October 2020

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

6th Oct: Cheese & Wine

It was a with a little trepidation that we organised the first post-lockdown Cheese and Wine evening. Mike - The Cheesemunger - came back with a strong selection of excellent cheeses. We were so happy by the turnout by the local community!. All the tables in The Pub and The Coach House were booked, and The School Room was in use. A resounding success such we are making this a monthly event for the rest of the year.

The Cheese Menu
In the pub - one of the tables enjoying themselves In the pub - one of the tables enjoying themselve
In the pub - one of the tables enjoying themselve In The Coach House - one of the tables enjoying themselve

9th Oct: The Radio Returned

Phil Kennedy of BBC Radio Berkshire

It's one year on since Phil Kennedy of BBC Radio Berkshire pulled a pint at The Swan. Back then he presented his Drive Time show live from The Swan. It was a great afternoon that was recorded for posterity in our events diary.

He returned to The Swan but virtually, it was all done over the phone. Unfortunately covid restrictions made it impractical to run a live radio show from the pub. So instead, Phil interviewed a number of the team and supporters over the phone.

We are hoping that when things return a bit more to normal, we can once again welcome Phil and his team to The Swan. By then, fingers crossed, we should have The Kitchen going. Wouldn't that be a fabulous achievement to celebrate?!

These audio snippets have been taken from the recording of the full radio show (we acknowledge that these snippets belong to BBC Radio Berkshire). The audio segments are presented here for posterity. Phil and his team have made a remarkable job of updating our story using bits from last year merged with live interviews.

Anne Tebbatt - The Last Year in Context

Bas Williams - The Swan during Covid

Richard Allen - a year in the life of the school

Willie Calvert - operating the pub in difficult times

Anne Tebbatt - summary and future

14th October, 2020

We were happy to welcome lots of new players that filled The pub. Richard Allen was our host. Winners on the night were:

  • 1st game: line - Stephanie; full house - Stephanie, Sandro, Mark.
  • 2nd game: line - Nu; full house - Peter.
  • 3rd game: line - Kat; full house - Louise.
Our bingo caller in muffti
Captiver audience
Louise with her prizer for a full house
The caller explain the rules
Regulars enjoying themselves

16th & 17th Oct: Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest may have been cancelled in Munich, but we had our own socially distanced version for the local community. We brought in two German biers - Lowenbrau and Krombacher - along with Bratwurst from the BBQ. There was also a mini-market on the Sunday too. Before the pub opened on Friday, the team were in connecting up the guest beers and decorating the pub.

People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake Young ladies sitting in the middle of the bar enjoying coffee and cake Young ladies sitting in the middle of the bar enjoying coffee and cake
Dawn and family enjoying themselves Rachel with the table of cakes
The cake table well laden with a great variety Baby in high stool enjoying a cake

We were really pleased that some of the team, and also locals, dressed up in traditional Bavarian costume.

People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
Dawn and family enjoying themselves
The cake table well laden with a great variety
People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake

And on the Sunday, we had our mini-market too! Here are some of the stalls ...

People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
Dawn and family enjoying themselves People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
The cake table well laden with a great variety People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
Inside the pub was full
Table of old faces enjoying their cake

And the locals were out in force over the weekend. We were happy to sdee familiar faces and also a lot of new ones too. Oktoberfest really resonated with the community.

People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
Dawn and family enjoying themselves People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
The cake table well laden with a great variety People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake
People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake People sitting in the window enjoying the cofee and cake

21st Oct: Quiz Night

Winners on the night: Enemies of the People. Congratulations!

Winners: Enemies of the People

25th Oct: Defibrillator Dedication

We dedicated our defibrillator to Adrian Chojnacki, one of our Weekday Warriors. Unfortunately he passed away unexpectedly back in March. Adrian was a keen supporter of the pub getting a defribillator which could then be used by the pub, the school and the wider community. His wife - Dawn - paid for its's installation.

The family attended the dedication and said a few words to some of Adrian's friends who had gathered to pay tribute. Richard Allen also said a few kind words about Adrian's contribution to The Swan.

Adrian was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, friend and Weekday Warrior. We will remember you fondly sir.

The defib and plaque before unveiling Some of the people assembles, socially distancing in the street
Another picture of more of the people gathered out in the street, socially distanced Dawn unveiling the dedication plaque
Dawn and her grandson at the defib Dawn reading the words on the plaque just after the unveiling
Richard Allen with Dwan and her grandson Dawn beside the defib which was an idea of Adrian for which she paid for the installation.

Here are some photos of the man himself. A true legend.

Tearing down a ceiling with Big Al during volunteering day, 22nd June 2019 Tearing down a partition wall in the kitchen, 5th August 2019 Skirting board for the bar area, 30th October 2019 Working on the front of the pub, 1st Ocotber, 2019 Working in the upstairs toilet, 19th Decemeber 2019 Insulating the ceiling in the corridor, The School House above, 24th January 200 A cold and wrapped up Adrian in the bar, 24th January 2020 His last day volunteering,26th February 2020
A mucky pup on 30th July, 2019 Tearing down the kitchen ceiling, 6th August 2019 Painting the interior of the front window, 27th October, 2019 Painting the the gents toilet skirting board, 11th October 2019 Painting the new side door, 1st October 2019 In the kitchen after fireboarding the ceiling, 19th December 2019 Painting soffits ready for mounting, 13th February 2020
Taking down the bedroom ceiling, 22nd June 2019 Preparing the bar floor area for the new floor, 20th August 2019 Ejoying the evening with friends, 27th October 2019 Paiting barge boards, 11th November 2019 Paiting the office, 4th January 2020 With the lads, 31st January 2020 Clearing out the back of the kitchen wall, 18th February 2020
Clearing out the kitchen, 5th August 2019 Helping laying the bar floor, 21st August 2019 Photo bombing the girls, 30th October 2019 Insulating the kitchen and hall, 12th December 2019 With his famous erection (an automated measruing tape), 24th January 2020 Up on the roof repairing one of the damaged apexes, 6th February 2020 Clearing behind the kitchen, 26th February 2020 Having fun in an evening with friends, 24th January 2019

30th Oct: Royal British Legion

Thanks to everyone who supported our Poppy Appeal Coffee Morning which raised over £600 for the Royal British Legion. A special thanks to Louise Birch whose knitted and crocheted poppies proved so popular that she had to remain hard at work for several days. Also a thanks to all those who baked and contributed.

A marvellous poppy cake donated for the event Inside the pub was packed Even out in The Courtyard was busy And in The Coach House too it was busy Young and old came along to the event
Wider shot of the pub showing it is still looking good Weekday Warrior John took time out to have some coffee and cake 20190823 People came and went Underneath the awning in The Courtyard (affectionately called the cow shed)
People remained in their groups and socially distanced Coffee regulars came down to offer their support Those in The Courtyard had to keep their jackets on Jackets were in the pub too as we had to keep doors and windows open In case you didn't know, we have some high chairs

Money was raised through this very popular coffee morning and also through the sale of poppies from the bar. We also sold hand made poppies kindly donated by Louise Birch, these raised a lot of moneyy in their own right.

Our coffee mornings are a great way for the community to get together, have a chat, and donate to some very worthy causes. You can find out more about them via our coffee morning page accessible via the main site navigation.

Events in September, 2020 Events in November, 2020