Cheers!:
North Swindon MP, Michael Wills with managing director, James Arkell toast the Tawny Owl
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After more than three years in the development and £2 million investment later, Arkell's threw open the doors of its newest pub yesterday.
The Tawny Owl, at Taw Hill, North Swindon, welcomed its first customer's yesterday lunchtime when over 100 people crowded inside to drink to the brewery's newest investment.
MP for North Swindon, Michael Wills, performed the opening ceremony by pulling the first pint and paid tribute to the commitment of Arkell's Brewery and Chairman of Taw Hill Resident's Assocation, Mark Edwards,
"Rather than just assume that they knew what the local community wanted, Arkell's Brewery took an enormous amount of time and effort to find out what the residents would like from their local pub," he said. "They worked closely with the Taw Hill Residents Association and talked to a huge number of people to make sure that they built what was needed. In these days where time is money, it is unusual, but extremely heartening, to see a company take this much trouble and spend time consulting the local population."
He also thanked Mark Edwards who has committed to the project from the beginning, including working tirelessly with Swindon Borough Council and Arkell's Brewery during the planning process.
With the brewery's newest pub already pulling in the crowds, managing director James Arkell wished the new landlords luck in their new venture. Philip Britton (33) and his wife Louise (32), who come from a professional catering background and can't wait to get settled in.
Philip said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to develop a really wonderful new pub. Arkell's have thought of everything, from the amphitheatre, waterwheel and children's play area outside, to the full disabled facilities and state-of-the-art video and conference room equipment."
As well as the two bars and restaurant, the pub has five letting rooms, including a family/disabled room, and the conference room, can cater for up to 75 people.
The Taw-Ny Owl is Arkell's second new-build pub of the 21 century, having been built three years after the successful opening of The Jovial Monk at nearby St Andrew's Ridge in Swindon, now at the centre of its own thriving local community.
"Swindon is still growing and North Swindon in particular still has to accommodate over 5000 new homes over the next few years," said James Arkell, at the brewery. "We want to bring life to these communities and feel that providing a focal point, such as a family pub, is a essential part of any big new residential development - as important as a good nursery, grocery shop or post office.
"But when we build a new pub we have to make sure it's somewhere our new customers will want to visit, which is why we invest so much time in the project and involve as many people as we can. I have to say that I think all our hard work here has paid off. The Tawny Owl is fantastic, a really inviting interior and plenty of space and facilities. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the 160th anniversary of Arkell's Brewery. From the old to the new, we're proud that Arkell's Brewery is part of the fabric of Swindon. I think I'll drink to that!"
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Tawny Owl Spreads its Wings!
Arkell's new flagship pub, The Tawny Owl at Taw Hill, North Swindon is almost set for flight. Opening this Wednesday, 22 October, the £2 million plus investment by Arkell's Brewery is almost completed, depite a burglery last week when around £10,000 of contract building equipment was stolen from the site.
The new landlord and landlady are Philip Britton (33) and his wife Louise (32), who come from a professional catering background and can't wait to get settled in.
The pub has five letting rooms, including a family/disabled room, and a conference room (called The Parliament Room, following through the theme of Owls!).
As well as two bars and restaurant facilities inside, Arkell's have added a number of new external features designed for the added enjoyment of customers.
"We're building an amphitheatre outside, as well as installing a waterwheel and a stream," said managing director at Arkell's Brewery, James Arkell.
Groundwork began on the site last November (2002), and development work has progressed steadily on the pub.
The Taw-Ny Owl is Arkell's second new-build pub of the 21 century. It is being built three years after the successful opening of The Jovial Monk at nearby St Andrew's Ridge in Swindon, now at the centre of its own thriving local community.
"Since the year 2000 North Swindon has almost trebled in size and there are still more than 5000 houses yet to be built in the area," says James. "But housing development isn't a community unless it's got all the infrastructure to support it, and we think that a family pub is an essential part of any new residential environment, as important as a local shop and other community facilities."
"This is going to be a wonderful family pub with plenty going on, and it's an unusually exciting opportunity for the new landlords to develop the business just how they want it right from the beginning," explains Craig Titchenor, Head of Managed Houses at Arkell's Brewery, who is overseeing much of the planning and fitting out of the pub. "We're looking forward to Phillip and Louise starting and will be giving them plenty of support and encouragement."
James praised the support received from Taw Hill residents and their association chairman, Mark Edwards, who supported Arkell's Brewery throughout the planning process. "Everyone, and The Resident's Association in particular, has been full of enthusiasm for The Tawny Owl and we're looking forward to celebrating the opening with everyone, especially in this special 160th year of Arkell's Brewery," he said.
The Tawny Owl will be officially opened on October 22nd by Michael Wills, MP at 12.15pm
Civil Servant hung at The White Hart!
Art at The White Hart:
Ray Galvani with landlady, Julie Moss
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A 53-year old civil servant from Whitchurch has been invited to hang more than fifty of his paintings at The White Hart in Whitchurch.
Ray Galvani, who is currently recovering from a heart attack, contacted new landlords Andrew and Julie Moss and asked them if they would consider hanging some of his paintings on their walls.
"It was almost meant to be," exclaims Julie. "We were about to look for some new paintings to hang in the dining room and bars and Ray's are absolutely beautiful. In fact as soon as he arrived to show us some of his work, a number of his paintings were snapped up by customers before we had the chance to hang them on the walls."
Ray says that he has painted almost all his life but has never had any formal art training. "When I was at school I did woodwork and technical drawing, not art," he explains. "But there is a strong artistic streak in the family. One of my sisters illustrates books and another is an artist in Paris, so I suppose it was pretty likely that whatever I did the creative streak was likely to show itself."
Ray describes his painting as 'Outsider' or Naïve Art, which is less well-known in the UK than on the continent. It's colourful, bold but clever, drawing the eye without being childish.
Andrew and Julie are so enthusiastic that they are not only hanging his paintings downstairs, but plan to put others on the stairs and landings up to the hotel bedrooms.
"We want to have the opportunity to hang other artists work in the hotel," says Julie "But as Ray contacted us at such an opportune moment when we had not long been in the hotel, we now consider him our permanent 'Artist in Residence'!"
Ray is amazed that telephone call he made out of the blue has had such amazing results. "I've never shown my work publicly before," he points out. "But you tend to look at things differently after a heart attack and I feel this is a gentle way to get back to full health and work during convalescence."
Bosses at Arkell's Brewery, which has recently bought The White Hart, are delighted that their new hotel is proving such a 'draw' for artists! Managing director, James Arkell, says: "Ray's obviously very talented and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves from showing his paintings at the hotel. I congratulate Andrew and Julie at spotting such talent so quickly."
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Apartment definitely above Average!
Internationally renowned:
The Average White Band
Playing The Apartment, 11th November 2003
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Soul/Funk band The Average White Band has chosen The Apartment in Swindon as one of only four venues in its latest UK Tour.
Best-known for world-wide hits including 'Let's go round again' and 'Pick up the pieces', the internationally-renowned combo, formed in 1972 by a group of Scottish musicians, are now based in the United States but they'll be bringing their unique sound to Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Swindon during November, hitting The Apartment for one night only on Tuesday 11th November.
Paul Studholme, at The Apartment, said: "This is fantastic news. The Average White Band have never lost their edge and still play to packed houses across the world.
"Since we opened in December 2002 we've been steadily gaining a reputation as a really good music venue. Customers like us because it's intimate - the most we can accommodate is 300 which gives them a great opportunity to see international groups close up and musicians like us because of the great atmosphere."
The James Taylor Quartet, which appeared earlier this year is also returning to The Apartment on Tuesday, 14th October.
"Last time it was a sell-out and there are only a few tickets left now," says Paul, who is urging people to contact The Apartment quickly before all the spaces are gone.
Tickets for The Average White Band cost £17.50 each, or £75 for a meal deal, which includes a meal for two plus two tickets. Tickets for The James Taylor Quartet cost £13.50 in advance, £15.50 on the door or £60 for a two-person meal deal.
For more information contact Paul Studholme at The Apartment on 01793 490202
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