It was with great pleasure that the Branch turned out to present this award. Ex-teacher and biochemist, Barry Dobson - together with Spire Brewery’s Dave McLaren, Sarah West and their excellent team - have turned the ‘Brit’ into an excellent community pub. Their watchwords are ‘High Quality, Excellent Service, Value for Money and Choice’; since opening around seven months ago, they seem to have pretty much achieved all of these objectives. 

Locals and visitors alike have certainly taken the pub to their hearts, throwing themselves into the regular quiz nights, sports leagues, fundraising and other community events. To illustrate this, the pub played a big part in the local Christmas Fair and carol singing, followed by a series of events to support CAMRA’s Community Pubs Week in February. 

A visit to the Brit will guarantee you not only a warm welcome, but an excellent choice of beer and reasonable prices, too. From the eight handpumps you will always find an excellent selection from Spire Brewery, together with a complementary range of constantly changing guest beers from other microbreweries. As with all the best pubs in our area, you can always find either a stout or porter available and usually a mild! Moravka (a Czech-style lager brewed in Taddington) is also available, as is a selection of bottled world beers. 

In front of a packed pub, Rhoda Waygood (Branch Chairman) made the certificate presentation to Barry. Congratulations to all at the Britannia and thanks for the excellent buffet on the night! For more information - including opening hours and how to get there, visit: www.spirebrewery.co.uk/britannia.html

Where do you start with the Arkwright? 

The range of beer, cider, the people, or just the pub? Having lived in the area for roughly the same 18 months that John and Kathy (pictured receiving their Award from Branch Chairman, Rhoda Waygood) have been in charge at the Arkers, “Bottom Duck” (or however you know it), I’ve seen at first hand the effort and energy they’ve put into making this an essential stop for local (and not so local) ale drinkers. 

Just recently the latest alterations including a new layout of the bar, cellar racking and other important refurbishments (including the ladies loo - now very posh, so I’m told!) were completed. There are now two banks of 8 handpumps and room enough in the cellar to use them! The policy of keeping local ales on the bar, real cider and a perry, holding Easter and August Bank Holiday festivals and frequent micro-fests have helped to raise the profile of real ale and real cider in the region. 

Should you fancy a bite to eat, there’s lunch 7 days a week and evening food available most nights. Good honest food at fair prices - including real home cooked chips. The smaller bar area is to the right and to the left is the lounge with a quiet area for relaxation off-set with views out onto the hills. A restaurant is situated to the rear. 

Following on from winning Summer Pub of the Season 2007, the Arkwright takes the crown as our premier pub, which is just reward for all John and Kathy’s work. The pub reflects their personalities and, with their choice of staff, helps keep the customers coming back. Cheers and here’s to a fantastic Arkers 2008 of beer and cider.