There was a time when we were in our local at least once every week. Then Covid hit and made those days feel like a distant memory.

The Water Meadow in Melksham isn’t really a local in the traditional sense - it is a chain pub on a housing estate, not a community pub in a small village.

But when we knew all the staff and a good number of the regulars, who we would frequently chat late into the night with and cobble together for pub quiz teams - it was a proper local to us.

With a long absence due to Covid lockdowns, four months spent abroad, and a number of lovely staff members moving on, we wondered if it would still feel the same when my husband and I walked back into the pub together for what may be the first time in a year.

A cry from behind the bar from the amazing assistant manager Kayleigh when we walked through the door, set us off on the right foot. She had read that we were bringing a dog on our online booking and she knew that meant Missy. She said she had been excited to see her again as she rushed over to welcome us.

Every time we visit the pub our little cockapoo Missy is adopted by staff and customers alike and made a real fuss over. She loves it. So much so, she pulls on her lead to go into the pub whenever we pass by. Any other crazy dog owners will know - people/places loving your dog puts them straight into your good books.

Clearly we are not the only ones who love the pub - as ever, nearly every table was full and the mood was warm and bright.

But this is a food review - so it’s probably about time I got to that.

This visit I decided to start with an elegantly served blood orange gin with Fever Tree tonic, while my husband had his usual Guinness, despite the extensive range of cocktails, spirits and wine on offer.

We should know better but we ordered dough balls and a cheesy garlic pizza to start. Anything out of the pizza ovens is a winner here - but even the starters are meals in themselves, despite their misleadingly cheap price tags. We had to get half of it packed up so we wouldn’t ruin our mains.

I have often craved the pub’s delicious mixed grill and I wasn’t disappointed. You do need to be hungry - they are huge and, as with everything on the menu, fantastic value. My husband went for a classic burger - which again never lets him down.

There are a few less inspiring items on the menu. I have seen rather limp nachos served and had a very average bland apple pie. But apart from a few bad apples nearly everything I’ve had on the extensive menu has been very satisfying indeed.

For dessert, I tried their sticky toffee pudding for the first time - and it was just as good (ok maybe better) than the homemade versions I’ve made recently and been very proud of. My husband, stuffed to the brim, settled for a fresh triple espresso.

Our server Matt was as friendly and efficient. as we have become accustomed to.

With all this for £50, you can’t really go wrong. If you live in Melksham I highly recommend giving it a go. But book in advance because long gone are the days staff could move heaven and earth to fit you in no matter what.