This month we welcome two new Firkin pubs, a conversion in W11 Notting Hill and a brand new pub in W5 Ealing; a newish S&N pub in Surbiton and a new Wetherspoons outlet in SW1 Whitehall. Two more Scruffy Murphy conversions have occurred albeit one of which has retained its original name owing to local action. Various other 'silly namings and renamings' are recorded throughout London.

The numbers in brackets after each entry refer to the page number in the following guides: E - East London & City Beer Guide, 3rd edition; K - 'Real Ale Drinkers Guide to Kent Pubs', 8th edition; N - North London Beer Guide, 2nd edition; SE - South East London Pub Guide, 4th edition; 3SE - South East London Pub Guide, 3rd edition; SW - Real Beer in South West London; W - Real Beer in West London; X - Essex Beer Guide, 8th edition. U refers to earlier updates. # indicates a guest beer.

NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE

EAST

E9, PENSHURST ARMS, 25 Penshurst Road. Brakspear: Bitter, Special Bitter. Guest beer. Real cider. Now a Free House, ex Taylor Walker. (E121)

SOUTH EAST

SE10, THAMES, 95 Thames Street. Reopened. No real ale. Now a Bridgers Free House, ex Whitbread. (SE102)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(SJ), LORD MOON OF THE MALL, 16/18 Whitehall. Courage: Directors Bitter. Marston: Pedigree. Theakston: Best Bitter, XB. Younger: Scotch Bitter. Guest beers at weekends. Weston: Great Western Revival Cider (4.8%). Latest Wetherspoon Free House created in former bank just off Trafalgar Square. High ceilings. Tastefully decorated with red flowery carpets, bookcases and polished wood bar. Large portrait of Lord Moon (Who he? - Ed) and local history panels relating to the Whitehall/Horseguards area cover the walls and pillars. No smoking/eating area at rear. Disabled WC. Open all permitted hours.

SW4, NORTH POLE, 29 North Street. Renamed MISTRESS P'S. Flowers: Original Bitter. Fuller: London Pride. Whitbread: Fuggles IPA. Friendly local. (SW24)

SURBITON, FERRET & TROUSER LEG, St Marks Hill (near Surbiton Station). Courage: Best Bitter. John Smith: Bitter. Theakston: Best Bitter, XB. Large new pub under office building opened in late 1993 about the time of the takeover of Chef & Brewer and now owned by S&N but not previously reported. Loud music and a young crowd contrast with the recently opened Fullers pub nearby.

SURBITON, SAUCY KETTLE, 7/9 Brighton Road. No real ale. Free House in former shop premises. Music orientated

WEST

W5, PHOTOGRAPHER & FIRKIN, 25 High Street. Firkin: Full Mash Mild (3.4%), Lens Bitter (3.5%), Photographer Ale (4.3%), Dogbolter (5.6%). Weston: Old Rosie Cider. Latest Taylor Walker Firkin brew pub in part of former department store. Brewery can be viewed downstairs - on way to toilets! Usual decor with bare floorboards, pews and barrel tables. Items of breweriana and film memorabilia decorate the walls. The name reflects the proximity of the erstwhile Ealing Film Studios. Red phone-box. Food. Live music Tues, Thurs & Sun evenings. Open all permitted hours. Note correct postal code and address and not as in publicity material.

W11, ELGIN, 96 Ladbroke Grove. Renamed FROG & FIRKIN. Firkin: Tadpole (3.5%), Frog (4.3%), Golden Glory (5.0%), Dogbolter (5.6%). Weston: Old Rosie Cider. Latest Taylor Walker 'Firkin' conversion reopened in early July butwithout a pub brewery. The attractive Victorian coloured glass screens and decorative tilework have thankfully been retained in situ and sensitively renovated. The normal Firkin decor of bare boards, pews and barrel tables has however been superimposed, together with a stage with piano and red phone box. Frog related pictures cover the walls. Food. Open all permitted hours. Generally a good effort despite the regrettable loss of the original name which still appears on the windows.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

EAST

E9, LORD NAPIER. Free House (fizz), closed, future uncertain. (E121)

NORTH

N20, GRIFFIN. Now also displays SCRUFFY MURPHYS sign, albeit subsidiary to its proper name which has been retained following pressure from the Whetstone Society. Pseudo-Irish theme. H removed. (N105, U81)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, DUKE OF CLARENCE, 69 Tooley Street. Charrington, now demolished. (SE14)

SE1, HOP CELLARS. Free House, H unused. (SE21)

SE1, SHIPWRIGHTS ARMS. Former Courage pub, name still displayed but also carries ANVIL name and operates as a private club. (SE33)

SE6, BONNIES. Scottish & Newcastle, ex Grand Met (Watney), now demolished. (SE65, U105 below)

SE10, GEORGE & DRAGON. Taylor Walker, H unused. (SE94)

SE10, GUILDFORD ARMS. Charrington, H unused. (SE95)

SOUTH WEST

SW10, CHURCHILLS BAR. Taylor Walker, closed for sale, future uncertain. Formerly MUSWELLS, previously SWIFTS. (SW38, U43, U64, U74, U98)

SW10 GUNTER ARMS. Renamed MURPHYS PHARMACY (SCRUFFY MURPHYS). H removed. The loss of yet another pub name of long standing local historical significance to the discredited pseudo-Irish theme imposed by Taylor Walker. (SW38, U51, U74)

RICHMOND, LASS OF RICHMOND HILL. Renamed OLD ORLEANS. H removed. Now a bar and restaurant and acquired from Grand Met by S&N. (SW72)

WEST

W6, OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE. Now a Free House, ex Charrington. H unused. (W76, U66)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

EC2, FLEETWOOD. +Adnams: Bitter. +Taylor: Landlord. (E31)

EC4, CANNON STREET CAFE BAR. Renamed CAFE BAR. (E47)

Wl(F), CLEVELAND. -Blackthorn: Cider. The cider on sale is the fizz version. (W28, U74, U101)

EAST

E10, ALMA. Renamed FOUR FINCHES. -Charrington: IPA. +M&B: Brew XI. (E123)

E15, GOLDENGROVE. -Wadworth: 6X. +Marston: Pedigree. (U82)

E17, ESSEX BREWERY TAP. Renamed WILD ROVER. (E167)

GIDEA PARK, PLOUGH. -Ruddle: Best Bitter. +Theakston: XB. +Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. (X49)

ILFORD, BELL. -Ruddle: Best Bitter, County. +Theakston: Best Bitter, XB. +2 Guest beers. Now a S&N 'Barran & Co' pub, ex Grand Met (Watney). (X63)

ILFORD, GENERAL HAVELOCK. -Eldridge Pope: Royal Oak. +Marston: Pedigree. Now a Taylor Walker 'Salmon & Hare' pub. Formerly HAVELOCKS. (X63, U103)

NORTH

N1, YORK TAVERN, Kings Cross Station. Renamed COOPERS. -Arkell: BBB. +Worthington: Best Bitter. +Guest beer (eg Arkell: Kingsdown). A refurbished Travellers Fare Free House. (N35, U52)

N11, TURRETS. Now renamed KITES CAFE BAR AT THE TURRETS. -Beers listed. +Ruddle: Best Bitter. (N80)

N18, PHOENIX. +Boddington: Mild. +Fuller: London Pride. (N100, U77)

N19, NEW BRUNSWICK. Renamed PICKLED NEWT (NEW BRUNSWICK). -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +Bass. +Boddington: Bitter. +Webster: Green Label. (N102, U98)

ENFIELD, STAG. +Fuller: London Pride. +Hancock: HB. +Tetley: Bitter. (N189)

ENFIELD, SALISBURYS. Reverted to SALISBURY and now renamed HUNGRY HORSE. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +Bass. +Boddington: Bitter. +Webster: Green Label. (N187, U98 corrections below)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, ANTIGALLICAN. -Beers listed. +Bass. +Courage: Directors Bitter. (SE9)

SE1, GLOBE TAVERN. +Hancock: HB. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (SE18, U102)

SE1, HORNIMANS. +Brakspear: Special Bitter. +Samuel Allsopp: Traditional Stout. +Wadworth: 6X. +Wells: Bombardier. Beers may vary. (SE21)

SE1, MUDLARK. Guest beers include Bateman: Valiant and Crouch Vale: SAS. (SE27)

SE1, OLD THAMESIDE INN. -Beers listed except Nicholson: Best Bitter. +Tetley: Bitter. +Usher: Best Bitter. (SE28)

SE1, PAPER MOON. -Hancock: HB. -M&B: Highgate-Dark. +Courage: Best Bitter. (SE28)

SE1, PRINCE ALBERT. -Bass. -Marston: Pedigree. +Courage: Best Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. (SE29, U102)

SE1, SOUTHWARK TAVERN. Guest beers include Adnams: Bitter and Everard: Beacon. (SE34)

SE1, STAMFORD ARMS. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Harvey: Best Bitter. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. (SE35)

SOUTH WEST

SW3, QUEENS ARMS TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Wells: Eagle IPA, Bombardier, Fargo. Now a Charles Wells pub, ex S&N, formerly Grand Met (Watney). Regrettably it has retained the 'TAVERN' tag under the new regime. (SW23)

SW9, BEDFORD ARMS. -Flowers: Original Bitter. -Wethered: Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. +Wadworth: 6X. +Whitbread: Pompey Royal. +Guest beers. +Scrumpy Jack: Old Hazy Cider. Note 'ALE HOUSE' is not part of title although the pub is part of the Hogshead Ale House chain. (SW36, U39, U57, U63)

SW9, BEEHIVE. -Flowers: IPA. +Young: Special. (SW36, U49)

SW9, BREWERY TAP. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. Now an Ascot Estates Free House, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW36)

SW9, LANDOR. -Ruddle: County. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Guest beer, changed weekly. Opens 12 noon. Now operated by TW Guest Trust, ex Grand Met (Truman). (SW36, U39, U51)

SW9, PLOUGH. -Ruddle: Best Bitter. (SW36, U34, U39) SW9, SWAN. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. Closed 3-7pm Saturdays, opens to midnight or later Mon-Sat and after 3pm Sunday under restrictive conditions. Admission charge for evening music sessions. (SW37, U63)

SW14, HALFWAY HOUSE. -Flowers: Original Bitter. +Boddington: Bitter. (SW44, U50)

SW14, MARKET GARDENER. Renamed MAGGOT & MAYBE. -Beers listed except Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. Old name still displayed in stonework at top of building. (SW45, U50)

SW14, VICTORIA. -Young: Special. +Courage: Best Bitter. (SW45, U50, U73)

SW15, ARAB BOY. Now ARAB BOY TAVERN. (SW46, U73, U98)

HAM & PETERSHAM, DYSARTS. -Young: Special. +Marston: Pedigree. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. Now a Corporate Catering Free House, ex Courage. (SW63, U57)

KINGSTON, FIGHTING COCKS. +Guest beers from small & independent brewers. Now a Corporate catering Free House. (SW65, U68, U92)

KINGSTON, NEWT & FERRET. -Beers listed. +Hall & Woodhouse: Badger Best Bitter, Tanglefoot. +Gribble: Reg's Tipple, Black Adder II. Now owned by Hall & Woodhouse although still operated as a 'Free House'. (SW66, U32)

RICHMOND, DUKES HEAD. -John Smith: Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. (SW71)

RICHMOND, HOLE IN THE WALL. +Marston: Pedigree. (SW71)

RICHMOND, HOPE OF RICHMOND. Renamed MOLLY MALONES. -Ruddle: County. -Watney: Coombes Bitter. +Courage: Best Bitter. (SW72)

RICHMOND, MARLBOROUGH. -Beers listed. +Eldridge Pope: Best Bitter, Thomas Hardy Country Bitter. +Marston: Pedigree. +Tetley: Bitter. +Guest beer. (SW72)

SUTTON, OLD NICKS. Renamed ACADEMY. -Beers listed. +Boddington: Bitter. +Brakspear: Bitter. +House beer (probably Hancock: HB). +Guest beer. Reopened after refurbishment. (U94)

WEST

W5, DUFFYS, 122-124 Pitshanger Lane. -Wadworth: 6X. +Fuller: London Pride. +Gales: HSB. +House beer (probably Hancock: HB). Refurbished after expanding into next door premises. Note new address. (W72, U59, U93)

W8, HENRY J BEANS. Reverted (almost) to original name ABINGDON. Still a cafe bar/restaurant and no real ale. (W82)

W11, FROG & FIRKIN, 41 Tavistock Crescent. Renamed FUDRUCKERS. -Beers listed +Eldridge Pope: Hardy Country Bitter. Fudruckers: Elmers Ale (house beer - origin unknown). Greene King: IPA. Now an independent Free House, ex Taylor Walker (Firkin). Brewery now removed. This was the third David Bruce Firkin pub. Now has Country & Western theme. Beware keg Addlestone Cider on handpump (W88)

GREENFORD, NUFFIELD ARMS. Renamed LIGHTNING. -John Smith: Bitter. -Guest beers. +Wadworth: 6X. (W102, U92)

HESTON, OLD QUEENS HEAD TAVERN. Subsidiary name HUNGRY HORSE now displayed. -Beers listed. +Bass. +Boddington:Bitter. +Brakspear: Bitter. +Courage: Best Bitter. Note TAVERN in title. (W120, U98)

HOUNSLOW, SHIRE HORSE. -Beers listed. +Ind Coope: Burton Ale. +Tetley: Bitter. Now an Ascot Estates Free House, formerly Belhaven. (W128, U45, U67, U71, U89)

CORRECTIONS TO UPDATE 79 NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE N14, BANKERS DRAFT. Should read N11

CORRECTIONS TO UPDATE 98 PUBS ACQUIRED BY LABATTS & MAGIC PUB CO NORTH ENFIELD, SALISBURYS. Magic (Watney). Reverted to SALISBURY and then renamed HUNGRY HORSE. Omitted in error; total of Magic pubs in introductory paragraph should be increased by one.

SOUTH WEST NEW MALDEN, MALDEN MANOR. Labatts (Courage). Subsequently renamed MALDEN (THE). (SW70, U103). Omitted in error; total of Labatts pubs in introductory paragraph should be increased by one.