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The West Berkshire branch of the
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has chosen the Ibex Inn at
Chaddleworth as the worthy winner of its 2009 Best Community
Pub award.
The competition, which invited
nominations from pub-goers and publicans in the
West Berkshire branch area, is in its second
year having been won previously by the Fox and Hounds,
Donnington. The
presentation of the award, at the Ibex, on the evening of
Tuesday 17th February formed the highlight of
Local Pubs week in West Berkshire.
The Ibex was swamped with customers
eager to see Andy and Julia Jones rewarded for their
community efforts at keeping the village supplied with a
variety of services, in addition to the beer and food
expected from any pub. The couple have run the pub for about
five years and this award came at a critical stage in their
determined effort to keep the enterprise trading
successfully. Now they are confident that they can continue
to run the pub which is at the heart of this Berkshire
Downlands village community.
Local media and photographers were on
hand to record the moment when West Berkshire CAMRA
Chairman, Adrian Bean, described the Ibex’s winning
qualities and presented the smiling couple with a framed
certificate. After accepting the award, Andy and Julia
showed their appreciation by inviting everyone to help
themselves from the substantial buffet in the restaurant. It
was then time for them to get back behind the bar and serve
drinks to their thirsty customers.
Nominations for the pub mentioned the variety of services
provided. Orders and collections can be made at the
pub for dry cleaning, shoe repairs, floral bouquets and
prescriptions. Take away fish and chips are available on
Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Household items supplied by
the pub include free range eggs, home baked bread, light
bulbs, stationery and greeting cards. The pub has housed the
local Post Office since November 2006 and also offers a
meeting room with wireless internet.
Special activities organised by the Ibex
have included Quiz nights, Christmas markets and Barn
dances. Cancer research and the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air
Ambulance are amongst the supported charities. Four darts
teams are based at the pub with matches on Mondays and
Thursdays. In addition to running the Ibex, Andy and Julia
are bringing up a young family, with five children ranging
in age from ten months to twelve years.
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