|
Temporary Teresa Tops Twenty Years at Arkells
After starting as a temporary secretary at Arkell's Brewery before moving to Liverpool in 1982, Chairman and managing director's secretary Teresa Hill is celebrating twenty years at the brewery this month.
"Liverpool's loss is definitely our gain," said managing director James Arkell who presented Teresa with a watch, jewellery and a big bouquet at a party thrown in her honour at the brewery.
"I was torn between moving away and staying to work for a really nice company," she said. "Arkell's won and I haven't regretted it for a minute."
A high point in her career with the brewery came about ten years ago when she went to see Princess Diana at the Great Western Enterprise Centre. "I fell in love with her straight away and when she spoke, she was so unassuming and friendly," said Teresa.
Teresa recently spearheaded the brewery's campaign to raise money for essential equipment at the Family Unit in the new Great Western Hospital with her "Name That Bear" competition.
"We are committed to raising £25,000 towards equipping a Family Unit as part of the Evolution Appeal being organised by the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust," explained Teresa.
As part of its fund-raising efforts, the brewery provided 200 bears to its Swindon and district pubs and invited customers, for a £1 stake, to 'Name That Bear'.
Teresa now works for Chairman Peter Arkell and Managing Director, James Arkell.
"I must have one of the most enjoyable jobs in Swindon," she said. "and I'm looking forward to the next twenty years."
Teresa (pic. right with her daughter, Hannah, and step-son, Luke.) started as a secretary to Chairman Peter Arkell and was planning to move to Liverpool where some of her family was already based.
Budget '14p off a pint' Statement
After hearing the headlines news from the budget yesterday that Chancellor Gordon Brown was slashing 14p off a pint of beer for small breweries, it sounded as though Swindon beer drinkers would be getting more beer for their money.
"Mr Brown said that the duty paid on small brewers' beer will be halved - equal to 14p off the price of a pint, but this is not the case for most breweries under the threshold, as it will be on a sliding scale. In a nutshell, the smaller the brewery, the greater the cut, and because of the headlines even the smallest brewery may not benefit because they might have to pass the cuts directly to the customer," he said.
The Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), of which Arkell's Brewery is a member, has called it "the worst possible scenario".
Stuart Neame, vice chairman of the IFBB said it merely deflected interest away from Britain's high duty rates. "We estimate that the duty cut will affect only one pint in every 100 consumed in the nation's pubs," he said.
"It won't really help the microbrewers who will be expected to pass on any duty changes to their customers. And it does nothing to benefit the 99 per cent of drinkers who enjoy national and regional beers such as those produced by family brewers."
But in the cold light of day the devil appears in the detail, according to James Arkell, at Arkell's Brewery in Swindon.
Landlord goes from Bear Hug to Rat Trap
After a year helping his friend out at Arkell's pub, The Bear in Marlborough, Yorkshire-born chef Marc Richardson has taken over The Rat Trap at Stratton in Swindon, and thinks the regulars are as friendly as those from his native Yorkshire.
Marc is so sure of his new career that his wife Claire and their two children are joining them - bringing when them their traditional recipe for Black Pudding.
The Rat Trap is well-known for its big portions and good-sized steaks, and Marc has no intention of changing that.
"I've cooked in a number of four and five star hotels in Yorkshire, and have a wide repertoire of dishes, but if my customers like the menu, and the size of the portions, I'm not going to change that at the moment - except of course for adding black pudding!"
A bit of Rat Trap History
Arkell's bought The Rat Trap in 1899 which it was still called The Plough. But the Brewery changed the name in 1974 when it decided to officially call the pub what the locals had been calling it for years - The Rat Trap.
According to local history, the name Rat Trap was used because an earlier Landlady (Fanny Stroud) locked her customers in unless they paid their accounts promptly.
But Marc doesn't think he'll have any problems. "My customers don't need cornering, like rats. My experience so far is that they're like bees around a honey pot."
"I came down from Yorkshire to help Andrew out for a few months when he needed extra staff," said Marc, "And I enjoyed it so much that when Arkell's offered me the chance to run The Rat Trap, I thought it sounded a great idea."
Landlady Fishes for Compliments in Landlocked Pub
New landlady at Arkell's pub The Duke of Edinburgh, Jane Westmoreland, was surprised to find that she had taken over a fisherman's pub - with no river or lake for miles around!
"The pub is on Cricklade Road, with no fishing at all for heaven's sake! But I guess that just means that I can't argue with them when my customers tell me that 'it was this big'!"
Jane has been working in the pub trade for some years, and ran Arkell's pubs The Three Tuns at Wroughton and The Butcher's Arms near Purton before taking a break from the licensed trade for a few months.
"I thought that I'd had enough of working behind the bar, but after a few months in 'civvie street', I really wanted to come back," said Jane.
"The Duke of Edinburgh is a really great old-fashioned pub. It's a drinkers pub and proud of it."
Brewery managing director, James Arkell, is really delighted that Jane has decided to return to the licensed trade.
"She's a first class landlady and we wouldn't have wanted her to be the 'one that got away'," he said.
"There's certainly plenty to keep me out of mischief," said Jane, who is also planning to get both a men's and ladies darts team up and running.
"Seriously, though, there's a really strong contingent of fishermen here and I hope to organise a proper fishing club, when I'm settled behind the bar."
Arkell's brewer pays tribute to the Queen Mother
As The Union Jack at Arkell’s Brewery in Stratton is flying at half mast this week, Arkell’s Brewery has paid tribute to the Queen Mother and her commitment and support given to the country over her 101 years, spanning three centuries.
As Commanding Officers of the Royal Yeomanry Regiment, Brewery managing director, James Arkell, visited the Queen Mother at Clarence House in 1993.
“The Queen Mother was Royal Honorary Colonel of the Regiment and it was part of my duties to visit her when I took over as Commanding Officer. I went to Clarence House and was invited into the Drawing Room to talk about the Regiment and its current duties.
“She was a delightful lady, who took a keen interest in what was going on with her Regiment and expected a full briefing on what was happening.
James went on to explain that the Queen Mother also visited the Regiment’s new headquarters in Turks Road off The King’s Road in the mid 1990s.
“At that time she was not able to walk very far, so we spruced up the old catering lift to take her from the ground floor to the Officer’s Mess. It was a rather creaky old lift and whilst testing it the day before it became stuck. On the day of her visit, we were very worried that it might get stuck with Her Majesty inside. Luckily, our fears were unfounded.”
James’s father, Peter Arkell (Chairman of Arkell’s Brewery), met the Queen Mother at a party at Buckingham Palace in 1995.
“I flew Lysanders as part of The Queen’s Flight during the war, flying behind the lines. In 1995, after the 30 years rule had lapsed, a fellow member of The Queen’s Flight, Hugh Verity, wrote a book on our experiences and we were invited to tea at Buckingham Place to celebrate its publication, where we met a number of members of the Royal Family, including the Queen and the Queen Mother and had a delicious tea, including whisky.
“I had a very long conversation with her, and have nothing but admiration for her and the rest of The Royal Family.”
Peter went onto explain that he met her again at Newbury Races the day after, when she saw him across the ring and made a special effort to go over and talk to him again.
“This is a very sad time for the country and she will be missed for many years to come,” he said.
To celebrate her 100th Birthday two years ago, Arkell’s Brewery brewed a special birthday beer which was delivered to Clarence House.
New Bar and Restaurant Crowning Glory at Kings
 The Kings, Wood Street |
Arkell's Brewery has given the hotel a huge new bar and restaurant in the hotel's first refit for 30 years, and the Grand opening will carried out by Swindon Mayor, David Cox, on Wednesday 27 March at 12.30pm.
"Arkell's Brewery bought The Kings Arms, now known as just 'The Kings' in 1885 and as one of our longest-owned it holds a special affection for us," said managing director at the brewery, James Arkell. "Especially as it is also in one of the oldest parts of Swindon."
The new-look King's bar is now one large, airy space and no longer feels cramped. The new restaurant, which was previously used only as a dining room for residents, is now large enough for 42 people, with an overflow area capable of accommodating a further 18. Restaurant manager Geoff Newell is also planning to use the walls to display contemporary art, which will be supplied by local art dealer, The Croft Gallery in Old Town.
"There are a lot of businesses based in Old Town, as well as companies on the periphery who are looking for new venues to meet, host functions and eat during the day and in the early evening," said manageress Nicky Piper.
 The Mayor and Mayoress enjoy a drink with James Arkell |
Nicky, along with parents Chris and Pat and her partner Geoff, took over The King's almost two years ago and have enjoyed looking after their traditional lunchtime guests as well as developing the live music events in the evenings.
"The King's is a terrific place because we attract such a wide variety of customers during the day and in the evenings," pointed out Nicky.
"We're so easy to get to, and it's easy to park at the back of the hotel, unlike many places locally."
With Swindon's shortage of hotel accommodation, The King's also provides much-needed letting rooms right in the centre of the town.
Nicky's partner Geoff Newell is in charge of the restaurant and has recently taken on a new chef from New Zealand, Melanie Paterson.
"We are in the process of expanding our menu, adding a range of modern cuisine (French with Asian and Mediterranean influences), to our popular traditional English selection of dishes, he said.
Bookings are now being taken for the restaurant. Contact The Kings on 01793 522156.
Make Ours a Double, say Arkell's Landlords
Perhaps the secret of success in the Gloucester Ladies Darts League is drinking Arkell's Ales, after the winner and runner up of this year's league were announced as teams from two Arkell's pubs.
"It could help them keep their eye in, or perhaps they're just damn good darts players," said Sir Colin Campbell Landlord Stephen Thorpe, who is celebrating his pub's team winning the Gloucester Ladies Darts Team - closely followed by the team at The Whitesmith's Arms in Southgate Street.
The team at the Sir Colin Campbell are especially pleased because this is the second year in a row that they have won their division.
"Our ladies darts team has come up two divisions in two years, and now they're at the top," said Stephen.
"We are even more pleased as The Whitesmith's Arms team have some former county players in their team and our ladies do it for the fun of it. This year's result is a bit like York City beating Liverpool FC."
Over the last five years, The Whitesmith's Arms has only been beaten into runner-up position twice and are accepted as the dominant force in Ladies Darts in the Gloucester league.
The Gloucester Ladies Darts League, which fields around thirty teams of six players, plays league games at all participating pubs on a Wednesday night during the winter season.
Likely Lads Swap Baking for Beer at the Talbot at Eynsham
With yeast almost flowing through their veins, after running the family business, Biggers Bakery in Eynsham for over 100 years, father and son team Arthur and Charles Biggers couldn't resist the chance to take over The Talbot at Eynsham when the Arkell's tenancy became available recently.
Biggers Bakery closed down in 1994 and Arthur has been working in the outside catering industry since then, including spending time at The Oxford Union during its 150th anniversary celebrations.
"My son, Charles who is a trained chef, has recently returned from working in New Zealand and we are currently revamping the menu to offer traditional meals, including a strong fresh fish menu, but also to tempt the tastebuds of the more adventurous with a new style of cuisine called Fusion Cooking."
Fusion cooking is a mix of a variety of styles of cooking, such as using Chinese, Italian, French and Japanese flavours and mixing them together. According to Charles, it uses more sweet flavours such as a roast loin of lamb with a red wine sauce spiked with sweet chillis.
Arthur and Charles are also footloose and fancy free and are looking forward to a busy social life whilst running the pub.
"There's no better place to be than a pub if you want to extend your circle of friends," added Arthur.
"Charles and I are looking forward to working together; I think we'll make a really great team - definitely not Steptoe & Son, but more The Likely Lads."
"We have gone from working with yeast for baking to serving yeast in real ale, which seems a really great alternative," said Arthur.
The Sun Always Shines at Coate Water
When they took over The Sun at Coate Water recently, Neil and Karen Shergold decided to throw their doors open from morning to night and offer good beer and food all day.
"We've got four kids of our own, and there's no telling when they're going to be hungry, so why serve food at traditional meal-times only?" said Neil.
The newly-refurbished Sun is next to Swindon's Coate Water Country Park and Neil and Karen's longer opening hours will provide a welcome extra facility for families on a day out.
The Shergolds have been in the pub trade for over twenty years - ever since they met on a catering course at North Star College in Swindon. "Our kids have all been brought up pubs and as a result are socially very confident and happy," pointed out Neil, whose children are aged from 15 years down to 9 months.
"You've got to be a people person in this trade, and with a busy pub and 35 employees, there's no time for tears and tantrums from any of us," he added.
And in May this year The Sun will be 'shining' even brighter as a new conservatory extension is built to cater for up to 60 people.
"Neil and Karen haven't wasted any time since taking over, and are treating their customers as an extension to the family" said James Arkell of Arkell's Brewery. "They've already sponsored a local football team and planned a family fun day for June. "They've also developed a new menu, which includes a casserole using Bee's Organic Ale and big range of vegetarian dishes."
Bunny Hops from one Old Swindon Industry to Another
After a career spanning beer, wines and rolling stock, Bunny Warren has finally decided to retire.
Bunny, whose real name is Ray, has spent most of his working life in Swindon's two oldest industries - the Railways and at Arkell's Brewery.
Luckily for Bunny, his wife Ena was working at Arkell's and the brewery initially offered him a job barrel washing. For the last seven years, he has been working in Arkell's Vintners as a storeman and helping run the brewery's outside bars.
"I've not only worked at Swindon's oldest industries, but I've also served at some of their newest," said Bunny, who has run bars for companies such as Intel. "And I reckon I've been into more businesses in Swindon than most people I know."
Bunny plans to spend his retirement running his home, playing with his five grandchildren and at the Stratton Churchwards Bowling Club where he is a member, while his wife Ena carries on making the tea at Arkell's.
"After all, I don't want her getting in my way while I'm doing the washing and ironing," he said.
"I spent most of my time on the railways, first as a booking clerk and then as the cashier at Swindon station, but like many others about the same time, I was made redundant," said Bunny.
Brewery Secures West Swindon Site for New Pub
Arkell’s Brewery is delighted to announce that it has secured a 1.8 acre site at Taw Hill, West Swindon to build a new pub for the developing community.
Managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, James Arkell, said: “We are thrilled that Bryant Homes has agreed to sell us the land so we can build a new pub for the residents at Taw Hill and Burghley Park. This is an exciting new venture for us and everything is still at the planning stages.”
James added that the brewery is considering creating a village bar as well as catering for families in non-smoking areas, with perhaps a small animal menagerie as an added attraction.
“The site is close to Swindon Country Park and some attractive bridleways, which will make it an excellent destination for families, especially at the weekends,” he added.
The brewery also hopes to incorporate some bed and breakfast letting rooms on the site, which have proved very popular at its St Andrew’s Ridge pub, The Jovial Monk, opened in October 2000.
“We estimate that it will take us just under a year to design and obtain planning permission for the building, and we hope to be able to throw open the doors of a new Swindon community pub between Christmas 2002 and Spring next year,” said James.
“Swindon is expanding and flourishing, and we want to be able to provide new communities with a focus and a feeling of belonging. What better way to do that than by building a new pub.”
Assistant Brewer says cobblers to work!
He might have finished his working career as Assistant Brewer at Arkell's Brewery, but Brian Dicks, who retired this month, originally trained as a cobbler in Fleet Street, Swindon.
"I trained at Shoecraft, which has long since gone, but there wasn't much call even then for a good cobbler and eventually I began to look around for something else to do," he said.
"It became a way of life in the brewery," said Brian. "At one point three generations of the Dicks family were working at the brewery; me, my dad and my son, Chris."
Chris has so far clocked up 19 years at Arkell's, working in the brew like his father and grandfather before him.
Brian thinks that retirement will be prove a shock to the system after so many years brewing beer, but he doesn't plan on being bored. After cross-country running for Wiltshire in his youth, Brian took up the more sedate sport of golf fifteen years ago.
At a current handicap of around 20, Brian feels he's got plenty of room for improvement, but the signs are looking good for as he got a hole-in-one at Marlborough Golf Course last year.
"If I can get my handicap down to the same number as a pint of 2Bs, I'll be a happy man," he said.
He didn't have to look far as his dad, George, worked at the brewery for over 20 years. Brian started work at Arkell's in 1965 on transport. After taking two years off to work in the building trade, he returned in 1969 to work on the Mash Tun, and has been there ever since, working his way up to Assistant Brewer fourteen years ago.
Brian with his son Chris
|
|
