THE Red Lion in Stretham is under new management and the team are planning to put the pub back at the heart of the village.

Richard Warrington and Michele Stokes have returned to Cambridgeshire after spending a year in Ross-on-Wye, Gloucestershire, and have promised to restore the pub to its traditional role as a central hub for the village.

Richard, originally from Sutton, and Michelle, from Broughton, Hunts, have welcomed a petanque team to the pub, have a team raising money by running in the Race for Life and are already involved in the Stretham Feast weekend and Vaughan Tuck memorial event planned for May.

Michele said: “We are very much of the view that village pubs are the centre of the community and need to be supported by the village but to get the support we believe in good home-made traditional pub food, fresh and locally sourced products and ingredients.”

The beef for the pub’s steak and pies is Murray Grey, bred in the village and their cider, Pickled Pig, is also produced in Stretham. The menu has been revamped and there is a new drive to champion homemade food.

Richard said: “We are looking forward to welcoming new customers to the pub and are grateful for our returning and existing customers, too.”

The pub, in High Street, is hosting regular quiz nights, karaoke and themed nights and, on Father’s Day, dads will even get the chance to pull their own pint with dinner. To find out more about food, events or accommodation, visit the Red Lion’s Facebook page, visit www.redlionstretham.com or call 01353 648132.