The New Inn, nestled in the heart of Shalfleet, has long been a cornerstone of the local community. For former landlady Ann Monk (née Priddle), the pub holds a special place in her heart, as it was not just her workplace but also her home during the late 1970s.
Ann grew up in Shalfleet on Lower Dodpitts Farm, a property that had been in her family for over 450 years. Her ties to the village ran deep—she attended school there, and generations of her family had been married, christened, and laid to rest in Shalfleet. As a child, she fondly remembers visiting the village shop, which was located in Yew Tree Cottage near the pub. She and her best friend Shirley were always intrigued by the ankle chain worn by the single lady who ran the shop, imagining all sorts of stories about its meaning!
Taking Over The New Inn
In 1977, Ann took over The New Inn after spending four years at The Castle Inn in Newport. With two children under the age of three, she moved in and spent a week working alongside the previous landlords, Bill and Doris Barnes. They were very much ‘old school’ publicans, running a traditional pub with a no-frills approach. The kitchen featured two armchairs and a television, and the food offering was simple—steak or pork pies and pre-made sandwiches that were toasted and often forgotten about. The pies were delivered and stored in the bath, with strict instructions to take them from the tap end for proper rotation!
The bar had no till, just a cash drawer and a Comptometer (a mechanical calculator) used to tally up whatever seemed appropriate. Upstairs, Bill kept drawers full of assorted liquors—likely acquired at bargain prices. Ann also recalls their daughter, a hairdresser, who had impressively long nails—one of those small details that remains vividly in memory.
After a week of settling in, Ann and her family—along with their Great Dane, Damon—officially took over. As tenants of Whitbread, promises were made of refurbishments, including new toilets and a family bathroom, but these improvements never materialised.
A New Chapter for The New Inn
Determined to modernise the pub, Ann and her then husband Tony, introduced a more substantial food offering. Cooking on an Aga powered by Calor gas, she began baking 300 pies a day during the summer months, cooking the meat in a massive 32-pint saucepan and baking 100 pies at a time. The pies, either steak and vegetable or chicken and vegetable, were sold for £1 each.
In the winter, the menu expanded to include pre-ordered meals served in the lounge bar, with a focus on game and fish. One of the more unusual dishes was rook pie, available in May when the young birds were tender. Demand for these unique dishes was high, with customers booking well in advance. The pub even earned a mention in Just a Bite Food Guide.
At that time, what is now the paved terrace was the family’s private garden, where the children played and the Great Dane kept a watchful eye. Customers quickly learned not to stray into areas the dog deemed off-limits!
The pub had over twenty guns on display. On one occasion, the local policeman came on his motorbike saying the gun licence had expired and he would have to confiscate all the guns. As he couldn’t get them on his bike he was persuaded that licence renewal was the best option.
A Community Hub
The New Inn had a lively and loyal group of regulars. One memorable character was Harold, who would drive to the pub daily, occupy his dedicated bar stool, and structure his entire day around meals and snacks—amazed at the thought of going eight hours without food!
In the summer, yachties from the quay would flock to the pub, packing the road outside. Many underestimated the speed at which the tide went out, often realising too late that they had lingered over one pint too many.
The beer was served in kegs behind the bar, with a separate beer store located at the end of the car park. Ann’s husband would regularly restock, but on one occasion, he was mistakenly reported for ‘after-hours opening’ when he was simply fetching more beer!
Whisky drinkers could help themselves to a soda siphon and water jug on the bar, while gin was far less popular than it is today.
During the 1970’s the local vicar was Revd. Frederick Walter Crooks. He was an ex-wartime marine with a wry sense of humour. In the February 1980 Parish Magazine he wrote “Shalfleet village has, I suppose, a special appeal to the Irish side of my nature, having an important house on either side of the main road, namely the pub run by Monks and the church run by Crooks”
He died in 2003 aged 85 years.
The People of Shalfleet
The New Inn was more than just a pub—it was a gathering place for the Shalfleet community. The village was full of familiar faces, and Ann remembers many of them fondly:
Sunday School Teacher:
• Jane Bull (Continues to reside in Shalfleet aged 102)
Bar, Kitchen & Cleaning Staff:
• Kath Struthers (cleaner)
• The Greeves children
• Mike Howath (dentist)
• Paul Glorney (carpet fitter, who later married EastEnders actress Wendy Richard)
• Marie and Louise
• Angus
• Maureen Ham
• Becky Ham
Regulars:
• Bill Burt
• Harold Chandler
• Kevin Shaw
• Hugh Riggs
• Peter Peach
• Cedric Greeves
• Colin Capon
• Colin Strickland
• Danny & Maion Coglan
• Baz Fardy
• Fred Jupp
• Fred & Beverley Hayles
Damon, the Great Dane – The Pub’s True Landlord
Damon, the family’s imposing Great Dane, quickly became a pub legend. In the winter, he would claim his spot by the fire, nudging customers aside as needed. Outside, he showed little regard for traffic, refusing to move for cars—only for a combine harvester!
One summer, an unfortunate yachtie stormed into the kitchen, furious that Damon had urinated all over her while she was sitting outside. “I thought he was never going to stop!” she fumed. Given the dog’s size, her frustration was understandable!
Festivities, Pranks & Pub Antics
The New Inn played a central role in the village’s festivities. Each year, the pub prepared food for the Christmas Old Folks’ Party, held in the village hall. Local volunteers transported the elderly to and from the event, ensuring everyone could take part in the celebrations.
Ann also remembers employing a Spanish waiter who'd been laid off from The Farringford Hotel. He once asked, in all seriousness if he could "pluck peasants." While he could expertly carry trays of drinks above his head in a packed bar, he had one downfall - prawn cocktails. No matter what, they always ended up on a lady's fur coat!
Shalfleet’s locals were known for their mischievous sense of humour. One year, they swapped pub signs with The Blacksmith Arms, taking some of the furniture along with them! Another prank involved using a fork attached to a stick to steal roast potatoes straight from people’s plates. On a particularly creative day, a group tied a rope around the village phone box, trapping Bob Horton inside.
The community loved the annual pram race, which started at the pub and ended in Yarmouth. One year John Carver (Pictured next to his daughter Louise and Ann) and his running partner Miles, both in fancy dress for the event, were the winners of the 4 mile race.
Moving On and Looking Back
By 1980, Ann and her family were ready to move on. Wanting the freedom of running their own business, they left The New Inn and opened a café in Bembridge, which they built into the well-loved Fox’s Restaurant, running it until 2001.
Since leaving, Ann hadn’t returned to The New Inn for some years, so we were thrilled to welcome her as our special guest to launch British Pie Week on Monday 3rd March 2025 and hear fabulous stories about pub life from over 40 years ago.
For us, this nostalgic look back at The New Inn in the 1970s captures the warmth, quirks, and sense of community that makes it such a special place. Do you have your own memories of The New Inn from years gone by? We’d love to hear them! Share your stories in the comments below or pop in for a visit—we’d love to welcome you back.
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