New Milton Advertiser 1st Jan 2021

18 · Friday 1st January 2021

news@adt.press · advertising@adt.press · 01425 613384

Small Forest pubwins big in guide awards

our local cask ales served with a ploughman’s. To try and be- come more of restaurant would have changed what we are too much. “We are a very small pub with very limited seating inside al- though we have 60 benches out- side. “We did try table service in September, but it didn’t suit the pub. “It is so important for us to keep the heart of the pub beating and the essence of a business we have spent over 20 years building.” The thatched village pub has also featured in the Camra Good Beer Guide for the last four decades. It described it as “a New For- est institution”. The latest Good Pub Guide pays further tribute to the Roy- al Oak saying: “There’s a real down-on-the-farm feel to this appealing pub. “The landlady’s daughter runs Howen Farm just next door whose livestock you can watch grazing in the fields as you sup your ale. “Three neatly kept rooms, straightforward but full of tra-

ditional character, with black beams, prints and pictures celebrating local characters on the white walls, restored panelling, antique wheel-back, spindle-back and other old chairs and stools with colour- ful seats around solid tables on oak floors and two roaring log fires.” Neil and Pauline have been in charge of the Royal Oak since 1998. Their daughters served behind the bar as teenagers. Jenna, who with her husband runs the family farm beside the pub, took on a more managerial role in 2007. Cathy, who had gone to live in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, returned in 2013 when she also started working at the Royal Oak again. She said the whole family were “ecstatic” when told they had won the award. She said: “We were all just thrilled, especially coming after such a hard year. It is also tes- tament to our staff who really believe in the pub as much as we do. “They are brilliant, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Her parents thanked their customers for helping them to scoop the award, saying: “Even though imposed government regulations mean that we are currently closed we honestly couldn’t think of a better end to the year. “Your loyalty and support over the last 20 years, as well as the understanding and co- operation you have shown us this year as we have faced nev- er-ending challenges and a con- stant need to adapt to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, really has made this whole adventure so much easier. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we cannot express how grateful we truly are.” When they spoke to the A&T before Christmas, the family said they would normally be welcoming Santa Claus to the pub and hosting a carol sing- along. Cathy said: “It is so sad to think we won’t be open during the festive period. It is the first time ever we have closed. “We are just looking forward to having an absolutely fantas- tic one next year.”

Family ecstatic after being served Country Pub of the Year gong

BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI

THE family who run a tradition- al village watering hole hailed as a “New Forest institution” are celebrating after winning Country Pub of the Year. The Royal Oak in Fritham took the title in the prestigious Good Pub Guide 2021 despite having been forced to close for the first time in 22 years over Christmas due to the new Cov- id-19 restrictions of having to serve a substantial meal with drinks. Cathy Wilson and sister Jen- na Bessant help parents Neil and Pauline McCulloch to run the pub. Cathy said: “It was a very hard decision to close when we have so many massively loyal and supportive customers. “ “We have old boys who have been coming in for a pint on a Wednesday night for 20 years. “But we are a pub known for

The Royal Oak in Fritham is run by Neil and Pauline McCulloch and their daughters

Wishing you all a prosperous and safe New Year!

Debbie and Duane would like to say a big Thank you to a our sta who have worked so hard for us is year in such trying circumstances, Ch rs!

THE ROYAL OAK, BEAULIEU

THE MORTIMER ARMS

THE ROYAL OAK, DOWNTON

THE NEW FOREST INN

THE BOLD FORESTER

THETRUSTY SERVANT

Hilltop BEAULIEU SO42 7YR theroyaloakbeaulieu.com T: 01590 612228 E: info@theroyaloakbeaulieu.com

Romsey Road, Ower SO51 6AF mor�merarms.co.uk T: 023 8081 4379 E: info@mor�merarms.co.uk

Christchurch Road, DOWNTON, SO41 0LA theroyaloakdownton.com T: 01590 718104 E: info@theroyaloakdownton.com

Emery Down LYNDHURST SO43 7DY thenewforestinn.co.uk T: 023 8028 4690 E: info@thenewfores�nn.co.uk

Beaulieu Road, THE NEW FOREST SO40 4UQ theboldforesternewforest.co.uk T: 023 8017 5588 E: info@theboldforesternewforest.co.uk

Minstead, LYNDHURST SO43 7FY thetrustyservant.co.uk T: 023 8081 2137 E: info@thetrustyservant.co.uk

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online