Regulars wade in the drink at Bull’s Head in Wootton Wawen to help soak up flood water
IT’S never too late for a Christmas miracle and for staff and regulars at the Bulls Head in Wootton Wawen that’s just what happened when they all pitched in and cleared away flood water and debris so the pub was open for business as usual.
Relentless heavy showers hit Wootton Wawen last Thursday causing widespread flooding inside the pub and on surrounding roads but the community rallied and helped clear blockages and managed to drain all the excess water in a couple of hours.
Bulls Head owner, Martin Peel, said: “People noticed the flooding and came to help out. Unfortunately, the drains and a nearby culvert can’t cope when there’s really heavy rain and this time it came on so quickly. Thanks to the regulars and our staff we kept the pub open and everyone got a pint or their favourite tipple.”
The Bulls Head dates back 400 years in parts of its structure and according to local historians, it may have witnessed an extraordinary moment in English history as recorded by the diarist Samuel Pepys who lived and wrote about some of the most important moments in this country’s history.
Martin told the Herald: “According to Samuel Pepys, King Charles II stopped off at an inn in Wootton Wawen after he lost the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and was heading towards Long Marston. Parliamentarian forces caught up and surrounded the inn but allowed servants to leave. One of those allowed to leave was the King dressed as a servant even though he was six foot one when the average male height was five foot six. The Parliamentarians were probably tucking into their tankards.”
