SINCE Debbie and Stuart Fraser took over the Thatcher’s Arms pub two years ago, it has gone from strength to strength.

Nestled in the picturesque Stour Valley, with a view across rolling countryside which includes the nearby railway line, the pub continues to be popular with walkers, bikers and runners stopping off on their route for a pint and some home-cooked food.

Head chef Justine Cater says the team are all hugely proud of their achievements over the time the couple, taking on their first position as landlords, stepped in to take on the pub, which is on the border of Essex with Suffolk.

She says Debbie and Stuart brought in a fresh look at the way of doing things and together they have worked on a number of different aspects to the pub, including promoting the functions it runs and focussing on the food it serves up on a daily basis.

She says: “We have moved entirely away from pre-prepared food so everything is freshly made or brought in from local suppliers and prepared on site.

“Everything from the meat, fruit and vegetables is locally sourced and we make our own bread and ice cream on the premises.

“Customers really seem to like that approach and we have found we are getting really, really good feedback on things like TripAdvisor and the numbers are really going up,” says Justine who works full-time in the kitchen.

Her brother Tyler Savage is also a full-time chef at the pub along with Jemma Butcher, who is about to qualify as a chef having almost reached the end of her three-year course.

“Stuart also helps out in the kitchen too when he can so it is all very hands-on. He really enjoys doing that,” adds Justine.

All this hard work is paying off with customers making their way in increasing numbers to the village pub and restaurant.

Justine, who was already working at the pub when Debbie and Stuart took over, says: “It is very much a destination pub so you need people to want to come out and find out what you are doing.

“That seems to be the case because we have really noticed an increase in customers.

“We get a lot of people who are walking, or because it is right on the Stour Valley they want to enjoy the views.”

It is also near to the Chappel and Wakes Colne Railway Station.

Weekends are proving particularly popular with visitors.

Justine says: “We used to do about 60 roast dinners on a Sunday but some weekends now we are regularly serving up to 130 or more and the Bank Holiday weekend was just crazy, so busy.”

Functions are also proving more and more popular, with weddings and christening regular occurrences.

Justine adds: “We did a wedding last year for about 150, there is a marquee that is put up, and we have more this year.”

The team hope to continue the success they have achieved over the past two years.

Justine says: “The menu for the pub is seasonal so we have food that is relevant to the time of year and it means things are changing all the time and we also hope to start providing hog roasts for wedding receptions as people often like to have those for their guests in the evenings.”