THE Rose & Crown in St Michael's village is charmingly, quintessentially English, quite often flying the flag outside - all the more surprising as the landlord of several years, Neil Dekker, hails from Ohio.

His wife, Julie, is very English though - and justly proud of her pretty beer garden, currently filled with cottage style flowers reached through a back door overhung by a living arch of greenery.

Dating back to 1639, it has two bars. The one to the right is perhaps the loveliest in St Albans with its vast inglenook fireplace big enough to stand in, high backed settles and open beams.

The bar itself does tend to be monopolised by the up-market professionals like estate agents and solicitors who live in the ever more valuable houses of St Michael's and Fishpool Street.

An order of cranberry and Bacardi seemed to sum it up.

When you do manage to get your elbow in you can order one of four well-kept real ales (including, intriguingly, that drink of the northern working man, Tetley's), delicious dandelion wine and sparkling wine.

My husband decided his Black Sheep bitter fell a froth short of a full pint and, at £2.50, felt justified in asking for a top up which was cheerfully given.

It's a dedicated community pub, one wall bedecked with the awards it has won for the many thousands of pounds raised for local charities. Above all, it's the city's biggest supporter of the Review Half Marathon recorded in framed picture collages. Sending both running and walking teams, the pub always wins the Buckle trophy for most money raised.

Their deli-sandwich is famous. Called Double Dekkers after the landlord they range from the Bennie Hill (ham, peanuts, American cheese, tomato and mayo) to the Lauren Bacall featuring coarse liver pate - what have they got against her?

SN