Keith notches up 35 years at The Half Moon in Northchapel

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Landlord Keith Sandieson.ks170980-6 SUS-170716-155905008 — ks170980-6 Mid Half Moon phot kate Landlord Keith Sandieson.ks170980-6 SUS-170716-155905008

Keith, now 70 years old took over the pub on July 16, 1982 with his wife Teresa who sadly died two years ago.

He had been manager at the Punchbowl in Hindhead and worked at The Links in Liphook before coming to Northchapel with his wife and sons Adam and Peter.

Teresa and he ran the pub together with Keith doing most of the cooking as well and the two boys helping out.

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Exterior of the Half Moon.ks170980-11 SUS-170716-160013008 — ks170980-11 Mid Half Moon phot kate Exterior of the Half Moon.ks170980-11 SUS-170716-160013008

Sadly Peter died ten years ago but Adam, his wife Emma and grandchildren Isabel, Eleanor and Henry are still lending a hand.

“The pub has been good to us over the years and I am still enjoying running it,” he told the Observer, “ I shall certainly carry on for a few more years but I am finding a bit more time to take off now and hopefully eventually the family will take it over from me.”

As well as the red tractor Keith has collected a wealth of memorabilia inside the pub, mostly carpentry and farm implements given to him by customers over the years.

The pub, which is believed to have been built as a coaching inn some 500 years ago and has also doubled as a petrol station in its time, has a bizarre historical connection with English cricket.

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Isabel Sandieson right serving .ks170980-9 SUS-170716-155950008 — ks170980-9 Mid Half Moon phot kate Isabel Sandieson right serving .ks170980-9 SUS-170716-155950008

Noah Man, who was born in Northchapel in 1756 and owned the pub, was a well known cricketer at Hambledon, the home of English cricket. He is reputed to have died in the pub in 1780 when he fell asleep in his chair and fell into the fire.

Keith and his wife added three B&B letting rooms around eight years ago to help with the income.

He lives at The Half Moon and has also been captain of bell ringers at St Michael’s Church in Northchapel for many years.

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Eleanor Sandieson, ten, helping in the pub.ks170980-7 SUS-170716-155916008 — ks170980-7 Mid Half Moon phot kate Eleanor Sandieson, ten, helping in the pub.ks170980-7 SUS-170716-155916008

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Friends Malcolm Findlay, Ray Jordan and Allen French relaxing in the pub.ks170980-4 SUS-170716-155841008 — ks170980-4 Mid Half Moon phot kate Friends Malcolm Findlay, Ray Jordan and Allen French relaxing in the pub.ks170980-4 SUS-170716-155841008

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