The Ale Edition The Ale Edition - JD Wetherspoon

your free magazine | winter 2016/17

UK EDITION

The Ale Edition

READ BY 2 MILLION

CUSTOMERS

MORNING HAS BROKEN? HERE’S HOW TO FIX IT

Our breakfast menu offers something for everyone

HUNDREDS OF YEARS’ HISTORY

£2m redevelopment of The Castle Hotel, in Ruthin, Wales

ADVENTURES WITH GRAPE AND GRAIN GIVE A WETHERSPOON GIFT Gins, rums, vodkas and three special wines will help you to celebrate the season

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TIM’S VIEWPOINT

Power to the people – not the mouthy few The evidence of history is that undemocratic organisations, like the EU, eventually make a hash of it

E THE PROMIS

e Osborne, on and Georg t, spent er m Ca id av D e governmen on behalf of th send a pro-Remain to £9 million eholds illion UK hous leaflet to 18 m Under the headline 16. on 6 April 20 cision’, -generation de ) is -a -in ce ‘A on um nd re e refe it stated: ‘(Th e government Th . your decision ent what will implem .’ you decide When you look back on the 20th century, it’s shocking to contemplate the economic mayhem, poverty and bloodshed for which undemocratic and totalitarian régimes were responsible. We can contrast, as mentioned here before, the meteoric rise of formerly undemocratic countries like Italy, Japan or Singapore, once democracy was introduced. We can also compare the stunning success of democratic North America, in the last century, with the dire performance of South America, bedevilled by undemocratic and dictatorial régimes, or the stunning success and freedoms of pre-unification West Germany, compared with undemocratic East Germany; similarly, the rise of South Korea, to become one of the world’s richest countries, versus its catastrophic northern sibling. Democracy is economic steroids, yet, for all of its faults, it also creates far higher levels of freedom and human rights than undemocratic régimes. So, why would anyone want to reduce the level of democracy in Europe? That’s the big question for UK and European citizens today.

Leave The UK’s Electoral Reform Society, dedicated to improving democracy and accountability, was neutral on whether the UK should stay in, or leave, the EU. However, its investigation of the EU system concluded that there was a ‘serious democratic deficit’ in EU institutions. It made several recommendations, none of which appears to have been implemented.

Why would anyone want to reduce the level of democracy in Europe?

The EU limps on, with its five unelected presidents, helped by 28 unelected ‘commissioners’. Even the EU parliament is dysfunctional, since it cannot instigate its own legislation, a key democratic prerequisite – legislation can be instigated by commissioners only, believe it or not. Another example relates to decisions of the EU’s Supreme Court which override the laws of national parliaments, including our own, for which there is no democratic redress. If the democratically elected UK parliament dislikes a decision of our own courts, it can legislate to change the law. No such mechanism exists for correcting decisions of the EU court.

The founders of the American constitution would surely have been astounded that such an inferior and undemocratic legal system could have been invented by European technocrats more than 200 years later. Chaos Now, economic chaos reigns in southern Europe, with Greece, Portugal and Spain labouring under youth unemployment of up to 50 per cent, with an adult level of 20 per cent or more. Greece, for example, has lost control of its budget, as well as its interest rates – the main economic levers of any democratic government. Democratic accountability in the EU is woefully poor in other economic spheres too. For example, EU finances have not been properly audited for over 20 years, an unthinkable and chaotic state of affairs for any responsible organisation. Just imagine the justified furore, if a company like Wetherspoon went even one year without audited accounts  – yet the EU gets away with 20 years, almost without comment: ‘the insolence of office’, as Shakespeare termed this sort of arrogant behaviour. As we all know, the UK parliament voted by an overwhelming majority of six to one to empower the electorate to decide in a referendum whether the UK should remain in the EU. “The government will implement what you decide,” promised a pro-remain document sent by the government, in April, to every household in the land.

Most people accept the referendum result and this promise from the leaders of the remain side, but a cabal of politicians and elite groups is fighting to overturn the decision – or to water it down so much that we remain subject to most EU laws in future. Power The fascinating question is why these highly educated people are so intent on remaining part of an undemocratic and economically chaotic organisation. The sad reality is that the current battle for democracy has echoes of similar battles in previous centuries. Those in charge almost always try to consolidate and increase their power, as the suffragettes knew. Certain sections of society, today, feel strongly that it’s better for power to reside in highly educated elites, closely connected to big business, to major universities and to influential politicians – ‘les énarques’, as our French friends call them. They deeply mistrust the idea of democratic rule by the ‘man on the Clapham omnibus’. The evidence of history is that undemocratic organisations, like the EU, eventually make a hash of it, as we’re now seeing in southern Europe. Even so, the desire to take power away from the people and to subvert the referendum result has religious intensity for many non-democrats in our society. The next few crucial months will determine the outcome of this bitter battle. Tim Martin Chairman

jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 3

WIN!

Also

INSIDE

PRIZE CROSSWORD P81

FEATURES

I THINK, THEREFORE I DRINK…............ 12 Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, aka The Thinking Drinkers, look at the history of the world – through the bottom of a pint glass

TIDE TO POWER OUR FUTURE.............. 19

The Ale Edition

Those unceasing tides are being harnessed to give Britons clean electricity and skilled jobs

12, 21, 22-24, 26-27, 56, 82

A new project to highlight the history of our pubs

IMPORT THE BREWER...................................... 21 Our innovation of bringing international ale artisans to Britain sets tongues wagging – and tingling

GOOD BEER GUIDE.............................................. 25 Our pints propel us to the pinnacle

LOTS OF BRITISH HOPS................................. 26 Our autumn real-ale festival delivered an extravaganza of great British brewing

BEER FESTIVAL....................................................... 28 The 2016 Wetherspoon beer festival judging event

IT’S AWFUL COLD UP ON THE MORAL HIGH GROUND......................................31 Says Paul Chase

JOY FOR HAGGIS................................................... 34 Neeps, tatties and Edinburgh Castle Ale on menu during Burns’ Week

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FILL UP WITH WINTER FUEL.................. 47 Your local Wetherspoon brightens even the darkest and drabbest of dreary winter days

ADVENTURES WITH GRAPE AND GRAIN............................................. 52

NOW OPEN WETHERSPOON HAS OPENED MORE NEW PUBS IN RECENT MONTHS������ 36

OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

HUNDREDS OF YEARS’ HISTORY....... 62

OUR CHARITY

Our £2m redevelopment of The Castle Hotel

MORNING HAS BROKEN? ........................... 64 Our breakfast menu offers something for everyone

HOT STUFF IN THE GRATE… AND ON THE PLATE........................................... 68 Real fires and real food complement each other perfectly in our real pubs this winter

BACK A GUARANTEED WINNER......... 70 Enjoy unbeatable edibles, with our fantastic all-day Sunday brunch

A TREAT FROM OUR SHELF..................... 80 Puddings, ice cream, crumbles, custard and cheesecake among sweet sensations on our menu

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TIM’S VIEWPOINT..................................................... 3 YOUR SAY........................................................................... 6 MEET THE BREWER............................................ 56 COMPETITION............................................................. 81 CAMRA’S BAR TALK........................................... 82

GIVE A WETHERSPOON GIFT................ 58 Find the perfect pressie for your parents, paramour or progeny, while you enjoy a perfect pint

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THE REGULAR STUFF

COMMUNITY��������������������������������������������������������������� 30 OUR PEOPLE���������������������������������������������������������������32 BIRTHDAYS�������������������������������������������������������������������78

Gins, rums, vodkas and three special wines will help you to celebrate the season

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HISTORY IN THE HERE AND NOW.......... 20

CLIC SARGENT��������������������������������������������������������40 Written and edited by Eddie Gershon, along with welcome contributions from Wetherspoon staff. Artwork by The Purple Agency for design and digital editions. Print production by Adare International. Proofreading by Future Perfect. Using paper from sustainable resources, this is printed in the UK. All J D Wetherspoon food and drink in this magazine is subject to local licensing restrictions and availability at participating free houses. Photography is for guidance only. J D Wetherspoon PLC reserves the right to withdraw/change offers (without notice) at any time. See main menu for additional details of our terms and conditions. Price and participation may vary per pub. Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 5

LETTERS

JUMBO JET AND A MICROLIGHT MEAL

Dear Tim On a recent business trip from Heathrow, I had a slight delay and, as such, decided to have breakfast. I was torn between going to The Flying Chariot to have my usual favourite fry-up or proceeding through security to eat there.

In the end, I ate at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Perfectionists’ Café. I ordered the full English. I was deeply disappointed – a tiny sausage, lacking flavour and reminiscent of school dinners, eggs with solid yolks and bland bacon were on my plate – nothing compared with the experience I have become accustomed to at your fine pubs! I am yet to find a full English breakfast to top yours – especially when the value is so extraordinary. As you have beaten Heston, I believe you should be asking for a few Michelin stars! Yours sincerely Andrew Warren-Payne, London, SE4 Tim replies: In response to a letter, in the last Wetherspoon News, praising our Doncaster Airport pub, I joked that some airport owners favoured the latest trend on the high street over the ‘Mighty Organisation’ (us). I’m sure that Heston has many followers, but thanks for your vote.

Your Say NE W BU Y AT THE BAR

Write to us Your letter or e-mail really can make a difference. So, please do keep writing. Should you have any suggestions on how we can improve our service, please let us know.

Thank you

There’s £20 of Wetherspoon gift cards for every letter we print

Write: The Editor, Wetherspoon News, J D Wetherspoon plc, Central Park, Reeds Crescent, Watford, WD24 4QL E-mail: [email protected]

All letters and e-mails to the editor are read, considered and also passed onwards (if appropriate), yet, owing to correspondence volume, not all letters may be answered. Should you have any specific feedback, to which you wish to receive a reply, please write to the customer services team at the address above or use the customer feedback form on our website.

CROSS WORDS ABOUT OUR CROSSWORDS

Dear Tim I love Wetherspoon News. It is a great read, but I wish you would allow your loyal customers in the Republic of Ireland to enter your crossword competition! I know we have an Irish edition, but we don’t have any competitions. Cheers and sláinte from Dublin! Anne Henderson Dublin, Ireland Tim replies: Like you, I can’t see why readers in the groovy Republic shouldn’t be able to enter the competition. I will remonstrate with the editor.

BREXIT RANT UNPALATABLE

Dear Tim Much though I love your pubs, with their ever-changing beers and interesting buildings, I feel that your ‘Tim’s Viewpoint’ article (autumn 2016) was merely a rant regarding Brexit. Two pages from the chairman of Wetherspoon, without once mentioning beer, food or pubs. Please rectify next time.

A VOTE FOR INDIAN AND SRI LANKAN BEER

Dear Tim Now that Britain has voted to leave the EU, thanks to your clear ‘man on the Clapham omnibus’, who can understand the language of the various debates, would you be stocking various not-so-well-known beers from India or, more importantly, the very good and famous Lion Lager from Sri Lanka? Yours sincerely D Ramakrishnan, Sutton, Surrey Tim replies: My first pint was of Dominion Bitter in the even-more-remote (from Britain and Ireland) New Zealand. So, I can’t see why we shouldn’t welcome the roar of the Lion, at some point.

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Yours sincerely Toby Wood Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Tim replies: I’ve noticed that some newspapers characterise views they don’t agree with as a ‘rant’ – in fact, the viewpoint was carefully argued and made sense to many. The leaders of all of the main political parties supported Remain, as did the CBI, the Times, the Financial Times, the Guardian, most universities, most economists and the vociferous boards of most of our biggest companies. Most of them supported the disastrous euro too. Why shouldn’t the motley crew who hold opposing views, including yours truly, be allowed to make their case? Debate is the key to freedom and part of the democratic process.

BHAJI-LOVER JOYFUL WAIT FOR STRONG DARK ALE-LOVER’S LAMENT TOLD THERE IMPENDING DOOM WERE NAAN Dear Tim Curry Club is my favourite night. I frequent many Wetherspoon hostelries at home in Cardiff and in other towns while on holiday, using your pub directory to plan ahead. While I am delighted with the new additions to the menu (Bombay potatoes, naan bread upgrade etc), I have more than once been disappointed on being told that there are no onion bhajis. Please don’t let more choice result in less stock of your old favourites. I would be grateful if you could discuss this when you next meet your catering team. Thank you, in anticipation. Yours sincerely Michael Xuereb Splott, Cardiff Tim replies: A curry without an onion bhaji is like Mariah Carey without James Packer. I will emphasise the point.

DIABETIC DECISIONS AIDED BY ADVICE Dear Tim Thank you for your reply to my letter concerning displaying sugar content of meals on the Wetherspoon menu for the benefit of diabetics. The advice you gave in your response was correct and the necessary information is indeed available on the Wetherspoon website. I have printed a copy to keep in my wallet for reference, when dining at Wetherspoon pubs, and I would like to recommend that my fellow diabetes sufferers do something similar, as an aid to controlling their condition. Yours sincerely Stephen Sheppard Doncaster, South Yorkshire Tim replies: Very many thanks for letting me know, as well as reinforcing the point for others with the same issue.

Dear Tim My wife went out to lunch with friends. I did not fancy cooking for one – I am 83, so took a visit to The Moon Under Water, Enfield, Middlesex. There, I whittled my choice down to four meals, settling on the British beef & Doom Bar® ale pie, mashed potato and mushy peas with gravy. It was delicious, tasty and filling.

As I waited for it to digest, I read Daniel Hannan’s article on page 27 – brilliant! I walked out the door with a double smile on my face! Yours sincerely

Dear Tim As a lover of strong dark ales, which my friends and I drink regularly up here, in all of your fine north Staffordshire establishments, we are sometimes a bit disappointed that there is not always a strong dark ale hand-pull pint on. Is there any chance of having a live website for each and every one of your pubs to inform the customer what forthcoming strong beers etc will be served in the coming days, so that we can plan our cherished north Staffs Wetherspoon pub crawl? Michael Griffin Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

PS Can’t wait for the wife to go out again!

Tim replies: I will have a word in the shell-like of our north Staffs team and try to make the strong and dark more widely available. I will also have a look at the idea of a live website. Thanks for the suggestion.

Tim replies: Dan the man is, indeed, a brilliant advocate of the democratic case. So glad you didn’t go hungry in the absence of the missus. I don’t get invited to those lunches either.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS AT FALL WELL

Alan Bird Enfield, Middlesex

ALLOW ME TO POINT THE WAY Dear Tim Having read your article in Wetherspoon’s magazine while enjoying a beer, regarding sending in ideas, I thought I’d send this one.

My wife and I are frequent users of Wetherspoon’s pubs, as we have a motorhome and like to tour the country. Our first port of call is often the local ‘Wethies’, wherever it may be. We have to watch our pennies in today’s financial climate – and I thought that a loyalty point collecting card would be a good addition to Wetherspoon’s value-for-money. The points would add up over time and encourage customers to return time and again.

Dear Tim I read, with interest, a letter in your summer edition of the magazine about performers and artistes using Wetherspoon after rehearsals. This I can support, as it is a very popular venue for those in the business, including me.

After rehearsals or production meetings, it is really a great place to eat, drink and talk, at a very good price, in excellent surroundings – and with a drink included. I use The Fall Well, in Queen’s Square, Liverpool a great deal and have seen many actors in there from the theatres nearby. It is also excellent for transport, being right by the main bus station and just across the way from Lime Street Station. All in all, Wetherspoon offers exactly what I want – and I would recommend it to anyone. Yours sincerely Gerard Fitzpatrick Howkins, Wirral, Merseyside Tim replies: I’m so glad that our pubs are used by our friends in the world of acting and entertainment – like us, your jobs are more difficult than many imagine.

STOKED BY THIS CUP WIN Dear Tim My husband and I always seek a Wetherspoon, if we are out for lunch or an evening meal.

Yours sincerely

We both think Wetherspoon is great value for money.

Eric Jacques, Otley, West Yorkshire

We live in Stoke-on-Trent, ‘the Potteries’, so I always want to know where the crockery comes from.

Tim replies: We debated loyalty cards some time ago. They actually cost a lot to administer, meaning that those supermarkets offering them can, on average, be more expensive than those which don’t. For this reason, we opted for competitive everyday prices, rather than loyalty cards. By the way, I also tour the country, but without the benefit of a motorhome. It might make my job easier… or maybe I could join you and the missus – do you need a driver?

Well done Wetherspoon for supporting the pottery industry and buying British by having Churchill Pottery – cups, saucers and plates. Mrs Ann Lally, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Tim replies: Many thanks for the compliment. We believe in free trade, so do buy a lot of supplies from around the world… but the quality and price of our crockery are fantastic – and it’s great news that the Potteries competes so well, no doubt in the face of fierce competition. As did Stanley Matthews for Stoke City… Bravo, Mighty Potteries! jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 7

PUB NEWS MARTIAL ARTIST KEVIN’S SOLDIER SEARCH SUCCEEDS

LITERARY JEWELS POLISHED AT THE DIAMOND TAP

The Diamond Tap, in Newbury, is the monthly meeting place for Word Watchers, a small group of writers based in West Berkshire.

The group is pictured at its regular get-together, on the third Wednesday of the month, discussing member Charlotte Betts’s (second left) historical novel The House in Quill Court, over a drink at the Wetherspoon pub. Current members write in a variety of genres, from children’s stories and romantic historical fiction to crime. Author and member Julian Dobbins (far right) said: “The group is there to help writers to achieve their goals. Some of us are published, some of us have agents and some of us are working towards that first success – however we define it.

always remain, a small group, we’ve started these regular socials at the pub, to give us chance to invite a lot more people from the local writing community. “Over time, it would be great to think it could become quite the literary gathering place.”

“What we have in common is our passion and dedication to writing, Alan Shorthouse, pub manager at The Diamond Tap, said: “The Word Watchers are a great group of regulars – and we enjoy meeting up a couple of times each month to share what we’ve having them at the pub. done, discuss what’s worked, what hasn’t, and make our promises for the month ahead. “Wetherspoon appeals to all walks of life – and this meet-up just highlights the diversity of customers we attract.” “We’ve been meeting up in people’s houses for over 15 years, but because there’s been so much interest in joining what is, and will l Visit: www.wordwatchers.net

BAKERS RAISE DOLLOP OF DOUGH Two years ago, Wetherspoon News reported a story about artist and regular customer Kevin Cronin and his painting collection, at his local pub.

After BFBS quickly discovered the soldiers identity, they invited Kevin to their head office to meet Ricky and finally present the painting to him.

Kevin, from North Acton, displays some of his work at The Red Lion & Pineapple, in Acton, west London.

Kevin said: “I have had such terrific support from Wetherspoon, over the past six years, kindly allowing me to display many of my paintings at The Red Lion & Pineapple.

One particular piece, entitled ‘Small Talk’, which depicts British paratrooper Ricky Jordison with an Iraqi girl, began a two-year search to find the identity of the soldier in the picture – the idea of the customers at the pub. An image of the painting was posted by Chris Keen, a radio presenter/producer of the British Forces Broadcasting Services, (BFBS), on their twitter page requesting help identifying the soldier.

“I probably would never have found out who the Para I painted was, had it not been for my local Wetherspoon pub. “Thank you to Wetherspoon and the customers at the pub for all of their continued support.” BFBS have now produced a radio documentary of the meeting, that is aired on their twitter and facebook pages.

l All Kevin’s paintings are available to buy,

prices subject to offer. Contact: [email protected]

SAMANTHA BROADCASTS TALES FROM BATH ARMS Shift manager Samantha Malone is pictured with radio presenter Chris Floyd during a broadcast for Warminster Community Radio (WCR).

Chris is a regular customer at The Bath Arms, in Warminster, where Samantha works – and the pair got chatting one day about the pub and its history. Samantha says: “I have been with the company only since March, but worked at The Bath Arms around 20 years ago, as a glass-collector and pot-washer, before Wetherspoon bought it.” Local historian Chris presents a regular show on WCR, celebrating the heritage and culture of Warminster and surrounding villages, with music, live interviews and articles about local heritage. Samantha added: “As I know quite a lot about the pub, he invited me on the show to answer questions, speak about the history and have a quiz. “He is an interesting guy, with lots of tales to tell, and we had a lot of fun.” 8  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

FRY-UP FACTS AND FIGURES ADD FLAVOUR TO BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE Wetherspoon features in a new edition of CAMRA’s Beer Knowledge, written by award-winning beer writer Jeff Evans. Described as essential wisdom for the discerning drinker, the pocket-sized book is packed with facts, feats, records, stats and anecdotes, covering topics from the serious to the silly. A section entitled ‘The Big Breakfast (and Dinner)’ highlights an array of facts and figures about Wetherspoon’s breakfasts.

A charity coffee morning at The Cross Keys raised £126 in donations, to be split equally between Macmillan Cancer Support and CLIC Sargent. Staff at the pub in Beverley put their baking skills to the test to produce a selection of tasty treats for the event, including coffee cake, carrot cake and Victoria sponge. Shift manager Emma Thorley (left) is pictured with team leader Eloise Curtis and the home-made cakes and treats ready for the event.

It shows that Wetherspoon’s pubs serve 350,000 cooked breakfasts per week and that our pubs serve 46 million free-range eggs, 50 million Lincolnshire sausages, 20 million burgers, six million curries and 50 million hot drinks annually. Another section, The Best Airport Bars, recognises the fact that The Windmill, at Stansted Airport, was named the Best Airport Bar of the Year (worldwide) at the Airport Food & Beverage Conference. Jeff is the author of more than 20 books, in the fields of beer, television and travel, including CAMRA’s So You Want to Be a Beer Expert? and Good Bottled Beer Guide. He also runs the popular Inside Beer website.

l CAMRA’s Beer Knowledge is priced £9.99 available from: https://shop.camra.org.uk/books.html

TAFARN TEAM TILTS AT THROWING THRONE The Wetherspoon darts team which plays at Tafarn Y Porth, in Caernarfon, is pictured proudly showing off its latest trophy, with shift manager Mike Jackson (front right).

Chris Wright (front centre) is the captain of the team. Wetherspoon finished runners-up in the Caernarfon Town Darts League ‘round the board’ competition. The team pictured, featuring customers and some staff members, comprises Barry Edwards, Dylan Owen, shift leader Daniel Jones, Rob Evans, Dave Evans and Nathan Barrett. Pub manager Sion Williams said: “We have had darts at the pub for well over 10 years – and the team plays its home games here on Monday evenings. It is competitive, as well as good fun – and it is great to see the team picking up a trophy.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 9

PUB NEWS INBETWEENER TRUDY IN THE PINK AT THE GREEN GINGER

Two milestone birthdays, a newly renovated cottage and an aptly named beer all add up to two very happy Wetherspoon customers in Torquay.

POP FOR ALL AT REGENT AS VIDEO STARS OPEN PIPES Pub manager Rachel Sellars was able to return a favour when a local band asked her to provide a venue for a music video.

When all-male pop quintet For The Girl approached Rachel, who manages The Regent, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, to ask her whether they could film in her pub, she was delighted to say yes.

Trudy Moyle was at The Green Ginger, celebrating her 60th birthday, back in December 2015, when she spotted a beer on sale called ‘In Between’. Trudy and her husband Mike had recently finished renovating a one-bedroom holiday cottage – and they had called it ‘In Between’.

She said: “They have helped the pub to raise money for the local air ambulance and other fundraisers, so it was really good to be able to help them. They are a nice bunch of lads and the video is brilliant.”

Trudy contacted Wetherspoon, asking whether it was possible to ‘get hold of the label, advertising the beer’, as they had asked at The Green Ginger and The London Inn (also in Torquay), but neither had one to spare.

The band members – James Wells, Nathan Fox, Sam Planty, Isaac Hallas and Josh King – are pictured standing on the pub’s roof in true rock video style. Drummer Nathan said: “Rachel and the team were amazing and helpful – and, hopefully, we’ll be working with them again soon.

In September, the couple returned to The Green Ginger to mark Mike’s 70th birthday, with a meal and a special gift.

“The pub has been brilliant and really supportive towards us, without which this video really wouldn’t have happened.”

Pub manager Emma Gibson, pictured with the couple, said: “We managed to find Trudy an ‘In Between’ beer pump-clip, which I posted to her.

The video accompanied their single Breathe – released in September.

“She wanted to give it to Mike for his 70th – and what better place than where they first saw it, at The Green Ginger?”

FORMER GLORIES LIVE ON AT SANDFORD HOUSE

HEROIC DRINKERS HELP REAL HEROES

DESPERATE FOR SELFIE AT BAR WITH HOUSEWIFE SUPERSTAR

Wetherspoon’s customers have raised £3,368 by drinking charity ale Help for Heroes. The Marston’s 4.2 per cent ABV blond ale was made specifically to raise funds for the charity after which it is named. For every pint of the ale sold in Wetherspoon’s pubs, 6p was donated to the charity which funds several projects to support servicemen and women in the community. The charity provides direct, practical support for wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel, Veterans and their loved-ones. But it’s thought that a good deal more than the official total was raised, as all of the pubs involved had collection tins on the bar, with the funds being paid directly to Help for Heroes. Debbie Reynolds, trade marketing executive at Marston’s, said: “We know that Wetherspoon’s pubs have raised well in excess of £3,368 through beer sales and collection tins, so on behalf of both Marston’s and Help for Heroes, I’d like to thank you all for the great support.”

TOME, GENTLEMEN, PLEASE: BOOK BORN AT THE BAR

Author Scarlet West is pictured with her book at The Walnut Tree in Leytonstone, east London.

The book ‘I’d like to thank Manchester Air Rifles’ describes life in the local area and features some of her fellow pub customers. Scarlet wrote over the course of 10 years, working as a DJ at night and then going to the pub to write some more of her book. She said: “Everyone in Leytonstone seems to be accepting of one another. “Everyone gets on and it is lovely. I think it is a very calming area.”

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The pub’s manager, Garrie Vilka, said: “Scarlet would come in and sit with her notebook, pen and a glass of Kronenbourg  – and write her book. “It is nice to know that the pub has not only featured in a book about the area, but was actually written in the pub too.”

The book is named after a shop called Manchester Air Guns which Scarlet used to pass on the bus to Manchester, before she moved to London to become a DJ.

l The book, published by Grey

Tiger Books, is available at Amazon, Waterstones and bookshops nationwide.

Staff at The Mount Stuart grabbed the opportunity of a souvenir ‘ selfie’ when a famous face visited the Cardiff pub.

When Sandford House, Huntingdon, opened its doors to the public, one of the guests was a member of the family which previously lived on the premises. Jane Hutchinson is the great-granddaughter of Charles Sandford Windover, whose company (with premises on the site in the 19th century) made horse-drawn coaches for royalty and members of the aristocracy. Jane attended the opening with a copy of her book, The History of Windovers, which describes the vehicles made, alongside pictures she has collected from family members. She said: “Wetherspoon has done a marvellous job redeveloping the building. “It was wonderful to be at the pub on its opening day and very special to see pictures of my family’s regal coaches adorning the interior.” The pub’s manager, Sarah Hemmingway, said: “It was lovely to meet Jane. Her book gave a fascinating insight into the building’s former use and the wonderful horse-drawn carriages made on the site.”

American actress, director and activist Eva Longoria, is probably best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives. She is pictured (left) with bar associates Danielle Boyle and Caitlin Daniels (right), as well as team leader Kieron Barcoe (front). Pub manager Jayson Bales said: “Eva was informed that we do the best fish and chips in Cardiff bay, so paid us a visit! “She was also happy to pose for a photo, a great souvenir for the team here.”

jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 11

DRINK

CRAFT BEERS

I THINK, THEREFORE I DRINK… BEER Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, aka The Thinking Drinkers, look at the history of the world – through the bottom of a pint glass

W

etherspoon’s pubs are brimming with superb beers from all around the world – most made with the same four key ingredients, in pretty much the same way.

There are, of course, variations on the theme. Some brewers may use more hops, while some may ferment with a certain type of yeast; there are those who may kiln their malt a little longer than others and some who choose to mature their beer in Bourbon barrels or add fruit or herbs to broaden their beers’ flavour. However, beer’s great value stretches beyond its ingredients. Beyond the different hops, yeast, water and grain, there are people, places and, crucially, a fertile and fascinating past lurking in that lovely liquid which we so like raising to our lips – and therein lies the real beauty of beer.

Civilisation Let’s start at the beginning. Beer has never been far away from some of the most significant events in history, dating right back even to the birth of civilisation – after centuries of gallivanting, gathering and hunting on the hoof, man awoke to the wonders of an existence based almost entirely on agriculture and the growing of grain… and began making beer. Some historians reckon it’s bread, but what is bread? It’s hard beer. Everyone knows that.

Another thing – Jesus Christ turned water into beer, not wine. It’s written in the Bible. In the original scriptures, it says that, when Jesus was at the wedding, he turned water into the shekhar – the Hebrew word meaning ‘strong drink’. Shekhar derives from sikaru, an ancient Semitic term meaning ‘barley beer’. The only reason beer was banished from subsequent Bible versions was sheer scholarly snobbery.

Empire If you require more ale-soaked anecdotes as you sip your Sixpoint Resin, Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA or Crafty Dan 13 Guns, it’s worth noting that India pale ale, along with porter, was once Britain’s industrial engine room – reaching parts of the British Empire which other beers couldn’t reach – and the hops which adorn it with its bitterness and aroma are a member of the same botanical family as cannabis.

ble IPA sin Dou e R t in Sixpo

Inspired by the classic IPAs synonymous with the states of Oregon, Washington and California, yet brewed in Berkshire (not far from Queen Elizabeth’s house), this American-accented, muscular IPA packs a considerable aromatic hop punch… padded in a velvet glove. It’s a transatlantic treat teeming with tropical fruit on the nose and some sensational citrus notes, a glorious grainy body (more readily associated with strong English ales) and a firm bitterness which won’t leave your taste buds quivering or crying in the corner, begging for mercy – the ultimate burger beer.

Regardless of which beer you order, rest assured that there’s an anecdote and a tale to be found beneath that frothy head. It turns out that, contrary to popular perception, some of life’s answers can be found at the bottom of a pint glass. The Thinking Drinkers are performing their award-winning comedy show Around The World in 80 Drinks at The Museum of Comedy from 23 November to 21 December.

Pyramids

l www.thinkingdrinkers.com/events

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It’s a mammoth medley of hops which smashes through the 100 IBU barrier with its forehead, yet achieves great balance for such a big beer and, poured fresh from the tallboy can, exudes aromas of pine, grapefruit, a touch of tobacco and a finish which stays longer than the mother-in-law!

André the Giant (André René Roussimoff), the greatest professional wrestler who ever lived, once drank 119 Budweiser bottles in a single six-hour sitting; Brooklyn Lager’s label was designed by Milton Glaser – the chap behind the ‘I Love NY’ logo; Carlsberg Brewery invented the PH Scale; best of all – the Leffe Abbey, in Belgium, is next to two small towns  – one called Silly and the other called Dave.

Beer is the world’s oldest recipe, first written down somewhere in and around Iraq or Iran (Mesopotamia, in old money) – ironically one of the few places on the planet which doesn’t boast a thriving craft beer scene lurking beneath some disused railway arches. Initially drunk because it was safer than water, beer was later used as currency and helped to build the pyramids in Egypt. Each Egyptian worker was given 10 pints of beer a day as payment, with each beer being around 5–6% ABV – so, it was the equivalent of drinking 10 pints of Blue Moon Belgian White while trying to construct one of the classic seven wonders of the world. You can forgive them for forgetting to put any windows in.

An awesome double IPA from a brilliant brewery in the Big Apple, Resin demonstrates an array of aromatic American hops in style, almost as if the brewer has licked his fingers and individually peeled off each one, like a single dollar note from a wad of greenbacks, and layered them gently on a bed of pale malt.

The maverick Flying Dog microbrewery, the favourite brewery of gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson, was one of the first Stateside set-ups to strap electrodes to the India pale ale style and crank up the knob to 11. It blew British IPAs out of the water by brewing its IPAs bigger and brasher – yet balanced with barley too. Snake Dog coaxes out serious citrus character from the classic Columbus and wonderful lip-puckering bitterness from the Warrior hops. It dovetails deftly with spicy dishes, boasting the bitterness to handle the heat, the carbonation scrubbing piquant sensations from the palate and some soothing lychee notes in the finish.

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AWARDS

Collier Row

ROCHDALE

FROM REGAL MOON COLLEY ROWE INN TO A NOBLE ROOM CREW IN CLOVER

AFTER CAMRA WIN

CLEETHORPES

COLISEUM BLOOMS ADD COLOUR TO CLEETHORPES The Coliseum Picture Theatre has been recognised for its floral displays in the town’s annual ‘In Bloom’ competition. The pub in Cleethorpes received a ‘gold’, the highest award possible, in the ‘best public house’ category at the 2016 awards. Pub manager Christine Cole, pictured front with team leader Dawn Jagger, said: “We are thrilled that our plant and flower display has been rewarded in this year’s competition.” Supported by North East Lincolnshire Council and local newspapers Cleethorpes Chronicle and Grimsby Telegraph, the competition awards gold, silver and bronze in various categories, including best school, street, residential garden and church. The judges, from the Cleethorpes In Bloom committee, comprise those from all walks of life in the area – who have seen how the annual campaign has improved the local environment. The aim is to encourage people to take care and pride in their community, through gardening, horticultural excellence and environmental initiatives. Bob Callison, chair of Cleethorpes In Bloom, said: “There has been a tremendous effort from everyone. They have worked tirelessly to do their gardens and displays and have gone that extra mile.”

SALE

J. P. JOULE SEES BRIGHTSIDE AFTER PUB-OF-SEASON WIN

The J. P. Joule, in Sale, celebrated being named as the Campaign for Real Ale’s local Pub of the Season, with a meet-the-brewer event.

Carley Friedrich of Brightside Brewery gave a talk and presented samples of the brewer’s beers to customers as team leader Mark Tomlinson (both pictured) offered his services as her assistant on the day. Brightside beers took over all six ale pumps at the pub – where, normally, each pump has a beer from a different brewery. Shift leader Katarzyna Lipowczan said: “Carley gave an interesting talk about Brightside – a nice, family brewer.” She added: “We were delighted to be named as CAMRA’s Pub of the Season. We are proud of our real ales here.” The pub was named as Trafford & Hulme’s Pub of the Season by the local CAMRA branch. Shift leader Emma Stubbs was presented with a certificate by branch chair John O’Donnell. He said: “There are two floors at the pub, with a total of 13 hand-pumps, as there is a bar on each floor. This ensures a good range of real ale in this popular Wetherspoon pub.” 14  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Pub manager Chris Riley (pictured) has every reason to feel proud of a recent award. Chris, who runs The Regal Moon, in Rochdale, nominated his local Rochdale pub watch scheme and the initiative was named as one of only three finalists in the Diageo National Pubwatch Awards 2016. Chris, who attended the awards ceremony, said: “Everyone involved with Rochdale pub watch is thrilled with the accolade. Rochdale council and the police, both supporting the scheme, are also delighted with our award.” The awards were presented at a prestigious dinner in the House of Commons members’ dining room, with MPs, lords, notable names from the pub industry and other stakeholders attending. Now in their fifth year, the awards are designed to recognise the work being undertaken by local pub watch schemes across the UK to improve safety and the pub experience for everyone. The winners are selected by a panel of National Pubwatch members and industry experts, who identify that scheme which made the greatest contribution to its community. Steve Baker, chairman of National Pubwatch, said: “The Diageo National Pubwatch Awards recognise the hard work of local pub watch schemes throughout the UK, highlighting some exceptional good practice to make town centres safer.”

Staff and customers at The Colley Rowe Inn join in the celebrations as pub manager Keri Dignam (front right) receives an award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Anne Radley, chairman of CAMRA’s South West Essex branch, is pictured presenting the Collier Row pub with the branch’s London Area ‘pub of the year’ 2016 award. Keri said: “We are thrilled to be named London Area ‘pub of the year’. To be number-one, out of numerous pubs in the South West Essex CAMRA region, is a great achievement.

“Thanks to all the members who voted for us.” Committee member Paul Chadderton said: “South West Essex CAMRA branch was pleased to present the award for their London Area ‘pub of the year’ to The Colley Rowe Inn. “The ‘Colley’ has consistently offered an ever-varying selection of regular and guest ales from all over the country, making every visit interesting. “Branch visits have always received a cordial welcome – and this, no doubt, contributed to branch members voting the pub their favourite from this year’s nominations.”

fort william

GREAT TO GOOD: GLEN GAINS PLACE IN GUIDE

Pub manager Donna Walker is pictured celebrating her pub’s first inclusion in the Campaign for Real Ale – CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2017.

Donna, who runs The Great Glen, which opened in May 2013, was thrilled to discover that the Fort William pub is named among the 29 Scottish Wetherspoon outlets listed in the latest guide. Donna said: “I was absolutely delighted when I found out that we had made it into the guide this time around. “We work hard to ensure that we offer a great range of fantastic beers, along with excellent customer service – and to have that recognised is a lovely achievement.” The pub serves up to 10 ales at all times, with Sharp’s Doom Bar the only permanent beer, with nine ever-changing guest ales.

These include many from breweries across Scotland, such as Strathaven Ales, Caledonian Brewing Co, Isle of Skye Brewing Co and the more recent addition of Nairn-based WooHa Brewing Company. The guide says: “Named after The Great Glen (An Gleann Mor), a stunning 78-mile natural route running from Inverness to Fort William, this is a new-build pub, unusual for Wetherspoon, conveniently situated under a Travelodge.

“It has a spacious, modern interior with plenty of comfortable sofa seating and an open kitchen. Ten hand-pumps serve a good many Scottish ales.”

l Please see page 25 for more news on Wetherspoon pubs inclusion in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2017.

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AWARDS

SWEET (POTATO) VICTORY IN VEGAN FOOD AWARDS

The PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Vegan Food Awards have recognised Wetherspoon for one of its vegan dishes.

KINGSBURY

MOON ENTERS LOFTY ORBIT J.J. Moon’s, in Kingsbury, is celebrating its inclusion in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide 2017.

Wetherspoon was one of only 24 winners – and the only pub company named. Wetherspoon was named winner in the ‘best vegan curry’ section for its sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry.

The pub, in northwest London, is one of 262 Wetherspoon pubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, included in the latest edition of the annual publication.

The curry is a dish of sweet potato, fried and tossed in a rich coconut sauce, with chickpeas and spinach – to deliver a healthy and tasty option which is also under five per cent fat.

CAMRA North London branch held its local launch for the guide at J.J. Moon’s, with members enjoying a Sunday-afternoon gathering at the pub.

The recipe draws on influences from the coastal regions of India and fuses together the flavours of numerous herbs and spices, including fennel, fenugreek, coriander and turmeric.

John Cryne, CAMRA North London said: “With only 35 pubs in the North London area able to be included, competition is stiff, making this achievement that much greater.

Wetherspoon’s head of food development, Jameson Robinson, said: “We are thrilled to receive the award, as this dish has been a very popular choice in our pubs.

“The pub is a haven in a real-ale desert – and people come from miles around to drink there. There are no other pubs to match it in the area; the real ale is so good – and people really appreciate it.”

“It is recognition of our expanding vegan range of dishes which also includes pasta pomodoro and our new-recipe five-bean chilli.” As the number of British vegans climbs to over half a million, the market for plant-based meals, snacks and beverages is at an all-time high – and PETA celebrates some of the hottest new vegan products with its annual Vegan Food Awards.

Pub manager Thomas Vercetti, pictured with John Cryne, said: “We are delighted that J.J. Moon’s has been recognised for the quality of its real ales by CAMRA members. “Staff at the pub ensure that the real ales on offer are kept in first-class condition, at all times – and the pub’s inclusion in the guide highlights this."

BEST RESTAURANT SUCCESS PROVIDES FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate new vegan products in the eating-out sector.

PETA’s spokesman, Dawn Carr, said: “Vegan options at chains and pubs have traditionally been somewhat limited or uninspiring.

“J D Wetherspoon’s pubs have shown themselves to be an industry leader in providing inclusive meals, winning over vegans, vegetarians and meat-reducers with a selection of vegan-friendly foods which everyone can enjoy. “PETA particularly loves the delicious and satisfying sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry and, with the newly vegan naan bread removing the need for substitution when ordering, Wetherspoon was the obvious choice for PETA’s Best Vegan Curry award.”

SITTINGBOURNE

BARNSLEY

A SECOND SUCCESS FOR SILKSTONE INN

HAPPY HENS A FLOWER-POWERED AND ETHICAL FLYING START AT THE EGGS BRING GOLDEN HOPE US RSPCA RECOGNITION

Wetherspoon has been recognised in a ‘best restaurant’ award category. The Good Housekeeping Food Awards 2016 named Wetherspoon as runner-up, in the ‘best restaurant’ section, in its 12th annual prestigious awards ‘hall of foodie fame’, voted for by readers of the Good Housekeeping magazine.

Wetherspoon has become the first pub company to gain recognition from RSPCA Assured – the RSPCA’s ethical food label – for sourcing eggs from farms which care for their hens to higher welfare standards throughout their life.

Other categories included various readers’ favourite household food brands, supermarkets, celebrity chefs and cookery shows.

Its senior food development manager, Matt Elsdon, said: “Gaining RSPCA-Assured certification for our shell eggs is something of which we are very proud – and we are certain that our customers will welcome the news too.

Lindsay Nicholson, editorial director of Good Housekeeping, said: “The Good Housekeeping Food Awards are a fascinating snapshot of consumers’ tastes and preferences. We are seeing a distinct trend towards quality and flavour, combined with a drive for value.” Wetherspoon’s chief executive, John Hutson, said: “Despite the fact that we do not consider our pubs to be restaurants, we are clearly doing things right, in terms of our food menu, and our customers obviously appreciate it.”

Wetherspoon’s food development manager Oliver Addis

Wetherspoon has committed to using only RSPCA-Assured shell eggs in its pubs (44 million per annum).

Pub manager Simon Barker (pictured right) with shift manager Paul Fearn (left) and Barnsley CAMRA branch secretary Nigel Croft

The Silkstone Inn has been chosen as the Barnsley Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Autumn Pub of the Season 2016. It is the second time that the Barnsley pub has been recognised, since it opened its doors in September 2008, having previously picked up the summer 2009 title. Pub manager Simon Barker, who has managed the pub for two years, said: “There is a lot of competition in the area, not just in the town centre, so we are delighted to win the award. “We have a great relationship with our local CAMRA branch – regular weekly visitors to the pub.

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“My shift manager Paul Fearn also deserves a special mention for his efforts, as he runs the cellar extremely efficiently, making sure that our real ale is always served in excellent condition.” Nigel Croft, Barnsley CAMRA branch secretary, said: “The management and staff at The Silkstone Inn have put in endless hours in promoting real ale – and these efforts are now being acknowledged again by Barnsley CAMRA. “Thanks to the team at The Silkstone Inn for providing a great range of beers, a comfortable pub to drink them in and some great staff, who seem genuinely happy to serve you.”

“We place a lot of emphasis on ensuring that our egg suppliers look after their laying hens to the highest of standards – and this has been recognised by RSPCA Assured. “With 44 million shell eggs used in our pubs each year, it is vital that our customers know how important the welfare of laying hens is to us.” Clive Brazier, CEO of RSPCA Assured, said: “We are delighted that Wetherspoon has committed to using only RSPCA-Assured shell eggs in its pubs. “It’s an important step forward in our mission to improve the welfare of laying hens – and I very much hope that other pubs, cafés and restaurants will be inspired to follow its lead.”

Pub manager Amy Kortegas (left) and duty manager Jayne Boulter are pictured with their prize-winning floral display at The Golden Hope. The pub and hotel in Sittingbourne were awarded first prize, in the ‘public houses group’, in the Sittingbourne in Bloom 2016 summer competition. The annual prize-giving event celebrates the horticultural achievements of the Kent town’s residents, businesses and community groups, in nine categories. Amy said: “We didn’t know that the pub had been entered – and received a letter through the post telling us about the award, so it was a lovely surprise. “We opened recently, in July 2015, so to receive this, as well as gaining entry into the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, in our first year, is a great achievement.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 17

AWARDS COOS, NOT BOOS, AFTER VIEWS OF OUR LOOS A total of 513 Wetherspoon pubs, across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, has been recognised for the quality and standard of their toilets – in the Loo of the Year Awards 2016.

The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of away-from-home toilet provision across the UK. A total of 482 pubs gained a platinum-star rating by inspectors – the highest award possible. A further 31 gained a gold award. Authorised inspectors make unannounced visits to thousands of toilets at sites across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, in order to judge them.

All of the toilets are graded from bronze to gold, with unacceptable toilets not graded at all.

The platinum rating is given only to those outlets which offer ‘exceptional toilets’. The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including décor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand-washing and -drying equipment and overall management. The Loo of the Year Awards 2016’s managing director, Mike Bone, said: “The toilets at Wetherspoon’s pubs have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are both clean and well maintained. “The pubs richly deserve their platinum and gold awards.”

The Booking Office, Edinburgh

West Midlands,Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire

BRITANNIA BURGEONING AS WE BAG BOUQUET OF BLOOM AWARDS

RIDE THE TIDE TO POWER OUR FUTURE The seas around Britain which have deterred invaders for millennia also provide an inexhaustible supply of free, natural energy – and, now, those unceasing tides are being harnessed to give Britons clean electricity and skilled jobs, says Tidal Lagoon Power founder, Mark Shorrock

W

e, in Britain, can create our own energy future  – with British investors, British manufacturing and long-term British jobs.

We can accomplish this by harnessing the vast tides which surround our island nation. In England and Wales, the great Atlantic tides well up onto the Continental shelf and funnel into large estuaries to record the second-highest tidal range in the world. On a spring tide in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary, more than 30 billion cubic metres of water are lifted by as much as 14 metres, through the combined gravitational pull of the moon and sun. We are promoting the idea of generating electricity from tidal lagoons. Turbines A tidal lagoon is a U-shaped breakwater, built out from the coast, within which sits a bank of hydro turbines. Water fills up and empties the man-made lagoon as the tides rise and fall. We generate electricity on both the incoming and outgoing tides, four times a day, every day. Because of the incredible tides on the west coast of Britain, by keeping the turbine gates shut for just three hours, there is already a 4.2-metre height difference in water between the inside and the outside of the lagoon.

Shift manager Liam Perry at The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich

A total of 13 Wetherspoon pubs has gained awards at the annual Heart of England in Bloom competition. The outlets, among 43 venues recognised in the 2016 ‘hotel & pub grounds’ campaign, all achieved ‘silver’ or higher in this year’s contest. The Britannia, in Rowley Regis, retained its ‘gold’ award, the highest available, scoring 85% and above – ‘given to exceptional achievers who have demonstrated a consistently high standard in all areas of the judging criteria and objectives of Britain in Bloom’. The pub, the only Wetherspoon ‘gold’ achiever in 2015, our first year of competing, was joined this time around by a further five ‘gold’ winners. They are The Billiard Hall (West Bromwich), The Bellwether (Wednesbury), The Clifton (Sedgley), The Moon under Water (Wolverhampton) and The Bloxwich Showman (Bloxwich). Judge Roger Bache said of The Britannia: “A stunning display of block colour hanging-basket-and-trough Surfinias set this pub apart. “The entrance was enhanced by sustainable planting in barrels which, in turn, was underplanted with colour – quite an imposing sight.” 18  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Pub manager Ian Harvey (right) is pictured at The Bellwether, Wednesbury, with gardener Chris O’Gorman

About The Clifton, he commented: “Wow, a massive building, once the town’s picture house, dominates that corner of town. The planting, in particular in roof troughs and railing troughs, was stunning.” The Royal Tiger (Wednesfield), The Figure of Eight (Birmingham), The Foley Arms Hotel (Great Malvern) and The Duke’s Head (Leominster) all achieved a silver-gilt (75–84%). Judged to be of a very high standard and a potential gold award winner in the future. The Briar Rose (Birmingham), George Hotel (Bewdley) and The Royal Hop Pole (Tewkesbury) all collected a silver award, ‘an above-average entry’, scoring 60–74%. Wetherspoon’s regional manager, Heath Curley, said: “Our pubs take great pride in their floral displays and the awards reflect this. “I would also like to pay tribute to Chris O’Gorman, at Wednesbury Garden Services, who has worked with Wetherspoon for more than 15 years and takes huge pride in ensuring that our pubs look amazing.”

Power is then generated as the water rushes through 60-metre-long draft tubes, rotating the 7-metre-diameter hydro turbines. Our first project, in Swansea Bay (south Wales), has received planning consent. We await government approval of an electricity contract which, even as a world-first tidal lagoon, is less than the cost of electricity from Hinkley Point nuclear power station. Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon comprises 16 hydro turbines and a 9.6km breakwater wall – and will produce electricity for 155,000 homes for the next 120 years. Coastline We are going to make our turbines here in Great Britain; we are going to make our generators here in Great Britain; we are going to manufacture all of our turbine-housings here in Great Britain. For the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, we will be spending over £850 million in Great Britain.

We hope to follow with a fleet of tidal lagoons around Britain’s coastline. A tidal lagoon can also host sailing and triathlon events, foster mussel and oyster farms and be enjoyed by tourists and school tours. A lagoon is an amenity for its host region – for ever. A large lagoon offers the same power capacity as a nuclear power plant. There is no other renewable resource for the UK which comes even close… and there’s no doubt that we need major new sources of reliable power. Of the 85,000MW of power station capacity in the UK, 38,000MW will be reaching end-of-life during the next eight years. Lagoons In May 2016, the government launched an independent review into tidal lagoons as a possible solution, chaired by the former Energy Minister, Charles Hendry. When it reports in November, we are hoping that the Hendry Review can fire the starting pistol for a series of UK tidal lagoons. Great Britain developed the first wind turbines, never pursued the industry and now Denmark leads the world. We plan to create a new manufacturing industry for tidal-lagoon turbines, generators and turbine-housings and to generate long-term, low-cost British power. Britain can decide to lead the world in tidal power and, given that we have a unique need to replace ageing nuclear and coal power stations, why not deliver our power from home-grown, safe power stations which work in harmony with nature? We are hoping for a decision on Swansea by the end of 2016. Come and visit us, once we start building the project from late 2017!

The article was written before the government announced the findings of its report. For an update, please visit: www.tidallagoonpower.com and @TidalLagoon

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DRINK

PUB HISTORY

HISTORY IN THE HERE AND NOW

Though Wetherspoon, as a company, is relatively young (having existed for just 37 years), many of our pubs have centuries on the clock — as our new project aims to highlight

W

etherspoon has embarked on a new project to highlight the history of its pubs across the UK.

“We invest millions of pounds, as well as time and skills, to ensure that our pubs reflect the history of the building.

Many of the company’s pubs are built on the site of interesting and, in several cases, unique buildings.

“In many cases, the buildings are landmark structures in their respective town or city.

These include former banks, post offices, churches, theatres, cinemas and even an opera house.

“Many have fallen into disrepair or lain empty, until Wetherspoon redeveloped and converted them into its pubs.

The company is highlighting four of its pubs, with historical connections, on its website (www.jdwetherspoon.com) and will be adding many more of its pubs in the months and years ahead.

“As well as the building itself, we include a lot of history of each building through displays of photos, text, art and plaques, displayed in the respective pub.

Wetherspoon’s chairman, Tim Martin, said: “We take immense pride in the restoration and refurbishment of wonderful buildings into Wetherspoon pubs.

“We feel that it is right to celebrate the history of the buildings – and this new history project, which will feature on our website, will hopefully be of interest to many of our customers.”

Shakespeares Head

Shakespeares Head, Africa House, 64–68 Kingsway, Holborn, London, WC2B 6BG – this pub takes its name from its famous namesake which was in nearby Wych Street, off Drury Lane, frequented by actors and literary figures such as Charles Dickens. The writer Mark Lemon spent several years as the pub’s landlord and later founded Punch magazine which he edited for nearly 30 years, until his death in 1870.

Waterend Barn

Waterend Barn, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LE – this pub comprises two former ‘listed’ barns. The larger barn originally stood next to Water End House, by a ford over the River Lea, in the Parish of Sandridge. Water End House and Barn were probably built around 1610, by Sir John Jennings. In 1938, Water End Barn was dismantled and re-erected in the middle of St Albans, serving as Waterend Barn Restaurant. A few years later, it was enlarged by a smaller barn from Little Hormead.

George’s Meeting House

George’s Meeting House, 38 South Street, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1ED – this pub is the former George’s Meeting and is ‘listed’ as having special interest as an unaltered 18th-century chapel. It was built as a Unitarian chapel in 1760 and named after King George III, who came to the throne the same year. George’s Meeting closed as a chapel in 1983 and had been converted to commercial use (Global Village) by 1987. It was most recently an antiques centre.

The Rochester Castle

International brewers at The Crosse Keys in The City of London

IMPORT A NEW BEER? WE'D RATHER IMPORT THE BREWER Our innovation of bringing international ale artisans to Britain sets tongues wagging — and tingling

W

etherspoon is synonymous with real ale and craft beer, championing the best of brewing, not only from the UK, but across the rest of the world too.

Subsequently, our ‘International Craft Brewers’ Showcase’ programme was developed; since August 2013, we have regularly hosted international brewers, here in the UK, to brew one of their beers in cask form.

We started to import foreign cask beers 15 years ago, mainly for our twice-yearly beer festivals. However, as much as this proved popular with our customers, there were greater quality risks involved and we were not supporting the British brewing industry with this venture.

To date, we have hosted 50 international brewers, brewed more than 60 beers – and you have enjoyed six million pints of it, with most pubs allocated an international ale twice a month.

So, in 2007, we came up with the idea of inviting brewers from around the world to come to Britain and brew their beers for us here, at a host brewery in the UK. The Rochester Castle, 143–145 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, London, N16 0NY – this pub was built in 1801 by Richard Payne, from Rochester – hence its name. The Rochester Castle replaced an earlier pub on this site, called The Green Dragon, known to have been in existence in 1702. It is Wetherspoon’s oldest trading pub, having opened in 1983.

Exchange This was considered far more environmentally friendly than shipping thousands of gallons of beer across the world and would help to promote the idea of international collaborations among brewers, giving them the chance to exchange ideas and knowledge.

With a waiting list of top brewers lined up ready, including award-winning producers from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil and South Africa, as well as most of Europe, the international ales look set to keep flowing at Wetherspoon.

It seemed a great way of supporting international brewers, by enabling them to showcase their beers here, while continuing to support the British brewing industry. Our spring 2008 beer festival was the first to feature international brewers, when Mitch Steele (from Stone Brewing, USA) and Toshi Ishii (then of Yo Ho Brewery, Japan) brewed for us here in the UK.

Festival The popularity of the international brewers, particularly those from the US, continued to grow and, in October 2011, we held our first festival where all five international brewers came from the USA. Two years later, we repeated this with 10 American brewers.

20  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Unusual The scheme helps to continue to provide you with an excellent range of cask ales. As well as an abundance of quality UK brews, we serve a vast number of varied and unusual international beers to try.

INTERNATIONAL ALES TO LOOK OUT FOR: Kawasaki Red Ale 5.0% ABV by Brimmer Brewing Belgian Blond 5.0% ABV by Het Anker Brewery Make It Rain 5.0% ABV by Sixpoint Brewery

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All Hail the Ale B E L FA S T

BEER TALKING – BREWERS POUR FORTH AT BRIDGE

Pictured left to right; Brian Sherriff from Lerwick Brewery, Alan Milton from WooHa, shift manager Goncalo ‘Gonzo’ Baptista and Cameron Tait from Thistly Cross Cider

GLASGOW

BREW CREW MAKES CRAFTY VISIT TO GLASGOW’S COUNTING HOUSE

Five brewers and a cider-maker visited The Counting House to see the pub’s bottle shop and craft corner for themselves.

The pub’s duty manager, Louise McDonald, said: “The pub is very well known for its craft beers and range of take-away beers and ciders.

Representatives from Innis & Gunn, Arran, Lerwick, Jaw and WooHa breweries joined colleagues from cider-maker Thistly Cross at the Glasgow city centre pub.

“We were delighted to welcome representatives from the breweries, as well as the cider-maker, to see our excellent range of beers and ciders. “Our customers enjoyed beer and cider samples, from among those they produce, as well as the opportunity to meet the people responsible for them."

The pub is well known for its bottle shop which offers more than 260 artisan beers and ciders, mostly Scottish, for customers to purchase. The craft corner offers up to 30 draught craft beers from across the UK at all times.

NORTH DEVON

Brewers from Northern Ireland gave talks to customers and staff at The Bridge House, Belfast. The special event, featuring regional ales to taste, was a celebration of the rise of cask ale in Northern Ireland since the late 1990s. It was hosted by the pub’s manager Tommy McGibbon, now manager at The Spirit Merchant (Newtownards) and Mark Hutchinson, chairman of the Society for the Preservation of Beers of the Wood – a pro-realale group which pre-dates the Campaign for Real Ale.

Talks were given over the course of the two-day weekend event by Geoff Nuttall of the Maltmeister Brewery in Bangor, Charles Ballantyne of Ards Brewing Company and Barry McMullan of the Belfast Homebrew Club. Mark Hutchinson (pictured front centre) said: “It was an excellent event – and I would like to thank all who took part, especially Tommy (pictured front left) for the help and backing which are always at his high standard of support.” Each talk was followed by a tasting of each brewer’s ales and breaks for snacks in the downstairs bar.

D E R RY SHEFFIELD

DEVON DEW: EXCLUSIVE BREW FOR THE LUCKY FEW PUBS SHOW THEIR METTLE AT STEEL CITY 42 EVENT

Pictured behind the bar (left to right); managers Tim Strand (The Water Gate), Ryan Gunn (The Admiral Collingwood), Barry Spingett (The Water Gate), Rob Gibson (area manager) and Alan Young (The Panniers) with representatives from the microbrewery and craft gin producer

Four Wetherspoon pubs across north Devon have teamed up with a local microbrewery to produce an exclusive local craft brew.

Rob Gibson, Wetherspoon’s area manager, said: “We were lucky enough to be able to name and design the label for the local craft brew, Devon Dew, which is available exclusively in my four north Devon pubs.”

The Panniers and The Water Gate (Barnstaple), The Rose Salterne (Bideford) and The Admiral Collingwood (Ilfracombe) are all serving Devon Dew – a refreshing little drop of local pale ale.

Gary Jarvis said: “GT Ales is proud to be working with J D Wetherspoon, the UK’s largest supporter of microbreweries and the craft beer revolution.”

The light golden craft beer, 4.5% ABV, has been brewed by GT Ales. The microbrewery, in Chivenor, north Devon, was started in 2013 by life-long friends Gary Jarvis and Toby Marsh.

At a recent meet-the-brewer craft night event, representatives from North Devon premium craft gin producer Wicked Wolf were also showcasing their Exmoor Gin.

Devon Dew has a delicate nose and light tropical fruit flavours which combine elegantly with pale malts to deliver a refreshing golden beer with a rounded, bittersweet finish.

Barry Springett, pub manager at The Water Gate, said: “It is small batch and hand-crafted, made from Exmoor water. It’s great to have such an exclusive product in our pubs, for our customers to enjoy.”

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Steel City 42 was the fourday Sheffield Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) 42nd annual beer and cider festival which took place at Kelham Island Museum. Jonathan Atkinson, pub manager at The Bankers Draft, said: “We are great supporters of local breweries, as well as champions of real ale, so were keen to support this long-standing and popular CAMRA festival.”

HEAR YE, HEAR YE: THIS ALE IS GOOD

Team leader Gavin Green received a certificate from Leominster’s official ‘ale-taster’ to prove that the ale served at The Duke’s Head is ‘good’. The Herefordshire town reintroduced several civic roles which previously existed in the 16th and 17th centuries, including aletester, bread-weigher and fish-taster. Ale-tester David Minton (pictured right) tasted the ales on sale at the pub in the presence of Gavin and Councillors Roger and Angela Pendleton – Leominster’s mayor and deputy mayor. The pub’s duty manager, Paul ‘Scotty’ Hendry, said: “It was great to be recognised in this way and to have a certificate to show that, in the opinion of the official ale-tester, our ale is ‘good’. “He also said that he was impressed with the building which was a former cinema.”

STOURBRIDGE

SHAKIRA FINDS SIPS TITANIC MAKES A SPLASH IN DON’T LIE AT ICE WHARF LAND-LOCKED STOURBRIDGE A six-day beer festival at The Chequers Inn showcased five ales from Titanic Brewery.

Event host and bar associate Simon Hanson (right) is pictured with customer Colin Foster, enjoying tasters of all the beers at the pub in Stourbridge, west Midlands.

Four pubs across Sheffield city centre joined forces to support a local real-ale festival. The Bankers Draft, The Benjamin Huntsman, Sheffield Water Works Company and The Francis Newton sponsored the Steel City 42 event.

LEOMINSTER

Shift leader Fergus O’Neill is pictured serving customer Shakira Kivlehan with a sample of craft beer at The Ice Wharf. Customers can enjoy a craft beer-tasting session every Friday and Saturday evening from 7–8pm at the pub in Derry. The pub showcases a range of bottled craft beers, produced at breweries across Northern Ireland, including the nearest Northbound Brewery, based at Campsie, just five miles from the pub. Pub manager Julie McAllister said: “We have a fantastic range of local and regional craft beers – and our meetthe-brewer and tasting sessions are a great way for customers to be introduced to the range.” The selection also includes beers from Comberbased Farmageddon and Whitewater Brewery in Kilkeel, as well as Lisburn-based Hilden Brewery.

The ales being served were Iceberg (4.1% ABV), Plum Porter (4.9% ABV), White Star (4.8% ABV), Lifeboat (4.0% ABV) and First Class (3.8% ABV). Andy Hobson from the brewery in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, hosted a tutored tasting session and brewery talk as part of the six-day event. A raffle, with two Titanic Brewery tour tickets up for grabs, also raised £100 for CLIC Sargent. Simon said: “The festival was a great success, with customers attending the tutored tasting session. “The collaboration was also a good opportunity to raise some funds for charity, thanks to Titanic’s generous donation of the tour tickets.” jdwetherspoon.com | Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 23

All Hail the Ale YO R KS H I R E

OUR TEAM OF 11 SCORES WITH EXCLUSIVE BREW

Area manager David Ritchie and 10 pub managers in his outlets across Yorkshire have teamed up with a local brewery to produce a charity fundraising beer. The group of managers visited Acorn Brewery, in Barnsley, to enjoy a tour of the brewery, as well as help out with an exclusive brew for their 10 pubs. Simon Barker, pub manager at The Silkstone Inn, in Barnsley, said: “Dave Broadhead, one of the brewers at Acorn, is a regular in my pub – and we got talking one day about organising a tour to the brewery. “The idea snowballed and he offered for us to brew a beer, choosing the style and name, as well as linking it somehow with fundraising efforts for our chosen charity CLIC Sargent.”

The ale is called ‘Sgt. Spoons’, a 4.0% ABV golden ale, a deliciously Moorish golden beer with a fresh citrus hop aroma and a good bitterness balance. It is brewed using Maris Otter and Crystal Malts, with Challenger, Whitbread Golding and Crystal Hops. Acorn Brewery is donating funds to CLIC Sargent, based on sales of the charity brew. The new guest ale is available at The Blue Bell (Hemsworth), The Broken Bridge (Pontefract), The Church House (Wathupon-Dearne), The Glass Blower and The Winter Seam (both in Castleford), The Horseshoe (Wombwell), The Joseph Bramah and The Silkstone Inn (Barnsley), The Old Market Hall (Mexborough) and The Six Chimneys (Wakefield).

NEWCASTLE

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BROMLEY

FIREBRICK SMOULDERS BAR PAIR BRINGS BREW AT THE UNION ROOMS OUT OF THE SHED

ant, T he Spirit Merch ge single-bar “This lar Newtownards: near to the main street,

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GOOD BEER GUIDE: OUR PINTS PROPEL US TO THE PINNACLE

W

etherspoon’s pubs have been acclaimed for the quality of their real ales – by members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). A total of 262 Wetherspoon pubs is listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2017 – the most of any pub company across the UK. The guide, now in its 44th year of publication, is regarded as the leading authority on real ale served in pubs.

“Wetherspoon is a great champion of cask beer. Its pubs always have a fine range of beers and, in particular, support local breweries, not just national brands. “In many cases, a Wetherspoon pub has breathed life back into a community where other pubs have had a poor choice of beer and have been encouraged to improve their beer offer as a result of Wetherspoon’s example and success.” Wetherspoon’s commercial manager, Gary Holmes, added: “I am delighted that so many of our pubs have been recognised by CAMRA members for the quality of their real ales.

In a number of instances, Wetherspoon has the only pub listed in the respective town.

“We are serving the full range The first of a month-long ‘tap available from each producer, take-over’, showcasing local with the four hand-pumps breweries, was successfully totally dedicated to the launched at Union Rooms. individual brewery for the Pub manager Al Lane (right) is entire month, as well as pictured with Firebrick Brewery bottled beers, kegs head brewer Alistair Lawrence, and information on display.” at a meet-the-brewer event in The Firebrick real ales the Newcastle pub. included Pagan Queen (4.0% Al said: “Firebrick is our closest ABV), Stella Spark (4.4% ABV), brewery, based at Blaydon on Blaydon Brick (3.8% ABV) and Tyne, just five miles from the Toon Broon (4.6% ABV), as well pub, so was the ideal brewery as Tyne 9® (3.9% ABV), a new to kick off our now-regular hand-crafted black lager from month-long ‘local brewery of the keg. the month’ events. “We have three bars at the pub Al said: “We have several breweries all very close to the  – and the second largest, at pub and plan to showcase them the back, is now dedicated to all, including Allendale, Big local breweries and our craft Lamp, Mordue and Tyne Bank.” beer range.

They were then given the amazing opportunity to produce one of their beers, using the full-size equipment, at the west London brewery.

Two Wetherspoon staff members have transformed their homebrewing hobby into a brand-new brew at their pub. Shift leader Jake Regan-Fleckney and bar associate Matthew Walden, who work at The Greyhound, in Bromley, are now better known as Three Hounds Beer Company. The pair are both keen homebrewers and were looking for advice on how to improve their beer and brewing techniques. Having struck up a great relationship with the guys from Portobello Brewing Company, through meet-the-brewer events at The Greyhound, Jake and Matt approached the brewery with their questions.

California Soul (5.5% ABV) American Pale Ale cask beer is now available in 20 Wetherspoon pubs, in southwest and southeast London, including The Greyhound, which also stocks a bottled version. Jake, pictured right with (left to right) pub managers Doreen and Andy Bawn and Matthew, said: “We were brewing in a shed, in Matt’s garden, and then in a room in his house in Bromley, but now we have launched California Soul – thanks to Portobello – and it is completely out there. “At the meet-the-brewers launch event, we were the brewers!”

BEVERLEY

BLACK HORSE EVENT A GALLOPING SUCCESS

A meet-the-brewer evening at The Cross Keys saw customers enjoy a selection of ales from The Black Horse Brewing Company. The pub in Beverley showcased five real ales from the Louth-based brewery, located 45 miles from the pub. The real ales being served were England’s Finest House (4.5% ABV), Executioner’s Assistant (4.3% ABV), 24  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Full Cat Fuller (5.0% ABV), Seek Medical Help (5.5% ABV) and Willy Wickham’s Posthumous Ale (4.4% ABV). The brewery also donated a mini keg and bottled beer selections, as raffle prizes, raising £156 for CLIC Sargent. Shift manager and event organiser Emma Thorley said: “Black Horse ales are very popular – and the evening was a great success.”

Additionally, several Wetherspoon pubs have been listed the first time they sought entry in the guide, plus all nine Wetherspoon pubs in Northern Ireland are also listed. Local CAMRA branch members chose the pubs following regular visits to check on the quality of the real ales on offer. The guide’s editor, Roger Protz, said: “Each of the Wetherspoon pubs deserves its place in the Good Beer Guide 2017. “It is our belief, if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real ale, that everything else in the pub, including customer service, quality of food and atmosphere, is then likely to be of an equally high standard.

“Our pubs offer customers an excellent range of real ales at all times, including those from regional brewers and microbrewers, as well as hosting their own beer festivals. “In addition, our two UK-wide beer festivals are a showcase for overseas beers, as well as the best beers brewed in the UK. “Staff at our pubs work hard to ensure that their selection of real ales is kept in first-class condition at all times, and the inclusion in the guide of 262 Wetherspoon pubs highlights this.”

l CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2017 is available from bookshops (£12.99) or directly from CAMRA (special online price £10, plus shipping, for members of CAMRA): www.camra.org.uk/gbg

Bean, T he Humphrey l-ale ge: “A reatow Tonbridthe n, the pub heart of

showcase in pying d spacious, occu is welcoming an ing. Ample ild bu ice off st the former po s this ide and out make seating both ins place le ab ort mf co tlet a Wetherspoon ou nk. It has a good dri d an t ea to in which s, ll-conditioned ale reputation for we motion pro ry we bre d beer festivals an d n is colourful an weeks… The garde th views of the wi er, mm su in inviting e.” d Tonbridge castl River Medway an at w mes Harris (no Pub manager Ja eel, Henley) The Catherine Wh

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pleas good and dese t staff. The long, er friendly, efficien hand-pumps off ht Eig a. repair shop, with are ily ng, including a fam cros. The pub mi ish ott Sc has ample seati d nal an n 20 local beers from natio a wide range of ies from more tha oice of malt whisk well as ch as od , ns go a tio s op ck also sto tures healthy tensive menu fea distilleries. An ex pub grub.”jdwetherspoon.com | Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 25 ma Bryant Pub manager Em

Bar associate Chloe Beckett is pictured at The Standing Order, in Derby

The next V

Wetherspoon beer festival

takes place from Wednesday 22 March until Sunday 2 April 2017 inclusive

In Market Harborough, duty manager Claire Draper, team leader Kieren McHale, bar associate Vicky Wakelin, team leader Kim Field and bar associate Simon Edwards are pictured (left to right) at The Sugar Loaf

LOTS OF BRITISH HOPS ADD UP TO GREAT LEAP FORWARD O

nce again, our autumn real-ale festival delivered an extravaganza of great British brewing, at Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The overseas beers were Hopsession (Afro-Caribbean, South Africa), Braddon Bitter (Bentspoke, Australia), Recreationale (Terrapin, USA), Hot Night at the Village (Birrificio Foglie d’Erba, Italy) and Special Bitter (Ninkasi, USA).

The 12-day event was a celebration of British hops serving up 30 fantastic festival ales – all made using only British hops.

The festival line-up also included new, seasonal and speciality beers – in addition to which many of the beers were available in the pubs for the first time, having been brewed exclusively for our festival.

It was a wonderful festival of tradition and innovation, as 25 UK brewers, as well as five visiting from overseas, produced a plethora of British-hop brews.

All smiles behind the bar at The Linen Weaver, in Cork, are (left to right) bar associate Oisin O’Neill, team leader Thomas Crowley, bar associate Sean O’Sullivan and team leader Stephen Knightly

Pub manager Ewa Bicka is pictured (centre) with customers (left to right) Rita Delnevo, Vera Dowd, Kathleen and Noel Molloy and Margaret King at The Alfred Herring, in Palmers Green

Team leader Jessica Fisk serves customers (left to right) Scott Farrer, Sean Hodge and Wesley Bush at The Four Candles, in Oxford

Ali Capper, British Hop Association (BHA) board member and hop farmer, said: “Wetherspoon continues to support British hop-growers, through its festivals, which is really great news.” Getting into the festival spirit at The Six Chimneys, in Wakefield, are (left to right) pub manager Adam Harris, bar associate Katie Jackson, team leader Luke Jepson, bar associate Shannon Bradley and shift leader Joanna Bacon Pictured (left to right) at The Richard Oastler, in Brighouse, are shift manager Lizzy Ackroyd, shift leader Hannah Lynch, bar associate Jamie Cormack, pub manager Amanda McKenzie and bar associate Sarah Cavanagh Pictured (left to right) at The Wouldhave, in South Shields, are pub manager Darren Simpson, duty manager Kelly Kennedy and bar associate Becca Hay

At The Kings Head Hotel, Beccles, customer Glenn Fuller enjoys the festival ale, served by (left to right) bar associates Tom Guttridge and Gemma Ellis, with duty manager Emma Talosi

Team leader Anna Czine (right) and bar associate Catrina Menzies at The Gold Cape, in Mold

ERFECT PINT AT THE E THE P PERF ECT SERV TEM ICH WH

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J D WETH E R S P O O

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Enjoying the festival beer and ale pie at The Hat and Feathers, in Seaham, are (left to right) customer Ray Wilson, local CAMRA pubs officer Dave Thornton and duty manager Jordan Haynes

26  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Pub manager Krystal Schollick and bar associate Mark McIlroy at The Spinning Mill, in Ballymena

SE

OV

R

Pub manager Andrew Hetherington, and members of his team behind the bar, are in their festival beer tent at Woodrow Wilson, in Carlisle

URE RAT PE

FOR PU BS

The Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Cllr Nick Brown, pours a festival pint at The Winter Gardens, in Harrogate, as (left to right) pub manager Becky Teale, shift leader Ben Lancaster and floor/kitchen associate Carol Lynskey look on

Bar associate Bekah Duncan is pictured at The King’s Highway, in Inverness

jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 27

BEER FESTIVAL JUDGES LOVE A HOT NIGHT AT THE VILLAGE O

ne of our visiting overseas brewers scooped the  ‘overall’ title in the autumn 2016 Wetherspoon beer festival judging event.

Brewer Gino Perissutti said: “It is intended to be a very easy-drinking ale, just like our water from the Dolomites – soft and delicate, with a lot of character. It is low in bitterness, medium bodied, with hints of chocolate, liquorice and caramel, as well as little herbal notes on the end of the sip.

Hot Night at the Village (5.0% ABV), brewed by Birrificio Foglie d’Erba, was judged as the leading beer among the 30 festival ales sampled “The name comes from a tribute to one of the nicest beer events in and judged at the bi-annual tasting event at The Trent Bridge Inn. all of Europe, called ‘Villaggio della Birra’, located in Tuscany every More than 30 judges from Wetherspoon, pub customers, the September, as well as our love for Jethro Tull’s music and the group’s breweries, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and those from song Budapest!” within the beer and pub industry sampled all of the festival beers at the pub in Nottingham. Several classes of beer were sampled and judged, over three rounds, with each beer given points by each person, to obtain the top-three placings for each class. The winner of each class then went into a final, leading to the overall top-three placings.

They awarded the Italian beer, brewed for the festival at host UK brewery Shepherd Neame, in Faversham, ‘gold’ in the ‘dark ales class’, ‘silver’ in the ‘international beers’ category and overall ‘gold’. Hot Night at the Village is an English-style brown porter and was brewed with the following UK hops; Challenger, East Kent Goldings and Fuggles.

Wetherspoon’s marketing manager Rob Davies, who organised the event, said: “Once again the event was a great success, with the feedback extremely positive in terms of organisation and the overall standard of beers. “This year, due to the British hop theme, we added an extra marking for each beer’s hop character, where we asked the judges to give a separate score based on the hop aromas and flavour. “The ‘top of the hops’ marked beers which were thought to have the best overall character. It was felt to be a very challenging, yet enjoyable and informative round to judge.”

Top Of The Hops

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Award

Brewery

Beer

Award

Brewery

Beer

Gold

JW Lees

British Autumn Ale

Gold

Evan Evans

Autumn Frenzy

Silver

Liberation

Pilsner

Silver

Rooster’s

Hope and Glory

Bronze

Coach House

Hoptober

Coach House

Hoptober

Purity

Pure ERA

Joint Bronze

Gold

Shepherd Neame

Kentish Saison

Silver

Banks’s

Gold Ingot

Gold

Birrificio Foglie d’Erba

Hot Night at the Village

Bronze

Purity

Pure ERA

Silver

Everards

Pitch Black

Bronze

Theakston

Vanilla Stout

Gold

RCH

Return From The Ashes

Silver

Titanic

S.E.A

Gold

Ninkasi

Special Bitter

Bronze

Terrapin

Recreationale

Silver

Birrificio Foglie d’Erba

Hot Night at the Village

Bronze

Bentspoke

Braddon Bitter

Gold

Castle Rock

Phoenix Red

Silver

Morland

Old Crafty Hen

Gold

Birrificio Foglie d’Erba

Hot Night at the Village

Bronze

Ninkasi

Special Bitter

Silver

Castle Rock

Phoenix Red

Bronze

RCH

Return From The Ashes jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 29

COMMUNITY

IT’S AWFUL COLD UP ON THE MORAL HIGH GROUND

YEOVIL

PUB-GOERS FEEL THE BENEFIT IN YEOVIL The William Dampier in Yeovil hosted Citizens Advice South Somerset, a group offering on-site advice and information on the benefit cap and other welfare benefits changes. Several information sessions were held at the pub. Citizens Advice South Somerset’s CEO, Angela Kerr (pictured left, with customers), said: “We were delighted that the managers and staff at the pub supported our information sessions. “Many people find it difficult to understand exactly how they may be affected by changes in welfare benefits. “Many of our clients enjoy visiting The William Dampier – and holding the sessions in the pub encouraged them to come to see us.” Pub manager James Currell, said: “We were more than happy to assist Citizens Advice South Somerset and the excellent work it does.” l www.citizensadvicesouthsomerset.org.uk

BLYTH

GHOST IN THE MACHINE ROOM ELUDES PARANORMAL PROBE

The Wallaw, in Blyth, was the perfect venue for a charity Halloween fundraiser, led by local paranormal investigators. The Northumberland Ghostbusters staged a ticket-only paranormal special investigation, behind the scenes at the historic building which was once a cinema. The event raised funds for four charities, including £125 for CLIC Sargent. This was the first paranormal investigation in the building since the 1980s, using the latest technology and aided by a local medium.

A grade-II listed, Art Deco, four-storey building, it originally opened as a cinema in November 1937. The auditorium was subdivided in 1987, with two smaller screens added, showing its final film in 2004.

Shift manager and event organiser Emma Wright reported: “The tour had some Wallaw GhostBusters: Steven Wilson, Jo Thornhill, unexplainable and quite spooky moments, Diane Bradley and Alan Hoyle ( rear l-r ) David Moutrey and Malcolm Birnie ( front l-r ) although everyone had a lot of fun.”

The Up Steps Inn was the focal point for the 2016 Oldham half marathon.

The start-finish line, for the annual Milltown-to-Moors event, was directly outside the premises, while the post-race awards ceremony took place in the pub.

Shift manager Michael McLaughlin said: “The race was a great success, raising a lot of money for various local charities, as well as The Christie radiotherapy

If you wore your baseball cap the wrong way round, it was even more cool! It spread like a virus to Europe and the UK – and, before long, everyone under 30 was wearing a baseball cap.

So, are the local stories about a ghost of a lady in the old projection room a reality or just an urban myth?

UP STEPS STEPS UP FOR HALF MARATHON

The race covers 13.1 atmospheric miles, and runners pass through Saddleworth, with views of the village and the Peak District’s landscape.

G

oing back around 25 or so years, pop stars, celebrities and others who were famous for being famous began wearing baseball caps. It started in America. It became cool.

The landmark building stood empty and became derelict, before opening as a Wetherspoon pub in December 2013.

OLDHAM

treatment centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital. “We were also delighted to welcome Team GB hockey Olympic gold medallist Oldham-born Nicola White to the pub.” Pictured (left to right) are The Worshipful the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Derek Heffernan, with Michael and Nicola.

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CONSETT

COMPANY ROW CREW COLLECTS CASH, CLOTHES AND COMESTIBLES

A community day at The Company Row, provided support for charities and organisations, helping the people of Consett.

The pub, in County Durham, hosted a collection drop and staged a food and craft market for the Consett Community Trust. The group raised £43 in cash, as well as collecting eight bags of donated clothes and food. The Consett Community Trust provides food, clothes and toy banks for a local refuge, as well as for vulnerable families within the local community, those in need and requiring support. Consett Street Friends also attended the event, holding a bake sale and tombola (pictured), raising £140 for their cause.

..but it’s snug down here, with a pint or three, says Paul Chase

Even the fact that William Hague, the (then) young leader of the Conservative Party wore one wasn’t enough to put people off. This is what happens when people whose brain power isn’t sufficient to blow their hats off decide it’s probably safe to wear one. People yearn for a sense of belonging – and so the wearing of a baseball cap became a way of signalling ‘I am one of you’. Virtuous However, joining in harmless, yet irritating, fashion trends isn’t the only way in which people signal their sense of belonging. It applies to moral ideas and judgments too. Opposition to drinking and eating so-called ‘unhealthy foods’ is a way of signalling how virtuous you are. ‘Virtue-signalling’ is very much in vogue at the moment. We’ve seen numerous examples of it, in recent months. The tendency of politicians and celebrity chefs to say ‘me too’, in respect of utterly vacuous policies like the sugar tax, minimum alcohol pricing, plain packaging of cigarettes and health warnings on bottles of booze, is a way of signalling which side of the moral divide they’re on.

This group provides assistance, late at night and during weekends, helping those who had gone out for a good time, yet experienced quite the opposite. They help both those in need, by giving them water and flip-flops, and the community which works alongside Consett’s nightlife. The pub’s kitchen manager Martine Milburn said: “It was a fantastic community atmosphere, with everyone joining together for one another – and we also collected £58 for CLIC Sargent.”

Some people like nothing better than sitting in judgement of how other people live their life. TV soap operas have trained them in how to do it. And if they can wag their fore-finger at other people’s behaviour, while advocating a ‘better way of life’, then not only does this provide them with a means of occupying the moral high-ground, but it signals how virtuous they are.

Racket A classic example of virtue-signalling is our hapless Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies. Sally was prepared to abandon 90 years of science which proved the protective health effects of a moderate consumption of alcohol, in order to justify her new low-risk drinking guidelines of just 14 units of alcohol a week (for both men and women) – that’s about three-quarters of a pint of beer a day! Virtue-signallers love simple messages because they patronisingly believe that ordinary folk are too thick to understand anything even slightly complex. I can’t decide whether Sally did this to signal to the other members of the ‘public health’ racket that she is one of them, while knowing that this was bunk, or whether she was leaned on to compromise the science in the name of creating a new factoid, being ‘there is no safe level of drinking’. Fuss-buckets Predictably, all of the other fuss-buckets who get off on telling others how to live, signalled their agreement – Alcohol Concern, the Institute for Alcohol Studies, Professor Gilmore from the Alcohol Health Alliance and countless foot soldiers from local councils who have now been placed in charge of so-called ‘public health’ – all said ‘me too’. You could be forgiven for thinking that they were all engaged in a conspiracy, yet, actually, you don’t need to imply a conspiracy when they all think alike. I quite like baseball caps, now that they’re no longer fashionable. How long will it take for the virtue-signalling of the public health racket to go out of fashion? I’d bet not any time soon. That said, there is little or no public support for ridiculously restrictive policies on what people eat and drink – and those who preach to others may find that it can get awfully cold up there on the moral high-ground.

l Paul Chase is a leading commentator on alcohol policy and health. He is the founding director of CPL Training and previously ran bars and nightclubs on Merseyside for 23 years

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OUR PEOPLE T H E C R O W N & S C E P T R E • S T R E AT H A M

MARK MAKES HIS MARK AT CROWN & SCEPTRE

T H E A S S E M B LY R O O M S • E P S O M

TONY ON A SURE THING AT EPSOM

In March 2017, Tony Cave will be celebrating a decade as pub manager at The Assembly Rooms, in Epsom.

Tony’s British-born father, a chef and West Country farmer, travelled the world with his family, running and owning hotels and restaurants in numerous countries, so hospitality is obviously in Tony’s genes. Born in Kenya, Tony was in the UK in 2002, after a spell in Africa, and had only been here one week when he saw a sign in the window of the newly refurbished Kingston upon Thames pub, The Kings Tun. He said: “I popped in to find out about work and was hired on the spot, as a bar associate. That was almost 15 years ago! “My intention was to spend a couple of months in the UK, before returning to Africa, but I ended up staying. “My background was in nightclubs, initially as a DJ and then I owned a nightclub. I had a basic knowledge of the pub trade and, within a week, was promoted to team leader.” Tony embarked on all of the training courses, spent some time at The Moon Under Water, in Twickenham (no longer a Wetherspoon pub) and became deputy manager at The Kings Tun, a year later. He moved to The Coronation Hall (Surbiton), as temporary manager, before area manager Dwayne Goss gave Tony his first pub, now sold, The Cap in Hand (also Surbiton). Tony said: “I spent 18 months there, but had always told Dwayne that, if The Assembly Rooms ever came up, I would love to manage it. “I always wanted to run the pub. It is a lovely pub, and Epsom is a nice area. At the time, I always felt I could improve it and, thankfully, that has been the case.” Tony added: “I still love my job, especially the versatility it affords me. I have a lot of other roles, including involvement in pre-opening training for Wetherspoon. “I am also involved in the community, as chair of the local pubwatch scheme and a committee member for the local BID (Business Improvement Districts), as well as various council projects.”

T H E C O R O N AT I O N H A L L • S U R B I T O N

HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE KASIA?

Mark Stevenson is celebrating 10 years as pub manager at The Crown & Sceptre with the pub’s 10th consecutive listing in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide 2017. This is quite an achievement, as he marks his decade at the Streatham pub, in March 2017. Derby-born Mark first applied for a job with Wetherspoon 18 years ago, joining the company as a shift manager in 1998 at The Watch House, in Lewisham, southeast London. Within 15 months, he took over as manager of his first pub, The Edmund Halley, in Lee Green, also in the southeast of the capital where he spent a year, before returning to Lewisham for four years.

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A short spell as deputy at Wetherspoons (now The Joseph Else), in Nottingham, was followed by a return to London and a threeyear spell as manager at The Fox on the Hill, in Camberwell, before moving to The Crown & Sceptre. Mark said: “I love what I do, otherwise I certainly wouldn’t have been doing it for this long! “The Crown & Sceptre is a real community pub, with 80 per cent of customers all regular visitors and the vast majority living within walking distance of the pub. “I’m proud of the pub’s community spirit and also of its continued inclusion in the Good Beer Guide.” As well as his pub manager role, Mark turns ‘judge’ once a year, for the annual CAMRA southwest London beer festival, judging the ales at the local event.

He has also been involved in helping with the pubwatch scheme in the past. In 2013, Mark achieved his advanced diploma in leisure retail management, through Wetherspoon, and then his degree, graduating the following year. He said: “I didn’t go to university when I was younger, so to have the opportunity to better myself is a great benefit, after all these years with the company. “Wetherspoon also gave me the opportunity to travel to base camp Everest in 2013, raising £5,500 for CLIC Sargent – which was an unbelievable experience.” Speaking about future plans, Mark concluded: “Perhaps I could be area manager one day, although I’m not 100 per cent sure when or how that could work out, but it is something to think about.”

Julie Andrews was once famously sung about: ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria?’ But staff at one Wetherspoon pub have been wondering what to do about Kasia, Kasia, Kasia and Kasia. That’s because, at The Coronation Hall, in Surbiton, south-west London, four members of the team all have the same name – you’ve guessed it, Kasia. To make matters even more confusing, all four Kasias work in the kitchen. Shift manager David Brown said: “It used to make things confusing. At least if you go into the kitchen and shout ‘Kasia’, someone will respond to you.”

The four Kasias – kitchen manager Kasia Sluzewska and associates Kasia Kowalska, Kasia Smolinska and Kasia Niedzielka (all pictured) – resolved any confusion about who was talking to whom by simply using one another’s surname. David says that the practice soon caught on across the pub – and that the word ‘Kasia’ is now hardly used at all. jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 33

FOOD

BURNS' NIGHT

JOY FOR HAGGIS-HUNTERS AS WEE BEASTIES REAPPEAR

Ale Customers will also be able to enjoy Edinburgh Castle (4.1% ABV), a guest ale for the occasion, from Caledonian Brewery, in Edinburgh. A ruby beer, with malty and fruity aromas, a creamy bittersweet flavour and a mellow dry satisfying finish, this Scottish 80/- Shilling Ale is rich in history and depth of flavour. Another Scottish brew to try is BrewDog Punk IPA (5.6% ABV), the Aberdeenshire brewery’s first beer and still its best seller. Punk IPA is a homage to the classic India pale ale style and is a great, full-flavoured, hoppy craft beer.

Neeps, tatties and Edinburgh Castle Ale on menu during Burns’ Week

I

n time-honoured tradition, Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK will once again be celebrating the life and poetry of the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Pubs will be serving Scottish haggis, neeps and tatties to mark the annual Burns’ Night event. However, our celebrations will continue for a full eight days, from Friday 20 January until Friday 27 January inclusive (with Burns’ Night on Wednesday 25 Jan). As well as the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties meal, the Macsween haggis is added to our Highland burger dish – a 6oz burger, topped with Macsween haggis and served with a whisky sauce, chips and six beer-battered onion rings.

Haggis

Haggis The haggis served in your local Wetherspoon is the award-winning Macsween haggis, an oaty, spicy mince and a great source of iron, fibre and carbohydrate, with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. Regular haggis-eaters will know that each haggis-maker will have a slightly different recipe, but the Macsween recipe has been a firm favourite with the nation for more than 60 years. The perfect combination of lamb, beef, oats, onion and spices has become a popular meal and accompaniment to everyday dishes and can be enjoyed by everyone throughout Burns’ week.

Synonymous with Burns’ Macsween started from Night and immortalised in the humble roots in a butcher’s eight verses of Robert Burns’ shop in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. poem Address to a Haggis James Macsween is the third     – the haggis is Scotland’s generation of leaders in the national dish. family, following in his parents and grandparents’ footsteps  – and the product is still handmade to his grandfather’s specification. James (pictured) ensures that every Macsween haggis is twice cooked, for superior taste and quality, just as his forefathers did. Macsween has supplied Wetherspoon continually, for more than 15 years, with in excess of three million meals served in our pubs across Scotland alone.

Haggis, neeps and tatties

The haggis meal and Highland burger dish will also include a drink, either non-alcoholic or alcoholic, from our club drinks range.

Fun Fancy a wee dram to toast the Bard of Ayrshire? We have three single-malt Scottish whiskies to choose from. They are the Highland single-malt Glenmorangie, Jura Origin 10-year-old (from the Isle of Jura) and the Speyside single-malt Glenfiddich. Wetherspoon’s operations director Martin Geoghegan said: “Burns’ week is always great fun – and our customers enjoy the fact that we celebrate for a week, rather than just one day.”

Robert Burns Address to a Haggis was written by Robert Burns to celebrate his appreciation of the haggis; as a result, Burns and haggis have been forever linked. The poem is always the first item on the programme of Burns’ suppers, when the haggis is generally carried in on a silver salver at the start of the proceedings, brought to the table accompanied by a piper. Someone then recites the verse, before the theatrical cutting of the haggis with the ceremonial knife, which begins…

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o the puddin’-race! Aboon them a’ ye tak your place, Painch, tripe or thairm: Weel are ye worthy o’ a grace, As lang’s my arm.

Burns’ week

FRIDAY 20 JANUARY until FRIDAY 27 JANUARY inclusive

Highland burger

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NOW OPEN

Wetherspoon has opened more new pubs in recent months and will be opening additional outlets throughout 2017 and beyond. For the latest new openings: jdwetherspoon.com Do you know of a property which would make a great Wetherspoon? Then, let us know... Contact our acquisitions team: E: [email protected] T: 01923 477725

ORDER & PAY

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NEWS

CHECK OUT OUR NEWS APP FOR MORE PHOTOS

HUNTINGDON

SANDFORD HOUSE

Wetherspoon has opened another new hotel – Sandford House. It has spent £1.1 million building and developing the hotel in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It is the company’s first purpose-built hotel and is managed by Sarah Hemingway (pictured). Sandford House opened, on the site of two landmark buildings in George Street: the old post office building and George Hall. The grade II listed premises were once called Sandford House, home to carriage-maker Charles Sandford Windover and his family. The new 22-bedroom hotel is in a separate stand-alone purpose-built premises, set behind the pub, with rooms on the ground and first floors. The building is cedar wood clad, with wheelchair access and a lift.

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W E L L I N G TO N

THE IRON DUKE

Pub manager Mat Turner is pictured at the opening of his new pub in Wellington, along with the town’s mayor, Cllr Bob Bowrah BEM, as well as 2016 Olympic shooting bronze medal winner and local farmer Ed Ling. Wetherspoon spent just over £2.3 million developing the old town hall building to open the pub called The Iron Duke.

It comprises one family, 12 twin and eight double rooms, as well as one room suitable for people with disabilities, including wet-room facilities.

The pub is named after Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, who took his title from this Somerset town. The ‘Iron Duke’ twice held office as prime minister, but is best remembered as the general who defeated Napoleon.

The pub also has a specially adapted ‘Changing Places’ WC for those with disabilities, as well as those unable to use standard accessible toilets.

Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo, in 1815, is commemorated by the three-sided obelisk situated on the highest point on the Blackdown Hills, overlooking the town.

Each of the bedrooms features an en suite bathroom, tea- and coffee-making facilities, hair dryer, flat-screen television with Freeview TV and unlimited free Wi-Fi, as well as digital air-conditioning and temperature control.

The new pub buildings comprise the grade II listed old town hall, erected in 1833, and the adjacent municipal building, built in the late 19th century as a ‘corn and provision market’.

The modern hotel design is decorated with artwork (displayed in the bedrooms and hallways) produced by local children, all pupils at the nearby Stukeley Meadows Community Primary School (pictured).

The Iron Duke, which is on two floors, features one bar and a roof-top beer garden, to the rear of the building, as well as a side roof-top terrace, where smoking is permitted in a designated area.

Sarah said: “Sandford House has quickly established itself as a popular and busy pub – and the new hotel is a wonderful addition to the outlet and the Huntingdon community.

Among the artwork on display are commissioned pieces by local artists, including a hand stitch and Perspex piece of the Iron Duke building, by Juliet Arnison, and two hand-carved wood reliefs on elm (purchased in Somerset) made by Jane Mowat. Town Hall Buildings, Fore Street, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 8LS

“We look forward to welcoming guests to Sandford House for years to come.” George Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 3BD 36  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

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NEW LOOK

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DA R L I N G TO N

THE WILLIAM STEAD

ORDER & PAY

NEWS

CHECK OUT OUR NEWS APP FOR MORE PHOTOS

Pub manager Lee Broadley is pictured with boxer Stuart Hall at the reopening of The William Stead.

The Darlington-born professional British bantamweight boxer officially reopened the pub in his home town – the customers’ choice in an online social media poll. The William Stead has undergone a £130,000 refurbishment project. The bar areas at the Darlington pub (ground and first-floor levels) have been fully redecorated, with new furniture, carpets and lighting installed. The DJ booths and dance floor have been removed and the raised bar area extended to create a larger dining space. Lee said: “The William Stead has always proven popular since it first opened in 2006, and our customers have welcomed the refurbishment – aimed at enhancing their visits here.” 8 Crown Street, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1LU

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G R I M S BY

THE YARBOROUGH HOTEL

Pub manager Emma Keeley is pictured (front, centre) with the Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Christina McGilligan-Fell, at the opening of The Yarborough Hotel, in Grimsby.

Also pictured (left to right) are shift leader Laura McKenzie, area manager Joe Sanderson, shift manager Connor Bowers, hotel manager Pearl Hartshorn, night shift leader James Blackburn and duty manager Peter Brown. The pub, which first opened in 1996, has reopened its doors as a pub and hotel, following a development project costing £3 million. The Yarborough Hotel now offers a 36-bedroom hotel on the site, on the first, second and third floors of the building, above the pub, with a passenger lift for access to all floors. The existing pub has also been refurbished and completely redecorated, with a new bar and signage installed. New seating has been added and furniture reupholstered, as well as new ladies and gents’ toilets installed. The hotel rooms can accommodate a mixture of double, twin and family occupancy, with two rooms also suitable for people with disabilities. The rooms and hallways are decorated with artwork produced by pupils from a local school – Welholme Academy, in Grimsby. Each of the rooms features an en suite bathroom, tea- and coffee-making facilities, hair dryer, flat-screen television with Freeview TV and unlimited free Wi-Fi, as well as digital airconditioning and temperature control. The building, purpose built in the mid 19th century to serve Grimsby’s first railway, originally took its name from the earl of Yarborough, a director of the railway company. A listed building, it was a symbol of the town’s transition from an 18th-century fishing village into a great Victorian port. 29 Bethlehem Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, DN31 1JN

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P O U LTO N - L E - F Y L D E

THE POULTON ELK A new beer garden at The Poulton Elk has proven a popular addition to the pub with locals and visitors alike. The pub, which opened in Poulton-leFylde in December 2013, now has a large enclosed garden, at the back of the premises, to add to the original front external area. Wetherspoon bought the extra land, which backs onto the pub, from the local council; it can be accessed via the council car park, at the rear of the premises. An all-day suntrap, the pretty garden has 50 tables, accommodating 200 seated customers for alfresco dining and drinks. There are lawns, stone patio areas and planters, all illuminated at night. There is also a designated smoking area. Pub manager Matt Jones said: “The garden has made a huge difference, and the locals love it.” 22 Hardhorn Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, FY6 7SR

EW N

Wetherspoon has also opened The Caley Picture House, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ We will feature the pub in the Now Open section of the next Wetherspoon News

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OUR CHARITY The Bishops’ Mill (Durham), The Wouldhave (South Shields), The Quayside, Union Rooms and The Mile Castle (all in Newcastle)

A FIVE-GRAND DAY OUT IN NEWCASTLE

The Blue Bell Inn , Scunthorpe , The Dominie Cross, Retford, The Gate House, The Red Lion and The Running Horse (all Doncaster), The Liquorice Gardens, Worksop and The White Horse, Brigg Pub managers, together with staff members, from seven different pubs raised a mountain of cash, in a charity mountain climb. A total of 23 fundraisers collectively amassed £2,978 and reached the summit of Snowdon (1,085 metres/3,560 ft), the highest mountain in Wales. It took the group between five and six hours to complete the challenge.

The participating pubs were: The Blue Bell Inn (Scunthorpe), The Dominie Cross (Retford), The Gate House, The Red Lion and The Running Horse (all Doncaster), The Liquorice Gardens (Worksop) and The White Horse (Brigg). Allan Starr, pub manager at The Blue Bell Inn, said: “It was a long day, but the weather was very kind to us, actually a little too kind judging by the sunburn!”

Harry Potter mania continues to flourish in Wigan and helped to contribute to fundraising at The Brocket Arms.

£5,740 Five pubs in the northeast of England joined forces in a sponsored charity run, collectively raising a fantastic £5,740. General manager Alistair Broome and area manager John Hudson, together with managers and staff from The Bishops’ Mill (Durham), The Wouldhave (South Shields), The Quayside, Union Rooms and The Mile Castle (all in Newcastle) took part in the Great North Run 2016.

£2,978

£5,112

£230

£1,000

The Brocket Arms, Wigan

A magical 200 tickets were sold for the themed quiz night evening at the pub, raising £1,000 into the bargain. Teams of a maximum of six players answered Harry Potter quiz questions, created by kitchen associate Laura Myers, at the event co-organised by kitchen manager Christina Newman.

They were among thousands of fellow fundraisers, as well as elite runners and celebrities, taking part in the annual half marathon event, from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields.

The pub was decorated to resemble the ‘great hall’ at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and staff (pictured), as well as customers, donned their favourite JK Rowling character fancy dress. There were six prizes for the best-dressed customers, as well as games and themed drinks for the event. The winning quiz team won six tickets to attend the latest Harry Potter blockbuster movie  – Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them – donated by the local Empire Cinema.

UNITED LEGEND PLAYS A BLINDER AT BISHOP BLAIZE The Kettleby Cross, Melton Mowbray

£420

Pub managers Zoe Tuffs (third right, front) and Dan MacCallum (second right, front), together with a dozen members of their team from The Kettleby Cross, took part in a sponsored bike ride. The 14-strong group, who all work at the pub in Melton Mowbray, each pedalled either a 17-mile or 23-mile route around Rutland Water, collectively raising awareness and £420.

The Livery Rooms, Keighley Four members of staff from The Livery Rooms, in Keighley, collectively raised £230 in a mountain-climb challenge. Team leader Lee Walker, floor associate Taigen Crossley and bar associate Jack Hartley (pictured left to right), together with team leader Amy Lee Atkinson, completed a Yorkshire Peak climb. The peak, Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), forms part of the Pennine range and encircles the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The four climbers took a total of four hours to climb and descend the mountain.

£341 The Butter Cross, Bingham A charity raffle at The Butter Cross, in Bingham, raised £341.33. Bar associate Nozomi Suzuki is pictured handing over a prize to a lucky winning customer – just one of 30 gifts donated by local businesses, in the Nottinghamshire town, for the event.

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George Hotel, Bewdley George Hotel’s sixth annual charity golf day and evening event took place at the Burlish Golf Centre, Kidderminster, smashing previous fundraising records and exceeding £5,000. This year, 52 golfers took part in the ever-popular event, including Wolverhampton Wanderers football legend Steve Bull (pictured right with pub manager Rich Pugh). Steve Bull then turned guest speaker, for ‘an audience with…’, at the evening three-course meal and presentation gala, attended by 88 guests. Raffles and an auction – including a signed Robert Plant guitar which sold for £526 – were followed by a Michael Bublé tribute act and disco. The Bewdley pub’s 2016 event raised an amazing £5,112.

The Bishop Blaize, Manchester

£332

£500

An evening with Manchester United legend Denis Irwin, at The Bishop Blaize, raised £500. The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland footballer was at the Stretford pub for a fundraising question-and-answer event. One hundred customers enjoyed the evening, hosted by compere Pete Boyle and ‘the voice of Old Trafford’ Alan Keegan, which also included a three-course meal and entertainment from Manchester comedian Austin Knight. A charity auction and raffles, including signed memorabilia, added to the fundraising total. The pub’s manager Ben Plunkett, pictured (second left) with (left to right) Alan Keegan, Denis Irwin and Pete Boyle, said: “Our ever-popular ‘United Legends’ fundraising evenings are always a fantastic success – and this one was no exception. The pub was packed and we raised a great total for our charity.”

The Friar Penketh, Warrington Regulars at The Friar Penketh certainly got into character for a Star Wars-themed charity quiz night. The event at the pub in Warrington, which tested the knowledge on all things Jedi, raised £332.

Pictured (left to right) with shift manager Charles Commins (fourth from left) are customers Jess Williams, Rob Mitchell, Beca Griffiths, David Walsh, Ray Flanagan and Chris Williams.

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OUR CHARITY

£344 £222

The Moon and Cross, Waltham Cross

Customers at The Moon and Cross enjoyed a wild, wild west night, in the decorated ‘saloon bar’ of the pub in Waltham Cross. The charity fundraiser saw staff and regulars, (pictured), don cowboy fancy-dress costumes, hats, bow and arrows, to collect £222 with a raffle. Pub manager Bridget Boland said: “There was a great atmosphere and a lot of fun, with everyone getting in the spirit of the event, including firing arrows at the staff as they served!”

£300

The Broken Bridge, Pontefract

£209

A charity golf competition attracted players from across the UK and raised £209.

The Regal, Cambridge Staff from The Regal took part in a ‘three peaks challenge’ event, collectively raising £910.

Organised by Grant May (front), shift manager at The Broken Bridge (Pontefract), the singles event took place at Wike Ridge Golf Course, in Leeds.

Organised by duty manager Chloe Hall, the fundraisers from the pub in Cambridge climbed the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – in the space of 24 hours.

Members of staff from The Broken Bridge, The Thomas Sheraton (Stockton-on-Tees), The Six Chimneys (Wakefield) and The George (Croydon), together with area managers and regional auditors, battled it out against one another.

The challenge began with Ben Nevis, before heading south to climb Scafell Pike in the Lake District, finishing with an ascent of Snowdon, trekking 42km in distance and 3,000 metres in elevation.

Regional auditor John Gilgallon received the winner’s trophy at the presentation ceremony. Pictured with Grant (left to right) are Adam Harris, Mike Sketchly, Reece Drugan, Peter Goatley, Martyn McHugh, Allan Thomas, Ian McCairns, John Gilgallon, Nick Green, John Gallacher and Mike Lynch.

Pictured; shift leader Ben Houlding, team leaders Chris Williams, Courtney Scott and leader Chloe Hall, (back row, left to right) with duty manager Andreas Timochinas in front.

The Central Bar, Carrickfergus The Spinning Mill, Ballymena

The event collected just under £300, thanks to all the participants, including (left to right) regular customers Colin Balmer, David Barr and Chris Rock.

The Banker’s Draft, Eltham It took Steven Emerson many years to grow his fine, wizard-like beard and pony tail. However, it took just a few snips of the scissors for it all to be gone as he sacrificed his hair to raise £350.

The Crowborough Cross, Crowborough Staff at The Crowborough Cross kept the wheels turning in a charity bicycle challenge, raising £344 and collectively pedalling 408km in the process. Bar associate Tyler Andrews is pictured during his stint on the 12-hour marathon, at the community family fun-day, at the pub in Crowborough.

£300

Staff from The Central Bar, in Carrickfergus, took part in a charity ‘bed push’ challenge, raising £300.

Shift manager and CLIC community champion Benny Walker (left) is pictured with fundraising customers at The Spinning Mill. Staff and regulars in Ballymena kept the wheels turning on two exercise bikes, kindly loaned by local gym Pure Fitness Flex, to clock up 255 miles in six hours. The distance is that among all nine Wetherspoon pubs across Northern Ireland.

£910

The team, including pub manager Michael Morgan (left), pushed a hospital bed from Carrickfergus Marine Gardens to Jordanstown Loughshore Park (and back) – a total of nine miles – dressed as ‘four nurses and a patient’, collecting the charity cash en route. Also pictured (left to right) are kitchen associate Yasmine Rigby, kitchen team leader Gareth Mann, kitchen associate Rachel McAllister (on the bed) and bar associate Sarah Ashe.

He is being cheered on by (left to right) shift manager Heather Fox, pub manager Callum Townsend, bar associates Michael Davison and Shane Hadfield, as well as shift leader Luke Verhoeven. At the fundraising event, families also enjoyed stalls, games, a children’s entertainer and magician, a bouncy castle and face-painting.

£1,428 The Society Room, Glasgow A dozen members of staff from The Society Room, in Glasgow, completed a Ben Nevis charity climbing challenge. The group, together with Bruno the dog, climbed the 1,346 metres (4,414 ft) to the summit of Britain’s highest mountain, in around 10 hours, collectively raising £1,428. Pub manager Jennifer Melville said: “The team worked really hard to raise as much as possible, a huge well done to them all – and a big thankyou to everyone who supported the event.”

The deed was done, at least in part, at The Banker’s Draft, Eltham, southeast London, where Steven is a regular customer. After a few choice cuts at the bar, it was round to the hairdresser’s next door to finish off the job in a professional manner.

£500

The Joseph Conrad, Lowestoft Almost two dozen fundraisers from The Joseph Conrad took part in their third annual charity walking event. The 23-strong group of mainly staff members and some customers set out from The Troll Cart, in Great Yarmouth,

where they’d enjoyed a breakfast before walking the 15 miles back to their pub in Lowestoft. The group, pictured at the completion of the walk, collectively raised £500

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Duty manager Annmarie Burke said: “Steven spent years growing his pony tail, so it was a big thing for him to have it all cut off. It was a great thing to do to raise money for our charity and was a very amusing sight, too.” Steven said: “I’m really pleased that so much money was raised. People were very generous with their donations. “

The Linen Hall, Enniskillen

£250

A mother and baby community event at The Linen Hall raised £250.

£350

The Unicorn, Altrincham

£920

Pub manager Liza Hopkins was understandably pleased with her team’s charity efforts, as they raised £920 for the fundraising coffers.

The ‘Mum N Baby’ indoor market, with bring-and-buy stalls set up inside the Enniskillen pub, offered baby and toddler clothes, toys and prams, with proceeds going to charity.

The staff members from The Unicorn climbed to the 1,085-metre peak of Snowdon (3,560 ft), raising the money through sponsorship, cake sales, raffles and fancy dress events at the Altrincham pub.

Pub manager Steven Curley, pictured with event organiser Lisa Cassidy and helper Niamh Cassidy, both from CLIC Sargent, said: “Thanks to the local people of Enniskillen, who showed their usual fantastic support and generosity to help in raising funds.”

Liza said: “It was terrible weather, visibility was very poor and they got lost numerous times! They started out at 2pm, reached the summit at 6pm and got back down at 10pm – a great team effort.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 43

OUR CHARITY

£395

£320 The Pillar of Rock, Bolsover A family fun-day at The Pillar of Rock amassed £320. Pub manager Joanna Marshall (left) is pictured with floor associate and event organiser Jessica Lander, along with some of the fantastic homemade cakes which were on sale at the pub in Bolsover. There were also craft stalls, a tombola and raffle, face-painting and a bouncy castle, as well as a Help 4 Heroes stall which was fundraising for its own charity.

The Ice Wharf, Derry Shift leader Richie Cooley is pictured being doused in baked beans by colleagues at The Ice Wharf, in Derry. The fundraising bean bath event, which also included a cake bake sale, raised £395. The charity day also marked the launch of local Derry Sports Against Suicide charity, which embarked on its own fundraising rowing machine challenge, supported by customers and staff at The Ice Wharf.

£2,000 The Swatters Carr (Middlesbrough) , The Highland Laddie (Norton), The Thomas Sheraton (Stockton) and The Plimsoll Line (Redcar) Wetherspoon’s area manager Richard Buller, together with managers and staff from pubs across his region, took part in their annual charity bike ride. The challenge raised £2,000 through donations and sponsorship. Organised by kitchen manager Steven Brown, from The Swatters Carr (Middlesbrough), the team of riders, including those from The Highland Laddie (Norton), The Thomas Sheraton (Stockton) and The Plimsoll Line (Redcar), set out on the 110-mile journey, visiting as many Wetherspoon pubs as possible.

The Sandpiper, Glasgow Airport

£700

Members of staff from The Sandpiper, at Glasgow Airport, collectively raised almost £700 in a climb to the top of Ben Nevis. The magnificent seven, pictured at the summit (1,346 metres/4,414 ft), are shift manager Raymond Lunney, shift leader John Evans, kitchen team leader Steven Lavelle, bar team leader Ben Thompson and kitchen associates Josh Still, Josh White and Anthony Higgins.

The John Laird, Birkenhead A fundraising exercise bike challenge, at The John Laird, raised £570 for charity coffers. Staff took it in turn to keep the pedals turning on two static cycles, completing a total of 200 kilometres.

£570 Pictured at the event (left to right) are personal trainer and event coorganiser Adam McCreedy, shift leader and organiser Melissa Walton, bar associate Jay Ryder and pub manager Sarah Greenwood.

The route went from Ripon to Whitby, via Thirsk, Norton, Stockton, Billingham, Middlesbrough, Great Ayton and Redcar. Steven said: “The route was a lot harder than the previous year. We used back roads, keeping off main roads, so there were a lot more hills involved!

The Layton Rakes, Blackpool A 32-mile bike ride by four members of staff from The Layton Rakes, in Blackpool, raised £335. Kitchen manager Steve Martin, front-of-house associate Sarah Wyatt, kitchen associate Jordan Schofield and front-ofhouse team leader Mike Martin are pictured (left to right) at The Thomas Drummond, in Fleetwood, before setting out.

£335

The fundraisers cycled to The Twelve Tellers (Preston), via The Jolly Tars (Cleveleys), The Poulton Elk (Poulton-le-Fylde), The Layton Rakes, The Albert and The Lion and The Velvet Coaster (all Blackpool), The Trawl Boat Inn and The Railway Hotel (both Lytham St Annes) and The Grey Friar (Preston).

“Unfortunately, not everyone managed to complete the whole distance by bike, but everyone was there supporting and fundraising along the way. “A massive thankyou to Chris, Dave, Cher and Kirsty, who set up the campsite and BBQ and helped with the support car. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Linen Hall, Enniskillen

£400

Customers at The Linen Hall, Enniskillen, enjoyed a fun ‘night at the races’, as well as raising £400 for charity.

£1,600 The Elihu Yale, Wrexham Kitchen manager Adam Samuels, shift leader Jayne Leigh and kitchen team leader Emmett McCool (pictured, left to right) took part in a sponsored tandem sky dive from Tilstock Airfield. The trio, who work at The Elihu Yale, in Wrexham, jumped from 10,000ft at The Parachute Centre, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. They collectively raised £1,600. Jayne said: “None of us had done anything like it before and were all nervous, but it was a fantastic experience. We hope to do a 15,000ft jump in 2017.” 44  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

£746

J. P. Joule, Sale Bar associate Rachel Wall, together with shift managers Emma Stubbs and Katarzyna Lipowczan are pictured (left to right) at The J. P. Joule. A charity fundraiser at the pub in Sale raised £600, with Emma continuing to wear her pink wig for a further week, adding to the charity coffers, for a final fundraising total of £746. Customers enjoyed a meet-the-brewer session, with Stockport-based Robinsons Brewery, as well as a cake sale, face-painting, book sale, raffle, car wash, games and local acoustic music acts.

£800 The North & South Wales Bank, Wrexham Pub manager Becky Furber is pictured with customer Gibby Griffiths at The North & South Wales Bank, in Wrexham. Local regular Gibby donated £800 to CLIC Sargent – the cash was raised by Gibby and his former colleagues at JCB. When he retired during 2016, he generously gave the funds to the pub for its charity. Becky, who has since moved to Montgomery’s Tower, in Shrewsbury, said: “A massive thankyou to Gibby and his former workers for their wonderful generosity.”

The fundraising race-night event, organised by pub manager Steven Curley, saw customers placing bets between £1 and £5 on horses, in 10 races throughout the evening. Local businesses in the town also supported the event by sponsoring each race, with the horses in each race also ‘up for sale’. The winners of each race received a cash prize, with proceeds going into the charity coffers. Steven said: “There was a great atmosphere in the pub. Everyone got into the spirit of the event and we had a lot of fun. “Thanks to all of our customers, as well as to the local businesses, for their fantastic support again.” Customers Christopher McGarrity, Peter Mead and Cathy Campling are pictured with Wetherspoon area manager Barry McKervey (left to right). jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 45

OUR CHARITY

WINTER WARMERS

STEP IN FROM THE COLD AND FILL UP WITH WINTER FUEL Lamb shank

£400,000

The finalists at ‘Goals in Manchester’

L

ook no further than your local Wetherspoon to brighten even the darkest and drabbest of dreary winter days. Our new-look menu offers some terrifically tasty and fabulously filling pub classics, with some welcoming winterwarming meals for this season.

NO CLINTON OR TRUMP IN THIS WHITE HOUSE VICTORY

The Wetherspoon Kick for CLIC Sargent football tournament 2016 raised more than £400,000. Staff from more than 500 pubs across the UK once again took part in the ever-popular annual five-a-side competition, which was celebrating its 15th year. The team from The White House (Leicester) emerged as the tournament winners, beating The Moon in the Square (Bournemouth) 3–1 in a hardfought final. The winners were decided at a special knock-out final event, which saw the 14 victors of regional competitions, held throughout September, battle it out at ‘Goals in Manchester’. The White House’s team captain, Tom Wilkinson, said: “It was a great day  – and we were really happy with the win. “We had a nightmare with the first regionals, which we couldn’t attend, so we had to travel to Bristol to stay in the competition. “We knew that we had a good team, but we didn’t expect to go on to win the competition. “The event was brilliant and really well organised. It’s a great way to meet other people who work for the company and a great charity to support.” Jemma Syms, CLIC Sargent’s corporate events executive, said: “It is fantastic that Wetherspoon is able, through a football tournament, to raise such an incredible sum of money to support young cancer patients. It is testament to all of the people working in the pubs that so many teams want to come together and take part.” Carlsberg donated the prize for the winning team, providing tickets for the England versus Scotland World Cup qualifying match at Wembley. The other teams which played on the final day, after winning regional heats, were The Furze Wren (Bexleyheath), The Regal (Cambridge), The Grand Electric Hall (Spennymoor), The Coliseum Picture Theatre (Cleethorpes), The Wye Bridge House (Buxton), The Mockbeggar Hall (Moreton), Abraham Darby (Brierley Hill), The Last Post (Paisley), The Kettleby Cross (Melton Mowbray), The Saxon Crown (Corby), The Vigilance (Brixham) and The Sir Richard Owen (Lancaster).

Lamb shank, sausages and mash, beef & ale pie and vegetarian Wellington among winter warmers waiting for you

Discover something for everyone and be tempted by our fantastic new offerings or rediscover a great old favourite, at your local Wetherspoon pub. Among them is a beautifully British classic winter warmer – our new lamb shank.

The White House

Hearty

Winners

British beef & Doom Bar® ale pie

The Moon in the Square

A hearty lamb shank meal, served with creamy mashed potato and seasonal root vegetables, this dish is a bellyful of slow-cooked gluten-free tasty goodness – crafted with our no-gluten customers in mind. Enjoy a slow-roasted New Zealand lamb shank, cooked in a redcurrant & rosemary sauce, served on top of creamy mashed potato, with roasted British carrots and parsnips. This classic is also served with a choice of drink from our selected range. Another pub classic and Wetherspoon favourite is our sausages and mash, now boasting a new and improved recipe, delivering even more deliciousness for lunch or dinner.

Runners-up

Our award-winning bangers are a traditional Lincolnshire recipe sausage, on top of creamy mashed potato, served with a caramelised onion & British ale gravy, accompanied with garden peas. A vegetarian option is also available.

Delight

Cumberland sausage roll

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How about our ever-popular vegetarian Wellington which continues to delight our vegetarian customers, as well as the many meat-eaters among you? It is another fabulous Wetherspoon favourite.

Stuffed with mushrooms and spinach, in a creamy mushroom & Brie sauce, it is finished with hazelnuts and cranberries to deliver a crunchy texture, all wrapped together in a light buttery pastry and served with chips and mushy peas. Since making a welcome return to our ever-expanding menu this time last year, our superb British beef & Doom Bar® ale pie continues to be a clear winner with you, as well as with the industry judges. A gold-award-winner at the British Pie Awards 2016, our classic pie is a mouth-watering marriage of slow-cooked British beef, to ensure tenderness, in a British amber ale gravy.

Pastry These rich and tasty ingredients combine perfectly, encased in shortcrust pastry and topped with a golden flaky puff pastry lid. Served with an option of either mashed potato or chips and garden peas or mushy peas, this award-winning product is a first-class choice. And, if you have a penchant for pastry, why not try our handmade Cumberland sausage roll – a great new addition to our range? A premium, yet traditional, Cumberland sausage recipe, wrapped in flaky golden puff pastry, this is served simply – with chips and baked beans. It’s an old-school classic – sure to hit the spot! Our new pub classic winter-warmer dishes, together with our fantastic range of year-round favourites, are available every day, until 11pm*, at your local Wetherspoon. *Price and participation may vary per pub.

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OUR PEOPLE T H E S AV OY • S W I N D O N

FROM TELEVISED WOE TO A KITCHEN-SINK DRAMA In 2007, BBC’s Panorama screened a television programme, ‘Real Apprentices’, about four young job-seekers in Swindon.

THE RICHARD JOHN BLACKLER • LIVERPOOL

IF CLARE’S THERE, THAT’S A GOOD SIGN

One of the four subjects was Michael Keen (pictured). He had left school at 16, with a handful of GCSEs, and was fitting kitchens. A follow-up report by the same BBC Panorama team, three years later, revisited the young job-seekers to update their story. Michael had subsequently been out of work, when recession hit the business, but he went on a New Deal work-placement programme, offered through the local Jobcentre. He was given a work placement at a local pub and had impressed to the point at which he was offered a full-time job. More than seven years later, Mike is still impressing at that same pub – The Savoy, in his home town of Swindon – where he is currently a kitchen shift leader and training to be kitchen manager. Pub manager Liam Stack said: “Mike had been here for around three months when I started at the pub, and we had a long chat when I arrived. “He was 19 and had had various casual jobs previously, but it was obvious that he had a great deal of potential and was a good lad. “He is now a core part of the team at The Savoy and he has more potential than most, at his level. He is settled, driven and very ambitious, training to become kitchen manager and aims to be a pub manager in the future.” Mike said: “I am very happy in the job, always eager to impress and get ahead in the business, progressing as far as I possibly can.”

T H E P L AY H O U S E • C O L C H E S T E R

JACKIE STILL TOP OF THE BILL AT THE PLAYHOUSE, AFTER 22-YEAR RUN

Pub manager Jackie Dungey is celebrating 26 years with Wetherspoon (December 2016), having joined the company as one of the youngest-ever managers, aged just 19.

More than a quarter of a century later, Jackie has now clocked up 22 of those years at the same pub: The Playhouse, in Colchester. Jackie said: “My husband Paul, who was 21 at the time, and I saw an advert for an open-day and we went along. We were taken on as a management couple and, within six months, were running our own pub – The College Arms, in Walthamstow (since sold). “We also had spells at Colindale, Haringey, Hampstead and Archway, before we took on a new opening, Goldengrove, at Stratford, where we stayed for a couple of years. “The Playhouse then came up, just six months after it had first opened, and we jumped at the chance to come here.” Paul has since left the company to pursue another career; however, Chelmsford-born Jackie continues to enjoy her job and has also raised a family in the process of her career.

Team leader Clare Gore has an unusual skill which she is regularly putting to good use in her workplace.

Jackie (pictured) said: “We have two children: Ella is 23 and has just finished university, where she studied forensic science. She is a team leader at The Playhouse, where she has worked since the age of 16.

Clare, 22, who has worked at The Richard John Blackler, in Liverpool city centre, for four years, is a confident user of British Sign Language (BSL). Pub manager Nathan McGovern said: “Clare attracts many deaf and hard-of-hearing customers to our pub, who greatly value being able to converse with one of our team. It makes their experience much more enjoyable and friendly – and they keep coming back.

“Sam, 19, has also worked for me at the pub since he was 16 and is currently at university in Greenwich, studying film.” And they are not the only students in the family. Jackie has also just recently finished her advanced diploma in leisure retail management, through Wetherspoon, after a year and a half of her own studies. She said: “I had never been to university myself, so it was a bit of an eye-opener. “Having been with the company so long, it was also a great refresher and has made me look at different aspects of the business and running the pub.”

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The Playhouse attracts a huge mix of customers throughout the day, from retired folk to shoppers and office workers, with some locals who have been regulars since it first opened. Jackie concluded: “Colchester is also a big university town – and we are the largest pub in the town, so weekends are particularly busy with students. “We have a continual turnover of new students every year, both customers and staff, although some staff members stay for longer and progress through the ranks, which is lovely.”

“Wetherspoon hires a wide variety of employees, with different skill sets, appealing to a great many people. “Clare deserves recognition for the way in which she is able to help members of our deaf community here in Liverpool to enjoy visiting their local pub, just like everyone else.” Clare, who is currently attending a weekly night class at Talking Hands Sign Language College, in West Derby, to upgrade her BSL qualification to level two, said: “Customers who don’t know me and need help in communicating are often surprised that I can sign. It is a great skill to have and one of which I am very proud.”

Many customers, of all ages, at The Richard John Blackler have benefited from Clare’s signing, especially an ever-growing group of around 40–50 deaf people who enjoy their Christmas party at the pub every year. Clare said: “I have to make sure that I am working on that occasion, and my colleagues always know, if I am at the pub when a deaf customer comes in, to make me aware, so that I can help.” Her interest began at the age of 15, when a friend asked her to join a choir, during her studies at Sixth Form College in Liverpool. Clare said: “I agreed and went along after school, only to find out it was a sign language choir! I enjoyed it very much and continued with the signing after I left the choir to focus on my exams.” In fact, Clare was a member of the Liverpool Signing Choir which performed a John Lennon tribute, singing and signing Imagine, centre stage, at the London 2012 Olympic closing ceremony. Clare concluded: “That was an amazing and very memorable experience.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 49

PUB NEWS FOOTBALL-MAD RIVALS CHANGE THEIR STRIPES Pub manager Richie Freeman and Wetherspoon’s area manager John Hudson battled it out in a personal Kick for CLIC football challenge.

Richie, who runs The Sir William de Wessyngton, in Washington, is a big Sunderland fan, while his area manager John supports arch rivals Newcastle United.

Wetherspoon is currently the only nationwide pub chain to offer Changing Places toilets, with facilities now available at seven of our pubs in England and Scotland.

Richie said: “I agreed to wear a full Newcastle United strip, at the Kick for CLIC tournament, if I could raise £500 by the beginning of September.

The Lifeboat, Formby

Our new pubs always offer wheelchair access and specially adapted toilet facilities, for people with disabilities. However, several of our newer pub openings also have a Changing Places WC.

“I also agreed to wear the kit for a shift at the bar, the week after the tournament, as all my customers know that I am a Sunderland fan and thought it would be a lot of fun.

Provided in addition to conventional wheelchair-accessible toilets, a Changing Places facility is, under British Standards, 12 metres square and includes, alongside the usual accessible toilet equipment, an adult-sized height-adjustable changing bench and ceiling track hoist, as well as a height adjustable wash basin.

“However, to up the stakes, United fan John said he would wear a Sunderland strip, if I raised £1,000!” The photograph shows Rokerite Richie pictured in the black and white of Newcastle and Geordie John in Sunderland’s red and white stripes, as a fundraising total of £911.40 was achieved! Richie added: “We raised just shy of the £1,000 mark, but John was a good sport and wore the mighty red and white stripes anyway!”

GLITTERATI AND CLATTERATI BRING NOISE TO NEW-LOOK BOARDWALK

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER: WETHERSPOON LEADS WAY

BECKETTS BANK PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN LEEDS LOVE AFFAIR Simon and Nicola Clark are pictured with their daughter Melissa and duty manager Chris Dockerty

More than 250,000 people need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy those day-to-day activities which many of us take for granted. The Changing Places Consortium launched its campaign in 2006, on behalf of these people. This includes those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, as well as older people. Rossanna Trudgian, co-chair of the Changing Places Consortium, said: “We are delighted to see Wetherspoon working to improve the facilities it offers to its disabled customers. “This shows the growing recognition of the additional needs of many customers who want to spend time in their local community.”

Scott Simpson, from Peterborough, whose 16-year-old son George needs to use facilities like these, visited Sandford House, in Huntingdon.

Wetherspoon’s Changing Places toilets are currently available at:

Scott said: “This is the best disabled toilet I have seen anywhere – and that includes new modern hospitals.

The Booking Office (Edinburgh)

acquisitions, Jon Randall, said: “All of our pubs have specially-adapted toilets for people with disabilities and we are proud to provide Changing Places facilities in some of our pubs, with more to come in the future.”

The Iron Duke (Wellington)

The Pilgrim’s Progress (Bedford)

The Velvet Coaster (Blackpool) “Congratulations to Wetherspoon, not just for the loo, but for features like the wheelchair lift.” The Mossy Well (Muswell Hill) The Lifeboat (Formby) Wetherspoon’s head of property and Sandford House (Huntingdon) (changingplaces.uktoiletmap.org)

CIGAR WIZARD MR OZ FINDS MAGIC POTIONS

The New Fairlop Oak might seem an unlikely place to find a cigar factory owner enjoying craft beer, but the pub in Barkingside proved to be the ideal location for one such visiting businessman. English-born Tolga Oz had returned to his family home in Hainault, Essex, from the Dominican Republic, on a month-long business trip back in the UK. A launch party for the newly extended Boardwalk, at Brighton Marina, included an evening of family fun and entertainment, with a spectacular fireworks display set to music. A circus juggler, stilt walkers and balloon modeller performed outside The West Quay. The Wetherspoon pub also hosted a late-night music extravaganza, with a special guest appearance by celebrity stylist, turned DJ, Gok Wan. He said: “It was great to be spinning the decks at Brighton Marina to celebrate the launch of the new Boardwalk. “I was able to play some of my favourite house and pop remixes, with some old-skool tunes thrown in for good measure!” Pictured with Gok at The West Quay are (left to right) bar associate Lizzie Hodgson, duty manager Lianne Brown, team leader Sophia Wicks, bar associate Joshua Porter (The Bright Helm), team leader Shannon Bailey and bar associate Rebecca Greenacre (also The Bright Helm). Staff from The Bright Helm, also in Brighton, helped out at the busy event, which saw seven new restaurants opening on the new-look Boardwalk. 50  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Tolga (pictured) wanted to pair some of his Don Rosso cigars, made in Sosua on the north coast of the Hispaniola island, with certain types of craft beer, unavailable back home. Becketts Bank, in Leeds, has a special place in the hearts of one particular local family. Simon and Nicola first met in the pub in August 2008 and have spent many happy occasions and nights out there since. Simon celebrated his 25th birthday with a party in January 2009 and, after proposing to Nicola on holiday two months later, they have marked each anniversary back at the pub. While pregnant with daughter Melissa, on a night out at Becketts Bank, staff at the pub even helped out with Nicola’s craving for something not on the menu – a pint of milk! Married in March 2016, with flower-girl Melissa (now aged six) also walking down the aisle, the Clark family visits the pub whenever they can, including their eight-year anniversary of meeting in August. Nicola said: “Thank you for everything over the years, for the fab staff, food and atmosphere. Here’s to many more years of fun-filled nights out and family dinners at Becketts Bank.”

So, he asked his grandad where the best local place would be. Tolga, 29, said: “My grandad told me about Wetherspoon and the great craft beer selection, and his nearest pub is The New Fairlop Oak. “I tried all the beers and, thanks to the great weather during my stay, I was able to sit in the beer garden and enjoy them with some of my cigars. “Several of the beers went very well with the cigars, especially Sixpoint Resin, 13 Guns, Treason West Coast and Snake Dog. “Although not among the craft beer selection, the Meantime Chocolate Porter also paired very well with some of the stronger cigars.” Tolga continued: “In the Dominican Republic, most people enjoy cigars with coffee, wine or Bourbon whiskey; there are one or two dark beers available, but nobody serves craft beer. “I want to bring the craft beer revolution there and, once people see that it is completely different from lager, bursting with so much flavour, we might have something new to give our customers with their cigars.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 51

ADVENTURES WITH GRAPE AND GRAIN Gins, rums, vodkas and three special wines will help you to celebrate the season

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C

elebrate this Christmas and new year in style, with some fantastic choices in our drinks range.

No festive season is complete without a glass or two of fabulous fizz – and our fantastic Teresa Rizzi Prosecco (11% ABV) is the perfect choice. A sparkling dry white wine from the Veneto region, in Treviso, northeast Italy, it is light and lively, with soft, fine bubbles. This bright, clear, pale straw-yellow-coloured Prosecco, with elegant tones of ripe fruits, herbs and acacia flowers, is the refreshing, very easy-drinking and affordable alternative to Champagne.

Decadent For something a little more decadent and fruity, why not try either (or perhaps both, as it is Christmas!) of our Prosecco cocktails? Our kir royal blends Teresa Rizzi Prosecco with a dash of luxurious Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, while our Bellini combines a cheeky drop of Archers peach schnapps with the sparkling wine. Looking for a great white wine without the bubbles? Look no further than our elegant South African Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc (13% ABV). Lively, crisp, clear and refreshing, this Chenin is full of zesty citrus character, with a slight tropical hint on the nose, plus citrus fruits, particularly lime, and green/yellow apple aromas which follow through on the palate.

Intense For red-wine-lovers, our Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5% ABV), from Chile, is a deep, intense ruby-red wine. This top-brand cabernet is full bodied and robust, with weighty blackcurrant flavours.

Our rum shack, vodka distillery and gin palace all have a fantastic selection of premium spirits to cheer this Christmas. With a mixer served free with every spirit, you can enjoy a luxury brand without breaking the budget. If rum is your thing, our Ron Zacapa 23-year-old (40% ABV) super-premium, full-bodied rum is aged high up in the cool air of the Guatemalan highlands, 2,300 metres above sea level. This altitude slows down the aging process and allows the liquid to age like a single-malt whisky.

Potatoes If vodka is your choice, Chase Premium English potato vodka (40% ABV) is a really pure vodka, beautifully smooth, with a naturally sweet and creamy taste. It is made on a family farm in Herefordshire, using traditional artisan methods of distillation. Chase is the only UK distillery to offer a premium vodka made entirely from seed to bottle. To make it, they grow, mash, ferment, strip and distil their own full-pedigree, gluten-free King Edward and Lady Claire potatoes. If gin is your tipple, Sipsmith (41.6% ABV) is a cosmopolitan, yet traditional, London dry gin. Launched in 2009, in Hammersmith (London), Sipsmith became the first copper-pot-based distillery to start up in the capital in over 150 years. A particularly bold, complex and aromatic dry gin, with a zesty, citrus finish, this is the quintessential expression of a classic, traditional London dry gin. We have Christmas and new-year cheer to suit everyone. So, pop in to your local Wetherspoon and toast the festive season.

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COMMUNITY

H at f i e l d

MILITARY VETERANS FALL IN AT HARPSFIELD HALL

S e v e n o a ks

THE WORD IS OUT ABOUT PUB WHICH THINKS IT’S A LIBRARY

SWINDON

HEROIC FIGHTER ACE BROTHERS HONOURED IN THEIR HOME TOWN A pair of blue plaques has been unveiled at The Savoy to honour two of Swindon’s brave World War II fighter pilots.

Brothers Harold Starr and Norman ‘John’ Starr have been remembered by the Swindon Heritage Team (www.swindonheritage.com) with the commemorative blue plaques, on the site of their birth, now a Wetherspoon pub. The plaques were unveiled by the pilots’ nephew, 93-year-old retired Squadron Leader Peter Starr Mills, and great niece, Sue Giles (both pictured), with RAF personnel from the Defence Academy at Shrivenham and the Swindon Royal British Legion. in attendance.

Pictured left to right; Cllr Fiona Thompson , Karen Judge (Royal Navy), Elaine Forman (Army), Donna Finlay (WRAF)

The Starr brothers were born in the Central Hotel, Swindon, and raised in the Wiltshire town. The hotel was replaced with a cinema in the 1930s and, today, the Art Deco building houses The Savoy. Pub manager Liam Stack (pictured left) said: “We are thrilled and honoured to have the plaques at The Savoy to remember two of the town’s war heroes. It is so important for us to remember those who fought bravely and died for this country.” Squadron Leader Harold Starr (1914–40) bailed out of his burning Hurricane during the Battle of Britain in 1940, but was gunned to death by a Messerschmitt as he floated down to earth in his parachute. His wife was carrying their unborn child. He is buried in Radnor Street Cemetery, in Swindon, in a Commonwealth War Grave. He was 25 years old. Wing Commander Norman ‘John’ Starr DFC and BAR (1917–45) was shot down and killed while piloting an Avro Anson over Dunkirk in 1945. He was flying back to England to get married to his sweetheart the following day, but never made it back. He is buried along with his three crew members in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, in a Commonwealth War Grave. He was 27 years old.

Swindon Heritage researcher Noel Beauchamp, said: “As soon as Wetherspoon’s staff members were approached about the idea of having blue plaques on The Savoy, they immediately said yes and assisted with logistics. A huge thankyou to everyone involved in making this happen.” Funding for the heroic pilots’ plaques was made possible by donations from the public and Starr family members via: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blue-plaques-for-swindon-wwii-pilots

Pub manager Chris Olssen said: Harpsfield Hall is one of the latest “Approximately 30 people, including Wetherspoon pubs to become a host venue for the Armed Forces & Veterans’ the mayor of Hatfield, attend regularly. Breakfast Club. “We are delighted to host the group which provides friendship and support The South Hertfordshire branch for those who may otherwise be (SHVBC) meets at the pub in forgotten about.” Hatfield at 10am on every first Sunday of the month. l For more information and to The club welcomes service men find your nearest Breakfast Club: and women from all armed forces, http://afvbc.co.uk/ currently serving and veterans, along with family members too.

A family fun-day at The Thomas Botfield, in Telford, raised £200, split between two charities. The pub in Telford Shopping Centre hosted the event, in aid of CLIC Sargent and Telford Exotic Zoo, with staff dressed in fancy dress. Pictured back (left to right) are shift manager Antony Steventon, floor associate Jamie Evans and bar associate Holli Sanders. Front are Scott Adams from Telford Exotic Zoo and bar associate Alexandra Donaldson. The fun-day featured a menagerie of animals from the zoo, including meerkats, alligators, snakes and spiders. There was also a visit from the on-duty team of firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue, a display and workshops from Military Martial Arts and Cheer Force 10, Telford’s national championship cheerleaders. Youngsters were able to design their own T-shirt, with a graffiti artist; there was also a barbecue, craft stalls and music from Andeejay Entertainments. Telford Exotic Zoo delivers animal-assisted therapy and interventions to children and adults with learning difficulties, the elderly and other groups.

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The Little Library at The Sennockian allows customers to borrow books, either to read in the pub or to take home and return later – and there are no fines for late returns! Books are donated by customers and local charity shops – and the pub now has four shelves for people to browse and peruse as they enjoy a pint or a cup of tea. There are also two shelves of children’s books, including some of the immensely popular Harry Potter series. For Joanne, who has managed The Sennockian for six years, the library launch was a logical move, since she is a keen member of the web-based The Book Club.

TELFORD

WILD TIMES AT FUN-DAY AS PUB INVADED BY BEASTS

Literature-lover Joanne Craig (pictured) has launched a mini library at the pub she manages – The Sennockian, in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Now she wants to roll out plans for a book club at the pub where customers can swap ideas about what to read or discuss what they have been reading. She said: “If I saw a customer reading, I always asked what the book was and sometimes a conversation would start. The Little Library has been a huge success – and it’s a good thing for a community pub like ours to be doing.”

BEVERLEY

CROSS KEYS CREW SPLASHES FOR CASH

Four brave fundraisers from The Cross Keys, in Beverley, took part in a local community event, raising money for two causes. Bar associate Jade Easom-Samuels, shift leader Charlotte Atkinson, bar associate Katie Michaels and kitchen shift leader Ruby Burrows, pictured (left to right), all took to the water in the fifth annual raft race at Beverley Beck, in aid of N.U.R.S.E. (nurse-charity.uk – needed urgent remedial surgical equipment). The fancy-dress raft race takes place every year on Beverley Beck, a short canal in the East Riding of Yorkshire town. The Cross Keys team raised £350, split equally between N.U.R.S.E. and CLIC Sargent.

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MEET THE BREWER

Wetherspoon is committed to serving the best range of beers in its pubs, including sourcing from more than 600 microbreweries throughout the UK annually. Here, we feature two brewers whose beers are enjoyed at Wetherspoon pubs.

POD FATHER OFFERS STOUT WHICH IT’S HARD TO REFUSE

A BREWERY BUILT ON HEATHER

An ancient recipe passed on by a mysterious stranger was where it all started for Alloa artisans

Brewery’s name: Williams Bros Brewing, Alloa, Clackmannanshire

Vanilla stout, flavoured with whole pods, has long been enjoyed by Wetherspoon’s customers – and, now, the rest of the UK is catching up Brewery’s name: Binghams Brewery, Ruscombe, Berkshire

When the Campaign for Real Ale’s Supreme Champion Beer of Britain for 2016 was named as Binghams Vanilla Stout, in August, regulars at Wetherspoon’s Thames Valley pubs may not have been as surprised as some. Since 2012, they’ve had the chance to taste the Berkshire brewer’s beers, among them the winning stout. Chris Bingham (pictured) founded the brewery only a couple of years earlier, with accountants Michelle Joyce and Delia Allott, having been made redundant from his job as a computer programmer. Now assisted by brewers John Willatts and Jamie Duffield, Chris produces a wide range of beers, from extra-pale ales to stouts, varying in strength in the range 3.7–5.0% ABV, including the thirst-quenching, Twyford Tipple, also familiar to Wetherspoon customers. He also brews monthly specials and singlehopped beers. All of the brews are clearly described on their pump-clips – essential, he believes, in introducing more people to the variety of beers out there. The 5.0% Vanilla Stout has been in the portfolio since 2011 and has picked up the most awards, thanks, its creator thinks, to being flavoured with whole vanilla pods dropped into the cask.

It’s very different from other stouts

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“It’s an expensive way of doing it, but it makes for a better taste,” he says. “It’s very different from other stouts and appeals to those who think that they don’t like dark beers.” Since it became Supreme Champion, Binghams has been brewing at close to full capacity, shipping it to pubs all over the country. But Wetherspoon’s customers need have no fear that they’re going to miss out. Chris says that he’s set plenty aside for his loyal drinkers.

Brewer Angus Morrison

The story of Williams Bros Brewing begins in a humble home brew shop in Glasgow, opened in 1969 by Roy Williams. It’s still there – but is now overshadowed by the family’s brewery in Alloa run by Roy’s sons, Bruce and Scott. The family, itself, started brewing in 1988, when a woman came into the shop with an ancient recipe for heather ale, a style of beer that’s been made in Scotland since 2000BC. Bruce and Scott set up a small five-barrel brewery to make it, and Fraoch (the Gaelic word for heather) was such a success that they went on to make more beers based on historic recipes: Grozet (gooseberry wheat ale), Kelpie (seaweed ale), Edulum (elderberry black ale) and Alba (pine ale). Now based at the former Maclay’s brewery, Williams Bros today produces a full range of beers, including Joker IPA, a lager/ale hybrid called Caesar Augustus, Birds and Bees golden ale and Williams Black – named Champion Mild for the second time at the 2016 CAMRA awards. You can find them all, plus specials, on cask and keg in our pubs. In fact, Williams has now been supplying Wetherspoon for 20 years.

“It gives us very good exposure to enthusiastic beerdrinkers,” declares Scott. “There’s nowhere else like it.” The brothers are still having a lot of fun with beer. Scott says: “We’re still open to working with weird and wonderful ingredients, but, rather than using an ingredient for the sake of it, we focus on making it taste nice, so that it’s still accessible – we want people to keep drinking it!”

We’re still open to working with weird and wonderful ingredients

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GIFTS

DON’T LEAVE THEM MIFFED – GIVE A WETHERSPOON GIFT

SCOTTISH DRIVERS STEERED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Wetherspoon’s pubs across Scotland supported a national campaign run by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland (part of Transport Scotland).

Eleven pubs welcomed members from this year’s Country Roads Campaign into their outlets, to speak to customers about the initiative.

W e t h e r spoon

Find the perfect pressie for your parents, paramour or progeny, while you enjoy a perfect pint

I

f you are looking for gift inspiration this Christmas, you may find the perfect pressie while enjoying that perfect pint at your local Wetherspoon.

You can choose how much you want to give, from £5 to £500, all loaded and activated at the till. It is a hassle-free way to give a gift to others, so that they can enjoy Wetherspoon – on you.

Any ale-lover would surely be delighted to receive a fantastic selection of craft beers – and we have an impressive range to choose from.

Quick and simple to use to purchase food and drink at any of our pubs across the UK, as well as on accommodation at more than 40 hotels nationwide.

Our complete range of bottled and canned craft beers is now available to take away, in our take-home carry-box containers, each carrying four beers at a time.

How about a more traditional gift of a book, but one with a quirky Wetherspoon twist?

Exclusive Looking for something exclusive and not your usual brew? How about Sixpoint Resin and Bengali, both exclusive to Wetherspoon?

Writer and broadcaster Kit Caless has launched his book ‘Spoon’s Carpets’, a must for Wetherspoon fans, carpet-design enthusiasts and collectors of the unconventional.

Based in Brooklyn, USA, Sixpoint Brewery offers two of its great American IPAs – the double IPA Resin (9.1% ABV) and Bengali IPA (6.5% ABV) – available exclusively at your local Wetherspoon.

It features photographs and descriptions of more than 75 carpets from Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK, collected by Kit and his band of Wetherspoon carpet-spotters.

Select any of our craft beers at the till to take away and enjoy the choice and convenience of our ‘bottle shop’ selection.

Originally the subject of an online blog, Wetherspoon’s carpets became such a talking point on social media that Kit was approached to write a book on the subject.

Don’t know which beers to choose, but still want to give a Wetherspoon gift? Our first-ever gift card option may be the perfect solution to your Christmas-present problem.

Treat The credit-card-style wallet-sized plastic gift card is now available to buy in all Wetherspoon pubs – simply ask at the bar in your local… and purchase that Christmas treat today.

Unconventional

The national campaign aims to reduce fatalities on Scottish country roads by encouraging drivers (predominantly 22to 40-year-old males) to reduce their speed. Representatives chatted with those interested in discussing the campaign on a tour which included visits to The Robert the Bruce (Dumfries), The Capital Asset (Perth), The Crossed Peels (Stirling), The Robert Nairn (Kirkcaldy), The Guildhall & Linen Exchange (Dunfermline), The Great Glen (Fort William), The Corryvreckan (Oban), The Cross Keys (Peebles), Hunters Hall (Galashiels), The Bourtree (Hawick) and The James Watt (Greenock). Country roads account for the largest number of fatal accidents on Scotland’s roads – over half (52%)*. In 2015 alone, 649 people were killed or seriously injured while driving on country roads – and more than two-thirds of those were men. Loss of control is the biggest cause of death on country roads, frequently associated with driving too fast for the conditions and leaving too little time to react to unpredictable road conditions and hazards. Wetherspoon’s personnel and legal director, Su Cacioppo, said: “We were only too happy to support this initiative and hope that the visits have helped some way towards raising awareness, as well as reducing accidents.” *Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2015

Pamela Kinloch, from Scotland’s Country Roads Campaign, is pictured giving some road safety advice to kitchen associate and new driver, Ashley Leigh, at The Robert Nairn in Kirkcaldy

SPANISH FOOTBALLERS SCORE THEN HIT BAR

SHIPYARD STAR ENJOYS SHOW AT PICTURE HOUSE

Published by Square Peg, the hardback book ‘Spoon’s Carpets’ is priced £8.99 and is available from bookshops and online from Amazon. Whether it’s craft, cards or carpets – consider a Wetherspoon gift idea this Christmas.

Pictured left to right: Dave Saunders (Marston’s Brewery), duty manager Matt Sargeant, Fred Forsley (Shipyard Brewing Company)

Brewery founder Fred Forsley heaped praise on Wetherspoon when he paid a surprise visit to The Picture House, Stafford.

Three members of staff, who all work at The Fox on the Hill, Denmark Hill, have continued their childhood football passion, playing for local women’s team AFC Phoenix.

“We wanted to play some sport, which is our hobby, and is also a great way of meeting people. We have a very international team, with players from all over the world.”

Bar associate Raquel Arran, team leader Abby Espin and bar associate Blanca Canal (pictured left to right) came to London from Lleida, near Barcelona, in Spain.

Abby, who studied to be a social worker, together with primary school teacher Blanca, arrived in June 2015. Raquel joined them a year later, all looking for work and to improve their English.

Abby said: “We all played football together, since we were kids, and so when we came to London, we wanted to find a team. 58  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Abby said: “Working at the pub has given me the opportunity to use my English I gained promotion and enjoy my job.”

Fred, who founded Shipyard Brewery in Portland, Maine, USA, dropped by to see how his flagship ale, of the same name, was tasting at the pub. Shift leader Matt Sargeant enjoyed a chat with the American brewing legend and even persuaded him to pull a few pints for customers. Matt said: “It was great to meet him, as his beers are really starting to take off in this country, and he said that that was thanks to Wetherspoon. He added that he could not be happier with the company and wanted to pop in and say thank you.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 59

PUB NEWS ANGELL OF THE BLACK BULL OF BANGOR SOUTHWEST LOOMS WITH STRANGE BLOOMS SLOWS SIMON’S CHARGE

AROUND BRITAIN

BBC #LOVETOREAD CREW VISITS LADY CHATTERLEY

As part of the BBC’s campaign celebrating the pleasure of reading, #LovetoRead focused on ‘the books that made Britain’.

BBC television and radio broadcast various programmes, featuring profiles, interviews, documentaries and coverage, as well as a search for the nation’s best-loved books. Among the featured classic novels was DH Lawrence’s ‘Sons and Lovers’, originally published in 1913 – and a short film sequence was shot at the Lawrence inspired pub The Lady Chatterley in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. The Lady Chatterley, which opened as a Wetherspoon pub in June 2014, hosted a BBC film crew and presenter Radio 1 DJ Alice Levine. Producer Rob Whitehouse and cameraman Mark Turnbull are pictured outside the pub.

Simon Clark (pictured) visited The Black Bull Inn for a bite to eat during a refreshment break on a particularly amazing journey. The pub in Bangor, northwest Wales, was a welcome pit-stop on Simon’s 5,000-mile run around the coastline of mainland Britain, over the course of one year. Local allotment-holder and flower expert Brian Angell pops into The Panniers, Barnstaple, to spruce up the floral displays almost every day. Brian, a customer at the pub, brings fresh flowers to adorn each end of the bar as customers look on admiringly. The pub’s manager, Alan Young, said: “Brian absolutely loves his hobby growing flowers and showing them off to customers. The displays are always amazing – and he uses flowers you don’t see in the shops, so there is always a real point of difference. He is our flower angel.” Brian (pictured) enjoys a coffee, an orange juice or a bowl of soup with fellow customers, after he has finished his displays  – on the house, of course, as he refuses to accept payment for his floral efforts. Brian said: “They are all really nice people at the pub and very appreciative of the flowers. I try to bring in flowers people don’t normally see, so that they catch the eye and are interesting.”

“Eastwood features in a lot of DH Lawrence’s work – and our displays and information boards, as well as the pub’s name, celebrate the fact that he was born in this town.”

FROM GAME OF THRONES TO A KNIGHTS TEMPLAR PEW

Setting out from his home in Findhorn, Morayshire, the 57-year-old is running anticlockwise around Britain’s coast, aiming to raise £10,000 for Scottish charity Ecologia Youth Trust, celebrating its 20th anniversary. He is supporting its valuable work which is with orphaned and vulnerable children and young people, helping them to realise their potential and build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. With no support team and only able to carry the bare minimum (11kg), Simon is reliant on his own earnings and the kindness of strangers to find enough to eat and a dry place to sleep at night. Simon said:“The thought of carrying and needing very little, while asking others to give a lot to improve the life of children, seems the best of affairs.” Since he began his run in March, averaging 20 miles a day, Simon has been posting a blog on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ remembersimon) about the places he has run through and the people he has met, often choosing to eat at a Wetherspoon pub! l You can follow his progress on a live map at http://ecologia.org.uk/ run-around-britain/ and support him on his fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/justaLittleRun

LEADER OF SPOONIE CULT ON MISSION TO SPREAD THE WORD Formed in January 2015, the ‘Wetherspoon Appreciation Society’ now boasts more than 500 members.

The Facebook group, set up by Wetherspoon enthusiast Simon Atkinson, brings together like-minded people who are on a mission to visit all Wetherspoon and Lloyds Bar establishments. Simon (pictured front with fellow members) said: “We now have 549 members – and quite a few of us have visited more than 500 pubs, including me. “We try to organise meet-ups with fellow ‘Spoonies’, so that people can share stories and spread the Wetherspoon word! “My local is The Watch Maker, in Prescot; my furthest visited, so far, is Jolly’s Hotel, in Broughty Ferry; the most I have visited in one day is 10, during a trip to London. “I have also been to all of the Wetherspoon pubs in the Republic of Ireland, as well as a couple in Northern Ireland, and taken pictures at them all, as a proof of visit!” 60  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Pub manager Darren Young said: “We were only too pleased that our pub was the venue for part of this BBC series.

ALAN CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY… AND HIS 100TH SPOON

Wetherspoon enthusiast Alan Footner is pictured celebrating a special occasion at Sandford House. The visit marked two significant milestones for the Wetherspoon ‘collector’. Alan was celebrating his 80th birthday, while the Huntingdon pub was his 100th outlet visited. Alan’s friend Paul Emberton said: “Alan is a loyal Wetherspoon customer and has travelled the length of the UK to visit as many pubs as possible. “He made the trip to Huntingdon to ensure that the recently opened Sandford House – now Alan’s local – was his 100th pub.” Sarah Hemingway, pub manager at Sandford House, said: “We were delighted that Alan chose our pub to mark his 100th Wetherspoon visit, as well as a very special birthday. “We wish him many happy returns and further happy travels on his Wetherspoon quest.”

British actor Anton Lesser is pictured being interviewed at The Knights Templar, in London’s Chancery Lane. More recently known for his role as Qyburn, in the smash-hit series Game of Thrones, the University of Liverpool graduate is also an experienced Shakespearean actor. The interview, by White Light Media, on behalf of the University of Liverpool’s alumni magazine, called Alumni, also involved some photography at the pub. Simon Lyle, White Light Media editorial director, pictured conducting the interview, said: “We chose The Knights Templar because we planned to get some photography and video, while the interview was being done, and felt that it would have the right feel for an actor known for his Shakespearean and period roles, as well as Game of Thrones. “We also did a photo shoot outside at The Royal Courts of Justice, for the same reasons, and its proximity to the pub was a major factor in our choice of venue.” The interview was a general profile piece about the actor’s time at university, his career and current work, including Game of Thrones. jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 61

THE CASTLE HOTEL

DESIGN CIDERFEATURE

HUNDREDS OF YEARS’ HISTORY –AND A FLOURISHING PRESENT OUR £2M REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CASTLE HOTEL, IN RUTHIN, WALES, HAS BEEN PRAISED TO THE BATTLEMENTS BY CIVIC CHAMPIONS

S

ituated in the centre of Ruthin, dominating St Peter’s Square, The Castle Hotel is a grade II star listed building.

A fine four-storey red-brick Georgian example, with an imposing façade, it dates from c1730 and has been a focal point for the community of Ruthin, Denbighshire, in Wales, for many generations.

Ruthin and District Civic Association presented Wetherspoon with the Quayle Award for 2012, in recognition of the company’s sensitive restoration of the landmark St Peter’s Square building.

Owned by the Myddelton family, of Ruthin Castle, whose coat of arms featured a white lion, the premises was used mainly as a hotel and named The White Lion. It changed its name to The Castle in c1883.

Design The design of the central area of the pub takes influences from its history, using finishes such as red brick, flagstones, rough timber and terracotta tiles, giving a darker, more intimate atmosphere. In addition, a feature barrel wall has been incorporated, with metalwork window screens and candle sconces, creating a cosy space.

Reminder The older 16th-/17th-century timber-framed outbuildings, in the yard at the rear of the pub and hotel, are a reminder of the days when the premises was The White Lion, a post house and coaching inn between Chester and Holyhead. Historically, these outbuildings were used for brewing ale and porter which were then supplied to other inns and taverns in the surrounding areas.

The main entrance to the building, refurbished in a sympathetic manner, enhances the grand entrance hallway, with existing tiled floor and open staircase. The decorative plaster ceiling is restored to its former glory and is complemented with panelling and a colour scheme to suit the building’s style.

After the arrival of the railway service to Ruthin, horse-drawn carriages were sent to meet every train to convey prospective patrons to the hotel. Towards the late 19th century, it became more widely known as The Castle Hotel.

A feature fireplace is an impressive focal point in the front room, while the customer area also boasts polished timber panelling, with stags’ heads and a coat of arms, in celebration of historic halls and that feeling of grandeur which the old building exudes.

Sold At the turn of the last century, it was a large hotel with reception rooms, bars, 15 bedrooms, servants’ bedrooms, stabling for at least 20 horses and garaging. In the 1930s, it was refurbished by the Trust House group and later sold as an exclusive hotel in 1971; it has continued to trade as a hotel ever since. 62  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Bought by Wetherspoon in 2011, it opened in January 2012 as a new pub and 17-bedroom hotel, following a £2.1-million redevelopment project.

There is also a large, imposing sculpture of Owain Glyndwr (lived c1359–1415), a national hero who began his campaign for Welsh nationalism in Ruthin. l

St Peter’s Square, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1AA

Telephone: 01824 708950

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FOOD

MORNING HAS BROKEN? HERE’S HOW TO FIX IT Our breakfast menu offers something for everyone

BREAKFAST

I

f your local Wetherspoon is your destination for breakfast, be prepared to be spoiled for choice.

Our breakfast menu is served every day from 8am until noon and offers something for everyone, from a full-cooked meal to a lighter morning bite.

Our traditional breakfast continues to be a huge hit with customers, no surprise, as it offers quality ingredients and value for money, in our hearty start to the day. It comprises fried egg, bacon, sausage, baked beans, hash browns, tomato and a slice of toast.

Large Got a large appetite? Why not opt for our large breakfast? Fill up on two fried eggs, bacon, two sausages, baked beans, three hash browns, mushroom, tomato and two slices of toast. Both cooked breakfasts, traditional and large, are also available as a vegetarian option, served with Quorn sausages. And the youngsters don’t have to miss out either, thanks to our children’s (small) breakfast option. If US-style dishes, instead of a Brit breakfast, are more your breakfast choice, our American-style pancakes are just the ticket. Served with either maple-flavour syrup and bacon or just maple-flavour syrup, pancakes are a great breakfast alternative.

Value Watching your waistline, as well as your pocket? Our breakfast deals offer great value and choice, with 10 dishes available, many of them a lighter option – which include a hot or cold drink. Why not bag a breakfast bagel? Our choice of fillings includes smoked salmon, cream cheese and rocket or simply cream cheese on its own. Our breakfast roll, filled with bacon, sausage or Quorn sausage, or breakfast wrap with an added fried egg, hash brown and cheese also includes a drink from our breakfast range. Feeling fruity? Try our fresh fruit or fresh fruit and organic Greek-style yoghurt with honey, for a healthy start to the day.

Porridge Our gluten-free MOMA Porridge is a great start to the morning, made from British jumbo wholegrain oats and milk, it is naturally low in fat and a ‘superfood’ favourite. Served with either fresh blueberries and brown sugar or honey and banana. Treat yourself to eggs Benedict or eggs royale: two poached eggs on an English muffin, with Hollandaise sauce and rocket  – with either Wiltshire cured ham (in the Benedict) or smoked salmon for the royale version. Don’t forget that our large filter coffee deal offers free refills, served until 2pm. Customers can enjoy the freshest-possible filter coffee, as we use 100 per cent freshly ground Lavazza beans. This coffee is now available as a take-away option. See you in the morning!

What’s On Your Plate? Our bacon is from Dew Valley, a specialist premium quality bacon producer, formed by the Blake butchery family in the 1990s. All of our British free-range shell eggs are Lion Quality marked and RSPCA-Assured – the RSPCA's ethical food label.

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PUB NEWS A HEAD-SHAVE GIVES BALDWIN A BALD WIN Shift manager Kat Baldwin (left) and bar associate Cara Preston-Phillips took part in a ‘lose their heads!’ charity fundraiser.

The pair, working at The Picture House, in Stafford, both had their head shaved by local hairdresser Julia Hallowes (centre), in exchange for charity cash donations. The event amassed just over £550 on the day, with additional funds topping the total at £710. The money is being split equally among CLIC Sargent, Katherine House Hospice and Douglas Macmillan Hospice home care unit. Cara, pictured (right) holding a photograph of herself and her dad, said: “I took part in the fundraiser in memory of my dad, who was looked after amazingly by the home care unit. “A massive thankyou to everyone for their donations. We had so much support.”

OUR FOOD HELPS KEEP THE EARTH HEALTHY Wetherspoon has put sustainability at the heart of its food offering by signing up to the Food Made Good programme, run by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).

“We look forward to working with the SRA to ensure that Wetherspoon’s pubs improve on their already-high levels of sustainability.”

SRA chief executive, Andrew Stephen, said: “The traditional image of a pub as a thriving hub of any community aligns perfectly with the reality of a sustainable business: one which takes pride in the provenance of the food it serves, is passionate about minimising its impact on the planet and is committed to being the beating heart of society.

It means that all of the company’s pubs will put its sustainability credentials to the test, completing the Food Made Good sustainability rating. This enables diners to find restaurants which match their sustainability priorities. The company will also work closely with the SRA team to ensure that it continues to make strides in terms of its social and environmental responsibility. Wetherspoon’s head of food development, Jameson Robinson, said: “Our pubs, and the business in general, have a very good track record on sustainability.

“We are delighted to be working with Wetherspoon, a pub company with the potential to have a hugely positive impact at both a national and local level.”

“The fact that Wetherspoon has now become a member of the SRA highlights the fact that we wish to learn from the experts and make further progress in this field.

The SRA is a not-for-profit membership organisation, helping restaurants to become more sustainable and diners to make more sustainable choices, when dining out. It helps members to source food more sustainably, manage resources more effectively and work more closely with their community.

TWELVE INTO 50 CARPET CURATOR ROLLS OUT FLAWLESS, DOES GO – AT LEAST IN KEITH’S BOOK FLOOR-FULL BOOK

ROCK STARS WELCOME FANS TO THEIR TRAILER Customers at The Imperial enjoyed an unusual visit from Sharp’s Brewery.

Members of the team from the Cornish brewery, based at Rock, visited the Exeter pub in their vintage Airstream. The highly polished aluminium American retro caravan has been converted into a fully functioning bar, with two serving hatches. The promotional vehicle spent two days at The Imperial, serving Sharp’s beers, including Doom Bar and Atlantic ale, to regulars. Pub manager Mark Waites said: “Doom Bar is already a very popular permanent ale at the pub; however, it was great to have the Sharp’s team here. “The caravan is very eye-catching – and our customers, as well as staff members, also enjoyed the opportunity to meet some of the brewery guys.” Hayley Siah, national account manager at MolsonCoors Brewing Company (which owns Sharp’s Brewery), said: “The event was a great success – and the beers went down very well with customers, especially those who received a free T-shirt too!”

REV MATT KEEPS UP HIS REVS AFTER REFUELLING AT DOG BECK

Pub manager Lee Concannon (right) and shift leader Gary Hayles are pictured with Rev Matt Martinson at their pub The Dog Beck, in Penrith, during the reverend’s charity wheelchair journey from John O’Groats to Lands End.

Rev Martinson is raising money for St John’s Church, in Bransholme, Hull. He enjoyed a complimentary meal at the pub, his first proper meal in six days, as well as money towards his fundraising effort from staff at the pub. He posted a message on the pub’s Facebook page, commenting: “As I was resting today, Jo and I decided to have something to eat – and I wanted a proper dinner. “The Dog Beck pub, in Penrith, was amazing and, to top it all, they gave me my meal free. “I am not just saying that because of what they did, but if you are in the area and want some great food, you will not be disappointed. “So a big thanks to Wetherspoon and all the staff there – and I will be back for some more.” Pub manager Lee said: “We were only too pleased to serve Rev Martinson and ensure that he had a great meal. “It is tough enough to travel from John O’ Groats to Lands End, let alone in a wheelchair – and staff and customers here were delighted that he came to the pub and could enjoy a hot meal.”

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Pub manager Adam Coulson

The Rochester Castle, in Stoke Newington, played host to writer and broadcaster Kit Caless as he hosted an informal party to celebrate the launch of his book ‘Spoon’s Carpets’.

“I then set up a website, inviting people to send me their local Spoon’s carpet images, so that we could collect them all and compare – and the idea for the book took off from there.

The book features photographs and descriptions of more than 75 carpets from Wetherspoon’s pubs across the UK.

“The party at The Rochester Castle was held to launch the book and for me to say thanks to Wetherspoon and my friends for supporting the idea.

Kit wrote the book after first noticing the carpet in The West Gate Inn, a Wetherspoon pub in Canterbury. He said: “I looked at the carpet and wondered whether every Spoon carpet came together to make one giant tapestry. “Back at my local, Baxter’s Court (Hackney), I noticed that the carpet was completely different from that at the Canterbury pub and wondered whether Spoon’s carpets were all different and unique.

"When I came into the pub on launch day, I was amazed to find that a brand new carpet had been laid down. And it was red too!” Wetherspoon’s chairman, Tim Martin, said: “Our unique carpets reflect the spirit of the individual – a vital part of every pub. “This great book reflects another key part – a sense of humour.”

l The book, priced £8.99 is

available from bookshops and online from Amazon.

The Twelve Tellers, Preston, features in a new book by local author Keith Johnson. The book – entitled Preston in 50 Buildings – traces the history of the site before it became a Wetherspoon pub on 22 January 2015. Mr Johnson said: “The building was always an important one architecturally – and people wondered for a long time what would happen to it after it was no longer a bank; it used to be a TSB. “It’s good to see that the building has been preserved and that there are some good paintings of historical significance there as well,” added Mr Johnson, who regularly visits the pub to enjoy a coffee and an occasional bite to eat. Shift manager Jamie Clayton said: “We are proud of the building we work in and respect its tradition as an important local landmark. We are delighted that it has been recognised in Keith’s book.” jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 67

FOOD

MELANIE AND KEALEY MEET GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

HOT STUFF IN THE GRATE… AND ON THE PLATE Real fires and real food complement each other perfectly in our real pubs this winter, says Wetherspoon food-development manager Sophie Jennings

W

ith winter here, and our days book-ended by dark morning commutes and even darker nights, the idea of toasting by a fire in your local Wetherspoon pub can give you a rosy glow.

It’s a little-known fact that we have around 500 pubs with one or more real-wood fireplaces for you to settle down by. But, before you get too comfy, make sure that you have stocked up on supplies – since you won’t want to give up the best seat in the house. Halloween is a distant memory, but, before the squashes retire for the year, we need them for your dinner by the fire.

Soup The British squash season runs right through to December and, as squashes grow so well in our cool and damp climate, it would be wrong not to indulge in a soul-warming bowl of butternut squash soup. All of our soups are served with half a warm baguette – perfect for dipping – and a portion of real butter for you to spread. Our menus, while keeping the essence of real pub food, change at intervals throughout the year – and we try to remain as seasonally responsive as possible.

Mash

Opera-goers could be forgiven for thinking they were in their local Wetherspoon when they enjoyed performances of two Gilbert and Sullivan classics, ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ and ‘Trial by Jury’, by members of Lytham St Annes-based Marton Operatic Society. The award-winning society set their shows in two imaginary Wetherspoon pubs – The Court of the Exchequer and The Pinafore.

‘Trial by Jury’ was performed first, with ‘HMS Pinafore’ performed after an interval. Two Wetherspoon staff members from The Railway Hotel (Lytham St Annes), shift managers Melanie Fisher and Kealey McMillan, supported the play by helping to get the props ready for the set. Its director Philip Walsh came up with the idea for the unusual setting while enjoying a pint at a Wetherspoon pub in the Lake District. He told the Blackpool Gazette newspaper: “I have to admit I do like Wetherspoon pubs. “My wife, Susan, and I visited a Wetherspoon pub in Keswick named The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. “This was the magistrates’ court and police station, until 2000, and is grade II listed. “The pub boasts a near-complete contemporary interior, with canopied witness stand, magistrates’ bench, prisoners’ dock and recorders’ bench. “While supping a pint, I picked up a copy of Wetherspoon News. “I discovered an article about the old Tunbridge Wells Opera House (now a Wetherspoon pub) hosting a live stage production of Puccini’s La Bohème performed by the Merry Opera Company. “That was my Eureka moment. ‘That’s it,’ I said. ‘Let’s perform Trial and Pinafore in a Wetherspoon pub setting.’”

Our bowlful of on-the-bone lamb shank is accompanied by root vegetables, including carrots and parsnips, then layered on our favourite mashed potato. We make our mash the way you would at home, with five simple ingredients – potatoes, butter, salt, pepper and (to add some indulgence) cream, instead of milk.

Wetherspoon gave permission for its name to be used  – and John Fothergill, manager of The Railway Hotel, assisted with props and advice.

Sweet

The opera ran for five performances at the Lowther Pavilion, with funds raised for the RNLI.

With the heat of the fire still warming your back, you might need a sweet hit to make sure that you don’t close your eyes and drift off into a wood-panelled dreamland. With that in mind, there really is nothing better than a great British pud. Forget the sundaes this winter and dive, spoon first, into a sticky toffee pudding. Made in the heart of the Lake District, our Cartmel sticky toffee pudding® uses a family recipe which has stood the test of time. It uses dried dates to enhance the natural sweetness in the pudding, while free-range eggs help the sponge to rise tall. We also serve plenty of hot toffee sauce for the pudding to absorb, plus our classic double cream ice cream or vanilla-seed custard. When it’s time to leave, quitting the fireside seat is the hardest part, yet nothing says ‘excuse to stay’ more than a bottomless Lavazza coffee. So, why not stir the coffee, but don’t stir yourself, as you peruse a copy of our latest Wetherspoon News and settle in for a Wetherspoon winter?

Pub manager John (now at The Trawl Boat Inn, Lytham), said: “We were only too pleased to help out. It is great that the society took inspiration from a Wetherspoon pub."

IMMORTALISED IN INK BY PUB GUIDES’ COMPILERS Wetherspoon pubs feature prominently in three new pub guides.

Journalist, broadcaster and brewery tour guide Johnny Homer’s ‘Whitstable & Herne Bay Pubs’ lists The Peter Cushing (Whitstable) and The Saxon Shore (Herne Bay) among the illustrated pages of his selection of watering holes, in the Kent coastal towns. A follow-up to the 2014 ‘Stoke-on-Trent Pubs’, Mervyn Edwards’ ‘Newcastleunder-Lyme Pubs’ is a gazetteer-style pocket history of selected pubs in the Staffordshire borough, including the former post office building, now The Arnold Machin. The Rodboro Buildings is featured in local historian and writer David Rose’s ‘Guildford Pubs’, which guides you through the Surrey town’s pub landscape. He writes: “Pub chain J D Wetherspoon’s Guildford establishment occupies a landmark building with a wealth of history … like so many ‘Spoons’ pubs, a popular place with customers of all ages.”

l All three guides are published by Amberley Publishing (www.amberley-books.com) priced at £14.99 each

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The Arnold Machin, Newcastle-under-Lyme

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FOOD

How are your drinks stacking up through the week?

Steak brunch

BACK A GUARANTEED WINNER THIS WEEKEND Enjoy unbeatable edibles, with our fantastic all-day Sunday brunch

H

ad a great Saturday night – and now looking for the perfect Sunday brunch?

Our all-day brunch – available on our main menu every day – includes a club meal drink, as part of our Sunday brunch offer, available all day (until 11pm) every Sunday. Our award-winning Lincolnshire sausages, bacon, British fried free-range eggs, Heinz baked beans and chips offer a great combination to satisfy your weekend hunger. There is also a vegetarian option available.

Quality With such quality produce on your brunch plate, it is little wonder why our Wetherspoon Sunday all-day brunch is a weekend winner. Offering quality ingredients and great value for money, it is easy to see why the award-winning dish remains such a firm favourite. Our new steak brunch is the latest offering at your local Wetherspoon, for the perfect meal deal, as part of your weekend wind-down.

Classic Tuck in to an 8oz sirloin steak, eggs and chips. It is a classic for that lazy Sunday afternoon and great value with a drink included – from our club range of hot, soft and alcoholic beverages. Our steaks are matured for 35 days, the optimum period for extra tenderness and succulence. They are then seasoned by us, with a blend of herbs and spices, including salt, pepper, paprika and cumin, to perfectly enhance the natural flavour of the beef. All of our steaks are sourced from British and Irish farms. They carry the Quality Standard Mark, meaning that they are produced to a higher standard and from a fully farm-assured supply chain.

Farms This scheme ensures that our meat can be traced back to farms and guarantees that those farmers meet exacting welfare, management and environmental standards. The tender and tasty sirloin steak, which is cooked to your liking, is served with chips – made from 100 per cent British potatoes – and topped off with our British free-range eggs, which are Lion Quality marked. ..a great British winning weekend brunch.

Cutting out just one or two every time you drink could improve your health and even lower your blood pressure.

Have a little less, feel a lot better.

See how at drinkaware.co.uk/littleless 70  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

www.jdwetherspoon.com < spring 2016 < WETHERSPOON < 71

COMMUNITY MAIDENHEAD

CARE BEAR: BERKSHIRE PUB PRAISED BY AUTISM GROUP

SPENNYMOOR

SELBY

VODKA EVENING A CLEAR WINNER FOR GEMMA AND GIANT BELLFLOWER

A (FOUR) GRAND DAY OUT AT GRAND ELECTRIC HALL

The Bear, in Maidenhead, is the weekly venue for a regular social meeting group. For the past seven years, the pub has provided a supportive and welcoming environment for members of the ‘Bear With Me’ adult social group. The group members of AutismBerkshire (autismberkshire. org.uk) are sufferers of Asperger’s Syndrome and autism. Every Wednesday evening, from 7–9pm, the High Street venue is the safe and happy haven for over-18s who have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition, all members of AutismBerkshire. Group member Tim Collins wrote to Wetherspoon’s chairman, Tim Martin, saying: “Thank you all for the patience and understanding your staff have shown us as a group, in serving us over a period of almost seven years. “That’s a long time to look after us, and so we are very grateful to Wetherspoon.” Tim continues: “Asperger’s Syndrome is the commonest form of autism, from which I suffer. “The condition affects the brain and nervous system, whereby a person finds it difficult to navigate through a variety of social, work and recreational situations. Emotional difficulties arise too, as well as sensory overloads. “If any Asperger’s and autism adult support groups out there are looking for a regular place to meet, I want to encourage them to consider Wetherspoon. It worked for us!”

Pub manager Gemma Butler continued her fundraising activities for a local charity, with a vodka evening at The Giant Bellflower. Pictured (left to right) enjoying the event in Selby are customers and staff. They are; Terri Saunders, shift manager and event organiser Sarah Graley, Annesa Graley, Tracey Morris, Anne Barratt, bar associate Sian Morris, team leader and event organiser Sarah Barratt and Louise Westlake. They each enjoyed five vodka types, as part of their donation, from the extensive enhanced range, served with the correct accompaniment. The premium vodka included Cîroc, Smirnoff Lime, Stolichnaya Stoli Razberi and Grey Goose L’Orange and Le Citron. The evening, which raised £170, was part of Gemma’s Great North Run fundraising for local charity Hands of Hope, totalling £487. Gemma said: “A massive thankyou to all of those who attended our fundraising events, sponsored me and supported my run, all in aid of a great local charity.” Selby Hands of Hope is a local charity, by local people, for local people, which supports district groups and individuals in need.

Liverpool

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED AS PUB BOSS ENDS UP IN STOCKS

Pub manager Nathan McGovern is pictured in the stocks at his pub in Liverpool. The Richard John Blackler held a charity carnival day, raising £1,060, split among three causes. The local Christchurch Community Centre and Zoe’s Place baby hospice in Liverpool each received £250, with the remainder going to CLIC Sargent. As well as the stocks, bar associate Janice Fletcher (left) spent an hour in a bath of baked beans, there was a cake bake sale, a raffle with 17 prizes donated from local businesses, a tombola, hook-a-duck, coconut shy and other games. Also pictured are shift leaders Becky Doherty and Beccah Mee (right). 72  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016/17 | jdwetherspoon.com

Fundraisers are pictured at The Grand Electric Hall, in Spennymoor, enjoying a big charity family fun-day. The event, organised by shift leader Arianne Brown and local charity fundraiser Mark Solan, raised an incredible £4,500 for the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust – Let’s KO cancer, set up by Mark. There was an auction, raffle, tombola, character mascots and face-painting. Olympic bronze medallist 2016 and artistic gymnast Amy Tinkler, who was enjoying her own celebration bus parade on the day, popped in to support the event. Amy, who lives in nearby Bishop Auckland and trains in Spennymoor, is pictured with Mark.

K i r k by - i n - As h f i e l d

A LITTLE PLAY TIME FOR REGENT REGULARS Pub manager Rachel Sellars is supporting a cultural initiative, aimed at bringing the arts to the local community.

Rachel, who runs The Regent, in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, hosted an event for First Art, with six 10-minute plays written by local people being performed at the pub. The performers pictured are (left to right, back row) Lee Rufford, Rose Gray and Mark Jardine, plus (left to right, front row) Caroline Frewin, Joanne Gale and Kate Wood. First Art is a collective of four cultural and community organisations working within the former coalfields of northeast Derbyshire and northeast Nottinghamshire, encompassing Ashfield, Bolsover and Mansfield. Launched in January 2015, the two-year project aims to inspire the local communities to experience and get involved in the arts, including dance, film, theatre, sculpture and music. Rachel said: “When I was initially approached by First Art, I thought it sounded like a great project and one which I was interested in supporting. “It is something we have never tried before at the pub, so I was excited to see what reaction it would have. “The evening was a great success – with customers reacting warmly and enthusiastically to the various performances.” The First Art project (www.firstart.org.uk) is supported by the Arts Council, through its Creative People and Places fund. jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 73

COMMUNITY

COLERAINE

YO R K

PADDY DELIGHTED TO POSTERN GATE OPENS DOOR HELP VITAL CHARITY TO FUN FOR FIFTYSOMETHINGS

CARRICKFERGUS

SHOEBOX APPEAL GIVES EX-SOLDIERS A LEG-UP Pub manager Paddy O’Neill supported a local charity close to his heart, with a fundraising evening at his Coleraine pub. The Old Courthouse hosted a ‘Night at the Races’ and charity raffle, in aid of SANDS NI (stillbirth and neo-natal death support), raising £3,000. A framed, signed shirt, from Northern Ireland professional golfer Darren Clarke OBE and signed Grand National race card from jockey A.P. McCoy, were among the prizes up for grabs in the raffle and auction.

Shift manager Robert McClenaghan is supporting the local branch of a nationwide charity which helps ex-service personnel in and around Carrickfergus. Robert, who works at The Central Bar, in the Northern Ireland town, has teamed up with local man Jake McAtamney, helped by local councillors and the Royal British Legion (RBL) to support Soldiers Off The Street. Jake has helped the charity and local ex-service personnel for a number of years. A registered charity, this is a dedicated group of people determined to help the forgotten ex-service personnel from the army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, past and present, whose life has been affected by homelessness. The charity’s aim is the relief of homeless ex-service personnel, in particular (but not exclusively) by the provision of clothing, food and rehabilitation, including advice on post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, drug abuse, housing and employment.

Robert, pictured (second left) said: “We have been collecting donations of clothes, blankets and non-perishable food, on behalf of the charity, at The Central Bar, acting as a drop-off centre in the run-up to Christmas. “The current campaign asks people to fill a shoebox with useful items, such as gloves, hats and toiletries, as well as treats like chocolates, to give to the ex-service men and women on the streets. “We have had a tremendous response from our customers and the local people in Carrickfergus.” Robert also spent one night sleeping on the street, to help in raising awareness for the charity. Also pictured (left to right) are, Councillor Noel Jordan, George Horner (president Carrickfergus RBL), Joan Thompson (lady president Carrickfergus RBL), Jenny Griffiths (RBL) and David Allen, collecting the charity donations. Also pictured: Councillors Cheryl Johnston and Noel Jordan and Robert (right).

POTTERS BAR

ALL AT PUB DEVASTATED BY TRAGIC DEATH OF NATASHA

Pub manager Alex Hartigan said: “Tasha began work here in January 2016 and was a very popular member of staff, with both customers and other members of staff alike. She is sadly missed.” Alex and his team, together with the regular customers at the pub in Potters Bar, raised £830 in memory of Natasha. The collection continues.

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The Postern Gate, with 30 plus members regularly celebrating birthdays and meeting to dine, have a drink and a chat.” As well as their regular Wetherspoon visits, the group organises numerous events, including walks, quizzes, cinema and coach trips, social gatherings and barbeques.

l For more details, visit: www.fntyork.org

OKEHAMPTON

GREAT AND GOOD HAIL OKEHAMPTON ARRIVAL

Local CAMRA chairman Morris Elsworth and his wife Fiona popped in to help pub manager Jon Willing (all pictured) to celebrate the opening of The White Hart Hotel, in Okehampton. The new pub and hotel also attracted the mayor of Okehampton, Councillor Jan Goffey, who officially opened it. Mr Elsworth of North Devon CAMRA and his wife Fiona, a regional secretary for CAMRA, said that they were pleased that Wetherspoon had opened its doors in the town.

Since opening it has broadened the choice of ales available locally. Pub manager, Jon Willing, said: “The opening day was fantastic. People have been very welcoming – they have waited a long time for a Wetherspoon pub on their doorstep.” Above the pub is a hotel, which features 23 en suite bedrooms, comprising five family rooms, 14 twin and four standard double rooms.

FIVE QUARTER’S FOOTBALLERS SCORE FOR CHARITY

Natasha, 20, collapsed at home suddenly. Despite CPR, she never regained consciousness – and died in hospital the following day.

Natasha’s dad, Peter (pictured, second left), told the Welwyn Hatfield Times newspaper: “She was very caring. She had a very warm smile  – that’s why they liked her at Wetherspoon. She knew the locals and knew what they drank and always had a chat with them.

“A massive thankyou to everyone who helped us to raise £3,000 – which will help to fund the services which they provide in Coleraine and around Northern Ireland.”

The Postern Gate, in York, is the regular meeting place for a community social group for the over-50s. FnT is a friendly social club for the over-50s in York and the surrounding area, with the aim of meeting, socialising and having fun. It is a non-profit-making organisation, run by members (approximately 110) for members. Gerald Radnage, chair of the group, said: “We have, for several years, been made very welcome at

PETERLEE

The sudden death of bar associate Natasha Kay, at the beginning of July, shocked her family and friends, as well as colleagues and customers at The Admiral Byng, where she worked.

At the request of the family, the money has been donated to Stevenage Dolphins (www.stevenage-dolphins.org), a local swimming club for people with physical or mental disabilities.

Paddy (pictured front with his wife Aine and brother and sister team members Chyanne and Dylan Leslie), said: “SANDS helped my wife and I, when we lost our child. They do such an amazing job – and I wanted to give something back.

Chris Wardley is pictured celebrating his birthday with bar associates Emily Best and Bethany Rodwell, together with Gerald Radnage, chairman of FnT (left to right) and group members

“If you had met Natasha, you would have thought what a lovely young woman; she was very excited about going back to uni and very excited about everything in life.” Dave Wall (right), from Stevenage Dolphins, is pictured receiving the donation from Natasha’s mum Chris Atkins. Also pictured (left to right) are team leader Louisa Fraulo, bar associate Amy Tuck and pub manager Alex Hartigan.

Charity cash was raised when seven football teams got together for an annual 7-a-side tournament. A team from The Five Quarter, Peterlee, comprising customers and staff members Mark Dunn, Leon Birley and Shaun Nichols, helped to raise £350. The money was split between CLIC Sargent and a fund for a former employee at the pub – bar associate Jona Cave, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. The pub’s team was beaten in the semi finals after a hard-fought series of matches at East Durham College. Shift leader Lawrence Swallow (front, third left) said: “This is something we did last year as well – it is great fun to do. I’d like to thank all of our team and am very pleased that so much money was raised.”

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COMMUNITY

CASTLEFORD

BOILED EGG WITH SOLDIERS AT VETERANS’ BREAKFAST CLUB

DEAL

FROM HASTINGS TO VICTORY, WITH HELP FROM A NORMAN

Pub manager Ben Winslade and his team at The Sir Norman Wisdom, in Deal, supported a local charity fundraising challenge in aid of Breast Cancer Now. The Clifftop Challenge 2016 (www.clifftopchallenge.com) was the third annual community event, a day of music, entertainment and fundraising activities for all the family, centred around the ‘Ultra 55 mile’ run, from Hastings to Deal along the Kent coastline.

A marathon, as well as 15-, 10- and five-mile challenges, all finishing at Walmer Green in Deal, enabled runners of all abilities to take part. The Sir Norman Wisdom sponsored the event, donating £1,250, and the winners wore T-shirts bearing the pub’s name. Organiser Mike Griggs said: “I would like to thank Ben and the crew at Wetherspoon for their support again this year. Their kindness and generosity helped us to raise a whopping £17,500 in aid of Breast Cancer Now.”

Pictured (left to right): Bar associate Jade Traynor, pub manager Ben Winslade, bar associate Paddy Verrill and kitchen associate Stuart Cavell

WICK

STOKE NEWINGTON

CHESS PLAYERS HAPPY TO BE (ROCHESTER) CASTLED

WELCOME FOR WALKERS AT ALEXANDER BAIN

Allen Fisher of Ashworth and Pontefract British Legion (left) and duty manager Russell Coyne serve breakfast at The Glass Blower

“Ages ranged from 30 upwards – and there More than 40 current and former members Russell said that the pub would expand the was a lot of good humour, camaraderie of the armed forces attended the inaugural area made available for the breakfasts if needed, Veterans’ Breakfast Club at The Glass Blower, and banter.” after the better-than-expected initial turnout. in Castleford, West Yorkshire. A traditional breakfast (excluding coffee) at Allen Fisher of Ashworth and Pontefract the pub, managed by Bev Hayes, costs just The breakfasts bring together soldiers, British Legion, who organised the event £2.92 on production of Veterans’ Badge or a sailors and airmen, of different generations, with pub staff, said: “We would like to thank Military or Association ID. The special to swap stories, make new friends and enjoy the pub for hosting this event. All of those breakfasts are now running on the first and good food at a discounted price. who attended thoroughly enjoyed third Saturday of each month, starting at 9am. themselves. Duty manager Russell Coyne was delighted The veterans can also take advantage of the “We also appreciated the efforts of the staff, at the turnout and said the atmosphere was pubs offer of unlimited refills on filter coffee “friendly and just fantastic”. who served us very well indeed. We are (until 2pm). greatly looking forward to future events.” He added: “Some of these people, because of age, don’t get to socialise or meet other l Club event details are available on Facebook – www.facebook.com/groups/castlefordvbc veterans too often, so it is great to be able to – those wishing to attend should indicate their intention on Facebook, if possible, provide them with an opportunity to do so. or e-mail: [email protected]

SOUTHSEA

LORD MUCKS IN AT FESTIVAL OF FOOD

Staff at The Lord Palmerston took part in the Southsea Food Festival for the third successive year. The weekend event attracts dozens of local businesses which run stalls varying from cheese to Thai food, paella, Turkish dishes, curries and tapas. Shift leaders Paul Taylor and Paris Carter and team leader Jodie Holdham (pictured left to right) manned a barbecue stall which ran in conjunction with a mini cider-festival at the pub.

For the past 20 years, The Rochester Castle has been the venue for a local chess club. The pub in Stoke Newington hosts the Hackney Chess Club every Saturday night, regularly attracting up to 30 players, aged 20–60 years old. The club’s secretary, Mark Rivlin, said: “The Roch is part of Hackney Chess Club’s DNA! “Our legendary Saturday night blitz games (five-minute chess) are part of the London chess scene. We play the serious league games elsewhere but, as a club, we very much view The Roch as our home and are extremely grateful for its wonderful hospitality.”

Hackney Chess Club finished a successful season with the news that it has been awarded the prestigious ‘Club of the Year’ title by the English Chess Federation. The club’s 60-strong membership has six teams in the London League, one in the Middlesex League and one in the National League – and some of its members represent Essex in the County Championships. Season 2015–16 saw the club’s fourth team crowned London League Division 5 champions; the second team gained promotion to Division 2 and the first team finished third in Division 1. Mark concluded: “We are thrilled with the award which reflects our commitment to inclusivity and giving people of all levels an opportunity to represent the club.”

The pub’s manager, Tony Duncan, said: “It’s a great annual event which has got bigger over the years. We have been involved since 2014 and really enjoy being part of this community cultural festival.”

Pub manager Ralph Banda said: “Although I am new to The Rochester Castle, the chess club is a well-known and popular group. This just highlights what a great community pub this is.”

Radio station Heart FM was also there to provide a musical backdrop to the weekend.

l For more information, see: hackneychess.org.uk or visit Hackney Chess Club’s Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/hjk4hmo

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The Alexander Bain, in Wick, is the finishing point for a group of walkers participating in a community project  – Step it up Highland. The project is supported by the NHS and Wick Council. It encourages local people to be active together and get fit in a fun way. Lesley Anne Bremner, health improvement advisor, Caithness & NW Sutherland, said: “Step it up Highland is a health walk initiative, run by partnerships for well-being, which aims to promote walking to people of all walks of life, especially to encourage those who are inactive to become active.  “We have around 40 plus walkers registered at the moment and two walk leaders, but hope to get some more trained up as the group is growing in size.  “We meet every Tuesday at 2pm at the Highland Council service point in Wick and walk for about an hour, then return to Wetherspoon for a refreshment and a chat.  Everyone is welcome.” Jamie Gunn, manager of The Alexander Bain, said: “The walkers set off from the Council service point in the morning and arrive at the pub about lunchtime, when a lot of them pop in for a healthy lunch and a cup of tea, plus a bit of cake. “Numbers have been increasing each week.”

l Anyone interested can find out more by phoning

Lesley Anne Bremner on 01847 892881 or 07748 761749. jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 77

YS HAPPY BIRTHDA

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

NEWS

l W H I T L E Y B AY

15

YEARS

THE FIRE STATION

A charity fundraiser at The Fire Station marked the 15th birthday of the pub in Whitley Bay.

Customers enjoyed a slice of birthday cake bearing a photograph of a fire engine. Ken Adamson, a regular at the pub for the past 15 years, is pictured cutting the cake. Pictured (left to right) with Ken are shift leader Siobhan Macleod, bar associate Callum Fraser, duty manager Simon Love, team leader Emily Hogg and bar associate Kayleigh Nelson.

15

YEARS

A bake-sale, tombola, raffle and a ‘guess the number of sweets in the jar’ competition raised £110 for CLIC Sargent.

20 YEARS

THE UNICORN

Staff at The Unicorn dressed in ‘athletes’ fancy dress to mark the Altrincham pub’s 15th birthday.

Celebrating just a day after the 2016 Olympic opening ceremony, The Unicorn team donned Team GB outfits for the occasion. Customers enjoyed two huge birthday cakes, a gin-tasting session and raffle, as well as a battle-of-the-brewers event, with Burnley-based Moorhouse’s and Peerless Brewery, from the Wirral, both showcasing a selection of their ales.

l SHEFFIELD

THE BANKERS DRAFT

Pictured left to right; bar associates Erin Sleater and Laura Maloney, team leader Michael Qualter, shift leader Sophie Paton and bar associate Steph Armor.

A massive cake took centre stage as customers joined staff to celebrate the 20th birthday of The Bankers Draft, Sheffield.

21

YEARS

The celebrations featured morning children’s craft activities and an evening quiz for adults, as well as 1990s-themed games such as Wheel of Fortune and Play Your Cards Right.

22 YEARS

l CHINGFORD

THE KING'S FORD

Bar associates Sean Lennon, Rebecca Bent and Elliot King are pictured (left to right) at their pub  – The King’s Ford.

The trio of pirates marked the Chingford pub’s 22nd birthday, which also coincided with the launch of four new rums added to Wetherspoon’s rum shack collection.

l SOUTHPORT

THE SIR HENRY SEGRAVE

Pub manager Ian Radford is pictured (left) with bar associate Izzy Charles and team leader Robert Bamber at The Sir Henry Segrave.

The city centre pub had previously been a bank for many years.

The Southport pub marked its 21st birthday with a celebration cake – and everyone enjoyed a slice.

Its manager, Jonathan Atkinson, said: “We were delighted to be able to celebrate 20 years with a range of events for customers. Everyone had a lovely time.”

Ian, who has managed the pub since March 2016, said: “We had a very busy summer, culminating in our birthday celebrations. Thanks to everyone, especially our regulars, for their continued support.”

Staff members Terri Daily, Ollie Kemplen, Sam Murray and Jess Parnell are pictured left to right with Jonathan Atkinson (centre).

18

YEARS

l S H R E W S B U RY

THE SHREWSBURY HOTEL

The Shrewsbury Hotel (pub and hotel), in Shrewsbury, has marked its 18th birthday.

Pub manager Sue Richards is pictured (left to right) with bar associate Linda Hamlett and duty manager Sophie Harrison. Linda is the longest-serving member of the bar staff team, having worked at the Shropshire pub since January 2007. Balloons and bubbles were the order of the day, together with birthday cake and a homemade cake sale, which raised £40 for CLIC Sargent.

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l A LT R I N C H A M

5

YEARS

l C A E R P H I L LY

THE MALCOLM UPHILL

Pub manager Dannie Stephens (right) is pictured with members of her team, shift leader Tom Kelly and bar associate Toria Richards – at The Malcolm Uphill. The pub in Caerphilly marked its fifth birthday with balloons and cocktails, as well as a fundraising raffle, with toys and games donated by regular customer Chris Smith, collecting a total of £300 for CLIC Sargent. Staff also dressed as motorcyclists, as part of the celebrations, as the pub is named after one of the alltime greats of motorcycling. Malcolm Uphill had many successes in the Isle of Man TT races (1968–70) and was the first man to lap the island at 100mph.

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DESSERTS Cartmel sticky toffee pudding®

WIN A £30

COMPETITION NEWS

4 X £30 PRIZES TO BE WON

WETHERSPOON GIFT CARD

The first four correctly completed crosswords to be pulled out of the hat will win each of those entrants a Wetherspoon gift card worth £30. Closing date for entries: 27 February 2017

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TREAT YOURSELF WITH A TREAT FROM OUR SHELF Puddings, ice cream, crumbles and cheesecake among sweet sensations on our menu

I

f you associate your local Wetherspoon just with great beer and burgers, it is definitely time to think again!

Our extensive food menu range ticks all the boxes  – and not just on the savoury front. Why not check out our sweet sensations for a delicious dessert? Indulge in a winter-warming pudding or choose a slice of cake for a tempting conclusion to your meal – or just a cheeky wee treat. Traditional Our Cartmel sticky toffee pudding®, served with ice cream or custard, is baked to a traditional recipe, with a combination of free-range eggs, butter, flour, dates, cream and vanilla extract, containing 100 per cent natural ingredients. Cartmel (based in Cumbria) is the home of sticky toffee. Having first baked in the back kitchen of the family-owned village shop, more than 25 years ago, the company has since grown, but the pudding is still handmade. Our ever-popular British Bramley apple crumble, also served with ice cream or custard, just got even better. The new, improved recipe, for an already-great British pud, boasts a crunchier crumble and larger melt-in-the-mouth Bramley apple pieces. Handmade Quintessentially British, with Bramley apples from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, it also uses gluten-free flour in the crunchy handmade crumble mix.

Eli’s salted caramel cheesecake is an iconic Chicago-style cheesecake, from one of America’s largest speciality cheesecake bakeries – and good enough for presidential inaugurations! The caramel, made by hand in small batches, using caramelised sugar, a little cream and a touch of sea salt, is topped onto the cheesecake which has been baked to perfection with the signature shortbread cookie crust.

Check out our

two-for-£5* dessert deal or

£2.50 club deal price *

* Price and participation may vary per pub.

Our brownie and ice cream dish offers a very chocolaty choice. The gooey brownie is packed full of milk chocolate, with chunks of white chocolate throughout. Topped with a scoop of our vanilla ice cream and drizzled in chocolate sauce, this is a chocoholic’s dream. Luxurious Our luxurious handmade traditional carrot cake is packed full of grated fresh carrot, pineapple, coconut, muscovado sugar, walnuts, spices, sultanas, pistachios and West Country cream cheese. In just one year, you have consumed 700,000 portions of this gorgeous goody – that’s seven tonnes of carrots! It may not be one of your five-a-day, but it is a delicious dessert – which you surely deserve. Go on, treat yourself.

WETHERSPOON NEWS MAGAZINE COMPETITIONS, PO BOX 2330, WATFORD, WD18 1NW

Across

1. Spiny-finned marine food fish such as the John --- (4) 3. Musical instrument whose parts include drone pipes and a chanter (8) 8. In cricket, a bowled ball that is outside the batsman's reach (4) 9. Iron containing so much carbon that it cannot be wrought (4,4) 11. Memphis-born boxer, 1980 W.B.A. welterweight champion (6,6) 13. London theatre, first home of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier (3,3)

14. Breed of sheep originating in Spain (6) 17. Silent movie actress who won a Best Actress Oscar for the film Coquette (4,8) 20. Connecticut port, seat of Yale University (3,5) 21. U.S. rock musical of 1967 which featured nudity (4) 22. Movement within Buddhism and Hinduism that emphasises the division of the universe into male and female and female forces (8) 23. Rudolf, German Nazi leader who died in Spandau prison in 1987 (4)

Down 1. Companion of Sherlock Holmes (2,6) 2. Giant coniferous tree of California (7) 4. A member of a North American Indian people who dominated much of the S.W. during the 19c (6) 5.1988 Olympic women's javelin champion (5,5) 6. Juan, President of Argentina 1973-4 (5) 7. George, pen name of French writer Amandine Dupin (4) 10. Novel by W.M. Thackeray featuring the character Becky Sharp (6,4)

SOLUTIONS (Autumn 2016 issue)

12. Central American republic whose capital is Tegucigalpa (8) 15. The period in history following the bronze age (4,3) 16. Joan, American comedienne born in New York, New York (6) 18. --- High Dam, gravity dam on the River Nile in Egypt (5) 19. Unit of speed at sea equal to 1.85km an hour (4)

Across: 1 War and Peace; 9 Incisor; 10 Corot; 11 Luton; 12 Audubon; 13 Alpaca; 15 Claude; 18 Galahad; 20 Caper; 22 Soyuz; 23 Jujitsu; 24 Sally Bowles Down: 2 Ascot; 3 Arsenic; 4 Dorian; 5 El Cid; 6 Caribou; 7 Lillian Gish; 8 Stanley Rous; 14 Palmyra; 16 Lockjaw; 17 Oddjob; 19 Hazel; 21 Pathe

Please complete the answers and your details, as shown, and send the completed page to: WETHERSPOON NEWS MAGAZINE COMPETITIONS, PO BOX 2330, WATFORD, WD18 1NW

YOUR DETAILS NAME: ADDRESS:

POSTCODE:

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Terms and conditions: The crossword is open to all UK residents over the age of 18, excluding employees of the promoter, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected with this competition. Acceptance of the rules is a condition of entry. No purchase necessary. Entries must be received no later than 27/2/17. Proof of dispatch is not proof of receipt. The winners will be the first correctly answered entries drawn. Where multiple prizes are offered, the winners will be the first relevant number of correct entries drawn. The judge’s decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into. One entry per household. The winners will be notified by post. No cash alternative available. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend this promotion, owing to events arising beyond its control. The promoter is not responsible for any third-party acts or omissions. Promoter: J D Wetherspoon plc, Wetherspoon House, Central Park, Reeds Crescent, Watford, WD24 4QL From time to time, J D Wetherspoon may wish to contact you about product offers. If you do not wish to receive relevant offers from J D Wetherspoon, please tick here. o

Brownie and ice cream

80  Wetherspoon | Winter 2016 / 17 | jdwetherspoon.com

If you supply your e-mail address, please tick here, if you do wish to receive relevant offers from J D Wetherspoon or its drinks suppliers via e-mail. o

jdwetherspoon.com |  Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 81

BAR TALK

Cheers

Colin Valentine is chairman of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale

RISING TIDE OF ALE LIFTS ALL BOATS…

Brewers, wherever in the world they are from, don’t view one another as the enemy, but as fellow travellers in discovery, writes Colin Valentine So, did you enjoy the latest Wetherspoon international real-ale festival? CAMRA’s members certainly did. As well as being another brilliant initiative to generate interest in real ale, the festival told a good-news story about our beer and pub industry as a whole. Scores of international brewers have headed for the UK, over the years, as part of Wetherspoon’s initiative to create collaborative beers with our brewers – exploring the wide range of flavours and styles which real ale has to offer. While Wetherspoon may have taken this to a new level, it’s reflective of an attitude and approach which have existed in the beer world for decades.

FUN

Unlike throughout many other industries, brewers don’t view one another as ‘the enemy’, but as fellow travellers in discovery. For them, the challenge is in producing new and interesting beers for us drinkers to enjoy   – and working together to do that is part of the fun. It’s an attitude which saw the United States explosion of craft beer in the late 70s and 80s, inspired and helped by brewing expertise from the recent microbrewery revolution in Britain. And, in turn, US brewers have completed the circle and, having taken beer to new places, are now inspiring a second wave of innovation and interest in beer back on these shores.

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INVASION

While the media might like to make out that an old-fashioned and resistant UK brewing industry is challenged by an invasion of foreign craft beer, this is not true. British brewers have always been open to new ideas and, to be fair, have been just as responsible for driving new and exciting flavours abroad in the past. What’s important is that those who actually know how to brew beer, rather than those who just offer opinions, recognise that the recent revolution in craft beer is not in reaction to an imagined dull British brewing scene, but because of the innovation and constant exchange of ideas flowing among UK brewers and those all over the world.

SESSION

It’s no surprise that US brewers are now turning their hands to producing brilliant ‘session’ bitters, often derided as ‘dull and brown’ by those who don’t understand the skill which goes into getting ‘drinkability’ into a pint. And the fact that many of these brewers are returning to the challenge of cask-conditioned beer also shows how they consider that particular style and dispense as not only the pinnacle of brewing skill, but a way of delivering a great experience to drinkers. The same goes for the Campaign for Real Ale. While real-ale-drinkers might be stereotyped as old fashioned and resistant to change, the vast majority of drinkers who love real ale (including our members) is just as interested in innovative beer, whatever the source.

CAMRA began because of the decline in the quality and choice available to beer-drinkers 45 years ago. Now, we can revel in the fact that, because of our campaigning, there is a fantastic range and choice of quality beer on sale in pubs and clubs across the UK. We’re all keen to try new things and accept new ideas – and, in turn, help to raise the bar in pubs by sharing our experience and advice with others. The new interest in beer – whether or not just in real ale – is not a threat for real-ale fans or CAMRA: it’s an opportunity which we’re keen to embrace and celebrate. Like those in the brewing industry, we are just as pleased to welcome people back to the delights of beer – and we’re more than happy to help them to learn about all of the different types of beer and, in particular, what makes real ale so special. So… head for the bar, after reading this, and enjoy the fact that you’re in a pub during such a vibrant time in brewing. Try something different from a new brewery, perhaps inspired by a long line of traditional breweries, or go back to the source and see what it is about, with a well-made caskconditioned British bitter which continues to excite those who are in the know.

l www.camra.org.uk

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