The Highbury Vaults, Bristol

MWarner - would it have been too much for your friends to have asked before they engorged?I hesitate to say it, but I think they were somewhat previous in their actions.

6 Feb 2013 13:23

The Market Hotel, Reigate

Are Tempest and TWG the same person?

16 Nov 2012 14:40

The Kings Head, Kingswood

The following is a copy of a letter published in Pints West, Spring 2001, that helps explain the 'swamp' thing rather better:

The only swamp to be in!

My intake of alcohol back on New Year’s eve began at about 6 o’clock when I started drinking a 3-litre bottle of Thatchers Millfield bought at my local off- licence, Humpers on Soundwell Road. (I had to give her a mention as she told me off for not doing so last time you pub- lished a letter of mine.)
At about 8:15 after drinking about half of my bottle, it wasn’t hard for me to decide that I would start as I meant to go on. I braved the rather severe elements and walked from my house near Humpers in to Kingswood and, as I had on so many previous occasions, I took the plunge and went into the “Swamp” (the Kings Head cider house).

Now I know people for different reasons have praised it up before and I will again as quite simply I feel more credit is required where it is due.

After drinking the bottled variety for a fair portion of my evening it was refresh- ing to have what is always a limitless supply of the draught variety. Amusingly sometimes referred to as “pondwater” I assume because there is so much of it in the “Swamp”, I can assure the people at Thatchers that Sarah at the Kings Head does you proud. The taste and tempera- ture of your cider is constant. The array of comical characters that regularly drink there amuse me and I’ve become familiar with many of them in the few years I’ve used it.

My opinion of course may be biased somewhat as I am a self-confessed cider monster. Good old Sarah had an extension till 2 a.m. but I had had my fill by 1 a.m.
If you’ve already tried the draught Thatchers at the “Swamp” then I’m sure the chances are you still drink it. Needless to say, I had a great night on New Year’s eve. If you haven’t tried the “pondwater” yet, go on, take the plunge! You won’t regret it!

(Dedicated and in remembrance of our friend Tyke, a Thatchers connoisseur who’s sadly missed.)
Craig Weaden, Staple Hill.

7 Jun 2012 12:45