The Mayfly, near Stockbridge, in Hampshire, has won Fuller’s pub of the year competition, and with it the firm’s Griffin Trophy.
The Mayfly
The Griffin Trophy is open to all of Fuller’s 208 managed pubs and hotels, and 178 tenanted inns, with the winner receiving a £5,000 holiday voucher, a staff party to celebrate with their team, and the trophy.
Nestling on the banks of the River Test, The Mayfly’s location is an enviable one, with customers travelling to visit this picturesque spot all year round. After a number of years in Fuller’s tenanted division, The Mayfly moved to its managed estate in 2017 and an extensive refurbishment followed in 2020.
The pub’s manager, Darren Felvus, has been at The Mayfly since 2018 and, under his watchful eye, the pub has grown from strength to strength. Darren has built a team of friendly and attentive front-of-house team members as well as a passionate team of chefs.
The Mayfly’s head chef, Michal Kulakowski, has created a menu that offers a wide range of delicious dishes, with plenty of vegetarian and plant-based options, and a children’s menu too. The Mayfly is the perfect spot for a relaxing family meal in a picturesque, comfortable, and welcoming setting.
This year’s Griffin Trophy saw 12 pubs reach the final. The finalists were visited by a judging panel — Fuller’s chairman, Michael Turner, chief executive, Simon Emeny, and people and talent director Dawn Browne — who selected winners for each category and the overall winner.
Michael Turner said: “This is a well-deserved triumph. Darren and his team are truly an asset to Fuller’s. The customer service we received was impeccable, friendly, welcoming, and attentive. It was a delight to watch the team as they provided such great service to all the customers.
“While The Mayfly’s outdoor space is stunning — set by a weir on the River Test — this is a pub that can be enjoyed in all seasons. The extensive refurbishment in 2020 created a modern but warm indoor setting, with two fireplaces and plenty of tables overlooking the river and surrounding wildlife. There is no doubt, The Mayfly offers plenty of country charm.”
Darren Felvus said: “I am over the moon to have won this year’s Griffin Trophy. Last year, we were the category winner, and my team and I were determined to do even better this year.
“I’m really proud of the team — they are all hard workers, so it’s great to see this pay off. They are all going to be really excited about this award. I’ll have to find the best spot in the pub to proudly display the Griffin Trophy for the next 12 months.”
