Country pub rescued by customers named best in UK

A country pub saved from closure after villagers clubbed together in to buy it has been named national pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

The George & Dragon at Hudswell, North Yorkshire, was praised by the organisation for its warm and welcoming atmosphere and a strong community ethos.

The pub, which was the village's only community facility, closed in 2008, but reopened in 2010 after residents formed the Hudswell Community Pub Ltd group and raised £200,000 to buy the building and land.

The group was helped by the Plunkett Foundation which supports community co-operatives in rural areas, reports the BBC.

The pub includes a small shop, library, community allotments and free internet access.

Paul Ainsworth, from Camra, said: "The George & Dragon is a great example of how a pub has been resurrected as a true community asset.

"To go from closed doors to winning national pub of the year in just a few short years is a fantastic achievement for any pub – and all the more impressive for one that is cooperatively owned."

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The pub, whose beers are predominantly sourced from Yorkshire breweries, beat off competition from 52,200 others to win the award.

It is one of only 70 community-run pubs in the country.

Camra's judges recognised the "great passion" for quality beer of the landlord, Stuart Miller, along with his range of real ales and cider.

Miller, who took over the pub in July 2014 and now runs it with members of his family, said he and the community were thrilled to have received such a prestigious award

"It shows that hard work, good beer and the support of the community can help you achieve goals that seemed impossible only a short while ago," he said.

Runners up in the UK-wide competition were the Salutation Inn in Ham, Gloucestershire, the Stanford Arms in Lowestoft, Norfolk, and the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton, Lancashire.

George & Dragon beat off competition from 52,200 others to clinch the award, and is one of only 70 community-run pubs.

"It shows that hard work, good beer and the support of the community can help you achieve goals that seemed impossible only a short while ago."

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