The hanging baskets are back

It's been three long years of gradual decline. Bad management, poor personnel, declining attendances and falling revenues lead to the loss of Sky television and subsequent cost-cutting measures saw the removal of the hanging baskets and the inconsistent supply of beer.

Finally though, it looks like the Royal Oak may have turned the corner. There have been a lot of comings and goings today in preparation for Monday's rumoured re-opening. The pub was being cleaned out this morning and after the "to let" sign appeared, so have the hanging baskets and this evening I watched all aglow as a new large screen was being reinstalled. I will be in for a pint or two on Monday and hopefully a fresh beginning. As I have said before, the fortunes of the Oak and our Club have mirrored one another for as long as I can remember. I will also be back on matchdays.