BAR Talk perched on the corner barstool at the Fulford Arms, opened a notebook and prepared to take down Barbara Brigham's life story.

Then the banter started.

Bar Talk has never been in a war zone, but can now relate to the phrase, "being caught in the crossfire".

Your correspondent had to dodge and weave as the repartee was flung from locals to landlady and back again. "We'll meet up later and tell you the real story about Barbara," came the promise from regular Jim.

It was a hugely enjoyable experience, and a reminder that the pub 'craic' still exists - in real pubs like this one, not fake 'Oirish' bars.

Our visit to the Fulford Road boozer was to record the end of Barbara's near-20 years in the licensed trade.

Originally from Lincoln, Barbara was a cook in the RAF. She moved to York because it was husband Vince's home town.

After working as a barmaid, she and Vince took over the Charles XII in Heslington in 1985.

They enjoyed the job and "are still the longest-serving licensees there in 20-odd years - we did four years and three months".

But they weren't happy with being managers, and when the tenancy of The Fulford Arms came up for grabs, they grabbed it.

"It was just the pub I wanted," Barbara said. "I had never been in it, but it felt right for me."

They made a few changes, installing a juke box and "introduced customers and staff" to the pub.

But with the breakdown of her marriage two years later, in 1991, she moved out.

In a highly unusual move she returned in 1995 as Vince's business partner. "I loved the place. I still do."

The Fulford Arms quickly became famous for its sizzling steaks, its bonfire night celebrations and its party atmosphere.

Vince departed York for Malta in 1997. Since then, Barbara has run the place on her own.

It's not been easy. "When the bed and breakfast was going, I was doing 6.30am to 12.30 at night, seven days a week."

No wonder she is looking forward "to getting a part-time job, 40 hours a week".

Barbara, a past president of the Licensed Victuallers Ladies Auxilliary League, feels the time is right to move over and let someone else have a go.

"It's getting harder because of the legislation that's now involved. Every time you come up with an idea, some beggar wants to legislate against it."

And the competition is fiercer: "there are more and more licenses in York with restrictions nobody sticks to". She praised the recent Evening Press story which revealed how a number of new bars were flouting their licence conditions.

Regular Jim defined the appeal of The Fulford Arms and its unique landlady. "It's a local pub. It's the only one left in York. You finish work and you can come in here in your scruff for a decent pint and a bit of a chat.

"Everybody knows everybody. Everybody knows everybody's business.

"We come in here with our problems and tell Barbara. She tells you straight what she thinks. If you don't like it, tough.

"She's a bit like a surrogate mum. She's one of the best. She'll be sorely missed."

Barbara's having a goodbye bash that lasts all weekend, including a farewell karaoke. What will she sing? "I Will Survive," she says, laughing.

u BAR Talk World Picture Exclusive. Revealed for the first time: Walkers Bar's Lucky Conker.

Readers not suffering from short-term memory loss will recall how this conker had been adopted by the Micklegate pub's domino team as its mascot. Inspired by their horsechestnut fruit's almost magical powers, the team went out and lost their first 13 matches.

Then came a remarkable victory in match 14.

Sensing that they had turned the corner, the domino team went out with renewed confidence - and has lost every league match since.

Oh, and the team cup game.

Conker-doping allegations have been ruled out by the authorities. More as we get it.

Joshua Titley