Swindon brewery boss George Arkell has clocked up more miles than he expected this year to judge Arkells Brewery's annual sunflower competition.
Every Spring, Arkell’s invites all its 106 pubs to grow the tallest sunflower, and this year more landlords than ever took up the challenge.
Despite a disappointing sunflower-growing season, The Rat Trap at Stratton in Swindon scooped the prize, producing a sunflower measuring 12.' 2".
Head and shoulders above the rest:
Rat Trap Landlords Mark and Claire Richardson with their prize winning sunflower
Landlords Mark and Claire Richardson again applied their ‘magic’ ingredient – watering their plants using the excess beer (ullage) collected in beer drip trays.
“It works a treat,” said Mark. “With all the wonderful, natural ingredients that go into a pint of Arkell’s – malt, barley and yeast, I can’t think of anything better to give the sunflowers, and it obviously works because we’ve come top this year.”
Their sunflower wasn't as tall as the 15’ sunflower they achieved last year, but they believe the unusual English summer which saw the sunflower-growing season start and finish later, was to blame.
Supersized Sunflower:
Royal Oak Landlord Craig Morse with his giant flower head
The St James Hotel in Cheltenham, which last year won the competition with their sunflower which measured an amazing 16’ 1” this year had to make do with second place with a sunflower measuring 11’ 9”.
The landlord with the largest sunflower head was Craig Morse, who runs The Royal Oak at Lechlade.
His head measured over 15” wide. “It was great fun growing the sunflower,” he said. “We’ve got a pretty, secluded courtyard behind the pub which is a real sun trap in the summer. If the sunflower had grown any bigger, we could have used it as a natural sunshade and not bothered with the umbrellas.”
Mark and Claire Richardson received a barrel of Summer Ale and two garden umbrellas as their prize.
More about The Rat Trap, Stratton
More about The Royal Oak, Lechlade
Ron’s is over the moon with his driving
Drayman Ron Fisher celebrated twenty years of life on the open road this week, when Arkell’s Brewery threw a special party for him and his family.
Over the last 20 years, Ron, 59, has driven well over half a million miles making sure that pubs and hotels across the South West of England receive their delivery of Arkell’s beer from the brewery in Swindon.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery said: “At the rate of miles he’s clocking up, Ron could have driven the Arkell’s dray around the world every year for 20 years – or he could have driven to the moon and back once with a few miles to spare! That’s a lot of miles – and a lot of beer.”
John Williams, transport manager at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Ron’s a great man to have on our team of eight driver drayman and one drayman’s mate. Driving an Arkell’s dray is one of the most important jobs at the brewery as they help us keep in daily touch with all our landlords, however far away they are.”
Ron lives in Pinehurst, Swindon with his wife Mary and between them they have seven children and nine grandchildren – with another grandchild on the way.
20 years and counting!:
John Williams, transport manager at Arkell’s Brewery with Drayman Ron Fisher
He said: “It’s been a great career so far, and I’ve got a few thousand miles still to go I hope. Things haven’t changed that much in 20 years – although we don’t have a pint of beer at every pub along the route like they used to do in previous generations. These days it’s more likely to be a bacon sandwich or a full English breakfast, depending on what the landlords have waiting for us when we arrive.”
Whilst he loves a good breakfast, Ron points out that sometimes he and his fellow drayman can clock up more than a few breakfasts each day if they’re not careful.
“Sometimes a run of three or four pubs in a row have gone to the trouble of cooking for us, and it would be very rude to refuse.”
To keep fit, Ron and Mary have taken up line-dancing. “It’s certainly different to the day-job,” adds Ron.
At his celebratory party in Arkell’s cellar bar, Ron received a cheque from the brewery in recognition of his hard work and long service, and a present of a freeview box.
More about Arkell's history
And what a festival it was!
A celebration of brewing heritage: the Arkell's Beer Festival 2007
The sun may have taken a while to come through, but with the beer flowing, the jazz in full swing and a whole host of other attractions, the Arkell's Beer Festival was declared a 'huge success' once again by all those who enjoyed the day.
Over a thousand people descending on the Brewery to sample Arkell's family of tasty brews and more than 30 premium ales supplied by members of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB).
That, and the chance for visitors to take the unique opportunity to tour around the Kingsdown brewery itself, one of the finest examples of a Victorian steam brewery anywhere in the world; discover how the brewery works and how real ale is made.
A display of classic vehicles including a vintage Rolls Royce, a Bentley, MGs, motorcycles, as well as a beautiful 1943 Austin K4 60-foot Fire Appliance, was also on offer.
Here are some pictures from the day (more to come!).
Independent Family Brewers of the UK - website
Arkell's 2007 beer festival gets brewing
All the fun of the festival: Arkell's chairman Peter Arkell getting into the swing of things at the Arkell's Beer Festival 2005
More than 30 Breweries from across the UK have promised some of their best brews to Arkell's on 8th September as the brewery gears up for its 2007 Beer Festival.
And beers aren't the only things on show this year. A vintage Rolls Royce, Bentley, motorcycles and live music are some of the other attractions promised, as well as a beautiful 1943 Austin K4 60-foot Fire Appliance.
The festival, on Saturday 8th September, will feature all Arkell's regular beers as well as guest beers from many members of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), and a number of other breweries.
Visitors to the beer festival will also have the unique opportunity to tour around the Kingsdown brewery itself, one of the finest examples of a Victorian steam brewery anywhere in the world; discover how the brewery works and how real ale is made.
Bookings for Brewery tours are now being taken, but must be pre-booked to reserve your space. Contact Arkell's Brewery directly on 01793 823026. The brewery grounds will also be open so visitors can tour around at their leisure and follow a specially laid out brewery walk.
James Arkell, managing director of Arkell's Brewery, said: "The Arkell's Beer Festival is a celebration of one of the oldest industries in Britain and certainly the oldest in Swindon. This is part of our country's heritage, of which we and our fellow brewers are very proud."
Festival details:
The Arkells' Beer Festival runs from 11:00am - 6.30pm on Saturday, 08 September 2007.
Entry costs £5, which includes a special commemorative glass.
Brewery tours must be pre-booked and cost £3 per person. To book, please call: 01793 823026. Pre-payment is required.
Landlords water walk for charity
One landlord and three of his regular customers have set out on a mammoth 184-mile walk down the Thames, hoping to raise £5,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.
Steve Heath, who runs Donnington Brewery pub The Golden Ball in Lower Swell, and his three customers Roy Mercer, Gareth Adams and Brian Welfare set off from the source of the Thames at The Thameshead Inn, near Kemble, Cirencester on Thursday August 30, expecting to arrive at the Thames Barrier in London around lunchtime on 9th September.
The team was moved to do the charity walk when they heard about a customer’s young son who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy.
Steve said: “He’s a great kid but it’s sad to know that he could be in a wheelchair by the time he’s ten. Anything we can do to raise money to fight the disease seemed worthwhile to us.”
Two pubs from fellow family brewery, Arkell’s, are hosting the intrepid team for the first few nights of the walk. The Bear at Cricklade, and The Talbot and Eynsham are both on the route of the Thames walk.
Best foot forward:
The walking team preparing for the challenge with supporters outside The Thameshead Inn
James Arkell, who now owns Donnington Brewery and is managing director of Arkell’s Brewery, said: “This is the first time we can remember that Arkell’s Brewery landlords have welcomed a Donnington Brewery landlord and we’re all happy to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. A nightly pint of real ale is certain to help them put their best feet forward every morning!”
Penny Weir, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales and the West Midlands at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "With recent breakthroughs in research bringing real hope to families affected by these life-shattering conditions, we are beginning to make ground in the fight against muscle disease. This sponsored event will not only be great fun for Steve, Roy, Gareth and Brian but will also make a valuable contribution to our fundraising campaign."
More than 30 supporters who had driven over 40 miles from Lower Swell joined James Arkell and his son George Arkell at The Thameshead Inn at Kemble to see the walkers off this week.
Follow the team's progress online
Duke puts landlord in the old brewery
Landlords Neil and Julie Hannis at The Duke Hotel at Hilmarton will no longer have to share their bathroom with guests after pub owners Arkell’s Brewery spent £150,000 in upgrading this country inn by refurbishing the letting rooms and converting the old brewery buildings to new landlord accommodation.
The Grade-II listed building, built in 1843 – the same year as Arkell’s Brewery, was bought by Arkell’s in 1923 and because of its listed status; the brewery faced difficulties in bringing it up to modern accommodation standards, so much so that for many years the landlords and guests all had to share the same facilities.
Whilst that was acceptable in the early 1900s, it’s now considered so ‘last century’ by today’s travellers and over the last ten years the letting rooms had fallen into disuse.
Back to its best:
Landlord Neil Hannis stands outside the newly refurbished Duke Hotel at Hilmarton
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “The Duke is a glorious building, and used to have its own brewery, called The Hilmarton Brewery, behind. The last beer was brewed there many, many years ago and since then the buildings have been used mainly as extra storage. We love the fact that The Duke is a special building but that gave us problems when we wanted to sympathetically renovate it up to today’s high standards of accommodation, and to give everyone their own bathroom! It’s always difficult upgrading listed buildings but we worked with our local conservation officer and English Heritage, and as a result we’ve achieved a result that we’re all proud of.”
Landlord Neil Hannis is delighted with the result. “We love our new home, and since the guest rooms have opened, they’ve been in increasing demand,” he said. “For a pub like ours on a main road through a small village, it’s important for us to be able to offer not only food and drink, but also good accommodation. Whilst we enjoy having guests in The Duke, we prefer not to see them before we’re dressed. Now we don’t have to!”
Editor’s Note: It’s thought that The Duke was built as a pub with its own brewery and was named after The Duke of Beaufort. Unfortunately the rather grand Duke of Beaufort objected to a pub being named after him and insisted that it was called a hotel!
More about The Duke Hotel at Hilmarton
Wet welcome for new landlords
When Paul and Michelle Gilbert took over the land-locked Jolly Tar at Hannington near Swindon, the last thing they expected was a high tide.
Unfortunately for them, last Friday, just two weeks after taking over behind the bar they had to deal with three foot high floods in the bar as rainwater poured into the pub from the fields behind.
Damp but undaunted:
Jolly Tar landlords Paul & Michelle Gilbert, with Arkell's chairman Peter Arkell
“We couldn’t believe it,” said Paul. “We’d only just put in new carpets, now we’ve lost around £15,000 in stock and equipment, but we hope to be open before this coming weekend.”
Luckily, pub owners Arkell’s were quick on the scene and their staff and suppliers have been busy helping Paul and Michelle get the pub back into a fit state to open.
“Edmont’s joinery and Austin Electrical all came out quickly to offer help to Paul and Michelle,” said managing director James Arkell.
“They took over the pub at its busiest time of the year - the week before the International Air Tattoo at nearby RAF Fairford, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors then just a week later, along with thousands of others across the region; they were hit by the deluge last Friday,” he added.
The Jolly Tar opened in 1855 and was named after a distant nautical relative of former local landowners. However, it was originally called The Cat and took over the license from the other village pub, called The Dog.
“‘Cats and Dogs’ and ‘The Jolly Tar’ – perhaps we should have read the signs,” said James
First time landlords Paul and Michelle are undaunted by their damp start to life behind the bar.
Underwater:
the scene at the Jolly Tar as the rains fell on 20 July 2007
“We haven’t lost anything we can’t replace – even the carpet, and both the Brewery and the local villagers have been really generous with their help,” said Paul, who spent 22 years working as a chef for Swindon companies such as Motorola and Nationwide, including six years as executive chef at Intel and the last few years as Chef manager at Halcrow.
“We had a wonderful first two weeks before the rain and despite this setback, we can’t wait to throw open our doors again. I’ve waited years to be my own boss, and it’ll take more than a bit of rain to stop me now.”
More about Jolly Tar
Floods in Swindon - more stories
Arkell's Landlord cup overflows thanks to pop star
Natasha Bedingfield presenting Arkell's Landlord at The White Hart at Stratton, Derek Rowlands, with a golfing trophy yesterday evening, when she visited the pub and played to 180 lucky fans.
Well done Derek!:
Natasha Bedingfield presents the landlord of the White Hart with his Arkell's golf trophy
Derek won the trophy yesterday at the annual Arkell's Golf competition and we persuaded Natasha to present him with the cup before her performance at The White Hart last night.
Live at the White Hart:
Natasha Bedingfield
Derek thought all his Christmas's had come at once. He said: "First of all I won the trophy by just one point against another Arkell's landlord, Phil King at The Dolphin at Rodbourne, then I was presented with the trophy by an international singing sensation - I don't think you can go any better than that in just a week!"
Natasha Bedingfield at the White Hart - video story
More about The White Hart, Stratton
Back to the future for The Winkfield Pub
New signs are going up at one of Winkfield’s oldest pubs this week as The Original Slug and Lettuce is returned to its previous name of The Winkfield.
Incoming landlord Tim Kirkwood, who has taken over behind the bar with his partner Joy McDonnell, explained the decision: “I’ve always lived around here and whilst I appreciate that it has had a number of different names in its history – starting off as The Queen’s Head, then The Slug and Lettuce; when I started coming here it was The Winkfield, or The Winky as we used to call it, and that’s how everyone I know remembers it.”
That’s not the only thing that’s going back to basics at this Arkell’s pub. Tim and Joy have brought with them their long term friend and chef Darren Taiwo who has cooked all over the world. Darren is producing a new menu for the pub which he describes as ‘Comfortable Food’.
Taking things back to the basics:
Chef Darren Taiwo, with Landlord and Lady Joy McDonnell and Tim Kirkwood.
“I cook good, wholesome food with great local ingredients,” he said. “It’s great to be running a kitchen in a pub owned by a family brewery like Arkell’s because we share the same aim: To produce something using natural ingredients that tastes fantastic.”
This is local businessman Tim’s first time behind a bar with his partner Joy, but both of them have worked in the industry for many years.
George Arkell, director at Wiltshire-based Arkell’s Brewery which bought The Winkfield five years ago, said: “We’re delighted to see two such experienced professionals taking over at The Winkfield and it’s great to see that they’re not afraid to resurrect the pub’s former name. Changing a pub’s name can be fraught with difficulties, but as a local man, Tim and his partner Joy have done it because it’s how everyone remembers it best and they’re keeping the customers happy.”
More about The Winkfield
We’ll never run a restaurant again, say new landlords
New landlords at The Plough at Stratton in Cirencester, Joe and Jane Bouaouni have vowed they’ll never run a restaurant again.
Experienced restaurateurs but first-time landlords, Joe and Jane who took over at this Arkell’s pub at the beginning of June, don’t deny the long hours (they are up until their 1.30 closing times at the weekends), but say that pub customers are much friendlier than those in many large town centre restaurants.
Jane said: “When customers come into a busy restaurant, they can be cross, hungry and impatient – they just want their meal as quickly as possible before going elsewhere. Here, no one seems in a rush. A pub is great for getting to know your customers properly.
Enjoying life in a slower lane:
Jane Bouaouni, with son Zak, Assistant Manager Sam Holdford and Joe Bouaouni.
Joe and Jane have moved to the pub with their children, Yamina aged 6 and Zakaria, 2 ½ earlier this month, and it hasn’t taken them long to settle down. Yamina has been enrolled at Stratton Primary School just up the road and they also promoted the pub’s longest-serving member of staff, Sam Holdford, to assistant manager. “Sam’s been here for nine years, probably longer than most bar staff in the town, she’s been a great help to us since we took over, helped us settle in and introduced us to the locals,” said Joe.
Jane and Joe decided to become landlords after many years spent working in the restaurant and night club business. Joe ran Swindon’s The Apartment nightclub when it first opened in the mid 1990s, before taking over the management of a large town centre restaurant. He is now combining his new landlord duties with those of head chef at The Plough.
“The Plough is a rare find for us,” he said. “It’s a pub which belongs to the locals, and lots of them have been in to meet us since we took over a couple of weeks ago. Now we’ve got young children, we wanted a more settled way of life and The Plough felt right the minute we walked through the door.”
George Arkell, director at Arkell’s Brewery which owns The Plough, said: “The Plough is a perfect pub for a family, with its large garden and strong local community. Joe and Jane say they’ve been lucky to take over as landlords at The Plough, but we also think we’ve been lucky to find them.”
More about The Plough, Stratton
Arkell’s goes the extra mile to Calne
Draymen at Swindon-based family brewery Arkell’s had to drive a few extra few miles this week as they delivered their first barrels of Arkell’s Ale to Calne in Wiltshire.
The brewery has extended its pub estate further south into Wiltshire by purchasing the town’s largest hotel, the historic 16th Century town-centre Lansdowne Strand Hotel, for in excess of £1.5 million.
This is the first property Arkell’s has bought in the town, where a purchase by the brewery was long overdue, according to managing director, James Arkell.
First Delivery:
Arkell's Managing Director James Arkell with Draymen outside The Lansdowne in Calne
“We’ve been looking for a property in Calne for a long time,” he said. “This is a pretty market town, one of the oldest towns in Wiltshire, which is currently experiencing a renaissance as the town centre becomes much more attractive for locals and tourists. We were delighted to be offered opportunity to purchase The Lansdowne, which has its own unique history.”
The 26-bedroom hotel is thought to go back to 1536, and at the other end of the cobbled courtyard behind the hotel are the remains of a local brewery, which closed over 100 years ago.
“Whilst beautiful on the outside, the old brewery will require some care and attention from us as it has been largely neglected over the last few decades,” said James.
Having taken over this Grade 2 listed building this month, Arkell’s is repainting and restoring the hotel to its former glory and is welcoming locals and visitors back in.
“As a 160-year old family brewery, we hope we’ll fit into the market town of Calne,” added James. “We’re delighted to be bringing our real ale here, although they have to travel just a few more miles from Stratton in Swindon rather than just across the courtyard from the old hotel brew house. Once again Calne has a family brewery in the Strand.”
More about our History
Summer Ale surge as sun shines!
The rain stopped falling and sunshine broke through last weekend as, for the thirteenth year in a row, Arkell’s launched its Summer Ale.
This year Head Brewer Don Bracher took to the water in a dragon boat with the brewery’s mascot, ‘Pete the Pint’, and Kevin McDonald, who works in Arkell’s bottling plant, during the Challenge Swindon event at Coate Water Country Park near Swindon.
Arkell’s Summer Ale was first brewed in 1994 as one of the brewery’s earliest seasonal ales, launched in response to demands for a lighter ale suitable for the season. The 4% alcohol by volume light-coloured beer is brewed from specially selected malted barley and continental Styrian Golding hops. The Styrian hops give the beer a pleasant hop flavour without the characteristic bitterness of a typical pint of Arkell’s beer.
All set for summer:
Kevin McDonald, 'Pete the Pint' (aka Brian Curtis) and head brewer Don Bracher
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “Summer Ale has become such an established part of our family of beers over the years that if our customers had their way, it would be Summer all year round because the beer’s so popular.”
Brian Curtis, who works in Arkell’s Brewhouse, was volunteered to dress up as Pete the Pint for the third time. The day was so hot that he didn’t have any difficulty in finishing off a Pint of Summer Ale after the launch photograph was taken.
Arkell’s Summer Ale is now available in all Arkell’s pubs across the South West and at other outlets. Call Arkell’s Brewery on 01793 823026 for more information.
More about our Beers
Reduce waste – drink real ale says Arkell’s
Swindon-based Arkell’s Brewery is urging customers to drink real ale and reduce the number of glass bottles which go to waste.
“Each bottle of beer represents one more bottle in the wheelie bin, but each pint of Arkell’s cask ale leaves no empty bottle and a little less waste for the next generation to deal with,” said Managing Director, James Arkell.
“Of course we produce beer in bottles too, but we’re also working with Thamesdown Recycling to increase the amount we recycle every week.”
Bottling Up:
Steve Bennett of Thamesdown Recycling with Arkell's Landlord Derek Rowlands and Craig Titchener, Director of Managed Houses
Every week Thamesdown Recycling visits all Arkell’s managed houses around the Swindon area and empties between one and two 240-litre wheelie bins full of glass bottles, taking them away for recycling. All glass is recycled either back into glass containers or for use in aggregates.
Business development director at Thamesdown Recycling, Steve Bennett, said: “You can certainly tell which pubs sell more real ale, because there’s a lot less for our drivers to take away.”
According Waste Watch, a leading environmental charity dedicated to the reduction, reuse and recycling of household waste, annually the total glass usage in the UK is estimated at around 3.6 million tonnes.
More about our Beers
Fairtrade coffee is great trade for Brewery
When Arkell’s directors tasted Fairtrade coffee last year they knew they had to have it in their pubs.
Now the Swindon-based brewery is putting Fairtrade coffee machines into all its managed houses, and encouraging tenants to do the same.
The first pub to change to Fairtrade products was The Tawny Owl at Taw Hill in Swindon and demand has skyrocketed ever since.
Coffee mates:
Shaun Craddock and Managed House Director Craig Titchener drinking fair trade coffee
According to Arkell’s managed house director, Craig Titchener: “All businesses like to think they are buying ethically and buying Fairtrade goods means that the farmers receive a better price for their produce, helping to strengthen the economic viability of their organisations. Fairtrade tea and coffee makes us feel warm inside for two reasons –because we’re making a positive contribution and because it tastes fantastic.”
Arkell’s is buying its coffee through Bewleys Coffee, a 20-year old family business based at Ardington near Wantage. Director Shaun Craddock said: “We have trade customers all over the South West of England, including Oxford University. Arkell’s directors first tasted our coffee when they had lunch in The Bear at Wantage after buying the hotel last year. We buy directly from the producers, paying a slightly higher price which we then absorb into our costs, so customers like Arkell’s pay the same as for ordinary coffee.”
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We’re delighted to be associated with a Fairtrade coffee retailer. A good meal starts with a pint of real ale and finishes with a cup of real coffee.”
More about The Tawny Owl
New landlords pick up reins at The Black Horse
With just a year of running a pub under their belts, Gary and Amanda Farrell have picked up the reins of Arkell’s pub The Black Horse at Wanborough.
The Farrell’s moved into The Black Horse last week, and as it’s got probably the best pub view in Swindon, they’re anticipating a busy summer season.
“We’ve taken over The Black Horse at a potentially difficult time, with the smoking ban coming into force this summer,” said Gary. “But we don’t think it’s a problem. Despite being a rural pub, which relies on its regulars during the Winter, we have a comfortable, heated and covered area outside where our smokers can go.”
“To be honest, we welcome the ban because we think that it will encourage those who haven’t gone to the pub because they dislike the atmosphere, to rediscover their lost habit of pub-going. We’ve got a great chef, the best view and we’re extending the wine menu over the next few months to complement our real Arkell’s ales.”
Takeover Toast!:
the new landlord and landlady of The Black Horse, Gary and Amanda Farrell
Fast learners Gary and Amanda, started a second career as pub landlords last May at town pub The Borough Arms at Wootton Bassett, after years running retail businesses in Swindon and the South West.
“We’d sold our successful DVD rental business last year and wanted a new challenge,” said Gary. “We knew nothing about running a pub, but we did know about keeping the customer satisfied, so it wasn’t that hard to adapt – especially with Arkell’s behind us.”
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We keep telling prospective new tenants that running a pub is hard work, but Gary and Amanda make it look easy. Just a year into the job and they’ve taken on a pub twice the size with more facilities and more staff and they’ve got exciting plans for the pub too.”
Amanda points out that it was a wrench leaving their first pub after just a year. “We loved The Borough Arms and the regulars,” she said. “It was a tough decision to go, but The Black Horse gives us real scope for our ideas.
“It’s horses for courses for what customers want from their pub, and The Black Horse is looking forward to good going and a great crowd to cheer us on.”
More about The Black Horse
Arkell’s celebrates with Swindon Town
Swindon Town’s promotion got off to a great start when sponsor Arkell’s Brewery delivered packs of specially-bottled Celebration Beer to the county ground this afternoon.
900 bottles of Celebration Beer were brewed immediately after the team’s success and are being delivered to all Arkell’s pubs and other venues across Swindon during this week.
But 40 packs of the beer were saved especially for the Football Club itself, the victorious team and all the staff who have worked so hard to support the team’s success this season.
A fine Town tipple:
Nick Arkell (centre) raises a toast to Swindon Town FC alongside STFC's marketing department and board members,
Mike Bowden (left) and Martin Starnes (front right)
Nick Arkell, Sales Director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the team’s success and wanted to show our appreciation in the way we know best. As soon as we knew the result, our head brewer got to work and began bottling a celebration ale fit for our local heroes.”
Martyn Starnes, chief executive of Swindon Town Football Club, said: “It’s a terrific gesture by Arkell’s and just shows what can happen when you have such a good partnership with local companies.”
'Ale-ing the Town:
Nick Arkell outside the Arkell's stand
Arkell’s relationship with Swindon Town goes back generations, and the brewery is very proud of its association with the club, having actively supported the team for over 30 years.
Nick Arkell said: “Local success in the Beautiful Game gives everyone in the town a real feel-good factor. Everyone at Arkell’s raises a glass to Swindon Town Football Club.”
More about Arkell's History
The White Hart gets a £400K makeover
One of Swindon’s landmark pubs at Stratton St Margaret has been reborn as a grill bar after Arkell’s Brewery spent more than £400,000 on renovation and refurbishment.
The White Hart Grill Bar, as it has been rechristened, reopened for business today when Arkell’s threw a party for 100 people.
Arkell's TV A brief video of the re-opening of The White Hart
WATCH VIDEO
An established part of the Swindon landscape, The White Hart sits just off the A419 Oxford Road roundabout on the old Roman Road. It’s always been a meeting point for people, and is the biggest venue in Stratton St Margaret, which is why the brewery decided to throw a big party for everyone involved in the refurbishment.
James Arkell, managing director at Arkell’s Brewery, said: “This will be one of our biggest refurbishments of the year. The pub was originally built by the Brewery and saw its last major refurbishment over 20 years ago. So as we’ve got the space, and we always love a party, it seemed like a good excuse to say thank you to all those involved, and wish landlords Derek and Tina Rowlands good luck in their ‘new’ pub.”
What a head!: Mayor Mike Bawden pulls a frothy one at The White Hart
Derek and Tina are also the latest Arkell’s landlords to celebrate 20 years with the Brewery and were presented with a silver tankard to mark the occasion.
Inside, the pub has been transformed, with the public bars and function room being opened up to make one big, airy and contemporary environment with a unique timber and mirrored atmosphere in the grill lounge area.
Arkell’s bought the original pub from local coal merchant William Seymour 129 years ago in 1878, but almost 60 years later, in 1938, the brewery decided to rebuild and extend the pub.
Start of a new era: Landlord and Landlady Derek and Tina Rowlands celebrate outside The White Hart with Arkell's Managing Director James Arkell and Swindon Mayor Mike Bawden
“The White Hart has always been a very popular pub,” said James. “It’s lucky enough to have both a local trade and an excellent passing trade – not surprisingly given its location just off the A419. We have planning for a 24 bedroom extension in the pipeline. Three new outside eating areas are to be constructed and even an area for smokers.”
The new White Hart Bar and Grill was officially opened by the Swindon Mayor, Councillor Mike Bawden, who was presented with a cheque for a charity of his choice.
