Pork and ride
Monday, July 13, 2009 
This evening I am going to a "pig roast and summer drinks" party to mark the re-opening of The Greyhound in Rotherfield Peppard near Henley. The owner (and our host tonight) is Antony Worrall Thompson. Story HERE
Antony has asked me to supply him with some Save Our Pubs and Clubs beer mats so hopefully we'll pick up some more supporters when the pub officially re-opens on Wednesday.
In the meantime the weather had better perk up. A couple of hours ago the sun was shining brightly and I was complaining about the heat. Now it's raining and the temperature has dropped dramatically. Welcome to British summer time!
Simon Clark
All's well that ends well ... the sun shone on Rotherfield Peppard and we had a very enjoyable evening (see picture above).
Guests included Sir John Madejski, chairman of Reading football club, Angie Best (yes, that Angie Best) and TV chef Ainsley Harriott. The most entertaining guest however had to be Sir John's chauffeur who revealed that at the ripe old age of 63 he has begun a new career in film. In fact, only yesterday he was working as an extra on the new St Trinian's movie.
The Greyhound is a beautiful pub with good food and an excellent choice of beers. If you're ever in these parts don't hesitate to pop in and say hello.
Reader Comments (5)
Really, Simon, I know that AWT is a jolly good chap, but you really ought not to be using our site to publicise AWT's commercial enterprises. I mean, while you are at it, can you not publicise mine, or Fred's, or Joe's?
Come on!
These actions could very possibly bring our site into disrepute.
But I am glad that you had a jolly time.
Pork? Pork, aka Swine? I'm surprised our latest BB scare did not creep into the multicoloured Videoclip thread below. Isn't it remarkable that our pharmaceutical masters had the antidote immediately available when this strange new epedemic first appeared? All they have to do now is manufacture vast quantities and sell it to our eager compliant NHS. Will vaccination become compulsory?
Seems people over 65 are immune from the illness. Well they would be, wouldn't they, having spent their lives from childhood, breathing in beneficial tobacco smoke at home and in all public places.
I am particularly sad about our latest victim, the sweet little six year old girl. What a tragedy! I don't suppose the innocent little scrap of humanity breathed in one whiff of tobacco smoke during her whole short life. And what about my own pale-faced grandchildren? What will become of them?
Good luck to AWT with his pub re-opening. Pity, during his pro-smoking speech recently, he pontificated that people shouldn't smoke in cars with children in them. On what sound scientific basis did he base this statement? And who asked him, anyway? And what does he really know on the subject? Does he know about the health benefits of smoking? He would be advised to research a bit more before pontificating further.
I hope Mr AWT has a proper covered in area for smokers attached to his pub because I couldnt see one in the photo.
He could have said something about accomodating smokers comfort as well as promoting his cooking skills.
Hope Forest is not being used!
I wouldn't worry too much if I were you Ann, about if Forest is being used by Antony Worrall Thompson or not. From what I know, AWT is a patron of Forest, and let's not forget that he has lent his name to the Save our Pubs and Clubs campaign.
The way I see it, it is a sort of "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours". I haven't seen many other "celebrities" throwing their names into the public spotlight to back our cause, like he has done.
While we are on the subject of 'plugs' I wonder whether it is in order to report that my local Co-op sells a simple, uncomplicated, moist and fresh Virginia pipe tobacco for £6.68 for 50 grams (repeat 50 grams). I won't name the tobacco in order to observe whatever ethical/legal requirements may apply. This tobacco, which is perfectly enjoyable, was barely visible with the other pipe tobaccos on the lower shelves and at first I thought the price was for 25 grams. It costs roughly £2 per pack less than any of the few other products as yet available in this or any other shop, as far as I can see. I suppose the manufacturers and the Co-op are not allowed to advertise it. As far as I can see, a branch of a major newsagent chain in the town does not stock pipe tobacco at all - or pipe cleaners - and in view of the decision of our town's Waitrose to abolish its tobacco kiosk I prefer not to patronise it at all. I am very happy generally to buy my supplies on line from a delightful family firm in the home counties (again I will not specify for fear of breaching some rule or other) but I think the Co-op departure shows an enterprise that ought to be rewarded and considerable open-mindedness towards provision for the preferences of its customers.