Forest pub’s quiz goes international
A SMALL New Forest pub’s weekly online lockdown quizzes have achieved international popularity with players taking part from the other side of the world.
Hundreds tune into the live videos broadcast on Facebook with Phil Hoyle, landlord of the London Tavern in Poulner, asking the questions while entertaining with humorous anecdotes.
Phil has continued hosting the contest since moving it online during the first lockdown, and his antics have been credited with gaining an unlikely worldwide following.
Drinking enthusiastically throughout the quizzes, he comments on the various ales and offers insights into the snacks he consumes, especially pork scratchings.
Phil, who has run the pub with fiancée Sarah Williams for three years, has also spent lockdown supporting the community and providing free meals to key workers.
“It’s been a really hard year, but the quizzes have helped us stay in touch with regulars, and people are tuning in from around the world,” he said.
“We’ve had people from all over the UK as well as America, Europe and even the southern hemisphere, which means they have to get up really early.
“It’s been a huge surprise that people who don’t know anything about the pub and have never been are joining us every Thursday at 8pm.”
The questions, set by a regular known only as Spudders, always include words he knows Phil will find difficult to pronounce.
Players from as far away as Australia have taken part and teams send in answer sheets to the local Round Table website.
But the quiz is carried out on trust, with Spudders’ answers always final – even if they are wrong.
Phil has also presented himself with the employee of the month award with great ceremony during the lockdowns while regaling viewers with updates about the pub and tales of nights out drinking.
The pub’s Facebook page also hosts music gigs and promotes takeaway meals and beers on offer.
As the landlords look forward to reopening on 12th April, Phil vowed to continue running the quizzes virtually.
