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Pub takes top spot

A POPULAR Dursley pub has knocked spots off its rivals, by being named runner-up in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year awards.

The Old Spot, run by Ric and Ellie Sainty, beat off nation-wide competition to walk off with the accolade.

The pub, bought by the couple in 1993, has built up a reputation for good real ale, and this latest prize comes in the wake of two other prestigious CAMRA awards.

"We won the county-wide Gloucestershire pub of the year award, and the best pub in the South West region - which goes from here to Cornwall - last year," explained Ellie.

"We're really pleased to come runner-up in the national competition.

"We were beaten to first place by a Scots pub," she continued. "Which means we're the best in England and Wales!" added Ric. The Old Spot is also listed in the CAMRA Good Pub Guide. "They concentrate on pubs that serve the best beer, and we're down as one of about 5,000 pubs across the country in the book," said Ellie.

The couple are now planning to hold a guest ales and barbecue evening to celebrate their success.

"It's nice to put Dursley on the map!" laughed Ellie.

"It's good to have a townie pub win, without beautiful gardens and a big restaurant - it's all based on the quality of the beer, which is the most important thing.

"The Old Spot is a good local pub, providing a real service to the community."

Reproduced courtesy of Unknown Source - April 1998.