Your feature on the happiest places to live in Britain (17 May) was an impressive list of well-known and lesser-known towns and cities – as a resident for more than 30 years in the Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire, I was delighted that Evesham came second for many of the reasons you highlight – community engagement, culture, local food and clean air. While your article featured many nearby places, it failed to mention the Fleece Inn in Bretforton.
Owned by the National Trust, it was built in the early 15th century as a longhouse by a prosperous yeoman farmer called Byrd. It later became a pub, which was rebuilt in the 17th century and remained in the Byrd family until 1977. It is also the venue that kicks off the annual asparagus festival and auction, and serves a much loved beer called Pig’s Ear, another product along with the local “gras” that makes local people very happy.
Dr Stephen Martin
Matlock, Derbyshire
