Pub regulars and a spot of artistry at Plumpton

The oil painting by Dick Leech, was completed in 1979 and features pub regulars and a few famous faces, including Jimmy Page who used to live at Plumpton Place.

Thirty-four years on, general manager and head chef Richard Willis and his partner, Mandy Lawrie, decided to re-create the iconic painting with a photograph of the pub’s current regulars.

The great day arrived for the photo-shoot and regulars gathered outside the 200-year-old pub to pose under a mural that was recently completed on an outer wall by Plumpton artist Grant Dejonge.

Grant’s eye-catching mural reflects the style of the pub’s sign and the beauty of the surrounding countryside, with Richard and Mandy drawn in silhouette, sitting at a table.

Sarah Bane from Plumpton Green was assigned to take the photograph but gloomy skies refused to budge and the attempt had to be called off.

“The great English weather was not on our side,” said Mandy, “so we are planning another photo-shoot in three weeks time.”

Richard added: “About 50 people turned up. It was pouring down on the day and if the weather had been fine I think we would have seen even more people.”

If the weather holds in three weeks’ time, the photograph will be taken and eventually framed, listing all the people who joined in.

It will be mounted on the wall next to Dick Leech’s 1979 painting, giving diners plenty to look at as they enjoy Richard’s pub grub.