SOME Millennium ideas were bad (that Dome), others were works of genius. And so Centurion's Ghost Ale proved. Created as York Brewery's millennial beer, this week it was named Champion Beer in the dark milds, stouts and porters category of the Brewing Industry International Awards.

Head brewer Andrew Whalley collected the trophy at London's Guildhall. The beer is named in honour of the ghostly Roman legion spotted walking through the Treasurer's House cellar in 1957.

One benefit likely to follow before long is a listing in JD Wetherspoon pubs across the country. The pub operator is headline sponsor of the awards and expects to hold beer festivals over the coming months, featuring many of the winning beers.

- ENTREPRENEURIAL landlord Roger Mitchell is fuming after his latest run-in with the powers that be.

Roger, who runs the Ship Inn, Shiptonthorpe, near Market Weighton, has been running a popular free transport service for drinkers for over a year. After selling his own car he splashed out on a posh eight-seater people carrier. He now has four drivers taxed, insured and raring to carry the York Road pub's domino, pool and darts teams as well as the odd post-tipple regular.

Here comes the sad part. East Riding Council has written to him saying that he needs a licence as he's carrying passengers for "hire or reward". It seems that the reward is in the drinks and food sold at the pub.

Of course licences don't come for free and have all sorts of other implications for the small business. Roger is flabbergasted and said that he has received support from police officers and community safety workers. "It benefits everyone - the customers, the pub and the community - I can't believe this is happening and I think the council will end up with egg on their face," he said.

A spokesman for the council said that this was not a "home grown" decision and followed a recent High Court test case. Three other pubs in the area have also been approached.

Meanwhile the 54-year-old former florist, who has a neat sideline selling bedding plants over the bar counter, is defying the council and continuing to run the service. Will common sense prevail?

- THE Chancellor had good news for real ale fans with tax on beer produced by small breweries halved - a cut worth 14p a pint. But Bar Talk has received a few phone calls from concerned drinkers who think the saving may not be passed on to the ale-loving public. It remains to be seen if breweries can resist an extra £40.32 profit from a barrel's 288 pints.

- YORK'S students have been taking a well-earned month or two off from their back-breaking toil. But when they come back after their Easter break next week, these brain boxes will discover one of their favourite watering holes has a new look.

The Charles XII in Heslington closed for 2 days this week for a makeover.

Bar Talk called on assistant manager Bob Cox even as the undercoat was drying. As well as the paint job, the pub boasts a flashy new bar back.

And the kitchen has been upgraded, allowing the chef to launch a more ambitious menu from Monday.

"We have got special offers every day at the moment," said Bob. "From 5-8pm you can buy one, get one free on certain bottles."

Look out too, for Guinness and Guinness Extra Cold joining Murphy's stout on the bar.

Bob admits to being a little anxious about the response to the new look from tired and emotional undergraduates. "The light walls are great for graffiti," he grimaced.

Bar Talk wishes a speedy recovery to licensee Julia Bayley, who is suffering with a back problem.

Updated: 16:33 Friday, April 19, 2002