August 2020


Here is a round-up of the events at The Swan during August, 2020.

8th Aug: BBQ

Another memorable BBQ down at The Swan. Apart from the normal mixture of good company and banter, plus the excellent BBQ food, we also had the new norm with table service and social distancing. As the afternoon weather was good, The Courtyard was busy regulars and newbies alike which was great to see.

The Courtyard with socially distancing Bevy members Matt Baker answering questions about The Bar
Anne Tebbatt presenting for The The Friends of The Swan Will Calvert presenting about finances and future vision
Bevy members listening intently to the presentations Bevy members listening intently to the presentations

A huge thanks to our volunteers - Rachel, Tony and Ian - who manned the barbecue and carried out the table service that was required in this new norm. We had a great range of meaty and vegan fair along with accompliments including the delivious fried onions available.


15th Aug: VJ75 Day

A very busy weekend at The Swan saw activities galore. The Albert Street Gals provided excellent musical entertainment marking the 75th anniversary of VJ day on Saturday.

The Albert Street Gals

We had some surprise entertainment lined up during the day. The Albert Street Gals did two sets: one mid-afternoon, the other early evening. Their 1940s music and dress went down a storm. It was a fitting tribute to VJ75 Day and the we thank the girls for all their time, Well worth it.

Empty chairs as a teaser
First out - the sign board telling us who is coming
And now with the girls themselves

To see their performancs, please go to our YouTubeTube Channel.

The Barbecue

The volunteers manned the BBQ again producing some fine BBQ food to suit all tastes.

Tony and Ian at the BBQ
Tony cooking
Flames leaping out of the BBQ

Out in The Courtyard

The Courtyard got busy very quickly.

People enjoying the singing
The Courtyard was full
People enjoying themselves in the August evening

And inside the pub

Inside the pub was busy both with the staff pouring drinks and with people enjoying themselves.

Sneak peek through the main entrance
Michael behind the bar
People enjoying themselves

Getting Ready

There was a lot of preparation work required to get The Courtyard ready for the BBQ and for The Albert Street Gals to perform. The team worked hard to get the place looking fab and ready for what turned out to be a superb day.

The BBQ area The old temporary bar decorated
The door area in The Courtyard Some of the volunteers
Bunting made by The Sewing Bees The popcorn machine

And in the evening

People stayed until lights were required and the sky dark.

The right hand side of the front of the pub
The left hand side of the front of the pub
View of the side of the pub

16th Aug: Mini-Market

Sunday saw the first Swan Mini Market with fresh market garden produce, cheese from the Cheesemunger, tonic from 12 Below and much more. And our resident chefs were on-hand on both days to deliver more BBQ delights.

The Green Room School Allotment

The School have a local allotment to allow students to get to know how to grow vegetables and enjoy fresh air. There was a fine selection of produce available at a very reasonable price. This is going to be repeated.

The ;lads readying the stall A veritable feast of fresh vegetables
Wheel barrow full of plants Prime spot just at the main gate
Fresh potatoes, pumpkins and other produce The lads ready to go, stall ready to go too

Some of the Stalls

The volunteers manned the BBQ again producing some fine BBQ food to suit all tastes. The Cheese Munger was extremely popular and sold almost everything. Twelve Below has a good day introducing people their fine tonics (see later).

Breads and cakes At the stalls before it got really busy
The Cheese Munger The Cheese Munger in action
The Swan merchandise stall Twelve Below Tonic

Out in The Courtyard

The Courtyard got busy very quickly.

People enjoying the event Green Room School volunteers
Gary, one of the regulars getting in the spirit Young and old too
The Courtyard was bustling Lexie trying out the tonic ... plus gin

And it is a pub

Some put the tonic to good use. And there was some W&E Brewery beers available too.

Bloody Mary
Brewery beers
Gin and Tonic

20th & 31st Aug: Bank Holiday

Sunday saw the first Swan Mini Market with fresh market garden produce, cheese from the Cheesemunger, tonic from 12 Below and much more. And our resident chefs were on-hand on both days to deliver more BBQ delights.

The Green Room School Allotment

The School have a local allotment to allow students to get to know how to grow vegetables and enjoy fresh air. There was a fine selection of produce available at a very reasonable price. This is going to be repeated.

Food stall looking magnificent Range of vegetables of differing colours
Fresh beetroot Stall looks fabulous
Tomatoes, aubugines et al .. a feast of colour Mark one of The Green Room School staff

The Barbecue

We had a barbecue on the Saturday and a Brunch on the Sunday. These were very popular and generated funds for the ongoing work on The Pub and The Courtyard.

Trevor and Ian manning the BBQ as usual Couple enjoy the BBQ food
One of the bar staff enjoying a burger

Cycle Pitstop

It was the inaugration of our Cycle Pitstop, a facility for cyclists to park up safely, make repairs and have access to a range of food and drink energy products. For the launch, one of the volunteers John organised a competitive two-wheel scavanger hunt which was very popular. This does mark The Swan as an excellent destination for cyclists.

Oscar manning the health food stall The Cycle Pitstop with tools Bikes parked up under the canopy
Energy products along with fruit and cake Cycles parked up next to the front wall Wide shot showing lots of bikes in The Courtyard
Lexie trying to make some sales Maps etc for the scavanger hunt The Courtyard full of bikes

In The Courtyard

And there was some shopping, drinking and socialising done too ...

People drinking under the canopy Got our vegetables and fruit - holding up a bag with the evidence
Serious discussion going on at this table ENjoying a few drinks together
Locals enjoying a bloody mary by the looks of it FOlk enjoying themselves at one of th benchseats

Events in July, 2020 Events in September, 2020