The Best Guide for the NN12 Area

The Rural Oscars

The welcoming lights of The New Inn on a cold December evening. (Photo David Riches.)

Pubs in the UK are closing at a rate of 27 a week states the Campaign for Real Ale that campaigns on beer and pub issues. If the only pub in a village closes that community loses a precious asset that encourages social interaction.  Sometimes, villages without a pub degenerate into a rural housing estate devoid of life. The list of pubs that have closed in our area is worryingly long. Some have been closed for many years such as Slapton’s Royal Oak and our own Stocking Frame, whilst others such as The Chequers in nearby Helmdon have closed more recently.
 
We here in Abthorpe are so, so fortunate that our ancient local – the quintessentially stone built pub called ironically The New Inn – is thriving. Local farmer Rob Smith our pub’s owner advertises our hostelry as “a proper village pub,” where “kids, paws and mucky boots are welcome.”  He serves real ales brewed locally in the Cotswolds and excellent varied foods in the restaurant. Darts and Northamptonshire table skittles are played, regular charity quiz evenings hosted and ‘open mike’ and bring your own musical events are encouraged. If customers simply wish to text friends on their smart phones our local area broadband network Tove Valley provides a very high speed link.
 
The Countryside Alliance that campaigns on behalf of countryside communities organises The Rural Oscars and the New Inn has been nominated in the pub category. Judges, the Alliance says, will not just be looking for evidence of great produce, customer service and innovation but also of how businesses serve their communities.
 
Villager Michelle Jackson is encouraging everyone to nominate our pub The New Inn, Silver Street, Abthorpe, Towcester NN12 8QR and urges us to “Come on let’s do it.”
 
If you would like to nominate our pub please click on the link below.
 
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/caawards/nominate/
 

John Riches

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