AN annual tradition dating to Saxon times proved to be alive and well in Watchet when members of the town’s Court Leet made their tour of the town’s pubs and clubs to check the ales on sale were ‘good and wholesome, for townsfolk and visitors alike’.

Now a purely ceremonial body, the Court Leet was for centuries responsible for the town’s administration and law and order.

Led by town crier and official bell man David Milton, proceedings began at noon in Swain Street.

This year’s appointed ale tasters, Mark Bale and Paul Stevens, were ceremonially granted the right to enter any establishment selling alcohol for consumption.

The official tasting began at the West Somerset Hotel, before moving on to Chives Café, a first in ale-tasting history, the Esplanade Club, the Bell Inn, Pebbles Tavern, the London Inn, the Star Inn, and concluding at the Royal British Legion Club.

Each establishment passed the quality test with flying colours, receiving official certificates of authenticity from Deputy Bailiff Ian White, who oversaw the proceedings.

An unplanned stop was also made at Crispy’s Fish and Chip shop for some much-needed food.

Earlier in the day, the Court Leet also called in at the Co-op, where the manager was reminded that although no alcohol would be sampled on this occasion, the Court could return in future years - so standards must remain high!

The earliest record of Watchet Court Leet is 1273 when the main landowners in the town, the Wyndham Estate, appointed 16 ‘true men of Watchet’ to oversee law and order in the town, including roles such as police constables, pig drivers, officers of weights and measures, and two ale tasters.

The Court Leet’s next event will be its annual meeting and goose dinner at The Bell Inn, on Thursday, October 30.