Duke of Wellington, Southampton (From Daily Echo)

Duke of Wellington, Southampton

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A PUB In which the glasses mysteriously refill may sound like a dream come true, but in one pub in Bugle Street, Southampton, it is thought a live-in ghost is meddling with the drinks.

Joseph Gallacher took over the Duke of Wellington just seven months ago, and since then landlady Marilyn Longman has felt a spooky presence.

“Funny things have happened.

Glasses that were empty have suddenly been filled up. There is nothing horrible, but there is a presence.”

The pub, which dates back to the 12th century, has open fires and beamed ceilings, and is could easily be described as being traditionally “olde worlde”.

“It is a real pub and we get a cross-section of society.

Lots of passengers from the cruise ships come in and we get a lot of American visitors,” he said.

Mr Gallacher is proud to call the pub a “catering pub”. Serving food during the day and evening, it offers pork sausage and mash for £7.50 and grilled seabass for £9.50. Hungry regulars are often lucky enough to get sandwiches rustled up before the kitchen opens.

The pub also sells a wide range of real ales, including Tom’s Tipple and Old Timer, but the most popular choice is Ringwood Best Bitter, at a reasonable £2.90 per pint.

Marilyn has been kept busy over the past seven months, holding functions for up to 60 people at a time.

“I have done all sorts of functions. Funerals, birthday parties and we’re even doing a ‘white elephant party’ soon, but I’m not sure what that is yet,” she said.

The hard work is paying off, with the outside of the pub as welcoming as the inside. The pub was recently awarded a ‘Pub in Bloom’ prize for first time entrant in the Wadworth Floral Display and Garden Competition.

Other staff who keep the Duke of Wellington running include Sally Pinkey, who has worked at the pub for 25 years and according to Marilyn “knows everything”, and Richard Goddard, who looks after the cellar.