For the first time, Fenland have nominated a Pub of the Year. We were asked by the CAMRA Region to make a nomination at very short notice, which would go forward to the county competition for Pub of the Year. We selected the Priors Oven at Spalding as the Fenland Pub of the Year.

Chairman Nigel Woodburn said: “It’s not a question of the Prior’s Oven ‘beating’ other pubs. Rather it’s about choosing one pub from many excellent ones in our branch area and giving it a bit of recognition. The Prior’s Oven is justifiably popular with CAMRA members and non-members alike. It has a strong commitment for real ale, mostly from local brewers. It was the first micro-pub in our branch area and this gives it a bit of a special atmosphere.”

The award was presented at a branch social meeting on Tuesday 2nd August. Four beers were available, all in excellent condition: Austendyke Hogs Gate, Charnwood Hello Sunshine, Grainstore Rutland Panther and Oakham Bishops Farewell

Photographers turned up from the Spalding Guardian and the Spalding & South Holland Voice, leading to many shots of the certificate being presented twice, the first in daylight, the second at dusk. Both papers have carried a good report of the event.

For next year’s competition, we are hoping to get more branch members involved in the process by encouraging them to nominate pubs for the 2018 Good Beer Guide and Pub of the Year.