Pub's twinning link with New Zealand (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Pub's twinning link with New Zealand

FAIRFORD publican Steve Howl believes he has come up with a brand new way of forging international friendships.

Steve, who has just taken over the Eight Bells in East End, Fairford, has started a twinning link with a pub on the other side of the world.

The Cork and Keg in Renwick, New Zealand, was built recently by British ex-pat Bill Penfold because he missed English pubs so much.

Eight Bells regular Chris Moorgate is a friend of Bill's, and he suggested that the two pubs twin. "I thought it would be a good idea because to my mind it's never been done before," said Steve, who recently married his wife Karen. "We've got photographs of the pub in the bar and had some T-shirts printed up. "We're also getting a plaque made to let people know we're twinned and we are hoping to play pub games over the internet."

Residents in Fairford looked into setting up a twinning link several years ago, but it was deemed to be too expensive.

Four of Steve's regulars have visited the New Zealand pub already, and he is planning a trip next year.

The Eight Bells is owned by brewery company Arkells, and the firm's director, Nick Arkell, has also visited the Cork and Keg.

Regulars at the New Zealand pub are now hoping to visit Fairford.

Picture: Steve and Karen Howl, who are twinning their pub, the Eight Bells in Fairford, with a pub in New Zealand.