Issue 54 – Autumn 2013 FREE – Please take one

Newsletter of North Branch of CAMRA

New Brewery Coming To Our Branch Beer on Tap is pleased to announce that we should soon have a new brewery in the North Oxon CAMRA Branch. The Turpin Brewery, named after its location at Turpin’s Lodge, hopes to be supplying beers regularly after months of trialling brews. With the exception of our long-standing favourite Hook Norton Brewery, the only other breweries we have seen in our Branch’s recent history have been the Bodicote Brewery John Romer (left) meets CAMRA North Oxon Branch Chairman John Bellinger (centre) and Branch member Douglas Rudlin at the Turpin Brewery, Hook Norton (which brewed for over 20 years in The Plough, Bodicote) and to the Hook Norton area. John Turpin Brewery at his premises the short-lived Banbury Brewery Romer, who has a technical at Turpin’s Lodge, Hook Norton and Henry’s Butchers Yard engineering background, has (the Horse Riding Centre). Brewery (which opened briefly set up, designed and built the Continued on page 3 in Chipping Norton), along with the Cotswold Brewing Co. Good Beer Guide 2014 Launch (which at the time only brewed lager) but which has since At The White Horse, Banbury moved across the border into . On Thursday 12th September, the It was a close thing a couple North Oxfordshire Branch held a of years ago when XT Brewery launch event to mark the publication of initially wanted to open for busi- the 2014 edition of CAMRA’s premiere ness at Heyford Wharf, but sadly publication, the Good Beer Guide, at it was not to be, as they eventu- the White Horse in North Bar Street, ally plumped for Long Crendon Banbury at 8.00pm. after a long list of planning issues The guide contains details of 4,500 at Heyford. of the best UK real ale as well as With just about every other information of every real ale brewery CAMRA Branch seeing new along with their key beers. From coun- breweries in their area, it’s great try to urban style bars and back to have one soon in our Branch. street boozers, all the pubs have been Our Reporter Paul Worth takes selected and reviewed by over 149,000 up the story: CAMRA members making it the only We welcome a new brewery Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxoncamra.org.uk 2 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 New Brewery in North Oxon Branch Continued from page 1 John has previously brewed with Patriot Brewery and wishes to thank Tim Young for the opportunity to brew with him. John says ‘we had a lot of fun brewing together, we worked well, sharing ideas and we still maintain a good relationship’. Tim is now taking Turpin Brewery trial beers at the Norman Knight, Whichford. Since John officially opened the Turpin Brewery in July this year he has donated two firkins of beer to Hook Norton Beer Festival and to his surprise came The brand new brewplant at the Turpin Brewery away with the ‘Champion Beer’ of the Festival, with a seasonal to finish at the George and light, hoppy and full of flavour, ale called ‘Elderflower Power’. Dragon, Shutford’s beer festival. that’s not to say there won’t be Recently he had the first beer John’s beers are predominately any darker beers during the colder months. When he has ‘rubber stamped’ GBG 2014 Is Out Now! stock beers he will be looking for a small number of select out- Continued from page 1 plus £2 p+p for non members*). lets to supply on a regular basis. guide of its kind where entries Any surplus copies of the guide Trial beers are currently sup- are recommended by consum- will be available at other Branch plied to the Norman Knight in ers! The guide gives details Socials until the end of the year. Whichford, the Lampet Arms in of food, opening times, beer Pre order your copy from John Tadmarton and the George and gardens, accommodation, trans- Bellinger using the contact Dragon in Shutford. port links, pub history, disabled details below. More news to follow watch access and facilities for families. You know you wanna! this space. John has lots of ideas In addition it has informative * Prices are subject to a discount for the future. Visits welcomed, articles on pubs, beer and brew- when ordered online or by telephone subject to prior appointment. ing and listings of beer festivals and members who subscribed to the around the UK. Privilege Club by direct debit will Tel: 01608 737033; email: At this year’s launch, copies also qualify for a further discount! [email protected] of the guide were available to purchase at a special low price CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List of £10 to CAMRA members and Email addresses are followed by £12 to non-members (the cost of northoxoncamra.org.uk buying the CHAIRMAN John Bellinger TREASURERS Nick Faulkner & guide at any Tel: 07427 677854 chairman@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ other time VICE-CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY is £11 plus Paul Forrest vicec@ Helen Jones membership@ £2 p+p for BRANCH SECRETARY PUBS OFFICER members Lynne Baldwin-Kramer Brian Wray pubs@ and £15.99 Tel: 07790 118341 secretary@ BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR BEER ON TAP EDITOR Tim Wilkins Mobile device Steve Lympany bot@ YOUNG MEMBERS SECRETARY users will be Tel: 07811 667507 Jim Hopcraft young@ pleased to BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING WEBMASTERS EDITOR Martin Batts and know that they Oliver Sladen Geraint Jones webmaster@ can have all the botads@ GBG with them BRANCH CONTACT Trading Standards: Oxfordshire all the time on Martin Batts contact@ County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry their phone Tel: 07854 116408 Hinksey Road, OX2 0BY

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 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

4 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Branch News Gardiner Arms Tackley proved very popular and a new and all week 5–10.30pm, but menu is now in use, so it is well Tony Bass, one time Pub of the they are flexible in these hours. worth popping in for a bite and Year landlord, and only recently Food is served while the pub is remember to book for Sunday left The Fox Inn, Westcott open. On Sunday they do a spe- lunch. Barton is looking to take over at cial ‘eat as much as you like’ buf- the Gardiner Arms. Carpenter’s Arms, fet for £9.95 and £4.95 for under He is still in negotiations Middle Barton 12s, and on Wednesdays they with Greene King and subject have a ‘Banquet Night’ where to small print, etc., should be Mr Hoque and his team re- from £9.95 you can choose from in place late in September. He opened the Carps on 9th July selected dishes, though terms hopes to re-create the success as ‘Taste of India at the and conditions do apply. They are also happy to cater he had at The Fox with a mix of Carpenters Arms’, with the for large parties and outside good beer, good food and live top bar retained as a pub with catering and events. It is not music. Full story next edition. two handpumps, selling either London Pride or Doom Bar and just an Indian restaurant as Stag’s Head, Swalcliffe the hope that once demand has they have a limited number of been established both will be traditional English dishes on Great news! Faith and Stamatis, on sale at the same time. The the menu. The chef is from from the Rock of Gibraltar, are bottom room is a restaurant Bangladesh and has over 20 taking on the Stag’s Head, as a specialising in Bangladeshi/ years experience. It’s great to see freehouse, and plan to reopen in Indian cuisine. an Indian restaurant with real early September. The owners also own the ale in good condition – perhaps They plan to do some work on Chequers in Hospath where drop in and try a pint in their the pub which has been closed the same ‘pub with a restaurant suntrap garden! for some time. I would imagine attached’ formula has proved Hare & Hounds, that by the time you read this it a winner. The bar is still very will already be open! More next much a bar with drinkers made Lower edition. very welcome. Carol & Jamie would like to Fox Inn, Westcott Barton In the first couple of months record their gratitude to all “local support has been fantas- those who supported and con- Now that Brian and Kaye have tic” said Mr Hoque, the owner tributed to the success of their got themselves settled into the of the family-run business. Beer and Music Festival held on pub they have altered the open- Open from 12–2pm Sat–Thurs the last weekend in July. ing hours slightly. The new opening times are now Mon– Sat, noon–3pm & 5.30–midnight and 12–3pm & 6–11pm Sun. The ever popular crop swap continues on occasional Saturdays starting at 11 until business is concluded. It is worth contacting the pub if you have produce to swap to find exact dates and remember no money must be involved - it is only for swapping excess or unwanted produce. The Wednesday quiz night is now a regular weekly event costing £1 per player and no cap on players in a team. Food has The team at the Carpenters Arms, Middle Barton. Mr Hoque is second right Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 5 6 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 All the beers were consumed Andrew Smith, new before the end of the festival owner at the Cock Inn, and a magnificent £3,000 was Combe raised for the Alzheimers char- ity they’re supporting this year. Their next major fundraising Fairport week- event will be on Saturday 28 end at nearby September when they will be Cropredy. hosting a knockout dominoes Stephen had competition in memory of to use all his John Newman. John, who died experience as a earlier this year, tirelessly ran Hooky tenant of the Thursday night dominoes nearly 20 years, league for many years and it was previously at a sad loss to the local commu- the Gate Hangs nity. A busy evening is expected to be serving food by the end High, Hook Norton, White as many entrants will be there of August, and intend to have a Swan, Wigginton and Chandlers to play and also to raise a glass medium price range menu. Part Arms, Epwell to cope with the to John. Players are welcome to of the refurbishment has seen increased footfall that Fairport enrol by 7pm on the night, with them reveal an old flagstone brings. play commencing at 7.30pm. floor in the main bar, previously Tara’s front of house skills If anyone is interested in run- covered by lino and carpeting. were also put to good use in that ning the Thursday night league This re-opening is great news she organised ‘A Pre-Cropredy – it would a huge shame for it for Combe and also for North Knees Up’ on the Wednesday to fold after being run so well by Oxfordshire. Another free house evening that was particularly John – please contact Carol at offering good service to the well supported, not only by the the pub on 01295 750645. local community. village regulars but also attract- Cock Inn, Combe Bell Inn, Great Bourton ed support staff from the festival site. She intends to have more What a great pleasure it was to It was a baptism of fire for music acts over the days of next visit this re-opened village pub. the new licensees, Stephen year’s Cropredy Festival. Previously owned by Greene- Cootes-Williams and Tara King, it has now opened as a Forde, pictured beneath their White Horse, Banbury free house owned by journal- recently installed new pub sign The pub is holding another of ists Andrew Smith and his wife in the Hook Norton livery, as its very successful beer festivals, Victoria Frazer-Smith, helped by they took over the tenancy running from Friday 4 Oct to their daughter Livvi. Andrew is only four weeks before a busy Sunday 6 Oct, stocking 22 ales Business Editor of The Oxford and three ciders with some from Times, and when asked how he White Horse and the rest com- copes with the job and running ing from all over. a pub, he shrugged and said The theme will be ‘British with a smile “I sit at a desk all Waterways and Canals’ to help day and stand all evening!” celebrate Sunday the 6th being There are three beers on Banbury Canal Day. draught: Hook Norton , Lamb Inn, Crawley Hook Norton Lion, and Sharp’s Doombar. I tasted the Bitter Owner-chef Anthony Pitcher which was in excellent condi- offers upmarket menus for tion. This selection will vary in the bar and the dining rooms. time, but, at present, all are sell- All dishes are homemade, and ing equally well. there are three Brakspear or The locals have given the Wychwood ales on tap. family a great welcome and the The pub’s proximity to Witney prospects for this lovely Grade (less than a mile) helps make it a Two-listed pub on the village popular spot for lunches. green, are looking good. They’ve Meanwhile, Anthony has refurbished the two main rooms recruited a new front of house and aim to keep the bar for named Carey from South drinkers, with meals served in Stephen Cootes-Williams and Tara Forde – Africa, who was previously the restaurant area. They hope new to The Bell, Great Bourton working in London. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 7 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 selec- tion 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

8 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Tel: 01993 708 792; website: The Centurion, Bicester http://thelamb.flashgeeks.co.uk/ The pub has been sold! Good, and also www.facebook.com/ you might think – but no. The lambcrawley pub has been bought by a prop- Black Prince, Woodstock erty developer. It is currently being rented and the barman The winter fun general knowl- suggested that it would soon edge quiz returns after a very be flats, though it is thought successful spell last year, being that there is a covenant on the held every Thursday evening, building which means it has to starting at 8.30pm sharp. Due remain as licenced premises or a to the success of the quiz last facility for the estate. year it is advisable for people to We’ll await developments! arrive early to get a seat! They will be holding their The Plough, Finstock second beer festival, starting on This lovely old thatched pub A pint and a posting at the Red Lion, Cropredy Fri 1 November which will run changed hands in July. New all weekend. After a successful Gary & Laura report another owner Guy Wallis has under- successful Fairport weekend first festival last year, it will have taken interior renovations and a minimum of 12 guest ales and with cask ale sales up signifi- there are now tables in front of cantly on the previous year. Over three guest ciders, with some the pub as well as in the garden. wonderfully spooky Halloween- the weekend they had to place Guy previously ran the three additional beer orders related ales. There will again be Meynell Arms in Staffs, the a promotion running all week- culminating in total sales of 24 Belper Arms in Leics and the 18-gallon casks of Hooky, 30 end, which will be ‘buy 4 pints Gold Cross in Stratford-upon- for only £10’! nines of Hobgoblin and the same Avon. Adnams Broadside is amount of Marston’s EPA. That’s Starting in November, always on tap, with two others Sundays will be known as ‘Old nearly 8,000 pints consumed in changing from time to time. 3 days. Fashioned Board Game Day’. Cider lovers will find Old Rosie. There will be various classic Food is all homemade by The Fox, Leafield board games available for cus- Wallis’ son Jordan, the head The Fox did such a good busi- tomers to enjoy free of charge. chef. On a recent Tuesday visit ness when the Leafield Fete was What better way to relax and there was a two-for-one offer held on the Green opposite, at finish off your winter weekends on fish and chips, followed by a the end of June, they ran out of than a comfy seat in front of a chocolate mint cheesecake and beer! They have now erected a roaring log fire with family and an Eton mess. The regular menu tent/smokers’ shelter in the gar- friends and a game of Scrabble? has starters from £4.50–£7.50, den to make life easier for the We will of course be keeping an mains from £8.95–£15.95, and smokers. We also hope to get a eye on all the Dads playing to desserts £5.50. Sandwiches and report on their successful cider make sure they don’t cheat! baguettes are available at lunch- festival Brasenose Arms, times along with a cheeseboard. Hundred Acres, Bicester Cropredy The Plough is dog and family friendly. Closed Mondays. Tel: This pub has been gutted and Superb music acts are always 01993 868 333; website www. redecorated inside and out and promoted here on a regular theplough-inn.co.uk/ now has a sign in the window basis and the pub can be relied Red Lion, Cropredy saying ‘opening soon’ with an on to have a variety of acts to advert for staff (chef, waiting contribute to the fringe festival There is now a recent addition staff and bar staff) under the in the village that accompanies to village life in Cropredy – the name China East and West Ltd. the Cropredy Festival. twice-weekly post office operat- However, the fact that there Leatherat were a big draw ing from the front bar in the pub are several hand pumps on the again this year but not content on Mons & Weds from 9.30am– bar gives some hope! We will to rest on their laurels they 1.30pm. Our correspondent of course bring the news once hosted the first Cropredy Beer reported a busy footfall around we know! Festival on 6–8 September 10am on his visit and Debra, the White Hart, Bicester in aid of the Air Ambulance postmistress, says that she has Service with the emphasis on at least 25 regulars already using One of Bicester’s established local brewers/cidermakers. the facility which is increasing hostelries is undergoing the Details of events are online at weekly and bolstered, of course, second part of a fairly major re- www.brasenosearms.co.uk. by passing canal trade. furbishment. More next edition. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 9 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 28th Sept KRIS DOLLIMORE Blonde plus a changing rare quality www.krisdollimore.com/ foreign craft beer on draught Sat 5th Oct BabaJack • Good selection of English fruit wines http://babajack.com Sun 13th Oct KENT DUCHAINE • Pleasant courtyard drinking area www.kentduchaine.com • We serve on average 40 different guest Sat 19th Oct ANDY BROAD beers per month, produced mostly by www.broad.ology.org.uk Sat 2nd Nov WILL KILLEEN microbreweries from all four http://willkilleen.weebly.com/ corners of the UK Sat 30th Oct TIM HOLEHOUSE http://timholehouse.com North Oxon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2009

Celebrating 26 continuous years in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 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

10 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Banbury Beer Festival Helpers Trip 2013 After work comes the play! And those who want to for those who helped at this join us. The coach is year’s Banbury Beer Festival we leaving from Enstone are organising a trip to Burton- at 07:50, stopping at on-Trent on 28th September Kidlington (Exeter and, for those that wish, a tour Hall) 08:10, Bicester of the National Brewery Centre, 08:30, Souldern though this is an extra and not 08:50 and Banbury included in the cost of the trip. 09:05. Please note A group of about 30 is already that the coach will booked on the Worth’s Coach leave at the times trip which means that there are stated and therefore still about 20 seats available for you are requested to be at the stop 10 mins comfort break at Rugby on the before that time. The cost way home, where there are sev- for members is £17 and eral excellent hostelries, though for non-members £20 I imagine most will head for the and includes transport Merchants! Aiming to be back to Burton on Trent and in Banbury for 21:00 (ish). If you back. If you want to tour are interested please contact the NBC then the cost Steve Lympany (07811 667507) will be £7.95, but num- for further details and to book bers are limited to 25. your place on a first come first We will be stopping for a served basis. Tabloid Version of “Two Keen CAMRA members having a beer at Olympia”

Hoppy: “Well, fancy bumping Hoppy: “Oh yes, that’s the new A more into you among all these people, microbrewery in the old cow- accurate picture Malt, my old friend!” shed at Much Binding. I heard of the GBBF Malt: “Certainly never thought that they’ve been having trouble at Olympia I’d see an old chum like you in getting the first brew right. Now, appears on this crowd, and, gosh, you have try a drop of this, it’s a five per- page 17 grown a superb bushy beard – cent bit of magic called ‘Get the scarcely recognised you!” Habit’ brewed by the Monks at Hoppy old chap, listen to this. Hoppy: “Yes, I’ve been cultivating Yeastley Abbey.” Jock, this splendid fellow behind it ever since I joined CAMRA, Malt: (swills glass a little; sniffs beer; the bar here, and I discovered a – one has to prove you’re an holds it up to the light; takes a beer called ‘Robin Hood’s Grave’ individual and a true member. sip and rolls the liquid round his … incredibly strong, 8% abv, and I must say, I’m very envious of mouth) “Now that’s something we really got the flavour, didn’t your open-toed sandals. Where special. You might have even we Jock?” on earth did you buy them?” found my beer of the Festival! Very strong in hops … initially full and Jock: “Aye, well you certainly did, Malt: “You’d never believe it, but Malt. It’s the only time I’ve seen they were on sale in the local citrus, but gets more spicy with charity shop … it’s where I buy the aftertaste … a brilliant brew! someone carried out of a beer most of my clothes.” Let’s get some more of that. (To festival.” Hoppy: “Happy memories! … Hoppy: “So do I … it’s the only the barman) Now, I’m sure we’ve met before haven’t we? although she did leave me … place I can find anything to fit.” and the local CAMRA Branch Malt: “Something to go round the Jock, the Barman: “Yes, it’s banned me for twelve months jolly old beer belly, eh what!” Malt isn’t it? We met at the from any of their events.” Hoppy: “What is that you’re Nottingham Beer Festival in 2011 Malt: “Well, good to meet you Jock, drinking … looks a bit cloudy didn’t we laddie? You got a little but I must lead my friend over to to me.” tipsy and you told me later that the North Country beers. Now, Malt: “Yes (holding glass up to your wife threatened to leave Hoppy, there’s this amazing 7% the light), I think you’re right. It’s y o u .” dark beer made with treacle and a third of Old Grumbleweed’s Malt: “That’s right, that’s right! bracken … you must try some of ‘Midnight Leak’.” Wonderful occasion that. I say, that …”

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 11 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

12 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 North Oxon Branch Annual General Meeting On Monday 8th July, the Branch finalists; a trip to Reading by Committee/officers: AGM was held at the Chequers train after the POTY vote count in Chipping Norton, our current to tour some of their best pubs; Chairman: John Bellinger Branch Pub of the Year. Meet the Brewer Evening at the Vice Chairman: Paul Forrest Chairman John Bellinger told Penny Black, Bicester; Good Secretary: Lynne Baldwin us that, at the end of his first Beer Guide Launch; Banbury Joint Treasurers: Nick Faulkner year as Chairman, he was still Pub Tour. The Beer Tax lobby of and Simon Whitehead as sane as when he took on the Parliament was a great success Membership Secretary: Helen role and Trisha, his wife, was which led to the Chancellor’s Jones still talking to him! “I have found decision to scrap the outdated Social Secretary: Vacant the experience very rewarding annual above-inflation increase Branch Contact: Martin Batts and would like to think that I in beer duty. Beer Festival Coordinator: Tim have contributed to some very Those present were told of Wilkins positive progress, both at Branch the importance of communica- Joint Webmasters: Geraint and National level”, he said. tion, emphasising the role of Jones and Martin Batts In order to concentrate on the the Branch newsletter, which LocAle Co-ordinator: Vacant positive aspects, he quickly got for years has been the main way Press and Publicity Officer: the negative ones out of the way. we keep members informed of Vacant He said he was disappointed to what’s going on. John briefly Young Members’ Officer: Jim lose a couple of elected offic- outlined the Beer Writers’ Hopcraft ers almost as soon as they were Workshop being organised Beer on Tap Editor: Steve appointed, leaving their roles to on 9th November to provide Lympany be covered by other Committee members with more skills and Beer on Tap Advertising members; also ‘clustering’ is knowledge to help produce qual- Editor: Oliver Sladen not in the position it needs to ity articles for Beer on Tap. The Pubs Officer: Brian Wray be, despite the hard work of a website too is also a great form Good Beer Co-ordinator: number of Committee members; of communication and Geraint Lynne Baldwin and it’s a shame we have not and Martin have made fantastic Public Affairs Officer: Vacant been able to relaunch the Branch changes to it and they are to be Cider Rep: Stephen Finnie LocAle initiative, due mainly to congratulated. Brewery Liaison Officer the failure to find someone to Our Facebook page has (HNB): Paul Worth take on the role of co-ordinator. more ‘friends’ than other larger “That aside, as a Branch we Branch’s pages and, having have many things to be proud unravelled the mystery of data Branch Diary of!”, he said, listing some of protection, we will soon be in All meetings start 8pm, other events these as being able to find two a position to contact members start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn willing members to take on the direct by email to keep them Baldwin (07790) 118341. responsibility of co-ordinating updated with campaigns and SEPTEMBER this year’s Banbury Beer Festival, socials. Pubs Officer Brian Wray Wed 18th: Committee Meeting. which was a great success; the is working towards a system White Horse, Wroxton 8pm Pub of the Year competition where members can text their Sat 28th: Beer Fest Helpers Trip. being closely contested with beer scores as they sit in the pub Burton upon Trent. See p11. the winner being our host for which should hopefully encour- the night; the Cider Pub of the age more beer scoring, which OCTOBER Year competition still taking has seen a decline in recent Mon 7th: Banbury Beer Fest place, even though we had lost years! Planning Meeting. White our newly appointed Cider Rep, “So communication ... it’s the Horse, Banbury with the Crawley Inn, being this way forward!” Fri 18th: Oxford Beer Festival year’s winner. John thanked the Committee, Social. 1pm, meet inside. A number of socials were remembering they are all volun- NOVEMBER organised by various members teers with other things going on Sat 9th: Beer Writers Workshop. and were well attended and in their lives, for their hard work Hook Norton Brewery Visitors good fun! These included the and for indulging and tolerating Centre. Details tbc Beer Festival Helpers Trip to the him over the last year. He also DECEMBER Redemption Brewery in London; thanked both Sandie Gill, who Sat 21st: Christmas Crawl of a tour and tasting evening at the is stepping down as Regional Banbury. Start noon, White Hook Norton Brewery; a mini- Director, and Jackie Parker for Horse, Banbury bus trip to visit all of the POTY their support! Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 13 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

14 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 The Perils Of Being A Clustermaster Since the inception of the UK apparently followed me a mile mistresses, remember that you drink driving law in 1967 I have down the road to the next pub are not immune to the law as been breathalysed on three where, eventually, I emerged (no you engage landlords in conver- occasions and on each of these alcohol here) before following sation as you deliver our quar- have been below the limit. me to my fourth drop off where terly Branch newsletter if you The first was in the early I noted their existence as I are driving and, like me, feel it hours after an evening in Henley pulled into the pub car park! is part of your role to put some on Thames where I had con- More recently in this area, money across the bar on each sumed three pints of Brakspears I noticed a police car pass the occasion or accept that kind Mild (we’re going back a few entrance to a pub car park as offer of a drink from a friendly years here!) prior to stop- I was waiting to pull out, after landlord appreciative of the role ping drinking alcohol at about a delivery of BOT no 53, again you play. 10.30pm. We’d also had a kebab after another lunchtime shift at PS: On each occasion men- bought from a vendor in the car another of ‘my’ pubs. Thankfully tioned above I cannot commend park before leaving for home I’d wisely chosen to have only highly enough the manner, after midnight. There wasn’t a half pint of Oxfordshire Ales courtesy and professionalism of much about on the roads at ‘Marshmellow’ at this second the officers involved from three 1.30am when I elected to jump pub as I chatted to bar staff. separate police forces with the the traffic lights … bad move. Following the police car down possible exception of the officer Shortly after I was pulled over the road, I noticed it pull into a in the first instance who was and breathalysed. It was a nerv- lay by and pull out again behind perfectly correct within law to ous 45 seconds while the female me after I had passed. Shortly want to ‘book’ me! Fortunately PC waited to see if the amber after the blue light began revolv- for me, his colleague displayed turned to red on her gadget ing … and the rest is history, so a more forgiving and human but it didn’t. Phew! She was they say. character. prepared to leave it there when So dear PLO/Clustermasters/ * They’re still called Clustermasters – Ed. her male colleague, who had been sitting in the car through- out, asked ‘What about the red Bottle Collection Free To A Good light?’ Bless her as she replied, Home ‘I’m sure Mr X will treat this as a warning, won’t you, sir?’ Of Liz Mosson has course, I would. been in touch Nothing much out of the ordi- with Beer on Tap nary here for readers of BOT as she has a col- but the other two instances lection of mainly carry a warning for our dis- Oxfordshire, tributors (are they still called beer bottles she ‘Clustermasters’ or PLOs – Pub is looking to give Liaison Officers?*) of our quar- away to a good terly newsletter. On each of home. the other two occasions I was stopped while delivering news- There are 75 empty beer bottles which letters, albeit of two different she’d like to donate to anyone who branches, after serving at lunch- already has, or wants to start, a collec- time sessions behind two differ- tion, or perhaps a pub with room to ent bars. Invariably this would display them! have entailed consuming at least A couple of bottles have already gone; half a pint. On the first occa- these are the Wychwood “Santa Claus” sion, unbeknown to me, I was and in the Hook Norton range four have observed by the occupants of already been claimed: “303” (top row an unmarked police car enter- middle), “Old hooky premium ale” (bot- ing two nearby pubs where I tom row 1st and 5th left), “Light ale” spent time not only dropping off (bottom row end right). aforesaid newsletters, speaking If you’d like to take some or all of with the landlords and, in the the bottles please contact Liz on 01865 first pub, consuming another 880889 and don’t hang around it’s strict- half a pint. After that they ly first come first served. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 15 Your Chance To Get Involved With Banbury Beer Fest 2014 I went to look at last year’s Beer the festival organiser has been organisation, Health & Safety, on Tap to see what had been in the past, and for this reason Treasurer, Staffing, Security, Bar written at this time about the the help that has been so great Management and all the other 2013 Banbury Beer Festival. I in the past few years will be jobs that help to ensure the fes- should have known I’d find a even more important for 2014. tival runs as smoothly as usual. desperate plea for an organiser! There are a number of roles I know that we have a wealth This year, thankfully, we do within the Festival organisation of experience within the branch not need to advertise for an that we will need help with not who have helped for the past organiser as I have volunteered just during the festival itself but 13 years but it is vital that we to be the Festival Coordinator. in the few months leading up to have more new volunteers this The role of coordinator hope- it. We will need help with: Press year to spread the load. The first fully will not be as involved as and publicity, entertainments meeting to begin the task will

16 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Your Chance To Get Involved With Banbury Beer Fest 2014 be at The White Horse, Banbury at 8pm on Monday 7th October. Put it in your diary now or con- tact me if you can’t make it and want to help. I know that we can make the 2014 the most memorable Banbury Beer Festival yet, so let’s not forget that it is our fes- tival and if we all get involved we can make it the most suc- cessful too. Tim Wilkins Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07780 171493 Grand Day Out At The 2013 Great British As in previous years, a group of Charlbury travelled down by Beer Festival regulars from the Rose & Crown, minibus with other beer fans from Hook Norton and Banbury to attend the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia, the UK’s premier beer event. More than 55,000 attended the event from Tuesday to Saturday to partake in the 800+ real ales, ciders, perrys and huge selection of foreign beer. If you have never been, you should plan to go – it is a great spectacle and showcases all that is great about the British beer and pub scene.

Right: The Rose & Crown contingent enjoying a beer at the GBBF. Below: The impressive venue at Olympia Anyone For CAMRA Rugby? We’d like to know if any mem- bers are interested in forming a CAMRA rugby team, possibly in Essex or the South-East. The team could play friendlies to promote real ale, do some real ale pub crawls on visits to club/ international games, etc., maybe even set up a game with the Parliament rugby team to high- light beer tax! If anyone is interested email me on [email protected] Mark Newson Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 17 [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.

18 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Round-Up Of Local Beer Festivals

Butcher’s Arms, Candleford Beer Festival, specially brewed by Poachers Beer Festival Fringford Brewery to mark the 70th anniversary of the famous The pub’s Fifth Summer Beer The 6th annual Candleford Beer Dambuster’s raid. Roll on the Festival was held over the week- Festival proved to be another 2014 festival. end of 7–9 June and featured success and a few showers only Andrew Davison eight cask ales and two cask served to encourage more peo- ciders including one from local ple into the beer tent. Located Horse & Groom, producer Little Orchard of on Fringford cricket ground Caulcott: Bastille Day Shenington. adjacent to the Butcher’s Arms, beer and music festival The beers were accompanied the festival offered a variety by themed food, which has of activities including music, Jerome’s annual festival of the become a main feature at The dance, stalls, games and food best of the best was again a Butchers, with Oxfordshire Ham provided by village and local great success with wall to wall with Hooky, Surrey Pork in an area groups and businesses at fine ales! 18 beers were on the Abinger watercress sauce with this fund-raising festival. beer sheet, one on the bar and Hogs Back Traditional English John Heathfield selected an extra late addition making Ale (T.E.A). and Hertfordshire another fine array of 30 quality it 20 ales, three ciders and one Sausages with Tring Brewery’s real ales from around the coun- perry for customers to enjoy. Fanny Ebbs. try, supported with a good range Arriving Saturday about 2(ish) of nine ciders and perries. The Champion Beer was Loddon’s Bamboozle (4.8%), a crisp hoppy bitter. Runners-up were Red Squirrel’s Hopfest (3.8%) and XT’s 6 (4.5%). Champion Cider was Swallowfield’s Tremletts Bitter (6.2%), while Ross-on- Wye’s Blakeney Red (6.0%) won Best Perry. Other notably popular beers were Beyond The Pale (4.2%) from the award-winning Elland brewery and Bottlebrook’s Rapture (5.9%). A unique beer Above: Geraint, Helen and Finn enjoying the at the festival was Dambusters beer at the Horse & Groom, Caulcott. (3.8%), a well-balanced bitter Below: Pouring the perfect beer Jenna Witts, popular artiste at the Butcher’s Arms, Balscote Beer Festival Music was on the lighter side with the lovely voice of Charlotte James starting Friday off, followed by Cheeky Finger who had a great acoustic set. Saturday night saw Jenna Witts, travel up from North Devon to launch her third album and you couldn’t get into the pub. Come 10pm Sunday, the pub’s traditional time to end its fes- tivals, not a pint of Fanny Ebbs (Beer of the Festival) or Hooky could be found, to end what was the best beer festival to date. We look forward to another excellent festival of food, music and great beer next year. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 19 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

20 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 I was in good time to grab a pint sourced by XT brewery and The bar was steady, but not from the bar and head out to with one notable exception all as busy as previous years and watch the excellent KBO Morris were in excellent condition, about half the beer was sold side strutting their stuff in the once the problem with the over the weekend. afternoon heat. It was a lovely cooler jackets was fixed! After my stint I got the chance afternoon too as we watched I managed to get along on to relax and enjoy the last cou- the dancing and supped several the Friday night to try out ple of beers with the Gadd’s ales, the highlights of which what was available and tried Festiv’ale and XT5 proving very were the Dark Star Hophead half of the ten ales, with all in tasty, but I had time for one and Vale Black Beauty Porter, excellent condition, it was the more so it had to be another 5! unfortunately the Beijing Black Animal Brewing Co Rabbit and Tony had put a lot of effort had already run out, being the Ramsbury Reach for the Sky into the festival and was pleased first to go! which were the stand-out beers. to announce that he had man- Sunday afternoon was another I only stayed for a couple of aged to raise the grand total of scorcher with a relentless sun hours and trade was quiet, but a £500 which he will be donating beating down on the thirsty small group had gathered and it to the Air Ambulance. drinker, and now the Butty Bach was a most pleasant time. and Hophead had followed the The Sunday was the main day Beer Festival DIARY Beijing Black by running out! with live music from 2pm until SEPTEMBER Though there were still plenty 11pm food stalls and face paint- 27–28: Moreton-in-Marsh Beer of top ales to sample, with the St ing, bouncy castles, etc for the Festival. 45 ales with cider and Austell Proper Job coming out kids and some great weather! I perry. Moreton Cricket Club as the day’s best beer. Another was down to work from 5pm so 27–29: Bletchindon Beer Festival cracker of a festival helped no got there early for a taster and Sports & Social Club, Oxford end by the amazing weather and to enjoy the music provided by Road, Bletchingdon of course Jerome’s beer! the excellent Darwin’s Wish. 28: Stonesfield Septembeerfest. 22 ales, three ciders for those Middle Barton Beer and not going to Burton! Food, live Music Festival music and champagne tent! OCTOBER In a change from recent years 4–5: Ascot Racecourse Beer the Beer Festival was moved up Festival and Racing. 220 ales to the Sports & Social Club on with cider and perry the Worton Road, after Tony 4–6: White Horse, Banbury Beer had left The Fox. This provided Festival. 22 Ales, three ciders. a much bigger arena for the Waterways theme for Banbury crowd to watch the bands and Canal Day, 6th Oct. more space around the real ale 9–12: Nottingham Beer Festival. Above: The db Band with Mick Quinn 1000+ real ales and ciders bar area. The festival ran from 16–19: Milton Keynes Concrete Friday 23 August until Bank (ex-Supergrass) on the left play on-stage at the Middle Barton Beer Festival Pint Beer Festival. 90 ales and Holiday Monday 26 August. cider. Buzsy, opp MK Central There were 10 real ales all Below: Punters at the bar rail station 17–19: Oxford Beer Festival. 120+ real ales, cider and perry. Oxford Town Hall 16–31: Wetherspoon real ale festival in all three of their pubs in the Branch. 24–26: Swindon Beer Festival, Steam Museum, Kemble Drive 30–2 Nov: Birmingham Beer Festival. 250 real ales plus cider and perry NOVEMBER 15–16: Wantage Beer Festival. 28 beers with cider and perry. Wantage Civic Hall JANUARY 24–26: Rose & Crown, Charlbury Winter Beer Festival. 20 real ales and at least four ciders and perrys. Food. Music Sat night

Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 21 Nominations Required For Cider POTY As the Autumn If you’re a cider drinker and diary availability and drivers, etc. rolls in it means you have a favourite cider water- If you send nominations to the it’s time to turn on ing hole please let us know the Chairman at the email address the central heating, name of the pub before the 31st on page 3 of the magazine or start wondering October and the judges will pay our Cider Rep Fin at cider@ when the supermarkets will be the nominated pubs a visit at northoxoncamra.org.uk and selling Christmas stocking fill- some point either in November make sure your cider pub gets ers and of course to think about or December depending on the nomination it deserves. Cider Pub of the Year. October is traditionally CAMRA’s cider month and the Beer On Tap On Its Travels North Oxon CAMRA runs a successful Cider Pub of the Year Here we see competition every year. However Sari & Petri we need your nominations so we from Finland, know which pubs we should be holidaying looking at. in Tuscany, where they’re enthusiasti- cally planning their next holiday in the North Oxfordshire area with help from Beer on Tap.

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

22 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 On Course For Some Good Island Beer Not only did local Branch mem- Geoff Clifford ber Geoff Clifford take his Beer reads Beer on Tap on Tap to Corsica with him, he in Corsica while enjoying a glass found some excellent beers to of Pietra beer. drink there as well! Calvi citadel in the The Pietra Brewery was background set up in 1995 by Armelle & Dominique Sialelli in Furiani, ing process, near Bastia. This was the first giving it time that beer had been brewed a unique, in Corsica. The island has forests slightly bitter of magnificent chestnut trees flavour. It is that were originally cultivated available on for the ruling Genoese, and the draught and Sialellis came up with a recipe in bottles. using chestnut flour. The result- The beer ing Pietra beer gradually won range has the hearts of the islanders. They since been expanded. Colomba malt blond beer, slightly bitter named it Pietra after their home (5% abv) is a cloudy white beer, and very thirst quenching. There village of Pietraserena. made with wheat, barley and are also Pietra Bionda (5.5%) Geoff says that the beer was herbs from the maquis (the and Pietra de Noel (7%), for a wonderful discovery. So often green undergrowth covering the Christmas. one travels to foreign parts only mountain slopes of Corsica). So, if you’re wondering where to find bland versions of lager. Pale straw in colour it has a you can get some sun next year, Pietra (6% abv) is a clear amber slight floral aroma with hints and, at the same time, quench beer with sweet chestnut flour of citrus and spices – delicious, your thirst with some great added to the malt in the mash- says Geoff. Serena (5%) is a pure beers, head for Corsica! A Summer Of Cider, But Not Fruit Cider It’s been a fabulous summer for dry cider). We’re also committed and that for a litre of made wine cider sales; warm, sunny, dry. A to making a range of drinks that is 266.72 pence. Most definitely great time for a glass of cool (but the majority of people like (with not cost effective. not cold, and certainly not over a little sugar and a little fizz), Commercial fruit ciders com- ice) apple cider in the garden. rather than following a pre- prise very little actual fruit. The The Little Orchard Company scribed formula for ‘real’ cider fermented apple juice is much has been out and about at some that produces a flat, dust-dry diluted (to alleviate duty issues), food fair or cider festival pretty drink, beloved of some die-hard then imbued with artificial much every weekend, which has cider fans, but doesn’t necessar- sweeteners and chemical fruit been great (though exhausting). ily travel well to Oxfordshire and flavours. Although we may not We like to do cider tasting ses- the general public who are used be purists, we are passionate sions and explain how we make to more commercial brands. about quality. Artificial flavours the different types of cider. One The reason we don’t make in our lovely cider? No thanks! question we’re always asked is, fruit ciders is twofold. Firstly, We’ve tried to source pure fruit “do you make fruit ciders?”, and there’s a matter of duty and sec- juices, but to no avail; the ones the answer to that, sadly, is a ondly, cost price versus quality. that we’ve tried are tasteless, resounding, “no”! Cidermakers follow a strict processed and expensive.. This isn’t because we’re pur- set of rules documented in Her Despite these problems, we’re ists. I have a sweet tooth and Majesty’s Customs and Excise still trying to develop a quality firmly believe that a little sweet- Notice 162, which stipulates that fruit cider at an affordable price. ness brings out the flavour of the only fruit you’re allowed to Meanwhile, next time you see us cider. I love a fruity, appley put into cider is apple juice or at a market or festival, ask for a drink, and those who follow us pear juice. Add any other fruit, bottle of our sloe gin so that you on Twitter know that I’m often and you have ‘made wine’ not too can enjoy a fruity slider on a in my garden drinking sliders (a cider. At an alcoholic content of sunny evening in your garden. sweet, fruity mix of homemade 7.5%, the duty consideration for Jo Dakin sloe gin tempered with our own a litre of cider is 39.66 pence, Little Orchard Company Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 23 BURFORD, FULBROOK AND WIDFORD CIRCULAR By Keith Rigley

Beer on Tap Pub Walks Lovely, varied walk in the far western region of the North Oxon Branch area Distance: Just under 6 miles (or Church Lane and follow the road churchyard after Cromwell’s army 7.5 miles if you visit Swinbrook). around a right-hand bend. Take a brutally crushed their rebellion. Allow: Approx 3–3.5 hours. footpath to the left of the church- At the end of the footpath, turn Map: Explorer OL45 () yard gate of St. John the Baptist left on a road then walk up to the Parking: Large car park near the Church. You might want to take High Street and turn right, keep- church, signposted from the High the short detour through the gate ing to the right side of the road. Street. Often full near lunchtime, to see the memorial plaque to the Leave Burford, crossing the so it’s best to park in the morning Levellers – a quasi-political group bridge over the river then turn or late afternoon if possible. of Parliamentarian soldiers who right at the mini-roundabout mutinied against Cromwell after A take on a classic circular Burford towards Fulbrook. After pass- the Civil War when their prom- ing Walnut Row, turn right onto walk, with three interesting church- ised reforms were ignored and a green lane immediately after es, a deserted village, great views who were not prepared to fight in Cotland House (the waymark is from rolling Cotswold hills and the Ireland until their conditions had hidden in foliage). Walk down this pretty Windrush watermeadows. been met. It is to the left of the lane and turn left along a green Leave the car park, crossing the church door, close to where three lane behind the back gardens of bridge and walk straight on into were executed then buried in the some houses. Soon you need to To Chipping Norton To Shipton- The Carpenter’s Arms serves Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale, and is a very u-Wychwood foody pub. If you want to visit, keep on along the A361 instead of taking the path on the right, then rejoin the walk by walking up Church Lane afterwards. A361 Cottages

Paynes Farm Carpenter’s Arms

Fulbrook

A361

START Optional detour to visit Swinbrook Swinbrook

Manor Farm Cottage A361

BURFORD Widford

The Swan Mill Farm

A40 The Swan, Swinbrook is also a very foody To pub in a beautiful location. It offers up to four Lechlade changing guest beers. Swinbrook Church is To also interesting and is where the graves of Witney some of the local Mitford family are found.

24 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 walk through a gap in a wooden need to turn right here then cross fence, take a metal kissing gate a cattle grid in a gap in the dry then continue along to reach an stone wall, but if you want to visit open field through a zig-zag gate. Swinbrook, turn left on the track Keep ahead with the fence on and take a path just to the left your left, take a stone stile into the of a cottage and continue along next field and walk straight ahead, straight ahead (then retrace your keeping a barbed wire fence on steps back here). Take a map, no your left. Ignore a waymarked directions are given here. path on your left and keep ahead St Oswald church once served to cross a stone and wood stile the medieval village of Widford in the corner of the field to take (now deserted, possibly after the a waymarked footpath to reach Black Death). It has some ancient a gravel/tarmac road. Turn right wall paintings (c. 1350), old box here and follow the road all the pews and other rare features, way to the main road through the making it well worth a visit. village (A361) at a war memorial. To continue the walk, go past Take a small road opposite the church along the farm track (Church Lane) and walk up to the to cross another cattle grid at the Church of St. James the Great, far end of the field. Turn left on an interesting church of Norman Some of the murals in the Church of St. Oswald a narrow road to walk through origin. Enter the churchyard, then the tiny hamlet of new Widford turn left just before the church Just before the woods you will then turn right when you reach a door, walk up a grassy bank and find a farmtrack. Turn right and T-junction. After around 150m, walk around the church to find a keep to the track as it leaves the take a waymarked path on the waymarked path out of the back woods, and keep ahead ignoring right, just past a small layby. This of the churchyard via a stone stile. any other tracks before it eventu- leads into a field of undergrowth Head slightly diagonally right, ally starts a gentle descent. Pass before you cross a stile to enter heading for a metal gate with a a row of cottages, walk down the the water meadows of the River stile next to it. Cross the stile then hill between the barn and farm- Windrush. Keep to the main head in the same general direction house of Paines Farm, then where track as it follows the course of past a tree and take another stile the road turns sharply to the left, the river, crossing a number of (which has a strange sliding top take a green lane on the right stiles along the way. bar) to join a road. Turn right on (signed Swinbrook, Fulbrook, When you eventually rejoin a the road and take the left fork at Widford, Burford). After a short, road after crossing a stile, turn the triangle ahead. Cross the A361 steep climb, take a gate into a field right and walk along the right- carefully (this is a very busy road) and walk straight on ahead, keep- hand side of the road all the and turn left to soon find a way- ing the woods on your right. way back to Burford. Soon after marked path on your right. When you reach a corner of the entering the village you will see Follow the path down some woods (where it goes round to the the Royal Oak pub (with The steps, take a wooden kissing gate right), keep straight on (ie, don’t Angel just ahead). To return to and keep straight on up the steps follow the edge of the wood round the car park where you started ahead. At the top of the steps, the corner) and walk down a slope the walk, turn right opposite the turn right then walk straight on where the track becomes better Royal Oak into Guildenford. At keeping a hedge on your right. defined as it swings round to the the end of this road you will see Just before a tree protected by a right, heading down a hill towards the right-hand turn back into the wooden frame and chicken-wire, a green metal gate. car park over the bridge. take a waymarked path which At the bottom of the hill, go Pubs on the walk route goes diagonally left, into a field, through the gate and walk up up a Burford has 11 pubs, and most of following the fold of a valley. You green lane to reach a tarmac road them offer good real ale – see the should just be able to see the tops where you turn right. At the bot- North Oxfordshire Branch web- of fir trees in the distance ahead. tom of a dip in the road, take the site at www.northoxoncamra.org. Follow the bendy, well-defined first waymarked path (Widford) uk/ for details, including opening path across this very large field, on your left, by a copse of trees. times. Two are on the route: then walk through a waymarked Cross a wooden stile and keep The Royal Oak is a Wadworth path in a hedgerow on the far ahead following the valley floor. pub with a range of Waddies’ side. Emerging from the trees, Walk through an open gate ales, good pub food and a pleas- keep on in the same general direc- at the far end of the valley and ant patio area at the back. tion to cross another field and go soon you will see the fascinating The Angel is a Hooky pub with through a path in the next hedge- 11th/12th Century Church of St. Hooky Bitter and Lion on our row in the far end of that field. Oswald on your right. Walk down last visit. Food is upmarket and Keep straight ahead again, aiming the slope ahead to reach a farm good quality. Their patio/garden for a copse of mixed woodland. track. To continue the walk you is beautifully kept and sheltered. Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 25 The Lake District: A Great Place For Ale Drinkers … And Their Dogs When my wife, Wendy and her from Cumberland Brewery, a friend, Lyn booked the cottage very dry blonde ale. This was in the Lake District for a walk- all we could sample as we were ing holiday with our dogs, the driving. The food was great, as first thing I thought of were the was their attitude to dogs – in Jennings and Hawkshead brew- fact all the pubs we visited wel- eries, so Martyn and I logged come dogs; providing biscuits into the Westmorland CAMRA and water and usually receiving website and found a further 28 more attention than the owners!! breweries in the region. Day 2 A quick Google Maps search We spent the day walking the found five were within five miles Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge of the cottage; therefore within edge of Windermere, allowing the dogs to go swimming again. walking distance; well played Gold (4.0%), Keswick’s Thirst That evening we got Bob to girls! Arriving at the cottage Session (3.7%) and Tirril’s Hare take us to the Punchbowl Inn, we discovered that the Lake of the Dog (4.1%) all exceedingly at Crossthwaite. This ‘pub’ has District is either under water or drinkable. We got a good ribbing evolved into a something more nearly vertical! and a map ‘mile’ from the locals when we asked than a gastro-pub, becoming a is closer to three in reality. This for the sparkler to be removed – decent restaurant which serves meant we would have to drive to apparently us ‘southerners’ don’t good beer. Here we sampled get anywhere. Luckily we found know how to serve beer! We had both their very well kept brews: a local cabbie called Bob who a lovely meal here. Coniston Brewing Co’s Bluebird had a 7-seater and was willing to Day 4 carry the dogs too; but as there Bitter, a lovely 3.6% bitter. are loads of places to visit in the Also on offer was Barngate’s A trip to Coniston was planned, Lakes we drove ourselves during Westmorland Gold, very hoppy, so off we went to see the lake the day and used Bob at night. at 4.2%, a great counterpoint to where Donald Campbell was Day 1 the fruity Bluebird. killed attempting to break Food was superb, perhaps a 300mph on water in Bluebird After an early morning dog bit ‘chefy’ for some, but the pan- K7. We then went to the nearby walk in the local area, we took fried scallops with black pudding church to visit his grave, which ourselves off to Ambleside, on was wonderful. was beautifully maintained. the northernmost tip of Lake Day 3 Windermere. We had a walk around the local Roman ruins Bowness, situated on the east then we wandered over to the shore of Lake Windermere, was Wateredge Inn for lunch. There one of our favourite places. we started our dive into Lake Here, Martyn, daughter Nicole District beer! and myself took a boat trip on First up was a pint of Keswick Lake Windermere, which had Brewing Co’s Thirst Gold (3.6%), a bar serving bottled Jennings a citrusy golden ale, very thirst Cumberland Ale, very civilised. quenching after the walk. Up The weather was fantastic so next was Corby Blonde (4.2%) we sat on deck with our feet up drinking in beer and panorama. Donald Campbell’s Grave Stone We returned a couple of hours later to discover our other halves Here we discovered that, ensconced in the Angel Inn during weekends and school (their second pub!) where we holidays, the local schools open had a wonderful Cumberland their on-site parking areas/ sausage and onion gravy in cia- playgrounds for visitors to park batta sandwich washed down for only a couple of quid for the with a pint of Coniston Bluebird. whole day. This was after we had That evening we engaged paid considerably more for two Bob, again, to take us to the hours in the ‘proper’ car park! Hare & Hounds in Bowland Around the corner we found Bridge which had three ales on, the Black Bull Hotel, home of Wateredge Inn Hesket Newmarket’s Hellvelyn the Coniston Brewing Co. 26 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 The Lake District: A Great Place For Ale Drinkers … And Their Dogs

The Watermill Inn & Brewing Co. then Isle of Dogs (4.5%), bitter with a sweet caramel finish and finally Dog’th Vader (5.1%), a The Black Bull Hotel & Coniston Brewery dark ale nearly a stout, very bit- ter with lots of treacle and not This pub was featured on the Day 6 to my taste. Their last beer Ruff front cover of the 2011 Good Back to Bowness, this time for Night wasn’t on unfortunately. Beer Guide and has many pho- a bit of gift shopping and lunch They do like their dogs here, in tos of Donald Campbell and in The Albert, the first pub the fact the pub makes a point of Bluebird on it’s walls. Our visit ladies found themselves in on serving your dog with water and coincided with one of only two the previous visit, a Robinsons biscuits, before they serve you. rain showers we encountered pub serving their Dizzy Blonde We popped behind the pub but, again, our dogs were made (3.8%), a bit warm, but it still to have a see the microbrewery very welcome inside, as were went down well. Another ale on and had a good chat with the we. Of course sitting inside put was Robinsons GB (3.6%) which head brewer, although seeing us perilously close to the bar, was at a better temperature and him wearing a Heineken teeshirt where the full range of Coniston Hartley’s Cumbria Way at 4.1%. was a little disappointing. Breweries ales were available, The girls decided to stay at They also have 7–8 guest ales including the incredible Old home this evening to start pack- including Barngates Brewery Man Ale (4.2%), named after the ing for our return home in the Cracker Ale (3.9%) which was mountain overlooking Coniston, morning. Martyn and I decided a very drinkable, but very dry the aforementioned Bluebird we’d be in the way so arranged amber ale. The Watermill Bitter, Oliver’s Light Ale (3.4%), for Bob to take us to The doesn’t restrict themselves to Special Oatmeal Stout (4.5%) Watermill at Ings. On the way local ales though as the collec- and finally their new No.9 Barley he pointed out the Hawkshead tion of pump clips testify. Wine (8.5%) which was voted Brewery, just a short walk away, We liked this pub so much 2012. so we decided to do both. that we never made it to the As we were driving, we only The Watermill brew pub was Hawkshead Brewery, after all had a couple of beers with our Good Pub Guide Beer Pub of Day 7 lunch, but we were able to buy the Year 2011 and deservedly so So that’s the end of the holiday, a mixed case of bottles direct with 16 ales on pump including we are already planning to come from the brewery, to enjoy later. eight of their own dog-themed back next year to sample some Day 5 ales. As this was our last night that we missed, possibly staying we went for it and tried them all! We got ‘Uncle’ Bob to drive us at the Black Bull Hotel. Starting from the leftmost pump to the Hare & Hounds again, They do like their beer ‘up was Bit’er Ruff (4.1%) which was and this time they had a new north’ served frothy through moreishly lemony; then Collie beer on, from the six-month- sparklers, but they will remove Wobbles (3.7%) with lots of tart old Bowness Bay Brewing Co., them if asked, along with a grapefruit; Windermere Blonde called Swift Bitter (4.5%). This strange look. (4.2%) which was pretty taste- was a very unusual beer, very The Lake District is a very less; next was Blackbeard, a mild smokey, in an ashtray sense, friendly (dog and human) region at 3.8%, which had a coffee and leaving a taste like you’ve been with loads of great local beers bitter dark chocolate flavour sucking on coal; unusual but not and although it’s a fair trek from with a strong liquorice smell. completely unpleasant, although Oxfordshire it is a journey well Ruff Justice (4.2%) was full of one was enough! worth making. sweet caramel, malty flavours; Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 27 28 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2013 Why Pubs Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Close Those wishing to close and George & Dragon, Hudswell, erty company who promised to redevelop a pub will invariably North Yorkshire keep it open. Needless to say, state that it “isn’t viable” and that they spoke with forked tongue nobody could reasonably expect and instantly submitted a plan- to turn it into a commercially ning application for conversion successful business. In fact, the to expensive flats. country is peppered with now- The regulars, though, weren’t thriving pubs where such claims going to let 133 years of pint- were once made. There are also pulling go down the drain and many examples of failing pubs set up an action group. Their being given a new lease of life first success was to get the pub by enterprising and imaginative listed by English Heritage in just owners. Here are just a few of The first community-owned pub eight days! - which put a large those success stories. in North Yorks, was officially spoke in the developer’s wheels. The Raven, Llanarman-yn- opened by the local MP, William They drummed up publicity by lâl, Denbighshire “14 Pints” Hague, in June 2010 getting support from the likes of after it had closed in August Ken Livingstone, Jon Snow and 2008. A group of villagers found- Rufus Sewell. ed the Hudswell Community Hundreds of objections helped Pub Initiative and set about rais- lead to the planning application ing funds. Shares cost £500 each, being refused. Today it is one of offering an annual dividend of NW5’s treasures. Always packed, 3.5%. it sells a great range of real ales Only 40% of the shares ended (including LocAles), has its own up being bought by villagers brand of quirky theme nights after the prospectus was made and offers a bohemian, inclusive widely available. Enough money atmosphere which has inspired a The pub closed in 2009 and was raised by this means and by new generation of ‘craft’ London seemed destined to become a variety of grants and awards to boozers. It was local CAMRA housing when it failed to reach enable purchase of the freehold Pub of the Year in 2012 and is its reserve price at auction. and extensive renovations and GBG listed. The local community was then improvements. Tenants were Devonshire Arms, approached by the makers of found who quickly built up good Cambridge a TV programme (Save Our relationships with residents; they Boozer) who offered help if they have a free hand to run the busi- took the pub on and didn’t mind ness as they choose. being filmed. They only had two The pub is now busier, friend- and a half weeks to get it ready lier and more profitable than for reopening but did it. ever before. It has also brought The enterprise was a success the community closer together so a company limited by guar- and several social groups regu- antee, Raven Mad Ltd, was set larly use the pub. up to acquire and run the pub. It The Pineapple, is staffed entirely by volunteers, apart from a full-time chef, and Kentish Town, London Once arguably the city’s worst any profits can only be used to pub became, in 2012, officially fund community projects. A the best when crowned local committee of nine runs the pub CAMRA Pub of the Year. Until on a day-to-day basis with sub- its closure in 2009 it had been a groups responsible for various scruffy, somewhat intimidating elements such as cellar manage- place and one of very few city ment, accounts and a wine club. pubs not to sell real ale. The Raven has been taken back The local Milton Brewery to being a traditional country bought it from Punch Taverns, pub serving real ales and good subjected it to a thorough refur- food. It was local CAMRA Pub When the pub closed in 2001, bishment and reopened early in of the Year in 2011 and is in the the lease was assigned by the 2010. This was at a time when 2013 Good Beer Guide. departing licensees to a prop- Cambridge was suffering a spate Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 29 of pub closures so why was the The Wheatley Arms, Ben one thing in common – quality. Dev an immediate success? The Rhydding, West Yorkshire You certainly can’t just open pub refurb obviously helped a lot doors and expect people to flood – there’s now a wood-panelled in these days – you have to make front bar with cosy seating areas the effort by offering something and a spacious, comfortable special. Another common factor back bar with wood-burning is real ale. This is something you stove and patio doors to a small can only get on draught in a pub garden area. The most positive and one big reason why folk will change was the arrival of lots get off their settees and visit the of real ale – five Milton beers, local (or not-so-local). three guests and real cider. High Finally, all the pubs are closely quality, good value food was also connected to their local commu- This imposing inn in an upmar- an innovation. nities. Those where the former ket suburb of Ilkley was closed The licensees have created a customers bought the pub have by Punch Taverns in 2002. Local friendly, welcoming atmosphere clearly secured a great deal of residents formed SUP, Save Us which attracts a great mix of local commitment but other Pub, and were told by Punch customers from the cosmopoli- examples show you don’t need that they had been “unable to tan area around the pub. to go so far to gain such loyalty. find a suitable retailer to invest Bridge End Inn, Ruabon to reopen the site” – though it was suspected they hadn’t Letter to the Editor tried very hard. Soon after, Reading the above article shows developers submitted a plan- that an under-performing pub ning application for residential can be turned around to become use. This was refused and went a success story – a concept that to appeal. SUP put huge effort appears to have completely into fighting the appeal and escaped the people behind the their hard work paid off when, Good Pub Guide who claim that after an inquiry, the appeal was up to 4,000 pubs will deservedly dismissed. go out of business in the next There was then a hiatus as year because most are badly run Reopened in 2009, it was Punch continued not to mar- and ‘stuck in the 1980s’. only three years later that this ket the pub at a reasonable Perhaps this attitude is due to became the first Welsh winner price but eventually the penny the appeasement of pubs which of CAMRA’s national Pub of the dropped that change of use pay to go in their guide who may Year contest. wasn’t going to happen. The welcome a lack of competition. The McGivern family took it pub was sold to Individual Inns, It is worth noting that pubs in on after it had been shut for six a small chain who run five pubs CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide are months. They aimed to create a in the north of England, who nominated by members purely pub offering a wide range of tra- extensively and expensively on merit and inclusion cannot ditional beer styles rather than renovated the place. Although be bought by a pub. focusing on food. As a result quite ‘gastro’, it retains a pubby Sadly, it is often the case that they built up a mixed trade of bar area with plentiful local real if a pub closes, it may never re- locals and beer lovers from all ales. The ambience is actually open, resulting in a community over Britain. At the time of the quite appropriate for the rather losing a valuable local asset. And award, CAMRA described the swanky area it sits in. once it has gone, it can never be pub as “an unbelievable success Conclusions turned around at a later date. story and a perfect case study of This cavalier attitude which a local outlet playing a pivotal All these pubs are now thriving seems to welcome huge closures role at the heart of a small com- concerns which are vital parts and loss of jobs will mean there munity”. The Bridge also has its of the communities they serve. will never be shelf space in my own micro-brewery, producing There is no magic recipe for home for the Good Pub Guide. McGivern Ales. success but all examples have Keith Rigley 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 – Autumn 2013 Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 31