The Woodman at Woodmansterne, the former guest house of the Manor, is host during late July and early August to a local amateur dramatic group, whose performances in the pub garden. include the lighter offerings of Shakespeare. We are thankful that local pubs have not gone overboard for karaoke nights, as at The Swan & Sugerloaf South Croydon. However,  this activity probably meets a need in the area, in the absence of youth clubs, skating rinks and other opportunities for healthy exhibitionism. Furthermore, many of these 'lively' pubs promote an active programme of fundraising for good causes, for which they should be commended.

Others, like the Hare& Hounds, Godstone take part in inter-pub village cricket. Challenge darts matches have long been a feature of many a local.. However, as they undergo refurbishment and transformation, pub games tend to disappear, as the space is usually needed for more restaurant tables. However,  The Ship, recently refurbished, near Croydon's Surrey Street market, still offers a wide range of traditional pub games.

What will The Queen's Head, Nutfield look like, closed for refurbishment soon after (but, we are assured, not as a consequence of)…our visit earlier in the year?

How has change affected The Kenley Hotel? Recently renovated, and reported to have an 'improved' bar, it still retains the spitfires on its sign as a reminder of Kenley's role in WW2. We are delighted to hear from the Advertiser that the new licensees have an interest in local history, and that Tetley and Marsdens is on offer. Local representatives of the Bourne Society plan to forge links with the Kenley Hotel, as they gather material for the Kenley Village History publication .

At The Haycutter, Hurst Green, a traditional skittles alley attracts teams from far and wide. The beer and sausage plowmans fare is widely acclaimed on these occasions, while their restaurant offers other good home cooking.

Depicted in a Hassell print of about 1825, the 'Old Surrey Hounds' used to serve a community of working people just north of Godstone village centre. Its successor hosted skittles events with a public bar for regular drinkers, but the last Old Surrey Hounds in Godstone was swept away a few years ago for a new housing development. Perhaps the already high density of pubs in Godstone was a factor, but I suspect that this 'local' just didn’t fit into the plans of the big brewers and was not big enough to compete.

In Caterham Valley, the Surrey Hounds, with its colourful display of hanging baskets, looks a little tired inside, with its TV and slot machines. An old resident of Caterham, reported in Local History Records, referred to a former "tranquillity" in the place. This tranquillity was broken by a fire in 1916, during which regulars rallied around to set up an outdoor bar so the licence wouldn't be lost! In 1911, a thriving Outings Club at this pub - an evidently an all-male affair- served a  useful purpose well before the days of package holidays.

Another popular 'local' is the Jolly Farmers, (formerly nicknamed the Hammer & Clink, due to its proximity to the forge at the time). Located in Purley Exchange,  patrons can gaze out upon Tesco on a summer's day, gulping in the traffic fumes. An refurbishment proposal, mooted in 1997, has now materialised. On August 25, 1999, the pub was reopened with a new sign and nicely spruced up.

As we move further along the spectrum from ancient inn to the modern trendy we find establishments not yet deemed worthy to  feature in our programme of pub history visits. However, every pub has a history  and a role in its local community which deserves our attention.

Take the re-vamped Midday Sun at Chipstead, for a while sporting its trendy   'Hungry Horse' motif, and places for night owls, such as Stanleys near Purley cinema (formerly the Bourne Tavern, The Dog , or the Dog & Duck, and now closed along with the ABC Cinema). The Royal Oak, Purley is under threat of closure, despite its charitable works and appeal to local regulars.

The Rose and Crown, Kenley has been seeking a new identity in recent years , so far unsuccessfully,  as a motel. In the meantime, slot machines and canned pop music cater for other tastes. On a site once alive with the bustle of a coaching inn, it lies in Caterham Valley where the old road from London to Lewes and the Sussex coast dives steeply off Riddlesdown.

The Tally-Ho, Caterham on the Hill,  a small community pub near the former Caterham Barracks, advertises boldly on a banner:

"There's more to enjoy at your local…."and offers large screen satellite or cable TV football.

Pubs such as the Windsor Castle, South Croydon, can with justification be called hostelries, having retained, or expanded their overnight accommodation, where there is a need from the business community. Horses rarely need to be accommodated, these days,though at The Harrow, Warlingham horses can find a tasty snack in recycled salads from the restaurant. They are very much into recycling there, right down to the corks from the wine bottles.

Who are the patrons of the pubs of today? Perhaps the day-tripper, cyclist or rambler, or family groups travelling out from the suburbs for a special treat, rather than real travellers or local resident.

The friendly 'local' still has a role to play, however. The Princess Royal in West Croydon, awarded Croydon Pub of the Year recently by the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, combines a good range of beers with a quiet atmosphere, conducive to the art of conversation.

Also in Croydon, we have seen the tasteful transformation of fine bank buildings into new pubs such as the Spread Eagle and the Hogshead near Surrey Street market, pitched at the lunchtime and after work trade. This follows a trend started in the City and environs, with examples such as The Banker and Barrow Boy on London Bridge, a  Fuller's  'Ale and Pie' establishment.