Only 500 tickets left for Harvest festival
Saturday Tickets for debut Oxfordshire food and music festival ‘Alex James Presents HARVEST’ have been selling in record timing with only 500 tickets left to buy.
Festival Organisers Big Wheel say ‘“The tickets have been selling like hot cakes and we’re overwhelmed with the response so far. We can’t wait to see everyone on the farm in September.”
Festival Organisers Big Wheel say ‘“The tickets have been selling like hot cakes and we’re overwhelmed with the response so far. We can’t wait to see everyone on the farm in September.”
Weekend camping and Sunday day tickets are hot on the heels of Saturday. With tickets remaining but selling fast – festival goers need to snap them up soon before they are all gone!
Alex James Presents HARVEST offers a tasty line-up of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Richard Corrigan, Yotam Ottolenghi and Cotswold Local Emily Watkins, against a soundtrack of The Kooks, The Feeling and KT Tunstall and festival fun for all the family from Charlie and Lola as well as Opera Holland Park’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox.
Commotion, a family focused festival that is run by a group of music loving parents in Kingham which helps support music education in the community and CLIC Sargent, will be taking over the festival on the Friday evening with an exciting musical programme for all to enjoy under the stars.
The festival will take place from 9-12th September 2011, Nr. Kingham, Oxfordshire OX7 6UJ For further details visit: www.alexjamespresentsharvest.com
Churchill Arms is the ‘Best Pub Restaurant 2011′
The Churchill Arms at Paxford, a pub almost on the brink of closure two years ago, has been named The Cotswold Best Pub Restaurant 2011 in a competition organized by Cotswold Life magazine. From over 180 entries in their category, The Churchill Arms won the award at at The Food and Drinks awards in Cheltenham. Other notable local achievers include Francis Green of the ‘Cotswold Traiteur’ based in Moreton in Marsh.
The pub’s success however is even more remarkable, in that The Churchill Arms, having established an enviable reputation as a gastro pub in the late 1990’s, was almost closed under previous management back in 2008. The pub was rescued by three local businessmen, including Richard Shore who is now solely responsible for the operation of the business. With no previous experience of running a pub, but plenty of business savvy, Richard has established a new team who together offer customers a quintessential Cotswold pub experience.
Having been nominated previously as a finalist, success has come this year simultaneously with the arrival of new head chef Jamie Forman. Many locals may know Jamie from his time as Executive Head Chef of Cotswold House Hotel (2001 – 2007), where he oversaw both the operations of Juliana’s and Hicks. A chef of Jamie’s calibre is truly a coup for a small village pub like the Churchill Arm.
Owner Richard added: “The real charm of this pub is that it is unpretentious and relaxed. We understand the importance of using quality seasonal ingredients, but are also aware that the customer is looking for value, so that is what we offer, exciting dishes at a variety of different price points.”For more information visit the website www.thechurchillarms.com or tel 01386 594000.
Owners of The Inn at Farnborough, Anthony and Jo Robinson said: “We are delighted to shortlisted in the finals of such a prestigious award. We know our customers love the Inn because they keep coming back and we are very busy, but it is a great accolade to be acknowledged by peers in the industry.”
Jo added, ‘We have plenty to celebrate, Anthony and I have been at the Inn for 10 years in September. We have won top national awards in the past for our chefs and the pub, but we are over the moon, 10 years in, to continue to be listed as one of the top gastro pubs in the country.’
But what makes the Inn unique? Well it has to be partly down to the wow factor. From the outside it looks a pretty smart but ordinary village pub set in picturesque Farnborough, five miles North of Banbury. But visitors discover that the interior is contemporary, the food is exciting and alongside local real ales there is an extensive wine list. Anthony said: “We serve exceptional food, fine wines and real ales in stylish yet relaxed surroundings. We are proud of our pub credentials and strive to avoid the pretensions and starchiness common for restaurant dining.”
Anthony is an award-winning chef, who spent years working at the Savoy Hotel in London and in France, and with the hard work and dedication of the Inn’s head chef Vini, the focus is definitely on the food. With much of it sourced from local farms, the menu has a distinct regional flavour. Jo Robinson added: “The menu is impressive and this way, not only do our customers get the best tasting and highest quality produce, but they are helping us support the local economy.”
Owner Richard added: “The real charm of this pub is that it is unpretentious and relaxed. We understand the importance of using quality seasonal ingredients, but are also aware that the customer is looking for value, so that is what we offer, exciting dishes at a variety of different price points.”For more information visit the website www.thechurchillarms.com or tel 01386 594000.
Oxfordshire pub shortlisted in gastro pub awards
The Inn at Farnborough, near Banbury, has been short listed for Gastro pub of the Year 2011, the industry’s premier Great British Pub awards. The Morning Advertiser, will be announcing the winner at a prestigious award ceremony held in London later in the year.Owners of The Inn at Farnborough, Anthony and Jo Robinson said: “We are delighted to shortlisted in the finals of such a prestigious award. We know our customers love the Inn because they keep coming back and we are very busy, but it is a great accolade to be acknowledged by peers in the industry.”
Jo added, ‘We have plenty to celebrate, Anthony and I have been at the Inn for 10 years in September. We have won top national awards in the past for our chefs and the pub, but we are over the moon, 10 years in, to continue to be listed as one of the top gastro pubs in the country.’
But what makes the Inn unique? Well it has to be partly down to the wow factor. From the outside it looks a pretty smart but ordinary village pub set in picturesque Farnborough, five miles North of Banbury. But visitors discover that the interior is contemporary, the food is exciting and alongside local real ales there is an extensive wine list. Anthony said: “We serve exceptional food, fine wines and real ales in stylish yet relaxed surroundings. We are proud of our pub credentials and strive to avoid the pretensions and starchiness common for restaurant dining.”
Anthony is an award-winning chef, who spent years working at the Savoy Hotel in London and in France, and with the hard work and dedication of the Inn’s head chef Vini, the focus is definitely on the food. With much of it sourced from local farms, the menu has a distinct regional flavour. Jo Robinson added: “The menu is impressive and this way, not only do our customers get the best tasting and highest quality produce, but they are helping us support the local economy.”
Take a picnic cruise
Oxford River Cruises is running daily lunchtime picnic cruises from Folly Bride to Godstow starting at 12.30pm. The cruise, which will take you from central Oxford through Osney and onwards to Port Meadow, includes a gourmet picnic sourced from Oxford’s finest caterers. Prices are £45 for adults, children under-16, £30. Bookings must be made by 5pm on the day prior to the cruise. Book online at www.oxfordrivercruises.com
BBC Food & Farming Awards 2011
Why not nominate your favourite local producers for one of the BBC Food & Farming Awards. Visit the website www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/ffa/2011/Award for Old Swan and Minster Mill
The Old Swan and Minster Mill at Minster Lovell has been named one of the top 15 pubs with rooms by Sunday Times Travel. Here’s what they had to say . . ."Another de Savary pub and, again, it’s full of nooks, crannies, a roaring fire and a proudly traditional pub restaurant, attracting a healthy mix of weekenders, locals and even walkers (rather than a displaced cadre of west Londoners). The beer is well kept, the wine prices far from greedy, and the food is suitably robust
(good steaks and pies). Rooms in the Old Swan come with dark-wood furniture, panelling, beamed ceilings and brasses. Across the road in Minster Mill are the more contemporary bolt holes — some literally on the banks of the River Windrush, so you fish from an Adirondack chair on your stone terrace."
Contact the Old Swan on 01993 774441 and visit the website: www.oldswanandminstermill.com
