St Austell Brewery employees and customers will be able to do their homework before they vote on Thursday, thanks to a virtual “hustings” by managing director James Staughton. 

In a bid to inform employees and publicans in the run up to the election, Mr Staughton challenged prospective MPs in Devon and Cornwall to back the South West’s pubs. 

He wrote to all candidates quizzing them on their support for local pubs, and whether they’ve signed up to the ‘I’m Backing the Pub’ pledge. 

Replies have been posted on the brewery’s website www.staustellbrewery.co.uk and Mr Staughton has written to all employees, tenants, suppliers and licensees. 

St Austell Brewery is one of the oldest businesses in Cornwall, with 1,000 direct employees and at least 2,000 others whose jobs depend on the brewery. 

Mr Staughton said: “We’re delighted to have taken this opportunity to keep our employees and customers informed. It’s vital they are aware of their potential MP’s views on the industry before they use their vote on Thursday. 

“We’d like to thank all candidates who have responded.” 

The letter asked: 

• The British Beer and Pub Association have written to all candidates asking them to sign up to the ‘I’m Backing the Pub pledge’. Have you signed up to this campaign? If not, why?
• Since 1997, the Government has put up tax on a pint of beer by 60%.  In the last two years alone, during the recession, it has gone up 26%, which has cost hard pressed beer and pub sector an extra £171 million in tax.  Do you think such increases are justified? What would you do about beer tax?
• Do you think pubs in your area make a valuable contribution to the local economy?
• Do you agree that pubs can be promoted as places for responsible, social drinking and what measures will you take if elected to ensure pubs are protected? 

To find out their responses visit www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/company/hustings.html

A massive magnolia blooming in all its glory has become the talking point of the tiny village of St Mawgan, near Newquay.

The beautiful tree, in the grounds of the Falcon Inn, is believed to be more than 90-years-old and swamps the 16^th century pub.

Landlady Sarah Lawrence said: “Everyone in the village looks forward to it flowering all year – and now it’s looking stunning.

“Visitors can’t believe it when they see it. Not only does it dwarf the pub, but the blooms are pristine.”

Sarah thinks the magnolia, in the pub’s beer garden, could be one of the largest in Cornwall.

“The trunk is just enormous and it spreads high and wide. I’d love to know if there are any bigger.

“It’s such a special feature of our garden. With the sunny weather we’ve been experiencing lately, we’ve really seen the best of it.”

Every ash cloud has a silver lining – as several businesses in Cornwall are finding out this week.

While the airline industry is estimating massive losses, St Austell Brewery’s hotels and pubs have been booming in the wake of last week’s crisis.

Barbara May, general manager at the Great Western Hotel in Newquay, said late bookings had rocketed by 40%.

“Our phone has been ringing off the hook,” she said. “People have saved up the money and taken time off work, only for their flights to be cancelled - so they’ve come to us instead.

The family behind the award-winning Golden Lion Inn at Stithians Lake have now taken over the Top House Inn on The Lizard. 

John and Wendy Glosby run the Golden Lion with Wendy’s daughter Cherie Reynolds and her husband David. 

Now John’s son James Glosby and his wife Donna have relocated from Cambridgeshire to take over the Top House. 

Along with their children Ella, four and Harry, two, the couple will live at the pub and run it on a day-to-day basis.