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Welcome to West London CAMRA. This site is dedicated to topics of interest to Banch members, which right now include celebrating the naming of its three-time POTY (Pub of the Year) Award winner, the Harp, as CAMRA National Pub of the Year..
Pub of the Year 2011
The results of the West London Branch of CAMRA is pround to announce the results of this year's compition is as folows:
- Cask Pub & Kitchen, 6 Charlwood Street, Pimlico SW1
- White Horse, 1-3 Parson’s Green, SW6
- Edgar Wallace, 40 Essex Street. WC2
The Harp wins National Pub of the Year
West London CAMRA is excited to announce that in the year of the organisation’s 40th anniversary, The Harp, Covent Garden, is the first London pub to win its National Pub of the Year competition. CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year accolade recognises all the criteria that make a great pub, including atmosphere, decor, customer service, value for money, clientele mix, and most importantly, the quality of the beer.
Owned by celebrated real ale pioneer Bridget Walsh, the pub is a true gem situated only a few yards from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, serving 8 real ales and a wide selection of real ciders and perries at any one time. The Harp is revered for its high standards, with judges most impressed by the pub’s outstanding commitment and energy towards promoting Britain’s national drink.
Kimberly Martin, CAMRA’s London Regional Director, said:
‘I never cease to be impressed or surprised by the continuing success of a pub staffed by individuals so passionate about the real ale industry. The Harp is a perfect example of how the London cask beer scene is reaching out to new drinkers.’
Bridget Walsh first took on The Harp as a tenanted pub in 1995 (buying the pub outright in 2009) and went about transforming it into a pub dedicated to real ale, real cider and real sausages. With more than 40 years experience in the beer and pub industry, Bridget has been winning CAMRA awards for her cellarmanship skills since the 1970’s, but recent successes in CAMRA’s West London Pub of the Year (2006, 2008, 2010) and London Regional Pub of the Year (2010) have heralded national acclaim.
On hearing news of her success, Bridget Walsh said:
‘This news came as a complete shock but of course we are delighted to be named CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year. We pride ourselves on the range and quality of our real ale and to be London’s first ever National Pub of the Year is a real honour. I would like to thank my locals, CAMRA members and particularly my brilliant staff, who made this a real team effort.’
Julian Hough, CAMRA Pubs Director, concluded:
‘The most impressive aspect of The Harp is that it retains its appeal as a true local, even though situated in the tourist heart of the capital. What makes a great pub is the ability for it to welcome both regulars and first time customers alike and this is something it does to perfection.’
CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition is judged by CAMRA’s 120,000 members. Each CAMRA branch votes for their favourite pub. The branch winners are entered into 16 regional competitions, with the 16 winners then battling it out to reach the final stages of the National competition.
