January 2024

Here is a round-up of the events at The Swan during January, 2024.

4th January: Thai Night

A highly successful first Thai Thursday saw local chef Janny take over the kitchen to provide delicious and popular Thai food. She will return every Thu across the winter, except Burns night (25 Jan). The first occasion proved very popular and we anticipate that there will continue to be a high demand for this so booking in advance is recommended.

A busy first night in the kitchen.
Chef Janny.
An example of the excellent Thai food on offer.

7th January: Sunday Roasts

The first of the new Sunday Roasts by Chef Louise was a resounding success with over 50 covers in the afternoon. Feedback was extremely positive and Louise is already looking forward to next week where she will vary the menu slightly. Louise is also doing our Quiz Food and will be Chef for our Burns Night on the 25th.

Chef Louise with a well deserved pints.
The hot plate is full of plates just about to go out.

6th January: WCH

This is Jill, she&s 90 years old and still rides a bike. She popped into the Windsor Cycle Hub's Bike Kitchen session at The Swan to get her tyres pumped up. Be like Jill.

Jill visiting the Bike Kitchen at the Windsor Cycle Hub based in The Swan.

7th January: Steve Gould

An old regular of The Swan, Steve Gould, popped in after nearly ten years. He lives away from Windsor now and this was his first visit since the re-openng. At one stage, Jane and Richard the then landlords, allowed Steve to stay upstairs in The Coach House. There was a wee flat there, now its The IT Suite for the GRC.

Steve Gould in The Coach House

9th January: War Hammer

Their first gaming session of the year was nothing short of spectacular! The tables were filled with terrain, miniatures, and the infectious energy of gamers ready for epic adventures. From the first dice roll to the final showdown, every moment was filled with excitement. They were thrilled to have all our tables bustling with creativity, strategy, and the unmistakable sound of dice hitting the tabletop. Every Tuesday at The Swan - pre-booking is required.

10th January: Quiz Night

The first quiz of the year was a bit different this week – with Quiz Lord Martin and stand in Micky both away, The Friends of The Swan Committee rose to the challenge of compiling and delivering a fiendishly tricky collection of questions! Al's Pals -aka Patrick's Posse – scooped the bar tab prize with Ashley delighted with the pint of beer he picked from the raffle envelopes. Unfortunately no photos of the winners.

Mark, winner of the raffle

14th January: Sunday Roasts

Sunday Roasts were back this weekend and the special was pheasant. Chef Louise had to do 'everything' to prepare them. And on the preparation side, regular and local resident Tony came in to help with peeling the spuds. A true community effort!

Tony peeling spuds.
Plate of delicious pheasant.

18th January: Bingo Night

It was a small but perfectly formed group of bingo lovers who braved the cold last night to do battle with their dabbers! In a run of remarkable luck, Karin did the treble, winning a line and two full house prizes, while Jen and David were victorious in the final Golden Ticket game!

Karin did the treble.
Quizzers concentrating hard.

20th January: Pub Updates

Couple of quick pub updates. Molly has created th fabulous chalkboard behind the bar which is showing the weekly food and drinks offers all in one place. And First Light Electrical for lighting our the covereed area in The Courtyard using old lights that came out of the pub in the clearout of 2019 - thanks guys as you donated your time gratis!

Chalkboard behind the bar by Molly.
Lights in the covered area of The Courtyard by First Light Electrical.

20th January: WCH

It's still only January and the Windsor Cycle Hub had another action packed day! Their hardy Level 3 riders headed for the hills in Windsor Great Park. Plenty of new faces today. While back at The Swan wethey held a tyre lever workshop.

Pumping up some tyres in The Courtyard.
Out of the Level 3 bike ride.
How to remove a tyre lesson.

24th January: Quiz Night

Quiz Lord Martin was back this week and after a close battle at the top, the Desparados narrowly beat new team, Universally Challenged, to the £25 bar tab prize. And Mark picked up the '50 raffle jackpot, meaning it resets at £10 next time.

Universally Challenged - winners 24th January 2024
Mark winning the raffle jackpot
Table enjoying the Quiz Food

25th January: Burns Night

Our Burns Night special kitchen takeover last night was a spectacular success! Louise did us proud with a scrummy, traditional Scottish menu enjoyed by all. You can have a peek at the videos that were taken via our Burns Night 2024 playlist on our YouTube channel.

Richard Allen starting the proceedings in front of a busy pub.
Packed pub ready of the address to the haggis.
People enjoying their haggis, neeps and tatties.
Pub packed ready for the appearance of the haggis.

Whilst Tegan's piping and leading Louise in with the Haggis caught everyone's attention!.

Chef Louise and Piper Tegan leaving The Kitchen.
Piper Tegan (sorry, slightly blurred).
Piper Tegan at The Swan.

And Andrew Towler & Richard Allen's double act for the Address to the Haggis really made it a memorable evening for the packed house.

Richard Allen doing the introduction.
Andrew Towler who spoke in Auld Scots, and Richard Allen who did the translation for the sassenachs.
Andrew in full flow.
Ah ha!

Behind the scenes the volunteers were busy under the direction of Chef Louise. The three course meal was a cracker - Cullen Skink; Haggis, Neeps &s Tatties; and Cranachan . There was a wee dram too.

Chef Louise and the volunteer team.
Hagggis, neeps and tatties from the volunteers.

Prizes for the Scottish-themed raffle included Balvenie Doublewood 12 malt whisky, Grants whisky, a traditional 'Jimmy Hat', the famous delicacy tablet, Irn Bru made from girders, and more. Thanks for the donations. Money raised goes to the Renovation Funds. Dawn Chojnacki 'piped' them in with helper Anne Tebbatt.

Dawn doing her comedy piping.
Dawn ready to pipe in the raffle tombola.
The raffle tombolad being 'piped' in.

The volunteers had done a stonking job or setting up The Pub and The Coach House to get everyone in. Table decorations and flags & bunting continued the Scottish theme. A little light Scottish music too!.

Whiskies for the toast to the haggis
Tables with Scottish-themed decorations
Tartan runner, special Burns Night menu, heather et al.

All profits went to the Friends' Renovation Fund and we'd like to thank everyone who supported us. And to the volunteer team who provided the meal, environment, music and entertainment!

26th January: Coffee Morning

It was our last coffee morning for our Swan 2023 Charity, Swan Support. And it was a Chatter and Natter too! We were really please to present Swan Support for a cheque for just over £2,000 whch represents all the money raised for them by us over the last year. Thanks to the volunteers, the bakers, and importantly you for supporting this worthy cause.

End of year coffee morning - presenting the cheque

January Newsletters

Although our news page has all the newsletters, we thought it might be easier to access this month's ones from here.

Events in 2024 Events in February, 2024