All Hands To The Pumps

Ewhurst-born former supermodel and racing driver Jodie Kidd has taken on a new role as pub landlady at the venue where she turned 21. Duncan Hall visits The Half Moon on the Surrey/Sussex border to find out more

- Duncan Hall

“I DON’T think I have ever worked so hard in my life,” says Jodie Kidd as she takes a break from the kitchen where she is preparing for The Half Moon’s first ever curry night. It’s one of several new monthly events the 39-year-old is spearheading at her new pub, alongside a quiz and epicurean event featuring foods paired with the pub’s wine range.

From selecting the Indian-themed tunes on the pub’s music system, to fretting about the numbers set to taste her northern Indian offerings it’s clear Jodie is fully involved in what is happening at the pub. “I thought we would get 20 to 30 people coming out for the first night,” she confesses. “We’re having to turn people away – it’s a bit scary, but amazing too.”

The Ewhurst-born former supermodel’s association with the pub, situated in Kirdford just a few miles form the Surrey/ Sussex border, goes back many years – she celebrated her 21st birthday here. And her influence can be seen both inside and out. Jodie’s old polo sticks are crossed over the inglenook fire. A long bench near the front door is dressed with cushions made from the hessian material used to make horse feed sacks, held up with brass D-rings and leather straps straight from the tack room. Elsewhere on the walls are wood carvings made by volunteers from Help For Heroes, where Jodie is an ambassador. Her mother Wendy has planted the herb and vegetable gardens, which currently supply about 20 per cent of the food on the menu, as well as infusions for the cocktail menu. And Jodie has kept everything as environmentally friendly as possible – reducing food miles, banning plastic glasses and composting kitchen waste for example.