Events: October, 2023

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October 2023

Here is a round-up of the events at The Swan during October, 2023.

6-8th October: OktoberFest

As usual our OktoberFest saw the community come to The Swan to enjoy the German Bier and Food that was available over the three days. fIan and Lou were at the BBQ, there were plenty of draught and bottled biers and some German wine too. Mark & Sherridan played on Saturday night to a packed Courtyard.

Benches lined up German beer festival style with people enjoying themselves.

The team have put in a lot of preparation work to get Oktoberfest ready. From selecting and ordering the beer and food, decorating the pub inside and outside, and creating a really great environment.

Delivery van full of German related products.

The Courtyard benches were lined up and decorated in a German beer festival theme.

Range of German Biers available during the festival.

The pub was decorated with hops and Bavarian flags.

Even the glass Swan was getting into the German theme for the weekend.

The firepit was lit to keep people warm.

The bar staff all dress up for the occasion.

Mark & Sherridan at OktoberFest 2023 at The Swan.

10th October: Ukulele Group

The Windsor Ukulele Group are based at The Swan and practive every Tuesday from 7pm. All are welcome. They are currently preparing for their second public performance which will be at The Swan very soon. Watch out for announcements in our social media and weekly newsletter.

The Windsor Ukulele Group practicing for their next performance.

11th October: Quiz Night

The quiz this week was won by regular winners Patrick's Posse.

15th October: Rugby

It was the rugby world cup quarter finals weekend with England, Wales and Ireland all in action. Unfortunately only one of the home nations went through to the semifinals next weekend. A packed enjoyed - on the whole - the rugby with some real nailbiters and close games.

All the tables were full during the England game.

Can you see yourself in the photo in the packed pub.

All the TVs were in pub and outside were covering the rugby.

Discussing a good win for England, ground out, but still a win.

19th October: Bingo

The Coach House was packed for another night of Bingo with our leader Richard Allen.

19th October: Libby McGrath

Libby McGrath was the landlady at The Swan between June 1992 and December 1993. She lives up north now but popped into The Swan with her son James to see how the place has changed. Ian Birch hosted them and gave them a tour of the place. More to follow in our history blog.

Ex-landlady Libby McGrath behind The Bar at The Swan.

Libby McGrath and son James during their visit to The Swan

20th October: Wear It Pink

Louise Birch hosted a coffee morning for 'Wear It Pink' to raise money to help fund life-changing breast cancer research and support. This is a charity that is close to Louise's heart. She baked a range of cakes for the morning. David and Mike also had their chest hair rather painfully stripped in aid of the charity. Huge thanks to all those who attended and especially Louise, David and Mike for making it memorable and raising £286.

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22-24th October: Re-Decoration

To get ready and cosy for the long winter ahead, we gave The Bar a bit of a makeover to freshen up your pub. There was all sorts to be done from general tidying, cleaning & organising, to painting & decorating, to soft furnishing repair and more substantial DIY tasks. Here are some of the photos of the work of the volunteers - huge thanks to all involved.

Trevor working on one of the ceiling beams.

Cleaning the pub just outside the gents toilet.

The pub was emptied to allow cleaning and painting to take place.

The whole inside of the pub is getting a refresh.

A lot of the work had to be done in The Courtyard whilst cleaning took place.

A big thank you from Micky for all who volunteered their time in our pub refurb this week (approx. 170 volunteer hours over 3 days). We have had a fresh coat of paint, a newly sanded and treated bar top, pristine tables that have been sanded back and recoated, a newly laid out Coach House for a more homely feel and a big declutter. Thanks to all the volunteers and The Friends of The Swan for funding the refurb.

Inside The pub facing the front of the building

FInishing the last bits outside the Ladies Toilet

25th October: Quiz Night

Another challenging quiz saw the Armitage Clan as worthy winners of the main event and Meghan holder of the winning raffle ticket. By winning a packet of crisps she ensured that the cash jackpot rolls over to £140 at the next quiz on Wed 8 Nov.

27th October: Coffee Morning

This month's charity coffee morning was the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Many thanks to our bakers who provided an excellent range of cakes, and to Danielle from the bar for all of their help. It was another great success raising a lot of money for a very good cause.

Richard and Dawn who run the coffee morning

28th October: Cycle Hub

Another cracking day for the Windsor Cycle Hub. They had a Level 4 ride that went in search of a pot of gold near Bracknell, whilst back at The Swan they fixed loads of bikes and got people back on the road. Every Saturday if you are interested.

The Windsor Cycle Hub on Tour near Bracknell

The Windsor Cycle Hub technicians working on bikes

28th October: The Stitch Gang

The Stitch Gang are a lovel bunch of ladies who meet every fortnight on a Saturday afternoon to chat whilst working on their various projects - some knitting, some crocheting, some ... You get the idea. Coffees and Teas are the order of the day but nursed carefully so as not to spill on their works.

28th & 29th October: Halloween

Over the Halloween weekend customers were encouraged to come dressed up. On Saturday night we had a disco with DJ Micky at the deck and then on Sunday afternoon there was another appearance by the Windsor Ukulele Group. Brilliant!