Greg Wise got to experience a lot of pubs when he played rugby in England for the Market Rasen and Louth club.

And, to help pay for his education, he also managed the club’s bar.

When he returned home to Waterford, he was unsure of his future plans but realized he missed the bar work.

So, last Feb. 9, he opened The Gibbled Goose, a British-style pub, in a partnership with his mother, Lorraine Skarratt, who owned and ran a pub in North Yorkshire, England, before emigrating to Canada 15 years ago.

"He had youth and courage on his side," said Skarratt of her son.

The family has lived in Norfolk County since arriving in Canada. Wise and his two older brothers, Allister and Howard, all attended Waterford District High School.

In Grade 9, Wise joined the high school rugby team and loved it. He went on to play for the Norfolk Harvesters, as well as two seasons for an Ontario team and an elite academy squad, called the Rogues. He played for nearly a year for Market Rasen and Louth, in the small town of Market Rasen in the district of Lincolnshire.

Wise came up with the concept for his pub, chose its name and found a building at 22-26 Main St. S., which, with help from his brothers, was gutted and renovated. A patio soon will be ready for summer use.

During the construction, Wise would ask his mother a lot of questions about running a pub. She soon realized that she missed it, too. So, their partnership was formed.

The pub’s name intrigued me. I found an older reference that stated that gibbled means odd, dysfunctional, marching to the beat of one’s own drum. An urban dictionary gives the meaning as very drunk. I suppose patrons can choose their own meaning.

The reason for "goose." I’m told, is that geese are found in both the United Kingdom and Canada.

The owners said they want their pub to be fun and casual and that the name is intended to convey that.

Menu highlights include crisp-battered fish and chips, shepherd’s and steak pies, as well as bangers and mash.

The Gibbled Goose is fully licensed, offering beer, spirits and wine

The pub holds regular and special events.

Trivia Tuesdays will start again in September, and a comedy night is set for November. Live music is featured every Friday night, with no cover charge. Acoustic Rooster performs on June 29 and a local band, Old Twenty-Four, plays on June 30. On July 21, a DJ will host an evening of country music.

The events and entertainment are organized in a partnership with Black Creek Events.

When a neighbouring business, Brushed Designs, suffered fire damage, Wise and Skarratt wanted to help. So, they established a fundraising event.

On July 28, The Gibbled Goose will host a dinner and show, featuring a performance by Zane Griffiths, with proceeds going to help Brushed Designs owner Tracie Plommer to reopen her popular gift and design shop. Tickets are $30 a person.

For more information about the the Gibbled Goose, visit its website, check out Facebook and Instagram or phone 519-443-4442.

Carol Steedman is a freelance writer who lives in Waterford. Readers can contact her at goffsteedman@execulink.com.