AN HISTORIC sign which was used to welcome visitors to the home of Hobgoblin beer has been sold to raise money for charity.

The Wychwood Brewery in Witney donated the sign, the original from the front of the brewery, to local disability charity SpecialEffect.

After 35 bids came in on eBay, the 13-ft-wide sign was snapped up for £580.

The original Wychwood Brewery sign has been sold to raise money for charity

The original Wychwood Brewery sign has been sold to raise money for charity

The sign is showing signs of its age, with the wooden frame in need of a repair, and it was replaced in 2019 due to a rebranding.

It was following that rebranding that the brewery donated the sign to SpecialEffect.

Nick Streeter, a fundraiser for the charity, said: “The brewery has supported us over the last 10 years, raising something like £10,000 in that time.

“They did the rebrand in 2019, meaning the sign was available and they kindly gave it to us.

“All our normal events have not been possible this year with postponements, so the funds are crucial, as well as raising awareness.”

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Joanne Wyke, brand manager at Wychwood Brewery, added: “We are really proud to support such a forward-thinking, local charity and the incredible work it does.

“The brewery sign had been in situ since the mid-90s and was in need of an update.

“We were sad to see it go so the auction was the perfect solution – finding the sign a loving new home while raising money for SpecialEffect.”

The brewery, named after the nearby Wychwood forest, used the witch imagery when it first launched.

Charlbury-based SpecialEffect helps the lives of people with physical disabilities by enabling them to play video games.

The charity does this by using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye control.