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Pub of the Year 2013 presentation to Ferryboat Inn, Thorganby

In June, it was time to present our prestigious Pub of the Year award to this year’s worthy winner, the Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby. The pub won this award for the first time three years ago when it also went on to win the CAMRA Yorkshire Pub of the Year title, which was the first time our branch had produced a regional winner for some years. The Ferry Boat Inn is a genuine family-run free house, which has been run in the same vein, by the same family, for many years. The licensee, Olive Rogers, has had her name over the door since she was 21 and she is now in her eighties. Her daughter, Jackie, and son-in-law, Phil, run the pub nowadays and all three were over the moon to win the title for a second time.

Over the last dozen years or so, Phil’s interest in beer has seen the pub gradually increase its cask ale range from one to five, whilst never compromising on quality. By the time our bus arrived mid-afternoon, the pub and large garden were bustling with visitors to the beer festival that Phil and Jackie had organised, with help from Keith Simpson of Brown Cow Brewery, to mark the occasion. As well as the usual six hand pumps in the pub, the outbuildings just outside hosted a temporary bar with another fine selection of beers sourced by Keith from around the country, several of which were from Cumbria, and many of which I had never tasted before. Fantastic! There was even a marquee in the garden for the guest bands to perform in.
The weather was very kind, which meant that the presentation could take place outside where everyone was able to see and hear. It was the duty and pleasure of our Chairman, Matt Grant, to make the presentation. He began his speech by apologising to those present who had heard his speech on the same occasion three years ago because it was going to be very similar, as little, if anything, had changed at the pub, which in the case of the Ferry Boat Inn, is a very good thing! He then explained a bit about how the Pub of the Year is chosen by the membership from the 460 plus pubs in the York branch area.
Quality of beer/cider/perry is the most important criteria and this is weighted accordingly in the survey process. No one in the audience reported ever having a bad pint at the pub, so it seemed most people agreed with the membership on that point. It was also noted how Phil always tries to have a varied range of beer styles on the bar at any time, including a dark beer such as a dark mild, stout or porter, which has helped these once endangered beer styles begin to regain popularity.
The atmosphere/style/decor of the pub was described as being homely and cosy, especially with the roaring fire in winter, and in summer the pub has its amazing, large beer garden leading down to the River Derwent. Matt went on to describe how the pub is one of the most friendly and welcoming he has ever visited, which meant it did well in the service/welcome category too.
As regards sympathy with CAMRA aims, Matt noted that Phil and Jackie were both members, they always display CAMRA publicity materials and copies of this magazine, always serve full pints (a key CAMRA campaign) and have been members of our LocAle scheme since its launch.
The penultimate category is community focus and when Matt suggested that this pub appeared to be a hub of the community, a local user of pub shouted out that it was the hub of the community. The pub has a quiz night, dominoes team, music nights and several local clubs meet at the pub.
The final category is good value and whilst the pub has very reasonably priced products, this category means more than just cost. It refers to the overall value for money and experience that you feel you get from investing time and money to visit the pub.
To win the Pub of the Year title in an area with such a wonderful array of real ale pubs, a pub obviously needs to do well in all six categories, which the Ferry Boat Inn does indeed. Jackie, Phil and Olive accepted the certificate and trophy and then Jackie said a few words of thanks to the people who they feel have most helped them to build the pub up to its current high standard. These included several local breweries and, most importantly, their loyal customers who were once again there in abundance. I’ll drink to that! (MG)

Spring 2013 Town Pub of the Season Presentation to The Habit, Goodramgate

Kevin presenting the award to Simon

Kevin presenting the award to Simon

On a windy and rainy March night a group of us met at the Habit to present Simon and his staff with the Spring Town Pub of the Season.

This little bar in Goodramgate provides a little oasis serving two cask ales, one always a LocAle. On presentation night Treboom Baron Saturday was the beer of choice and in fine fettle it was too.

Simon and his staff have worked very hard over the last few years to build a free trade business in a listed building. Listening to customers, one hand pump was installed and slowly people got to know about it leading to a second hand pump as demand grew. Simon’s plan for this year is to install a third hand pump, a tight squeeze but as Simon says a challenge!
Real cider is now also a regular feature with Moonshine being the most popular though others do make the occasional appearance.

This is a venue that has quietly worked its way into a regular port of call for me and goes to show that it is still possible for a determined owner to succeed. With regular music nights a roof terrace and showcase for budding local artists it has found its niche, a quirky one but life would be so dull without such places. (KK)

Spring 2013 Country Pub of the Season Presentation to Fenton Flyer, Church Fenton

John presenting the award to Ross

John presenting the award to Ross

Eighteen members journeyed out to the Fenton Flyer in Church Fenton for an evening presentation of the Branch 2013 Spring Country Pub of the Season award in March.

On a dull evening, with snow threatened, many locals welcomed us to a warm pub to what had been a well-publicised social event by landlord Ross Higham.

There were three LocAle beers on offer as well as John Smith’s cask and Sharps Doombar, their permanent replacement for Tetley Bitter. The three guests beers were Ossett Yorkshire Blonde (later replaced by Ossett Silver King), Roosters Yankee and Brown Cow Captain Oates Dark Mild.

The presentation was made by the sponsor, John McCloy. John said that he had been a frequent visitor to the pub from the time when it was a Mansfield Brewery pub and had watched its rise and fall and how encouraging it was see the improvement of this village pub from the previous times with the arrival just over a year ago of the enthusiastic landlord. It was good to see that it was possible to sell guest beers alongside nationals. The pub was very much a community pub arranging frequent brewery visits and charity quiz nights and was obviously now a great asset to the village.

In making the presentation, John congratulated Ross on his enthusiasm and for his efforts and hoped it would keep going for the foreseeable future.

Ross thanked CAMRA for the prestigious award and all his locals for the support given to him during the time he had been at the Flyer. He also said that mention in the previous Ouse Boozer of the young man who had taken the pub was a surprise and had resulted in some friendly banter from the locals.

Opportunity to sample more of the beers followed before refreshments in the form of locally sourced pie and peas and chilli and chips were served.

During the evening Ross’s partner had been selling tickets for a raffle of numerous items donated by local breweries, such as Timothy Taylor, Sharps, Ilkley, Saltaire (and Molson Coors) and at the end of the evening Ross announced that it had raised £60 for the pub’s charities. (JM)

Winter 2012 Country Pub of the Season presentation to joint winner New Inn, Cliffe

Steve presenting the award to Adele and Ian

Steve presenting the award to Adele and Ian

On a cold and snowy night in January what better sight than a blazing fire and a row of hand pumps in a cosy pub? Not to mention the smiling welcome from our hosts Ian and Adele…

I was at the New Inn, Cliffe for the Winter Pub of the Season presentation – an award the pub had jointly won with the Blacksmiths Arms at Lastingham. The New Inn was proposed for the award for its transformation from a down-at-heel village local into a vibrant, real ale supporting community pub whilst still retaining its local character.

Before Ian and Adele took over the running of the pub just over eighteen months ago the former Enterprise Inns house had seen successive short tenure licensees and virtually no investment for many years. The opportunity was taken to carry out a full refurbishment inside, removing the poorly sited stairs to the living accommodation out of the main entrance and opening up the bar and the lounge areas.

Complete redecoration, new furniture and lighting has resulted in a step change in the ambience of the pub as you walk through the door. Brighter and more spacious yet still warm and welcoming, the effect is immediate.

Of perhaps more importance to CAMRA members and local beer drinkers alike is the growth of hand pumps on the bar – one has become six! Ian has squeezed the last few inches of space in the modest – nay, tiny – cellar to provide some carefully chosen and splendidly presented beers. The beers on offer have a distinctly local theme and why not when we have so many wonderful breweries nearby?

A quick scan of tonight’s ‘menu’ revealed the following: Brown Cow Captain Oates, All Hallows Peg Fyfe Dark Mild, Salamander Thin White Duke (which ran out and was replaced by Rudgate Winter’s Ale), Saltaire South Island Pale and Wold Top Wold Gold. This sort of choice is now happily a typical sight in the pub – a far cry from the single John Smith’s Cask offering in the past! John Smith’s Cask is still available for those who prefer it.

Ian makes a conscious effort to support our local breweries and the pub signed up for LocAle soon after Ian and Adele settled in. Indeed, at the presentation two of our local breweries were represented – Brown Cow by Sue and Keith Simpson and Bird Brain by Phil Usher. As Ian pointed out, in just seventeen months the pub has just had its 50th brewery represented and 251st different beer on the bar which is some achievement for the pub (and its cellar!).

Ian and Adele have links with the Cliffe area and so were mindful of the requirements of locals when they undertook the transformation of the pub. The darts, dominoes and football teams are well catered for and Ian’s first beer festival last September was used to raise some £2,000 for the village playing fields association.

That Ian and Adele have achieved so much in the time that they have been in charge and the manner in which they have enhanced the pub whilst still retaining its community ethos is a remarkable achievement and makes them worthy winners of the Pub of the Season award. (SG)

Winter 2013 Country Pub of the Season presentation to joint winner Blacksmiths Arms, Lastingham

Pat presenting the award to landlord Pete

Pat presenting the award to landlord Pete

On January 12th a full bus (28 members) eagerly set out to the wilderness beyond Pickering! Our destination was the Blacksmiths Arms at Lastingham for the presentation of the joint Winter Pub of the Season 2013.

Because many are not used to being so far outside York, we had decided to take a couple of detours. First thirsty stop was the New Inn at Cropton, where we all enjoyed trying to match the newly-named beers of Great Yorkshire Brewery to the old Cropton range. I think everyone did well here and there were still some old favourites such as Scoresby Stout and Monkmans Slaughter on tap.

On arrival at the Blacksmiths Arms, we were greeted with the old world charm of a great log fire burning in the Yorkshire range in the bar, a warm welcome from the staff and a room prepared for our delicious buffet. We crowded into the cosy bar to hear Pat Burlingham present the award to owners Peter and Hils Trafford. She described how Pete and Hils have worked hard over nine years to build up trade in difficult times: they not only provide accommodation and a top quality restaurant, but they also maintain a traditional bar and serve quality ales from local breweries. Over their time Pete and Hils have refurbished and made small and sympathetic improvements to the multi-room layout. Peter was obviously delighted with the award and gave a great speech which included pointing out his growing collection of pump clips pinned to the ceiling beams.

On offer on our visit were the regular, Theakston’s Bitter, together with Rudgate Ruby Mild and Marston Moor Fairfax Special, which was later replaced by Rudgate Volsung – all were in tiptop condition.

Pat had a little story to illustrate the community spirit Pete and Hils foster here. In June 2004 they put on a whole day of nostalgia to commemorate 60 years after the D Day Landings. There was a tank outside, everyone was dressed in 1940’s fashion and, of course, there were spam fritters. As Pat’s dad Bill Burlingham, then 90 years old, was a survivor of this day, Pat and Stuart took him along. Well, as he was the only person who had actually been there he was made a great fuss of (quite rightly) and had a fantastic time. To mark the occasion many photos were taken, one of which Pete displayed on the wall. That meant dad enjoyed many more visits (to see his photo) until sadly he passed away two years ago. If you go to the Blacksmith Arms you will still see him wearing his medals, wishing he was having a pint too.

A group of CAMRA members visited the Norman crypt of St Mary’s church opposite for which Lastingham is famous – an eerie experience when one of them developed echoing hiccups!

On the way home we called at the Jolly Farmers at Leavening. Here, in front of another blazing fire, we enjoyed York Guzzler, Taylor’s Landlord, Hop Studio Porter and Kirkby Lonsdale Tiffin Gold.

Congratulations to the Blacksmiths Arms for making us leave the city walls. It’s a cliché, but it’s well worth seeking out this rather remote gem on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors.

A very good day out was had by all: I’m not sure if anyone tried all the beers, but we did our best! (SB, PB)

Winter 2012 Town Pub of the Season presentation to York Tap

York Tap beer board with 18 LocAles

York Tap beer board with 18 LocAles

The Winter Town Pub of the Season award night at the York Tap turned out to be a truly memorable event for all who attended – and that was a very large gathering indeed. This was in no small part to the efforts of the York Tap who decided to make the event a celebration of Yorkshire ale – and in particular breweries local to York who had won awards at last year’s Knavesmire Beer Festival.

There has never been a pub in York that has showcased 18 “LocAle” Yorkshire ales on tap all at one time and this proved to be a massive attraction as people flocked to this unique event. There was a considerable attendance from the general public and the word had spread far and wide as real ale enthusiasts from all over Yorkshire poured into York station, including staff from nine breweries, which supplemented a very good turnout from York CAMRA members.

Presenting the award to the York Tap’s manager Jon Chappell, York CAMRA’s Nick Love outlined some of the reasons that the pub deserved the seasonal accolade. He invited those in attendance to look around them at the architecture of the building they were in. In particular the sensitive restoration of the 1907 former tearoom was praised for the attention to detail – the highlights being the terrazzo floor, the wonderful stained glass cupolas that let light flood in through the roof and the wonderfully striking island bar. All of this had recently already been recognised with the National Railway Heritage Award for Conservation.

Nick (centre) presenting the award to Jon and the team

Nick (centre) presenting the award to Jon and the team

Obviously the beer is a hugely important criterion when selecting a CAMRA pub of the season and no-one needed it pointing out that night what a fabulous selection was available to all who attended that night. It was pointed out though that the York Tap kept its patrons happy throughout the year with an ever-changing eclectic selection of beers served in top condition.

Finally there was the recognition that this National Cask Ale Pub of the Year had greatly contributed to the allure of York as a real ale city and had become a destination pub due to its convenient location and beer selection, with groups from as far as London making day trips to sample the vast ale selection and unique atmosphere.

The feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive with those attending enthusiastically effusing about the great selection of award winning Yorkshire beers served in great surroundings. (NL)