HERE'S a pub that has not made much of a blip on the Bar Talk radar before.

But now we have discovered the Malt Shovel in Oswaldkirk, near Helmsley, you can be sure we'll be blipping back.

Those doughty folk at the York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale drew our attention to the place. They have named the Malt Shovel their Country Pub of the Season, and were making the presentation today, over a few beers, of course.

"It's a typical Sam Smith's pub. It hasn't changed for years," enthused Jim Thompson, York CAMRA chairman. "It's the first time it's won the award, but it's very deserving.

"I have supped the beer several times since the new licensees have taken over and it's always been spot on. The food has always been good and it's never been better, and children are welcome too."

Partners Debbie Chilton and Peter Marks are thrilled with the award. They took over at the Malt Shovel 18 months ago. The pub is a grade II listed 1610 former manor house and coaching inn, and they first had a stint behind the bar as relief managers.

When the full time job was up for grabs they, er, grabbed it.

This is the pair's first pub. Debbie, from Ampleforth, is qualified in catering. Peter gave up his job as a lorry driver to become landlord.

The interior of the pub, admits Debbie, is a little wobbly here and there. No doubt some of the customers are too after a few pints of Sam Smith's. And the fantastic staircase is a must-see.

As well as regulars from Oswaldkirk, people travel from Ampleforth and Gilling to drink there. And in summer, people staying in the nearby caravan site also make a beeline for the Malt Shovel.

Visitors from the Home Counties are particularly impressed by the Sam Smith's pricing policy, with a pint of bitter costing £1.28. "People from down south can't believe it when they get change from a fiver."

Well done to Debbie and Peter for their CAMRA award, and to the George at Easingwold, named Town Pub of the Season.

u A BRIGHT new bar restaurant on the river might be named Orgasmic, but Bar Talk will not be making any jokes about owner Laura Knights giving birth to her son, Callum, just days before its launch.

Many of you may want to help her wet the baby's head at the plush casual eatery next to Bar 38, off Coney Street, which is opening this weekend.

Tiny Callum has already been given a tour as the couple of dozen staff gear up for action, making him one of the few one-week old bar managers in the business. Nothing like starting them young.

Proud mum Laura, 39, certainly has her hands full as she is now co-ordinating her three restaurant empire across Norwich, Lincoln and York.

She said: "You cannot really plan these things. We were hoping to open much sooner, but for a variety of reasons the opening has been delayed. When we entered into negotiations on the property it didn't look like the baby and the business were on a collision course. But then life isn't like that."

A six-figure sum has been spent refurbishing the modern property which is split over two levels and enjoys a fantastic waterside sun trap position for summer drinking.

There's a mid-range menu serving posh pizzas, burgers and a range of light bites, salads and skewers. For those who can't make it down the ten metre corridor to the main bar area, there's a small welcome bar by the front doors.

So get down to the city centre, raise your wine glass, pint or beaker and hope this baby business booms. Cheers.

Updated: 16:17 Friday, October 10, 2003