News

Hall & Woodhouse’s Business Partner Lorraine Watts took over the Horns Inn in November 2012 and since then she has been working hard to establish herself and this beautiful public house in the local community. On Saturday 11th May Lorraine helped to raise money and awareness for the RSPCA; a charity which works to care for and rehome abandoned pets. The event Lorraine organised was a Dog Show combined with a family fun day – with a BBQ and games taking place all afternoon.

The turnout was far greater than initially expected, and Lorraine was extremely grateful to everyone who helped make the day a success.

The next big project is a minor refurbishment of the inside area in the Horns which will be taking place over the coming weeks. Lorraine is also working with the Marketing Team at Hall & Woodhouse who are helping her launch a website for the Horns. We would like to congratulate Lorraine and her team at the Horns for doing a fantastic job to date.

 

The Botany Bay Inne is a welcoming, traditional road-side pub which is ideally situated on the busy A35. The pub is easily accessible from Dorchester, Blanford and Wimborne and is the ideal meeting place for lunch or dinner. The pub can cater for large parties in their 50 seat restaurant or a smaller family get- together in the light and airy bar area.

Paul and Pat Solway who have successfully run the well- known Cock and Bottle for the past four years have recently taken on the management of the Botany Bay Inne as their second Hall and Woodhouse pub.

“We are delighted to have taken on the Botany Bay Inne to run along- side the Cock and Bottle. Both pubs are completely different and complement each other. We understand that customers have different needs and we feel that we can offer a service and menu choice to cater for any discerning pallet. While you find fine dining at the Cock and Bottle, you will be treated to traditional pub fayre at the Botany Bay Inne.” Paul explains.

The pub has just recruited Richard Awty as Head Chef. Richard has a wealth of knowledge, gained from working worldwide, including such countries as Japan and Canada. Richard and Paul are working together to create a new exciting menu.

The Botany Bay recently introduced a Sunday lunchtime carvery. Paul goes on to explain “The carvery has been fantastically received which is why we have made the decision to have it available every day starting Monday 29th April. We will also introduce special deals too, for example two courses for a set price.”

Richard continues “That doesn’t mean that the everyday menu will be forgotten. We are committed to offering our guests a selection of homemade ‘ pub grub ‘ which is made using where possible locally sourced, fresh ingredients. These dishes will not only taste great but will be competitively priced”.

If you have not been to the Botany Bay Inne before then now is the time to come and visit this public house. It is easy to find and there is plenty of parking. You will not only receive delicious food which is well priced, but you will be really well looked after by the team at the pub who made us feel really welcome and ensured our visit was special.
 

ADDRESS: Winterbourne Zelston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9ET

TEL: 01929 459 227

Our Business Partner's Mick and Fiona Bruckin have been operating The Thatched Tavern in Maidencombe since March 2010 and they have recently discovered that their USP is in the pie market.

Their traditional pub menu contains six varieties of homemade pies. “We were discussing the individual requirements for a wedding that the idea of serving delicious homemade pies surfaced. The bride and groom had requested that all their guests were served pie as a main course, but at the time the kitchen team at the Thatched Tavern didn’t have the resources available to accommodate this request. So, we purchased 80 baking tins and the rest is history.” Fiona Bruckin explains.

In 2012 the team managed to sell in excess of 6500 pies which equated to more than 17 pies a day! They have already sold 675 pies in the first two months of 2013. The homemade pies include the classic Steak and Badger Ale pie, there is also a Fresh Fish Pie as well as a Goat’s Cheese Tart Pie, each of which are served with chunky chips or new potatoes and a bed of vegetables. The cost ranges from £7.95 to £10.95 and there is a two or three course option via the ‘Pies Galore’ menu.

Mick and Fiona won Hall & Woodhouse’s award for Best Public House Garden in 2012.

 

'Its time to grow up' says Dorset based MasterChef winner Mat Follas.

After four successful years of his restaurant, The Wild Garlic, in Beaminster, West Dorset, Mat announced today a business partner agreement with Blandford's Hall and Woodhouse Brewery. Mat and his team will take over the running of the well known Inn, The Talbot, in Iwerne Minster, North Dorset, from late May.

Mat said 'We've loved being in our home town of Beaminster, but its time to grow the business and The Talbot in Iwerne Minster ticks all the boxes for what we are looking for. It has five great rooms that we can let and will have a seven day Bar & Grill offering great Pub and Bistro food, as well as a separate space for running our increasingly popular courses in the daytime and an evening restaurant. Our customers have asked for more rooms, a more casual, family menu and I'll still be able to provide higher end food in our evening restaurant for more intimate and quieter dining. The big challenge is to provide all of these with the same, or better, quality and standards we've achieved to date'.

Until 18 May The Wild Garlic continues to trade from Beaminster, contact

01308 861446.

Since winning MasterChef, Mat opened The Wild Garlic on the site of the Pickwicks Pub in Beaminster. His restaurant quickly gained two of the highest ever ratings in The Telegraph (9/10) and The Guardian (9.5/10) as well as being one of a few restaurants in Dorset to gain two AA rosettes and recommendations in The Good Food Guide, The Michelin Guide and Trencherman's Guide.

Independent Family Brewer Hall & Woodhouse, took 28 Business Partners to Barcelona for a three day City break on Monday 11th March, to celebrate their achievements in 2012. The group consisted of the 2012 Award Winners, as well as ten Business Partners who have worked exceptionally hard over the past year and deserved a trip away.

The group of 35 were treated to a 4* hotel for two nights, as well as two three course meals. They also visited the food market on Las Ramblers, and the famous Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.

“This is the fourth City break we have organised for our Award Winners, however this year we made the decision to expand the trip, to take more of our Business Partners who work really hard and are successful in their businesses. Matt Kearsey, Business Partnerships Director at Hall & Woodhouse comments.

“We were delighted to be invited on the trip to Barcelona. We really enjoyed visiting the City with Hall & Woodhouse, and were treated to some lovely food and some great sites. It is also valuable to meet other Business Partners and learn about their businesses.” Sarah Sargent, The George, Old Oxted.


Note to Editors

List of winners:
Business Partner of the Year: Gary and Toni Valentine, The Wheelwright Inn Colyford and the Harbour Inn, Axmouth.
Best Food Pub of the Year: Simon Adamson Hope, The Crabtree, Lower Beeding.
Best Garden Pub of the Year: Mick and Fiona Bruckin, The Thatched Tavern Inn, Maidencombe.
Best Community Pub of the Year: Duncan Gray, The Sun Inn, Godalming.
Beer Quality Pub of the Year: Helen Bromwich, The Brickmakers Arms, Uckfield.
Business Innovation Pub of the Year: Richard and Denise Bell, The Silent Woman, Coldharbour.
Best Newcomers: Mandy and Kevin How, The Rose and Crown, Longburton.