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Best in the West

Old Spot is the best pub in the CAMRA South West Region!

Newsletter of the Gloucestershire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, Autumn 2007
Old Spot Inn, Dursley September 2007
Opinions expressed need not represent those of CAMRA or its officials

The first colour Tippler celebrates with a front cover photograph of the Old Spot Inn, Dursley and the hearts and souls of the pub the landlord and lady, Steve and Belinda Herbert and their loyal and enthusiastic bar staff; all smiling with the success of being selected as the CAMRA South West England Pub of the Year 2007. No mean feat, considering the number of excellent pubs in the region.

In 1993, Ric and Ellie Sainty began the transformation of a run-down Whitbread pub, the Fox and Hounds into the Old Spot Inn as we know it today; a local pub where people from all walks of life can feel at home and enjoy a superb pint in very friendly and convivial surroundings.

In 2001, Ric and Ellie retired and Steve and Belinda took over as landlord and landlady and have built on Ric and Ellie's success. With their committed staff, they have greatly unproved the range and quality of the food on offer without compromising the drinking clientele or the quality of the beer. Chips are not served as they spoil the flavour and aroma of the beer!

Steve and Belinda are dedicated to maintaining the local character of the pub within the community and enthusiastically support local charities. In 2006, the Uley Brewery produced a beer called "The Reverend Janet" which was exclusively sold in the Old Spot and a substantial sum of money was raised by Steve, Belinda and Chas Wright of the Uley Brewery for the roof fund of the Parish Church of St James. This year, the Severn Vale Brewery has produced a beer called "Severn Bells" and the sale of this beer in the Old Spot with the support of Steve McDonald of Severn Vale has raised a further generous amount for St James' Church.

Steve and Belinda also organise regular beer festivals, trips and meet the brewer evenings, which are very popular.

The Old Spot Inn is a superb pub that richly deserves this award and we wish it success in the National Pub of the Year 2007 Competition.

Chris Arrowsmith

Reproduced courtesy of Tippler (CAMRA's Gloucestershire Branch magazine) - Autumn 2007.