Oxford Mail photographers were kept busy over the years recording events and activities involving pubs and breweries.

Pubgoers could often look forward to more than just sitting in a quiet corner enjoying their pint.

Picture 1 was taken at the Burton Ale Stores in St Clement’s, Oxford, in 1963 during an Oxford-Cambridge drinking contest.

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Jack Stanmore, in the braces, is seen competing to see who could drink the fastest pint.

Jack, a 29-year-old bench fitter from Watlington, beat the world champion, Mick Barsby, by downing his drink in two seconds, much to the delight of his supporters.

In Picture 2, we see staff from Oxfordshire pubs who took part in a food hygiene course in 1990. They are seen receiving their certificates at the Three Pigeons pub at Wood Green, Witney.

A less stressful occasion features in Picture 3 dating from 1976 - the first cricket match between Oxford breweries for 28 years.

The prize was Oxford United Breweries Cricket Challenge Cup, first competed for in 1896 when five local breweries fought for it.

The result? Ind Coope won the trophy, scoring 98 runs to Morrell’s 46.

Anthony McMurtrie, managing director of Ind Coope, issued the challenge to Morrells, saying: “I thought it was time the cup was fought for again.”

Charles Smith, company secretary of Morrell’s, remembered the games before they stopped in 1947. “They were real blood matches in those days,” he recalled.

Morrell’s created a special ale to mark the wedding of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips in 1973.

Head brewer Louis Gunter, right, is seen in Picture 4 with a bottle of the last royal brew, Coronation Ale, marking the accession of Queen Elizabeth. Bob Alsop, his deputy, is holding the latest brew, Celebration Ale.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, the Rev Tony Williamson, who worked at the Cowley car plant, was keen to learn about Oxford’s other industries during his term of office.

He is seen in Picture 5 with his wife Barbara, the Lady Mayoress, and Morrell’s head brewer, Louis Gunter, in the company’s malthouse in 1983.

Picture 6 shows the winners of the Morrell’s Pub of the Year competition in 1995. Sadly, we don’t know the names of those in the photograph or the pubs they represented.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.