The Harp Opened Last Night

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

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.

Quiz Venues X 3

Quiz Night X 3

Last night there were three quizzes I knew about in the town centre. There was the special Mayor of Abingdon’s Charity Quiz Evening.
Quiz Night X 3
There was a Quiz and Auction at this venue which raised hundreds of pounds  for Children in Need. There will also be a hot dog eating competition at 8:30 tonight and raffle – also for Children in Need.
Quiz Night X 3
And there was the usual Thursday night quiz starting at 9 PM at this recently refurbished venue by the Rover Thames.

Name the venues …