Honours handed out to Camra pubs and clubs
A RECORD number of real ale lovers voted for their favourite pubs and clubs in a ballot held by the borough’s branch of Camra.
The Hinckley and Bosworth branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, which invited members to vote online as well as by traditional paper ballot, said the results were “clear cut”.
The Queens Head on Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, was named pub of the year for 2017, a title it has held three times previously.
Accepting the award, licensee Phil Jackson thanked his wife Dawn, mother in law Shirley and bar staff for their hard work and cut the price of a pint to £2 for the rest of the evening.
Cider pub of the year honours went to micropub The Pestle and Mortar on Castle Street, Hinckley, run by Sue Williams, for the second year running.
Last year’s award saw the pint-sized hostelry go on to be named Camar’s top Cider Pub in the East Midlands, beating contenders across six counties.
Similarly, Burbage Constitutional Club was named club of the year for a second consecutive year, after it too went on to become winner of the East Midlands title following last year’s branch accolade.
Its award was accepted again by club chairman David Banks.
Camra branch secretary Richard Lewin said: “All three serve top class drinks and offer a range of facilities for their locals.
“The fact that two of them have gone on to win regional titles is a tremendous accolade to the quality of our pubs and clubs in the borough.”
Celebration events, at which certificates were presented, were held at each establishment.
The Elbow Room Ale and Cider House on Station Road, Hinckley, was voted runner up in both the pub and cider pub of the year catego- ries while Hinckley’s Citizens Club on Mount Road was runner-up in the club of the year category.