Staff lined up in thecar park

Always a warm welcome

Ian and Jenny Readman (centre) have been publicans since 1987 when they were trainees at the Cocked Hat pub in Gosport. They then had spells in pubs in Newbury, Hampton Court and Worthing.

In 1991 they successfully managed the Osborne View at Hill Head where they stayed for 9½ years before returning to Hampton Court as tenants.

They missed everyone so much they came back to Hill Head and took over the lease of the Crofton pub in 2003. The then mayor, Councillor Arthur Mandry, told us “It is nice to have responsible publicans who know what they are doing”.

Ian and Jenny’s main interests are golf and raising money for charities.

Staff at the Crofton may stay just a short while but many stay for years such as:

Brian Readman, Ian’s brother. He has worked with us for nearly 20 years – a life sentence for murder would be shorter! He is quiet but has a sharp northern wit. He is a very important member of our team because he looks after the BEER!

Sue Mowle joined us in 1991 whilst we were at the Osborne View. When we returned to Hill Head we persuaded her to re-join us. She is a local lass, well liked by everyone. More recently Sue has moved to our sister pub, The Harrow at Compton in Surrey, as Manager