The County Arms

It was crowded as usual and a City type of about 35 was beginning to show the effect of the serious drinking he had done by swaying through the throng and landing on someone's lap.

He found the experience so enjoyable that he decided to repeat it by selecting another lap and sitting on it.

After several repetitions, someone complained to the landlord. He came over and had a quiet word in the drunk's ear.

At this the City gent stood up and meandered over to the bar and demanded another drink.

When his request was refused he started shouting.

At this the landlord came round the bar and grabbed him firmly by the arm leading him out through the swing door.

The landlord came back in and was almost immediately followed by the drunk.

Again the landlord grabbed him, rather more roughly this time, and pushed him through the door.

By now the whole pub was watching the scene and it was possible to hear the man fall down the steps leading from the door to the pavement.

Again the landlord returned to the bar and several seconds passed before the drunk re-entered - this time he was obviously the worse for wear. His jacket was hanging away from his shoulders and his tie was awry.

The procedure was repeated two more times the next time the jacket had gone altogether and he was rolling up his sleeves.

There was no sign of him outside the pub when we left.

I am reminded of all this because I recently had an e-mail suggesting that I went up to Highams Park to subject the County to the Pubwatch scrutiny.

My informant was far from pleased on the decoration and cleanliness fronts.

I know that the outside of the pub was decorated during the last year because I remember traffic being held up by the painters' ladders it still doesn't present a smart image and the pigeons are delighted with the little spikes that have been put over all the lights, resulting in more droppings than ever falling down the front of the building.

There are two entrances and I am pleased to see one still has the steps which caused that drunk such hardship all those years ago.

The interior is quite distressing, the main features being plastic beams and Artex.

What is really curious is that the genuine wooden beams in the place are painted to make them look as though they are also made of plastic.

The bar itself is a disgrace. It still has holes for fitments long since discarded and replaced.

There is no surprise that the only notice outside is for bar staff, I wouldn't fancy working in this environment.

The beer on offer is Courage Best. In my experience this can be very problematic, but I have to say that at the County Arms, this had been excellently prepared and was cheerfully served.

There were two bar staff, five customers and six tables which needed clearing on the lunchtime of my visit.

I was pleased at the absence of music but as I sat at a table with my drink I couldn't help feeling depressed with the environment which was run down and dismal a Spring clean wouldn't go amiss but really a complete refurbishment is required.

I know that the County is a popular pub.

This visit has made me wonder about the standard of the other pubs in the area.

Watch out for further investigations and send me an email if you want a particular watering hole investigated.