Staff

Ian started life at the Pant in 1995, for heaven's sake. He originally joined us as a washer-up in the kitchen, and he's stuck with it ever since, working in his vacations from a hospitality degree at Birmingham University. Ian is a keen singer, being a bit of a star baritone with the Rhos Male Voice Choir, and is a complete foodie and wino (winie?). So, from KP to Manager - good going Ian.

Helen has had her hand on the pumps at the Cross Foxes since 2000, but is currently in the throes of a law degree at Liverpool Uni. Despite this, she is interested in pub management as a career, by way of satisfying her craving for extreme socialising. She has a healthy but slightly disturbing obsession with "Brasso", blue vinyl gloves and the polishing of bar pumps.

Leanne has been a restaurant manager in a local bar for four years so she really knows her stuff. She has a sunny personality and has fitted into the team at the Foxes like wine in a glass. She’s recently come back from a four month stint as a body therapist at an exclusive health spa in Mumbai, and enjoys walking in the country with her dogs, swimming and socialising. She’s no shrinking violet, that Leanne.

Sarah is originally from Birmingham, drives a Vauxhall Corsa (a slight improvement on the turquoise Cinquecento) and is a bit bonkers. In her spare time she babysits, makes jewellery and keyrings and looks after a huge array of pet animals: 4 x horses, 2 x goats, 3 x Degus (like Chinchillas aparently), 2 x dogs , 6 x cats, 4 x chickens, 1 x cockerel and 1 x minnow (she did have a goldfish but that died).

Alex is studying for a degree in Literature and Film at Chester. She is very artistic and draws, paints and makes her own jewellery. In her spare time she spends time with her boyfriend Scott, reads books and crashes cars.

Lynn has been with us since the opening day of the pub. She likes to drink spritzers or the occasional gin and lager (mixed). She enjoys reading, gardening, doing crossword puzzles and eating out. As well as the longest serving member of staff she is also a devout regular in the pub, a crucial link to the Erbistock grape vine and an all round pillar of the community. Lynn definitely takes genuine interest and concern in everyone and is the true “Mum” of the team.

Steve is originally from Bognor Regis but moved up here after university in Manchester. He worked at the Chester Grosvenor for over a year but realised that formal service was not his style and much preferred the relaxed pub environment, and particularly enjoyed his visits to the Cross Foxes – the rest is history. Steve is a big fan of most sports but takes a particular interest in football and ladies tennis - his favourite club is Portsmouth and he is a devote member of the Anna Kournikova fan club. His hobbies include drinking lager, avoiding housework and rebuilding a rusty old mini that he keeps in the garage – he's a man’s man.

David came to us from Bodidris Hall where he worked for some eight years. He originates from Nantes in France and moved to Britain in 1994. He has since married Claire who is mother to his beautiful little girl Ebony. David enjoys music and films and spending quality time with his family.

Nick is from Blackburn originally and is an avid Rovers fan. Previous jobs include working as a chef in Switzerland, Sous chef at the BBC in Cardiff and cheffing at Wentworth Golf club - the latter was where he met his wife Nikki – she was the pastry chef. In his spare time Nick is a keen Ten Pin bowler and enjoys listening to a variety of rock music, much to David’s delight - they share the same dreadful taste.

Ben has been in the company for a number of years now, having started as a trainee at the Pant Yr Ochain. He was thrown in at the deep end of catering, having now worked in two of the busiest kitchens in North Wales, but he is a cool customer under stress and should go far.

Dan is a local lad, coming from just down the road in Marchwiel. He started life at the Cross Foxes as a part-time KP to earn a bit of extra pocket money but we spotted he had talent. In his spare time Dan enjoys listening to music and strumming on his bass guitar. He is also a keen fisherman and his biggest catch so far has been a 13lb mirror carp. Dan also enjoys driving around in his car playing Barry Manilow tunes, but like most of the staff at the Foxes he managed to crash it – fortunately both Dan and the car came away relatively unscathed which is more than can be said for his stereo – it dies whilst playing Copacobanna.

Adriana is originally from the Slovac Republic and moved to the beautiful area of Ellesmere to live with her partner Richard. She joined in October 2004 and at the same time started a Law degree at Wolverhampton University, which she’s hoping to finish some time in the next 20 years. She enjoys going to the gym in her spare time and having long, hot showers.