Page 3 ... The Awards!

Pub Of The Year

We chose this years Colchester Beer Festival to present our Pub Of The Year 2004 awards.
The awards were presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester, Dr Chris Hall and Dr Elizabeth Hall, whilst viewed by publicans and press from all over Essex. It was very kind of the Mayor and Mayoress to take time out of their busy schedule, but as the Mayor is a long standing CAMRA member himself, seemed very appropriate that he present this years awards.

There are over 350 public houses in the Colchester & North East Essex Branch area, although not all, unfortunately, sell real ale. This year we had over 30 nominations from Branch members, and three separate rounds of voting - standards were very high, and the judging difficult.

But eventually, our members came up with these final awards.

Firstly, our Rural pub of the year.

One look at the ceiling of this pub and you will see from the massive number of pump clips that small and large breweries across the country have somehow delivered their wares to a tiny Essex Village. Regulars and newcomers alike will testify to the quality of the ales and the food. In winter, an open fire is most welcoming. And every summer, the pub hosts its own beer festival which draws people from miles around.

Not only that, but the Landlord has been incredibly supportive of CAMRA, especially where our Clacton and Harwich Beer Festivals are concerned. To achieve pub of the year status is one thing. To consistently maintain the high standards required is quite exceptional. This year's award winner has done just that. The award for Rural Pub of the Year went to Steve & Julie Chandler of Ye Olde Cherry Tree in Little Oakley.

This year's award for Colchester Town Pub of the year was also well-deserved.

Normally, it takes years for new publicans to make their mark, even when the pub itself was an established favourite. In this case, not only did our winners make a spectacular impact in less than a year from taking it over - it is also their first pub.

The publicans are committed to real ale, have revived a pub which was in decline, attracted back lost customers, and offer a warm welcome to new ones. Long may it continue. The winners of the Town Pub of the Year were Linda Eldon and Simon Foulds of the British Grenadier.

Finally, our Overall Pub of the Year.

It's an exceptional pub which can reach and maintain the highest standards. Well, this years winner was also last years winner. And several times in previous years. And this pub is testament to the fact that not all drinkers want large screen TV, loud music and fancy gimmicks.

This is quite simply a local boozer where you can sit and read the paper undisturbed if you wish, or join in the banter with the often very opinionated locals and friendly, well-trained staff. The publican himself has been known to voice the odd opinion - not always strictly following the CAMRA line, sometimes indeed, the opposite. But you have to respect the knowledge of a landlord who is now in his 20th year in residence. Especially when the range of beers and ciders is ever changing, the quality always excellent, and even the occasional nourishing cheese roll makes an appearance.

We did, however have a problem. Traditionally, we recognise the Pub of the Year with a certificate and a piece of CAMRA memorabilia. But this pub has won the award so many times, and already has the customary mirrors, clocks and presentation plaques. So this year, we asked the Mayor to make a special presentation, which reflects one of the landlord's other passions.
The award for Colchester & North East Essex Pub of the Year went to John Parrick of the Odd One Out in Colchester, where he was awarded with a signed cricket bat!

Just for the record, 78 people turned up for the trade session, which resulted in several positive introductions between suppliers and publicans. We also basked in our fair share of media coverage - many thanks to BBC Essex, The Evening Gazette and others who helped promote the festival this year.

If you'd like to find out who did what at this years festival, then read on....