Issue 82 – Autumn 2020 Special Online Edition Magazine of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA Stonesfield Group In Bid To Save Last Pub In The Village Soon after the successful com- pletion of the first community pub buy-out in our Branch (see story below right) is news of another possible local campaign to save one of North Oxon’s pubs – the White Horse in Stonesfield. The village boasted six pubs in the early 20th century, but there is a very real danger it could soon see its last remaining pub close if a deal cannot be agreed to buy it from the current owner. The White Horse was continu- ing to operate as a viable busi- ness at the start of this year, but after COVID-19 struck, the ten- ants opted for a change of life- style, announced that they would be leaving the pub in March. By July the ‘For Sale’ boards were up, rumours of a possible hous- Now they have until January to pub brings us together fantasti- ing development opportunity. find the asking price of £395,000. cally well, we just couldn’t see it Undeterred by the economic Steve Callaghan, Chair of the sold for development. We want challenges of national lockdown, steering committee for the cam- a thriving and successful pub a group of residents embarked paign, said: “Stonesfield is a won- that people will love to visit again on the task of raising the funds derful community with so many and again. So far 420 residents to buy the White Horse and run things going for it. The village Continued on page 3 it as a community pub. Within weeks they had formed a com- pany and triggered a six-month White House, Bladon Community Pub Latest moratorium on the sale (it had A lot has been happening at accepted by the previous own- already been registered as an the White House in Bladon, the ers, Greene King, with shares Asset of Community Value). first pub in our Branch to have in the pub being bought around been purchased by the local the world, including the USA, community – and they have Australia and South Africa. announced that it will all be up As soon as the deal was sealed and running by early October. the group wasted no time in The Bladon Community Pub putting together plans for a group took the keys of the pub major programme of decorating on 23rd July, after its bid was Continued on page 5 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://northoxon.camra.org.uk Give us a call to book a table on 01295 730750 and come and enjoy our Traditional Comfort Pub Grub, with a good selection of Hooky Ales, Ciders and other beverages to choose from. https://www.facebook.com/Butchers2015 Family friendly – swings adjacent to pub Pub Opening hours car park Monday–Thursday Dog friendly 4–11pm Cyclist and Walker Friday 3–11pm friendly! Saturday & Sunday Hook Norton ales noon–11pm Large grassed garden with excellent views Food hours Hidden gem Monday–Friday Recently refurbished 5–9pm interior Saturday noon–8pm Ales from the cask Sunday noon–3pm including three Hook Norton ales and one Check us out on Twitter guest ale @BBalscote Tel: Shutford Road 01295 730 750 BALSCOTE Oxon OX15 6JQ Quality Ales Handcrafted in Oxfordshire Unit 6 Wroslyn Road Industrial Estate Freeland Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 8HZ DARK & SEEDY VANILLA STOUT Tel: 01993 881 941 SMOOTH – RICH – MOREISH Website: http:// littleoxbrewery.co.uk/ Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ littleoxbrewery/ Find them at a pub near you, visit our shop or buy online 2 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 White Horse Community Buy-out and local MP Robert Courts has praised the project on FaceBook. Continued from front page and locally-made pastries and The absolute key will come have told us they agree and are cakes. In these days of increased when the community share in favour of our campaign called remote working, the chance for a offer goes live. It will be a stand- #backthewhitehorse.” break and change of scenery dur- ard offering in line with the Keen to learn from others and ing the day seems more impor- Plunkett Foundation’s model follow a tried and tested route, tant than ever, so hi-speed wi-fi … one member one vote in a the Stonesfield Community Pub will be a pre-requisite. Community Benefit Society team have successfully applied to All this thinking is flowing into structure, open to all. the Plunkett Foundation’s ‘More a new business plan for the pub For more info please visit than a Pub’ scheme.. alongside learning from analysis www.backthewhitehorse.com The group is very clear that of some 50 community pubs up or on Facebook and Instagram. the pub brings its village togeth- and down the country. T-shirts are on sale as well as a er, creates a real sense of com- COVID brought people closer book about the history of pubs munity and contributes positive- to their communities and this is in the village written by local ly to village life both socially and hopefully not lost on the author- resident Douglas Rudlin (see economically, not just for those ities either. Stonesfield’s Parish review on page 6). You can also that use it, but alongside other Council have backed the scheme register for updates and notifi- amenities like the local school, with a grant of £4,000 to help cation when shares go on sale or shop and sports club, it supports with campaign operating costs you can make a donation. the overall attractiveness of the village as a place to live. Welcome To The Autumn Edition In August, some 360 residents responded to a community sur- Thank you for taking the time Contributions are always wel- vey. 75% percent thought that to download the Autumn 2020 come. Many thanks to all those losing the pub would have a neg- online edition of Beer on Tap. who have contributed to this lat- ative impact on their lifestyles We hope you enjoy the read. est edition. and around 80% said they would If you have enjoyed the con- The next edition of Beer on actively support buying the pub. tent please share the links to the Tap will be published online in The survey also gave feedback website via your favourite social mid-November. Please send any on what villagers (in Stonesfield media and mention you have copy or ideas for inclusion by and surrounding villages) would enjoyed reading the magazine 25th October 2020. want to see from a community- when next in your local! Editorial Team Beer on Tap run pub, which has helped to forge a business plan. Steve and CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List his team feel that this would be BRANCH WEBSITE much more in keeping with the https://northoxon.camra.org.uk ‘More than a Pub’ concept. CHAIRMAN Lynne Baldwin The local Stonesfield commu- [email protected] nity has reported that it wants ACTING VICE-CHAIRMAN Paul Forrest (see below) a place to drink good beer, so BEER ON TAP EDITORIAL/ Oliver Sladen the team intends to work with ADVERTISING [email protected] local breweries to ensure this is fulfilled, but villagers also BRANCH CONTACT Martin Batts Tel: 07854 116408 want good food as there is now [email protected] nowhere to eat out in Stonesfield SOCIAL SECRETARY Stu Robbins Tel: 07871 277235 and the team aim to meet [email protected] that need with simple, locally TREASURER Simon Whitehead sourced, freshly cooked lunches [email protected] and dinners, and also to make MEMBERSHIP Paul Forrest it a destination pub for cyclists, SECRETARY [email protected] walkers, etc., and maybe offer PUBS PROTECTION Brian Wray take-aways as well with wood OFFICER fired-pizzas among other ideas. [email protected] The final clear message from WEBMASTER Matt Everard the village is that they’d like the [email protected] pub to double up as a café during Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/northoxcamra the day, with quality coffees/teas Twitter: @northoxoncamra Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 4 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Bladon Community Pub To Open In October Continued from front page ing throughout the building and and improvements inside and commercial deep cleaning of the out. Through their Facebook main kitchen and toilets. page they mobilised large num- Johnny Roberts – formerly bers of volunteers over recent of the Four Candles in Oxford weekends to undertake a long – has been appointed as land- list of tasks, such as sanding lord, and he is looking forward down and treating garden furni- to moving in with his partner ture and fencing, gardening, and and son to make Bladon their painting. new home. A head chef, David Other work has been done by Fowler, has also been appoint- professional companies, such ed – so everything should be as urgent roof/window repairs in place for the pub to open its and to remove some large trees doors by early October. which were deemed unsafe. In Although the group have the spirit of a community pub, closed applications for share they have also appointed a local offers, they continue to accept interior designer and painter/ donations towards the ongoing decorator to give the pub a new project, and you can still offer look inside. volunteering help on their web The pub’s chimney now has a page at https://bladoncommuni- new flue liner, new borders and typub.org/volunteers-weekly.