Bedford pub bursting with pride & passion wins National accolade
The White Horse in Newnham Avenue, Bedford has claimed the prestigious Proud of Pubs Award recognising it as the pub of which the Country should be most proud.
Proud of Pubs is an ongoing national campaign which spreads the positive word about the pub trade. Proud of Pubs week happens annually in July and the Proud of Pubs Award this year goes to The White Horse, Bedford, within the Charles Wells Pub Company estate.
Established in 2005 by The Publican magazine, the campaign has sought to engage with politicians, the public and pubs themselves to promote the simple message that pubs are good.
This year marks the third Proud of Pubs Week (July 11-19) when pubs across all regions of the UK are encouraged to take part in a variety of activities to promote themselves to their communities, and to the world at large.
The award was presented to Nigel and Sue Anstead, licensees of The White Horse, Bedford at the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group Dinner in Westminster on Wednesday 15th July. True to the spirit of their award, the couple then launched straight into a full programme of activity and events in The White Horse the morning after the presentation, with a Lithuanian evening rounding off another community based day.
The judging panel from The Publican felt that The White Horse truly embodies the spirit of the campaign – a community pub, with outstanding and passionate licensees and a thriving customer base who all take great pride and pleasure in their local pub.
Daniel Pearce, managing editor of The Publican commented on the decision to award The White Horse the Proud of Pubs award: “Pubs such as The White Horse do so much for their communities, raising millions of pounds annually for local charities and providing the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere that brings people together every night of the week. But they are facing an unprecedented threat – from rising beer prices, competition from supermarkets and the impact of the credit crunch. Proud of Pubs week is a great moment in time to stop and realise what hidden gems we have in every village, town and city.”
“The White Horse is a sterling example of excellence in these testing times. The love and dedication Nigel, Sue and their team show day in and day out makes this pub an absolute joy to visit. If you could wish for one pub in the UK to be your local this would be the pub to have. There is no better recipient of The Proud of Pubs Week Award”
Accepting the award Nigel Anstead said “We’ve built a close relationship with our customers so know what they want from their local community pub. We offer a traditional pub food menu, a wide range of fantastic speciality beers and wines from around the world and there’s always so much going on – from quiz nights to business breakfasts and local beer and food festivals to charity fundraising events – that you’ll always find something you enjoy. We have an excellent team who work really hard and focus on quality and customer service so customers are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome. This award really is recognition for everyone who calls The White Horse their local.”
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http://www.thepublican.com/section.asp?navcode=243
http://www.whitehorsebedford.co.uk/
www.charleswells.co.uk
For immediate release: Thursday 16th July 2009
For further information: Nigel and Sue Anstead on 01234 409306
Or Kate Hempsall on 01234 244430
Kate.hempsall@charleswells.co.uk
Notes to editors :
The Publican is the pub and drink’s industry leading weekly publication also available online at http://www.thepublican.com/.
Key messages this year:
- Politicians from across the political divide are backing the week, with many including licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe and former Tory leader Michael Howard marking the week by meeting with publicans
- More than 65 MPs have already signed a House of Commons motion backing the week tabled by Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland and Labour MP John Grogan
- Pubs raise more than £2,000 each for charity every year according to exclusive research by The Publican, with the money spread across local and national charities
- The Publican has researched the 1001 uses of your typical local and as well as being the heart of their local communities pubs are used for vital community services such as post offices and meeting spaces for local groups from the very young to the elderly. Pubs also host unusual sporting events such as the world championships of scissor paper stone.
The White Horse Bedford is the reigning Charles Wells ‘Pub of the Year’ and has won numerous national industry & consumer awards including the Tenanted/Leased Pub of the Year at The Publican Awards 2009.
The photo shows Nigel & Sue Anstead (centre) receiving the Proud of Pubs Award from (L) John Grogan MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and (R) Daniel Pearce, Managing Editor of The Publican
