Aaron Ridsdel and Ebony Wheatland take on The Tankard in Rufforth

Rufforth residents flock back to The Tankard on Wetherby Road, owned by Tadcaster brewery Samuel Smith’s.

The new management couple are Aaron Ridsdel and Ebony Wheatland, both from York.

Aaron, 20, is originally from Acomb but has lived in Rufforth for the past 9 years.

The tankard in Rufforth is still closed after almost a year

His partner Ebony, 19, came from Tang Hall before arriving in the village.

Aaron has been in the hospitality industry for 8 years, managing pubs and hotels in Devon, Milton Keynes and Watford for companies including IHG and Best Western Hotels.

Ebony previously worked as a hairdresser and cleaner before working in the bar.

She told the press: “We both struggled with what to do next. We saw the Management Couple Wanted sign and thought we’d give them a call.”

Ebony says brewery owner Humphrey Smith “liked” Adam’s family.

“He wanted to give us a chance because we are so young.”

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The couple is very enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to run the only pub in the village.

Rufforth also used to have the Buck Inn, but this was converted into residential properties in the late 1990s.

Aaron reports that trade has been “huge” since the pub, which was built in the 1930s, reopened.

When the press called on Thursday, York City Councilor Anne Hook, who lives in Poppleton, was in attendance to celebrate the 67th birthday of her partner Graham Young.

“I think it’s great and wonderful to see that the tankard is open again. All residents have to go somewhere now. It’s so necessary. It’s obviously well attended since the doors reopened,” she said.

Graham said it was “very exciting” to have the pub back and the pair served up a very good pint.

Children are not allowed in Samuel Smith’s Brewery pubs

There will also be food from June 20th, with Aaron cooking traditional pub groups such as fish and chips, scampi, pies, Sunday roasts and vegetarian options.

There are also quizzes on Wednesdays and darts on Mondays.

Aaron is also planning a return of the traditional village pie contest, where customers had to guess where certain pies came from.

“It used to be a pretty big thing in the village,” he said.

I want my home like Humphrey wants his Pubs letter

Other drinkers came, including Thomas Wood from Hessay and Kevin Birch from Acomb.

Down the Road’s Ashley Miller agreed it was great to see the tankard open again.

“A village needs a pub,” he said.

As the drinkers chatted, one recalled that the tankard was known for its hanging baskets of flowers.

They won’t return, but there will be flowers under the windows.

“We’re going to make it look pretty again,” Ebony added.

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More reopenings of Sam Smith’s pubs in the area are planned.

Aaron says contractors at the Bay Horse and The Angel in Tadcaster are getting ready.