Twenty-seven years ago, Helen Wilson and Chris Cochran joined Fullers from Wetherspoons. They became the first managers of the Mad Bishop & Bear at Paddington station. There was however no staff accommodation at the Mad Bear and so they agreed to take on the nearby Victoria as well because it did. At the time, the Victoria was a failing pub but they turned it around. Chris remained at the Victoria but, after maternity leave, Helen moved on to manage the newly opened White Horse in Wembley (which sadly has no real ale) and then, finally, to Fuller’s flagship pub, the Admiralty in Trafalgar Square.
Helen continued her innovative management style, introducing events such as Burns Night, Trafalgar Day, Black Tot Day and others, much to the bemusement of the many tourists! Many of these events raised money for charity. The Admiralty has links with Sambrook’s Brewery in Wandsworth and there have been several collaborative brews. Helen’s last night at the Admiralty was celebrated by the release of one called Flaming Farewell. Duncan Sambrook and John Hatch were also in attendance. CAMRA’s West London branch were there in force to wish Helen a long and happy retirement and present her with a certificate in recognition of her services to cask ale. Having seen his pub become West London branch Pub of the Year in 2024, Chris is also retiring and left the Victoria on May 29.
Wanda Piontek
