Guilio de Simone has waited 45 years to own his own wood-burning oven and to once again sample the taste of the home made pizzas and bread that he enjoyed in his native Italy. When he first came to England as a young man in 1962 he joined the family in th

Guilio de Simone has waited 45 years to own his own wood-burning oven and to once again sample the taste of the home made pizzas and bread that he enjoyed in his native Italy.

When he first came to England as a young man in 1962 he joined the family in the catering ­business. Even then his dream could not be realised, because planning permission to have one installed was always refused.

Time has moved on. Guilio, now the head of the family, and known as Poppa, after months of hard work has, with his family, finally transformed The Wheatsheaf at Eversden.

The pub is still a pub and still known as The Wheatsheaf, connected to La Pergola restaurant, with that long-awaited pizza oven, plus a viewing window.