West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008.

Winners - The Six Bells, Beenham

The West Berkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is pleased to announce that the Six Bells, Beenham is its Pub Of The Year for 2008.

The branch pub of the year is judged on a number of different criteria, which include the quality of the beer, atmosphere, décor, service, welcome and clientele mix. 

Glynis Snow and Chris Harman have run this community-based village free house for the last four years. Glynis is local to Beenham and has been in the pub trade for over twenty years. Chris, the chef, is originally from New Zealand, but has been living in Berkshire for about ten years. 

What particularly impressed the judges was the commitment to local ales with beers from West Berkshire Brewery and Butlers featuring regularly. There is also engagement with the local groups that use the pub, which include the Beenham Band, the Beenham Bellringers, the Beenham Ladies’ keep fit club and the Beenham Dads’ football club.  

The fact that the Six Bells is spotlessly clean and offers a number of comfortable, separate areas, catering for all members of the community, also helped the pub claim the award. 

Something else that took the judges’ eye were the various collectibles around the pub. Adrian Bean, Chairman of West Berkshire CAMRA, said: ‘The pub has something for everybody, from a statue of the Laughing Buddha, through Maori wall carvings to a set of smoking cards featuring local pubs’.

Glynis commented on the collections saying ‘these have been built up from our years of travelling and some have been donated by locals or given to me as presents. An example may well be the orchid collection that has now appeared. I mentioned to people that I love these plants and suddenly I now have five plants and suspect I will receive more!’ 

West Berkshire CAMRA presented the award to the Six Bells on Tuesday 27th May 2008. The evening went with a great swing to the accompaniment of a Jazz band, free bangers and chips and all ales were discounted to the tune of £2.00 per pint! What a way to celebrate.

Chairman Adrian Bean presents Glynis and Chris with their award.

Glynis and Chris celebrate with local brewers from West Berkshire and Butlers breweries.