Profile: ‘Mick the Hat’

A well known and much liked character on the pub circuit is Mick Weston, better known as ‘Mick the Hat’ for the obvious reason that the brown trilby never leaves his head. Once asked to remove it by a strict landlord, he replied “I can’t, I’m Mick the Hat!”, and walked out.

He was born in Jericho, Oxford and attended Temple Cowley School. His first job was working under Louis Gunther, the Head Brewer at Morrell’s Brewery. His job title was Workshop Improver. After three years he had improved so much there was nothing he did not know about brewing and how a decent pint should look and taste. He then did a succession of three year stints with: a builder, Wolvercote Paper Mill, Pressed Steel, Osberton Radiators, and back to the building trade.

One day while working on a roof he was spotted by Charles Eld, Managing Director of Morrell’s, who called out, “Mick, would you like to have a pub?” As a result, in 1987 he took over the tenancy of the Rose & Crown, Blackthorn, near Bicester. So he was back again with Morrell’s, which reminded him of the time when, with a colleague, he was sent to get hops from Colonel Morrell’s house on Boars Hill. Wandering around for ten minutes, Mick said “Let’s ask that scruffy looking gardener where the hops are.” To which his companion replied “That’s not the gardener, that’s the Colonel!” When he took over the tenancy, Bill Morrell returned the compliment by saying that Mick was the scruffiest landlord he had ever given a lease to, and added “Please don’t change.”

Mick and Jean faced a challenge when they moved into the pub. It was run down and struggling. They decided to create a traditional, good old fashioned boozer, with an emphasis on good real ales and simple pub grub. After three years building up the business, he bought the pub. The furnishing was eccentric and unusual. The till was a 1948 converted television set; the juke box was from the 1950s, with songs to match; the bar contained old tobacco tins, cigarette packets, and old tables and settles. When you entered you stepped back in time, but the cobwebs were clean, as were the loos. One high spot was the annual Tug-of-War, which the pub won for eight years. The prize? A barrel of Morrell’s beer. On bonfire night the Guy looked exactly like Mick and they enjoyed seeing him burnt to the ground. They also had the same Aunt Sally team for nine years, who were runners-up six times and won on the seventh year.

It was a woman friendly pub, with many characters and regulars. Ron the Poacher made Mick a walking stick with a deer foot handle which he still treasures. Clive the Clock made the pub clock. Jim and Carol Holder were regular supporters from Jericho, Oxford. Baron and Baroness Williams of Twyford often arrived with a party of friends. Another character was Billy Evans, the Singing Farmer. It was also a favourite watering hole for Morrell’s staff. Mick believes that the secret of a good pub is respect on both sides of the bar. A place where everyone feels welcome and safe. One of his strict rules was no swearing. The doors were closed at 10.30 whether you were in or out. The local coppers were often among those having an after hours nightcap.

Sadly, all good things have to come to an end. A number of factors made the pub no longer viable – mainly the stringent drink drive laws. There was a lack of support from the hamlet, although the weekenders loved it. In January 1997 the pub closed and is now a private house. Howls of protest came from the locals who had never set foot inside the door! The last three months saw a succession of farewell parties, with five real ales all at the same price – always his pricing policy.

Mick had a strict policy that you pulled off the first pint and fed it to the flowers, which bloomed twelve months of the year. With the sale of the pub, Mick and Jean moved to Oxford to become caretakers for the houses of Hertford College graduates. They are still devoted to pub life – the other side of the bar. Their favourite local is the award winning Rose & Crown in North Parade, Oxford, but they also enjoy visiting a range of pubs. They have a hideaway in Middle Barton where the Carpenters Arms is their favourite.

For their holidays they go to Jean’s home town, Perth, where, needless to say, they are well known and welcome in all the pubs!

Mick the Hat says that the success of any pub depends upon the enthusiasm and commitment of the person in charge. “If you don’t like it, don’t do it.”

MALTMAN