The Asthall boozer, originally called The Windmill, was bought by the former Top Gear host for around £1,000,000.

It was reopened as The Farmer’s Dog last August and has proved a popular tourist spot with fans coming to try a pint of Hawkstone.

From the get-go, Mr Clarkson vowed to only use and serve British produce at the pub, meaning that no ketchup or cola is served onsite.

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The Alkemy founders celebrate. (Image: Alkemy)

This meant rum was not on the drinks list, as traditionally, the spirit is made from molasses, which is a by-product of the sugar cane industry.

This missing spirit issue at The Farmer’s Dog was recently resolved with the introduction of Alkemy, which creates a locally grown rum.

After several years of rum production overseas, brothers Will and Rob Tapster founded the distillery in Suffolk in 2021, with the aim of producing a unique new take on the classic spirit.

Alkemy uses molasses from locally grown sugar beet, rather than imported sugar cane, to make their rum.

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Jeremy Clarkson at his Cotswolds pub. (Image: Hawkstone / Instagram)

Now, the rum has been praised after becoming the highest-scoring spiced rum at this year’s London Spirits Competition.

Now in its ninth year, the competition judges each entry across three weighted criteria: quality, value, and packaging.

Entries are first blind-tasted by a panel of active trade professionals, including spirits buyers, bar managers, and mixologists, before price and packaging are factored in.

To be an award winner, you need to have top-quality spirits that offer both the trade and the consumer great value for money, and you need to look good and truly stand out on the shelf and on the back bar.

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Alkemy. (Image: Alkemy)

The judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.

Judges were impressed with the Suffolk spirit’s packaging and value, scoring 93 and 92, respectively, but it was the quality of the spiced gold spirit that they were most impressed by.

Since the competition began nine years ago, no spiced rum has received a higher score than Alkemy Spiced Gold has achieved this year.

Co-founder Will Tapster says, “I think it’s a good indication that people are taking spiced rum more seriously.

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Alkemy founders, Rob and Will Tapster. (Image: Alkemy)

“Historically, spiced rums have performed a lot worse than other rums in these awards, but that’s changed now.

“People are starting to see that amongst the traditionally overly sweet spiced rums, there are others that are as complex and enjoyable as any spirit.”

The achievement of being the highest ever scoring spiced rum is not lost on the distillery.

Co-founder Rob Tapster explains: “We have to admit that we were quite surprised, not because we don’t have faith in the spirit, but because we have had mixed responses to our spirit in these competitions.

“So far, we either score very well or get disqualified for not being a ‘true rum’. We see both as valid.”

The young player died at the age of 15 earlier in the season in March, in an incident which shocked the club and its supporters.

She collapsed on the pitch at the club’s training centre, Oxford Sports Park, during a girl’s academy game against Fulham in March, and it was announced she died later that evening.

Amelia Aplin, 15, played for Oxford United’s Junior Premier League. (Image: Oxford United)

An outpouring of tributes from the club, other players and supporters, as well as other football clubs followed the news at the time, and a minute’s silence was held in her memory at Oxford United’s ensuing home match against Blackburn Rovers in March.

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On Sunday night (April 26) Oxford United held its End of Season Award Evening, with winners across the men’s, women’s and academy teams.

Tributes were left for Amelia Aplin after her death in March (Image: Amir Steve Ali)

In a touching tribute, the club announced that this year’s Women’s Young Player of the Year Award was awarded to Amelia Aplin, in her memory.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Amelia sadly passed away earlier this season at the age of just 15.

“In her memory, this award will now be named the Amelia Aplin Women’s Young Player of the Year Award for future seasons. Forever Yellow.”

The gesture was commended by supporters, with many describing it as a ‘lovely touch’.

Villagers in West Hagbourne, near Didcot, created model dragons as part of an annual St George’s Day tradition.

This tradition, which started in 2009, involves villagers crafting varied, imaginative dragons from materials like papier-mâché, wire, and paper, and placing them throughout the village – with many featuring in residents’ gardens.

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Over the years the event has been organised by the West Hagbourne Village Association, and is designed to celebrate St George’s Day and encourage community involvement.

Hazel and Robert Griffiths with their dragon (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

While Justine Thompson chose a table tennis theme, Dan Tozer’s design referenced learner drivers.

St George’s Day, celebrated annually on April 23, is the feast day of Saint George, the patron saint of England, marking his death in 303 AD.

Rosie Gardener with her dragon (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

Emily, Oliver and Maureen Hall with their dragon (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

Dan Tozer with his dragon (Image: Frank Dumbleton)

It is celebrated with parades, flags, and traditional food, although it is not a bank holiday.

In the run-up to this year’s St George’s Day, flags showing the Cross of St George and the Union Flag have been placed on lampposts across the county by Raise The Colours: Oxfordshire, a voluntary group.

The county council has issued a legal notice in a bid to ban the placing of the flags on lampposts and council staff have removed some of them.