LONDON, HOLBORN, PRINCESS LOUISE. The reopening is scheduled for Friday, 14 December following Sam Smith’s refurbishment. The key element is the replacements for the late Victorian screens thus returning the pub to its compartmentalised character. I was able to peek through the front window today and there they are. Sam’s attention to detail and employment of craftsmanship is unique in the hard-bitten pub industry. I’ll be there at opening time on 14 Dec as I can’t wait to see what they’ve done. BIRMINGHAM, HANDSWORTH, RED LION. Andrew Maxam reports that this grade II*-listed pub is being sold by auction on 4 Dec. It has been a major cause of concern being a building of great splendour in a run-down area. The tenant has let it go and it will need a lot of money spending on it. The owners are Punch and they clearly don’t see it as part of their portfolio. This must be, along with Crocker’s in London, the most important pub preservation case in the country now and in the coming months. HEREFORDSHIRE, CRASWALL, BULLS HEAD. Mark Haslam confirms that the pub closed about the end of September and is on the market. Hopefully the right buyer will be found. SCOTLAND, BORDERS, TWEEDSMUIR, CROOK INN - that pub with magnificent Art Deco work. The local community are putting matters in hand to try and buy itas the Tweedsmuir Community Co. These folks seem to know what they’re doing so let’s hope for a bright outcome. For details see _www.save the crook.org.uk_ HULL, WHITE HART, ALFRED GELDER STREET. Allan Canvess advises that the pub is being kept open until it is sold. Its future as a pub seems very much in doubt but we shall have to see. SNIPPETS from Allan Marshall 1. Derbyshire, Elton, Duke of York. NB it does open Sunday 12-3. 2. Bath, Longacre Tavern. Postcode correction: it should be BA1 5NL. 3. Cumbria, Bootle, King’s Head. The correct phone no. is 01229 718239. Opening times are: Mon-Thur 4-11, Fri 3-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10.30 STUCK FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS? For a mere £12.50 (incl. p&p) why not treat your nearest, dearest and anyone else you can think of to a copy of that wonderful book, “Licensed to Sell: The History and Heritage of the Public House” by none other than myself, Andrew Davison and pub photographer extraordinaire Mick Slaughter. Just send a cheque for £12.50 per copy made out to Geoff Brandwood at 2 Rothesay Avenue, Richmond-on-Thames TW10 5EA. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! Geoff