A pub rescued from closure by one of the regulars has been named pub of the year after it was turned into a 'fantastic' village local.
The Wonston Arms in Wonston, Hampshire, was derelict and empty four years ago before being bought by Matt Todd, who had been propping up the bar for 11 years.
The pub looked destined for the redevelopers until Mr Todd, aged 50, decided to ditch his job in corporate marketing and try his hand as a landlord. He was convinced there was enough love for the pub among the local community to make it work.
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has named The Wonston Arms in Wonston, Hampshire, as the UK's best pub
The inn pictured four years ago before being bought by Matt Todd. It was in a sorry state before being turned it into a thriving local, with paint peeling from the exterior, the sign hanging off and rotting roof gables
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) awarded the pub the top prize in its annual contest, praising its wide range of cask ales and for having more than 180 varieties of gin on offer.
Mr Todd said he was 'overwhelmed' on receiving news of the accolade and explained it made taking the leap from the corporate world to being a landlord in 2015 seem all worth while.
Although he has not revealed exactly how much it cost, him, he has said it was hundreds of thousands, which he described as a 'genuinely massive purchase'.
Mr Todd had been a regular at The Wonston Arms for 11 years until it closed and was left uncared for with paint peeling from the exterior, the sign hanging off and rotting roof gables.
In a bid to save the pub before it was too late, Mr Todd and some of the other regulars tried to buy it but the group came up £75,000 short.
However, he believes that this failed attempt lengthened the pub's stay of execution so he could gather the rest of the cash needed to buy the business.
Mr Todd then bought the freehold for the pub outright himself in April 2015 and got members of the community to help with its renovation.
Mr Todd's sister Kate told MailOnline that the makeover was a real team effort.
She explained: 'A lot of the work renovating the pub was done by Matt with the pub locals helping during the day for a few hours at a time.
'The pub was then reopened during renovations every evening to pay for the next days renovations.'
It was this sense of community spirit, that also impressed the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) judges.
Staff members from The Wonston Arms stand for a photo. The pub has raised more than £25,000 for charity through various initiatives
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) praised the winner of its annual contest for it wide range of cask ales and gin on offer, as well as social events including music, quizzes, food nights and a photography club
There's also a number of different gins available at The Wonston Arms. Mr Todd said: ''The support from the local community and beyond has been overwhelming, helping to propel us forward despite these testing times'
Now a hub for the village, The Wonston Arms hosts regular live gigs and quiz nights. It is also a meeting place for the local photography club.
Furthering the community spirit, the pub has helped to raise more than £25,000 for charity through various initiatives.
On the food front, the inn often teams up with food vendors in the area to host pop-up pizza, curry and fish and chip nights.
Mr Todd added: 'I'm overwhelmed that our little pub – which had been handed a death sentence four years ago – has now been named the very best in the country.
'I have strived to recreate the kind of pub I went to in the 1970s with my dad when I was a young boy in the north of England.
'The support from the local community and beyond has been overwhelming, helping to propel us forward despite these testing times.
Commenting on The Wonston Arms' victory Ben Wilkinson, the National Pub of the Year coordinator, said: 'Matt and his team have created a fantastic rural village pub with a great atmosphere by shaping it around the community and its needs'
'Ultimately I'd like to see our pub play a vital role in supporting and employing local residents and recirculating the local pounds that are spent in our pub.
'To do this, we need to ensure our continued survival with the likes of small business rate relief, which has been absolutely vital to getting us through our fledgling years, helping us to realise our potential.'
Commenting on The Wonston Arms' victory Ben Wilkinson, the National Pub of the Year coordinator, said: 'Matt and his team have created a fantastic rural village pub with a great atmosphere by shaping it around the community and its needs.
'They have realised that it takes something special to create a sense of real belonging so that people want to come out of their homes and back in the pub.
'Pubs like the Wonston Arms highlight what communities stand to lose if their local pub closes – something being experienced in all too many places.
'These types of pubs are more than just businesses, they are the heart of our local communities and part of what makes the UK the country it is.'
THE 15 REGIONAL WINNERS OF CAMRA'S PUB OF THE YEAR
Central Southern: Nag's Head, Reading
Dedication to quality has made the Nag's Head in Reading, pictured, a multiple winner of local Camra Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year awards, and this is the second consecutive year it has been named a regional finalist. With a wide range of real ales, ciders and perries, visitors can be sure to find something to their taste, and the selection of board games available makes it a welcoming place to while away a few sociable hours
East Anglia: Chequers, Little Gransden
The multi-award winning village pub of Chequers in Cambridgeshire has been owned and run by the same family for over 60 years and in the Good Beer Guide for 24 of them. The unspoilt middle bar, with its wooden benches, roaring fire and a collection of decoy birds that seem to be gathering on the beam over the bar, is a favourite spot to catch up on local gossip. The pub's Son of Sid brewhouse supplies the pub and local beer festival. Fish and chips are a highlight on a Friday night
East Midlands: White Hart, Bargate
Local Camra Pub of the Year 2017 and 2018, the White Hart is a cosy two-roomed pub in the heart of Bargate in the East Midlands. With a reputation for friendly staff, good beer and a welcoming atmosphere, it is popular with locals and has an excellent selection of changing cask ales. A large beer garden is situated to the rear and walkers are always welcome.
Greater London: Little Green Dragon, Enfield
Formally a hairdressers', the Little Green Dragon in Enfield was the area's first micropub and voted the local Camra Pub of the Year 2018. Beers are dispensed by gravity from the cool room and availability is posted regularly online. Takeaway containers and a varied selection of bottled beers are also on offer, along with up to seven ciders. Sofas, a church pew and bus seats create a cosy, friendly, atmosphere
Greater Manchester: Flying Horse, Rochdale
The Flying Horse is an impressive Edwardian stone free house situated in the town hall square in Rochdale. Built in 1691 and rebuilt in 1926, the building retains many original features including log fires. Up to 10 cask ales are sold alongside four real ciders. Live music plays on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the homemade food menu features meat from the local butcher and pies made on the premises
Kent: Lanes, Dover
The Lanes in Dover is a friendly, award-winning micropub near the pedestrian precinct that is comfortably furnished and carpeted. Five real ales, mostly from Kentish microbreweries, and over ten ciders are served on gravity from the temperature-controlled cellar room. Wine, mead and soft drinks are also from Kent producers. Snacks can be bought in from the local deli and a feasting board is available with 48 hours' notice
Merseyside: Cricketers Arms, St Helens
Camra's 2018 national Pub of the Year, the Cricketers Arms in St Helens has established itself as an excellent cask ale pub, with 13 hand pumps on the bar. Beers come from newer regional brewers and local microbreweries, and there is also an excellent selection of real ciders. This is a friendly local community pub on the edge of the town centre, hosting darts and pool teams, and entertainment at the weekend. Beer festivals are staged several times a year
North East: Golden Smog, Stockton-on-Tees
The first micropub in Stockton-on-Tees, the Golden Smog is named after the environmental conditions that recently prevailed on Teesside. Four real ales and two real ciders are served alongside an impressive range of Belgian beers, all in matching glasses. Third-pint glasses and bespoke tasting tables are also available
Scotland and Northern Ireland: Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh
Run by the same family since 1858, the bar and snug in the Staggs in Musselburgh are traditional with wooden floors, wood panelling and mirrors from defunct local breweries. The more modern lounge opens at the weekend. The real ales, mostly hoppy and pale but often with one darker, change regularly
South West: Fleece Inn, Hillesley
The Fleece Inn is an attractive 17th century village pub set in the heart of Hillesley in Gloucestershire. It has a single bar with a wood-burning stove, a separate lounge/dining room and a snug area. The pubs serves up to six real ales and also features guest craft keg and draught cider. Food is served at lunchtime and in the evening up to 9pm. There is a large lawned garden with a safe play area for children
Surrey and Sussex: Surrey Oaks, Newdigate
This attractive 16th century inn in Surrey is renowned for its commitment to good quality real ale from microbreweries. Six hand pumps, one of which offers a dark ale, and a dozen ciders and perries provide great choice. The main bar features low beams, flagstones and an inglenook fireplace with log-burning stove. Excellent food served from an open kitchen includes homemade pizzas and daily specials. Outside is a large garden where the extremely popular late spring and August bank holiday beer festivals are held
Wales: Bridge End Inn, Ruabon
The Birdge End Inn in Wales is a welcoming local close to the railway station with three low-ceiling rooms and a covered outdoor drinking area. This traditional pub has won numerous awards since it was revitalised by the McGivern family in 2009, including Camra's National Pub of the Year award in 2011. The changing range of eight ales will usually include a brew from the on-site McGivern brewery when it is operational. Families and well-behaved dogs are welcome in the lounge
West Midlands: Fountain Inn, Leek
Home to a magnificent bank of ten hand pulls with eight serving real ales and two serving ciders, the Fountain Inn in Leek, Staffordshire prides itself on having an ever-changing choice often from less well known and local breweries. Real fires, a suntrap beer garden and an almost complete collection of past Guides make this a must-visit. Live music is an attraction on Sunday evenings and accommodation is available
West Pennines: Little Bare, Morecambe
A former off-licence, the Little Bare in Morecambe is a micropub that opened in 2017, retaining the original shop window. It features grey paint, bare floorboards and candles after dark and follows the micropub formula: no food, no music and no machines. There is a second room down a corridor with extra seating and board games, and a microgarden is planned
Yorkshire: George & Dragon, Hudswell
Camra named this homely, two-roomed village inn its National Pub of the Year in 2016. Rescued and refurbished in 2010 after a successful community buyout, the George & Dragon in Hudswell, North Yorkshire, now features its own library, shop, allotments and other local facilities as well as great food and Yorkshire-brewed beers and a selection of nearly 90 whiskies. A large beer terrace at the rear offers stunning panoramic views over the Swale Valley. Open all day bank holidays
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/02/28/derelict-boozer-saved-from-a-death-sentence-is-named-the-best-pub-in-the-country/
Main photo article A pub rescued from closure by one of the regulars has been named pub of the year after it was turned into a ‘fantastic’ village local.
The Wonston Arms in Wonston, Hampshire, was derelict and empty four years ago before being bought by Matt Todd, who had been propping up the bar for...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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