On the afternoon of Saturday 3 August 2019, while Maggie Hex was busy cleaning the kitchen, Nick Hex accepted a special award from Tim Thomas on behalf of West Berkshire CAMRA for 29 years service to the community at the Old Chequers, Thatcham and the Castle Inn, Cold Ash.
If Nick and Maggie had stayed on at the Castle Inn a month longer they would have achieved 30 years.
Sunday 4 August is the final opening day with Nick and Maggie running the Castle Inn.
‘Hexit day’ is 6 August! After clearing and cleaning on Monday and Tuesday, a new couple arrive to take over.
Nick remembers that Courage Best and Webster’s Yorkshire Bitter were on the bar when they first took over. Since then, new handpumps have been added to provide a ‘permanent beer festival’. Good Old Boy, Butcombe Bitter and Indigenous Brewery Tickety Boo were among the beers available on Saturday.
The CAMRA group enjoyed a few beers, in good condition, from their patio table in front of the pub.
Nick and Maggie live in the village and although they are leaving the pub trade they plan to continue working for a while before retiring.
Take Courage – Best Wishes & Good Luck!