07-Oct-2011
South Norfolk's top pub wins £1,000 for the community
Customers are raising a glass to Coldham Hall at Surlingham after it scooped a top award from South Norfolk Council and £1,000 to host a community event.
Customers are raising a glass to Coldham Hall at Surlingham after it scooped a top award from South Norfolk Council and £1,000 to host a community event.
The beautiful riverside inn was named as Community Pub of the Year today, at a celebratory event at South Norfolk Council’s HQ.
Top judge, John Longden, Chief Executive of Pub is The Hub, presented the delighted owners, George and Natalie Linder with their prize - £1,000 and the support of South Norfolk Council officers to organise a fantastic event for the whole community to enjoy.
John said: "It is wonderful to see the sense of togetherness that so many licensees help to create in their communities and neighbourhoods, particularly in East Anglia. Pub is The Hub is delighted to support South Norfolk's community Pub of the Year and there were many examples of pubs doing their extra bit for their locals. The great work of Natalie and George at Coldham Hall encapsulates the hard work involved in reopening a closed local pub in a stunning location whilst still supporting local live music and facilities for people in the surrounding area. I am sure it will be an inspiration to many on the wider role a pub with good licensees can play."
Natalie said: "It was still a place we liked to come and enjoy a drink as the location was stunning. We could see the potential and we knew we could make it into something really special." Despite having no experience in the pub trade, the determined couple set about refurbishing the entire pub and reopened it, much to the delight of the locals, in March 2010.
George added: "The first day we opened the doors, was the first day I ever pulled a pint, but we were so busy - I soon got the hang of it!"
Eighteen months on and the pub is thriving. Their fresh local food, wide variety of local ales, beer festivals, curry nights, live music and more are attracting people from surrounding villages and beyond. Their use of local food, local people and local ales, really impressed the judges – as did the pub’s special ale Yareside – their very own brew!
South Norfolk Council Chairman Councillor Sue Thomson, said: "This is the third year we have run this competition and we have seen some excellent pubs, but Coldham Hall has set a new standard. It’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination and self belief. If you want to see how to run a successful pub during these difficult times, then look no further than Coldham Hall."
All five top pubs, one from each of the Council’s neighbourhoods were presented with a plaque, in recognition of their achievement. Coldham Hall gets the winner’s plaque, and of course, the £1,000 to spend on a community event.
The five winning pubs in each of South Norfolk’s neighbourhood areas are: The Burston Crown (Waveney Valley), The King’s Head, Bawburgh (Northern River Valleys), Coldham Hall, Surlingham (Eastern River valleys), The Greyhound, Tibenham (Tas River Valley), The Green Dragon, Wymondham, (Wymondham and West).
South Norfolk Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Martin Wilby set up the neighbourhoods strategy anticipating the Big Society policies of the Coalition Government by years. He has been a passionate advocate of local pubs and the competition since it was set up three years ago. He said: “Local pubs are at the heart of our neighbourhoods and this competition shows what makes a great community pub tick. It enhances the quality of life in our communities and once again I congratulate local people for being part of our awards and making them such a success.”
For more information visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/pubs
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