The Royal Oak  ::  Newsletter  ::  June / July 2007

Aaaaaagggghhh .... well, enough about the weather (at least it's warm and dry in the pub!). Also, as I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice, we are now 'smoke free', in compliance with the law of the land, from the 1st July. Our first photo, which could well prove to be a historic shot, shows the last smoke at 'The Oak'. Regulars Pete Bright and Sarah Henderson light up for the final time at the end of the bar, just before closing last Saturday night.

Smoking is still, of course, permitted outside of the building - and to facilitate this we have installed two large parasols and an outside heater to make life a little more comfortable on our front patio.

Unusual visitors also, last Saturday night, when we had an assortment of James Bonds, Qs, Ms, Odd-Jobs etc. on their way to a local party. Our third photo shows the McMillan family, suitably attired for the evening! We've also been asked by Ben McMillan to send greetings to Chiyoko in New York - Chiyoko is a newsletter subscriber - is she our farthest flung reader (email us if you're reading this Newsletter in a distant or exotic location!)?

This weekend it's the Church Stretton Ale Trail - we'll have the usual four hand-pulls of real ale, including our house beers Hobsons Best and Wye Valley Butty Bach, plus a selection of guest beers including Six Bells Festival Pale, Cottage Golden Arrow, Humpty Dumpty Reedcutter and Worfield Wenlock Blonde.

This Saturday night we welcome singer Emily Floyd to 'The Oak' - so with Emily and The Ale Trail we're expecting a lively old time! We have the commemorative glasses in stock (along with certificates) for those who complete the Trail. It's traditional to include a 'mistake' on the glasses, repeating the accidental inclusion of an error on the first year's Ale Trail glass. This year the glasses say 'Strettons Tale Rail'.

So we're in for a busy weekend and we hope that we'll also see some sun later in the month here at 'The Royal Oak'.

.... Steve & Eira

Singer ~ Emily Floyd

Saturday 7th July

Strettons' Ale Trail 6th - 7th July

Visit 'The Oak' and nine other character pubs in the Church Stretton area. Leave the car at home and travel by minibus. 'The Oak' will have four Real Ales on at all times.

Commemorative glass and certificate are presented to all those who complete 'The Ale Trail'. For more information click here.

From 7pm on Friday night and mid-day on Saturday (open all afternoon).

Prize Draw

On Wednesday the 4th of July, chef Andy Walker drew a name out of our bowl, helped by kitchen assistant Simon Major. June's lucky winner was David Thorpe. Congratulations David, your prize of two bottles of Copperidge Californian Zinfandel await your collection from the bar.

Our second photo shows Natalie Morse collecting May's prize of a case of Budweiser Beer on behalf of her parents, winners John and Christine Morse.

Commiserations everyone else - but why not drop your details in again to be entered into this months draw. We draw every month from those names left in the bowl on the bar during the period since the last draw, so don't forget to re-enter your name on your next visit to 'The Oak'. To celebrate the Ale Trail, July's prize is a Gallon of Ale, more specifically, a voucher you can exchange for any eight pints of our cask or keg ale (no, you don't have to use it all at once!).

Make sure you're in it to win it!!

News in Brief ....

• We will not be serving food on the evening of Saturday 7th July, due to the congestion that we usually experience in the bar on the Ale Trail Weekend. We will be serving food as usual at other times, including Saturday lunch time.

• The Cardington Church Fete will take place at The Grove Farm and in the village on Saturday the 21st July, commencing at 2:30pm.

Dates 'at a glance' ....

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