Welcome to the last newsletter of 2010. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team, customers, friends and family for their support again this year. Look out for the January newsletter for a recap of 2010, 'the year that was!'

Christmas is almost upon us (I can hear you groan), which means the Old Spot Society Event of the Year is booking up fast: the Old Gits' Christmas Lunch. This year it will be taking place on Sunday the 19th of December with a 2.30-3.00pm kick off. Everybody is welcome; it's a great day to catch up with old friends and get to meet new locals alike. Do try and make it but get your place booked soon. Check out the menu below.

Still on the subject of Christmas Meals we are almost full, so if you want your Christmas party - whether it be a works, family or friends get together - now is the time to get in. A menu is below.

Depending on how you feel about I am pleased to announce that the Christmas menu is now online. Xmas packs can be requested over the bar at anytime. Please be warned, Friday and Saturday nights fill up really quickly. See a bit later in this newsletter for the menu.



For more information and to download a booking form, click here.

As always at Christmas and New Years Eve, we will be shutting the pub for a couple of hours in the afternoon, reopening at 6pm. Doors will close at 9pm and there will be absolutely no entry after, trust me - I would turn away my own grandmother!

And as always Christmas Eve is ridiculously busy, so if you were thinking about popping in for a quick Christmas evening pint think again, you usually have to queue outside for about 10 minutes before even getting to the bar (and that's if you're lucky!).

New Years Eve is a more jovial affair and we will be following in last year's resounding success and having a big party night with supper served about midnight. Keep your eyes on the boards for more info.

This year's Roving Nativity will take place on the 12th December, arriving at the Old Spot at 4pm, and as we go to press, I understand the Wise Men will be coming from Stimchcombe Common, the Three Kings from Woodmancote, and Mary and Joseph will be on making their way from Tesco's in Cam. (Please check the boards for more up-to-date info on times) We will endeavour to have mince pies and mulled wine for those attending. Apologies for last year - we catered for about 60, only to find over 200 in the garden! Where's Moses when you need him?

I would like to welcome Jason and Tori into the fold. Many of you may recognise Jason from your side of the bar: he's been a keen beer drinker for several years now. Unfortunately Tori has still not seen the light ... watch this space!

You may still spot Louis behind the bar occasionally, but his photography and journalism skills are dragging him away more and more.

Ellie's nephews, Alex and Ollie try their arm and follow in their Auntie's footsteps! They have already put their names down for training ... and they sure pulled fine pints! Cheers Boys!

Congratulations to Georgie & Dean on the birth of their gorgeous baby girl Lilyana Marie, born Tuesday 12th Oct weighing 8lb 4oz!! Ouch!

And congrats also to our very own Brigid and Jamie on the birth of their daughter Evalyn Nadene on Saturday 23rd Oct weighing in at 9lbs 4.5oz. Even bigger ouch!

On 28th Oct we had the Jane Roberts Celebrity Chef Night, it has been toasted by many as being the best ever! Jane served up a wide selection of tapas, including paella, chicken wings, meat balls amongst many other dishes. A total of £270 was raised for the Cotswold Care Hospice in Minchinhampton. Thank you so much and well done!

The next Gourmet Night is on the Thur 11th Nov. We are pretty much full up, even before we've gone to press but if you want to put your name down on the reserve list or to enquire about next one, please feel free.

You may have noticed that "Old Ric" has returned to his lofty position on the wall opposite the bar! I am delighted that Lucy Orchard, the original artist, has once again done Ric proud. Lucy has repaired and repainted the damage so skilfully, the portrait looks magnificent ,.. thank you so much!

I would also like to give a huge and sincere "thank you" to Chris Arrowsmith who has put many hours in, behind the scenes, getting beards shaved off to raise money for the CAMRA commemorative plaque for Ric outside the pub's front entrance. He helped design the plaque, commissioned it and he kindly fitted it too! With the remaining funds, he contacted Lucy and got to work on refurbishing Ric's portrait and frame. My gratitude and thanks to you for the effort and time you gave, for something that is very special to me.
Ellie Sainty

This year's Old Spot Men's Doubles Tournament was won by Steve Lane and Jamie Kirk. Well done guys, but more importantly myself and everybody's favourite fireman (come pall bearer, come carpenter, come bar man) Steve Heaven, came third place. As we are always looking outside the box, we will hopefully be having a Old Spot Bowls Tournament next year - yes bowls! Contrary to popular belief this is not an "old man's game" but a very exciting sport, so "shut up" and bend those knees!

Big congratulations to those of you who took part in the Stroud Half Marathon - it was an amazing atmosphere.

And don't forget the Bath Half Marathon is filling up fast - so get registered.

Over the years you may have noticed on numerous occasions masses of sweaty souls chanting strange verses in the garden. These are the local Hash Harriers. They gather all over the county and describe themselves, quite rightly as I have recently discovered, 'drinkers with a running problem'! So if you fancy running through the woods in the dark, chasing a flour trail to the shouts of: "ON, ON", get in touch with http://www.efmh3.co.uk/. You don't have to be amazingly fit and it's a great way to meet new people and quaff some fine ales.

We have been promising over the years to supply you with some Old Spot Merchandising. Well, as I type this, it is actually becoming a reality! You will shortly be able to go to our website and follow a link, where you can choose either a hoodie, rugby shirt or polo shirt in a choice of colours and sizes. All these come with the Old Spot Logo embroidered on. So get shopping in time for Christmas. Hoodys UC502 £16.00
Polo Shirts UC102 £12.00
Rugby Shirts UC401 £16.00
The above prices are not inclusive of VAT or Postage & Packing

A couple more congratulations; first to the Salutation in Ham for winning South West Pub of the Year. It's great when another local pub wins and Don Dunbabin and his wife Sue are such a lovely well deserving couple. Its also with a small tear in my eye that we wave goodbye to Tony Aburrow as our Gloucestershire CAMRA chairman but we welcome his successor Andy Frape with open arms, and wish him all the best for the future.

- Forthcoming Events - A Résumé . . .

November
:: THUR 11th. 7.30pm		Gourmet Night #3	£40.00pp
December
:: SUN 19th. 2.30pm		Old Git's Christmas Lunch	£25.00pp

Cheers!
Steve Herbert
November 2010THE OLD SPOT INN

T: 01453 542870
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