YOU can be assured of a safe welcome at The Crown, where an air ambulance paramedic is now attending to the needs of the Midlands’ thirsty drinkers.

Lee Gillam retired last year from his job as a paramedic and claims and litigation manager with the East of England Ambulance Service, after a 31-year medical career which included six years as an air ambulance paramedic in Essex.

Now with his feet firmly on the ground at his first pub, 52-year-old Lee says he’s taken to it “like a duck to water” after teaming up with his son-in-law James, who was already The Crown’s chef.

And what a job they are both doing, with Lee opening up the traditional village local for special events including a Burns Night dinner and Boxing Day breakfasts.

Roaring log fires only added to the warm, friendly atmosphere during our visit. We chose our food from the special Sunday lunch menu, with my smoked haddock and spring onion fishcake, served with a tartar sauce dressing, proving the perfect starter.

My wife opted for the chef’s soup of the day which was a delicious steaming bowl of vegetables.

It was then on to the eagerly awaited main courses, and meat was definitely the order of the day with my succulent steak seemingly well matched by the generous portion of chicken on my wife’s plate.

Both were roasted to perfection, and hardly needed the steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes and giant Yorkshire pudding – so large that my six-year-old grandson could have swam in it – that complemented the meat.

After those two courses there was no room for dessert, but maybe next time.