CAMRA Award-winning: Adam and Eve's Dot & Brian Gasson, Cheltenham CAMRA branch chairman Tony Aburrow and Arkell's Brewery director, George Arkell.
Twice in a Row! Dot and Brian Gasson of The Adam and Eve, Townsend Road, Cheltenham celebrated winning Cheltenham's CAMRA Pub of the Year two years in succession this week.
Dot and Brian, who have been running Cheltenham's best real ale pub for 25 years, put the secret of their success down to assiduous care of their beer - and great ale from pub owners Arkell's Brewery.
"I spend time every morning and evening down in the cellar making sure the beer's just right," says landlord Brian, who learned the art of beer-keeping at first hand, listening to his customers and talking to the brewery.
Tony Aburrow, chairman of CAMRA's Cheltenham branch, said: "We're all delighted for Dot and Brian, this is a real feather in their cap. When we inspected Brian's cellar, it was so clean and the beer always tastes excellent."
Dot and Brian have been running the pub for longer than Arkell's have owned it.
"We bought the pub from Whitbread in 1991," said Brewery managing director, James Arkell, who lives near Cirencester. "But we know good landlords when we see them and we weren't prepared to let Dot and Brian get away easily. Brian certainly knows his beer and Dot might be tiny in stature, but she's a titan behind the bar!"
The Adam and Eve might be small, like its landlady, but it still has room for a busy skittle alley with its own teams, as well as playing host to two quiz and a darts team.
Representatives of some of these teams, and members of Arkell's Brewery, were on hand to see Dot and Brian receive their certificate from CAMRA.
"The Adam and Eve is a wonderful, backstreet local pub," said brewery director, George Arkell. "And although Dot makes a mean round of sandwiches, this is a pub for drinkers rather than trendy diners - and there are too few of those left in Cheltenham."
More about The Adam and Eve...
Last Chance to View Rare Loo!
Wee Wonder: Norah Thomas and the 'historical' loos
The Sally Pussey Inn at Wootton Bassett near Swindon has a grand history, but until a lecturer from leading bathroom manufacturers, Twyfords Bathrooms dropped in for a pint six months ago, neither pub owners Arkell's Brewery, or landlords Norah Thomas and Mike Randall realised that there was something of historic note in the Gent's loos.
Hanging on the wall there are three avocado urinals - very unusual, according to Twyfords Bathrooms, which should know as it's been manufacturing bathroom porcelain since 1849.
"The man from Twyfords, who lectures on the subject, was very interested in our avocado urinals," explains Norah. "Apparently, coloured examples are rare."
According to Customer Training Manager at Twyfords, Terry Woolliscroft, who is also responsible for Twyford Bathrooms' Archives: "Coloured sanitaryware was all the range in the 1970s and very early 1980s in domestic situations, very little was produced for commercial use."
Even The Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke on Trent, which recently spent £1.6 million on several galleries dedicated to the history of the toilet, doesn't have any examples of coloured urinals, according to Terry.
Sadly for bathroom historians, but perhaps not for The Sally Pussey's regulars, the urinals are on their way out as part of major renovation works currently under way at this popular Wootton Bassett pub and restaurant.
"We think the urinals were installed around twenty years ago, when avocado bathrooms were fashionable", said Brewery boss, James Arkell. "And much as we would like to keep them for posterity, I'm afraid they just have to go. We're building a new extension to The Sally Pussey, providing disabled access, an enlarged restaurant and a meeting room, and the entire pub, including the ladies and gentlemen's toilets are being refurbished. The plumbers tell me that the new urinals will be gleaming white."
However, James said that he is willing to donate them to The Gladstone Museum, if the curator would like to get in touch!
Meanwhile, those gentlemen who are keen to see such unusual sanitaryware are urged to
'Spend a Penny' before it's too late.
The urinals are due to be ditched during April and work on The Sally Pussey, which will stay open throughout the building, is due for completion Mid May.
More about The Sally Pussey Inn...
Landlord goes north for work!
New tenants: David and Janet Yates
It's less than half way up Great Britain, but it's the furthest north he's ever been!
When David Yates moved into The Downgate in Hungerford last week with his wife Janet, he realised that he'd never had a job so far north!
"I was born in Over Wallop and spent my childhood living in villages around that area before a career in the pub industry took me to the to Andover and Southampton," he says. "So when we were offered the opportunity to take over The Downgate by Arkell's Brewery, which owns the pub, I was a bit nervous."
Luckily his wife, Janet, told him not to be so daft and just two weeks after seeing the pub they moved in.
"My dad was born in Hungerford and I spent most summer holidays here," explained Janet. "We used to play on the Common and visit The Downgate for special treats out. Little did I guess that forty years later we'd be running it!"
David and Janet are delighted with the pub. "My last job was as bar manager at a large banking training centre near Andover, but as landlord of The Downgate I've at last got the opportunity to develop my dream pub and settle into the local community," he said.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell's Brewery said: "As soon as we met David and Janet we knew they would be perfect for The Downgate. They are experienced, friendly and keen to establish themselves quickly."
David has already stamped his mark on the pub by opening from 11am to 11pm and organising a monthly quiz night. "We are also keen to offer morning coffee and afternoon teas to walkers on the Common," he adds "As long as I can understand my customers' northern, Hungerford, accents!"
More about The Downgate...
Severn Bore Charity Ride nets over £3,000 for Cancer Charities
More than £3,000 has been raised by local sailors after riding the famous Severn Bore on Boxing Day.
The Severn Bore Boxing Day regatta was organised by Paul Hayward and landlady Sharon Frances, of Arkell's riverside pub The Sir Colin Campbell on Llanthony Road in Gloucester, and their friend Mark Hynam in aid of Cancer charities.
More than a dozen boats started at The Severn Bore Inn and rode the surge wave for more than five miles down the river to The Sir Colin Campbell, but the day wasn't without incident as one on-board engine caught fire and another boat capsized.
Organisers Mark and Paul were amazed when the sponsorship money started flooding in.
"We couldn't believe how much everyone had put themselves out to be sponsored," said Mark. "Each boat held a number of people and each one of those had collected sponsorships running into the hundreds of pounds. There was even a canoeist who turned up on the day with sponsorship."
Paul and Mark decided to hold the event for charity after both had a parent who died of cancer.
"We wanted to raise money for a good cause which was dear to our hearts," explained Paul, "And this seemed to be a worthwhile and enjoyable way of doing it."
Since Boxing Day, the pair have been hard at work collecting in sponsorship money and are planning a cheque presentation on Saturday 28th February to local Cancer charities.
More about The Sir Colin Campbell...
New Landlords invite Prince Charles to Breakfast!
Hoping for a Royal visit: David and Bernadette Jackson
New landlords David and Bernadette Jackson are hoping to entice Prince Charles to sample one of their new all-day breakfasts after he hopped on the train just yards from their pub this week.
David and Bernadette have just taken over The Tavern Inn at Kemble and were startled to see Prince Charles arriving at Kemble Station, directly opposite their pub, just days after they moved in.
"We moved down from County Durham and knew we were coming to 'Royal Gloucestershire', but we didn't realise we would see royalty quite so quickly," said Bernadette.
After revamping the menu at this Arkell's-owned pub, to include an all-day breakfast and other local delicacies such as their beer and ale casserole, the Jackson's are keen that Prince Charles arrives a little early for his next train to London.
"We're very proud of our new menu and it would be wonderful to have a member of the Royal family sample it - or perhaps William and Harry could visit instead," said David. He added: "We're also opening in time for the afternoon train which arrives at the station at 5.30pm, so they could stop off at the pub on their way home from a busy day on matters of State."
But The Tavern still has its own 'royalty' in the form of 91-year old Arthur Ayres and his little brother Harry (81) who have been pub regulars for decades.
"It's wonderful to meet such dedicated regulars and Harry still plays in the pub skittles team," said David.
"Everyone's been so friendly since we moved in, Kemble's a great community and whether or not we are graced by a royal visit, we know we're going to enjoy it here," added Bernadette.
More about The Tavern Inn...
Brewery Toasts Newspaper's 150 Years
Hop off the press: Swindon Evening Advertiser editor, Pauline Leighton, with Arkell's Brewery managing director, James Arkell.
Swindon brewer, Arkell's, celebrating 150 years of its local paper by producing a special limited edition beer in celebration.
"Adver Ale', which is 5 per cent ABV (Alcohol by Volume) has been brewed for The Swindon Evening Advertiser by Arkell's head brewer, Don Bracher, who has used a special blend of malts and a variety of hops to give it a lasting taste and aroma. For the first time, Arkell's is producing the beer in a new 330 ml bottle, larger than the usual 275ml half pint bottle and more familiar to younger drinkers.
Brewery managing director, James Arkell, said: "The Swindon Evening Advertiser is a wonderful newspaper, and we are delighted to able to pay tribute to such a venerable, but still essential daily source of local news and events. My grandfather had a particularly close relationship with The Evening Advertiser through his great propensity for letter writing and also, for the front-page 'ear -pieces' as cartoon adverts for our beer!
"The great debates of Swindon or Thamesdown - coverage of trips to Swanage or tram crash disasters, were all played out in the Evening Advertiser. Local papers help develop communities in a unique way. Everyone in and around Swindon reads the 'Adver' at some time and entire generations of families are tracked through news stories or the announcements pages."
The 'Swindon Evening Advertiser and Daily Record' was first printed in 1854, but because of a swinging Government stamp duty on daily papers at the time, its first editor, William Morris, launched it as a monthly, costing 1d. It is now published six times a week and covers news and events in Swindon and the surrounding area.
At 160 year's old, Arkell's Brewery is ten years older but James points out that both businesses started for similar reasons.
"Arkell's beer grew in popularity as it provided welcome refreshment to the thirsty workers in Brunel's sweltering railway works. Then, as more and more people poured into Swindon to fulfil Isambard's engineering dreams, so they needed a forum for news and information, which was soon provided by the Evening Advertiser.
"Now, of course, we also have local radio and television, but whether it's reporting a hard news story (where perhaps you'd rather not be featured!), or a league sports match there is nothing like seeing your name and picture in the paper to make you feel special - a bit like your first pint of Arkell's beer at 18 year's old!"
Nyra Stepps into the Rose and Crown
Great start: Nyra Stepps (pictureed here with Henry, her Bassett hound)
Just days after landlady Nyra Stepp took over at The Rose and Crown, the pretty country hotel has been nominated by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), for inclusion into its recommended list of pubs in Wiltshire.
"I'd hardly finished moving my furniture in before a CAMRA representative introduced himself in the bar," she says.
After five years at her previous pub, The Tavern at Kemble near Cirencester, successful Arkell's landlady Nyra decided she needed a bigger challenge, and the brewery were keen to oblige.
"Nyra is a wonderful landlady and we didn't want to lose her," says managing director James Arkell. "Luckily we've got such a wide variety of different pubs and hotels that it wasn't long before something came along that fitted the bill. The Rose and Crown is close to Wiltshire's famous Ridgeway and attracts a large number of tourists, so Nyra will certainly be kept busy running not only the bar and restaurant, but the nine-bedroomed hotel as well."
Nyra jokes that she's gone up-market: "My previous pub just had six hard standing areas for caravans!"
The Rose and Crown also has a new Scottish chef, Tom Carrol, who missed Burns Night this year because he was moving into the hotel.
"We're introducing a new menu with the emphasis on delicious, traditional British food," explains Nyra, "But first, we're planning to celebrate Valentine's Day with a special menu which includes such dishes as 'Lusty Lemon Meringue Pie'!"
Nyra is now in charge of a staff of four, plus her trusty dog Henry, a sleepy four-year old Bassett Hound who is looking forward to a walk on the Ridgeway - if he can stay awake long enough!
More about The Tavern Inn...
Award-winning Peter's Porter is Winter Warmer!
Toasting Peter's Porter: Peter Arkell (l) and Claude Arkell
Arkell's Brewery Chairman Peter Arkell is celebrating this week as his traditional ale, Peter's Porter, is making a welcome, but temporary, return to the cellars of Arkell's pubs.
Due to its fresh ingredients, Arkells is only brewing a limited number of barrels, and it's first come, first served!
A dark and delicious beer and with an ABV of 4.3%, Peter's Porter was first brewed in 1995 to Peter Arkells' own recipe with added malted oats giving it a unique silky-smooth flavour. It also won an award at the 1996 International Brewers Awards.
"Over the last few years many of our customers have asked us to revive this beer," said Peter. "So as soon as Noel Ale was over for another year, we decided to cheer up a dull January by doing just that."
'Porter' beer was developed in London during the first half of the 18th Century. The idea was to produce a darker, heavier beer than the ales commonly drunk at the time. It was named 'Porter' because it was thought that this strong, nourishing drink would be just the thing for market porters and other hard working labourers!
"There are also plenty of those in Swindon," said Peter. "And we want them to have something really tasty to drink after a hard day's work."
Peter Arkell is the only chairman of the company to have a beer named after him during his lifetime, and at 81 years old this month, he puts his health and vitality down to the nutritious and nourishing effects of plenty of good beer since he was a baby!
"Peter's Porter, especially, is a really good, meaty drink - excellent for warming the insides when the weather turns cold. It's a shame that it's only really sold in the winter months - but it definitely gives me something to look forward to every year!"
More about Arkell's Seasonal Ales...
Catching The Big One for Clive
Friends of keen angler and father of five, Clive Walsh, who was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver on Great Western Way in Swindon in November 2002, are raising money for his family, almost a year to the day after the killer, Andrew Pounder, was sentenced to four years in prison.
Clive regularly met up with many of his angling friends at Arkell's pub, The Duke of Edinburgh, on Cricklade Road in Swindon and now landlady Jane Westmorland and her partner, Phil Tipton, are organising the fund-raising fishing competition.
"Although it's been more than a year since Clive died, we still miss him," said Phil. "He was a great angler and a thoroughly nice man. We have been meaning to do something for ages and time has gone on - but now we're organising this fishing competition and are dedicating the whole day to his memory."
The fishing match is taking place on 31 January on the Thames near Faringdon, and there are 50 pegs available at £15 per ticket. £5 will go direct to Clive's family and the £10 will be set aside for prizes - although Phil says that winners are welcome to donate their winnings to Clive's fund if they wish.
The Duke of Edinburgh will also put some money into the day. Landlady Jane said: "Although we are a land-locked pub, for some reason, The Duke has always had a thriving angling club- and Clive enjoyed meeting fellow-fisherman here for a pint of Arkell's 3Bs. We currently have around 30 members and most of them will be fishing on 31st January. We hope to raise as much money as possible for Clive's family."
For more information or to reserve a peg for the match, contact Phil Tipton at The Duke of Edinburgh on 01793 523643.
