Barnard Castle publicans raise a glass to real ale accolade

A LANDLORD couple are toasting success after their pub was voted Teesdale’s best of the year.
The Golden Lion, in Barnard Castle, won the Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) Teesdale Pub of the Season – pipping the Old Well Inn by just one point.
Sandra and Dave Wilkinson took over the Market Place pub three years ago and have helped reshape its reputation.
The real ale enthusiasts were delighted to pick up the prize.
Mrs Wilkinson said: “We’re chuffed to bits – I think people now know we have a vast collection of cask ales.
“We are tied to Marston’s so we have four permanently on the bar – we have seven hand pulls and a bit of freedom over what we have on.”
A member of Darlington Camra, Mrs Wilkinson said demand for cask ale had “shot up” in recent times.
“We'll have nine hand pulls on the bar by Christmas, it’s impossible to fit any more on – there’s no more space.”
In all, 38 Camra members voted for the prize with the Golden Lion claiming 56 points, the Old Well Inn getting 55 points and The Strathmore Arms, in Holwick, taking third with 21.
Mrs Wilkinson has invited the public to share in the pub’s success at a party this month.
“On November 18 it will be three years since we came here – winning the award is a good excuse to have a party,” she added.
The party starts at 7pm and will go on until last orders.