HAVING been born on Risinghurst Estate nearly 70 years ago, as a former landlord of the pub and author of ebook titled “CS Lewis in Oxford: A Guide for Visitor”s I believe I am qualified to comment on the decision to either keep the Ampleforth Arms as a pub, or turn it into something a bit more useful such as homes for the less well off in Oxford.

The pub has probably lost money for every landlord after the Markhams and Purcells including my wife and I, but I doubt many on the Estate will remember either of them.

The normal pattern of trade while I was landlord was for one lady to arrive as the pub opened for her half bottle of Guinness, plus the occasional one or two regulars, until about 10 pm when those who wanted a drink would then expect the doors to remain open into the early hours.

My wife and I never went to bed the same day, ever!

The idea that it should remain as a tribute to CS Lewis is unbelievable.

Had it not been for the mention in my ebook and before that a paperback that I wrote, I doubt anybody would even know that Jack used to have a beer there.

He and brother Warnie used the Co-op shop, greengrocer, butcher and a house in Ringwood Road that was converted. Why didn’t they save them?

I say pull it down, it’s far too big for a commercial venture in today’s climate.

RON BRIND
Miller Road, Wheatley, Oxford