Summer 2013 FREE – Please Take One

Issue 53 – Summer 2013 FREE – Please take one

Newsletter of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA

A Successful 13th Festival The thirteenth Banbury Beer and see us out with his char- Festival was certainly a festival ismatic set of popular classics of fine ales with over 80 being with a few alternative foot- delivered and ready to drink stompers thrown in. New to during the three days as well the festival this year was RD as 20 ciders and perries and Walker of Moreton-in-Marsh a selection of fruit wines. It sup along to. Friday was who did the catering and the was a slow start to proceedings busy, but not compared high quality offerings were well as the weather seemed to put to recent years, though there received, especially the pig roast people off, but on Friday even- was still a big crowd in and a on Friday. ing the crowds returned and we good buzz. Saturday lunchtime Also new this year were fruit were blown away by the turn out the hall rocked to The Heist, and wines which proved a hit along- on Saturday with many drinkers with drinkers packing in despite side festival favourite ciders enjoying the live music, if not the weather which threatened, which again sold well and includ- the weather. An encouraging 19 but never delivered, a torrential ed a couple of Cumbrian ciders new members signed up to join downpour. The evening saw Pete to complement the Cumbrian CAMRA during the festival, we Watkins overload the electrics Continued on page 3 look forward to seeing them at some of the socials and perhaps Chequers, Chipping Norton is even the helpers trip, more of which later. Branch Pub Of The Year 2013 With doubts over whether the festival would happen this year it was good to see the people of North Oxfordshire vote with their feet and support the event, ably assisted by many from all over the country. Customers from as far as Blackpool, Preston, Cambridge, Southampton and Sheffield joined in the fun with many staying overnight, or mak- ing a weekend of it, in the local hotels and guesthouses. However with joint organizers Jerry and Steve standing down there is an air of deja-vu with the festival needing an organizer for the 14th to go ahead. Voting for the North Oxon a Branch meeting held at The Thursday night was reason- CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013 Bell in Banbury on Saturday ably busy, with the excellent took place earlier this year 16th March. The finalists were Reverend Ferriday providing and completed forms were The Bell, Lower Heyford; The the background music with submitted in sealed envelopes, Chequers, Chipping Norton; their blues rock for drinkers to to be opened and counted at Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxoncamra.org.uk 2 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 A Successful 13th Banbury Festival Continued from page 1 theme for the beers. Because of the difficulties in getting beer from the top end of the country 17 of the beers from smaller breweries were collected and returned by members of the Branch from the Watermill brewery and pub near Kendal. It was certainly a trip that was made worthwhile by the quality of those beers one of which was the standout winner of the beer of festival vote. Hardknott Azimuth polled twice the number of votes as its nearest competitor and a presentation will be organized later in the The helpers trip, which is free to as far as Burton on Trent with year at the brewery in Millom. those who helped, will only go a visit to the National Brewery Centre on the 28th September. Then some time in the excel- Chequers Is Our POTY 2013 lent hostelries of Burton before we head back to Banbury with Continued from page 1 come into the pub to enjoy our a stop or two on the way home The Crown, Church Enstone; beers!” to sample somewhere new! You the Mill, Banbury; the Rose & John arranged for members of don’t need to have helped at the Crown, Charlbury and the Tite another Branch to also judge the festival to come along, please Inn, Chadlington. finalists, with the Chequers also contact the committee to regis- The final voting was close, being their top pub, confirming ter your interest. reflecting the extremely high that when it comes to decent Thanks go to all who helped standards you’d expect from the cask ale, CAMRA members and especially those who helped top six pubs in North Oxon. know their stuff! He told Beer on to collect and return the casks The initial count showed a Tap: “Jim should be very satis- as well as those who gave their clear winner and, despite four fied that not only has he won time to ensure the beers were forms being later declared spoilt the most prestigious award at served with good humour, in top because they didn’t have the CAMRA branch level but in the condition, especially those who membership numbers or signa- process has seen off some very joined us for the first time. I tures of those submitting them, strong competition!” hope we’ll see you all next year! the winner was declared by the committee to be the Chequers at Chipping Norton. CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List Run by landlord Jim Hopcraft, Email addresses are followed by northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk a Fullers’ Master Cellarman, CHAIRMAN John Bellinger BRANCH CONTACT the Chequers is proud to serve Tel: 07427 677854 chairman@ Martin Batts contact@ its Cask Marque accredited VICE-CHAIRMAN Tel: 07854 116408 ale and this latest achievement Paul Forrest vicec@ PUBS OFFICER underlines the effort put in to BRANCH SECRETARY Brian Wray pubs@ serving the perfect pint. Jim Lynne Baldwin-Kramer PRESS & PUBLICITY CONTACT was delighted to accept the Tel: 07790 118341 secretary@ Tim Wilkins press@ award from Branch Chairman TREASURER Nick Faulkner YOUNG MEMBERS SECRETARY John Bellinger at a presentation treasurer@ Jim Hopcraft young@ attended by Chequers regulars WEBMASTERS BEER ON TAP EDITOR Martin Batts and and CAMRA members from Steve Lympany bot@ Geraint Jones webmaster@ all over the county and said: Tel: 07811 667507 “I’d like to thank all the Trading Standards: Oxfordshire MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry CAMRA members who voted Helen Jones membership@ Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY for us and for all the people that Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 Beer On Tap Survey And Beer

This event is expected to Writers Workshop prove very popular and places In response to an article that Contact Branch Chairman John will be available on a first come appeared in the last edition of Bellinger to arrange for a North first served basis, with North Beer on Tap (Issue 52), we are Oxfordshire CAMRA approved Oxon Members having first carrying out an online survey to independent surveyor to contact refusal by applying before end of find the views of all our read- you at a time that is convenient June, after which time members ers, not just CAMRA members, to you. from other branches may apply. on what they think about our The survey will close on To help us ensure we fill all Branch magazine and what Thurs-day 29th August, after places a deposit of ten pounds changes, if any, they would like which time the results will will be charged, which will be to see. be analysed and used to plan refundable on attendance! To As an incentive to take part, a Members’ Beer Writers take advantage of this unique we are entering everyone who Workshop. opportunity to be part of the takes part in the survey into a The workshop will be held future of Beer on Tap contact free draw for the chance to win on Saturday 9th November in John Bellinger, NOW! a case of Fullers’ bottled beers the boardroom of the Hook courtesy of our Branch Pub Norton Brewery – courtesy of Please take the time to have your of the Year, the Chequers at James Clark, Managing Director, say on the future of Beer on Tap at Chipping Norton. Brewing – and will feature guest www.surveymonkey.com/s/ You can take part in the speakers Tom Stainer, Editor of beerontap survey by logging in to www. CAMRA’s Beer magazine and and if you would like to attend this surveymonkey.com/s/beerontap What’s Brewing newspaper, along special Beer Writers’ Workshop – to give us your opinion or, if with Tim Hampson, freelance book up as soon as possible to make you prefer, you can request to journalist and Chairman of the sure you get a place complete the survey by phone. British Guild of Beer Writers.

4 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Branch News The Fox, Westcott Barton Congratulations to Jerome & Stacey from the Horse & Groom, Caulcott who More shock news as Tony & tied the knot in May. Photo: Carol Malin Jacqui left the pub mid-May after failing to make it pay after re-opening at the end of January, dominoes all represented full story on page 14. Then with quiz nights planned within a week the Fox re-opened for Wednesdays and poker with Brian and Kaye at the helm. nights on Thursday. With over 30 years of experience The Fox is still a proper of running pubs they have made pub with both children a good start to their tenure. and dogs welcome as well The exterior of the pub has as anyone else, especially been redecorated and other than if you like good beer! The Festival over the weekend of that they are leaving things pret- decision on the beer festival on 12th to 14th July. Jerome has ty much as they were. The beer the August Bank Holiday hadn’t been busy with other plans is as good as ever with three been made at the time of going in recent weeks, but can now ales currently available. Hooky to press. turn his thoughts to the pub’s is the regular beer the other two North Arms, Wroxton beer festival with 18 Ales, plus change regularly with XT, Sharps four ciders including the ever and Fullers all having been seen Disturbing news emanates from popular ‘Pyder Cider’. Music and on the bar. Open 12–3 and 5–11 Wroxton as it seems that the food will be available at all ses- daily they are flexible in those new owner of the North Arms sions, including a hog roast on times depending on custom. is a property developer who has Saturday. Beers will be available Food is traditional pub food expressed a wish to convert it to on the Thursday Preview even- with sausage, egg and chips, a house. ing if you can’t wait until the steaks as well as a pizza menu The local community are ral- weekend. all available 12–3pm and 5–9 lying round and a campaign daily, including Sunday roast. has started which CAMRA is The Harrow, Enstone The pub still keeps its sports backing with Pubs Officer Brian Despite rumours of a sale and teams with Aunt Sally, darts and Wray gearing up for another epic struggle. We wish them well with re-opening it still seems to be up their endeavours to save one of for sale, or lease, according to the Branch’s unspoilt gems. the sign outside! Horse & Groom, Caulcott Coach & Horses, Congratulations to Jerome and Adderbury Stacey who tied the knot at Stone Tony & Shani have brought Barn, Aldsworth, Glos., on 4th many changes to this popu- May. White Horse Brewery pro- lar village outlet. Their two vided two ales for a venue which Wadworth’s beers, Henry’s IPA doesn’t sell real ale; Village Idiot and 6X are likely to be joined by which disappeared by early even- a guest in the summer, in fact by ing and Wayland Smithy. the time you are reading this! Not quite as momentous, but Their food menu is also still with a White Horse theme attracting regular diners with was the Meet the Brewer night dishes priced at £3.50 or which went really well (see page below. The extraordinary value 29) when Andy from White includes chicken curry/chilli con Horse Brewery visited the pub. carne and fish chips and mushy Brian behind the bar at The Fox, Westcott Jerome is planning to hold peas. Sunday lunches are only Barton his annual Bastille Day Beer £4 per head. The pub also pro- Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 Beer Festival Equipment Hire of Barrel stillage, cooling, taps, bars, etc. Barrel (9gl) Stillages/Racking, traditional wooden 2 x 9gl, 12 x 9gl Tel: Taps, Chiller Saddles & Insulation Jackets Chillers Remote • Handpumps 07770 Bar units – 2 metre long and flooring 938300 Photos and a very competitive price list are Based available on the website near Web: www.beerfestivalequipment.co.uk Bicester Email: [email protected]

6 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 vides entertainment which on The newly- Saturday 27th July will be Andy refurbished bar at Stone starting at 8.30pm. reopened White Lion, Fewcott Red Lion, Cropredy Diversification is the name of opened up, the game at the Red Lion these giving a feeling days. There is not only a music of much more shop in the pub but now every space to relax Mon–Wed it has post office in. The newly facilities operating out of the refurbished bar from 9.30am–1.30pm. This bar was packed novel idea was featured on Radio Oxford when it started with locals on in April. its opening night and Paul With the Fairport weekend over £4,000 has been pledged. fast approaching the music line- reports that his sales of real ale The next venture at which up at the pub over the period are such that he is changing beer Carol & Jamie will be hoping Wed 7th–Sat 10th August is more frequently now, with the to boost this year’s charity fund as follows. Wed 6–8pm, The ever changing beer on the three will be their beer and music fes- Boys; 8–10pm, Swarp Band; new handpumps all selling very tival on 19th–21st July Thur noon–2pm, Gareth quickly. Gwyn; 2–4pm, Steamroller; With one or two minor items The Bell, Lower Heyford 4–6pm, The Scholars; 6–9pm still on order it’s good to see Aaron Keylock; Fri noon– this previous Branch Pub of Not content with her place in 2pm, The Dylan Band; 2–4pm, the Year back serving its local the Pub of the Year competi- Freewheeling; 4–6pm, Big community. tion, Lyn has wrung the changes Baloosh; 6–9pm, STM; Sat with a new menu and changes Hare & Hounds, Lower including a Sunday lunch special noon–2pm, Vagablond; 2–4pm, Wardington Bushfieldsmith; 4–6pm, Paul with two courses for £9.95 with Green with Diesel Dust; 6-9pm, At this year’s prestigious Hooky a choice of beef or pork and a Gwyn Ashton. Awards in April, the Hare & list of starters to choose from. Hounds justifiably scooped the Also special deals on steak and Butchers Arms, Balscote Best Community Pub Award as a half bottle of wine for £10 are The Butchers Arms has its it regularly raises thousands of available 6–10 Mon–Thurs. Annual Summer Beer and pounds each year for charity. Poker has started on Monday Music Festival on the weekend Landlady Carol Wixey and nights and depending on how of 1st June, which is probably partner Jamie Murray said the popular it is it will either stay too late for this magazine, but award was down to the huge or not! Similarly, quiz nights we aim to have a full report next amount of support they receive will stay if the demand is there edition. Expect eight ales and from the local community. “I’m and Aunt Sally teams play on some cider and great music. absolutely delighted”, Carol said. Wednesdays – so make the most of Lyn’s effort and get down to Swan Inn, “It’s very special to the pub, I just think it’s what pubs should The Bell! Ascot-under-Wychwood be. I’m a big believer in the old Brasenose Arms, We believe that the Swan will fashioned village pub”. Cropredy re-open at the end of June Participants at the pub’s first with two chefs who previously quiz each year choose a charity A charity beer festival held in worked at the Tollgate, Kingham for the pub to support. In the aid of Warwickshire & North- at the helm. We hope to have past year punters and staff have amptonshire Air Ambulance more in the next edition. raised £7,800 for Macmillan will be held at the pub over the Nurses and this year the cho- weekend of 6th–8th September, White Lion, Fewcott sen charity is the Alzheimer’s with the 8th being drink up day, Some good news – after being Society. Fundraising events if there’s any left! flooded in November, and include quizzes, darts matches, They plan to have 20 real ales closed since, the White Lion raffles, the annual beer festival from local breweries and cider at Fewcott opened again at the and cycle ride. In May 20 cyclists in the garden with pints priced beginning of May. set off from the pub to cycle at £3. Saturday will have some The bar has been rebuilt around inns in the area to raise quality live music as well as a and extended and the fireplace cash through sponsorship and barbecue and an ice cream van. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 8 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 The Cock Inn at Combe – There will be a cash prize quiz a freehold opportunity night every Sun, with the 4th for a new owner after being off-loaded by Sun each month changing to Greene King. Let’s hope a charity quiz. Live music and it is back serving its entertainment will feature one community soon. weekend each month on a Fri or Sat evening. tinue with James Plans are well under way for Drinkwater & a darts team (including a ladies Friends on 23rd team), Aunt Sally, and a pool June and a com- and dominoes team. edy lounge on The pub has a good selection 30th June and of fine single malts behind the more every week bar and Craig plans to add to throughout the that collection. I look forward to Cock Inn, Combe summer, check winter evenings by the fireside out the website www.thekilling- sampling those delights. This superb village pub that worthcastle.com for full details. Good luck to Craig & Jess looks out over the village green Food nights continue with a from all at BoT. at Combe is being sold off by Greek night on 11th June. 9th Greene King. We hope this will July sees Spanish, with Italian on Dun Cow, Hornton be great news, but, before we 13th August and French on 10th Charity quiz nights carry on jump too high for joy, we’ll wait September. with one on 3rd July starting at to find out who buys it! The pub is open from 9am, 8pm. £2 per person with four in In the meantime, a bar is seven days a week and is on a team. opening at the back of the pub Twitter (@thekillingworth) and each Friday evening as a tempo- Facebook (Facebook.com/ Pear Tree, Hook Norton rary measure. We hope to bring thekillingworthcastle) to keep New to the Pear Tree is Quentin good news in the autumn issue. up to date with all the news. Creese, though not that new as Wychwood Inn, Shipton- King’s Head, Fritwell he use to work part-time behind under-Wychwood the bar with Laura Riley the More good news – this time to previous tenant. The pub previously known as report that the King’s Head is He has a background in hotel the Red Horse continues its open again. Craig & Jess opened management for 11 years in renovation and is to become a the doors on Saturday 18th May; hotels such as the Swan Hotel hotel/inn. We will see what tran- just three days after Jess gave in Bibury, the Kings Arms in spires on the beer front in time, birth to a baby boy, Stuart-Lee. Chipping Campden and the though it should be open soon Two beers are currently on Howard Arms, Illmington. and plans to appeal to locals. offer, Hooky Bitter and Hook Open all day every day, with Norton Lion with the Bitter Killingworth Castle, on good form when I called Wootton in. Craig plans to have Hooky Following on from last edition Bitter ever present with two the Killingworth Castle is still other handpumps changing ales. working to open its new dining He hopes to have something room and are hoping that it will from the XT range on next. I be ready by early July. shall look forward to that on my Already finished and being next visit. made use of in the odd nice days The pub is open noon–11pm we’ve had is the newly renovated Mon–Thurs; noon–midnight Fri garden which was described as & Sat; noon–10.30 Sun. Food is ‘like tropical undergrowth’ and is served 12–3 & 5.30–9pm each now a gorgeous space to sit out day (not Mon). Traditional pub and enjoy an ale when the sun meals served in the restaurant comes out. The Aunt Sally team with basket meals on offer in the is up and running and all new- bar. Sunday will feature a tradi- comers are welcome to come tional Sunday Roast menu. In along and try out this pub game addition, a take-away menu will Quentin Creese – a familiar face behind the peculiar to this area. be available in the bar until 11pm bar, but now running The Pear Tree, Hook The Sunday Socials con- Fri & Sat. Norton. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 The at Westcote Fox Inn Barton Tel: 01869 340338

www. the-fox. co.uk

NORTH OXFORDSHIRE CAMRA BRANCH PUB OF THE YEAR 2012 Under New Management

QUIZ NIGHT FULL MENU EVERY TO EAT IN OR WEDNESDAY TAKE AWAY at 8.30pm Call 01869 340338 for Fun quiz full details or pop in to Everyone welcome see us

n Up to Five Real Ales n Homemade Food served every day n Sunday Roast 12.00–3.00pm n Regular Live Music n Quiz Nights Wednesday n Large Suntrap Garden

10 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 the full range of Hooky beers, house, with Anthony Pitcher, he hopes to make the pub a from the High Table, as chef. formidable brewery tap and a We made two visits, first for traditional local with bar food a pint and a chat just a few days available lunchtimes and eve- after opening, and the second nings except Mon. This makes two weeks later for supper on for an ideal stop after a brewery a weekend evening when we tour or a pre-tour meet. had the Brakspear Oxford Gold There is already a ladies darts and the guest, Ringwood Forty- team and the Aunt Sally pitch niner (4.9%). is being revamped. The four The atmosphere is definitely letting rooms are being refur- upscale/chic with new furnish- bished and are ideal for those ings and a trendy menu, yet partaking in brewery tours or reasonably priced. Starters were staying in the area. The brewery £4.50–£8.50, mains £9–£16.50, still delivers by horse and dray and desserts £5.50. Everything on Thurs lunchtimes. is made on site, and the presen- Carpenters Arms, Stacey and Vicky working behind the bar at tation was impressive. Our meal the newly-reopened Sturdy’s Castle. came with an unexpected com- Middle Barton plimentary pre-starter but we As we go to press the pub ing Hobgoblin to supermarkets chose a starter from the menu sports a sign declaring it will cheaply, so he stopped selling as well. The desserts menu open soon as an Indian restau- their products. He never did get included a sampler of all the rant, we await to see if it has a response! items presented on a slate. any real ales. Now he sells two ales, one Fraser & Anthony have Fox Inn, Souldern Hooky beer, Lion on my visit, retained the pub atmosphere in and a changing guest ale which the bar area, and take reserva- The pub’s annual Beer Festival has recently seen Black Sheep, tions only for the main dining takes place over the weekend Old Speckled Hen and Doom Bar areas and the larger dining/ of 26th to 28th July, with this on the pump. Monday is Cask function room. year’s theme being The Good, Ale Night so from 5pm all real The pub is open Tues–Sat The Bad & The Ugly Ales from ales are £3 per pint. They also 12–11 with food available around the country. sell real cider with Weston’s Old until 9.30pm (closed Mon) & Of the 18 beers and two ciders Rosie available on the bar. 12–10.30 Sun. Tel: 01993 708 on offer, expect to see offerings Open from 7.30–10am for 792. The pub has an ample car such as ‘Bucking Fastard’ from breakfast and then from 11–11 park and sunny pub garden. the Northumberland Brewery, with food available from 11–10. The Mill House Hotel, along with ‘Cunning Stunt’ from The pub still sells its jacket the Fuzzy Duck Brewery. potatoes with a variety of fillings Kingham There will be music all week- as well as what is described as This beautifully appointed hotel end, with Adderbury Morris proper pub food, which features with smart restaurant and bar back as usual for 1pm on favourites like steaks, beef & has been doing very well after Saturday. Food will be avail- ale pie and beer battered cod & many improvements have been able all weekend with a BBQ on chips. They also serve a Sunday made and is now selling three Saturday. It all starts at 6.00pm roast all day with a two-for-one real ales in its new bar area. on Friday. offer on their roasts and selected Old Auctioneer, Banbury Check the website for details. meals all day every day. Steak www.thefoxatsouldern.co.uk/ night is Wednesday, but this The Old Auctioneer reopened, Beer%20Fest%202013.asp will change, as a curry night is very quietly, on Wednesday 29 Sturdy’s Castle expected to take over. They also May with Steve Borman front of have a conference room and a house and his partner Mary, a This landmark pub on the 20-room hotel on site. keen cook, in the kitchens. A4260 between Tackley and Since At Leisure took over Kidlington re-opened under the The Lamb, Crawley the business, they have had to ownership of business partners This pub, a Brakspear property, completely refit the kitchen and Jon Ashby and Paul Whitehead, reopened in April after a freshen- sort out the dilapidated cellar previously of the New Inn, ing up/makeover with two young (despite a complete make over Wroxton Heath, where read- gents from Oxford at the helm. being done just a couple of years ers will remember they had Fraser Nicolson, previously in ago!). Steve & Mary are plan- an issue with Wychwood sell- the pub trade in Oxford, front of ning a grand opening in the next Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton OX7 5NP 01608 644717 • www.chequers-pub.com

Regular quiz night, live music and other happenings 6 Top quality ales Fine wine Delicious food Our restaurant and barn can be booked for meetings and parties 5% discount on everything for CAMRA members with card Sunday–Wednesday

A Traditional English pub next door to the theatre

12 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 month, once they’ve sorted the Arms in Gilsborough, Northants, outside furniture, fully trained but decided on a new challenge. Branch Diary the staff, etc. The ales available on opening All meetings start 8pm, other events They have many years’ experi- are Deuchers IPA (3.8%), Flying start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn ence in the pub and food trade Scotsman (4%) and Golden XPA Baldwin (07790) 118341. and were previously at the Ward (4.3%), all from the Caledonian JUNE Brewery. The first two will be 8th: Branch AGM, Chequers, Beer on Tap regular with the XPA being Chipping Norton deliverers needed replaced from time to time with JULY other beers from the same stable. 3rd: Social (Charity Quiz)*, In the kitchen Mary will be Thanks to Helen & Geraint Dun Cow, Hornton preparing locally sourced food, who have stepped forward to AUGUST cooked from fresh at the point cover Weston on the Green Social at the GBBF. Check of ordering, and a new menu area, but we still have vacancies website for details will be developed over the com- for clustermasters, people who SEPTEMBER ing weeks to consist of tradi- look after a cluster of pubs and 18th: Committee Meeting, tional pub food, with plenty of deliver Beer on Tap to these White Horse, Wroxton vegetarian options. pubs and act as a liason between 28th: Beer Festival For entertainment, there will Helpers Trip** CAMRA and the landlord. be quiet background music, NOVEMBER We really need someone to occasional live music and silent come forward to deliver Beer on 9th: Beer Writers’ TV showing BBC News 24. Workshop***, Hook Norton Tap in the Banbury area. It is great to see the Old Brewery Please contact either the Auctioneer open again and we Editor or Secretary for details of * Register with Paul Forrest wish Steve & Mary luck in their ** Contact Steve Lympany for details the pubs and what is involved. new venture. *** Register with John Bellinger Prince Charles Having A Beer With Jamie Oliver

Charles: “I say, this is a jolly con- or the sort of mixing bowl, as Norton I notice. I shall be happy venient place to meet, and no you might say, of the so-called as long as those wretched press one much about.” ‘Chipping Norton Set.’ ” fellows keep away. All those Jamie: “Well, yer Royal Highness, as Charles: “Sorry, old bean, but photos of the Queen Mother and they say in the book, a bit of local I’ve no idea what you’re talking myself pulling pints and drink- knowledge goes a long way. You about.” ing them. Bally things displayed wanted somewhere quiet and I Jamie: “Well, it’s like the ingre- in every Young’s pub for years knew you fancied a beer or two.” dients in a dodgy recipe, yer afterwards! Damned awkward Charles: “I must say you’ve done Highness. You’ve got your Prime for a chap – other chaps con- a splendid job, Jamie, nice quiet Minister, whose house is just tinually taking the …” garden with a gorgeous view, down the road. Then, up the hill, Jamie: “… Mickey Bliss!” you’ve got your young Jeremy right next to an Oxfordshire Charles: “Quite, quite. Now, just pub. Cheers!” whatsit … you know, the driver Jamie: “Well, you see, it’s like this, bloke. Then, up the other hill remind me why we’re having this your Maj, it’s a Tuesday lunch- you’ve got the lovely redhead jolly old get together, Jamie, old time, we’re stuck well out in the what used to run the currant bun. fellow?” countryside, and The Tite Inn ‘as Also, down the hill, you can now Jamie: “Believe me, your Maj, an a loverly garden … know what I find old Murdoch’s daughter. So, ordinary bloke like meself only mean?” how’s about that for a fun recipe!” comes to see royalty when e’s beckoned, as you might say. See Charles: “I say, this beer is in Charles: “Well, I think I know what I mean?” good heart, in fact I’d say it’s what you mean. I just hope they frightfully more-ish. In fact, I’d are not planning to descend Charles: “Gosh, you mean I con- say time for another!” upon us! Could be frightfully tacted you! I think it’s about Jamie: “Sit still your Maj, I’ll pop embarrassing as I won’t know coming to Highgrove to do a in and get a couple more.” who they all are!” bit of your cooking thingy with (Returns) “Now, I’ll let you in to a Jamie: “Well, you’d know the Prime some of my organic stuff. What little secret, but promise to keep Minister, wouldn’t you, sir, and about that? shtum?” he’s the only one who might Jamie: “Sounds just the ticket! Now, Charles: “Have no fear, my good drop in, cause he uses this boozer time for one more pint?” when he’s at home I’m told.” chap. Whatever that means I’ll Charles: “Security chappie’s look- not let you down.” Charles: “Never mind all that, ing a bit impatient … but, come Jamie: “You see, the amazing thing let’s have another pint of this on, one for the road … as they is that we’re right in the middle, super beer, brewed at Hook used to say!”

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 The Fox, Barton: Example Of The Need For A ‘Fair Deal’ too much for Tony & Jacqui who rejected the amount put forward Tony & Jacqui took over The by the pubco and responded Fox in March 2011 after it was with an amount, a decrease in closed for several months and their current rent, which they turned it into a hugely successful felt was fair but which they pub. Within a year of taking on could afford – though would by the tenancy they had won the no means make them well off! prestigious North Oxfordshire The pubco rejected their offer CAMRA Pub of the Year title and a stalemate ensued whereby and had created a pub that was Tony & Jacqui decided that ful New Year’s Eve. Tony found at the heart of village life. they weren’t going to bankrupt another job and plans were made However, the tenancy they themselves and announced the to move out. Then, a week before took on was one in which closure of the pub. The pubco’s they were due to vacate the pub, the rent to the pub company Regional Manager (RM) came to their new RM approached them (pubco) went up incrementally the pub to hold an open house and asked if they really wanted each year and in the small print for people who wanted to run to leave. was one extra increase whereby their own pub within the pubco Their response was “no”, so he offered them a reduction in the rent could go up by infla- system. Many locals took this opportunity to speak to the their rent of £10,000, more than tion plus a set amount. Added they’d asked for, so without hes- to this were extra costs enforced RM and put their point across itating they said yes and signed by the pubco, like insurance, about the future of the pub and the new contract. Unfortunately accountancy, central heating the excellent job both Jacqui & the contract they signed put maintenance, health & safety Tony had done. Several villagers them into special measures as audits, cellar equipment main- even wrote to the local MP and if they were a failing pub. They tenance and fixture and fittings PM David Cameron who to his went onto a weekly rent and depreciation, which added up to credit visited the pub, with his had all credit for their beer, etc., an additional £10,000 or therea- family, on the Sunday before it withdrawn. On top of all that it bouts per annum. As well as all was due to close and spoke with was only for three months and this they had to buy their beer Tony about the issues he faced the three months after they re- through the pubco at roughly and asked what he could do as opened were the worst they’d twice the cost of the free trade, his local MP to help. Tony spoke had with trade down drastically. though some were more. The to him at length and the pub In the end they were haemor- third year’s rent was going to be duly closed after a very success- rhaging money and the bank called time on this ‘successful’ North Oxon CAMRA Branch AGM village pub. With Tony & Jacqui both The Branch Annual General don’t know him but were at the working in excess of 80 hours Meeting will take place on Banbury Beer Festival may have a week for about a pound an Monday, 8th July at 8.00pm, at seen him, as he was in charge of hour, well below the legal mini- the Chequers, Chipping Norton. the cider bar, including choosing mum wage, and over the last The agenda has been circulat- and ordering the splendid range six months neither taking any ed to members and we hope to that was on offer. wages at all they had to accept see as many people as possible Other roles to fill, include the inevitable and the pub turn out to support this impor- Campaigns Officer, Good Beer closed early May. tant date in our Branch calendar. Guide Co-ordinator, LocAle Asked if he’d go back in to the One of the main items on the Coordinator, Public Affairs trade he never hesitated and agenda is the election of officers. Officer, Social Secretary, Assistant his eyes glinted. “Definitely,” he With the exception of Treasurer, Beer on Tap Editor and Banbury said. “If they wanted £40,000 a all other officers are prepared Beer Festival Co-ordinator year for a totally free of tie lease stand again, if that is the wish Any member who would like I’d bite their hands off.” He still of the members, for another to find out what these volun- hopes that someone may buy year and the outgoing Treasurer tary roles entail, including that The Fox off the pubco in ques- is prepared to work with his of treasurer, should contact tion, but they don’t want to sell, successor. In addition to the Branch Chairman John Bellinger so whoever does buy it will have current officers, whose names for details. Most roles require to pay over the odds. and roles can be found on the a minimum of two hours per A cautionary tale for those Contact List in this issue, we have month, some are ‘seasonal’ and looking to go into pub tenancy, co-opted Stephen Finnie, aka others are as required by current the devil is certainly in the detail Finn, as Cider Rep. Those who circumstances but all can be fun! and the small print! 14 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Great Tew Oxfordshire

Email: [email protected] Tel. 01608 683653 Food is served daily in the bar 12–2.30pm utu Dog friendly utu The restaurant is open in the evenings Situated in the village of Great The Falkland6.30–9 pm ArmsTew, The Falkland Arms is the quintessential 16th century Eng- utu lish country pub. Featuring up to Open all day seven real ales, traditional cider, utu country wines, and a large selection of whiskies served in a friendly Accommodation atmosphere, it also has a beer garden available overlooking the Great Tew estate. Website: www.falklandarms.co.uk

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 The White Horse at Banbury Cross Up to 10 Real Ales

Home Cooked Food with local produce

50–52 North Bar Street, Banbury OX16 0TH

Tel: 01295 277484

www.roseandcrown.charlbury.com Email: [email protected] Market Street Charlbury Oxon OX7 3PL Tel: 01608 810103 OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am Sat: 11am–1am • Up to seven quality real ales, two FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC EVENTS traditional ciders and a traditional perry See www.myspace.com/theroseandcrownpub as there are sometimes gigs at short notice • Hoegaarden Belgian White Beer, Leffe Sat 29 Jun CLAUDE BOURBON Blonde plus the rare Duvel Green on www.claudebourbon.org draught Sat 13 Jul ROLAND CHADWICK • Good selection of English fruit wines www.rolandchadwick.com Sat 27 Jul JAMES HOLLINGSWORTH • Pleasant courtyard drinking area www.jameshollingsworth.com Sat 24 Aug TOMMY ALLEN & • We serve on average 40 different guest JOHNY HEWITT www.myspace.com/ beers per month, produced mostly by tommyallenjohnyhewitt Sat 7 Sept KING SIZE SLIM microbreweries from all four www.kingsizeslim.com corners of the UK Regular ROSE & CROWN SESSIONS on the third Sunday each month North Oxon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2009

Celebrating 26 continuous years in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

16 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Looking For Local Support? … Just Call Aunt Sally There is a certain occupation in this region of the country that is proving truly addictive. If you dream of hurling heavy sticks at a little white dolly, trying to knock her off her perch, then you might want to join your local Aunt Sally team! There is bound to be a team located somewhere near you at a pub or club, and your secret desires could be fulfilled. An additional incentive is that there always seems to be much drinking of beer whenever the game is played. It may sound easy, but, believe me, this is a game of great skill. The very best players, with long The Aunt Sally “throw” at the Killingworth Castle, Wootton years of experience, can often knock the dolly off with all six pubs, including the Black next to the pitch providing seat- sticks, and this has to be achieved Prince, Woodstock (4 teams); ing for those watching support- with a clean hit, without touching the George & Dragon, Long ers. Landlord Darren Grant tells the metal stand. Now that kind Hanborough; The Plough , me the game has brought in of standard takes lots of practice Finstock; the Cock Inn, Combe; good local customers and very and plenty of skill. the Killingworth Castle; the helpful extra summer income. Just in the Oxford area, includ- Three Horseshoes, Long “The players often bring part- ing Kidlington and Woodstock, Hanborough; and the Mason’s ners, families and friends along, there are 100 teams playing in Arms, North Leigh. especially on fine evenings”, said ten leagues every week. I know The Black Prince, Woodstock Darren. Let’s hope that there are that it is played throughout is only in its second season, more of those this summer! North Oxfordshire, and just in but now has four teams playing At the superbly refurbished my patch it is played at many there and improved facilities Killingworth Castle in nearby Wootton, the whole garden and Aunt Sally pitch were complete- Chadlington Charms Us Again ly re-landscaped only a couple Saturday 1st June saw the 10th Bingham’s Hot Dog Chilli Stout of months ago. The local team festival at Chadlington, and as (5%). It was a well-chosen range is made up of pub staff and vil- usual it attracted punters of all with all ales being right on song. lagers. I found them starting a ages enjoying the sunny weather Keep an eye out for next year’s match using the new pitch, play- with music and ales in the pic- date, as this is a small but hugely ing against The Mason’s Arms turesque village hall garden. enjoyable beer festival – and it’s team. It was a very cold May This is a fantastic event for all to raise funds for good causes. night. all the family, with music and Keith Rigley “Well, at least it’s stopped food all day – a chilled raining!” said the home captain out place to sample the 21 with a note of optimism. ales, and traditional cider/ He told me that they had only perry (with Cotswold played five games, but that there lager and Pimms). was plenty of enthusiasm. My favourite was Oak Clearly, setting up an Aunt Leaf’s Hole Hearted Sally pitch can be a great invest- (4.7%), a golden full- ment for a pub as long as you flavoured ale with a floral, have the space available and also hoppy bitterness, though some enthusiasm from a few of others were impressed by your locals. It certainly seems the Partners Brewery’s to be a serious part of living in Oxfordshire. Tabatha (6%) and Geoff Clifford Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 The Rock Canal-side garden and moorings 15 minutes from Jct 9 M40 (A34), of 300 yards from B4027/4095 jct Gibraltar Historic pub 1880 Enslow Bridge Faith & Stamatis welcome you Bletchingdon OX5 3AY Open from 11.00am all day (except Tel: 01869 331373 Tuesday, from 4.00pm) Lunchtime bar food 12.00–3.00pm Evening à la carte restaurant 6.30–9.00pm (closed Tuesday) Sunday – home-cooked Sunday roast 12.00–3.00pm A selection of real ales

Open fireplace Small private functions Business lunches

18 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 White Horse, Banbury, Beer Fest Beer Festival DIARY The White Horse beer festival Batemans, Ramsbury and of June ran from Thursday 25th April course White Horse, comple- 7–9: Butchers Arms, Balscote until Sunday 27th with the added mented by two traditional ciders Beer and Music Festival. 8 real intrigue that Steve the landlord and a barbeque. Live music was ales 4 ciders and live music. had no idea what was going to by The Cat & Fiddle a tradition- 14–15: Stratford-upon-Avon turn up until they arrived! This al folk band who played English Beer Fest, Stratford racecourse. 55 ales, 25 ciders and perries. left him without any tasting and Irish music and J.E.E.P. a rock, pop Indie/Blues/Soul cov- 29: Charlbury Beer Festival, notes which he had to trawl the Charlbury Cricket Club. 50+ internet for and make them up ers band. real ales & cider, food and at the last minute. A successful festival that I look music and the World Aunt There were 20 real ales with forward to visiting next year. Sally Championships brewers like XT, Loose Cannon, Rich Bloomer July 6: Haddenham Summer Festival, Haddenham County Junior New Brewery In Lower Brailes School. 80 real ales & cider, live Although the new brewery isn’t and they have two beers at the music and kids entertainment. actually in the North Oxon moment. Pale Whale is a 3.6% 12–14: Dun Cow, Hornton Beer Branch area it is certainly close zesty blonde ale which is receiv- Festival featuring East Anglian brewers. BBQ on Fri night. enough to warrant a mention. ing rave reviews and was one of 12–14: Bastille Day Beer Festival, Edward & Tom Coyte started the first beers to sell out at this Horse & Groom, Caulcott. 18 Whale Ale in spring 2013 in year’s Banbury Beer Festival. ales & cider, food, entertain- the Warwickshire village of The Ruby Moby 4.0% is a ment. Lower Brailes after securing the beautifully balanced darker beer 19–20: Warwick Lions Beer capital from various start-up and also sold out at the beer fes- Festival, Warwick racecourse. schemes. It is run solely by the tival. Both beers are made with 30 real ales & cider, live music, brothers and is running at close 100% British ingredients which hot food to capacity. The brewery is a is core to the breweries ethos. 20: Hook Norton Beer Festival. 5 brewers barrel length which Keep an eye out for these locally 50+ real ales and cider. Noon gives 20 firkins of beer per brew brewed beers in the freehouses till when the beer runs out. 26–28: Fox, Souldern Beer of the Banbury Festival. Details to be finalised area and we 27: Brackley Round Table look forward Charity Beer Festival, Brackley to seeing them Park. 50+ beers with ciders. at next year’s AUGUST Banbury Beer 2–3: Cogges Beer Festival, Festival. Witney. 40 real ales and cider, music, games and barbecue. Edward and Tom 13–17: CAMRA GREAT Coyte in their new BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL, brewery based in Olympia, London. Loads of Lower Brailes. Keep an beer and cider, the one to go to eye out for their beers (after Banbury!). SEPTEMBER at a pub near you 6–8: The Bell, Lower Heyford Beer Festival. Details tba Beer On Tap in Florida, USA 13–15: Finstock Ale Festival. 20 real ales & cider (all Oxon Here is Jeff Hudson from beers. Fri: 6–11pm; Sat: noon– Melbourne, Florida, USA, reading 11; Sun: noon–10. Food Sat & a recent copy of Beer on Tap which Sun, entertainment Sat. his old Charlbury drinking chums 28: Stonesfield Septembeerfest. send to him on a regular basis. 22 beers & 3 ciders for those not going to Burton! Food, live Jeff was a regular in Charlbury music and a champagne tent! when based there in the early 1990s OCTOBER – but at least he can still find out 9–12: Nottingham Beer Festival. what’s happening on the North 1000+ real ales and ciders. Oxfordshire drinking scene by read- 17–19: Oxford Beer Fest 120+ ing the local CAMRA newsletter. real ales, cider and perry.

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 Church St, Stratton The Red Lion Audley, Bicester, PUB & RESTAURANT OX27 9AG Stratton Audley, Oxfordshire Tel: 01869 www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk 277225 A warm and inviting thatched country pub and restaurant. The open log fires and traditional pub fayre create a homely atmosphere for casual or formal dining in the main dining area or in one of two private rooms seating up to 16 or 45 (more if buffet style). We have an enclosed traditional courtyard garden with facilities for barbeques in the summer and dining outdoors which can be booked for private functions with the use of a marquee. Most of our food is locally produced and everything on our menu is cooked freshly to order so we are able to accommodate any special requests for variations. Our Specials board is updated on a daily basis. Our range of drinks includes traditional cask ales – Ruddles, Deuchars and Spitfire – along with other beers and a wide range of wines (see our wine list online for more details). The Red Lion has regular Live Entertainment events – check the special events section of our website for further details. Opening times: 12 noon until late every day. Food times: Noon–2.30pm and 6.00pm–9pm Mon–Sat, Noon–4pm Sunday. Proprietor: Frank O’Neill

20 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 A Visit To The National Brewing Centre For my birthday I received an The Worthington unexpected and absolutely bril- microbrewery set-up liant present of a ‘½ Hogshead’ tour of the National Brewing Next up was a Centre, (thanks Sarah). This look over the Robey comprised a tour of the brewing steam ‘Tandem museum and the Worthington Compound’ engine microbrewery followed a beer (1905 to 1959) and and food matching session. the No.9 steam Unfortunately we were let train and directors’ down on the transportation coach, which date front, at the last minute, so my back to when Bass mate Martyn ended up driving, Brewery had it’s (not a great result for him), but own steam railway we got there in plenty of time network. for the 11am start. There was also a description The brewery produces 6.5 The tour started with meet- of the Burton Union method of thousand bottles a week of ing the other four ½ hogshead fermentation. This is credited Worthington Red Shield (4.2% tourists over tea and coffee in with maintaining the strains of abv), White Shield (5.6%) and a the museum shop. Then we yeast used in Burton brewing in seasonal, currently Spring Shield were led by our personal guide a relatively stable state until the (4.2%), and the brewery tap through the museum itself. mid-20th century. is the only place to be able to The museum contains loads of More facts: Bass took out the drink them all from the cask. interesting breweriana including world’s first trademark – the red Now to the beer and food the original mash tun ceremo- triangle – on 1 January 1876. matching (interrupted by a fire niously stirred by both King Apparently they had an employ- alarm). We tried a local sausage Edward V11, in 1902 and Queen ee camp outside the trademark matched with Red Shield, a Elizabeth II, in 2002. office overnight to ensure they blue cheese with White Shield, The tour guide imparted were the first. a pork pie, with Sharps’ Doom plenty of anecdotes and facts The tour then visited a mock- Bar (all of which were good as the tour progressed, includ- up of a pre-war pub which has matches) then a prawn vol-au- ing the facts that Molson Coors an original, gold leaf painted vent ‘matched’ with a rather produces 3m pints of Carling, mirror on display. It was discov- tasteless Coors Lite!! Finally we (apparently Britain’s best selling ered in a garage in the 1970s, had a mint chocolate with Blue beer) per day, 8 million bottles worth an estimated £25,000! Moon, an American version of a and 4 million cans per week. It For the model railway enthu- Belgian wheat beer. was quite disconcerting being siast, there’s a massive layout One last interesting thing to that close to several million based on how Burton-on-Trent note was that one of the other litres of the stuff. looked in 1921, when 87 miles of tourists was the great-grandson Other interesting parts of the railway sidings threaded between of Lincoln Jefferies, the inven- tour included the Victorian sta- the terraces and breweries. tor of the air rifle. In itself that bles where the two shire horses, The tour next passed the is quite interesting, but not as 18-year-old Charlie and 8-year- Worthington microbrewery, interesting as the fact that he old Jacob, still bed down. which uses a very efficient invented the air rifle as part of seven pints of water a pub game called Bell Target for every one pint Shooting, introduced in the of beer (including 1890s after Queen Victoria was cleaning). The water advised about the poor standard is drawn, not from of shooting during the Boer War. the River Trent, but As Martyn had to drive from their own well (thanks mate), we didn’t spend which has an esti- as long as we’d have liked in the brewery tap, so we are both mated 700 years of looking forward to the Banbury water left in it. Beer Festival helpers trip back here in September when a coach The mash tun which has been will carry us there and back. stirred by royalty. Rich Bloomer Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 22 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Inside The ‘Secret’ Donnington Brewery Recently I had the rare privilege of a tour (with North Cotswold CAMRA Branch) of Donnington Brewery, one of the most picturesque breweries in the UK and possibly one of the most unal- tered since the late 1800s. We were greeted by Jonny Arkell who gave us a brief history and showed us around. The brewery is housed in a 13th century mill that use to belong to Broadway manor. In the 16th century the mill race was built and it was modified for the wool the 1960s but now buys the heart of the building. In front of industry. Later it was converted malt from Norfolk with hops this were pumps that bring the to a corn mill and inside are from Hereford & Worcester and spring water in from under the most of the original cogs, stones, water from its own spring. brewery. Onwards into the cel- gearing and exterior waterwheel After the brewery’s history, we lar and a chance to sample Gold for the grinding of corn. This entered the brewery with Jonny and Double Donn. wheel can still be used. Arkell (James’s son) and went I’d like to thank Roger Price In 1827 Thomas Arkell back in time. At the top of the for the invite and Jonny Arkell bought it and brewing started in building is the malt room where for a tour of a fascinating old 1865 by his grandson Richard. grain is emptied from sacks into brewery in a stunning location. He sold his first brews to local a hopper then augered into the The brewery is only open to the estates. His two sons took over grist mill where it is cracked so public for pre-ordered beer and then Herbert bought his brother that maltose can be released in no tours are offered. out to continue brewing until the copper. In the floor is a trap After the tour we visited The Lawrence Claude took over the door with a winch above which Fox, Broadwell, a Donnington brewing when he returned from is powered by the waterwheel so tied pub, for lunch – a great the RAF after the World War II. the malt can be lifted here. pub, very busy with tip-top ale. He ran it until he died in 2007 We next visited the copper, Food is reasonably priced and and, as he had no heirs, he left an open one just next door. very enjoyable so well worth a the brewery to his cousins from This was once heated by fires visit if you’re in the area. The Arkells of Swindon, Peter and directly below but now uses estate consists of 16 pubs from James. James is now at the helm steam created in a new heating Great Barrington to Broadway and the brewery is flourishing. system. Next to that was the and Little Compton to Guiting The brewery grew its own hopback down a few steps. We Power. For details go to www. barley and malted it up until continued on to another room donnington-brewery.co.uk. just below the malt room to see Paul Worth the mash tun, then wound our way deeper in to the old mill and another room (to some a junk room) which had hidden treasures from bygone days like old beer bottles in crates and old pub signs from the estate. Other equipment can be seen in other rooms and an old school- type desk similar to the one I remember Claude Arkell sitting at when I collected a polypin several years ago. We continued round this awe- some old building into the fer- menting room and, wow, what a great smell greeted us. Then as we meandered further we The mash tun and hopper went past the wheel that is the The water pumps for spring water

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 Under new management Deals may no longer apply

24 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 CHURCHILL & CORNWELL CIRCULAR WALK By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks An easy but interesting stroll with broad vistas of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Distance: Approx 5.5 miles. houses ahead. Go through a gate a road where you turn left. Walk Allow: Approx 2.5–3 hours. in the corner then walk diagonally up and over the old railway bridge Map: Explorer OL45 (Cotswolds) right to pass to the right of the then cross two more low bridges Parking: The Chequers pub has end garden’s hedge. On reach- over streams beforeSALFORD taking a right a car park at the rear, and there is ing a rough road turn left and fork at a triangle (signed Salford). often parking on the roadside just take a gravel track to the right of After 250 yards,A44 turn left on a along the pub at the front. Churchill Grounds Farmhouse. bridleway which crosses the road Great views and good variety on a Follow the gravel track where it and keep the hedge on your left. walk in the rolling hills of the far changes to a dirt track and keep In the next field, keep straight north-west of our Branch, from the walking along to eventually reach ahead across the field, aiming for fine, stately village of Churchill to the sleepy, hidden estate hamlet of Cornwell, crossing the course of the Cornwell dismantled Kingham to Chipping Norton railway which closed in Cornwell Manor 1969 on the way there and back. With your back to the pub’s front door, turn left to soon pass an odd massive drinking fountain set back from the road on your right. Walk past the first left turn, go past a bus shelter then take a left fork Kingham just after the memorial to William Hill School Course of old railway Smith (born in Churchill and Hill Farm famous for drawing the first geo- logical map of England and Wales in 1815) to enter a marked bridleway across the road ahead. Churchill Walk along the tarmac track, go Grounds Farm & through a five-bar gate to enter Cottages a forecourt and look for a blue waymark ahead to walk past a row of stables before taking a wooden gate to enter a narrow green lane between a hedge and fence. Exit B4450 the green lane via a gate, walk straight ahead keeping the hedge on your right, then take a track into a wood which passes to the left of an old barn. Follow this Sarsden well-defined track (can be quite Halt muddy) to eventually leave the wood then turn right and walk on keeping the hedge on your right. After going through the second gate, go diagonally left in the CHURCHILL next field, aiming for a protrud- ing hedge corner, walk round the corner, keeping the hedge to your START right and aiming for some farm- Course of old railway Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 a bend in the road ahead then not correct. As you near the edge take a right fork at the next trian- of the wood you will see a way- gle to walk up a narrow road. marked post next to a collapsed After passing a house and junc- stile. Go through the gap to enter tion to your right, take a path on the wood and keep straight on, the left, marked ‘D’Arcy Dalton down a dip to a stream, over a Way’. Go through a gate and walk bridge then turn diagonally right down a hill, keeping the hedge on to climb up a slope to enter a field, your left. Cross the stream over a where you can see a well-defined bridge and walk in the same gen- path towards some houses ahead. eral direction, going uphill, aiming At the far end of the field, go for a wide lane between fences through a kissing gate to enter ahead (ignoring a stile on your a paddock then walk round the right which goes into a wooded Cornwell Manor from a gate by the walk route hedge of the last garden of the area). Ahead in the trees you will row of houses and walk along a see St. Peter’s Church, which Keep ahead in the same general short green lane to go through a serves the small estate village of direction to find a bridge over a kissing gate to reach a road. Turn Cornwell – a tiny church with stream with a metal gate at each left on the road to go uphill for some Norman remains but exten- end in the next field boundary. about 50 yards then turn right on sively rebuilt in 1830 and 1882. Cross the bridge and walk ahead a gravel track (marked ‘D’Arcy Enter the churchyard via a metal keeping a fence on your right, go Dalton Way’) and keep straight gate and follow the gravel track through another gate and head on along a narrow tarmac path past the door (usually open to uphill to take a gate in a tall ley- to reach another road. Cross this visit). Keep on the track to leave landii hedge ahead to walk along a road and take a green lane oppo- the churchyard by another metal concrete road through a farmyard. site (to the right of a chapel), go gate and walk towards Cornwell Keep straight on past the barns through a gate at the end then Manor along a narrow track with and houses to follow the road turn left, aiming for Churchill’s a metal fence each side. ahead round to the left, ignoring church tower. Go through a gate, On reaching the rear of the a track to your right. Where the keep straight on between rear gar- manor house, follow a waymark road bends to the right, take a dens and a farm building to enter diagonally right, go through a wide track straight ahead, keep- a concrete courtyard, then take metal kissing gate, then keep ing the hedge to your left. About some steps in the far left to find straight ahead (ignoring any stiles halfway along this hedge, take a narrow path which leads to the on your right) aiming for a narrow a marked path diagonally right car park behind The Chequers. green lane bounded by a hedge across the field, aiming for the far Churchill boasts two churches. and fence, accessed through a gate right field corner. Down the hill towards Sarsden or kissing gate (that starts just Take a wooden kissing gate, Halt is the old All Saints (only the past a tennis court), which soon cross a wide green lane and con- chancel remains) which was once brings you to a dirt track in front tinue along the D’Arcy Dalton at the centre of the village before of tall trees where you turn left. Way, keeping the hedge on your a disastrous fire in 1684 destroyed Follow the dirt track round to left. At the far corner, cross a 20 houses and killed four people. the right then take the left fork to plank bridge, go through some The new All Saints was built in join a tarmac road downhill past trees, then take a kissing gate to the 1820s with money from the the houses of the Cornwell estate. enter a field and walk diagonally owner of nearby Sarsden House, Keep along this road as it goes right, aiming for the end of a row James Haughton Langston, in the down and then uphill and turn of trees ahead to find a wooden new village centre. Its tower is a left when you reach a T-junction. footbridge. Cross the bridge, turn two-thirds scale copy of Oxford’s Opposite the entrance to right then take a kissing gate on Magdalen College Tower with Cornwell Manor you will see two your left. Go up a bank, cross the other features borrowed from waymarked footpaths on the right disused rail bed, down the other Oxford colleges. The graveyard of up a bank. Follow the left-hand side, cross a plank bridge then the old church is still in use. waymark to walk uphill diagonally follow a well-defined track going Pub on the walk route left. After going over the crest of diagonally right across a field. The Chequers, Churchill. Open: the hill, aim for a wooden kissing At the first field boundary go 9am–11pm every day. Food: gate. Go through the gate to enter over a plank bridge and walk on Mon–Thur noon–3 & 6–9.30; a path through woodland to reach in the same general direction. At Fri/Sat noon–3 & 6–10.30; Sun an open field. Here you need to the far side of the next field go noon–4pm. Tel: 01608 659393. walk in the exact direction of through a gap in the hedge and www.thechequerschurchill.com. the waymark (aiming just left of then go slightly diagonally left Up to six real ales (often some real Churchill church tower on the towards a wood (following a well- surprises) and a good selection of horizon ahead) and go down the trodden path) – note: don’t fol- craft beers in keg and bottle. Smart hill to find waymarks on a post low the direction the waymark and spacious inside with great food next to a bridge over a stream. points to as, unusually, this is and professional, friendly service. 26 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 The Duck on the Pond A charming traditional freehouse Open seven days a week All day Saturday and Sunday

Serving a variety of hand pulled ales and fine wines We offer an extensive menu of traditional English and cosmopolitan cuisine from our a la carte menu and daily specials board Roasts also available Sundays Vegetarian menu

These can be enjoyed in our restaurant, bar area or alfresco on our delightful patio overlooking the pond Bookings taken Parties catered for Families welcome Large beer garden and car park

Telephone: 01295 721166 Main Street, South Newington, Nr Banbury, OX15 4JE Only 10 mins from Banbury / Chipping Norton. Situated on the A361 www.duckonthepond.com

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 [email protected] www.thefoxatsouldern.co.uk Dating back to 1803 The Fox is nestled in the picturesque village of Souldern and offers: • Traditional style home cooked food. • Three Real Ales (two of which constantly rotate), sourced from around the country. • Four en-suite bedrooms.

Lower Heyford

21 Market Square, Lower Heyford, Oxon OX25 5NY 01869 347176

• Varied guest ales from all over the UK • Five minutes walk from canal • Large beer garden Open: • Listed in the Good Beer Guide Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Families and dogs welcome Friday & Sat 12–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available Sun 12–10.30pm • Food served Mon–Sun 12–3pm & 6–10pm

28 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Meet The Brewer At The Horse & Groom On the 4th April Jerome held a of sausages, made with Meet the Brewer evening, with White Horse bitter. A White Horse Brewery MD Andy very informative night Wilson. In the lead up to a very in good company and successful St. George’s Day Beer some excellent beer Festival at The White Horse, and one which we hope Banbury, Andy, spent an evening Jerome will repeat. at the pub meeting locals, and Alan Mitchell introducing us to how the brew- Andy Wilson meets the locals at ery came into existence. He went the Horse & Groom, Caulcott at on to explain the stories behind the Meet the Brewer night the various brews and regaled us with stories of how they got their names. Beer On Tap in Cumbria Two White Horse beer were Continuing with the Cumbrian theme flowing well all evening for us to we see Mike Lympany checking the sample; Village Idiot, and a spe- Branch News for an update on his cial brew of Giant. Rather than favourite North Oxfordshire pub, the using finings to clear the beer, Fox Inn, Westcot Barton. He’s relaxing this batch of Giant had simply after an enjoyable birthday celebration been cold fermented for around at Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwiate, five weeks in readiness for the Cumbria and Bassenthwaite Lake evening. Andy thought that is clearly seen in the background. the beer was a little too cold to Although Armathwaite doesn’t sell drink on the evening, but an real ale he still had a great birthday experiment I’m sure he will per- lunch and he can’t wait for his next severe with. To complement the visit to The Fox and some decent beer. beer, Jerome had cooked a batch

Lower Heyford Road Caulcott OX25 4ND Tel/fax: 01869 343257 This charming, thatched 16th century freehouse, in a peaceful, rural setting, offers four real ales (over 200 different ales annually) with White Horse Bitter ever present. An interesting and wide ranging menu is available lunchtime and evenings (not Sunday evenings and Mondays), served in the restaurant, bar or garden. Choose from the daily specials board or the speciality sausage menu offering 12 varieties of O’Hagan’s sausages. Small parties catered for; booking recommended No children under 10 years old Voted Pub of the Year 2010 by North Oxfordshire CAMRA www.horseandgroomcaulcott.co.uk Opening times: Mon-Sat: 12–3, 6–11; Sun: 12–3, 7–10.30 Jerome Prigent

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 Discovering A Cumbrian Cider Maker As usual Banbury Beer Festival ties of Hereford, Worcester Cumbria. Garry likes to press was a great showcase for real and Gloucstershire and brings single variety apples and he’s cider and perry. The theme the apples to his own press in used the varieties Kingston for BBF this year was Cumbria Black, Browns Apple, Dabinett, and with a little investigation and Michelen amongst others. we found a cider maker in the He also experiments with rum county, Solway, in the hamlet of and whisky barrels which gives a Moss Side near Newton Arlosh. flavour he really likes. I met the owner, Garry Parsons, He also makes smaller quanti- on a recent visit and acquired ties of perry and would love his a couple of 20 litre boxes of his own orchard one day. The soil cider for the festival, one dry conditions and harder climate and one whisky aged. dictate which types of tree will Garry is from Bristol and grow in Cumbria, but the big- is a fan of the West Country gest hurdle is finding a market style using proper cider apples. for his products as Cumbria is He gets most of his apples hardly a centre for cider, but we from a friend at West Croft in hope he can convert the locals Somerset. The rest of the apples so that Cumbrian cider is taken he sources from orchards in Garry’s cider press where he presses many of as seriously as its cousins from Somerset and the three coun- his cider apples the south! The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2012 Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles are those of individual contributors, and are not necessarily the views of the North Oxfordshire Branch, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. North Oxon CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by North Oxon CAMRA. Edited by Stephen Lympany • Designed & Produced by Keith Rigley, Charlbury, Oxon • Printed by Information Press, Eynsham, Oxon

30 Beer on Tap – Summer 2013 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31