Winsford Village
in the heart of Exmoor
Events Around the Village
2023
January: There was a full house at the Royal Oak to see in the New Year, with live music, a disco, and a curry. A great time was had by all.
Later on in the month, the Royal Oak organised a quiz night. The back rooms were packed and treated to an innovative quiz by Ellen and Ian Chamberlain together with half time food. The winners were a team from Brushford.
February saw the 1st anniversary of weekly coffee mornings in the Village Hall, here celebrated by organisers Sue and Beverley.
The inaugural Royal Oak Chess Championships concluded in front of a gallery of excited spectators with two close semi finals and a final that didn't keep those longing for a Sunday lunch hanging around.
In the semi-finals there was a tumultuous battle between pre-tournament favourite Ian Brooks and Bampton's finest Neil Blackmore. The chess appeared (at least to this inexperienced eye) to be of a decent quality, and mutual blows were struck before Neil emerged victorious.
The other semi-final was between tournament organiser Martin Jones, and Paul Sams. While the match's finesse may not have been up to the other semi, it was very close right up to the end, when Martin struck a killer blow and advanced to the final.
The final itself was a short lived affair, and Neil was always in control to end up a worthy winner.
Many thanks must go to Martin, as well as sponsors the Royal Oak, for this very enjoyable tournament.
In March we were treated to a performance by Ali & The Swing Cats, who had performed at 2022's Jubilee.
Organised by the Recreation Association, there was dancing in the aisles in a packed Village Hall, as it was transformed into a cabaret complete with small tables and bottle lamps.
With music largely from the 1920s-1950s the three piece band (guitar, violin and keyboards) band entertained the audience across three sets.
Just as we were beginning to settle into spring we were treated by an appearance of snow . Photos are courtesy of Charlie Beeden, Beverley Flannagan and David Luscott
Singing, dancing and much merriment at St Patrick's night in the Royal Oak which featured folk music from two piece McAlpine's Fusiliers plus a guest appearance from Winsford's own Kevin Connell. There was a welcome reappearance behind the bar of draft Guinness, and an enjoyable St Patrick's quiz was won by the Sams/Jones team.
Barely a fortnight after the snowfall, Spring raised its head. These daffs were on Howtown Lane
