Pub 2610 p26 drinks f 21/10/09 10:26 Page 26
26 Monday 26/10/09 thePublican www.thepublican.com
Drinks Guinness Community Outlet of the Year
Arthur’s Day
Tom Jones, Dizzee Rascal and Kasabian were among the stars who helped
Guinness celebrate Arthur’s Day in a unique celebration in Dublin last
month.
The party, which was at the St James’s Gate Brewery and broadcast on
Sky’s Pub TV Channel, coincided with a call to pubs everywhere to raise a
toast to Arthur Guinness at 17:59 local time.
More than 11,000 point-of-sale kits were
distributed to pubs to promote the day, with
Guinness owner Diageo supporting around
3,500 outlets running special events to
mark the 250th
anniversary of
Arthur Guinness
signing the lease
on the brewery.
Diageo believes
an extra one million
pints of Guinness were
sold on and around the day.
Licensees Lee and Keris De Villiers make sure their pub is deeply involved with the community
The Nightingale
sings again
The Guinness Community Outlet of the Year shows the trade at its finest
ARTHUR’S DAY, which took place on pubs that were on top of sales of the with regulars and staff – with a
September 24, was a celebration of black stuff. Facebook page set up to showcase Guinness Community
250 years of Guinness. And in the Nightingale in Balham, his photos.
But it was also a celebration of the South London, they found a pub that But this Nightingale doesn’t only Outlet of the Year:
pubs that have served it for so long, truly ticks every box. sing for its community – it also walks!
helping make it the iconic global The pub has become famous locally the runners-up
brand that it is today – and that have Steeped in history for the amazing Nightingale Walk, an
served their communities in equal A Young’s lease on a picturesque site annual charity walk along the nearby The following pubs received
measure. dating from the 1850s, the Nightingale River Thames, which has raised more runners-up prizes worth £2,500
Such was the thinking behind the is already well-known to Publican than £450,000 for charity over the each after the Guinness
Guinness Community Outlet of the readers as a multi-award-winning past 30 years. More than 300 local competition
Year contest, launched in association venue – and is the current holder of people took part in the latest walk
with The Publican earlier this year to The Publican’s own Community Pub this May. • the Trafford Arms in Norwich
find the pubs that best embody the of the Year title. And it is Lee and Keris’ plans for • the Three Tuns in Darlington
spirit of the pub trade in the Guinness There is no coincidence – the feat the prize money that really underline • the Hollingwood in Chesterfield
anniversary year. of licensees Lee and Keris De Villiers their place in their community. • JK’s Club in Neath
And with thousands of pounds in in taking both prizes this year under- The prize included £5,125 for • the Lamb in Newbury.
prizes up for grabs, a host of fan- lines the pub’s status as simply the improvements and £3,075 for staff
tastic, inspiring pubs were enticed to best community pub in the country. and themselves.
put themselves forward for the title. Since taking it over five years ago, Among its local services the pub elderly people to walk to the local
Judges, who included The Lee, Keris and their team – including has also forged close links with the shop. The pub also received more
Publican’s managing editor Daniel legendary local barmaid Joanie neighbouring Queen Elizabeth House, than £2,000 for a local event to cele-
Pearce, were looking for the pubs Clement, aged 75 – have worked tire- which provides sheltered accommo- brate Arthur’s Day – and the party,
that really live up to Arthur Guinness’ lessly to forge links with their local dation, regularly raising funds, taking featuring live music, a free buffet
belief in supporting the community, community, hosting regular events residents on trips, throwing them with steak and Guinness pie,
whether that be through raising such as ‘Meet the Neighbours’ parties, Christmas parties and welcoming visi- Guinness oysters and even Guinness
money for charity, organising regular and initiatives to engage with local tors to the house into the pub. brownies, certainly went with a
events or making a special effort to people. Keris is now talking to the council swing. Locals were thanked for
look after their customers. A regular newsletter goes out to about using some of the prize money playing their part in making the
The Guinness Community Outlet of locals, while Ram Rod, the pub’s to pave over a cobbled area in front Nightingale the Guinness Community
the Year judges were also looking for mascot, travels all over the world of the pub to make it easier for the Outlet of the Year. ■
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