IT'S all go. The landlady of the Cottage Inn in Haxby has just left, while Barry and Judy Sissons at the Three Cranes are preparing to hand over the York city centre pub to their son and heir.

First stop, the Cottage, a great community pub which Wendy Hall has loved running for three years. But she loves her fianc Howard Clemmet even more. He's whisking her off to Worcester after landing a job as a data engraver with a printing company down there.

They met when Wendy was running The Ivanhoe in Scarborough. The wedding will be in her home village of Appleton-le-Moors.

She will miss the pub. "I've loved it. It's been a wonderful time. I've made a lot of really nice friends, both staff and customers."

She didn't have a leaving bash - her hen party's tonight, and some of the regulars are going to the wedding reception. That's enough partying for anyone.

From today, Carol Wilcock has keys to the Cottage. From Skipton originally, she is very much now a Haxby lass, her daughter going to school there.

Having previously worked for big pub companies during her eight years in the trade, she was attracted to working for York's Exhibition Group, which owns the Cottage.

She is looking forward to developing Jono the chef's new menus, while getting to know the regulars. The pub's beers include Tetley's, John Smith's and a guest ale.

Over at the Three Cranes, St Sampson's Square, York, the end of an era is fast approaching. It is 11 years since Barry and Judy took the helm at this traditional boozer, and a fine time has been had by all ever since.

Alas, the long hours have taken their toll. Barry is 60 today (many happy Bar Talk returns) and they plan to retire at the end of the month.

The first thing they will do is take a holiday, says Judy, free from the pressure of walking straight back behind the bar on their return.

But they are leaving the pub in safe hands. Son Tony, 36, an electrical engineer, is making a dynastic succession. It is his first boozer, but he has completed all the qualifications to owner Punch Taverns' satisfaction.

And he can always turn to mum and dad for advice.

"We'll still be here for him. When someone you don't know takes over you feel as though you should stay away," said Judy.

"With it being Tony, it'll be nice to come in and see everyone."

Tony, a former player and now coach at Acorn Rugby League club, and wife Jackie will run the place, and their three kids will be moving in with them upstairs at the Three Cranes.

"I don't think it will change," said Judy. Thank goodness for that.

THE Lighthorseman, Fulford Road, York, reopens to the public a week today. The restored bar looks fabulous, says licensee Gloria Clarey. But the official opening night party will be postponed until work on the rest of the pub - including the upstairs rooms and the car park - is finished.

GOODY bags are being stuffed, casks rolled out and glasses buffed to a fine shine in preparation for the first Enterprise Inns three-day beer festival in York (September 13-15).

Bar Talk hears some of the city's finest drinkers have been in training for... well, virtually all their lives, to drink in every one of the participating pubs.

Drunken achievers will receive a lovingly crafted, limited edition, practical but collectable memento for their troubles - also known as a branded glass.

The Tap & Spile, The Ackhorne, The Minster Inn, the Five Lions and the Golden Fleece in York will all take part. Further afield, there's the Ship, Acaster Malbis and the Golden Lion at Helperby.

A riverboat will be sailing three times a day from under Skeldergate Bridge to the Ship. Two dozen ales will be on tap at each from York Brewery, Roosters and Hambleton plus rarer beers, branded glasses, tasting notes, T-shirts and polo shirts.

Hard-working Tap & Spile landlord Andy Mackay says he not only expects to shift all the blasted goody bags but that the festival is shaping up to be a well-lubricated success.

What enterprising folk these pub people are.

BAR Talk enjoyed its visit to a packed Rumours on its opening night last Monday. Plus points: the Micklegate boozer's fun atmosphere and rear, open-air beer terrace. Minus points: a bit bright and a bit loud (and we're not talking about those staff shirts) for us stick-in-the-muds, and - no draught beer. No call for it, apparently (sobs into bottled lager).

CLIFTON licensee Pat Mahon is up for a national gong as a contender for Mansfield beer keeper of the year.

Union Pub Company bosses have put her capacious boozer, the Corner House in Burton Stone Lane, forward for the award.

Drinkers keen to catch some of the last rays of summer sun might do worse than to head for The Blacksmiths Arms in Main Street, Naburn. Nigel and Jan Pamplin at the village centre pub said they were "thrilled" to be short listed for best pub garden of the year in the same competition.

The lucky bunch are all off to a posh nosh up at Derby County FC's home ground, Pride Park, with 70 other nominees from around our green isle, where the winners will be revealed.

Joshua Titley & Guzzling Greenwood

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, September 07, 2002