Category Archives: pubs

The Harp Opened Last Night

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The Harp
The Plough re-opened last night – renamed as The Harp.

Looking back at the 1869 Abingdon Who’s who in Abingdon Library I see that it was called The Plough as far back as 1869 (run by S Shewry) – and was near the Railway Hotel (run by C Wyatt).

Other pubs to be found along Stert Street at that time included…

Lamb and Flag (W Dyer)
The Bear (William West)
George & Dragon (Tomothy West)
Butchers’ Arms (Frederick Wiblin)
Two Brewers (W Atkins)
Roebuck Inn (Mrs Valentine)
Bee hive

There was also John Trip, a beer retailer.

Hot Dog Eating Contest @ Kings Head and Bell for Children in Need

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Hot Dog Eating Contest
There were two teams – each supplied with ketchup bottles – at the start of the Kings Head and Bell pub’s hot dog eating contest – part of their weekend’s activities to raise funds for Children in Need.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Landlord is seen here bringing out a few of the hot dogs. Two judges and the Landlord were there to ensure fair play.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
Plenty of tomato ketchup seemed a good tactic…
Hot Dog Eating Contest
The tie round the forehead showed how serious some people took the contest …
Hot Dog Eating Contest
After a while the judges joined in helping the team they were watching to eat all the hot dogs.

Finally it was the team who enlisted the most people who won the prize – a bottle of champagne.

That prize was then donated and auctioned for Children in Need.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
Here are the judges with the couple who made the winning £20 bid for the champagne – Ken and Cathy.

By that stage a total of £1500 had been raised by customers of the pub for Children in Need. I look forward to hearing the final total.

Hook Norton Shire Horses open Beer Festival

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Summer Beer Festival
The Hook Norton shire horses entered Abingdon over Abingdon Bridge.
Summer Beer Festival
The shire horses deliver locally within 5 miles of the brewery, at Hook Norton, but attend many public functions.
Summer Beer Festival
They came to Abingdon to open the Beer Festival at the Kings Head and Bell – free beer was on offer from the back of the dray.
Summer Beer Festival
The Beer Festival is on over the bank holiday weekend and has 5 special ciders and 20 ales – these include 6 from Hook Norton … Hooky Dark, Hooky Gold, Old Hooky, Hooky Double Stout, Hooky Haymaker, and Hooky Flagship.