Oxford CAMRA:
Branch Pub of the Year Competition 2008

7th October 2008

Voting is now under way for the Oxford CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008. This year we will be selecting a single Pub of the Year from the pubs within the ring road (a country pub of the year award will follow next summer). Six pubs were nominated at the September branch meeting and they are:

1. Harcourt Arms, Cranham Terrace, Jericho, OX2 6DG.
2. King's Arms, 40 Holywell Street, OX1 3SP.
3. Mason's Arms, 2 Quarry School Place, Headington Quarry, OX3 8LH.
4. Old Bookbinder's, 17-18 Victor Street, Jericho,OX2 6BT.
5. Rose and Crown, 14 North Parade Avenue, OX2 6LX.
6. Turf Tavern, 4 Bath Place, OX1 1SU.

All CAMRA members are entitled to vote. A PDF of the voting form is available, or the form can be found in the current issue of Oxford Drinker. All you have to do is visit all six pubs, get your form stamped to show that you've been to each pub, and then rank the pubs in your order of preference. Don't forget to add your name and CAMRA membership number at the bottom of the form.

Forms can be posted to the address given on the form, or they can be brought along to either the November or December branch meetings.

Judging for the regional and national CAMRA Pub of the Year competition is done by scoring on the factors listed below. This should give you some idea of what we are looking for in branch Pub of the Year candidate.

Quality of Beer: Obviously CAMRA are only going to give an award to a pub which consistently serves excellent real ale. One thing to note is that this is about quality not quantity; although choice of beers is nice to have, one or two really well kept beers are preferable to a wide range of beers which turn out to be mediocre.

Community Focus: A good pub is genuinely part of the community in which it is situated, and attracts a good cross-section of local people.

Atmosphere: This is difficult to define, but drinkers tend to know when a pub "feels right". Is it a good place to be? Are you going to want to come back on a regular basis?

Campaigning: CAMRA is keen to reward pubs which espouse and promote our values. Is cask ale being given a positive push? Is information available on the beers being sold?

Style and Decor: Is the decor appropriate and does the style show respect for the building and its history? A pub doesn't have to be a picture-postcard rural gem to score highly here; a basic back street boozer is just as valid, if it is a well-kept example of that type of pub.

Service and Welcome: Is the service prompt and friendly? Do you get a full measure without having to ask? The staff in a good pub should regard you as a human being rather than just a potential source of revenue!

Value for Money: How do prices compare with other pubs in the vicinity?

We have had excellent responses to previous competitions, and hope to get as many members as possible involved again this year. Please pay a visit to these wonderful pubs, and make sure you return your voting form.

The winner will be announced in December, and a presentation will be made to the winning pub prior to Christmas.

Only forms with six completed stamps will be considered in the vote!