COOPERSALE hasn't got a lot going for it. It's a line of houses strung out along a road in the middle of nowhere with a railway which has been out of use for years. But I would still consider moving there for the pub.

The Garnon Bushes, a pub which has resulted from the knocking together of a short terrace of cottages is a delight to look at. It has a plain stone exterior and prolific window boxes with masses of flowers.

Go to the most obvious door and you won't be able to get in because it is kept permanently locked. Once in however the welcome is warm and genuine.

The main pub is in three partial sections served from an ample, simply panelled, but very attractive bar. The two side sections contain mainly tables whereas the central area is designed more for the serious business of drinking - either standing or sitting on stools. It is from this central section that you naturally go to get served and this is where the locals congregate.

This is not a 'western' pub and the regulars move aside easily to allow access, my only misgiving was that one of the people sitting up at the bar on a stool was probably ten or eleven years old. This gives another clue to the place - it is a family pub.

I chose the one table in the central bar area in order to observe the whole operation. This was early on a Saturday lunchtime and there was a steady trickle of people going into the separate restaurant on the left.

By this time I was well disposed to the pub and Mrs Pubwatch, for it was she who on this occasion was my accomplice had unusually agreed with my preliminary verdict. I took a sip of my Bass and discovered that it was totally out of condition.

Of course, one of the drawbacks of favouring a drink which lives and develops is that it sometimes develops too far! On this occasion we had reached the end of the barrel when sediment can interfere. This presented one of the key tests of any pub - you take the beer back and what happens? "I'm so sorry sir, can I offer you a pint of something else or would you like to wait while I change the barrel", is the correct response and it was the one I got on this occasion.

I should add that I decided to have a light lunch of corned beef hash - I was surprised to be offered two veg to go with it and ended up with a mass of chips and a cauliflower cheese as well. The cauliflower cheese would have constituted a perfectly reasonable meal. All for under £6 - I could hardly move my bulk out of the door. I will return, having starved myself first.

Coopersale Common
Coopersale
Epping
01992573096