Your host, Steve Balcombe, learnt the Yorkshire way of pampering ale in 1985/87 under the watchful eye of Mr. Rob Ilsley at the Three cups in Stamford Bridge. Since then, you may remember him and his long time business partner, Pat Grant, from the Duke of Wellington at East Keswick, 1987 - 1992; The Crown Inn at Great Ouseburn 1992 - 2001 and The Bull Inn at West Tanfield Feb 2002 until Oct.2003. On 31st August 2001 Steve married Gillian in their hometown, Skerries Co. Dublin, and now have two boys, William and Thomas. In January 2004 they embarked on the total transformation of a some what run-down Huntsman Inn, changing the inn's name back to its' original.Since then it has been very rewarding to witness the Victoria's growth in popularity, welcoming customers new and old.