Stonesfield Group in Bid to Save Last Pub in the Village

Home , Great Tew, River Glyme, Stonesfield

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 continuing to operate as a viable business at the start of this year, but after COVID-19 struck, the tenants 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 company 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. We containers have been planted in will of course offer a full report Above: Felling the dangerous trees the garden area. Current pro- on the reopening of the pub, Below: Treating the garden fences jects include fitting a new kitch- which will hopefully be well and en to the new tenant’s accom- truly in business in time for the modation, carpeting and floor- Winter edition of Beer on Tap. There has been a lot of work going on at the White House Community Pub in Bladon – with volunteers of all ages and specialisms getting involved in the huge list of jobs that need to be done in time for the pub to open its doors in October.

Above: Sanding down garden furniture Below: New landlord Johnny and partner Francesca join in with the decorating

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 Stonesfield Book Helps To Save Village Pub Local pub historian Douglas and 1971 as it became a dormi- Rudlin – who has lived in tory village for people working Stonesfield for many years – has in West Oxfordshire and Oxford. written and published a book In 1871 there was a popula- on the pub history of his village. tion of 537 who had a choice of This is to coincide with the cur- visiting seven pubs in the village rent campaign that’s happening (which equates to one pub for in the village to save the White every 76 inhabitants). However, Horse, its last remaining pub. by 2011 there was just one pub The book is called The Life left, despite the population now and Times of the Inns, Taverns being 1,527 – and that is the cur- and Beerhouses of Stonesfield, rent focus of the local campaign. Oxfordshire, and it covers the Like his previous books, the period from the mid-18th centu- information for each of the pubs ry up to today. includes a short intro about the Douglas has produced two pub’s history, newspaper arti- previous books on pub history – cles that have appeared over the one on Witney, and another on years, a list of licensees and also Charlbury – and this book fol- century saw the population grow some great historic images. lows a very similar formula. as the local gloving and roofing As usual, the research and Stonesfield appears in the slate industries developed. scope is impeccable, and is an Domesday Book (as Stunsfeld, Emigration of locals to man- essential book for those interest- meaning ‘Fool’s Field’ due to ufacturing towns or abroad ed in local pub history. the very stony ground that was (especially British Columbia in Available for £10 from https:// unsuitable for agriculture) and Canada) took place during the www.backthewhitehorse.com/ there have been various ebbs late 19th and early 20th centu- shop/p/book (ask about P&P). and flows of the population ries before a major population All profits from sales of this book since medieval times. The 17th boom happened between 1951 will go to the campaign funds. The George Inn, Lower St, Barford St Michael Telephone: Banbury OX15 0RH 01869 338160

Following a complete A charming 17th Century thatched pub and RESTAURANT HOURS guesthouse in Barford St Michael, not far from refurbishment in 2017 and Mon–Fri: 12–3pm, 5:30–9:30pm now under new ownership and Oxford on the edge of the Cotswolds Saturday: 12–10pm management, The George Inn Sunday: 12–6pm brings to life the true essence of a country pub, serving a broad BAR HOURS variety of delicious food. Mon–Sat: 10am–Midnight Sunday: 12–10:30pm Our head chef has created a variety of dishes that focus on 20p off ales for CAMRA members local, sustainable and, above all, (on presentation of card) quality ingredients. [email protected] From classic pub dishes and traditional Sunday roasts, to new https://thegeorgebarford.co.uk favourites with a modern twist, there’s something delicious for DRINK • EAT • STAY every taste.

6 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 CAMRA’s Beer & Brewing Podcasts Online The Campaign for Real Ale’s heritage recipes and Geoff Episode 13: A collab with new podcast “Pubs. Pints. Brandwood who will talk about Pop Culture Brews People.” brings you interesting CAMRA’s pub heritage cam- In this special one-off foot- stories each week about the paigns. notes episode to celebrate pubs world of beer, cider and pubs. Episode 7: Beer diversity reopening on the same day as Tune in every Tuesday with Independence Day, Katie sits hosts Katie Wiles, Ant Fiorillo Improving diversity in beer has been a big topic in recent years. down with Pop Culture Brews and Matt Bundy as they chat to for an extended interview on special guests and learn about We will sit down with Ignition Brewery about how they’re American vs British beer. beer writing, brewing jobs, cider Episode 14: Ecobrewing making and more. Each episode recruiting people with learning includes a ‘dive’ into CAMRA’s difficulties to work in the brew- We’re learning all about eco- 50-year archive and a beer and ery and also Emma Inch, beer brewing and sustainable initia- food recipe, courtesy of food diversity champion and multi- tives by sitting down with Purity editor Sue Nowak award winning broadcaster. Brewing and Farr Brew. Episode 1: Unsung Heroes Episode 8: Homebrewing Episode 15: Experimental vs traditional brewing There are a lot of jobs in brew- Homebrewing is booming during aside from making the beer. ing lockdown – let’s find out We will be chatting about Sit down with David Bremmer how to brew our own with experimental brewing meth- from Robinsons Brewery to find Homebrewtique founder Claire ods – like Ora’s Tiramisu stout out how they got a band like Russell and former homebrewer and limoncello IPA – and how Iron Maiden to collaborate with turned professional, Andy that compares with traditional them, and Ben Watson, sensory Parker of Elusive Brewing. brews such as Timothy Taylor’s test lead at Beavertown Brewery. Episode 9: Foraging and landlord. Episode 2: All about beer mixed fermentation See: https://camra.org.uk/podcast/ writing Join us as we learn about sours, Learn all about the art of beer foraging for ingredients and Archival Beer Movies writing with legendary beer mixed fermentation with the writer Pete Brown and Roger Little Earth Project and Adnams To Watch For Free Protz. Brewery! Episode 3: Craft Beer Episode 10: Diving into the The British Film Institute is cur- history of CAMRA rently offering some very enter- We interview Craft Beer In light of CAMRA’s 50th fast- taining short films and archival Channel’s Jonny Garrett and advertising shorts on their Channel 4’s Beer Expert Mark approaching, we’re sitting down with Laura Hadland, author of website at https://player.bfi.org. Dredge about what makes craft uk/free/collection/virtual-pub- beer really craft. the CAMRA biography due to be published next year, and one crawl. Episode 4: All about … of the four original founders, Some of the shorts are very cider! Bill Mellor. old and of historic interest, Learn all about real cider and Episode 11: The pubs while others are quite comical perry as we speak to cider pro- surviving lockdown (such as one with Michael Caine ducers Tom Oliver and Susanna advertising Watney’s before he Forbes as well as Cider Museum We’re sitting down with two got his break in the film Zulu). Director Elizabeth Pimblett. brewpubs to talk about how If you click on the lowest left lockdown has affected them – Episode 5: Women in beer link on the page mentioned The Hand in Hand in Brighton above you can see lots more old Hear from the women chang- and the Hail to the Ale pub in beverage adverts – not all beer, ing the face of the brewing Wolverhampton. however – which was certainly a industry as we sit down with Episode 12: American brews trip down memory lane when I Jane LeBlonde of Mothership Join us as we learn about looked through them. Brewing and Annabel Smith, co- Amongst the gems on the founder of Dea Latis. American brews and the power of hops by chatting with Lotte second collection are ads with Episode 6: Beer heritage Peplow, Craft Beer Ambassador Pete & Dud, many Guinness ads Learn all about beer and pub for Europe from the Brewers and cringeworthy plugs for evil heritage as we sit down with Association, and Tom Fozard, things like Whitbread Tankard, Beer Noveau to learn about Roosters Brewery. Babycham and Black Label. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 Restaurant Wed–Sat: 12–2.30pm & 6–8.30pm Sun: 12–5pm Bar Wed–Fri: 12–3pm & 5.30–11pm Sat: 11–11pm Sun: 12–6pm • A warm welcome • Fish specials every week • Large car park and spacious garden • Cocktails • Terrace and garden dining tables • Dogs welcome • The best of classics and modern food • The best in local and national real ales changing weekly – see Facebook for details Main Street, South Newington, OX15 4JE • 01295 721166 www.duckonthepond.com

8 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Branch News from a wide, ever-changing menu. The pub has reported its best ever food sales figures as the Eat Out To Help Out scheme has encouraged locals and tourists into the town. The Chequers has arguably the most interesting selection of guest ales in the town with a changing weekly real ale alongside the regular ESB, London Pride and HSB plus a Fuller’s seasonal offering. Thornbridge’s Jaipur IPA was in excellent con- dition on a recent visit. Killingworth Castle, Wootton, nr Woodstock The garden at the rear of the Duck On The Pond in North Newington has to be one of loveliest This large, comfortable, village places in our Branch area in which to enjoy an al fresco beer or two pub known locally as the ‘Killi’ is now open Wednesday to Sunday Duck On The Pond, The pub now has slightly noon to close, with an hour South Newington reduced indoor seating, but still closed between 3.30 and 4.30 to Gordon & Penny at the lovely has the garden view terrace with clean the pub. Keep an eye on 17th century Duck on the Pond new larger table and of course www.thekillingworthcastle.com/ have not wasted the lockdown the large garden for outdoor and Facebook page for updates. period. Time was spent develop- dining to offer a relaxed and safe A small but excellent menu is ing the garden with four new environment for customers. in operation from noon–2pm borders, two wild areas, a dry The Chequers, and 6–9pm, with their outstand- ing roast available noon–3pm stone wall and a rockery. Chipping Norton In addition, the kitchen was on Sunday. Booking is essential fully refurbished and they have Darren at The Chequers intro- for food Wednesday and Sunday. introduced a popular new menu duced a successful takeaway They are still offering a takea- and a new cocktails/mocktails beer and food service through- way menu of both food and bot- list. The pub continues to sup- out the lockdown period – and tled Yubby ales. port local breweries including although the pub has reopened Draught ales-wise. two Hook Norton, North Cotswold its doors, those takeaways are draught ales from Stroud and Blackpit over recent weeks. continuing for those who may Brewery have been on the bar They have weekly changing ales still prefer that service. with Tom Long and OPA both (look to their facebook page for Food inside the pub has now on since the beginning of July. updates). restarted where you can choose The Killi has an lovely outdoor space to enjoy some late sum- DESPERATELY SEEKING PUB NEWS IN OUR BRANCH AREA mer sun and a decent pint. We are trying to keep on top of the many changes in the local pub scene in these difficult White Horse, Banbury times, and we need your help to keep us informed on news with your local pubs. This pub on North Bar Street If you have any news you want us to publish, you can easily do that by emailing the Editor, in central Banbury reopened in Oliver Sladen, on [email protected] July after running a takeaway We especially need information on any local pub closures, changes of owner/tenants, beer service during lockdown. details of any major refurbishments, etc. – with a photo or two if possible The kitchen is open Wednesday–Sunday (booking Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 10 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 advisable, especially Sundays). Bell Inn, Adderbury A village resident praised land- You can sit inside or outside The great news here is that dur- lords, Steve and Rebecca, in with table service only. ing lockdown Chris and Sandra transforming the pub in the 12 Hanwell Arms, Banbury have been able to re-assess months since it had re-opened their position and despite hav- and was delighted with the This modern community, ing previously handed in their enlarged and improved beer Marston’s-operated, local offers notice, they are staying on in garden after lockdown. a bar service with a strict one- a ‘holding position’ albeit with Bitter & Twisted, way system in force. reduced opening hours. Chipping Norton Recent visitors have report- Check their Facebook and ed a lovely pint of Marston’s website pages but recent- This re-opened post-lockdown Pedigree being on offer. ly reported hours have been and now offers takeaway food Bailiff’s Tap, Banbury Mon: noon–3pm & 6–11pm; and drinks for those not want- Tue–Thurs: 6–11pm; Fri & ing to dine in. After offering a series of short Sat: noon–midnight; and Sun: The rooftop ‘garden’ has sessions in April and May noon–9pm. proved popular over the sum- during which they providing All home made pizzas are mer as do the regular ales often off sales of their wide range available 6–9pm on Fridays & from St Austell, Wye Valley and of excellent beers and ales on Saturdays. Butts breweries. Friday nights, ‘The Tap’ is now Falkland Arms, closed until further notice Dun Cow, Hornton according to Facebook. Further More than 100 people turned Great Tew news next edition of Beer on out for the re-opening after The Wadworth-owned Falkland Tap. lockdown, during which the Arms had a delayed opening pub had provided takeaway post lockdown. Booking is Butcher’s Arms, Balscote meals on a regular basis as well highly recommended as two- This fantastic Hook Norton- as for firefighters responding to hour slots for a maximum of six owned village pub continues a fire in the village! people have been introduced. to run a takeaway service An anonymous donor paid Great food and ale awaits (Wednesdays to Sundays) as for 100 meals on re-opening though, which can be enjoyed well as offering up an excellent day and the pub generously in the characterful bar, in their pint of Hooky and Hooky Gold provided a further complemen- lovely rear garden or on seats (straight from the cask). tary 15 meals during the day. at the front of the pub for finer Amusing Pub Blackboards In Chipping Norton It’s good to see that a couple of our Branch pubs continue the tradition of humorous blackboard quotes post-lockdown – as they help to bring some fun in these strange times. If you see any funny blackboards or signs up at North Oxfordshire pubs, please ping these through to the editorial team for inclusion in Beer on Tap. The Fox (left) re-opened on the first day available and has been serving a very decent pint of Hooky Gold as well as an exten- sive menu that’s well worth booking in for. The Red Lion (right) has its patio open for drinking and to order wood-fired pizzas and other dishes from “The Shack” to drink along with your Hooky beer.

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 CAMRA North Oxon Branch Pub of the Year 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009 & 2018 Celebrating 31 consecutive years in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide Market Street, Charlbury, Oxon OX7 3PL • Tel: 01608 810103

• Eight real ales plus seven traditional ciders and perrys www.roseandcrown. • Good selection of craft beer on draught, bottle and tin charlbury.com • Pleasant courtyard drinking area Email: [email protected] • We serve on average 40 different guest beers per month • Live music, comedy nights and other events (see online OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am; events list for details) Sat: 11am–1am

3 REAL ALES Two large superior 10 REAL CIDERS en-suite Homemade rooms lunches Large flower- Mon–Sat 12-2 filled garden

OPENING HOURS Roaring log Mon-Thurs fires 11-3 & 6-12 Fri 11-3 & 5-12 Family and Sat/Sun 11-12 dog friendly

SAME FAMILY RUN PUB FOR 40 YEARS OX15 4LZ www.bloxhampub.co.uk 01295 720383

12 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 weather. Generally three ales Ploughman was among the Rose & Crown, Ratley from the Wadworth’s range on first to modify their business This lovely Grade II listed vil- offer. model during lockdown to offer lage local, is in the village of The Duke at Clifton a takeaway service as well as Ratley, just over the county bor- a pop up shop in the car park der in Warwickshire (close to Tim & Rebecca re-opened spaces beside the B4100. Edge Hill), and it has used the brightly on the 4th July by The shop offered a fresh fruit lockdown period to redecorate offering a BBQ to accompany and vegetable market along both the restaurant and toilets. their award winning ales – with a delivery service. Trevor Structural repairs were also North Cotswold, Shagweaver, also started a charity collec- undertaken in the bar area and Turpin’s Golden Citrus and tion which amassed £2,830 the patio areas refreshed. See Tring’s Sidepocket for a Toad. for nearby neighbours, the their website at https://www. The pre-booked campsite is Katharine House Hospice. roseandcrownratley.co.uk/ also proving to be very popular for further details of opening this summer. Launton Arms, Launton (formerly Black Bull) times. Pickled Ploughman, The Black Bull at Launton TELL THE Adderbury reopened on July 4th as the Trevor Brown, the owner here, Launton Arms – thereby end- ADVERTISER has been honoured by Banbury ing centuries of confusion YOU SAW THEIR MP, Victoria Prentis, as she between the two pubs in the delivered her first ‘Unsung village – the Black Bull and The ADVERT IN Hero Award’ to him in person Bull. for his service to the commu- On a recent visit, they were BEER ON TAP nity during the corona virus serving Caledonian’s Swan & Advertising revenue helps to keep pandemic. Symphony. The pub is also Beer on Tap free for everyone – so please tell advertisers where you Village residents will concur operating as a grocery shop/off spotted their advert with the award as the Pickled licence with takeaway food.

NEW FROM THE CAMRA SHOP at https://shop1.camra.org.uk/camra-shop-homepage/shop/

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 Lower Heyford

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

• Beer Festival August Bank Holiday Weekend • Five minutes walk from canal • Large beer garden Open: • Families and dogs welcome Mon–Thurs 12–3pm & 5pm–11pm; • Lunch and full menu available Friday & Sat 12–11pm; • Food served lunchtimes 12–2.15pm Sun 12–10.30pm Evenings 6–8.30pm Mon–Sat, 6–8pm Sun

Bar Nineteen at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa • Open Every Day

• Open to All • 2 TVs for sport, • Stunning terrace • Pool table, overlooking the golf • Games machines course and putting green. • Wifi • Large external seating • Bar Nineteen is a great area and plenty of space place to enjoy at any to sit indoors, time of year. Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa Chesterton • Bicester • Oxfordshire OX26 1TH Tel: 01869 241204 www.bicesterhotelgolfandspa

14 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Latest Hook Norton Brewery News Brewery Tours ing sessions still conclude used in the beer pay homage to After a period of having to stop each tour (even being held some of the countries involved tours, these started again at the outside in the courtyard if the in the conflict: Admiral (United brewery on Saturday, 1st August. weather permits). Feedback Kingdom), Sorachi Ace (Japan), The Covid-19 tour is very dif- on social media platforms has Cascade (USA), Marynka ferent, being socially distanced been extremely favourable as (Poland), Tettnanger (Germany), throughout with a maximum of visitors continue to enjoy one Mistral (France), Nelson Sauvin eight people from two different of Oxfordshire’s top tourist (New Zealand) and Summer households allowed, and they are attractions. (Australia). now only held on Saturday and Tours may be booked online Sundays and from 3.30pm dur- at www.hooky.co.uk/visit-us/ October Is One ing the working week (i.e., when book-a-brewerytour brewers are not at work on the Of CAMRA’s premises). Latest Hooky Beer News Cider Awareness Visitors are asked to complete The brewery produced their VJ a questionnaire and view a video Day Anniversary Ale in August. Months in which James Clarke highlights The 15th of August 2020 was the safety features that are incor- the 75th anniversary of VJ Day To raise awareness of cider and porated into these new tours as (Victory over Japan) commem- perry production, CAMRA they book online. Online book- orating the end of the Second runs two awareness months ing is imperative – walking in on World War. To mark this occa- each year for cider and perry. spec is sadly not available any- sion, a unique beer has been These are in October and more. Hand sanitising stations brewed, drawing inspiration May, during which time local are conveniently spaced and the from many countries involved. Branches organise cider and wearing of a facial covering is VJ75 Anniversary Ale is a perry events to celebrate this required by all visitors through- light red ale with a palate of great traditional UK drink. out the tour. lemon, blackcurrant and kiwi- Unlike real ale production, Some smaller areas of the esque flavours with a floral which can happen at any time brewery are not available on the nose. It has been developed of the year, real cider and perry tour but throughout August the and brewed by Ed Clarke, son can only be made when the steam engine was running all day of James Clarke (the sixth gen- fruit is ripe and is tied to a nat- on Saturdays and the shire eration of brewers at Hook ural cycle of the apple and pear horses are always to view in the Norton) with his first solo reci- trees found in orchards around stables. pe and brew. the country. Of course the generous tast- The different hop varieties May was chosen because it is when the orchards bloom and begin producing fruit. It is also when cider and perry production in the previous year reach- es maturity and can start being enjoyed. October is also a very active time for cider makers when production is in full flow and most cider producers are har- vesting the fruit.

The tours must go on! Monty (in orange hi-viz) with a masked group of visitors

Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 Drinking In a Post-Covid World A personal opinion on the Beers were ordered at the table etc., but there was hand sanitis- post-Covid state of our local and brought to us by the bar er available and social distancing pubs by Keith Rigley staff. It was reassuring to see was still just about possible. For research purposes only that the pub’s beer book library Luciana informed us of the (obviously) we thought it would and other shelf-displays were progress with sharing their be a good idea to call in on some covered over with signs stating brewing facility in New Yatt favourite pubs in our Branch and ‘please don’t touch’ because of with a new Oxfordshire brew- beyond to see how each pub (or the Covid risk. ery called Heavy Water Brewing pubco/chain) had installed their Sadly, the choice of real ale – and I notice on Facebook that own particular ways to operate was either a Nicholson’s house they are now up and running with the restrictions that were beer or Fuller’s London Pride with their brews, and its wheat still in place in the UK at that (though perhaps that’s under- beer called Schrödinger has time and to see how footfall was standable so soon after reopen- been on sale on draught and in in the early days of pubs being ing was allowed), so we decided bottle at the Teardrop Bar. allowed to reopen. not to stay longer than a single The next pub we visited was pint as, after all, we had other something of a disappointment Oxford pubs to check out. (for which I’ll explain). It was The first port of call was to Crossing High Street, our next buzzing, with a quite busy out- Oxford city centre one Saturday visit was to the Teardrop Bar in side terrace and on asking if to check out some of our most Oxford’s lovely Covered Market. they could accommodate six for popular haunts. The train ride There were arrows painted a quick beer they said yes, and from Charlbury was without on the floor, but most people we were informed that it was incident, and we were happy to appeared not to notice them table-service only and the only see that everyone was respecting – so it was like a slalom as we place for six people was inside. the guidelines for wearing face- made our way along the narrow After one of our party gave track masks and socially distancing. walkways dodging many groups and trace details, we were ush- Oxford Station was crammed who were walking towards us ered inside to a table where the and we had to weave in and out the wrong way. Near the far side bar was almost in touching dis- of the crowds on the platform of the market we were greeted tance. We ordered our beers and and then through the main con- by the ever-welcoming Luciana they were brought to us – and course before finding ourselves and we were pleased to see there a card was tapped on the port- in the relative calm and socially- was a wide selection of beers to able card machine to pay for the distanced area of the bus stops choose from. Those who have round. We were not told that and beyond as we made our way been here will know that it’s a any gratuities would be added, into the city centre. “nano pub” (which is effective- and it was only later that on The starting point for us was ly a hole in the wall that opens inspection of the receipt a 12.5% The Chequers in High Street, onto one of the walkways in the ‘Discretionary Service’ payment which – thankfully – was open, market, so there isn’t much to of £3.31 had been added – pre- even though many other clos- do in terms of one-way systems, sumably for the excellent ser- er pubs had decided to remain closed, or were still working out their strategy of how they could reopen with the many rules and regulations in place. We were welcomed in the alley by the friendly manager who took track & trace details and made us use hand sanitiser before entering. On the bar there was a very restricted selection of ales (which the manager said was due to distribution problems amongst other things), and we had to avail ourselves to a specific table we had pre- booked to meet up with members of Oxford City CAMRA. Luciana behind the bar of the Teardrop Nano Pub in Oxford’s Covered Market

16 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 vice of carrying over six pints were presented with a single- on a tray from the bar that was use-only sheet for their beer list around 10ft away. and menu and led out to the I think we all accept that attractive patio area at the rear it’s customary to pay such a where we could watch the traf- charge in a restaurant (where fic light system for toilet avail- you might spend an hour or so, ability (see photo). Here, most with input by the front of house, people went for a delicious waiting staff, chefs, pot-wash- Siren Craft IPA, and while we ers, etc.), but this was a first for were tempted to stay for anoth- me in a UK pub when we had er, we had to visit more pubs for no choice to be served at the our Covid research trip. bar and we were not (as in a res- From there we called in at the taurant) presented with the bill Four Candles to see how a huge prior to payment so we could pubco like JD Wetherspoon was check to see what we were being dealing with things. One of our charged for. Sadly, this is not the party gave trace & trace details only pub to have introduced this (though we could have scanned practice, so it is worth check- one of the QR code posters that ing to see what you’re being were all around) and we chose The Crown, Woodstock charged in some pubs in the to order and pay at the bar, even near future. I know that pubs though we could have opted for guidelines strictly and did wear are having a hard time – but I table service through their free face-masks. don’t think this is the way to get phone app. At that time, the Punch public sympathy on their side, The number of guest ales was Bowl had not reopened, and and it also raises the question perhaps a little lower than nor- the King’s Head in Park Lane of when this practice will end mal, but I was happy with my (which had been shut for many (or perhaps it is here for good). Hanlon’s Yellowhammer. months) was starting to look as Personally, I will not give my Our last port of call was The though it may never reopen. business to pubs that charge a Castle, Hook Norton’s character We started at The Crown on discretionary tip without prior pub on the corner of Paradise the triangle on the A44, which warning (so at least you can tell Street, where we sampled beers had been doing a roaring trade them that you are not prepared from Hooky’s standard and in lockdown with its takeout to pay that gratuity) as beer is ‘crafty’ range. beer service. Two real ales were already quite a pricey commod- All in all we visited six pubs, on offer, and we sat outside on ity without adding 12.5%. and each pub took details for the sunny pavement area. At our next pub – the White ‘track and trace’, and where pos- After that we headed off to Rabbit in Friar’s Entry – we sible there were safe, one-way The Star, a Charles Wells outlet asked if we could stop for a beer routes through the pub. All had in what could be our Branch’s (as we had not pre-booked as plenty of sanitiser stations and most scenic pub location, facing per their website’s advice), and although toilet-use regulations right on the market place by the after having the temperature varied from one venue to the town hall. From their limited of our foreheads scanned, and next we all thought they were track & trace details given, we doing the best to entice people back safely. Beer choice in all pubs, however, was less than usual. Woodstock, Witney & Chipping Norton We also visited local towns to see how things were in rural Oxfordshire after reopening. We travelled to Woodstock on the bus, and it was something of a surprise to see that many people had decided to go against the (very clear) guidance The traffic-light toilet indicators at the White to wear face coverings. Needless Rabbit, Friar’s Entry, Oxford to say, we decided to follow the The Star Inn, Woodstock Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 range I chose Charles Wells Late way system in place through the Hopped Pale Ale, one of their rest of the pub. There were just tasty new range of ales. As we two beers on offer (Hobgoblin sat out front, it was evident that Gold or Courage Best) which we Woodstock was far quieter than drank on the rear patio. It was normal, even though it was only fairly busy, but we were a little a week-day. disappointed with the ale range. Next up, we went to the King’s We next tried The Fleece on Arms, the Fuller’s pub on the Church Green, but all their out- corner of the A44 and Market side tables were full, and it also Street. The Covid strategy here appeared to be full inside – so was far stricter than the previ- we gave it a miss. It was good ous pubs, with a one-way sys- to see a pub this busy, which we tem, track & trace info taken on presume was due to their food. entry and well-spaced tables in The Company of Weavers, a its main bar area, where we had Wetherspoon outlet, was next – a pleasant chat with the only and it was essentially just as our other couple in there. It was Oxford visit, including the pint table service only here, and I of Yellowhammer I chose. had a delicious pint of Dark Star Of course, no trip to Witney Hophead which we had to pick is complete without calling in at and we were surprised to see a up from the barman’s tray he the micropub previously called number of the town’s pubs had brought to our table. Oxbrew Witney in Langdale decided not to reopen by that We then walked down the hill Court (now called Drummer’s time – although most, if not all, to Old Woodstock to visit the Bar), which was our next port are trading again now. All pubs Black Prince, which we had to of call. As interior space is very took track & trace details except leave till later as it didn’t open limited here, Simon Scamp (the the Company of Weavers (but I until 4pm that day. We were boss) had put up a marquee to checked in with their QR code greeted at the rear of the pub by cover the outside drinking patio, to do that). staff who took track & trace info and tables were spaced safely Another impact of the Covid and were told that we would throughout. After a real ale and pandemic is that bus times have to sit inside the pub or on an excellent craft keg, we then have often changed, so the only the Aunt Sally area – as you wandered over to Corn Street to other place for us to easily visit need to pre-book if you wanted visit the Eagle Tavern. a number of pubs in a day was a table on the terrace alongside At the ‘Tavern’ the rear garden Chipping Norton, which we did the River Glyme (which was a was quite busy as it was a lovely one Saturday afternoon. We shame) – so we sat on the Aunt sunny day, but we sat inside in were the only two people on the Sally area to finish our day with the side room to chat with the bus on the way there, but we a couple of excellent ales. landlord to finish our last beers wore our face-masks anyway. It was noticeably quiet in the before catching the bus back to The Chequers was our first centre of town, and the Black Charlbury again. pub of the day which had a good Prince was much busier than the Like Woodstock, Witney town selection, with beers from the rest on that particular day. centre was very quiet (espe- Fuller’s stable along with a guest Returning by bus to Charlbury cially for a Friday afternoon), or two. Service was at the bar we had a final beer or two outside on the pavement in front of the Rose & Crown. At that time, the inside of the ‘Rosie’ was out of bounds, with seating outside on the street, in the back yard or in the back room behind the pub (but since then the pub has fully reopened). On another day (a Friday) we spent the afternoon in Witney to see how this usually busy market town was doing. Starting at The Angel, by the Buttercross, entry to the pub was via the alley lead- ing to the rear patio with a one- Bitter & Twisted, Chipping Norton (with its upstairs ‘garden’ behind the white PVC banner) 18 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 The Blue Boar, Chipping Norton expected to give details to visit a pub but not other places (such we wanted to drink, only to be as shops, buses, trains, etc.)? told that they didn’t have any Surely sitting on a pavement real ale at that moment (!) ... and or patio outside a pub, social- that their only bitter was Tetley ly distanced, for 15–20 minutes Smoothflow (!). Usually the ‘Red’ is less risky than being in close has at least one Hooky beer proximity to others in aisles and (often two), and if we hadn’t queues inside a building where already ordered our pizzas we other people may have han- would probably have moved on dled the goods you pick up or to visit The Fox down the hill if you’re travelling on public instead – so, sadly, it was indeed transport for long trips - but of the case that we had a Tetley’s to course that’s not the pubs’ fault. drink with our very tasty pizzas. Ultimately, there will never To be fair, the barman came be a single over-arching system out later to say that they now that can be introduced across had Hooky Bitter back on – the entire pub scene – simply but by this time we were about because each pub is so very dif- to wander off to the bus stop ferent. However, we can only here, which gave us a chance to catch the 5:15pm bus back hope that lessons are being to see the range of beers and to to Charlbury (the alternative learnt on how to cope with a chat with the barman. bus was much later, and would future pandemic, or indeed if Next up was the Blue Boar, have meant we’d be stuck at the Covid is going to be with us for a Young’s house, further up Duke of Marlborough outside quite some time to come. Goddard’s Lane from The Woodstock for over an hour). I strongly believe that in gen- Chequers where we had a pleas- eral the pub trade is doing a ant beer on the front patio area In Conclusion great job at keeping customers in the sunshine. Our drinks To sum up, our experiences of safe and to make them feel con- were brought out to us once drinking in a post-Covid world fident enough to continue to use we had ordered inside. Track is that there is a wide variety of our wonderfully unique pubs. & trace info was given via the changes that pubs have brought One really good thing that has Young’s phone app. in to deal with the problem. come about due to Covid is the The following pub was Bitter Not every pub is asking for relaxing of setting up tables and & Twisted on the Market Place, details for track & trace – and of chairs in the street outside pubs, where the choice of seating was those that do, they only record which is something I think is a outside the front or on their the time of your arrival (not great idea. Obviously we have upstairs ‘garden’ (which was your departure), which I suspect the vagaries of the UK weather only available on a first-come- may result in everyone using the to take into consideration (and first-served basis) or by booking pub throughout the entire day also the winter months when al a table inside. Thankfully, there being contacted if a customer fresco drinking is not as much was room in all three places, so tests positive at some point. It fun), but it will be interesting to we chose to sit on the upstairs is worth noting that it will be see if the government and local garden area to enjoy the views mandatory for all English pubs councils insist on those tables across the town centre. Again to collect track & trace custom- and chairs being removed once it was table service only, so we er info from September 19th. Covid has passed. had to scan the selection as we Not all pubs have the bene- I think we have to congratu- walked through the pub. fit of a layout that can be made late the pub owners, landlords Our original plan was to visit to be walked around on a one- and staff for doing a sterling job a couple more pubs in town, but way system, and there seems to to keep us safe in these difficult due to the restrictions with bus be widely varying methods for times. They are doing their best times we only had time to do ordering, how you are served – managing to jump through so one more pub, so we chose to and how you pay (some pubs are many official hoops and needing visit the Red Lion at the top of card payment only, some only to take on additional work, such Cattle Market so we could also allow contactless, while others as getting track & trace info and try one of their wood-fired piz- let you pay in cash as well). being vigilant with the social zas from ‘The Shack’ in the rear I am more than a little con- distancing of customers – so patio area. fused with guidance and rules everyone needs to do their bit to After ordering our pizzas, we on things like track & trace – use them to make sure our pubs were asked by the bar staff what for example, why is that you are are still there next year. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 Beer Festivals Go Online This Year With the cancellation of beer Ox and Church Hanbrewery. festival events up and down the Various talks were broadcast country due to Covid-19, it’s along with tasting notes for the good to see that some events did beers, so people could join in go ahead … even though they and enjoy their beers at home. were very different to what’s Similarly, CAMRA decided happened in the past. to replace the cancelled Great British Beer Festival (which was due to take place in mid- September) with a virtual festival. Tickets were sold on the GBBF website for punters to buy a 2020 souvenir festival glass along with 11 beers that were delivered to their homes. you can choose your particular Participants could then log in preference of beer style. These to see live beer tastings by beer include an ‘introduction to beer’ experts such as Roger Protz, session, which features five cat- Tim Webb and Adrian Tierney- egory winners from last year’s Jones. Virtual tours of hop and Champion Beer of Britain com- malt farms, breweries and ciders petition, and an additional six The Witney Beer Festival also featured over the weekend’s beers for an in-depth tasting of (organised by Witney Round virtual event. a specific style of your choice. Table, and which usually hap- Various “tasting sets” were on At the time of publication for pens at St. Mary’s Church) took offer by CAMRA – such as a this issue it’s too early to know place on a Saturday in May with Golden Beers, Bitter Beers, Dark numbers who took part, but the help of Windrush Radio, Beers, Beginners Set, etc., along CAMRA’s virtual GBBF site is with support from local brew- with a Cider/Perry Set and showing that all the tasting sets eries such as Wychwood, Little American Craft Beer Set – so had sold out. CAMRA’s Pub Design Awards 2020 As well as its core activity as 2020. This year’s categories and • New Build Award – given to an active consumer group to winners are: a completely new pub. Judges protect beers, ciders and pubs, • Historic England’s Conserva- are looking for individuality, CAMRA has also been involved tion Award – for work to con- rather than ‘off the peg’ design. in giving awards to celebrate serve and enhance a histor- Winner: The Hall and Wood- great UK pub designs in various ic pub. Winner: The Zetland, house, Swindon. categories. Middlesbrough • Community Local Award – Anyone can submit a pub for • Refurbishment Award – given judges are looking for projects consideration in the Pub Design for a successful makeover of a that have given a new lease of Awards, as long as it has a stun- pub. For work that reflects a life on ‘ordinary street-corner ning design to showcase. building’s individual qualities, locals’. Winner: The Shake- The Pub Design Awards, held rather than something that speare, Bridgnorth in conjunction with Historic looks like lots of others. Joint England, recognise the highest winners: The Farmers Arms, standards of pub design, in cat- Woolfardisworthy, Devon egories ranging from the refur- and The Peterborough Arms, bishment and conservation of Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire existing pubs to the construc- • Conversion to Pub Use tion of new ones. Award – for a building Judged by a panel of experts designed for some other use in design and conservation, they converted to a pub. The judg- showcase the very best archi- es are looking for imagination tectural projects completed and flair in the conversion. between 1 July 2019 and 30 June Winner: Plau, Preston. The Shakespeare, Bridgnorth 20 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 Nominations Required For CAMRA’s ‘Pub Saving’ Award CAMRA has been running this national award or the last four years and its aim is to recognise and celebrate the achievements of groups that have successfully campaigned to save their local pub. The award can be made to any group which, during the year ending 1 November 2020, has carried out campaigning activity that has directly led to the pre- vention of a pub or pubs from closure. A panel of judges will review the campaigning efforts of community groups across the country to highlight just what such campaigns can achieve with the right tools, advice and people behind it. Applications are due to close on 14 November, so make sure to get your nominations in online at https://camra.org.uk/ pubs-and-clubs/awards/pub- saving-award/. A Do-It- Yourself Lockdown Pub Crawl

Like beer festival organ- isers, you need to be a bit inventive these days to organise your own pub crawl. You will see on page 23 that Monty (one of our Branch members) did just that by planning out a beery pub crawl around his home. The photo (right) shows some of Monty’s beer recommendations.

22 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Monty’s Stay-At-Home Lockdown Pub Crawl Map Proudly presented by Lockdown Events Inc. 1 4. Lovibonds’ first and best selling beer crafted combining the freshest British malted wheat and 3 barley, delicate German hops and fermenting it with a yeast culture from the oldest brewery in the world, 2 giving this beer its truly unique character. It has a natural golden hue and thick creamy white head with aroma of banana and cloves. A silky texture with fruit flavours, finishing fresh 4 5 and clean with a touch of sweetness. 5. At ‘The Castle Tap’ we have a pale ale that was brewed to commemorate the wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Windsor Knot is made with two 6 specially selected hops, Sovereign and Nelson Sauvin. These hops pro- duce an intense and dis- 1. You don’t even need to leave It makes for easy drinking with tinctive tropical fruit your bed to enjoy this break- plenty of fruity hop character aroma including mango, lychees fast stout direct from the Siren to make this unfiltered pale ale and passion fruit to deliver an Brewery in Finchampstead & the ultimate refreshment. Triple easy drinking and refreshing served at ‘The Bed & Breakfast’. hopped with Simcoe and Citra beer. An indulgence of chocolate & for great citrus and tropical fruit 6. The Original UK Citra! Light speciality malts, Broken Dream aroma and taste with fresh pine gold in colour, bursting with cit- is smooth, unctuous & more- resin and crisp bitterness. Pale rus and tropical hop flavours and ish. It’s brewed with milk sugar and amber malts give balanced sensationally refreshing. for balance & mouthfeel, along sweetness and the addition of with carefully selected espresso. carapils malt and torrefied wheat In 2009 on his annual hop sourc- Awarded CAMRA Supreme contributes body and mouthfeel. ing visit to the USA, Oakham’s Brewing Director John Bryan Champion Beer of Britain 2018, 3. it’s a great way to start to the day. What better drink to serve discovered an exceptional new at ‘The Dog and Otmoor Duck’ hop variety – Citra. He rushed 2. Waiting for you at ‘The Ref’s than the duck’s cousin, Mad it to the UK, ensuring that Whistle’ is another fine beer, this Goose. Mad Goose is a zesty Oakham Ales were the first UK time developed by Apprentice pale ale with a smooth and brewery to brew a beer with Brewers at Greene King. citrusy finish. Brewed with 100% Citra hops and maintain- Icebreaker, an unfiltered pale ale, English Maris Otter, Caragold ing Oakham’s reputation for is the first beer crafted by the and Wheat malts, with Pilgrim pioneering innovation. This brewing apprentices to graduate bittering hops and Cascade and Champion Golden Beer of into the core Greene King beers Willamette aroma hops this is Britain of 2019 rounds off the portfolio. the Winner of five awards. pub crawl in style. Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 HOOK NORTON CIRCULAR WALK By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks A wonderfully peaceful, rural walk with two Hooky pubs for your return Distance: Around 5.5 miles. inside the left of which is a steep mac farm track. Where the track Allow around 2½–3 hours. embankment which is the route of bends round to the right, bear left Map: OS Explorer 191. the old railway line. On the right onto a waymarked footpath into Parking: The Pear Tree has a car of the track you can just make woodland over a broken stile. park (ring first to ask), but there out the stone piers which once Keep walking along a path is often room around the triangle supported a viaduct amongst the through woodland (where it was outside the pub. trees. The railway closed to pas- a little overgrown on our research sengers in 1962 and for goods in trip) to soon emerge from the From the Pear Tree, walk past the 1969, after which the viaduct was trees into another field. Ignore triangle to the main road through dismantled for scrap, leaving the - the village and turn right. Walk a gate on your left and go virtu stone stacks as an odd legacy. past Brookside then turn left after ally straight on to walk along the Just after the railway route a bridge over a stream onto a field edge, keeping the hedgerow waymarked path (to Crofts Lane). there’s a bungalow on the right on your left as you head off up Go through a gate then head on side of the track, after which there a slope. In the far corner of this along a green lane between a is a field where you need to cross large field, ignore a stile over a hedgerow and a ranch fence. a stile near the far corner, before barbed wire fence in the hedge- Ignore a gate on the left which crossing another stile in the left- row on your left and go straight goes into a field, and keep on to hand field edge into the next field. on instead through a wooden soon cross a stile then walk up After crossing the second stile, go gate, then keep on in the same the slope in the paddock ahead. diagonally right to walk down a general direction, now keeping a At the top left-hand corner of steep slope, passing to the right of ranch fence on your left. the paddock, cross two stiles to a large tree to find a well-trodden Walk down a slope to the far reach a road, then turn left to path into woodland. Keep along corner of this field, then cross a walk on the road. At a fork in the this path to soon go through a stile to reach a tarmac farm track road, take the right-hand fork kissing gate and cross a bridge where you need to turn left. Keep into Southrop Road and walk up over a stream then follow the path along this farm track where there a slope as it bears round to the as it heads off to the right into are great views to the south over right. another area of woodland. to Swerford then, where the road Soon you will reach a green The path now bends around a bends to the left into the entrance triangle where you walk up to great deal and heads uphill. After of a farm (between what looks the left of the triangle, then go reaching the top of the hill keep like horse paddocks), there is straight on at a crossroads into on to soon cross a stile to enter a new ‘permissible path’ which Rope Way. After that, take the a field, then go diagonally right leads off down the hill to the right second road on the right (called to walk along a narrow track in which follows the edge of a field, Ashburton Lane). Where the road undergrowth (don’t walk into the keeping woodland on your left. ends, keep straight on to now wide entrance into an adjacent (Note: This is different to the right walk on a narrow path. At the end field). The path then goes up some of way marked on an OS map, of the path, turn right (ignoring earth steps and into another field. which is marked to the right of a road that leads downhill to the In the next field, keep on in where the track bends to the left side of a white-fronted house) to the same general direction, where into the farm entrance.) walk along a waymarked bridle- there is a well-trodden path across Walk down the hill to the far way. Keep straight on along this the corner of the field (but if you left corner of the field then turn bridleway to soon pass a house prefer, you can turn left and walk left into the woodland (don’t set back from the track (with a around the field edge around the keep straight on across a stream) raised lawn). Ignore a stile on corner, to pick up the path again keeping the stream on your right. your left after the house and keep where it follows the field edge) Soon you emerge from the trees on along the bridleway to soon then walk up to a gate keeping onto a wide farm track where pass a ‘No entry. No unauthorised the hedgerow on your left. Go you need to walk on in the same vehicles’ sign. This wide farm through the gate (not waymarked) general direction to pass a house. track bends round to the left then and keep on in the same general Stay along this wide farm track to it goes through a wooded area, direction now walking on a tar- a point where there is a fork (just 24 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 past the entrance to a disused a track to walk down a hill (don’t ately after the steep embankment quarry) then take the left fork to keep straight on through an open on your right. You should now walk between farm buildings. gate) to soon reach a stream after be walking into lovely woodland From here there is a long the track bends round to the right. always keeping the embankment stretch of easy walking along the Cross the wooden bridge across on your right side. This path con- farm track. Just keep an eye out the stream, after which you follow tinues to a point where you clearly for a place where you can see the a dirt track alongside the stream. see a way out of the woods into track bend slightly to the right Go through a metal gate to a field on the left (note there’s a as it goes into the entrance to a then walk along a sunken road smallish viaduct pier above on farm up a gentle slope. At this with trees on both sides, as it your right at this point). point you need to turn left on heads off uphill and bears round Walk into the field on your left a waymarked bridleway on the to the left. Go through another then take the right fork of paths bend. Walk along this track with gate then walk on in the same to aim for the far right corner a ranch fence on your left and a general direction, again keeping (don’t walk towards the houses plantation of trees on your right the hedgerow to your right, to diagonally left), where you walk then go through a gate (not way- soon find another gate after which into a gap in a fence to walk down marked) to enter a field, where you will see farm buildings. Walk a hill on a dirt track. At the bot- you need to aim virtually straight into the far left corner of the field tom of the hill turn right on a on, along what should be a pretty to exit by another gate to access a tarmac road then go left at a green well-marked track. wide farm track. From here, keep triangle and follow the road round Go through a gate in the far on in the same general direction to the left. Walk up a slope then corner then walk on in the same to pass a farm, then a ‘Do not feed keep straight on at the next green general direction, keeping the the alpacas’ sign, and soon you triangle to soon reach High Street hedgerow on your right as you will see that you have returned to where you turn left to pass the vil- walk up the slope ahead. Go the field into which you crossed a lage shop. Continue on along High through another gate and keep stile earlier in the walk (with the Street to find the Sun Inn opposite on in the same general direction bungalow on the far side). Keep the church, and keep on after that still keeping the hedgerow on on past the bungalow and you to eventually return to the green your right. Soon you will reach a again cross the route of the old triangle by the Pear Tree.

place where the hedgerow ends railway where you need to take a Pubs on Walk Route

and you need to fork right onto path through the hedge immedi- I I

I , High Street, Hook Norton

I Sun Inn

I I

To the I I

I OX15 5NH. Tel: (01608) 737570.

To the Sibfords I I

I https://thesuninn-hooknorton.

I I

Firs Garage I

I co.uk/. A large, rambling pub with a I

I nice garden. To

Pear Tree, Scotland End, Hook

I Milcombe

HOOK NORTON I

I Norton OX15 5NU. Tel: (01608) I

BREWERY & I I

I 737482. http://peartreeinnhook

SHOP Hook I I

I norton.co.uk/. Closest pub to Hooky

I I

Norton I Brewery. Cosy and welcoming pub

with a large garden.

I Route of old railway I Both pubs serve a good selection of

I and embankment

I Hook Norton Brewery ales. I

I Park

I I

I Farm I Cradle Farm Foot- bridge

The Sun Bungalow

I I Grounds

I Cradle START: The I

Inn I

I Farm

I I House

Pear Tree I

I I

I Farm

I I To

I Highwood

I I

I Wiggin-

I Farm

I ton

I I I Quarry Cradle House Barn Route of old

railway and

I embankment

To Great Rollright/ I I

Chipping Norton I I

I To Swerford

I I Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 Red Lion, Horley Is Branch Pub Of The Year 2020 A big congratulations to Dave & Natasha Morris at the Red Lion, Horley on winning the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch Pub of the Year (POTY) Award for the third time. The judging for POTY 2020 hadn’t long been completed before the lockdown for Covid- 19 – which has sadly meant that we haven’t yet been able to organise an official handing over of their POTY certificate. With restrictions on the number of people who can fit (with social distancing) into Dave & Natasha’s cosy pub, we will wait a while longer before announcing a date for the presentation. Keep an eye on the Branch website at https:// northoxon.camra.org.uk/ for the date and time. If you’ve been following the previous articles about our Branch POTY competition, you will know that Branch members vote throughout the year to give scores for the quality and selection of beers in all of our Natasha Morris with a pint at the Red Lion, Horley – after winning CAMRA North Oxon Branch’s pubs, and then a shortlist of the Pub Of The Year award for the third time six top-scoring pubs is put forward for all members to visit up the award on two previous ward the winning pub in each of with their POTY form. occasions – first in 2015, then Oxfordshire’s CAMRA Branches Each member must visit all again in 2017. – as the county is split into vari- six pubs on the list, get their Again, due to Covid, there are ous local branches – to compete forms signed to prove they have currently no plans for the usual in the Pub of the Year competi- been there and then they rate CAMRA practice of putting for- tion for all Oxfordshire. them in order so we can have a final count-up to see who the winner is each year. 315 Pubs Lost So Far in 2020 The Red Lion came top this According to the pub trade are undergoing change of use – year, followed by the Peyton newspaper Morning Advertiser, and while some may had already Arms, Stoke Lyne, in second the UK has seen 315 pubs that been struggling, it’s obvious that place and The Bell, Adderbury, have closed for good up to 1st Covid has compounded issues. in third (both runners-up being September this year. It will be interesting to see just Hook Norton pubs). These are figures for pubs how many we may see the last Dave & Natasha have picked which have been demolished or of in our Branch area this year.

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. Copyright © North Oxon CAMRA 2020 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 Oliver Sladen • Designed & Produced by Keith Rigley, Charlbury, Oxon • Printed by Henry Ling, Dorchester, Dorset 26 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2020 Join up, join in, join the campaign From as little as Protect the traditions of great £26.50† British pubs and everything that a year. That’s less goes with them by joining today

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