The White Lion, Fewcott is the 2004 North Oxfordshire Pub of the Year.

  It’s official, the winner of the 2004 North Oxfordshire Pub of the Year competition is The White Lion, Fewcott.

 This year’s competition saw six very strong finalists who were;  The Bell, Banbury, The Saye & Sele, Broughton, The Tite Inn, Chadlington, The Chequers, Chipping Norton and The Horse & Groom, Caulcott. 

 Each of the finalists gave the members a hard job, with such a wide variety and excellent quality of ale – it really was a hard task to select the winner and once the votes had been received, it soon became obvious that this year’s competition would be the closest yet. I offer my sincere thanks to all the publicans who gave us such a hard job to cast our votes.

 Once the press release was agreed, Paul & Carol King received requests for radio interviews, photo calls and reporters all wanting to offer their congratulations and best wishes.  Despite the local press stating that Carol was in charge of the cleaning, we decided that it would not be fitting to buy her a new mop! 

 A presentation evening was held at The White Lion on Thursday 13th May.  This date was very special to Paul and Carol, as it was exactly ten years to the day that they became the licensees.  A good crowd of people turned up to see Paul & Carol receive not only a certificate but also an engraved tankard for Paul and flowers for Carol, and a tin of I don’t know what to celebrate their tin anniversary.

 Several pints of excellent beers were washed down together with Champagne (which is not good when you have to get up the next day!)

 The White Lion now goes forward to the Regional Pub of the Year Competition. 

 Jackie Parker