The Chequers, Harlow

When I first passed my driving test in the late 70’s I used to drive girlfriends out to this picturesque Essex village on a Sunday afternoon to show them the cottage on the far side of the green lived in by the resident village eccentric who had filled the garden full of strange artworks made from domestic ironmongery and then treat them to a G&T and sandwich in the Chequers whilst I enjoyed a pint at the same time as sneaking in an hour watching the cricket on the village green without this being spotted. Was passing close by last weekend and thought we would look the old place up. Sadly in some respects the world keeps on turning, and the resident village nutter is long gone, and also has the day the Chequers was ever a traditional village pub. As Ray mentions this is now an upmarket posh wine bar and restaurant hiding inside a pub skin. Now I am sure there is a place for black gloss tables and black leather seating and there are those that want to frequent bars that have a large glitter ball hanging from it. But I am in Ray’s camp and would rather see this in Covent Garden rather than a rural Essex village. Fortunately some things do not change and Polo has not replaced cricket on the village green and I could still get a pint , albeit Green King, to sup whilst watching it. And fortunately these days I don’t have to feign reasons for sitting outside by the green as the wife knows me too well.. Oh well, that’s Matching Green crossed off my list of idyllic rural villages to retire to. It was always too close to Harlow for comfort anyway. I am not going to rate the Chequers because as far as I am concerned, this stopped being a pub a long time ago..

Official site of the Chequers, includes menu, wine list and event details - www.thechequersmatchinggreen.co.uk

Official site of the Chequers, includes menu, wine list and event details - www.thechequersmatchinggreen.co.uk