Campaigner of the Year
CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year award, presented at the recent Members’ Weekend, went to Steve Alton, the chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII). The award recognises his tireless lobbying for the interests of publicans and his constant raising of awareness of how pubs are at the heart of their communities.
Cider success
On 26 April CAMRA staged a successful one-day cider festival at the Rocket Van Studios near the Elephant and Castle. It featured 30 ciders and perries, all traditionally made, ranging from producers based locally in south London to those in Herefordshire and the south west of England. It was an opportunity to sample drinks not normally found in many pubs and bars in London.
We had some 200 customers and it was excellent to see that they ranged from young students to the elderly, all from different backgrounds, with a good proportion of female drinkers. Our great volunteers and a relaxed atmosphere made for an excellent event. We sold some 90% of the stock. With all the drinks being ‘bag in box’, it’s very easy to do a pop-up event like this and so we hope to be back next year.
Ian White – London Regional Cider Coordinator
Cider and Perry Month reminder
CAMRA’s Cider and Perry Month will now take place in July. Resources and further information can be found here:
Croydon and Sutton awards
The branch’s Pub of the Year for the borough of Croydon is the Golden Ark in Selsdon (CR2 8LB) and the one for Sutton is the Hope in Carshalton (SM5 2PR). The Hope has been selected as the overall winner in competition for the Greater London Pub of the Year.
Kingston & Leatherhead awards
The Pub of the Year for the branch’s Surrey area is the Jolly Coopers in Epsom (KT18 7SD) while the Park Tavern in Kingston (KT2 6AP) took the award for the London area. Huge congratulations to both pubs in what is a challenging economic environment at present. The branch looks forward to making the presentations to both pubs later in the year.
North London Pub of the Year
CAMRA’s North London branch’s Pub of the Year for 2025 is the Magdala in Hampstead (NW3 2SB). It was the Pub of the Season in the summer of 2022, then Pub of the Year runner up in both 2023 and 2024. Now it has finally won the ultimate accolade! Although known for a grisly event long ago, its true claim to fame should be its survival. John Cryne from North London branch commented, “This pub was closed for at least five years and we were concerned that it would never open again. This was despite the efforts of locals to get the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value. Then the new lessees, Twickenham Green Taverns, who are experienced pub operators, really invested in this pub.
Their commitment is shown by the number of CAMRA awards that it has received over the last three years. We are delighted the Magdala has finally got the branch’s top pub award.” Alex, the pub’s manager, said, “Thanks to everyone for their support since the pub reopened and it’s lovely to have such a diverse group of people interested in cask beer. My team and I continue to delight in serving good beer and it’s great to get this recognition for their hard work.” Christine Cryne
North London Cider Pub of the Year
Despite some fierce competition, the members of CAMRA’s North London branch have chosen the Robin Ale & Cider House in Stroud Green (N4 4AP) as their Cider Pub of the Year 2025. John Cryne from the branch said, “From a chequered past, the Robin has gone from strength to strength in just 18 months, winning CAMRA North London’s much sought after Pub of the Season last autumn to now winning the branch’s Cider Pub of the Year 2025! The pub closed in 2023 and we were fearful of its future, so we were delighted when Four Acres Taverns Ltd reopened it in the autumn. The team has worked hard on making this a destination pub for both beer and cider, led by Nick Bailey, who was previously the manager of another award-winning pub, the Southampton Arms in Kentish Town”. Nick said, “We are very humbled and grateful for this award from CAMRA. It means that all the hard work that the team has put into the pub is paying off. We are very grateful both to the local community and to CAMRA for all their support.” Formerly a post office and, in the 1930s, a grocery shop, the site only became a pub in 1983 and for a while was Marler’s Bar, a forerunner of the Wetherspoon chain.
Christine Cryne
South East London awards
The branch’s overall Pub of the Year for 2025 is the Royal Oak at the Borough (SE1 4JU). The award was presented on Monday 12 May and it was a golden opportunity for us to reward them for their popularity and performance. This will be followed, on Tuesday 8 July, by the presentation of the overall branch Cider Pub of the Year award to the Victoria at Bricklayers Arms (SE1 4HL).
West London presentation
CAMRA’s West London branch presented their Pub of the Year award on 28 April to the Cask Pub & Kitchen in Pimlico (SW1V 2EE).
The photo shows Peter and Martyn receiving their certificate amid a gathering of CAMRA and SPBW members.
West Middlesex awards
The branch chooses a pub of the year from each of the boroughs in its area. This year, these were the Dodo in Hanwell (W7 3TR) for Ealing, the Castle in Harrow on the Hill (HA1 3EF) for Harrow and J.J. Moon’s in Ruislip (HA4 0AA) for Hillingdon. The Dodo was chosen as the overall winner. The branch’s Cider Pub of the Year is the Owl & The Pussycat in Northfields (W13 9RT) and the Club of the Year is the Questors Grapevine Bar in Ealing (W5 5BQ). All three go through to the respective Greater London competitions.
Beer hunting
Reader Tony Webb is looking for a Fuller’s Vintage Ale from 2005 to complete his collection. If anyone can help, please contact him on TwebbO386@gmail.com. Any arrangements made will be strictly between the two parties involved.
Ron Atkins
As we go to print, we have learned of the passing of Ron Atkins, one of the founding editors of this magazine alongside Brian Sheridan (1979 to 1982). We will carry a full tribute in the next edition.