John Bellinger, Landlord of The Bell Inn at Adderbury, North Oxfordshire CAMRA Pub of The Year 2008, rose to a challenge set by his customers when he punted the length of the Thames through Oxfordshire last week.

John's challenge, which started at St John's Lock,  Lechlade, at 10.00am on Sunday 22^nd June took six and a half days to complete, finishing in Henley on the following Saturday (28^th June) at 1.30pm. He had invited customers to bid for a daily crew place at an auction he held at the Bell Inn and those who were successful in securing a place were encouraged to obtain sponsorship for their part in the challenge, to swell the coffers.

People thought John was potty when he accepted his original challenge - to go down the Thames in a swan-shaped pedalo, but when he couldn't find one a customer offered a punt instead. He was given a musical send off at St John's Lock in Lechlade by a large party, including Lechlade's finest folk musicians (Lechlade Riverside Folk from the Trout) journalists and customers, including two in kayaks who followed the punt for the day like out-riders.

His craziness was soon confirmed on the first day as he tried to steer the punt in the strong winds that plagued his progress down river for most of the week.

The lock keeper at Buscot helpfully tied a brick to a rope for John to dangle over the stern - a trick once used in one of the Hornblower seafaring novels, but the trick worked.

John shook a bucket at pubs along the way in aid of Katharine House Hospice, which stands to gain from his efforts. His target of £2,000 looks like being doubled now as he 'calls in' all of the sponsorship pledged before the start of the event.

Marcus Dobbs, who paid good money for the privilege of accompanying John on the first day of the challenge said, "Sunday was a day I am unlikely to forget in a hurry, not least for the pain that my body felt for the following week. It wasn't long after we set off that it became abundantly clear that our little fundraising jaunt was going to be somewhat more difficult than I had anticipated. While the heavens did remain thankfully dry, the wind was truly horrendous and was soon swinging our punt around with gay abandon, culminating with our entering Buscot Lock backwards. Thankfully there was more than an equal share of beautiful scenery, public support and strong camaraderie to see us through. The feeling at the end of the day was one of great relief and accomplishment when we finally rounded the last meander and caught sight of the Maybush Inn at Newbridge. I have a lot of respect for John for completing the week."

John said, "The whole challenge was grueling, both physically and mentally! By Wednesday I didn't want to be doing it anymore, but I was driven by the fact that a lot of my friends and customers from the Bell wanted me to complete the week and had donated a lot of cash for me to do so. I also had fantastic support from the daily crew members and the support boat, without either of which I wouldn't have been able to fulfill the challenge!"

John was supported from the first lunchtime stop of the challenge at Radcot until he arrived in Henley, by Royston Smith in his motor boat 'Omah III'. John said "Royston was good company during the evenings and made sure I had early nights in preparation for the following day".

The challenge ended in Henley at the famous Angel-on-the-Bridge pub, where a packed riverside terrace clapped and cheered as he stepped ashore wearing his best DJ, to be greeted by customers from the Bell Inn and his wife Trisha.

What about his next challenge? John was a bit non committal. "That depends on what my customers come up with", he said. "They've got the next month to make some suggestions, but they will have to be prepared to do the organizing!" There will be a presentation of the money raised on Saturday 19^th July at the Bell at Adderbury during the evening.

- courtesy of Adderbury, Deddington and District Photographic Society