This week answering our ten questions is Adam Caton who runs the local community owned pub, The Royal Oak in Church Eaton

What inspired you to run a pub?
James Davies, the late Landlord of The Swan at Whiston (and father of current Landlady, Hannah).
He was my absolute inspiration and enthused me in the art of cellar keeping and Real Ale on the whole

Why should people come to your pub?
We offer top quality real ale and cider, with a warm welcome at all times. We’re reasonably priced and we are so proud to be a part of this community

What will we find behind the bar to delight our tastebuds?
Wye Valley HPA is a permanent fixture, alongside a rotation of 3 guest Ales, 3 traditional and fruit Ciders (served from cellar) and an increasing array of craft beer

Do you have any regular or occasional events?
Oakfest takes place once a year, usually in August. It’s a music festival and we’re adding a mini beer festival into the mix this time! I aim for this to grow year upon year!
We run a monthly quiz and we have Live Music once or twice a month

What are the best & worst parts of the job?
Love every part of my job. Honour to be a Landlord at this pub

You have a free weekend – what do you do?
Free Weekend… what’s that?

Any funny moments you can share?
I worked with a lad some years ago and he was a star! Lovely lad, but couldn’t grasp the bar talk…
Someone asked for a lager and black? We had a beer on called Belhaven Black at the time…
so he pours half a lager and tops it up with Belhaven Black. He couldn’t understand why the customer wasn’t pleased with their drink

What three words best describe your pub?
Ale. Cider. Cobs

How could CAMRA (local & national) help support you?
CAMRA are the benchmark and if they view us as a real ale destination, I’m doing my job properly. I want our ale to be the finest

Tell us you best (or worst) pub joke
Horse walks into a bar: barman says why the long face?
(Taken from a dear late friend of mine: Robert Salt. Larger than life and told that joke every time I saw him!! Brilliant man.) 

Serving a range of well kept, traditionally brewed beers and with daily food offerings, this community owned pub is certainly a hub for the village, with committees, groups and sports teams all meeting there. The pub which is less than a mile from the Shropshire Union Canal can be found on the High Street in the centre of Church Eaton.

If you run a pub in the Heart of Staffordshire area and would like to take part in a future ‘Meet the Publican’ feature, please get in touch