For this week's newsletter-only piece, we wanted to share this anonymously written poem from the late 19th Century that takes the reader on a virtual pub crawl of the inns and hostels of Cowbridge at the time.

This ode to the drinking establishments of our town reminded us of the Cowbridge pubs and hospitality venues still in the dark about when they can reopen.

In fact, there's a few familiar names included in the poem…

So here's to when we can enjoy time in our favourite pubs and restaurants in Cowbridge once again!

Cowbridge Inns and Hostelries

"O'er Stalling Down I tramped to town, and to a ROSE AND CROWN I came.

From there I crossed the road unto THE EDMONDES ARMS by name.

A short stay there, and to THE RAILWAY got at last.

Inside, I met an old COMMERCIAL, who had been a DRUID in the past.

He placed me in a WHEELWRIGHT'S ARMS, among some carts and gigs;

Straight into the BRIDGE INN we went, where I had a few more swigs.

And there I met a HORSE AND GROOM, the groom had leggings on his legs.

He rang a BLUEBELL, saying BUTCHERS come, and chopped off THREE BOARS' HEADS.

Just then a LION came in sight, and to me this was no joke.

But he toddled back into his den, inside some ROYAL OAK.

And there I met Lord Raglan, full up with wit and yams.

He led me to a cosy place they call the COWBRIDGE ARMS

And there I found the finest fight that any man could touch.

Jim Nap had struck the Marquis, and the Marquis struck Bob Crutch.

Then young Dill N ag flew at Ned Scragg, Twm Nennan hit Jack Nanney.

Then Brecon Dai and Bill-m y-D ear gave 'gruel' to Ned Granney.

While Will the Sawyer with his saw made sure of old Jim Surrey.

But the one who w hipped the blessed lot was little Johnnie Whippey.

And further on I met a DUKE, who was gazing at a BEAR.

It had devoured some MASONS, who happened to be there.

This did not frighten me a bit. I gave the BEAR a push.

And off he trotted around a GLOBE to hide inside a BUSH.

When I tried to hook him out, the beggar began to squeak.

So a PELICAN cam e to help me with his long and powerful beak.

And when I got him going again, a G REY HOUND that was thin

Chased the blighter up the road, right to the WESTGATE INN."

From the parish magazine 1977: "It is said that when the gas street lighting was first installed, there were twenty-six lamp standards erected in the town, and at that time there were twenty-six pubs.

"How appropriate if they had been sited outside each of the pubs. The licensed houses named are twenty two, but there were two DRUIDS (the Old and New), and two LIO NS (Red and White); also the CROSS KEYS, the NAGS HEAD, the WHITE HART, the ANGEL, and the SPREAD EAGLE.