A DORSET tavern has won the title of CAMRA Pub of the Season for Winter 2023/24.

Described as ‘a traditional award-winning pub with roaring open fires and quality home-cooked meals with local ales’, the owners were ‘ecstatic’ with the win.

The Horse and Groom in Wareham is run by Bob and Caroline Pittard, along with general manager Joe Carter.

CAMRA members nominate their favourite watering holes for the award, and a panel of judges visits each nominee to determine the worthy winner.

 

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Joe was thrilled with the result, he said: “It's such a great achievement to win the award because it's all voted by CAMRA members, and they know what they're doing.

“They're like experts in their field when it comes to this.

“To get that recognition is awesome. So, we are really pleased with that.

“Now we have the potential to win Camra’s pub of the year which would be ideal.

“We have won it before, back in 2020, but obviously in 2019 because of the lockdown happening, we couldn't use the time to kind of get excited about it because we had to close.

“So, we are really pleased that we've got it this time.

“We've had a lot of comments of people saying that it's so well deserved, and it's all down to me, Bob, and Caroline, and it's such a lovely place to be.

"The customers have said we deserve every award going which is lovely to hear.

“Customer service is also something that I take pride in.

“The staff here are so good. Big friendly hellos and big friendly goodbyes.”

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Joe recalled the moment he heard about the win, adding: “It was a Saturday afternoon, and I was working behind the bar when I got a phone call from the guys at CAMRA and they were like, we've got good news then that's how we found out.

“I Just went round to Bob and Caroline and they were ecstatic.

“Caroline jumped out of her chair.

“2023 was an incredible year for us all and 2024 is already off to a fantastic start.”