Pub of the Year Competition
The Pub of the year is an annual competition held by CAMRA to find the "best" Pub in Britain.
Pubs are judged on a number of criteria which include:-
- Quality of Beer
- Atmosphere/Style/Décor
- Service & Welcome
- Clientele Mix
- Sympathy with CAMRA Aims
- Good Value
The competition progresses through local, regional and national stages.
The 2011 Competition
For 2011 the Swindon and North Wilts CAMRA Branch chose the Red Lion in Cricklade. The Red Lion has been nominated by us before. It is a worthy winner because of its exellent selection of local beers and those from further afield, giving drinkers a good choice of quality beers.
The Red Lion also scores highly on atmosphere, friendly service and good food. It 'ticks all the right boxes'!
We presented the Red Lion with its certificate on Friday, 3 June. Landlord Tom Gee (2nd from left) was highly delighted to receive this award. The certicate is presented by Swindon and North Wilts Branch Chair Hans Hoffbauer (4th from left). Branch Secretary Richard is the onlooker between the two. Several Branch members also attended the presentation.
The 2010 Competition
By Chris James
Pub Correspondent, Swindon and North Wiltshire CAMRA Branch
For the second year running, The Carter’s Rest in Wroughton High Street,, SN4 9JU) has been voted as the ‘Pub of the Year’ for the Swindon and North Wiltshire CAMRA Branch. The beer range is extensive and caters for all tastes -as well as Cider and Perry - and now boasts 12 hand pumps. Regular beers are Plain Ales – ‘Innocence’, ‘Crop Circle’ from Hop Back, Sharps ‘’Doombar’ and Cotswold Spring’s ‘Old English Rose’. In the mid ‘80’s the pub was entered into ‘The Guinness Book of Records’ for the highest number of different ales served in one year. I’ve been a regular customer there since 1982 and I’ve always found it friendly, easily accessible, for one, like myself, with a visual Impairment, and above all a good range of quality ales.
For the Licensees’ Caroline and Kevin MacDivitt, The Carter’s Rest means a lot to them as it is where they first met, got engaged and held their Wedding Reception. Since taking residence in mid 2006, Caroline and Kevin have taken over the tradition of being part of the community, with a darts and cribbage team and entering a float in the Wroughton Carnival and arranging brewery visits, and organising a Christmas Beer Festival (this year’s festive event will be held from 17-20 December 2010).
The 2009 Competition
For 2009 we chose the Carters Rest at Wroughton as our Pub Of The Year (POTY). It has been in
the Good Beer Guide for a number of years.
We think this is a good choice because the Carters Rest serves a wide range of beers, is a great local with lots of
community events and a smashing atmosphere. These are all outstanding attributes, which make it a good choice for POTY.
The 2008 Competition
For 2008 we chose the Five Bells at Wootton Bassett as our Pub Of The Year (POTY). It has been in
the Good Beer Guide for a number of years.
We think this is a good choice because the Five Bells serves a good choice of beers, has a
wonderful atmosphere and serves excellent food to name just a few of its outstanding attributes.
The 2007 Competition
Our nomination for this year is the Red Lion at Cricklade (no stranger to this competition over the years).
We will be presenting a certificate to the Red Lion on 18 July some time after 20:00 for being
Pub Of The Year (POTY) for Swindon & North Wilts CAMRA Branch.
This is a worthy nominee because of the quality of its beers and the pub's atmosphere among other
great attributes.
The 2006 Competition
Our nomination was once again the Check Inn, North Wroughton. It was beaten in the regional competition by the Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton, Devon. However, this was no disgrace as the Tom Cobley Tavern went on to win National Pub of the Year 2006.
The 2005 Competition
Our nomination was the Check Inn, North Wroughton.
The 2004 Competition
Our nomination was the Check Inn, North Wroughton.
The 2003 Competition
Our nomination was once again the Red Lion, Cricklade.
The 2002 Competition
Our nomination was the Red Lion, Cricklade.
The 2001 Competition
Our nomination was the Check Inn, North Wroughton.
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