Blacksmiths Arms Lastingham

North Yorkshire Moors pub the Blacksmith’s Arms, in Lastingham, has been nominated in the Countryside Alliance Rural Awards for the best rural pub in the North East.

The awards, now in their 13th year and nicknamed the ‘rural Oscars’. are the Countryside Alliance’s platform for celebrating the contribution of rural businesses to their community.

Referred to not just as a pub, but more as “a warm and companionable wayside inn that has provided lodging and catering for travellers over many centuries”, the Blacksmiths is at the heart of the community of Lastingham, itself steeped in history, dating back to the seventh century.

Landlord, Peter Trafford, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for this award. There is a long way to go yet, but we are hoping that the 13th year of the awards will be lucky for us.

“We pride ourselves at the Blacksmiths in not just serving good food and good ales, but being part of the community. We make sure no-one in the village goes without their Christmas lunch … if someone can’t get to us, we’ll get to them, and that’s the approach we have every day of the year.”

Locals can’t speak highly enough of the contribution of the Blacksmiths to the community. Sir Michael Carlisle, chairman of the parish meeting, said: “Lastingham has a vibrant community, much centred around the Blacksmiths. Peter and Hilary Trafford genuinely care about the welfare of the people in the village, and the pub thoroughly deserves a Rural Oscar.”