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Awards
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub of the Season
Our Spring “Pub of the Season” is the venerable Axe & Cleaver in Dunham Massey. Famous as a food-led pub in Greene King's “Chef & Brewer” estate, it has been dispensing fine ale since the early part of the 19th century. The exact date of opening is not known but it is thought to have been first licensed under one of the Beerhouse Acts of either 1830 or 1840. The pub still has on display a photo of the original building which certainly suggests the late Georgian era.
Today the pub is run by manager Neil and assistant manager Talia, along with Paul (cellarman, beer selector and all-round ale guru), and a huge crew of cooks and waiting staff. The clientele ranges from walkers and visitors to the Dunham Massey estate to boat and narrowboat travellers on the nearby Bridgewater Canal, and of course, innumerable wakes and memorial functions in connection with Altrincham Crematorium (the record is four wakes in one day, at carefully staggered intervals).
But local people still drop in for a pint - it is still very much a Public House where you don't have to dine to have a drink. You may have to stand around the north end of the bar, or by the back entrance to the pub, to avoid being run over by energetic waitrons (to use a good South African word). Or you can take your pint out the gardens - a popular spot at sunset, with views out over farmers' fields.
The beers today are all from the Greene King range; sadly, the pub is no longer able to buy directly from the nearby Dunham Massey Brewery. Typical beers include Axe & Cleaver Bitter (thought to be brewed to the recipe for the old Hardy's & Hanson's Bitter), and Morland Original Bitter.
At the back of the pub there's a substantial but disused building, the old stables. Within living memory there was a function room here, and a bowling green behind it.
Please join us on Saturday 9th May, from 12 noon onwards, when Trafford & Hulme CAMRA will be presenting a well earned Pub of the Season certificate to the Axe & Cleaver.
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub & Club Annual Awards
This year we are lucky enough to have not one but two pubs in out Most Improved Category - the Auld Chimp in Urmston and Electrik in Chorlton
Our inability to separate these two means we have to have 2 awards nights - the first on the 9th April for the Auld Chimp, followed by a tour of some other pubs in Urmston, the second on the 30th April at Electrik in Chorlton (where, no doubt, we will also visit some nearby pubs). Awards usually start around 8pm
The Auld Chimp, formerly the Steamhouse, is part of the Brew Chimp empire and features, you guessed it, Irish Ales amongst more local offerings.
Electrik, a long standing part of Chorlton's Beer scene, has upped it game with 3 real ales after many years struggling to sell 2, Jaipur and Sonoma usually are present along with a rotating guest from Red Willow or other, slightly more local, breweries.
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub & Club Annual Awards
The Longford Tap has once again shown us its commitment to locally brewed ales, they actively promote what ales they have on social media. Congratulations to Paul and Dave Burgess on their 3rd consecutive year winning this award. They were also runner up in our Community Pub category.
Join us on the 16th April from 8pm (it's quiz night and it gets quite lively but don't let thet put you off)
Check out their socials for upcoming events (and ales!):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLongfordTap/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/longfordtap
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub & Club Annual Awards
Trafford & Hulme CAMRA members recently voted for the pubs and clubs that they rated the very best in our area.
So as they say in the awards ceremonies, without further ado, the winners are:
Pub Of The Year
Winner: The Beer House, Chorlton
Presentation: 1st May
Runner Up: The Fox Pub & Kitchen, Flixton
Club Of The Year
Winner: Flixton Conservative Club, Urmston
Runner Up: The Carlton Club, Whalley Range
Cider Pub Of The Year:
Winner: The Apple Barn, Dunham Massey
Best LocAle Pub:
Winner: The Longford Tap, Stretford
Presentation: 16th April
Best Community Pub/Club
Winner: The Carlton Club, Whalley Range
Runner Up: The Longford Tap, Stretford
Presentation: 16th April
Most Improved Pub/Club
Joint Winner: The Auld Chimp, Urmston
Joint Winner: Electrik, Chorlton
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub of the Season
Our Pub Of The Season for Autumn 2025 is Head, Chester Road, Stretford.
This modern bar opened on the front of Stretford Mall facing Chester Road in 2018. Despite the challenges of global pandemics and the ongoing redevelopment of the Mall site behind it, it has quietly established itself as an important hub of the Stretford community and kept going while other bars & restaurants in the area have sadly fallen by the wayside. It plays host to mumerous local pub darts and pool teams but it's key USP is it's regular programme of music nights - both DJs and live music.
The focus on music is no suprise to those that know owner James "Gib" Gibson who has been playing solo and in bands around the Manchester area for over 20 years, during which time he also cut his teeth working in many bars in Chorlton and Manchester before branching out on his own with Head.
Of course, to be CAMRA Pub of The Season, something else Head has always done well is beer. From the outset the bar has sold two cask ales alongside a range of quality draft beers from local breweries. the cask pumps regularly feature beers from Timothy Taylor, RedWillow and Pomona Island while there are permanent keg lines for Cloudwater & Pomona Island plus several guests.
Although actually the award for the Autumn season, the certificate was presented on 21st August - just before the official start of Autumn.
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub Of The Year
Drum roll please!!
Longford Tap!
A huge congratulations to the owners, Paul and Dave Burgess.
Another momentus occasion to be presented with the LocAle Pub Of The Year award.
The award was presented by our very own branch Chairman Mark Reeves.
The Longford Tap is a CAMRA award winning bar in the heart of Stretford.
At the Longford Tap you can enjoy craft ales and spirits from across the region, as well as wines, cocktails, and evening entertainment. We serve coffee and cake through the day, and bar snacks too. We're proud to be part of Stretford's regeneration, making the town great again!
Check out their socials for upcoming events:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLongfordTap/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/longfordtap
- Details
- Category: Awards
On Thursday 22nd February, the branch voted for our annual awards to pubs and clubs across the branch area.
We have so many great venues serving cask conditioned ale and live beer in the branch, it's an honour to name this year's winners....
The Best Newcomer for 2023-24 is Pray Tell in Sale who introduced cask ale this year and keep it excellently.
Most Improved Pub 2024 is The Unicorn in Altrincham which has really transformed its cask ale offer this past year and were scored highly by branch members for quality of their ales.
LocAle Pub Of The Year is awarded to The Longford Tap who have an admirable focus on championing of our local breweries.
Community Pub/Club of the Year is awarded to The Carlton Club in Whalley Range -very much at the heart of their community.
Cider Pub Of The Year for the second year running is Dunham Apple Barn , the tap for Dunham Press Cider
Club Of The Year 2024 is once again Flixton Conservative Club - although it was a close race with The Carlton Club, Flixton takes the title for the 11th consecutive time with their unwavering committment to championing local cask brewers and encouraging their members to try the ales on offer.
And last, coming out top for the third year running, the Trafford and Hulme CAMRA - Campaign For Real Ale Pub Of The Year for 2024 is The Beer House in Chorlton.
Presentation dates for all the above awards will be announced in due course.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the pubs and clubs across the branch who continue to offer a great choice of beers and ciders to enjoy in social settings.
To see the history of branch award winners, click here.
- Details
- Parent Category: Awards
- Category: Pub of the Season
Our Winter Pub of the Season 2023/24 goes to......
As usual, you're always guaranteed a great pint! That's why this cracking pub has won CAMRA award after award and this is no exception.
A welcoming bar in Whalley Range with 5 hand pumps offering a range of strengths & usually something dark, as well as selection of craft keg and imported German beers. The ales are sourced locally & further afield, recently they hosted a Verdant tap takeover.
The winner is - Hillary Step
Join us on Thursday 15th February for the Award, and the launch of their house beer, brewed in collaboration with Blackjack brewery who will be there to celebrate with them.
Come and join us at 199 Upper Chorlton Road, Manchester M16 0BH
More Articles …
- Drum Roll please. The Club Of The Year award goes to...
- Who is our Pub Of The Season Autumn 2023 WINNER?
- Community Venue of the Year 2023
- Pub of The Year 2023 presentation - Beer House
- Old Roebuck - Spring 2023 Pub of the Season
- 2023 Award Winners
- Pub of the Season Presentation to Beer House - Winter 22/23
- Special Award - 10 Years in the GBG - Costello's Altrincham
- Salutation - Pub of the Season Autumn 2022
- Salutation - Most Improved Pub 2020
Subcategories
Pub of the Season Article Count: 73
Trafford & Hulme Branch awards four seasonal awards to pubs, bars & clubs in the branch area
The Pub Of The Season award is presented to a pub or bar within the branch area which has excelled in one or more areas:
a) introducing real ale to a new area or market where none has been available
b) on-going excellence in the quality of real ales (and ciders) on offer
c) on-going excellence of service to customers and/or the local community
d) significant increases in the sales of real ales and/or traditional ciders
e) excellence in support promotion of CAMRA and its aims
f) significant charitable work
Nominees for the award are put forward by local CAMRA members & voted on by branch members once a quarter.
A pub (while under the same management) cannot be Pub Of The Season more than once in a 3 year period. A pub must have been under the same management for over one year before it becomes eligible to be nominated as Pub Of The Season.
Find out more about Trafford & Hulme Branch's process for pub and club awards here.
Pub Of The Year Article Count: 20
The Pub Of The Year award is presented annually to a pub or bar which in the opinion of the membership “ticks all the boxes”. It should ideally offer a range of quality real ales, including speciality styles like dark beers; offer good real cider and perry; and offer at least one LocAle. A branch pub of the year should be a community pub that provides events and services for the local community. The pub should have a strong identity and personality that will often reflect the tastes of the licensee. The pub should exude a sense of welcome and the experience of your visit should leave you wanting to return.
The pub or bar should be the one the branch feels is the very best overall in our area as the Pub Of The Year shall be put forward by the branch for entry into the Greater Manchester Regional round of the CAMRA National Pub Of The Year award where it will be judged on quality of cask ale (and cider); atmosphere; décor; customer service; welcome; value for money; customer mix.
Find out more about Trafford & Hulme Branch's process for pub and club awards here.
Pub & Club Annual Awards Article Count: 22
While the branch celebrates four Pub Of The Season winners throughout the year, these often go to long standing pubs and bars which are awarded for longevity of excellence. Starting from 2013, the branch decided it wanted to also recognise pubs that excel in specific areas.
The branch presents four annual awards in addition to existing Pub of The Season and Pub Of The Year awards:
Best Newcomer
Most Improved Pub Or Club
Best Community Pub
Best LocAle Pub or Club
For full details of the awards, click here
Club Of The Year Article Count: 10
The Club Of The Year award is presented annually to the club, which shows the greatest commitment to Quality Real Ale. Factors to be considered are quality of cask ale (and cider); sympathy with CAMRA's aims (e.g. CAMRA literature displayed; hosting CAMRA events such as branch or committee meetings); welcome given to non-member cask ale drinkers; value for money on cask ales and ciders; promotion of real ale (e.g. real ale beer festivals, brewery nights, other real ale promotions).
Additionally CAMRA members must be welcomed to drink in the club on production of a current CAMRA membership card (guest admission fees and maximum visits before joining the club may apply).
Find out more about Trafford & Hulme Branch's process for pub and club awards here.
Cider Pub Of The Year Article Count: 6
The Cider & Perry Pub Of The Year award recognises a pub, bar or club that has best excelled in the promotion of real traditional draught ciders and perries appropriately served. Quality of the cider and perry offered is the most important criteria alongside overall promotion of real cider and perry and cider producers by the pub (e.g. posters and literature in the pub; tasting events; cider and perry pub festivals). A branch cider/perry pub of the year should offer a good range of quality real cider and perry, and ideally the choice over time should include a range of styles from different cider producers.
Find out more about Trafford & Hulme Branch's process for pub and club awards here.
Cask Champion Award Article Count: 1
The Trafford & Hulme Cask Champion award was created in 2010 to recognise the achievements of a person, group, pub or company that have made an outstanding contribution to furthering CAMRA\'s aims in the branch area.
There award is only presented infrequently when the branch considers that there is a candidate worthy of this honour.
Find out more about Trafford & Hulme Branch's process for pub and club awards here.
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