It was announced at the CAMRA Ragional Meeting (12 Auguat) that the winner of the Central Southern Region Pub of the Year Award was our neighbouring West Berks pub, the Bell at Aldworth. This was no surprise; the Bell is a super pub, and has won many awards from CAMRA and other organisations, including CAMRA National Pub of the Year. For those who have never been there (yes, even our Treasurer had not visited it until a few months ago) we can fully recommend a visit. Get there before the famous beer garden is past its best. You will enjoy excellent real ales from the West Berks micro-brewery and Arkell's, or real cider (but no draft lager!). The Bell will go forward to the National PoTY competition.

How was our own Branch winner, the Shoulder of Mutton Wantage, assessed? Well, it depends how you treat the results statistically, but if one takes the figures at face value, it came third amongst eleven contenders, but if you apply some statistical corrections, it becomes runner up! Well done, the Shoulder!

For those who like entertainment with their ale, the Abingdon Arms, Wantage, holds a monthly Folk Night on the third Friday of each month. This friendly Local is situated down Grove Street, a few minutes walk from Wantage centre (from the Market Square, take the minor road by the side of Waitrose, passing their Parking and then the Library, then turn left). The beer there is also worth a visit; they include the most interesting guest ales from the available Greene King range.