Pub of the Season - Summer 2009 - Five Bells Chelsfield Village
The Summer 2009 Pub of the Season was presented to Ade and Kay Stone of the Five Bells Chelsfield Village on the 22nd August.
Kay and Ade have been running the Five Bells for four years - and indeed, the night of our presentation was that particular anniversary. As it was a celebration, we were treated to very generous helpings of finger food, followed by even more sandwiches! The band lent heavily to the party atmosphere, and, it was enthusing to see the number of people that had turned out to support and celebrate their local pub - which is surely what it is all about?
The Five Bells was built in 1668, before a 6th bell was added to the parish church, and lies south of Orpington at the end of the R3 bus route. It is a pleasant village in a rural setting and the pub is clearly very close to the heart of the community - as unofficial clubhouse to the local football team, hoster of quiz nights, and, regularly, events of a more extraordinary nature including a bucking bronco night (I'd like to see how that went after the 4th pint!).
The beer selection was excellent, but your author was particularly impressed that the Westcountry was so well represented this evening, with the following beers on offer:
- Sharp's Doom Bar
- Cottage's Summer Conquest
- Skinner's Betty Stoggs
- Blindman's Dirty Cash
- And last but by no means least CAMRA Supreme Champion 2009, Rudgate's Ruby Mild.
Summer Conquest was a typical summer ale - hoppy and light, but lacking that overpowering citrus kick that is present in some ales of this genre. Dirty Cash - an homage of sorts to our friends just over the water in Westminster - was an amusing diversion. The Ruby Mild was excellent, and it would not do to leave out an honourable mention for this delicious tipple, but your author's 1st prize is for the old Cornish maid - the eminently quaffable Betty Stoggs.
Tom Scambler
Kay and Ade would like to say a big 'thank you' everyone who came to the pub for our presentation - it made their 4th anniversary of taking over the pub very special indeed.
Pub of the Year 2009 - Dog and Bell, Deptford
The Dog and Bell Deptford was awarded Pub of Year on 5th May 2009. Pictured is Landlord Charles Gallagher with Branch Chair Charlotte Catchpole and Julian Stone(Dog and Bell regular and active branch member). More information about the Dog & Bell and its history can be found here
Pub of the Season - Winter 2008/2009 - Commercial, Herne Hill
We are pleased to announce that the Commercial, Herne Hill has been voted Pub of the Season Winter 2008/2009. In an area previously little visted by the branch; It has been hugely popular with our members since discovering it earlier this year with 3 socials ending up there unscheduled.
© Ewan Munro
- The Bear, Camberwell
- Hoopers, Camberwell/East Dulwich Borders
- Commercial, Herne Hill
- Oakhill, Beckenham
- The Dulwich Wood House, Sydenham Hill
- Horniman at Hays, London Bridge
- The Hole in the Wall, Waterloo
Pub of the Season - Summer 2008 - Ramblers Rest
The Ramblers Rest, Chislehurst and old favourite of many of our members was awarded the pub of the season on 10th July 2008.
Pub of the Year 2008 - Blythe Hill Tavern
A popular community pub on the South Circular appearing in the CAMRA regional inventory of historic pub interiors and serving a variety of fine ales especially those sourced locally from the Westerham Brewery. With the superior beer and architecture as well a community focus which includes Irish music nights every thursday, Con the landlord is over the moon that his pub has won this award.
Previous Pubs of the Year
- 2007 - Red Lion Bromley
- 2006 - Market Porter
- 2005 - Gowlett
- 2004 - Dog and Bell
- 2003 - Royal Oak