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

Welcome to our double anniversary edition! Not only have we now been at 'The Oak' for two years, but this is also the first anniversary edition of our Newsletter. In our first Newsletter, last May, we commented that 'the year has just flown past, and we'd like to thank all our new friends in Shropshire for making us feel so welcome'. Well, what more can we say! We've had a second, very full year, and many of our new friends have been following events as we've published them month by month.

During May we completed our Dominoes Season with the 'in-house' knock-out for the traditional prizes of whiskey and port. Our first photo captures the show-down between finalists Martin Morris (on the right; who came first) and Chris Maydew (on the left; runner-up). Well done to both of them.

A busy Bank Holiday weekend at the end of the month culminated in a visit from singer Rob Chapman, shown in full swing wooing his fans - thanks Rob (who, by the way, will be playing at 'Farmer Phils' in August this year). Sunday saw a good turn out for the Scalextric Challenge, with 12 players taking part in the time trials and knock-out. The winner was visitor 'Stig' (shown in our third photo) ~ who was that demon driver - perhaps we'll never know?!

This month, why not celebrate Father's Day at 'The Oak'. Not only can you enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Pub, but combine it with a visit to the Cardington Gardens Open Day during the afternoon. We'll be running our usual Sunday Menu plus 'Specials Board' with a range of good quality, good value food including our Beef or Pork Roasts at £6.95.

Come July, Steve will be stocking up with the best in Real Ale for the annual Church Stretton Ale Trail (6th / 7th July). We expect to have offerings from all our usual suppliers - Hobsons, Wye Valley, Six Bells, Three Tuns, Woods ~ plus a few wild cards as well. We'll have four pulls of Real Ale on at all times, and music from vocal & guitar trio 'The Rule of 3' on Saturday 7th July from 8pm.

Also, this month, check out our album of photos taken by local photographer David Kelly-Durrant. There's plenty going on and we hope to catch you soon, down at 'The Royal Oak'.

.... Steve & Eira

Trip to Hereford Races - 3rd May ....

A group of us ventured forth on the sunny 3rd of May - to enjoy the excitement of the races! We had one of the last good days before the weather broke - the going was definitely firm. Come the end of the day, no one was admitting to losing their shirt and there was talk of modest profit in some quarters ;-) A distraction from the horses was the delicious 'Butty Bach' beer provided free at the Wye Valley Brewery beer tent. Click on the first picture to reveal Landlady Eira in typical pose - determined not to be out done by the gentlemen (or maybe she was holding the photographer's pint?).

Spring Flowers & Views

This month we're again featuring an album of excellent, local views taken by David Kelly-Durrant. (David also took this months 'header' picture of 'The Oak'). To see more rural splendour (plus a bit of old Shrewsbury town) click here.

Father's Day - Sunday 17th June

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 to all those who complete 'The Ale Trail'.

Live Music from 'The Rule of 3'
8pm Saturday 7th July

Tickets now available. For more information click here.

Prize Draw

On Tuesday the 5th June, Chrissie Schlank drew a name out of our bowl. May's lucky winners were John and Christine Morse. Congratulations both; your prize, a case of Budweiser Beer,awaits your collection from the bar.

Commiserations everyone else - but why not drop your details in again to be entered into this months draw. June's prize is for two bottles of excellent Rose Wine (Copperidge Californian Zinfandel) - ideal for summer drinking!

News in Brief ....

• Cardington Gardens Open Day is on the afternoon of Sunday 17th June. Why not combine a trip around these excellent, local gardens with lunch at 'The Royal Oak'? (Reservations recommended).

• In line with all other English Pubs and Restaurants, The Royal Oak will be 'smoke free' from Sunday the 1st July. Additional provision for smokers will be made outside of the pub.

• The Cardington Church Fete will be held at the Village Hall and on the adjoining field on Saturday the 21st July, commencing at 2:30pm.

Dates 'at a glance' ....

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