A UK pub that was reported for hate crimes before having its 20-strong golliwog collection seized by police has been banned by the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA)from receiving any awards or being featured in its Good Beer Guide.
Owners of The White Hart Inn will also reportedly be probed by police regarding far-right Facebook posts after license holder Christopher Ryley appeared to joke about lynchings in the US alongside an image of the dolls.
In a 2016 Facebook post, Ryley uploaded an image of the dolls hanging from the pub’s bar with the caption: “We have our golliwogs, yaay.”
Commenting underneath the post, his wife, Benice Ryley, asked: “Are you sure this is legal. lol” before Ryley replied: “They used to hang them in Mississippi years ago.” She responded: “Behave.”
Essex police confiscated the dolls over the Easter bank holiday weekend after receiving a complaint about an alleged crime. The pub’s landlords then shocked the public by replacing the offensive dolls with other golliwogs they had in their collection.
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Now, CAMRA has released a statement saying it found it “baffling” that the pub – which had previously won the South West Essex Camra Pub Of The Year awards – had chosen to display the dolls which are “offensive to many.”
In a thread of tweets, it then added it had instructed its South West Essex local “not to consider the White Hart, Grays, Essex, for future awards, or inclusion in our Good Beer Guide, while these discriminatory dolls continue to be on display”.
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It also revealed it had added a line to the entry in its current guide describing the pub, which said: “Note this pub has chosen to display items that are considered by many to be offensive.”
It continued: “We have had clear national guidelines in place since 2018 that no pub should be considered for an award if it displays offensive or discriminatory material on the premises, or on social media associated with the pub.
CAMRA believes pubs should be welcoming and inclusive places and it's baffling that any pub would choose to discriminate against customers or potential customers by continuing to display offensive material. 🧵👇
“We are currently discussing why this guidance was seemingly ignored by our South West Essex branch & instructing them not to consider the White Hart, Grays, Essex, for future awards, or inclusion in our Good Beer Guide, while these discriminatory dolls continue to be on display.”
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However, Mr Ryley in response told the BBC that “a mountain has been made out of a molehill,” claiming that the pub had received more support than abuse and was “still open and trading”, whilst Beth Ryley revealed that she had displayed the dolls in the pub for around a decade.
Other Facebook posts of concern from Mr Ryley also show him posting support for ‘White Lives Matter’ and asking ‘When is White History Month please. Anybody know?’
In another post, a golliwog has been uploaded alongside the caption: ‘Hello Great Britain Am I Allowed Back In?’
To date, no one has been arrested or charged by police in connection with the investigation but The Guardian understands that officers intend to question landlord Chris when he returns from the family’s home in Turkey next month.
It is believed the investigation is currently looking at whether there was an intention to cause offense by displaying the dolls, with another line of inquiry investigating if Ryley’s Facebook posts contravene the 1988 Malicious Communications Act.
Bold new Mexican restaurant and bar OCASA to open in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A vibrant new Mexican restaurant and bar is set to open in Manchester, taking over part of Australasia’s long-standing Spinningfields site.
The former Sunset by Australasia bar and terrace will be transformed into a colourful new Mexican spot called OCASA.
The beautiful space, set to open in time for the Easter bank holiday, will be serving premium tequila, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired food.
The 80-seat sun terrace on The Avenue – just behind Australasia itself (which is currently closed for refurbishment) – will take inspiration from the shores of Tulum to the street food scene of Mexico City.
There’ll be music and entertainment including mariachi bands, ice-cold frozen margaritas, and tableside guacamole, plus BBQ tacos fresh off the grill, Sunday feasts, and loads more. .
In the kitchen will be executive chef Lucie Sainerova, formerly of the prestigious Novikov International, who’ll whip up a contemporary take on Mexican street food.
Lucie said: “We’re taking familiar flavours and elevating them in ways that surprise and excite. From our Dragon Salt Wagyu Tacos to the Lobster Thermidor Nachos, every dish tells a story. This is Mexican food like you’ve never seen before.”
Bold new Mexican restaurant and bar OCASA to open in Manchester
The interiors at OCASA have been designed by BAPPT, and feature textured rock walls, terracotta hues and jade green accents.
It’ll be a relaxed space by day, and a vibrant social hub with DJs, live music and more by night.
The terrace will also have two exclusive Bed Booths for private group dining.
OCASA will become the city’s ‘ultimate tequila destination’ with one of the country’s most extensive collections of premium spirits,.
An award-winning Manchester cocktail bar is serving a Tiny ‘Tini martini cocktail flight
Daisy Jackson
Martini cocktails are one of the world’s most iconic and stylish cocktails, and come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, despite classically being made with only a few ingredients.
If you’re still dipping your toes into the world of the vodka martini cocktail, or if you’re a super fan always eager to try a new take on this beloved drink, can we introduce you to the ‘Tiny ‘Tini’ flight?
This clever creation is as photo-worthy as it is delicious – three miniature martini cocktails, served perfectly chilled in ‘flight’ form on a tray in one of Manchester’s very best bars, Blinker.
The Tiny ‘Tini has been launched by legendary vodka brand GREY GOOSE to celebrate the resurgence of vodka martini cocktails (vodka is one of the core ingredients, the other is typically vermouth).
Blinker, which was earlier this year named the 22nd best cocktail bar in the UK, is already famed for its menu of vodka martini cocktails , so was a perfect choice for the GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini collaboration.
Here, they’ve created three different miniature takes on the classic cocktail- the house martini cocktail, made with GREY GOOSE vodka, house vermouth, orange bitters and an olive; the Spanish Gibson, with sherry and onion brine (if you’re a fan of savoury cocktails, this is the one for you); and the champagne martini cocktail, with GREY GOOSE vodka, champagne cordial, Lillet Blanc and orange bitters (a gateway martini cocktail for the uninitiated).
Each of the three perfectly sized drinks is served in a special frosted miniature martini cocktail glass and is the perfect size for flavour exploration – while also staying perfectly chilled down to the last sip.
The Grey Goose Tiny Tini martini cocktail flight is available at Blinker in Manchester
Best of all, the Tiny ‘Tini flight also makes vodka martini cocktails that little bit less intimidating.
Lexa Ulijaszek, UK Ambassador for GREY GOOSE commented: “When it comes to the vodka martini cocktail, size does matter for some.
“Sometimes a full-sized martini cocktail can be a little bit too intimidating. Or over the course of great conversation between friends, the final sip of your drink may not be as superbly chilled or balanced in taste as the beginning.
“As a result, the offer of a ‘sip sized cocktail’ is gaining traction across many of the UK’s most influential bars.
“A sip size GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini is the perfect solution – beautifully crafted, expertly chilled, elegantly served with rich taste. A flight of three petite drinks allows you to responsibly enjoy the perfection of the ‘first sip’ of a martini cocktail while also experiencing a range of unique flavours.
“The trend is very much a UK-wide affair, with some of the best bars across Manchester, Edinburgh and London all serving the GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini – ushering in a brand new and bold ‘sip sized’ era for the vodka martini cocktail.”
The GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini flight at Blinker in Manchester costs £12 and is available until 30 April.
Georgina Pellant -
14th April 2023 
