Green Dragon in Wymondham has beaten tough competition to be named as South Norfolk Council’s Community Pub of the Year.
When Brandon Lewis, Minister for Communities and local Government, with special responsibilities for pubs, was told of the competition he wanted to recognise the support given by South Norfolk council to the local licensed trade.
At a time when more than twenty pubs are closing every week across the country, this is the only competition of its kind run by a local authority. Brandon Lewis agreed to announce the winner today (16 September) at an award ceremony held at the Council’s HQ in Long Stratton.
Green Dragon owners Justin Harvey and his new business partner Colin Tickle,were delighted to be named as South Norfolk’s top pub.
Justin said: “We are so pleased to have got this award. We have been finalists for the last three years and this time we did it. I just want to thank everyone who nominated us, it’s great to win.”
This is the fifth year that this popular competition has been run, launched by South Norfolk Council to promote and support local pubs and their links with their communities.
Brandon Lewis, who presented the award said: “South Norfolk Council is really trail blazing with this unique competition.
“Pubs at their best bring people together and are the heartbeat of communities. This competition celebrates some of the great things they do and encourages more people to use them, which is great for the pubs and great for the local economy.
“Now I’ve seen how it works first-hand I will be recommending other Councils follow suit and support their local pubs.”
All five top pubs, one from each of the Council’s neighbourhoods were presented with a plaque, in recognition of their achievement. The Green Dragon also received the winner’s plaque, and of course, the £1,000 to spend on a community event.
The winning pubs in each of South Norfolk’s neighbourhood areas are: The Kings Head, Woodton; The Kings Head, Brooke; The Waterfront, Diss and The Kings Head, Hethersett.
For more information visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/pubs
The photograph above shows John Longden from Pub is The Hub, Brandon Lewis, Communities and Local Govt Minister, Cllr Sue Thomson, Justin Harvey & Colin Tickle from the Green Dragon and Terry Stork from Pub is The Hub.