King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston is rocked by rumpus over drive revamp
A RIGHT royal row is brewing at one of Gower's best-known country inns, the King Arthur Hotel.
A solicitor has been instructed by two conservation groups after the Reynoldston hotel owner resurfaced the pot-holed car park and drive, which leads onto the main road.
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Community councillor Paul Lloyd-Davies alongside the tarmac road leading to The King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston.
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The Gower Commoners Association and the Gower Society contend the area affected, which is owned by the Somerset Trust, has "village green" status, and therefore has special protection.
Swansea solicitor Edward Harris has told Reynoldston Community Council it must uphold this protection under the 1857 Inclosure Act, and the 1876 Commons Act.
Mr Harris said it was an offence under the laws to deposit any ashes or other material on a village green, including "Tarmacadam which has recently been deposited by way of widened access trackway leading down to the King Arthur public house, together with extended strips of gravel/ hardcore either side of the Tarmacadam".
He has asked the council what action it is taking about the Tarmac and gravel, and last month threatened it with a maladministration complaint at the apparent lack of progress.
Gower councillor Richard Lewis sympathised with the community council.
In his view, its opponents weren't making any friends in Reynoldston, he said.
"The community council chairman is really concerned," he said.
"They haven't got the money to start going to court."
He added: "Most people in Reynoldston like to walk on a bit of tidy Tarmac."
Community council chairman Adrian Hughes said it had received legal advice from Swansea Council, arranged by councillor Lewis.
Mr Hughes and former council chairman Paul Lloyd-Davies declined to tell the Post what that advice was, but said they and their five elected colleagues would decide what to do next at a meeting on November 10. Mr Hughes has been boning up on the relevant statute and common law, and accepted the community council had a duty to uphold village green status. But he argued that what the King Arthur owner had done wasn't a detriment to it. The Tarmac is on top of an existing, poor surface which had lots of potholes," he said.
"We had a few elderly people tripping up, — not through alcohol — and now the disabled access is better."
He described the inn as a tremendous asset to Reynoldston and Gower, employing more than 80 people.
"We are very lucky to have it as a resource," he said.
Mr Hughes added the council hoped to restore the green, known as Higher Green, and had organised a village working day on Saturday, October 31, to crack on with it. In days gone by, the green hosted festivals and games of quoits.
Solicitor Mr Harris described the King Arthur as a "jolly good pub", but described the tarmac as "aesthetically not acceptable".
It is understood the resurfacing work cost between £30,000 and £40,000.
The King Arthur Hotel declined to comment when contacted by the Post.
14 Comments
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by J. Thomas, Gower
Monday, October 12 2009, 1:02PM
“What is the fuss all about? a small amount of gravel and hardcore around the edge of a well laid path. The Gower Society and the Commoners should have a bit of thought and compassion for the disabled, who If they wanted to visit The King Arthur have had to negoiate that dreadful potholed drive that was there, it was very hazardous, my husband who had a stroke some years ago found it very difficult. I would to thank the Hotel on behalf of my husband and myself for reinstating the path. We both live and love The Gower and would fight tooth and nail to keep it the wonderful, beautiful place it is to live. The disabled have a right to be considered when you complain about a path which is infinitely better to look at and walk on, please back off and consider the asset to Gower this beautiful old Pub is.”
by Ian Donaldson, Gower
Friday, October 09 2009, 8:08PM
“I ask any fair minded person to stand on the main road and look down onto the King Arthur. You will see a beautiful country pub/hotel , gorgeous hanging baskets and an asset and credit to Reynoldston and the whole of Gower. Park in the (usually full) car parking areas and enter a wonderfully unspoilt bar with real wood fires making for a great atmosphere, friendly locals and staff,and excellent local food and beers.
I have lived on Gower for nearly 30 years, I have seen the contribution this Inn has made to the area. My wife is a wheelchair user. Two years ago she fell out as we came down the drive, her wheel had caught in one of the numerous potholes. We were sick of having to run the wheelchair though mud as we parked at the edge of the drive to get her in and out. Now it is brilliant, instead of mud we have defined tarmac and chippings, winter and summer access to the green too. I help to run a Stroke Club on Gower. We come to The King Arthur regularly because it is now the most wheelchair friendly pub on Gower, we remember the loose gravel, the holes, the mud. Those who walk with sticks were even worse off!
We cannot understand why small minded people from some unelected Society cannot see the big picture, indeed what is in front of their noses. A credit to the village and Gower. In these days when we are trying to keep our local pubs, encourage tourism, and create jobs, what exactly do these objectors want? They must live in a different world to the rest of us!”
by Better Read, Swansea
Monday, October 05 2009, 3:18PM
“Anonymous of Gower - read the article again and you'll see that the councillors are on the side of the pub and NOT complaining against the road surface.
In your desperation to join the pitchfork wielding mob which show up everytime the EP mentions councillors, you've shown yourself up to be just another of the sheep on the common. Calm down, read the article again - slowly and without the red before your eyes.”
by Born and Bred, Reynoldston
Monday, October 05 2009, 2:46PM
“It seems that the row about the Tarmac outside the King Arthur is set to carry on. Perhaps the people that have kicked up all the fuss about nothing, would like to go back to living in the 1800's when these laws were written. Then we could hang anyone who raped, burgled and even poached a rabbit or two. Dont they realise that these laws have been updated over the years? Shouldnt this be the case here? I think the Commoners and Gower Society need to get into the 21st Century, or get a life.”
by Anonymous, Gower
Sunday, October 04 2009, 9:33PM
“Councillers, gower society and anyone else who is that bored. I know llanmorlais primary school need all the help they can get. Why dont you channel all of that "power" into helping them? I'm sure they would love the help!!”