IT MIGHT not have been strictly legal, but Gavin McKelvie’s first job in a pub aged 14 gave him a real thirst for the business.

Now he has scooped his dream job – taking over as landlord at the pub he worked in when he was a teen 26 years ago.

Gavin, 40, has taken over behind the bar of The Fox and Hounds at Wroughton and he said there is something special about the ale house.

“I remember it being full of people and real ale – just like it is today.”

Gavin is one of Swindon’s better-known licensees as he also runs another Arkell’s pub, The GW opposite Swindon train station.

His memory of the pub being stacked with real ale has certainly not been embellished over time, as the bar currently has four real ales on the go: Arkell’s 2Bs, 3Bs, Wiltshire Gold and Moonlight.

The keen publican has already booked head brewer Alex Arkell for a ‘Meet the Brewer’ evening on Thursday, July 19 He said: “The pub offers food – of course.

“But for us, it’s just as much about the beer.

“We hope lots of our customers will come along for the Meet the Brewer evening – it’s the first one that Alex has done in Wroughton since he took over as head brewer in March.

“There will be plenty of opportunity to chat about beers, brewing – what ingredients he uses and why – and perhaps even suggest a new brew for Swindon.”

The Fox and Hounds has recently had significant investment thanks to previous landlords Ross and Dawn Morgan, who revamped the bar and began an upgrade of the eight letting rooms behind the pub, which have a fabulous view across the valley.

Gavin is busy organising a party and a beer festival that will be held on July 21.

For more information on all Arkells pubs, log onto www.arkells.com