Whitestone Inn regular David Hill was bowled over after winning two tickets for the third day of the Ashes fifth test at The Oval, along with flights and hotel accommodation, in a competition organised by Heron and Brearley.
Mr Hill, 42, who lives in Ballasalla within, he said, ‘crawling distance’ of his regular haunt, was among customers of participating pubs the Cat With No Tail, the Horse and Plough, the Queens, the Swan and the Whitestone Inn, together with the Thomas Rigby in Liverpool, who entered the competition and earned one stamp on a specially designed Ashes loyalty card for each pint of Okell’s or Carling purchased while watching cricket in the pub. Once they had a full card of six stamps, customers were entered into the prize draw.
Cricket fan Mr Hill said: ‘I’ve been to Lord’s but to go to watch an Ashes match will be a first and I’ll be taking a friend of mine, Andrew Sherwin, with me. I’ve been a regular at the Whitestone since the 80s. It’s a friendly pub close to home and the new management is great. I’ve never really won anything before so it was fantastic news when I got the call telling me I’d won the tickets.’
Heron and Brearley retail director Steven Taylor said: ‘The Ashes has a tremendous following worldwide so we were pleased to be able to offer this unique opportunity to be part of this legendary cricket series. I share Dave Hill’s love of the game and hope that he and his friend have a great time at The Oval and that England get four wins under their belt.’
Photo - Ashes tickets winner David Hill, centre, with Whitestone Inn managers Jenny and Brendan O’Loughlin.
