New year, new do for Banbury landlord

Ken Thompson, landlord of the White Horse in North Bar, and known for his longer locks, went all the way down to a number two in aid of Auto-Immune Disease Research.

In total, the pub raised £500 for the charity which was presented to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital's head of research, Prof. Paul Bowness, last month.

Ken struggles from a life shortening auto-immune disease himself and is currently on a clinical trial to help ease the side effects which have shown positive results.

Ken’s wife Eileen said: “Ken is a credit to himself, for organising these events single handed. He’s not only raised this £500 from his head shave at the start of January, over the last couple of years he has raised over £1,000 through events.

"All the money raised goes directly into the research fund. I don’t know what Ken would do without this medication. All the money we raise here at the pub goes to help people like Ken and trial medications that could help improve their lives too.

She added: "I must admit - I am glad all that long hair has gone now, but don’t tell Ken, he loved it."

The drastic transformation was performed by professional hair stylist, Steve Miller, who cut Ken’s hair for the event.

Ken and Eileen took over the White Horse in 2015, and since then have endeavoured to put it at the heart of their community and have won awards in the process.

“It is a community pub. We have all sorts of people drinking in here – and that’s what a good pub should be,” said Ken.