12/08/2026
So recently in Wales I came across this lovely Hedgerow Bitters which works well in a lovely London Dry Gin and Fever Tree tonic. We have decided to call this The Slappy after a pub that used to exist on Foxley Road.
There is a ceremony for local people to become official commoners called the “Turf and Twig” which would take place near the public house called the Royal Oak, known to Commoners as the “Slappy”.
The practice at this time was to initiate new Commoners, after they had been accepted, at Court. A shallow hole would be dug in the turf into which the new Commoner would place a silver coin. The following words would then be recited by the person carrying out the ceremony: “Turf and Twig I give to thee. As King Athelstan gave to me. A good brother thou shalt be.” The initiator would then strike the new Commoner across the back with a twig three times, remove the silver from the hole and make tracks for the Slappy with all the other participants in the ceremony.
We also do a lunchtime Ciabatta with Cheddar and Chutney at lunchtime which we call the “Twig and Turf” ciabatta.
We love mixing tradition with newness!
Come and enjoy one at the bar.
Text above taken and edited from the Warden and Freemen site.
Still Wild
