Issue 49 – Summer 2012 FREE – Please take one Newsletter of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA Beer, Sun And Fun At BBF What can I say? I didn’t think that we could have a better festival than 2011, but I was wrong. Steve, Brian and Paul selected some amazing beers and presented them in superb condition – thank you lads. When we counted the voting forms for Beer of the Festival on Saturday night, the clear win- ner was Redemption’s Trinity (a surprisingly full-tasting beer for just 3% abv), so we’ll be heading off to Tottenham later in the year to visit the brewery and present them with their certificate. Entertainment over the week- the future, Crude Measure on of their talent is that they were end was brilliant. On Thursday Saturday were a huge success, approached by organisers from Jasmine Faulkner, ably accom- with their great selection of clas- two other festivals. Pete Watkins panied by James Foley, must sic rock songs that had us all eventually finished his 6–8pm be a name to look out for in bopping in the sunshine. a sign slot on Saturday evening at about 9.30pm to public acclaim The Fox Wins Branch Pub of the Year – thanks Pete for rounding off the festival in such great style. Congratulations The whole weekend had a great to Tony and Jacqui at The party feel to it, with such a Fox, Westcote lovely atmosphere. Barton, on My grateful thanks go to all winning the those people who gave up their CAMRA North time before, during and after the Oxon Branch festival to set up the hall, keep it Pub of the Year nice, staff the event, then return competition for things to their rightful owners. 2012 We were fortunate to gain some new volunteers behind the bars, and delighted to hear that they found it more fun than being on Many thanks to those mem- the North Oxfordshire CAMRA the drinking side of the counter. bers who got round all six Branch Pub of the Year 2012. Hopefully they’ll be keen to of the Branch’s top pubs The votes were counted at take part at other festivals in the and voted in what was a the Branch meeting at the future. fiercely fought contest. Horse & Groom in Milcombe, I must also thank the sponsors Congratulations go to the Fox mid-March, and The Fox was – Hook Norton Brewery, Wye Inn, Westcote Barton, which is Continued on page 3 Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://www.northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk 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 & 5pm–10pm [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. 2 Beer on Tap – Summer 2012 Beer, Sun and Fun At The 2012 BBF Continued from front page and let them Valley Brewery, Whittlebury know you’d Brewery, and Speedy Tool Hire. like to help. I’ve enjoyed my last two years A festival as festival organiser, but am organiser will stepping down to allow fresh be required blood to take over. If you’ve had for the festival a great time at the festival and to take place would like to help the team for next year. next year, please come along to The team is the North Oxon CAMRA AGM all there, but on July 16th at The Fox, Middle without some- Barton or contact chairman@ one to organ- northoxfordshirecamra.org ise things this will be the last festival until someone can contact the Chairman or come Branch Pub Of be found. If you think you can along to any North Oxfordshire help organise the festival please CAMRA meeting. The Year 2012 Continued from front page Branch Chairman Needed declared as winner ahead of the Rose & Crown, Charlbury. It is a North Oxon Branch will be in Branch and no beer festival. particularly noteworthy achieve- need of a new Chairman at the Lynne will remain on the ment for Jacqui and Tony as they AGM to be held on July 16th at Committee and will be happy had only just celebrated their The Fox, Westcote Barton. to help out the new Chairman. first anniversary at the pub the Lynne Baldwin will be stand- Other posts which are currently weekend before with a beer fes- ing down after three years in empty include Vice Chairman, tival: which was made up solely the role (the maximum time the Membership Secretary, Social of local ales, which also marked Branch rules allow the post to Secretary, Branch Contact and the start of them being able to be held), so the Branch needs a possibly Webmaster. take beer from the SIBA list. new person to take this on, oth- If you are interested in any In one short year they have erwise North Oxon CAMRA of the Committee roles please taken a pub which was empty will not be allowed to carry contact Lynne Baldwin or any of for two months and created a on. This will mean, no Beer on the other Committee members hub of the community, home Tap, no Pub of the Year for our to get more information. to Aunt Sally and other pub teams, where poker nights and CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List quiz nights share the space with music nights. The award Email addresses are followed by northoxfordshirecamra.org.uk though is about good beer and CHAIRMAN Lynne Baldwin- BEER ON TAP EDITOR the pub is a place where young Kramer Tel: 07790 118341 Steve Lympany bot@ and old mix to enjoy great beer chairman@ Tel: 07811 667507 in a warm, welcoming environ- VICE-CHAIRMAN PRESS & PUBLICITY CONTACT ment. Four ales are regularly on vicec@ Position vacant Position vacant press@ PUBS OFFICER with five at busy times. Hooky BRANCH SECRETARY Dick Palmer is the regular with the rest Caz Jewell secretary@ & Brian Wray pubs@ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER changing regularly, but where TREASURER Nick Faulkner local ales like XT, White Horse treasurer@ John Bellinger public@ and Oxfordshire Ales are found MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY YOUNG MEMBERS COORDINATOR alongside Skinners, Taylor’s, and Yvonne Hallows Sharp’s. A great example of the membership@ Position vacant WEBMASTER Great British pub and a worthy BRANCH CONTACT Chris Darke webmaster@ winner of our Pub of the Year. Chris Darke contact@ Tony will be presented with Tel: 07852 251300 Trading Standards: Oxfordshire his certificate at the Branch SOCIAL SECRETARY AGM held at The Fox, 8pm on County Council, Electric Ave, Ferry Monday 16th July, all welcome. Position vacant Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0BY Newsletter of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 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 4 Beer on Tap – Summer 2012 Branch News Ben Williams – a new face at it over as a community hub. The the Coach & Horses, Banbury group has plans to turn the pub on a big screen, and a into a village bakery, place of Jubilee Garden Party learning, coffee shop, etc, sell- will run alongside the ing locally produced food stuffs other Jubilee events in and making a viable, sustain- Banbury town centre. able concern for Stonesfield. Although not a pub as such it is Butchers Arms, certainly a better use than either Balscote a house or a closed pub. This year Ken and The Fox, Souldern his team are doing The ever popular beer festival at something different The Fox will have 20 beers with Coach & Horses, Banbury and will be holding a an Olympic theme to make up Charity Music Festival in con- Ben Williams has recently taken the “Fox Ale’lympics” over the junction with its Summer Beer weekend of 20th–22nd July. over at the Coach & Horses in Festival. They’ll have six guest Butchers Row. He is a proven See http://thefoxatsouldern. ales, three regular Hooky ales, co.uk/Beer_Fest3.asp to keep up landlord having owned his a Hooky seasonal and one cask own pub in Yorkshire where he to date with beers. There will be of the amazing Hooky Diamond live music from 8pm on Friday, achieved AA Rosettes and a Bib Reserve, which at 6% was the Gourmand every year he was then 4pm Saturday and 3pm first beer to sell out at the Sunday, with Adderbury Morris there. He has sold up and moved Banbury Beer Festival (and will to Banbury looking for a new men from 1pm Saturday. A bar- almost certainly go first here beque will feed the hungry from challenge.