The Priors Oven at Spalding has now opened as Fenland's first micropub. Run by Charlie Rawlings and Nathan Marshall of Austendyke Brewery at Weston, the pub serves 4 or 5 real ales by gravity. In keeping with the micropub image, Priors Oven is small, serves real ale (mainly from local breweries) - no fizzy stuff, local cider and has no tv, games machines or piped music. Good conversation and ale are the order of the day.

On Fenland's reporter's recent visit, the beers on offer (via gravity dispense) were Elgoods Black Dog and Golden Newt, Golden Kiwi from Tydd, and Baz's Bonce Blower at a whacking 12%!

The Priors Oven, situated on Sheep Market, is a Grade II* listed building dating from around 1230AD and was part of the Spalding Priory.

For information on micropubs, see the Micropub Association website at http://micropubassociation.co.uk which includes a list of members.