Thwaites pub, The Oaks, in Ramsbottom, is set to play centre stage at the 175th anniversary of the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships on 14 September, as revellers from across the country flock to the small market town.
The pub, which has recently undergone a £20,000 joint investment funded by Thwaites and new landlords Alison Piddington (49) and David Aspinall (56), will play host to some 2,000 guests as event competitors throw black puddings in an attempt to dislodge a stack of giant Yorkshire puddings from a 20 foot high plinth.
The Oaks landlord, Allison, said: “The World Black Pudding Throwing Championships is a huge event in Ramsbottom, which traditionally takes place on Bridge Street, just outside our pub. We’ve worked very hard to get the pub ready in time. We’ve sanded the floors, re-painted, spruced up the exterior, refreshed all trading areas, and updated fixtures and fittings throughout.”
In honour of the historic annual event, which is now entering its 175th year, Thwaites pubs throughout the area will be offering a Cask Ale brewed especially for the day – Black Pudding Ale – and are donating 10p of every pint sold to the local good cause, The Stubbins Village Trust Charity, so spectators will have all the more reason to raise a pint!
Allison continued: “We’re really looking forward to the championships and welcoming everyone to The Oaks. We’re thrilled with how the renovations have gone and extremely thankful to Thwaites for all its support in helping us get up and running so quickly.”
The couple, who are first-time landlords, toasted the pub’s reopening on 8 August, with New Leaf – a 3.8% ABV pale ale specially created by Thwaites for the auspicious occasion.
Allison added: “I am a self-employed administration consultant and Dave was in the police service for 30 years – so a world away from running a pub! It’s always something we’ve been interested in doing though and, after witnessing the dramatic impact two Thwaites landlords had in our hometown of Denton, we really wanted to be able to contribute to the community in a similar way. When the tenancy for The Oaks became available, we knew we had our opportunity.”
To support the team at The Oaks during The World Black Pudding Throwing event, Thwaites will be manning two pop up bars, serving a mixture of Thwaites favourites – Wainwright Golden Ale, Lancaster Bomber, Thwaites Original and Smooth – and, of course, the specially brewed Black Pudding Ale. The Oaks will also be hosting a ‘PudStock’ music festival in the pub grounds, showcasing eight live bands throughout the day.
Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, commented: “We’re delighted to have Allison and Dave join the Thwaites team and take over the tenancy at The Oaks. As well as maintaining the pub as a successful local business, they’re extremely committed to ensuring that it remains at the heart of the community and recognise the considerable positive impact that pubs can have on the region.
“The pair couldn’t have picked a better time to take the reins at The Oaks, with The World Black Pudding Championships right around the corner. It promises to be a spectacular welcome for two fantastic tenants and we wish them every success, both on the day and in the future. We’re confident that their tenancy will be of real benefit to The Oaks’ customers and to the wider Ramsbottom community.”
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Aimi McNeill: 01625 506 429, mob 07500 123909, amcneill@goodrelationsregional.co.uk
Eleanor O’Connell: 0113 2372826, eoconnell@goodrelationsregional.co.uk
Claire Grew: 0113 2372825, mob 07786 091987, cgrew@goodrelationsregional.co.uk
About Daniel Thwaites
Daniel Thwaites is the North of England’s major independent family brewer. Founded in 1807, Thwaites has a rich heritage providing welcoming hospitality and award-winning beers that are brewed with skill and care from the highest quality ingredients.
Thwaites owns an estate of over 300 pubs, a small but growing group of characterful coaching inns and six four-star full service regional hotels and spas, which trade under the Shire Hotels banner.
In addition, Thwaites supplies a full range of drinks to many independently owned pubs, clubs and restaurants in the North of England and beyond and a wide range of bottled beers to most major supermarkets.
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Eleanor O’Connell
Senior Account Executive
Tel: +44 (0)113 237 2826
Mob: +44 (0)7770 410 047
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www.goodrelations.co.uk