Arkell's Brewery: News

Not Quite the End of the Road for Steve

Fed up with 70 hours a week on the road of Great Britain, lorry driver Steve Townsend has traded in one license for another this week as he takes over behind the bar at Arkell’s pub The Curriers in Wootton Bassett.

“There are too many nutters on the road how,” he said. “I’ve been driving for 4 ˝ years and it’s getting worse, so I’m happy to pack it in and swap my HGV 1 license for a publican’s license and go back to what I’ve always enjoyed the most – working in a pub!”

This isn’t Steve’s first time running a pub, either. His mum and dad always ran pubs and he had his own in Yorkshire for a few years, before life on the open road beckoned.

But the speed of his decision has taken both him and his family by surprise. “I made a snap decision and then approached Arkell’s just five weeks ago,” explains Steve. “They put me on their landlord list and then this pub became available and we all decided it was perfect. It’s a great town pub where I can take the mickey out of people and get it taken out of me – it’s what life’s all about.”

Luckily for The Currier’s customers, Steve’s wife Ellen is a qualified chef and is already planning to offer a slap-up Sunday Road in the pub, and when they’ve all settled in, she’ll be adding a weekday pub food menu too.

“I’ve only been here a few days but it’s just great to have people to chat to, rather than an empty cab and bumper to bumper with the lorry in front,” he said.

More about The Curriers

Arkell’s – The Fastest Pint on Two Legs!

Alan and Liz King-Page, alongside daughter Michell, outside their new home, The Duke at Hilmarton
First past the post:
Arkell's 'Pete the Pint' winning the BCS Children in Need mascot's race

It’s official - Arkell’s is Swindon’s fastest pint on two legs!

Arkell’s Brewery mascot, Pete the Pint, beat PC Mouse, Willy Wildcat, Swindon Evening Advertiser's Alfie the Alligator, STFC’s Rockin’ Robin and a pantomine horse hands down this afternoon as the best of Swindon’s mascots raced around Swindon Town Football Club.

The race was organised by The British Computer Society to raise money for the BBC Children in Need.

This is Pete the Pint’s first attempt at the ‘100 metres dash’ and he brought along a pint of Arkell’s Noel Ale to quench the thirst of each runner.

Pete the Pint (actually Arkell’s Director Craig Titchener!), was thrilled with his performance. He said: “It’s the beer that did it. I saw the five bottles of Noel Ale and just couldn’t stop myself. And of course it’s all in a very good cause!”

A little piece of South Africa comes to Hilmarton

Fit for a King-Page:
Alan and Liz King-Page, alongside daughter Michell, outside their new home, The Duke at Hilmarton

Villagers at Hilmarton, near Lyneham are celebrating some welcome Winter sunshine into the village – even if it does come ‘second hand’ as South African couple Alan and Liz King-Page realise their dream and take over Arkell’s pub The Duke.

Alan and Liz moved from South Africa to the UK in 2001 after Alan retired from 35 years on South African Railways.

“We’d always wanted to run an English pub after we visited our son who lives in the UK and experienced some wonderful hospitality,” said Liz. “His local pub put up a special TV screen for us to watch the South Africa versus New Zealand Rugby World Cup. Nothing special about that perhaps, except that this particular pub’s customers weren’t really interested in rugby, especially where the home team wasn’t represented, but horse-racing. The pub did it especially for us and we were really grateful. Now we can repay that hospitality by providing some of our own at The Duke.”

Alan and Liz moved into the pub after applying to Arkell’s Brewery for a tenancy at the beginning of the Summer. And they’ve kept their early promise by throwing open their doors and welcoming a range of clubs from the local squash team to Calne Pigeon Club, as well as young and older people from the surrounding villages.

“In South Africa, we don’t have this type of social connection within a pub,” explained Alan. “We have bars where people just go and drink. In the UK the pub is often central to its community, especially in a village like Hilmarton.”

Alan and Liz are helped by their daughter Michell who is working with them and the trio are now offering a taste of South Africa every week.

“We do a proper English Sunday roast, which I cook myself, but I always slip in a South African vegetable amongst the potatoes and carrots, so our customers are able to try out a new taste for themselves,” said Liz.

Next week The Duke at Hilmarton is going one better and on 24th November, for one night only, it’s offering an evening of special South African cooking.

“We love the UK and consider it a land of opportunity,” said Alan. “But we thought that we’d also like to share our love of South African cooking with our customers.”

Alan and Liz seem to have struck a chord with many as the pub is already almost booked up for the evening.

“If the event is the success that it seems likely to be, we’ll do it again soon,” said Liz.

More about The Duke Hotel

Moonraker stars at Swindon Film Festival, thanks to Arkell’s

Richard Kiel aka Jaws and his co-star in Moonraker Blanche Ravalec
Getting his teeth into Swindon:
Richard Kiel aka Jaws will be making a guest appearance alongside co-star Blanche Ravalec at the Arkell's sponsored showing of Moonraker, the Bond movie that made them famous.

Arkell’s is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the 25th Anniversary screening of the James Bond classic “Moonraker” as part of the Swindon Film Festival.

“With one of our most well-known pubs called The Moonrakers, we really couldn’t refuse such a wonderful sponsorship opportunity,” said brewery managing director, James Arkell.

“And we’re looking forward to welcoming the famous ‘Jaws’ actor Richard Kiel and his on-screen partner Dolly (played by Blanche Ravalec) to the screening at Cineworld, Greenbridge on Thursday 18th November, 8pm.”

James is rather disappointed that he won’t be able to invite Richard and Blanche for a pint of 3Bs at The Moonrakers pub at Stratton after the screening, because the pub is half way through a Ł400,000 refurbishment, due to be completed in December. But he says he going to try and persuade them to join him for a quick pint at The New Inn, just around the corner on Swindon Road, Lower Stratton.

“The only thing is, that unlike the famous Bond Martini, a pint of Arkell’s is better neither shaken nor stirred, just taken directly from the barrel – although much better to get your teeth into, even if you’ve a mouth made of metal!”

The Swindon Film Festival runs from Thursday 18th-25th November. More information is available from Cineworld Swindon on 0871 220 8000 or via the link below.

Swindon Film Festival - official site

What the best dressed Beer Pump is wearing this Autumn

George Arkell with the new pump clips
New look:
George Arkell shows off Arkell's new pump clips

Every beer pump in Arkell’s pubs will be wearing a new collar this week as Arkell’s Brewery rolls out new pump clips in every one of its 103 pubs across the South West.

The handsome new brass clips with the famous 2Bs, 3Bs and Kingsdown logos on are now firmly screwed onto the pump handles to promote Arkell’s Real Ale in the pubs.

According to brewery director, George Arkell: “We try and replace the pump clips every few years to give us and our customers something different to look at. Over the last few years, pump clips have become as collectable as beer mats and other pieces of pub culture, but in fact the pump clips themselves are actually only a few decades old.”

According to Ted Bruning, editor of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) newspaper, What’s Brewing, and collector of pub and beer-related books, the history of pump clips might only go back to 1967, or even as late as 1972.

"I've been through my entire collection of old pub photos and I can't find a single picture of a pump-clip in use before the late 1960s, which leads me to suspect that they only became common when keg beer and lager began to appear in more and more pubs.

"Before then, most pubs only stocked a limited range of beers from a single brewer, and there was little need to make a big show at the point of sale because people knew what they were likely to find on sale before they even set foot inside the bar. So the story of the pump-clips is the story of increasing consumer choice, and not surprisingly some of the pump-clips produced over the last three decades have been real works of art!"

In the last twenty years, breweries across the UK have taken pride in producing artistic pump clips to add interest to the bar and Arkell’s is no exception – in fact current brewery chairman Peter Arkell liked the pump clips so much that at one stage he introduced a new design every year.

Liz Macgregor is the landlady at The Kingsdown, Swindon, next to the brewery and the first to receive the new pump clip. She said: “The new pump clips can’t make the beer taste any better than it already does, but they do create conversation - almost as important a part of pub life as the beer itself!”

(left to right): Brian and Carol Dicks, Kim Dicks, Chris and Bev Dicks, Harriet Dicks and Olivia Dicks.

In the family:
The Dick's family (l to r): Brian and Carol Dicks, Kim Dicks, Chris and Bev Dicks, Harriet Dicks and Olivia Dicks.

Chris Dicks, brewer’s assistant at Arkell’s Brewery, celebrated 20 years at Arkell’s Brewery this week, but he’s still got a few years to go to match his dad’s record of 38 years and still counting!

There has been a member of the Dicks family working at Arkells for almost a century. It started with George Dicks who joined in 1955 and worked at the Mash Tun in the brewery for 25 years. His son Brian joined in 1964 and rose to become Brewer’s Assistant in the 1988. When he ‘retired’ in 2002 his son, Chris (37) took over.

“Beer’s in the blood in our family,” said Chris. “Dad didn’t like retirement so he’s returned to the brewery, although because I’d taken over his old job, he now works part time in transport.”

But Chris is delighted to have his dad back at the Brewery. “I love working with my dad so it’s great that he’s returned,” he said.

At a special party to celebrate Chris’s 20 years at the brewery, managing director James Arkell said: “It’s a great honour for Arkell’s that the Dicks family are still here and very much a part of the brewery. We are a family firm and very proud that generations of families have worked here – although I think that the Dicks family have the most impressive record of all.”

Head Brewer, Don Bracher, paid tribute to Chris: “Chris has spent all his working life in the brew house, and in fact he’s been here longer than twenty years as he started working part time to help his grandfather. But to spend so long in one job you need to enjoy what you do and I know that Chris does.” As the last male in the immediate family, Chris might be the last Dicks to work in Arkell’s brew house – but not if his youngest daughter, Olivia (12) has anything to do with it.

Arkell’s wins ‘Adopts a Mayor’ competition

Pictured in the photograph is Swindon’s mayor, Peter Stoddart, known to appreciate a good pint, and his deputy mayor, Ray Fisher, who is a director of Arkell’s brewery itself
Photo winner:
Swindon’s mayor, Peter Stoddart, known to appreciate a good pint, and his deputy mayor, Ray Fisher, financial director of Arkell’s brewery

Arkell’s Brewery has won a photographic competition launched by the Coors/IFBB* Beer Naturally Campaign to challenge Britain’s brewers to photograph their local mayor in a setting showing their commitment to the UK’s Beers.

Arkell’s came first out of twenty entries when they submitted a photograph, taken by Nicky Godding, of not just one Mayor, but a deputy Mayor too – both in full Mayoral regalia at the Mash Tun in the depths of Arkell’s Brewery.

“We’re delighted to have won the competition,” said James Arkell, managing director of the Brewery. “We’re lucky in Swindon to have had a succession of Mayors who are not only enormously supportive of the brewery, but really do enjoy a good glass of beer.”

John Grogan, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, told brewers: "Not offering beer at official and diplomatic functions reflects a snobbery which has no place in a modern Britain.

“Not only is beer lower in alcohol than wine, it also has over a thousand different styles from which to choose. It is time that our national drink, served lightly chilled in attractive glassware, should gain the same sort of practical and emotional support that France gives its wines.”

James Arkell added: “We agree wholeheartedly with John Grogan’s comments and are delighted to join forces with our fellow independent brewers to promote real ale. We already supply some Arkell’s 3Bs to the Mayor’s Parlour in Swindon and we hope that this will increase next year when Arkell’s director, Ray Fisher, steps in to the hot seat!”

Swindon’s mayor, Peter Stoddart, said: “There’s nothing like a good pint of Arkell’s real ale, and I’m delighted that the brewery has won this competition.”

* Independent Family Brewers of Britain

Stated purpose of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group :

To promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and the unique role of the pub in UK society. To increase understanding of the social, cultural and historic role of brewing and pubs in the UK, and their value to tourism. To broaden recognition of the contribution of brewing and pubs to employment and to the UK economy. To promote understanding of the social responsibility exercised by the brewing and pub industries. To support the UK's brewing industry worldwide, and to promote a positive future for beer and the pub. “

More about The Independent Family Brewers of Britain

Swindon entrepreneur returns to his adoptive home

As National Adoption Week is launched next week (1-7 November), Paul Studholme, well-known Swindon entrepreneur and business partner in Long’s Bar on Victoria Hill and The Apartment in Brunel Square is going back to his roots and taking over his adoptive parent’s former pub in Wanborough.

Arkell’s pub, The Brewer’s Arms, was home to Paul from 11 year’s old, when he was adopted by Gerald and Muriel Sadler, who ran it from 1955 to 1990. Arkell’s bought the pub 1873.

“This is my destiny,” said Paul. “I grew up at The Brewers and spent more than a decade there, so it’s incredible that I can now return and make it my home once again.”

Moving back at this stage in his life is all the more special for Paul as he is getting married to his fiancée, Swindon singer Amy Cullum, later this year. The couple are taking over the pub with Amy’s parents John and Bev Cullum, and Paul’s adoptive parents are on hand to give advice as they live down the road in Wanborough.

But despite Paul’s delight at returning to his roots, he’s no intention of keeping the pub as it was in the 1970s, and is currently undertaking a radical redecoration of parts of the pub and the garden.

“The front of the pub will remain the traditional country pub that I remember as a kid,” he said. “But the large extension at the back will be completed updated and decorated as a spectacular contemporary space that is already familiar to our customers at Longs and The Apartment. We’re putting a big patio garden at the back and grass and gates at the front.”

Animals at the Brewer’s Arms menagerie have temporarily been found new homes, but Paul promises to rehouse them again further into the garden when the renovations are completed, to give them a quieter living environment.

George Arkell, director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Paul is a great landlord and really knows the business – not surprising as he’s been living and breathing the pub trade since he was 11. It’s wonderful that he’s returning to The Brewer’s, but he’s still very involved in Long’s and The Apartment and is just extending his experience and knowledge of what makes a really successful pub further out of Swindon.”

“I had some of the happiest times of my life at The Brewers after being adopted,” said Paul. “So I’m really looking forward to returning home with my new family, especially with my old family close by.”

Former Longs bar manager, Michael Sheridan, is returning to run and manage Long’s Bar having recently become a partner in the business with Paul and his business partner Richard James. Paul and Richard will continue to run duo’s phenomenally successful night club The Apartment.

The official opening of the new-look Brewer’s Arms will be on Saturday 6th November, when Paul is promising all his relatives a big family reunion and will welcome regulars old and new. Contact Paul on 01793 790707 during the day if you would like an invitation.

More about The Brewer's Arms

How many Arkell’s landlords does it take to change a lightbulb?

.....Only one if they’re switched on to Energy Efficiency Week next week!

Ten Arkell’s pubs in Swindon are taking part in this year’s Energy Efficiency Week, from 25th to the 31st of October. The week, organised nationally by the Energy Saving Trust and spearheaded in Wiltshire by the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, is designed to raise awareness of human impact on climate change and encourage people to save energy, money and the environment.

Leading the Arkell’s energy efficiency drive in Swindon will be The Tawny Owl at Taw Hill, where landlords Phil and Louise Britton will replace as many lights in the bar as possible with energy efficient lightbulbs. During the week each Arkell’s pub taking part in the promotion will be displaying posters and leaflets designed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which manages the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, to give customers practical advice on how they can save money and the environment in their own homes. Questionnaires will also be available in each of the pubs so customers can find out how much money they could save by going green.

Climate change is caused by release of carbon dioxide from energy production into the atmosphere. Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre says that unless action is taken now to stop energy wastage and prevent climate change we will experience more severe weather conditions. These include drought, floods, storms, rising sea levels and heat-waves which will have devastating effects on human and wildlife populations around the world.

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile promotion,” says James Arkell at Arkells Brewery. “ Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre have pointed out that even small changes such as replacing lightbulbs with energy-saving alternatives can be very effective and that’s what we are aiming to highlight during the week.”

Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre points out that we don’t realise how much energy we waste in our homes, or how easy it would be to make a difference through a small change in behaviour. Boilers, fridges and washing machines as well as lightbulbs are all squandering our cash if they are not energy efficient – but they are not the only culprits. Uninsulated lofts walls are probably wasting more. There are grants and discounts available to help put this right, contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre free on 0800 512 012.

“ As one of our busiest pubs in Swindon, The Tawny Owl is a great pub to highlight Energy Efficiency Week in Swindon,” said James. “ Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre points out that by making just a few basic changes in our behaviour, everyone will not only be making a positive contribution to the planet, but will have some extra beer money too. We just hope that by helping to promote this year’s Energy Efficiency Week, we can help to highlight how easy it is to make a difference.”

Arkell’s pubs taking part in Energy Efficiency Week:

The Crown Inn, Stratton St Margaret
The Kingsdown, Stratton
The Liden, Liden
The Manor – Cheney Manor
The New Inn, Stratton
The Saracen’s Head, Highworth
The Sun Inn, Coate Water
Swiss Chalet, Gorse Hill
The Tawny Owl, Taw Hill
The White Hart, Oxford Road

More about The Tawny Owl

Landlord drives pensioner to drink! - then gets him to open new loos!

Guest of honour:
Bert Holmes with Arkell's managing director
James Arkell

83-year old Bert Holmes has probably the most enviable taxi-service in Hampshire. Three days a week the landlord of his local picks him up and drives him to drink!

Andrew Moss, landlord at The White Hart, Whitchurch said: “Bert’s been drinking at The White Hart for more than 40 years and we felt that such loyalty deserved a big thank-you. I pick up him around 11.30 in the morning and drive him back to him home to Lichfield at around 5.30pm. He enjoys the company, and of course the beer!”

And on 11 October 2004, The White Hart and hotel owners Arkell's Brewery asked Bert to be their guest of honour at the opening of the hotel's new loos, which include a disabled loo and child-changing area.

Bert drinks up to seven pints of beer during each visit, and reckons this partly responsible for his health and vitality. Swindon-based Arkell’s Brewery, which bought the pub exactly a year ago, agrees. Managing director James Arkell said: “We agree. Beer can be beneficial to health and Bert is good example. My father, Peter Arkell, is another. Although two year’s younger than Bert, he can probably match him pint for pint and he’s still going strong and working at the brewery every day.”

The pub was built in 1461 on the junction of the old London/Exeter & Oxford/Southampton roads, and has a rich history.

Previous customers include Lord Denning, former master of the rolls, being a frequent patron and Charles Kingsley, author of The Waterbabies who used to drink at The White Hart after a day’s fishing on the River Fleet around 150 years ago.

“We are certainly proud of the pub’s history, but we weren’t particularly proud of its outside loos,” said Andrew. “As soon as Arkell’s bought the pub we began planning for the new loos, and we’re especially glad that Bert was here to perform the official opening ceremony.”

More about The White Hart

Don’t write off your local just yet, says Swindon Brewery

Despite a report, published yesterday by national business intelligence company Data Monitor, stating that the traditional British drinking occasion - a couple of beers in the pub - is under threat, Swindon-based family brewer, Arkell’s, won’t stop substantial ongoing investment in its 103 pubs across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and at the Brewery.

“For many people, the local pub remains a very important part of their life,” pointed out James Arkell, managing director of Arkell’s Brewery. “For hundreds of years people have visited their local pub to socialise, find out what’s going on, discuss matters of the day or share in national events and this hasn’t changed. We certainly wouldn’t be investing so heavily in the future of our pubs if we didn’t think they were here to stay.”

Over the last year alone, Arkell’s has not only built and opened a new pub in North Swindon, The Tawny Owl, which has far exceeded its first year expectations, but also invested significant capital in pubs with have been in the brewery’s estate for many years.

“We’ve upgraded The Sally Pussey in Wootton Bassett near Swindon and The Red Lion in Lechlade , Gloucestershire, in the last few months and are currently spending around Ł400,000 doing the same at The Moonrakers in Stratton, Swindon,” he added. “The proof of our investment comes very quickly after a refurbishment when the pub welcomes in old and new customers.”

James points out that times change, and pubs are changing too: “These days our customers are looking for a more modern environment in many places and that is what we are aiming to give them. Air conditioning, Sky TV (costs a fortune), good loos, disabled facilities and a pleasant eating environment. All these are facilities that we consider installing when refurbishing our pubs, depending on the type of pub it is and the local environment.”

“The report states that people are becoming more continental in their drinking habits,” he says. “I would agree that in many places this is so, however we don’t always have the weather. Drinking on the continent isn’t a solitary activity, it’s most often done on ‘neutral’ territory in bars and cafes, and the equivalent of that in the UK is the British pub. So don’t write off your local, we predict that one of the mainstays of British culture isn’t written off so easily and quite frankly we are proud of our pubs!”

Landmark Swindon Pub gets makeover

With builders vans and portacabins in the car park, commuters heading into Swindon through Stratton will know that something’s up at The Moonrakers.

This landmark Swindon pub is getting a well-deserved makeover as Arkell’s Brewery spends close to Ł400,000 on putting The Moonrakers back on the map.

But brewery managing director, James Arkell, said: “We’re not trying to radically change the pub, because it’s already got a distinct personality of its own, just give our customers somewhere nicer to drink and eat. The Moonrakers hasn’t had a radical facelift for years and it’s time to bring our own ‘Makeover’ team to revamp, improve and enhance this traditional Swindon pub, giving Stratton the pub it deserves.”

For landlords Phil and Debbie Jeaps, who took over in January this year, the revamp is welcome, even though they will continue to trade through the building works, which started ten days ago.

“The Moonrakers is a true Swindon pub – Debbie and I have known it since we were teenagers ourselves and it was my local for twenty years before we took over behind the bar,” said Phil. “The function room, one of the biggest in Swindon, was revamped last year and we’re really looking forward to seeing the main pub restored to its original glory, but this time with air conditioning, new loos, a plasma screen and Sky. It’s going to be great, for us and our customers!"

James Arkell added: “We plan to complete the work by 14th December, just in time for the Christmas party season, and Phil and Debbie will be continuing to run the pub throughout. Arkell’s never shuts a pub during building work if we can help it.”

More about The Moonrakers

The legend of the Moonrakers

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	The legend of the Moonrakers