The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has announced three joint winners of its inaugural Club Recognition Award.
Award winners at the Club Mirror Awards event
The award celebrates a person, group, or organisation which has made an outstanding achievement or contribution to the promotion of real ale, cider, or perry in social clubs over the last 12 months, or ongoing outstanding work.
The winners are: Phil Cowton, of Ladybarn Social Club, Manchester; Kay Drummand, of Tanfield Lea CIU Club, County Durham; and Nigel and Teressa Pickering, of Wortley Club, South Yorkshire.
Phil Cowton is the secretary and bar/cellarman for the Ladybarn Social Club, Manchester. He has transformed the real ale range. He persuaded the club to buy out a Carlsberg-Tetley tie and change focus to local and smaller craft brewers. He introduced hazy cask beers which, despite significant doubts from other committee members, proved to be a success.
Phil has continued to promote new independent brewers and has now increased the number of handpumps to four. As a result of his commitment and enthusiasm, the club has become a cask ale oasis in what, over the years, has become both a pub and beer desert.
Kay Drummond was nominated for her dedication over many years to providing and promoting real ale in an area where it is scarce. Recently awarded Club and Institute Union (CIU) Club of the Month for September, it’s now in the running for the national award. Kay says that providing cask ale is a “real labour of love…and a driver of trade”.
She hosts an annual beer festival, and constantly promotes real ale, which is sourced from both local breweries and smaller ones, concentrating on independent concerns. There’s always at least one interesting and little-known brew available, and this has proved vital in introducing customers to real ale in an environment not known for the product.
Nigel and Teressa Pickering were recognised for their unparalleled passion for community engagement.Their involvement in organising and participating in various community events, fundraisers, and social gatherings has been instrumental in creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all members.
Their genuine interest in getting to know fellow members and their willingness to extend a helping hand to newcomers have made the club a warm and inviting place for everyone. Nigel and Teressa’s unwavering support for Wortley Club’s charitable endeavours has made a significant impact on the local community.
They have consistently championed various initiatives, including the Wortley Real Ale and Cider Festival, raising funds for local charities and spearheading community service projects.
The winners were announced at the Club Mirror Awards, alongside the four finalists of CAMRA’s Club of the Year Award.
