Don't dare ask for food

IF YOU are on the South Oxford Canal during next week's popular half term cruising time, don't dare ask for food in the Red Lion by Cropredy Lock, or you will most likely be thrown out!

The pub has a board by the lock announcing that the Red Lion pub serves food from noon onwards, as can clearly be seen in the picture, but when you arrive at the door there is another notice telling that tables must be pre-booked.

Politely asked

And it certainly means it as boater Jenny Tyle found to her distress:

"We went in to the Red Lion yesterday evening for a drink, and had thought we might stay for dinner. While the barman was pouring our drinks, I asked politely if it really was the case that one had to pre-book a table.

"He replied rather defensively that yes, that was their winter policy. (Tables need to booked by 3pm the day before.) We suggested that in that case, they should make that clear on their lockside blackboard, at which point the barman shouted at us that he took exception to our attitude, he grabbed the drinks he had just finished pouring, threw the contents away and demanded we leave his pub!

"We did, and I can't imagine we will be back in a hurry!"