Drinks writer Laura Hadland has been awarded CAMRA’s top campaigning award at the organisation’s Members’ Weekend, AGM, and Conference in Dundee.
Laura Hadland. Portrait by Lily Waite
Her nomination spoke of a long list of impressive achievements this year, particularly her commitment to inclusiveness, responsible drinking, and her work championing small producers and venues.
Laura was a key voice in calling national attention to the destruction of the Crooked House through her blog, interviews about pub protection for local radio stations across the country, and on social media.
The Crooked House case began in August of last year, when the famously wonky 260-year-old pub, near Himley in the West Midlands, was heavily damaged in a fire and then abruptly bulldozed without authorisation by its new owners. Through Laura’s campaigning, more people were made aware of this scandal and in February the owners were ordered to rebuild the pub.
Her nomination also praised her work on her award-winning book, 50 Years of CAMRA, where members’ stories and memories of CAMRA were recorded. The nominator highlighted that this research preserved oral histories which would otherwise have been lost.
The award also recognised her championing of cask beer, introducing it to new audiences through her advocacy, and by hosting beer tastings, including the first ever dedicated cask tasting at Ludlow Slow Food Festival last summer. She is a beer judge at several competitions.
“Laura was the clear winner, even with all the other fantastic nominations this year,” said CAMRA’s campaigning awards director, Laura Emson. “Her campaigning has been a fantastic help in raising awareness for the Crooked House scandal, as well as consistently putting her voice out there via local radio stations to help protect our pubs.”
Laura said: “A huge thank you for bestowing this amazing honour on me. It’s just wonderful how I’ve been welcomed into the CAMRA community.
“Back in 2019, when I first got the commission to write 50 Years of CAMRA, I never expected that my involvement with the organisation would really become so all consuming, but it’s just a huge part of my life now.
“I hope that that we can all keep spreading the good word about cask ale. I think there is loads of great work we can all continue to do, and it’s really, really kind that you’ve recognised the work that I have been doing up until now. I hope that all of you within CAMRA keeps supporting diverse voices, talking about great beer.”
