen life he is a cool, calm and collected chap. In his spare time he loves nothing more than to don his leathers and jump on his motorbike and take in different parts of the UK.
Kitchen Porter
Sandra has been with us since day one and is a key assist to the pub. Married to Gerald, they have three grown up children. Enthusiastic revelers, Sandra always loves a party, and is always the one up for anything even if her legs sometimes aren't. She is our very own Judith Chalmers spending as much time as she can chasing the sun and warmer weather.
Cleaner
Janet is one in a million. She has a great eye for detail and loves flower arranging at work and the local church. She also loves a shift as a kitchen porter as she gets to talk to all the staff she doesn't see in a morning. It was once said that talking is a gift and with that she is certainly gifted.
