The Black Horse in Standlake had some major plans in place for the upcoming VE celebrations. The pub near Witney had booked three different bands for a big 3-day festival at the pub, and the village was also holding activities such as barrel rolling and face painting on the closed High Street.
“expect smells of a roast pig wafting through the local community, served with apple sauce, fries and coleslaw. Or perhaps try one of our Wild Boar Hot Dogs, served with fries and coleslaw. Finish it off with our delicious English Strawberry Cheesecake”
Following the cancellation of the event however, The Black Horse’s landlords and head chef Martin Sherriff have been working hard to find a way to celebrate this momentous occasion in style, despite villagers being forced to socially isolate.
Which means that on Friday the village has organised a socially distancing VE Day event, where villagers will celebrate the Bank Holiday in their front gardens.
The Black Horse has organised a large pig roast, wild boar hot dogs, vegan and vegetarian options, alongside traditional wartime foods like spam fritters and marrow-fat peas, accompanied by real ale, draught lager, cider and Pimm’s to enjoy in front gardens with rest of the village. These will be available for contactless takeaway and delivery for those who are self-isolating.
“The Black Horse will be celebrating 75 years of modern-day peace in the grandest possible way. We will be here to supply the community with everything they need to have the best, and biggest social distancing street party possible”
The pub is running a drawing competition for children in the village using a posted colouring pack and villagers are also being encouraged to decorate their houses in red, white and blue and have a picnic in their front garden. The Black Horse is offering a prize for the best-decorated house, and the outer area of the pub will be decorated in style.
“We expect a great village celebration (at a greater distance than hoped), and will be sure to continue strictly enforce social distancing guidelines for those picking up their takeaways.The up-and-coming VE Day celebrations will keep the village connected during these challenging times,” Martin Sherriff explains.
“So expect smells of a roast pig wafting through the local community, served with apple sauce, fries and coleslaw. Or perhaps try one of our Wild Boar Hot Dogs, served with fries and coleslaw. Finish it off with our delicious English Strawberry Cheesecake.
“In the words of Winston Churchill, ‘we may allow ourselves a brief moment of rejoicing’, so let’s come together, in true British style, and celebrate the real meaning of this day while continuing to follow strict social distancing government guidelines.”
“Just like the heroes of WW2 made history, so can we, the people of Standlake. The Black Horse will be celebrating 75 years of modern-day peace in the grandest possible way. We will be here to supply the community with everything they need to have the best, and biggest social distancing street party possible.”
