THE GUV'NOR - Alison arter of the Bayview Inn in Widemouth Bay, Cornwall

Alison Carter

The licensee of the Bayview Inn, Widemouth Bay, Cornwall, says that if it wasn't for hosts, pubs would not be as friendly - and Jesus may have been born behind a bush

Have you ever asked yourself where Jesus would have been born if it wasn't for the kindness of an innkeeper? Behind a bush? In a dusty alley? In a field?

It is only the generous actions of this one person that has prevented us from having hymns such as 'Away In A Gorse Bush' or the nativity scene of a doorway next to a wind-swept bus shelter, strewn with discarded kebab wrappers and empty flagons of Chenin Judea.

In short, the care and concern demonstrated by the innkeeper at letting the expectant couple use his stable, free of charge, is as relevant now as then. He didn't have to do it.

Mary and Joseph weren't regular customers who added value to his bottom line.

He would probably never see them again. After all, they were hardly locals!

So why on Earth did he put himself out, giving himself more work to do on an already busy night? The answer is quite simple - he was a host.

A host, who showed friendliness, kindness and solicitude towards his guests, whoever they may be.

Two thousand and five years later it is still the host who puts the soul into the pub. It is the host who reminds us that humankind can be astonishingly generous by being astonishingly generous himself/herself.

Don't get me wrong, a good pub should be a perfect retail experience, a well-run business, which consistently delivers excellent products and service in a clean and enjoyable environment.

It should operate efficient systems that make a profit and continually strive for improvement and business development.

But, the one thing that stops a pub from being a sterile retail outlet, like a supermarket, and prevents a visit to the pub from being a soulless, impersonal experience - is the host.

The innkeeper, the host, is a unique and wonderful mix of business person, with kindness and generosity of spirit. The host is what makes the British pub a unique foundation stone of our country, envied worldwide, and definitely not an expendable commodity.

Everyone in the industry should respect this and take note.