The Red Lion proudly sponsored the 'Walk with the Stars' event last weekend, which saw nearly 1,000 women walk the 5 mile or 11 mile route from Hemel Hempstead School at midnight to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis.

All kitted out in their bright pink t-shirts flaunting the Red Lion logo, the mass of women raised a remarkable £150,000 for the Berkhamsted Hospice as they sacrificed a night's sleep in favour of entertainment, goodies and a well-deserved breakfast at the finishing line.

Peter Borg-Neal, Chief Executive of Oakman Inns & Restaurants, made an honourable speech on behalf of the Red Lion as the event's main sponsor, and even donned a pink t-shirt for the occasion!

A host of celebrities, including a surprise appearance from Frank Bruno, who made a poignant speech about the Hospice of St Francis, turned up at the event to offer their support, in addition to local entertainers and press members.

As a main sponsor, the Red Lion was commended for its support and involvement in the event and in its assistance in raising money for an admirable local charity, and certainly appreciated being in the celebrity spotlight!

Our speciality is great food and drink, not football, and we do not have TV screens showing any World Cup games. During England matches we invite all ladies to come and drink cocktails and eat canapes in true Sex and the City style, with Cosmopolitans and Manhattans!

This offer is for all England games.

On Tuesday 20^th April, The Red Lion at Water End, will be turning pink for the morning in aid of The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

The Red Lion modern pub and restaurant at Water End will be hosting a pink coffee morning between 9.30 and 11am on Tuesday 20^th April as part of its sponsorship of the annual "Walk with the Stars" event that raises much needed funds for the Hospice. The walk is one of the main fundraising events of the year for the Hospice.

Any lady that wishes to sign up for the event, or would like to find out more about the work done by The Hospice of St Francis is invited to the Red Lion for a coffee and a pink cup cake! It will be the perfect anti-dote on this first day back to school after the hectic Easter holidays. You will also get the chance to win a fabulous cake from "Baked by Kylie" who is also donating some of her cup cakes for the occasion. Other cakes are being made by Red Lion Assistant Manager Moira Borg-Neal, Commercial Manager Anna Wood and Marketing Manager Nicky Mendoza-Wilson.

Whilst sipping your coffee at the Red Lion, which is the latest modern pub and restaurant from award winning Oakman Inns, you can sign up for the Walk. Choose between a 5 mile, or a longer 11 mile walk. Both walks start from Hemel Hempstead School on Saturday 19^th June and registration costs just £15 which also gives you the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes such as a 2 night stay at Champneys Health Resort, including treatments.

This year's Walk with the Stars midnight walk is in its fourth year and promises to be as fabulous as ever - and just as pink! It doesn't matter if you have joined the walk over the past 3 years or if its your first time, it doesn't matter what your fitness level is, you can walk on your own or as part of a team, the important thing is to take part.

The Red Lion Pink Coffee Morning in aid of The Hospice of St Francis "Walk with the Stars" event takes place from 9.30 - 11am on Tuesday 20^th April. The Red Lion, Leighton Buzzard Road, Water End, HP1 3BD. Tel: 01442 213594

The Red Lion at Water End is one of two main sponsors at this years Walk with the Stars, a midnight walk that raises funds for the Hospice of St Francis.

This event takes place on Saturday 19th June and entry forms can be requested at The Red Lion or you can register on line on www.walkwiththestars.org.uk

Enjoy the heat of our log fires, sample our new bar menu and try one of our warming winter cocktails prepared by our Red Lion bartenders.

A celebratory menu is available in the restaurant with a glass of something bubbly. Limited tickets are available for the bar area with complimentary Mediterranean bites and live Jazz. Ceartan Duggan, General Manager at the Red Lion said, 'It is promising to be a great night, especially after our successful launch. Anyone that would like to attend should contact me on 01442 213594, or pop into the pub soon.'

...award winning pub & restaurant group defy national pub statistics by going from strength to strength.

Oakman Inns & Restaurants announced today that The Red Lion in Water End, Hertfordshire will be re-opening following extensive refurbishment on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Peter Borg-Neal, Managing Director of Oakman Inns & Restaurants Ltd., announced today that 'the design for the new Red Lion combines comfort, atmosphere and style in a building that dates back to the early 1700's. The original listed building has been renovated sympathetically to create a warm and intimate bar area, with the more modern part of the building lending itself to Oakman Inns & Restaurants signature open kitchen with an airy and contemporary dining area.'

'We have teamed up with the same designers that we used for the Akeman in Tring, which received the Design of the Year award at the 2009 Publican Awards. As with The Akeman, they have married together the history of the building with our contemporary design style.' He added.

Raffaele Mercurio, Operations Director for Oakman Inns & Restaurants Group, commented, 'One of the highlights of the new Red Lion is the Wood Burning Pizza Oven, imported from Frascati in Italy. This oven, used with the best Italian ingredients will give the same pizzas as we had at Forno Vivo, pizzas we won awards for.'

As well as the Forno Vivo Pizza Menu, the new Red Lion menu will feature the modern Mediterranean and Josper grilled food that Oakman Inns is known for, as well as an ever changing specials board featuring great British pub classics. The pub will open daily at 9am for breakfast and pastries, with both the full and bar menu available from midday until the restaurant closes. The bar is open all day serving coffee, tea and soft drinks, an extensive wine and cocktail selection, lagers and real ales.

Ceartan Duggan, General Manager for the Red Lion, added that 'new Red Lion is a destination for the entire community any time of the day or evening. We have a childrens' reading library, colouring sheets and menu, family out-door games, meeting spaces for local businesses and facilities for personal celebrations and events. In the warmer months we have a stunning outside eating area with plenty of garden space.'

The refurbishment has taken exactly two months, encompassing both the inside and outside areas.

For more details contact:

About Oakman Inns & Restaurants Ltd

The Red Lion is one of three modern pubs and restaurants operated by Oakman Inns & Restaurants Ltd. The Akeman was the first to open in Tring and has been running since December 2007, The Old Post Office, Wallingford opened in February 2009 and The Red Lion in Water End will re-open on the 30^th November 2009.

The concept behind Oakman Inns and Restaurants is to provide local, good quality, food-orientated pubs and restaurants, offering a range of Mediterranean inspired dishes.  The feel of the venues is a modern and traditional mix, whilst keeping a strong sense of identity and integration within the local community.

Tring-based entrepreneur and Managing Director, Peter Borg-Neal, has spent his career developing pubs and restaurants, he was previously founder and Managing Director of Forno Vivo Limited. He also had a very successful corporate career reaching Operating Company Board level with Allied Domecq and Whitbread. He is a director of The National Autistic Society.