The Easton Royal Onion Society (EROS)

Original EROS members in the bar of the Bruce Arms. From top left : Francis Brook, Michael Whitaker, Bob Hughes, Lloyd Cockbain

One Friday evening sometime during 1998, four village residents sat in the snug of the Bruce Arms drinking pints of Wadworth’s beer, eating crisps, playing spoof and putting the world to rights with resident landlords John and Jackie Butler.

Francis Brook, Lloyd Cockbain, Bob Hughes and Michael Whitaker (chauffeured by Margaret Holden) enjoyed their weekly get togethers. On this particular evening, the discussion turned to the upcoming Village Produce Show and their prospective entries. Opinions were stated about the best techniques for growing show onions, with each man expressing his own views. A competitive spirit materialised and the Easton Royal Onion Society (EROS) was born. Bob Hughes purchased a small silver cup to be awarded for the best onions at the Village Show, with the anticipation of being presented with it himself. There was a Society sweatshirt complete with onion logo and hideous tie which from then on members wore when they met each Friday. The Society was even mentioned in the Camra pub guide when the Bruce Arms was recommended as an enjoyable hostelry to visit.

The years went on and EROS members took it in turns to win the cup, until the inevitable occasion when an ‘outsider’s’ entry was judged to be the best. Time passed and the original members dispersed, but the cup is still awarded annually in their honour to the best onion grower in Easton Royal at the Village Produce Show.