Real ale fans choose top four (From Leigh Journal)

Atherton, Leigh and Gin Pit share CAMRA pub and club awards

11:50am Friday 25th January 2013 in News

REAL ale lovers have chosen the four top watering holes in the region covered by South East Lancs branch of CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale.

Members voted The Jolly Nailor at Atherton as the branch's Pub of the Year 2013.

Branch chairman Sarah Bellis said: "This popular local pub has received the award for the quality of the their real ale, real cider, atmosphere and service.

"After being closed and close to being lost for ever it reopened in march 2010. Three years and over 600 different real ales later the pub is a thriving venue for ale lovers."

Licensees Mary and Steve Bates will receive their award at this week's Bent & Bongs Beer Bash at Formby Hall, Atherton and event at which they are joint main sponsors along with the Formby Hall Community Trust.

Branch Club of the Year 2013 is Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare Club, at Gin Pit village.

The branch's Cider Pub of the Year is the Thomas Burke, in Leigh who are collecting the accolade for the second time.

Members chose Joseph Holt's Atherton Arms as their Community Pub of the Year.

The Atherton Arms was also selected as the branch's Winter Pub of the Season for the quality and range of the its real ale and real cider over the festive period.

Anyone interested in real ale can meet likeminded souls at South East Lancs CAMRA's next meeting at the Church Inn, Lowton on February 18 from 8pm.