Christmas comes early for town pub
The Air Balloon offers multiple menus on its website including its Christmas Day menu, Christmas Day non-gluten containing menu and its festive feast menu. Items on the menus include traditional Christmas items such as turkey with all the trimmings, chicken and ham hock terrine and Christmas pudding.
Its festive feast menu also includes an 8oz rump steak, the XXXmas burger and various dessert options including the chocolate brownie and profiteroles.
Important time
The Rocking Rudolph festive beer is also available on their website. The pub’s Facebook page reads: “It is never too early… Menus available now in pub and online.”
A spokesperson for the Air Balloon said: “With Christmas such an important time of year for pubs, where family and friends can celebrate together, we are pleased to be taking bookings now for people who want to have their special event organised in good time.”
Previously, putting up a Christmas tree in July, August is typically a month later than celebrations normally ensue at the venue.
Community cornerstones
General manager of the Air Balloon Joanne Johnson, previously told The Morning Advertiser people thought she was “crazy” for putting up a Christmas tree- including tinsel, fairy lights and baubles – in July.
Speaking on past festivities she said: “ A few of my locals said they thought I was crazy. People come in here and say, ‘God, there’s a Christmas tree up!’" She continued: "I think people will copy this. I think the pub over the road has just put their Christmas tree up."
Renowned for celebrating the season and also helping the community, In a Twitter post from 2020, Greene King stated: “Jo at the Air Balloon pub provided over 100 cooked Christmas dinners to families in the community. Pubs are cornerstones of communities and we’re so pleased the Air Balloon could help.”
