* The annual pumpkin carving competition is back at The Thatch, in Thame, for Halloween. Free pumpkins are available from the pub from tomorrow until Halloween and all you have to do is to create your carving and bring it back by 7pm on Halloween, Friday October 31 to be in with a chance of winning £50 in Thatch vouchers.

Manager Evelin Rae and her team have issued the challenge to guests old and young to help make The Thatch look a little spookier by littering the pub with big, bright pumpkins in the run-up to Halloween. The pub will put them all on display in its front window and then pick the best one.

To take part, simply visit The Thatch, 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340 www.thethatchthame.co.uk

* Bee-friendly gardens, seasonal fish and improved Food Waste Management help Oakman Inns’ three Oxfordshire pubs achieve Two Star sustainability champion status The Old Post Office in Wallingford, The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon and the Blue Boar in Witney have all been upgraded to Two Stars in this year’s Sustainable Restaurant Association ratings, after a vigorous and independent examination by the SRA.

* Deddington Farmers’ Market is holding its biggest market to date on Saturday at the Market Place, Deddington. The locally-produced foods, drinks, plants and organic produce stalls now includes Deddington Farmers’ Market Gift Vouchers, Crissil’s Kitchen selling Brazilian traditional and street food, Pie and Mighty Pies, I’m Japanese selling hot food for the first time, Cornfield Bakery selling Halloween style cakes as well as pumpkin bread, The Meat Joint selling seasonal mutton along with its sausage of the month “Italiano’’ (garlic and fennel) and a new stall in support of Friends of Deddington Library.

www.deddingtonfarmersmarket.co.uk

* The Fishes in North Hinksey is turning ten at the end of the month and is throwing a big party to celebrate on Saturday night to welcome friends old and new to mark the occasion in style, with good food, bubbly, live music and a great night out. Tickets cost £15 to include a buffet, a glass of fizz on arrival and all the entertainment.

www.fishesoxford.co.uk/events or 01865 249796.

* Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire came second in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants, up five places from 7th on last year’s list. Now in its fifth year, the chart is based on 70,000 reviews from more than 6,000 consumers.

* Don’t forget it’s The Killingworth Castle in Wootton’s new Killy Food and Craft Fair this weekend between 10am – 2pm on Saturday in the grounds of the award-winning pub. There will be a variety of handmade crafts and a broad selection of produce to enjoy.

01993 811 401 or 01385 593 223.

* Fallowfield’s head chef Matt Weedon and his wife Rachel have headed off into the sunset, to be replaced by his number two Mark Botts who has been learning the ropes for the past five years at the country hotel and restaurant and only too delighted to jumping into Matt’s boots.

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