AS this is something of a landmark survey may we be excused for pushing the boat out a bit? Is it really seven years since our first report appeared and that too featured Penny's?

Now 250 snacks on, we are back again!

Homemade soup and freshly baked French bread (£3.10) sounded good, but it was too hot for a summer starter.

Ann eyed the Feasegate Salad Bowl. Oak smoked salmon and prawns, Coronation chicken, cottage cheese and tuna mayonnaise all featured. However, a Royal Greenland prawn (without the advertised egg) was her choice at £5.35. With this came three wedges of French bread plus butter and Flora. Apart from one piece of bread which came my way there was soon an empty plate and a satisfied customer.

From the specials board I selected bacon and chicken ciabatta (£4.95) with salad. This was attractively served and appetising with plenty of chicken and lean bacon.

At this point we could have halted, but we have a responsibility to our readers!

The separate sweet menu included raspberry and apple pie, fresh strawberry tart, raspberry amarato cream and cheesecake. All were priced at £2.15, which with ice-cream would increase by 70p. Ann went for the strawberry tart, a pastry base, then cream topped with strawberries. Extra fruit and coulis completed the plate.

For me the pie was tempting enough. This was light with the pastry melting in my mouth. We were both served with single cream by our attentive waitress.

Tea accompanied our repast, wild blackberry and nettle for Ann, English breakfast for me, each in individual pots. As Ann poured hers there was a strong smell of fruit. With hot water and fresh milk the three cups we each drank make the £1.30 per person a cheap beverage.

At the conclusion of our snack Ann said: "Only Penny's could do it like this!" I knew exactly what she meant.

However, you don't need to go the whole hog to enjoy a visit to Penny's. Morning coffee and afternoon tea takers are well catered for. Scones, teacakes, date and walnut or spiced fruit loaf are priced at £1.25 or less.

A Penny's clotted cream tea provides two sultana scones, clotted cream, fresh strawberries and preserves for £2.95. Surely excellent value! Baked potatoes, open or closed sandwiches would all come within our budget.

How has this venue changed since our first visit? Difficult to say, but certainly not the standard of food and service.

Prices have risen but only marginally. There are still fresh flowers on tables although none in the ladies loo on this occasion. As for the rest....

We admit to using this venue quite frequently when off duty, but this visit was strictly a working snack. What could have been more enjoyable.

Updated: 08:47 Saturday, August 03, 2002