11/10/2026
AND SO, THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR THE TALBOT BEGINS… 🍻
We are absolutely delighted to announce that The Talbot will be moving into the capable hands of Tiffany and Liam Tivey, who officially take over as landlords on 5 November.
Tiffany and Liam have been regular patrons of The Talbot over the past year, visiting with their two young sons, who attend our local school. When chatting to them about their decision to take on the pub, they told us that they simply didn't want to lose a local that had become such a welcoming place for them as a family.
And that, for us, says an enormous amount.
Their hearts are in the right place, their business acumen and ideas for building on what we have created resonated deeply with us, and their commitment to both the pub and the village is clear. They understand our environment, our community and what a village pub means to the people who call it home.
A successful village pub is about so much more than the people behind the bar. It's about shared values, genuine relationships, a team that feels valued and a community that wants to see it thrive. We have every confidence that Tiffany and Liam understand this, and we couldn't be happier that The Talbot's next chapter will be built on that foundation.
Knowing that the pub will be in such capable hands, with people who already have a genuine connection to the village, is an enormous relief. Even more so knowing that our wonderful team will continue into this next chapter with the respect, continuity and support they deserve. We know they will give Tiffany and Liam the same commitment, loyalty and hard work that they have given us.
We genuinely couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. ❤️
OUR TIME AT THE TALBOT
Immense! A steep learning curve? Absolutely! Challenging? You bet! Rewarding? Without a doubt!
We are incredibly proud of what we have built and achieved over the past 18 months. It has been nothing short of raising the Phoenix.
Have we managed to do everything we would have liked? No. But we can hold our heads high, knowing how much we have given this pub and how far we have come. We have helped build a lively, well-supported village pub, had enormous fun with our menus and special events, and, most importantly, made some wonderful friends along the way.
To everyone who has stepped across our threshold, supported us, encouraged us, joined in the fun or simply popped in for a chat, THANK YOU! Your support has meant more to us than you will ever know. And to the lovely guests we have had the privilege of hosting in our rooms, thank you for being part of our journey.
TO OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM ❤️
To our small but mighty team, who have been with us since March 2025 or shortly thereafter: we simply could not have done it without you.
Through the highs, the challenges and the moments when we have all had to dig a little deeper, you have shown up. Our front-of-house team has rallied around the pub time and again, stepping into roles beyond their own and making sure that things kept running smoothly, even when circumstances were far from easy.
You have built wonderful relationships with our customers and guests, and you have been a huge part of making The Talbot what it is today.
We hope that, during our time here, we have created a working environment where you have felt respected, supported and valued; where you have enjoyed coming to work; and where you have felt part of something bigger than simply a job.
Lizzie and Henry will be taking over as managers, and we couldn't be happier to see them develop in their respective roles. We feel a little like proud parents watching our kids head out into the big wide world! We wish them every success and look forward to seeing what they achieve.
AND THEN THERE'S IAN… OUR AMAZING CHEF! 👨🍳
Ian Chalmers, what on earth would we have done without you?!
Beyond the wonderful working relationship we have built, we have learnt so much from you. Your experience, knowledge and generosity in sharing it have been invaluable.
Having a chef who ran his own pubs with rooms for many years has been one of the most valuable assets of our time at The Talbot. You have been our sounding board far beyond the kitchen, and let's be honest, reading your face when we pitch an idea is often enough to tell us whether we're onto a winner or heading for disaster!
Your advice has always been thoughtful, honest and wise, and we have taken so much of it on board. Watching our junior kitchen team blossom under your guidance and mentorship has been equally rewarding. We hope they carry your kindness, professionalism and influence with them throughout their working lives.
The creativity, camaraderie and laughter in our kitchen are things we will treasure long after we leave. Thank you, Ian, for your guidance, your friendship, your patience and the laughs. We love you, and we are already looking forward to a proper pub lunch with you on the other side of the bar!
Ian will also play a key role in the kitchen transition, helping Tiffany and Liam move from our South African-inspired dishes and much-loved Friday specials into whatever comes next.
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN PART OF OUR TALBOT STORY: THANK YOU.
We came here to run a pub. We leave having learnt an extraordinary amount, created memories we will cherish, made friendships we hope will last a lifetime and, hopefully, left The Talbot in a stronger place for the next chapter.
Being custodians of a village pub is a privilege, and one we will never take for granted.
From 6 November, we look forward to swapping sides of the bar and kitchen and becoming the villagers supporting our local once again. We might even get to enjoy a drink without wondering whether someone needs a hand, a glass needs collecting or the kitchen is running behind! 😂
Tiffany and Liam, we wish you every success, every happiness and all the support this wonderful village can give you.
Here's to The Talbot, its people, its future and many more years of being at the heart of Iwerne Minster.
We'll see you on the other side of the bar! 🍻❤️
